Page 19 of Daddy Vibes (The Anti-Bachelorette 2)

Chapter 8

Eric

I texted Angela asking what time she gets off work, but now she isn’t even responding to me. Funny how I avoided her the whole day, but now that I want to talk to her, I can’t wait 5 minutes for a text back. I decide to get up and go see her at work. I can’t just sit here and do nothing anymore. Plus if I show up, she can’t just say no to me.

I pull up to the tattoo parlor 15 minutes later and head inside. I don’t see anyone when I walk in which seems strange. I guess everyone is in the back. I glance back at the door and see the open sign is still lit up, and obviously the door wasn’t locked so they can’t be closed. I still don’t see or hear anyone, so I call out. “Angela? You here?”

That’s when I hear a moan coming from behind the counter. The sound sends a cold chill down my spine. Dread fills me as I imagine the worst. I quickly rush over around the counter and see her lying on the ground. Her face is swollen and there is blood running down the side of her head.

I quickly lean down close to her. “Fuck Angie. Are you okay?” I reach for my phone and dial 911.

I hear the dispatch answer. “911 what’s your emergency?”

I can hear how panicked my voice sounds. “Someone attacked my girlfriend. She’s knocked out. There’s blood coming from her head.”

The dispatcher remains calm. “We are dispatching a medic to your location. Are the attackers still around?”

I glance around the tattoo parlor, but I don’t hear or see anyone. I didn’t even think to check before. I was too worried about Angela. “No, I don’t think so.”

The dispatcher continues to remain calm even though I feel like my heart is beating through my chest. “Do you have something you can use to stop the bleeding until the medics arrive?”

I quickly pull my hoodie off my back and press it to the gash on her head to try to stop the bleeding. I hear Angela moan again and then she opens her eyes at me. “Eric?” She asks groggily and confused. I see a hint of a smile pass her face. “Did you just tell the police I was your girlfriend?”

I can’t help but let out a relieved laugh that she is making jokes even in this state. Then she closes her eyes and is out again. I continue to run my fingers up and down her arm. “Everything is going to be okay. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” I whisper in her ear even if she can’t hear me.

Ten minutes later an ambulance pulls up outside, and a couple of medics rush in. I see the female medic cringe as she takes in what happened. “Do you know what happened?” She asks as she turns to me.

“I’m not sure. I found her on the floor when I walked in.” The lady nods, and she and the other medic pull Angela up onto a stretcher. “We’ll take it from here. Thanks.”

She presses a bandage to her head, and then they start to head out but I chase after them. “Can I come with you? She’s my…” I pause. I know I called her my girlfriend earlier, but I’m not sure why. I try to think of how to phrase it and open my mouth again. “My…” The female medic just smiles at me. “You can’t come in the ambulance, but you can follow behind. We are taking her over to Mercy on 7th.”

I nod her my thanks and rush back to my car to follow behind. I stop and look back at the shop. “Shit.” I quickly run back and lock the door handle so at least no one can get in. I don’t need her work robbed on top of this.

By the time I got to my car and drove over to the hospital, the ambulance had already brought Angela in, so I headed over to the reception desk to find out where she is at.

I’m told the doctors are still checking her out, so I will have to wait in the waiting room until she is ready for visitors. I sit down in one of the chairs, but I am restless worrying about her. My legs keep bouncing up and down, and I finally think to call someone. I don’t have Angela’s parents number in my phone, so I decide to call Alaric first.

“Hey Eric, what’s up?”

The panic in my voice doesn’t seem to have gone away yet. “Angela was attacked by someone. I’m at the hospital now.”

He almost starts laughing at first like he thinks I’m joking. “You’re being serious?”

“Yes.” I choke out the word.

“Fuck. What happened? We’re on our way. What hospital are you at?”

“I’m not sure. She was unconscious when I found her. I haven’t been able to see her yet. The doctors don’t have any news for me yet. I’m just sitting here waiting. There’s nothing I can do.”

Alaric can hear the worry in my voice. “She’s going to be okay. We’re leaving now. What hospital?”

I forgot to answer him earlier. “Mercy on 7th.”

I hear Emory in the background. “What’s going on?”

Alaric tries to keep her calm. “Grab your stuff we have to head to the hospital.”

I hear her ask a million more questions, but Alaric comes back on the phone. “We’re on our way. Try not to worry. We’re across town, so it’ll be about an hour.”

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