Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Jax tried to keep Kaia distracted on the way to the hospital, asking her for fun stories about her dad, her mom, and her brothers. While she shared some humorous moments, many of her tales seemed bittersweet.
Clearly, the loss of her mom had affected her deeply, but it wasn't just that loss; it was the disconnect with her dad.
There was a yearning about her, a desire to find a way to understand her father and for him to understand her.
She buried that desire behind sarcasm and sharp-edged stories, but that was just a defense mechanism that had been sharpened years ago.
She cared deeply about everyone in her family, and he hoped this trip would bring her closer to her dad and not be a cause for more tension. But from what she'd told him about Jim Mercer, he wasn't sure that would be the result.
When the family stories got to be a bit much, he turned the conversation toward books and movies and places they'd traveled to or wanted to travel to.
He was continually surprised by how easy it was to talk to her.
They'd barely been speaking for more than a week, but he was starting to feel like she was becoming a close friend.
Actually, he was starting to feel like he wanted her to be more than a friend, but he was trying not to get ahead of himself.
Her life was getting more complicated with her dad in the hospital, and he still had to deal with Clay and Wren and the Silverstone deal, something he wasn't ready to confront just yet.
This trip was a good way to put some distance between himself and all those decisions, and also between himself and Ocean Shores, where his secrets seemed on the verge of being revealed.
But he didn't want to think about any of that now.
He wanted to be present for Kaia in whatever way he could.
She did so much to help other people. She deserved support, too.
Not that Ben wouldn't be supportive, but he was probably also concerned about his dad.
When they reached the hospital, they found Ben in the waiting room of the Emergency Department. He had his phone in his hand, and relief ran through his gaze when he saw his sister. "I was just about to text you, Kaia."
"What's happening?"
"Dad had something called a TIA."
"That's a minor stroke."
"Probably what caused his fall. He also fractured a bone in his wrist. They said they can just splint it, not cast it, which will make it easier for him to deal with.
But that's not the main issue. They want to admit him.
They're concerned about his blood pressure and some other issues.
He's being transferred to a room upstairs, and he's pissed off about that.
The doctor will meet us there in about ten minutes to explain more. "
"Okay, good. I want to know what tests they're going to run."
"Just be aware that Dad doesn't want to be here, so he's not going to be excited to see you. Don't take it personally."
"Trust me, I know what kind of response I'm going to get," Kaia said. "But I'm still going to make sure he's getting the best care. First, I need to use the restroom."
"It's right there." Ben pointed down the hallway. "I'll wait for you, and then we'll go up together."
As Kaia left, Ben turned to him with a questioning gaze. "How did you get involved in this?"
"I was with Kaia when you called. She seemed upset. I didn't think it was a good idea for her to drive down here on her own."
"I'm glad she let you drive her; she can be as stubbornly independent as our father. I'm hoping to send her home this afternoon, just so you know. She wants to help, but there's a lot of friction between her and our dad."
"She told me. She wants what's best for him, so I'm sure she'll make a decision based on what she believes that is."
Ben cocked his head to one side, giving him another long look. "Are you two involved? What's the deal?"
"We're friends. We're getting to know each other."
"Have you told her who you really are?"
He wasn't that surprised to get that question from Ben. "You figured that out, huh?"
"You seemed to be together a lot, which is why I looked you up. Couldn't find anything under Jax Ridley, but while I was browsing the Internet, I came across my sister's photo with a disgraced country music star. That's what they called you."
"Not surprised," he said evenly. "Kaia knows who I am."
"You don't come off that great, from what I read. Which concerns me since you're spending time with my sister. I'll do whatever I need to do to protect her."
"I wouldn't expect anything less."
As they gave each other a long, assessing look, Kaia returned, her gaze immediately noting the tension between them.
"What's going on?" she asked. "Did something happen since I left?"
"No," Ben said. "Let's go upstairs."
As her brother headed toward the elevator, Kaia grabbed his arm. "What did my brother say to you, Jax?"
"Nothing. Don't worry about it."
"I don't believe you, but we'll talk later after I find out what's going on with my dad."
Kaia followed Ben into her father's hospital room, feeling more trepidation than she cared to admit.
Jax had waited in the hall, not wanting to overwhelm her dad.
It was a smart decision, but she already missed having him by her side.
He made her feel even more confident and strong than she normally felt, and today, she was going to need every bit of that confidence and strength.
Her father was sitting up in bed, complaining to the nurse that he didn't need to be poked again, as he'd already given enough blood. They waited until the nurse was done and then stepped forward.
Her dad gave her a look of complete and utter annoyance. But she was more interested in the paleness of his face, the weariness in his eyes, the messy gray hair that was so out of character for a man who was always precise with his hygiene and everything else in his life.
"What are you doing here?" her dad demanded. "Did you call her, Ben? Why the hell would you do that?"
"I called him," Kaia lied. "I'm worried about you, Dad."
"You kids need to mind your own business. I'm fine. I took a little fall. I do not need to stay the night when nothing is wrong with me."
"You were disoriented and slurring your words when you fell," Ben reminded him.
Her father shot his eldest child a killing glare. "I was sleepy; that's it."
"Your blood pressure is high," she said. "They're concerned you suffered a small stroke."
"They're just trying to make it serious, so they can charge me more money," her father said. "It's a racket."
"This isn't about money; it's about your health. Have you been taking your blood pressure medication?" The guilt that passed through her dad's eyes told her the truth. "You haven't, have you?"
"I need to get my refill," he muttered, his expression changing to wariness and relief when the doctor entered the room.
Wallace Baker had the look of a seasoned doctor, with gray hair and black glasses sliding off his nose.
After introducing himself, he explained what would happen next, which included neurological tests and medication to lower her father's blood pressure.
After she told the doctor about the missing medication, he seemed to believe that could have played a part of today's event.
Her father's face turned sour, but he didn't give the doctor the same grief he'd given them.
The doctor explained that if everything was stable in the morning, her dad would be released with any new medication that might improve his condition.
"Can't you just give me the medicine now and I'll take it at home?" her dad asked. "I don't need to stay here overnight."
"You do," Dr. Baker said firmly. "Your health is the most important thing."
"He's right," she told her dad. "They need to make sure they know what's going on."
"I heard him. You don't have to tell me again. I'm not deaf."
"Anyway," the doctor said. "We'll talk in the morning. Will someone be available to take him home and perhaps stay with him for another day?"
"I can do that," Ben said quickly. "I have a few days off."
"I don't need a babysitter," her father interjected.
"We'll figure it out tomorrow," Ben said. "Once we know more about what happened today."
As the doctor left, her father fixed her with a hard look. "You can go, too, Kaia. I don't need you here."
She stiffened at his sharp words. No, Thanks for coming. I appreciate you being concerned about me. But had she really expected anything more? "I want to make sure you're getting the appropriate tests, so I'm going to stick around a while."
"You think you know more than the doctor?"
"I know some things that you don't know," she said, unable to resist her own dig. "And if my medical experience can be of value, then I'm going to use it."
"Don't you have work to do?"
"I'm off today."
"Well, lucky me, both my kids have the day off," he said sarcastically.
"Let's give Dad a chance to rest," Ben said. "It's been a long morning. We'll be back."
"Do what you want," her father said. "I don't need babysitters. And you better not have called Aiden, because I do not need him flying here like I'm dying. I just stumbled; that's it. It was nothing. I've been hurt worse than this."
Ben tipped his head toward the door. She nodded, then glanced at her father.
"I'm glad you're doing better. And I really hope this is an event that can be avoided in the future with proper use of your medication.
" She could see the anger come into his eyes, but she didn't really give a damn.
"This could have been a lot worse, Dad. Hopefully, it's just a wake-up call. "
Her father had nothing to say to that, so she left. Ben joined her and Jax, and they walked to the waiting room at the end of the hall to talk.
"That was rough," Ben said, sending her a sympathetic look.
She shrugged, not willing to admit how hurt and angry she felt.
"He lashes out more when he's scared," Ben reminded her. "I think he did get that wake-up call you were talking about. He realized he screwed up, but he doesn't want to own that mistake."
"I don't care if he owns it or not; he just needs to do better. Do you think he's going to be able to live alone?"
"Let's take it one step at a time. I'll stay at his place tonight. I'll pick him up tomorrow and see how he's doing and what the prognosis is. I don't think there's an immediate danger, do you?"
"I don't know. That TIA could be a precursor to a bigger stroke."
"Well, if that happens, he's where he needs to be."
"Tonight, but what about the rest of the time?"
"Let's just worry about the next two days. If the fall was just a result of the lack of medication, maybe everything gets sorted out, and he's okay."
"That would be the best-case scenario."
"You can go home, Kaia. You've seen him, and he's in a foul mood. Why put yourself through that?"
"You're doing it."
"He's not as bad with me. Go home. I'll call you if anything changes." He turned to Jax. "Thanks for bringing her."
"No problem."
"I'm going downstairs to get some coffee," Ben added. "I'll walk you out."
When they got into the car a few minutes later, Jax didn't seem in a hurry to start the engine, turning to face her with a concerned look.
"I heard what your dad said to you, Kaia. He was bellowing so loudly, I think everyone in the hallway heard him."
"Great," she said with a sigh.
"He had no right to speak to you like that."
"He can't show weakness around me, so the anger is what usually comes out."
"I'm surprised you didn't say something back."
"I had to bite my tongue a few times, but there was no point.
He's sick, and he doesn't need to be in a fight with me.
" She took in a deep breath, still feeling tense and charged up.
"I'm glad he seems to be stable, though, and I hope it's just the medication issue, but it could get worse.
If it does, I don't know how we'd get anyone in to help him.
He's too proud. And it's not like we have any family to move in and take care of him.
Even if I wanted to do it, he wouldn't let me.
And he won't let Ben stay for more than a night or two. "
"Does he have a sister or a brother?"
"His sister is older and lives in Minnesota. She wouldn't be of any help."
"Well, maybe you won't have to deal with that problem yet. Do you want to get something to eat, maybe look around this area? I've never been here."
"Really? We could go to Palm Springs; it's not that far away and has a cool vibe with an old-time Hollywood feel mixed with modern, trendy architecture, restaurants, and high-end stores."
"Great. Let's do that."
"I'll look up restaurants for lunch." She took out her phone. "Do you have any preferences?"
"When it comes to picking restaurants, you haven't let me down yet. I trust you."
"I'm hoping one day you might trust me with more than just a restaurant pick."
"That could happen."
She was surprised by his response but didn't want to make too big of a deal. That might make him want to take his words back. So she looked for restaurants on her phone, wanting to find just the right spot.