Axel
“ R emind me to thank your brother for booking such an early flight,” groaned. Struggling to keep his eyes open at four a.m., he sipped his black coffee.
“You would’ve got a better night sleep at the hotel. The doc gave me the all-clear and I’m safe here—you didn’t have to stay,” Phoebe said, packing up her hospital room.
A few days had passed since they’d told Phoebe about the death threats, and they had kept their promise to not leave her alone. She’d made her feelings clear about said promise.
“Do you have everything you need?” didn’t want to argue. He’d been trying to help, but every time he moved, she scowled.
“Yep, I can’t wait to leave,” she sighed, pulling on her pink hoodie. She managed to get her head through, and he stifled a smile as she wrestled with the sleeves.
“Let me help,” he said, not wanting her to hurt her hand because she was too stubborn to ask for help. He widened the right sleeve, and she didn’t protest as she slipped her injured hand through.
“Thank you,” she muttered, tugging at the ends of her sleeves.
This close, he smelt her caramel perfume, and out of the hospital gown she looked like herself again. The small scratches on her face had healed, but he knew she still had a long way to go.
She stared up at him, like she was waiting for him to speak. He knew she didn’t want them to keep secrets from her, but the only update he had was about him packing up Cillian’s tour bus yesterday. August and Nick couldn’t bring themselves to step inside, but none of them had wanted a stranger going through his things. After hearing her crying in her sleep last night, he didn’t want to make it worse.
’s phone buzzed, and he put some distance between them to read the message from Anita. Phoebe went back to packing up her toiletries and he opened the video message. Flashing lights, an ambulance, a crumpled car, a cluster of paramedics pulling open a door—it took him a moment to register what he was watching. The flash of lilac hair made his stomach twist; the paramedics were pulling Phoebe from the car out the driver’s side since the passenger side was pinned by the other car. It made it look like she was the driver. Cillian wasn’t anywhere in sight. struggled to keep his eyes on the screen as they placed Phoebe’s unconscious and bloodied body on a stretcher.
Who the fuck would even take such a video, never mind upload it for the world to see? He tried to remain calm so he wouldn’t alarm her. There was no audio, and the video stopped once police moved the gawking crowd on.
He glanced over his shoulder to the bathroom door. Phoebe should never see this footage. The only mercy was that there was no image of Cillian’s lifeless body.
He slammed the phone face down as she returned. She lingered by the bed, and he tried not to stare. What if she’d already seen it?
“You can stop looking at me like I’m going to fall apart. I take it you watched the video of me being pulled from the car,” Phoebe said flatly, folding her pink blanket against her chest.
“How’d you know?” He winced, picking his phone up again.
“Because you turned terribly green the moment I came out, and it was the same shade I went when I watched it. My agent, Lena, sent it to me last night because she didn’t want me to be blindsided. It’s being circulated all over Artgram and ClickClock. Many were kind enough to tag me in the video.” She put her blanket on top of her suitcase.
“I’ll call Anita,” said. “We might be able to get it taken down.”
“She already knows. I called her the moment Lena sent it to me.” She sighed. “Anita doesn’t want to address it. If the world thinks I was driving, then it doesn’t matter what Cillian’s blood alcohol level was. She’s trying to spare Cillian’s reputation.”
“By setting yours on fire? This isn’t right; you shouldn’t be blamed for the accident,” ground out, wanting to tear into Anita for preying on Phoebe’s good nature.
“I’m alive, so I have time to mend mine.” She shrugged it off like they were talking about groceries.
“But this is only going to add fuel to the fire, you’re already getting threats.” He couldn’t believe how calm she was. Calm or numb, he wasn’t sure.
“Is this why you were crying last night?” He couldn’t stop himself. It made sense, now, why she’d wanted to be alone last night, and he was relieved he hadn’t listened.
“You heard that?” She flushed, hiding her face as she zipped her toiletry bag.
He nodded. A tense silence settled between them, and there was nothing he could say to ease her pain.
“Let me give you a hand,” he offered, and she glared at the pun. “We’ll miss our flight at this rate.”
Watching her struggle with her organising cubes and bag with one-hand was painful, but it was worse for her. He’d never noticed how stubborn she was before.
“I’m almost ready. You can help me get this stuff in,” she agreed. She’d sorted everything into cubes, which was interesting—he was more of a ‘chuck it in and sort it out later’ type of packer.
It was her first time leaving the hospital since the accident, so he understood why she would be anxious.
“Nick was right about the early flights. Considering the video, we’ll need to avoid as many people as possible,” he said. “The press will be desperate to get your side of the story.”
“I know you all want to protect me, and I’m lucky to have you all as my own personal bodyguards, but you can’t lock me away in a tower. The more I hide, the harder they’ll try to get to me.”
“I was thinking about a house or an apartment—do you know how expensive and difficult it would be to rent a tower?” he said with a smile.
She rolled her eyes and chucked a cube at him. He caught it and packed it with the others. There were still some socks to pack, so he picked up one of the cubes she’d left out.
“Do you have anything else for this bag?” started to unzip it.
“No, not that one.” Phoebe tried to snatch it.
“Why are you blushing? Think I’ve never seen women’s underwear before?” He chuckled, and it was nice to have a moment of normalcy despite their setting.
Phoebe grumbled something he couldn’t make out and gave up on her packing process.
“Only trying to help,” he remarked.
She shoved everything into the case. Clearly, she didn’t like him watching her; anytime he got close, her cheeks turned pink. He wished he knew what he was doing that made her so angry. Her nose scrunched up adorably as she struggled with the zip.
“Can I help zip it for you?” he asked, and she pushed it towards him without argument.
“Done.” He smiled, taking the case from the hospital bed.
She put her small bag on her shoulder. Neither of them mentioned the tiny specks of blood on the bottom of her bag. It was her bag; she could use it if she wanted. He wheeled her case behind him and gave her a moment of privacy as she hugged her nurse goodbye and thanked her. She had buy a couple of boxes of chocolates for the nurses as a thank you, and everyone at the nurses’ station beamed as she handed them over.
“This feels so weird, to be going home without him,” Phoebe said, quietly. They hadn’t spoken about Cillian, not since she’d asked if they’d known about his cheating.
“We all feel the same, but least we have each other,” he said, trying to assure her that she wasn’t alone.
She smiled softly, and he noticed her resting her bandaged hand protectively against her chest.
As they reached the main doors, the sound of the crowd and flashing cameras stilled them. The hospital security ushered back those hoping to get a glimpse of them. saw Phoebe’s car waiting by the curb; the others were going to meet them at the airport.
He cursed under his breath. “We can go out another exit. Someone must have leaked our plans to the press.”
“No, let’s just get out of here,” Phoebe said, taking a deep breath. “The car is right there.”
“Stay close to me.” He took her good hand and led her through the door.
Once the sliding doors opened, they were surrounded by their own security. The sea of voices shouting questions merged into a buzz of illegible noise. kept Phoebe close at his back, protecting her from the onslaught as best he could. Security opened the car door for her, and she hesitated, gripping his hand tighter. The fear in her eyes told him their mistake. None of them had considered how getting into a car might affect her.
“You’re safe.” placed his hand on her lower back. Her eyes met his.
She nodded, and got in the car.
“I’ll be right behind you,” he said as security closed the door.
The car pulled off, and ’s own car pulled up. If they’d ridden together, it would’ve just drawn more questions. He hopped into the back, while security put their bags in the back with the other luggage.
let out a low sigh, only for his phone to ring. The only person who’d ring him at four in the morning was his cousin, Autumn. Being a musician herself, she didn’t keep to normal hours. She was the one person who’d understand how they were all feeling.
“Sorry if you can’t hear me, it’s a circus outside the hospital right now,” said, skipping the pleasantries.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve been watching all the drama online; I can only imagine how hard it’s been for all of you. How is Phoebe doing?”
barely heard her over the sound of the crowd banging on his window as they started to pull away.
“As good as can be expected. Being pinned in a car with her dead first love isn’t something she can walk off, not to mention the damage to her hand.”
“I imagine not, but she has you and the others to support her. It takes a village to heal. Speaking of healing, how are you?” Autumn pried.
“Dealing. Once everyone is home and safe, I’ll relax.”
“He was your friend too. Make sure you’re looking after yourself as much as the others.”
“I can love him and still think he was a prick.” It was easier to be angry at his friend than grieve. There was too much going on to collapse now. “We’re on our way to the airport to meet Nick and August. I’m worried about what’s waiting for us out on the other side,” he said, as they finally made it away from the hospital. He wouldn’t have minded running over one or two of the vultures.
“This stuff online is insane. You’re going to need some extra security,” Autumn said, reading his mind.
Now they were on the open road, he could focus. Autumn was his favourite cousin. They’d bonded over their love of music, though she clung to her piano while he kept to his drums, and introverted dislike of social settings. Autumn, having been stalked herself, knew how fame could turn nasty.
“We hired extra security for the hospital, but once we get home it’s going to be harder to manage. Most of the heat is coming from trolls online—hopefully with time they’ll go back to their lives.” The news cycle could be cruel, but this time it would play in their favour.
“Please stay safe, I’m worried about all of you. I don’t like that someone leaked the video of that crash. The attention will get worse now that people think she was driving,” Autumn warned.
“We’ve suggested she lie low for a while, but I doubt she’ll listen. I’m worried about her; she lives alone, now that Cillian is gone.”
He hadn’t thought too much about what would happen once they were home. August and Nick were barely holding it together, so he would have to step up.
“What if she were to stay with you? You already share that massive home, I’m sure you have more than a few spare rooms,” Autumn asked hesitantly. “It’s not like you’re strangers; you’ve known each other for years.”
“I doubt she wants to live with three guys, one being her brother—and as an extra bonus, a German Shepherd.” shook his head. “She’ll want her own space to grieve and heal. They’ve told her she needs a lot of physiotherapy for her hand before she even considers painting again. I doubt she’ll want all of us hovering.”
“I wouldn’t suggest it if it weren’t for the threats, and I’m sorry to hear she’s suffering so much with her hand. Maybe that’s even more reason for her to stay with all of you. She’ll be surrounded by those who care about her. I loved isolating, but then Elijah turned up at the door, and as annoying as he was, he was exactly what I needed to get out of my bubble. Phoebe’s grieving not only for her art, but for her first love. Being alone might not be best, but don’t force her. I’m sure Nick can get through to her, and August loves her like a sister.”
Autumn’s logic was sound, but they weren’t the problem: he was. Being around her twenty-four seven would certainly complicate the situation and his feelings.
“I’ll think about it, and talk it over with the guys. Nick might not want to have his sister around the house,” he reasoned, trying to give himself an out. “How’s your life going? We haven’t talked in a while.”
“I’m fine,” Autumn said, giving little away about her own struggles.
“I’d expect nothing less,” he teased, and he heard her sigh. He’d seen in the news that her stalker’s trial had concluded recently. He wanted to ask, but he didn’t want to press her to talk about something she wasn’t ready to discuss.
“If you need anything, just call. I’m sending you some tickets to my next showcase this summer,” Autumn said. She hadn’t done a live performance since the trouble with her stalker, and it was great to hear she was performing again. “Bring Phoebe along—it’d be good for everyone to have something to look forward to.”
“I’m sure she’d love to come, and thanks for the free tickets. Before I forget, tell Elijah that August has some notes about the last game he created.”
“I’m sure he’ll love that. Just send him an email, and cc me—I want to see his reaction.” Autumn chuckled, delighting in her fiancé’s critics. They loved to wind each other up as much as they loved each other.
The sound of a dog barking in the background interrupted her.
“Sorry, I’ve to go. Now that Brinkley knows I’m up, I’ll have to walk her or she’ll pounce on Elijah,” Autumn said, and the barking settled. “Look after yourself and each other. Call anytime, and please give Phoebe my number if she needs someone to talk to. Overcoming traumatic events is a talent of mine.”
It was a relief to have Autumn to turn to. He made a note to repeat her offer to Phoebe. They’d met briefly at a B.O.A. concert years ago, but he doubted she remembered.
“Will do, I’m sure she’ll appreciate the offer. While I have you, did you get the engagement present?” he asked, having had it shipped express.
“It arrived this morning! We love it, but with everything going on you really didn’t have to! The painting is gorgeous, please thank Phoebe for us. Elijah and I just have to agree on where to hang it.”
Seeing how Elijah brought Autumn out of her shell made believe in the healing powers of love. “It was already arranged, and I’m sure Phoebe will be happy it’s found a good home,” he said quickly. They were pulling up to the airport. “I’ve got to go,” he said as his security opened the door for him. Up ahead, Nick was helping his sister at the drop-off point. Phoebe didn’t know that had bought one of her paintings, and he didn’t want Autumn wondering why he was keeping his support of her secret.
“Talk soon!” Autumn’s goodbye was masked by the barrage of questions and flashing cameras waiting for them. He pulled down his cap.
The others waited inside the doors, and luckily the paparazzi couldn’t follow them past security. Having a moment to breathe, Nick and August went to get a drink in the private lounge while followed Phoebe to the bookstore. Even if she had two security guards with her, he wasn’t leaving her alone.