Page 54 of Slow Burn (The Boston Beauties)

‘Andrew…’ her voice was panicked. ‘I need your help,’ she sounded breathless and her voice cracked.

I stood up and walked a few tables away. ‘What’s wrong?’ I saw Lisa looking up at me from the bar, watching me.

‘It’s Steve,’ she sobbed and my heart sank. ‘He’s had a heart attack. I’m at the hospital, but they are bringing him into surgery now.’

‘Ok,’ I let out a sigh of relief. ‘Ok, I’ll call her...well, Breton...I’m assuming that’s what you need?’

‘Yes.’

‘And Deb?’ I asked.

‘I’ve just got off the phone with her, she’s on her way, or will be shortly.’ She was crying and I wanted to get there as soon as I could.

‘Alright, I’m leaving now, I’ll call Brett from the car.’

I walked up to the bar, pulling my wallet out as Lisa walked towards me. ‘Is everything alright?’ she asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

‘Not really,’ I sighed, appreciating her concern despite everything I put her through. ‘Can I settle up the tab for the guys?’

‘Sure thing,’ she turned to print my bill and bring me over the payment machine. I gave a generous tip, as I always did.

‘Thanks.’

‘You ok?’ she asked, looking me over.

I wasn’t sure if I could say anything, so I hesitated. ‘I have to go into Boston, someone’s in the hospital.’

‘Oh my God, who?’ she asked, her face showing her surprise.

‘Steve Cahill,’ I said in a low voice. If anyone knew how much the Cahills meant to me, it was Lisa.

‘Drew…’ she trailed off, at a loss for words placing her hand on my arm. ‘Let me know if there’s anything I can do.’

I nodded. ‘Thanks, Lisa, that means a lot.’

‘Hey guys, sorry to do this, but I have a family emergency in Boston and I have to leave now.’ I didn’t explain, it was the first thing that came to my mind to call them family. That’s what they were to me. I really didn’t know how else to explain it without getting into the details—the Cahillswerefamily to me. And I was hoping that one day they would be my in-laws. The guys didn’t question my comment about family, despite knowing that I was single—not really, but it wasn’t like I could very well tell them about Jessa.

‘Joe, can I have a second?’ I looked at my right-hand man. He was the first guy I’d ever hired as an assistant and was thankful for ever since. I relied on him more than I should, but most importantly, I trusted him with my company.

He stood up and followed me towards the exit, ‘Sorry, but Mr. Cahill just had a heart attack, and Mrs. Cahill called me to come.’

‘Shit,’ he groaned. ‘Is he alright?’

‘I’m not sure, he’s in surgery,’ I paused. ‘I’m not sure how long I’m going to be in the city.’

He put his hand on my shoulder. ‘You go, do what you need to do, be there with them, I’ll take over here.’ I nodded, appreciative that I had him. He didn’t know all the details, but I think he knew how much the Cahills meant to me and that Steve bankrolled my start-up and was responsible for his family's health insurance.

I looked up to him, ‘Thanks, man, I really appreciate it.’

‘Don’t mention it.’

‘I’ll have my cell, text me with anything. The schedule for the week is in Google docs…’

‘I know, I know,’ he told me. ‘Call me tomorrow to let me know how the big boss is.’

I stopped in at home, packed a bag with a change of clothing and grabbed my laptop and chargers. I walked out of the nearly finished house with a backpack full of a few things. I didn’t need much to keep me going.

As soon as I turned the Audi on, my Bluetooth connected and I called the number I had for Breton and it went to voicemail.

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