Page 26 of Love Unavoidable
Chapter 6
ethan
I shut the hospital room door softly. I am tempted to run after Eleanor and give her a piece of my mind. I mean, what in the actual fuck is that woman even about? I shocked the hell out of myself when I offered to let Sadie stay with me. It was mostly to spite Eleanor, but now I’m realizing exactly what that means if this happens.
I will have a woman living with me.
I must be stupid. Or drunk. Or both.
I near the hall to the waiting area and am surprised to see just how many people are here. Cole and Lexie, friends from their wedding, members of Sadie’s family—the bulk of whom bum rush me when I enter the room. Everyone speaks at once.
“How is she?”
“Did she collapse?”
“Eleanor said it was serious.”
“When can I see her?”
“Why did she only want you?”
I hold up my hands to get everyone to calm down. “She is going to be fine. It’s a concussion, a serious one, but not life threatening. She needs rest and quiet now and for the next few days. The initial scans are clear, she’s got a couple of nasty bumps on her head from when it hit the corner of the table and then the floor.” I seek Aaron out in the crowd and give him a pointed and pissed off look. He lowers his eyes to the ground. I hope it is because he feels bad for causing this and not just because he’s a fucking coward and can’t meet my gaze.
“There is some slight swelling, but nothing major. Sadie has asked that there be no visitors tonight. When she’s released tomorrow, I am going to take her home with me and keep an eye on her until she is okay to be on her own. Anyone have a problem with that?”
Aaron looks up sharply, his mouth opens as though he is going to object. He closes it just as quickly. He is smarter than I thought.
“There isn’t much anyone can do tonight. So, why don’t you all go home and get some rest, I can call or text an update tomorrow as long as Sadie has your contact info,” I say looking around at the crowd. Some look accepting of what I’m saying, and some look at me as if to say “who the fuck do you think you are?”
All these people were okay with her marrying Aaron, a man who obviously unsettled her so much earlier tonight that she had to physically push herself out of his arms. I don’t give a fuck about what most of them think.
Shit, if I’m going to care about anyone’s thoughts, it needs to be my own about why I am suddenly so protective of this woman. Cole and Lexie make their way over, breaking up my reverie.
“You okay?” Lexie asks, placing her hand on my upper arm. I nod and smile, move my gaze between her and her new husband.
“Mighty big responsibility you’re takin’ on, man, you sure you’re good with that?” Cole asks.
“Gotta be honest, brother, no one is more surprised than me that I offered to do this,” I say.
“I’ve always said you’re a great guy, E,” Lexie says.
“Yeah, well, don’t let it get around.” I smile.
“So, Eleanor know you plan to take Sadie home with you?” Cole asks, his voice low.
I nod. “She was not happy about it at all. Tried to tell Sadie she and Aaron were practically married, and she just had cold feet. That the wedding would happen eventually.” I run my hands through my hair, surprised that it still riles me that Sadie’s mom did that.
“Wait, that’s not what happened, right? I thought Sadie called it off completely?” Lexie asks.
Cole sighs. “Keep an eye on that one, for Sadie’s sake. Eleanor is family and all, but my opinion? Her belfry is chock-full of bats. You know what I mean?” Cole looks at Lexie and me, then circles his finger at the side of his head, making the sign for crazy. “And she don’t always use her powers for good, especially not where Sadie is concerned.”
“I heard,” I tell him.
“That’s sad,” Lexie says. Cole leans over and kisses the top of her head. She closes her eyes and leans further into him. It makes me happy to see her loved.
I first met Lexie, years ago, the night Brad first met Kat. Lexie, Kat, and Remi were at the same bar that Brad and I were. Kat spilled a drink on Brad, and he was in love. It was that fast. And I have grown to care about all three of the girls immensely, like the sisters I have never had.
“Okay, well.” Cole pulls Lexie close to him with the arm he has around her waist. She turns into him and returns his embrace. “If you are good, and Sadie is good, then I am going to whisk my wife away and enjoy what remains of my wedding night.” He talks to me, but he is looking at Lexie as he speaks, desire written all over his face. He wiggles his eyebrows at her, and she giggles. My guess is they will barely make it to the limo before the wedding night enjoyment resumes.
