Page 76 of Love on the Line

Chapter 26

At the scentof fresh brewed coffee, Anne opened her eyes. She glanced around the unfamiliar room. Her stomach knotted as memories of the nightmare flooded back. That’s right, she’d gone to Devon’s. But wait, why was she in the guest bedroom? Her fuzzy brain couldn’t keep track of what had happened. All that really mattered was that she needed to see Wyatt.

She scanned the room, searching for her phone. Nowhere in sight. She hurried down the hall to the kitchen.

“Good morning. Would you like a muffin or some coffee?” Devon sat at the kitchen counter, holding a steaming cup, his laptop open in front of him. In a suit and tie, he clearly had been up for a while.

“No, thanks. What time is it? I have to get over to the hospital.” She squinted to read the clock and winced as the tape from her bandage pulled at her temple.

“It’s seven. I was going to wake you if you didn’t get up soon, but I knew you were exhausted. I checked on you several times throughout the night, and you were sleeping soundly.”

“Thanks for doing that. I can’t believe I slept at all. I’m sure you didn’t get much rest.” She frowned. “I don’t even remember going to the bedroom.”

“You didn’t. You fell asleep on the couch. I carried you there,” he said matter-of-factly as he stood and shut the laptop.

What? He’d carried her? A creepy sensation crawled up her back. “I would have been fine on the sofa.”

Devon shrugged “I wanted you to be comfortable, and you were sort of…leaning on me.”

She cringed as it came back to her that she’d cuddled up against him, thinking he was Wyatt. “I’m sorry. I hope you didn’t think—”

“What I think is that you were very tired and confused.” With a gentle touch, he placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m glad I could be there for you. You’re always safe with me.”

“Thanks.” She took a step back and glanced around the kitchen. All she could think about was getting to Wyatt. “Do you know where my phone is?”

He frowned. “No idea.”

“It wasn’t in the bedroom.” She crossed to the family room, checking the end tables. “Can you call my number?”

“Sure, but I need to warn you about something.”

“Warn me? What?”

“The press reported the assault last night. It’s all over the news.” He shook his head. “I want to prepare you. There are rumors and speculation about Wyatt’s injuries and whether the Ravens will want him back.”

A weight dragged down her shoulders. More publicity. Poor Wyatt. They never left him alone. The ache in her head sharpened. “I really need to find my phone.”

“I’ll call it.” Devon tapped his screen, and a muffled ringtone came from somewhere near the couch. She followed the sound until she stood in front of the sofa. Bending down, she moved the pillows, and the ringing grew louder. She ran a hand between the cushions and pulled her phone out. “Oh no. I never would have heard this from the bedroom.”

“You must have dropped it in your sleep.”

Her hand trembled as she pressed her finger on the screen to unlock it. Cripes. Tons of missed calls and texts from her family and friends. She scrolled through and found three from Wyatt. “Oh my God, he tried to call me, and I didn’t hear it.”

She dropped onto the couch and clicked on the texts. He had to be living the same nightmare as her, with no way to get in touch and fearing the worst.

Are you ok? Where are you?

Call me ASAP. I’m panicked.

I’m out of my mind now. No one will tell me anything. Please call.

Her hands turned clammy, and sweat slicked her back. He hadn’t said anything about his condition in the texts.

“Is everything okay?” Devon sat beside her and touched her arm.

“I…I don’t know.” She called Wyatt, not wanting to waste a second listening to the voicemails.

He answered on the first ring, and her heart leaped.

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