Page 53 of South of The Skyway

“On my way—or I will be as soon as I find my pants—what do you need?”

“Rhyett, you don’t—”

“Brexley. If you didn’t need help, you wouldn’t have asked for it. Once I’m dressed enough to not be shunned by society, I’ll head your way. Which hospital?” She gave me the name and address, even Noel’s room number, and I promised her I’d be there. Something uneasy settled in my gut before a very different sensation engulfed it.

She calledme. While I wanted to take that as a moment of significance—that she’d call me when she needed something—that discomfort told me she didn’t have anyone else she could count on in a time of need. My heart ached. She honestly didn’t have any family she could depend on? Because the spring fling she’d known for a little over a week couldn’t be her best option when shit hit the fan…right?

* * *

There were few things,if any, that a Rhodes hated more than a hospital. If we were sick or hurt enough to land here, we’d already shaken hands with the Grim Reaper and could tell you what his breath smelled like. Hospitals were for the dying. For the people too blindsided by an injury, or too weak in fortitude to take care of their bodies in the first place. I had a pretty good poker face, but my anxiety spiked as the smell of antiseptic and the chatter of machines greeted me.

Maybe it was overstepping, but I’d already met Noel, and it felt rude to not at least offer her a smile and some flowers. Let her know I was grateful she was okay. If she was important to Brexley, that made her important to me. Although that also meant I had to survive the lobby, walk to the elevators, nine floors of fluorescents with an overworked nurse who had haunted eyes, and the sterilization required to gain entrance to the wing.

Immediately stopped by a pretty brunette behind the desk—who looked a little less haggard than my friend from the elevator—wearing crisp, black scrubs. I offered her that smile Jeanne called mylady killer.It must have worked, because the woman’s hard face relaxed, her throat working. A minute later, I had Noel’s room number and made a beeline for it, hesitating when I spotted a police officer leaning against the door frame.

As I approached, I cleared my throat, mostly so he knew I was a few steps behind him, and he rotated, his face solemn. Not good.

“Afternoon, officer. Everything alright?”

“Just getting a few more details,” he said with a stiff, formal smile. I nodded, aware of the pinch between my brows as the tension settled there.

“Is it alright if I come in? I’m a friend of Noel’s.”

“Rhyett?” The sound of Brexley’s voice, strained and hopeful, wrapped a rope around my ribs, squeezing until she slipped between the cop and the metal door frame. “Oh my God,” she breathed, and to my surprise, hurled her arms around my neck, our bodies colliding. On instinct, I wrapped her up in a vice grip, tightening as I buried my face in her hair.

Breathing her in, I thought,she called me.

I kissed her cheek, setting her on her feet so I could get a clear shot of her eyes. Flicking between them, I got the reassurance I needed that she was okay. The shadows there made me straighten, shoulders pulling back as the officer smiled more sincerely this time, stepping aside to let us pass.

“Thanks for the information, Miss McShane. We’ll be in touch.” There was a second officer beside her bedside, and I did my best not to wince at the bruise marring the side of Noel’s face. The second officer tapped a business card on the rolling table over her lap. “And I trust you’ll do the same when you think of something.”

When. I caught his verbiage and frowned, looking around the room and noting a woman at the foot of the bed who could be no one except for Noel’s mother, the two of them practically cloned copies, just a few decades apart. Opposite the officer stood a man in a two-thousand dollar suit, his dark brow furrowed and arms crossed. A tie hung loosely around his neck, the top of his collar unbuttoned. Brexley’s swallow was audible as she reached for my hand, guiding me to the head of the bed as the officer vacated the position.

I set the flowers on a side table before slipping from her hold to lean down and gently hug Noel, who giggled under her breath.

“Hey there, hotshot. I’m fine, I swear. They’re making it a bigger deal than it is.”

“Doesn’t look not serious, Red. Brex seemed pretty rattled.”

“Brex gets rattled if someone sneezes too close to me,” she said, directing my eyes to the blonde hovering by my side. She grimaced but didn’t argue.Well, that’s cute.

“I’m sorry,” the man across from us cut in. “I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”

Straightening, I extended a hand, “Rhyett Rhodes.” His hair was still gelled meticulously into place, denim eyes flashing with a challenge nobody else seemed to sense. Given the situation, it should have been imperative to reassure him, but I didn’t particularly care what conclusions he came to.

“Eric Connely,” he said as he accepted. He shook like his diminutive stature was accompanied by a little dick, and his ego needed to compensate. Like it was a wrestling match. I fought back the bemused snort as he uselessly added, “Noel’sboyfriend.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said under a raised brow, surveying him a little closer. It wasn’t. Everything about him spelled snake-oil salesman, and I quickly decided Noel could do better. Hell, any one of my brothers would be better for Red. Red…whose eyes were now on her lap, the dark bruise on her face and cast on her forearm tightening my chest.

“Well,” he scoffed, adding some swagger to his posture like it might catch my attention. “I feel bad you drove out, but she needs her rest.”

“Hmm, I’m just here to pick up Brex. I think we’re feeding a cat, picking up some supplies, or something along those lines.”

“I’ve got it covered. Sorry for your trouble.”

Oh. Little man was definitely in the mood for a pissing contest with his chest puffed and his shoulders pulled back. I wanted to laugh but thought better of it for the girls’ sake.

“No trouble at all. Brex,” I said, turning to her, loving the way he bristled. “What can I get you? I’m happy to hang out as long as you need me to.”

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