Page 83 of Bleeding Hearts

Bethany

There was no time to plan. The jarring ring of the late-night call, announcing my brother Chad’s medical emergency in New York and my role as emergency contact, jolted me into immediate action.

The light, casual tone of our conversation we had after Nolan left was filled with jokes and friendly banter, masked the deep turmoil he was privately enduring. He seemed cheerful and optimistic. Just checking in. That should’ve been my first clue, because my brother rarely called just to chat. There was always a motive behind his calls. And I never knew exactly what that might be.

I had no idea what awaited me in New York. The only thing I knew for sure was that he was alive and stable. That’s all they would tell me over the phone.

My first call was to Alicia. I knew her connections would get us there quickly. It’s how she got to me almost a year ago after my accident. By the time I drove to her house, everything had been arranged.

Right before we boarded the private jet, I fired off a series of texts to Nolan. Then turned off my phone, knowing we’d be in the air and that I wouldn’t be able to talk after we landed.

That was ten hours ago.

Dillon took the boys and sweet baby Brinkley to the hotel just down the street. A way nicer one than we would’ve been able to get if not for Alicia and her amazing bosses with huge hearts. We’ll go there once we have spoken to the doctor again.

Now that it’s quiet and my brain can once again think, I realize I forgot to turn my phone back on. The first thing that pops up when it comes to life is my unsent text.

Me:

Family emergency. I’ll call when I can.

Oops. I must have turned off my phone before it was able to finish sending.

The next thing I read is a new text from Nolan. Given my incoherent texts, it’s understandable why Nolan is panicking.

Weighing my options, I decide that a phone call, allowing for immediate clarification and a more personal tone, is the best way to handle this. It’s three in the afternoon, so I know he’s at the firehouse, hopefully not being a grump and driving everyone crazy.

With my phone in my hand, I stand. “I need to call Nolan.”

“Sure, go.” With a deep, audible yawn, Alicia stretches her muscles. “If the doctor comes, I’ll come get you.”

Stepping into the small kitchen adjacent to the family lounge, I wait for him to answer.

“What the fuck Bethany? I’ve been trying to call you all day.” Nolan sounds more worried than upset. “I stopped by your sister’s to see if she knew where you disappeared to, but no one was home.”

“I’m in New York.”

“Fuck.”

“Chad is in surgery. It’s not looking good.”

“What do you need me to do?”

My head hits my hand as I crumble against the cool, smooth surface of the counter. “Chad fucked up. He got involved with the wrong people. I don’t know all the details.”

“The call last night.” His voice trails off.

“No. I called him back. All seemed fine. But I should’ve known something was wrong. He never just calls. Looking back, I realize he was already in deep and knew there wasn’t a damn thing I could do to help him.” Tears build behind my eyes and begin spilling onto my cheeks. “He’s alive. It’s been touch and go. Getting tossed off a roof…”

I can’t get the words out. The minute we arrived, a nurse escorted us to a room to meet with the doctor in charge of his care. I knew right then that the news wouldn’t be good.

“Bethany. You should’ve called me.”

“All I could think about was getting to him. Because for so many years, that’s what I did. I went when my brother needed me, and I didn’t think twice about it.” As I feel myself reaching a breaking point, I rub my forehead to regain control. “I’m sorry if my messages?—”

“Stop. I get it now. I knew something was off. Don’t worry about us. We’re fine. The girls are with Cora. Where are the boys?”

“Here. Dillon took them to the hotel about thirty minutes ago.”

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