Aubrey #3
“I’m right here. We’re going,” he says from behind me as his arms grab hold and lift me off the ground, one hand behind my knees and the other along my back.
“What’s wrong with her?” Hailey’s heels click against the sidewalk beside us as Lionel speed walks to the car.
“She has low blood pressure,” he answers bluntly. “Aubrey, do we need to take you to the hospital?”
“No… I just need to take my blood pressure and rest. It should be fine,” I tell him quietly as I try to take deep breaths to calm my racing heart.
He nods when I look at him. “You tell me if something changes, all right?”
“I will.”
Lionel practically races us back home, despite the usual New York City traffic. Once we’re in the safety of my home, he lays me down on the couch in the living room. “What can I get you to help?”
“Water, maybe a granola bar, and my blood pressure machine, please.”
Hailey watches me with worry. “Should I call Shane? Or someone? Maybe your OB?”
“No, it’s okay. I don’t want him worrying right now.
I’ll be fine, my doctor’s already aware of my blood pressure,” I reassure her as Lionel comes back with everything I asked.
I take my pressure, frowning at the numbers that pop up, eighty-one over fifty.
I drink some water slowly then begin munching on my granola bar.
“What can I do? I feel like I need to help in some way,” Hailey asks again.
“Well, if you wouldn’t mind…” I start.
“Anything!” she rushes out.
“Could you go into my bedroom and into Shane’s closet to get me one of his shirts? And maybe a pair of loose shorts from mine?” I blush once I’ve made my request.
“Of course, I’ll be right back.”
Once she’s back and I’ve changed, I settle in on the couch for a little nap. Hailey sits down near my feet, and I suddenly feel bad cutting her shopping day short. “I’m sorry we couldn’t finish shopping. You don’t have to stay if you want to go back. It won’t be much fun for you if I’m sleeping.”
“Nonsense, I’m not going anywhere. And when you wake up, we’ll have dinner together.” She smiles and helps me place the blanket over my feet.
“Okay.” I smile back. “Thank you, Hailey. For today, and for being so nice to me.”
“We’re friends now, Aubrey. That’s what friends do.”
SHANE
I sigh, finally getting into my hotel room after a few meetings with the media and coaching staff. I wanted to call Aubrey the second we landed in North Carolina, but I was pulled aside immediately.
I toe off my shoes as I videocall her, placing my phone down on the bed.
I hear the call connect as I loosen my tie and rip it off.
“Hey, Angel. Sorry I didn’t call sooner, but you know how it is with the playoffs.
” I smile, looking down at my phone, but it drops instantly when I see my ex-wife rather than my girlfriend.
“Hailey? What…” I tap my screen, wanting to make sure I called the right person, which still wouldn’t make sense as to why I’d call my ex instead of my girl.
She smiles warmly. “You called the right person if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“I don’t understand. Where’s Aubrey?” I frown, taking the phone in my hands and sitting down.
“She’s here, she’s sleeping.” She turns the camera over, showing me my sleeping Angel on the couch.
“Is she okay? Why are you with her?”
She brings the screen back to her. “We went shopping together today and she started getting dizzy, so we came back. She’s been napping for about two hours now. Should I be worried?” I can see the concern in her eyes as they look over the screen, most likely at Aubrey.
“Did she faint?” I rush out. I swear if she fainted and no one told me, I might lose it.
“No, no, nothing like that. I would have called right away if she did. She was a bit wobbly on her feet and breathing hard, but after a few minutes she seemed to calm down. She took her pressure when we arrived at the house and drank some water as well as ate a bit. Then she passed out on the couch,” she reassures me.
“I didn’t want to leave her, even if Lionel is here. ”
I let out a breath. “Thank you, I really appreciate that.”
“You don’t need to thank me, Shaney. We’re still family even if we aren’t married anymore.”
I smile. “I know.”
“So, you’re having a girl from what I’ve heard.” She beams. “You must be excited.”
My chest fills with warmth at the thought of my daughter.
I haven’t even met her in person yet, and she’s already stolen my heart.
“I am. I can’t wait for her to be here.” I smile while looking down.
“It’s incredible, Hailey. This feeling? I’ve never felt anything like it.
First with Aubrey, and now with our child.
Sometimes it feels like I can’t breathe from how strong it is. ”
I finally bring my gaze up to the screen and find Hailey with happy tears in her eyes. “I don’t want you to think I regret our marriage, Hailes. But fuck do I wish we would have found this from the start. You with Henry and me with Aubrey… I don’t know how I went years without her.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” she whispers. “You really love her, I can tell.”
I nod instantly. “She’s the love of my life. There’s no one else for me but her.”