Page 55 of Erik's Redemption
How should she describe Brigid?
Her friend lifted a shoulder. “I’m a ‘once every so often when I need some best friend time’ yoga goer.”
Hannah laughed. At least she knew her place. She turned back to Andi. “Do you come often?”
Andi nodded. “Twice a week. I alternate between yoga and Pilates. It’s what I do for my soul.”
Before Hannah could reply, Andi’s phone rang.
She frowned when she looked at the screen. “It’s Erik.”
Hannah’s pulse sped into a gallop at the mere mention of his name. God, she was so hopelessly in love with the guy.
“Strange that he’s calling,” Andi said quietly, almost to herself. “Usually, it’s me chasinghisass down.”
Hannah expected Andi to step to the side to answer. Instead, she lifted the cell to her ear. “And to what do I owe this pleasant surprise?”
The color suddenly drained from Andi’s face.
Oh God, had something happened? Was Erik okay? Was his family okay?
Hannah inched closer, concern and panic welling in her belly.
“Okay, I’ll be right there.” Andi hung up, fingers shaking.
“What is it?” Hannah asked, touching the woman’s arm, wanting to comfort her.
“It’s my dad…he’s been rushed to the ER.”
CHAPTER 19
The world around Erik was a swirl of grays and blacks. Air moved around him as people rushed through the hospital waiting room. There were the sounds of beeping and footsteps and voices. But it all blurred in light of the fact his father was in a damn hospital.
His mother sniffed beside him. She’d cried a lot of tears, and he’d tried to be her comfort, but they both knew the only thing that would help was a doctor’s confirmation that his father was going to be okay.
He gripped his mother’s hand. “Hey. He’s going to be fine.”
“I shouldn’t have asked you to help with the groceries. I knew your father was in one of his moods where he wanted to be useful. He’s been in them so often lately, and no matter how much I tell him he needs to rest, he doesn’t.”
“This isn’t your fault.”
She nodded, but as she did, another tear rolled down her cheek. Fuck, he hated seeing her in pain. It made his own worse. It twisted everything into something that hurt far too much.
He tugged his mother into his chest and held her as silent tears wet his shirt. He’d rarely seen her cry. Once when he leftfor the military, and once when they’d lost a family pet. But that was it. She was the strongest woman he knew.
He was still holding her when a familiar face stepped through the hospital doors. Andi moved toward him, her eyes red-rimmed. He was so focused on his sister, he almost missed the person behind her.
Hannah.
“Andi’s here, Mom.”
His mother pulled away just as Andi reached them. His sister tugged them both into a hug at the same time, holding them for long seconds before stepping back. “What happened? It wasn’t another—”
“It wasn’t a heart attack,” Erik finished before she could. “He was on a ladder.”
“No!” Andi gasped. “He has an arrhythmia. He gets fatigued and dizzy.”
That was exactly what had happened.
