Page 23 of A Powerful Attraction
“It took them too long to figure out what was wrong with me,” Heather said.
Her first episode had occurred a couple of years ago, and Alex and Rashad had flown to Texas to find out what was going on. She’d responded well to steroids and was released from the hospital, but when the second episode hit only a month later, treatment by a drug used for leukemia had been the only way to save her.
By then, the damage had been done. She’d lost vision in one eye and suffered from kidney failure. Months later, she was in the hospital again, that episode making one of her lungs useless and causing a series of small strokes that made her more frail.
Alex took her hand and squeezed. “But now that we know what’s wrong, they can help you. That’s why Rashad and I brought you here. So you can get the care of a doctor who specializes in this disease. Don’t you dare give up.”
Heather’s head lolled to the side so she could look out the window. He’d never seen her so despondent, and her lack of response ate at him. A few years ago she’d been energetic, fun-loving, and on top of the world. In a short time, she’d lost her enthusiasm, grown tired and lethargic. And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.
Rashad walked in holding two cups of coffee. “This is pretty good coffee,” he said, handing one to Alex. “They’ve got a gourmet coffee shop down there, but I brought you a plain coffee.” He went to the other side of the bed and sat down.
“He won’t tell me about his new girlfriend,” Heather said. “So why don’t you tell me?”
Rashad glanced at Alex. “Oh, he’s a goner, Heather,” he said with a grin.
“You mean there’s a woman alive who has captured the heart of our brooding Colombian heartthrob?” she teased.
“You heard it here first,” Rashad said.
“Both of you can stop now, anytime you’re ready.” Alex sipped his coffee. Rashad was correct. The coffee wasn’t bad at all. He set the Styrofoam cup on the table beside the bed and listened to Rashad give a rundown of his relationship with Sherry.
Occasionally, Heather asked questions, and when Alex thought Rashad was exaggerating, he interjected a correction to the narrative. The three of them laughed and talked like they always did when they came together. Eventually, the conversation shifted to Rashad and the stream of women who went through the revolving door of his home. That gave Alex a chance to turn the tables and give him a hard time.
Finally, Heather shook her head and laughed. “You’re never going to change, are you?”
“Why change when nothing’s wrong?” Rashad asked.
Alex noted Heather’s tired expression. Her eyes drooped and she stifled a yawn. They’d worn her out. He stood. “Time for us to get out of here, Rashad.”
His friend nodded, getting to his feet, too.
“No, you guys can stay.” Heather reached out her hands to them.
“Nah, Alex is right. You look tired, babe. You know we’ll be back again in the next day or two.” Rashad bent down and kissed her on the forehead.
She took his hand in hers, and the mood in the room shifted. The air became heavy with regret and unspoken words.
Heather’s gaze connected with Alex’s, and she extended her hand to him as well. He took it but didn’t want to hear what she was about to say, yet knew he couldn’t stop her.
“I love you guys so much,” Heather said thickly.
Rashad glanced away out the window, as if he couldn’t bear to look at her.
Tears filled Heather’s eyes. “I couldn’t be loved more if you were actually my blood. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you, but know that I’ll do anything within my power that you ask me to do. If I can do it.”
“The only thing we want you to do is get better,” Alex said.
“I’ll do my best.” Her smile was wan and sad. “Any woman would be lucky to have either of you. But lucky me, I’m fortunate to have you both in my life. And for that, I’m forever thankful. Whatever happens moving forward, I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. The sacrifices you’ve made.”
“It’s not over yet,” Alex said in a thick voice.
She didn’t respond, and the helplessness he always encountered whenever he contemplated her situation beat unrestricted inside his chest.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, or the next day. I’ll be happy whenever you come. But please don’t put your life on hold for me,” she said.
A tear slipped from the corner of her eye, and Alex swiped it away with his finger.
“Everything we’ve done, we’ve wanted to do. Willingly. Don’t you forget that.”
