4. Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Ace
F uck. What the hell do I do now? I’m completely out of my depth here. My lame-ass attempt at patting her shoulder feels useless, like applying a bandaid on a bullet wound.
Damn, I’ve never been in a situation with a crying girl before—usually it’s just a casual fuck, no emotional baggage involved. Maybe I should call Poppy and see if she can tell me what the fuck I’m supposed to do. Or do I just grab her suitcase and head to the car? But when she looks up at me with those broken eyes, something inside me shifts. It hits me hard, and I have no clue how to handle it.
Awkwardly, I keep patting her shoulder, my touch becoming clumsier and more foolish with each attempt.
She leans into me, her cheek resting against my chest, leaving me at a loss for what to do next. Slowly, I wrap my arms around her, feeling her warmth against me. Damn, her scent brings back vivid memories, and I’m praying my dick doesn’t get any ideas—now is definitely not the right moment. Besides, Xander would tear me apart if I fucked this up.
Despite the uncomfortable vibe, I set aside any distracting thoughts and concentrate on the present moment. Right now, all she wants is to be wrapped in someone’s embrace, and I’m trying like hell to be that person.
Just minutes ago, I was ready to lose my shit when I saw those fucking bruises on her face. The thought of someone laying a hand on her—Scarlet, the one who's always been a bright ray of sunshine—makes my blood boil. It pisses me off beyond words. One thing’s for sure: if I ever get the chance to come face-to-face with that bastard, he’s going to fucking pay for what he did.
As people move around us, a few recognize me, their curious glances making my skin crawl. Sometimes, flying under the radar has its perks. I’m not as front-and-center as Xander—his face is the one plastered across headlines, especially after the shitstorm with our old label. But when some guy walks by and casually lifts his phone to snap a photo, I feel the urge to tell him to fuck off. I can’t, though—not with Scarlet sobbing against my chest. I grit my teeth and swallow my anger, letting it slide for now.
Suddenly, Scarlet pulls back, wiping her eyes, like she’s just realized what she was doing. There’s a shift in the air between us, an unspoken line we've never crossed before. Every time we’ve been together, it’s always been nothing more than a casual hook-up. No emotions, no strings—just raw need and release. But now? This feels different.
"Sorry," she mutters, avoiding my gaze as she rummages through her bag. She pulls out a tissue and delicately dabs her eyes, followed by a gentle blow of her nose.
“You good?” I ask, though I already know the answer. I have never been skilled at providing comfort to others. My only desire is to reach the hospital, hoping that Poppy will be there to take over. I know I’m completely fucking this up, and it would be best if someone who actually knows what they’re doing takes over soon.
“Yeah,” she answers, her voice shaky as she tries to give me a smile. It’s strained, and I can’t help but glance at the bruises again.
“Let’s get out of here,” I say, grabbing the handle of her suitcase.
Just as we start moving, some guy steps into my path. “Hey Ace, can I grab a quick photo?” he asks, holding up his phone like it’s no big deal.
“Sorry, man, I’m on a tight schedule,” I mutter, hastily dismissing him. The last thing I want is for a picture to start circulating at this moment, bringing even more attention. My only focus is getting Scarlet out of here and to the hospital.
Without giving him a chance to reply, I brush past him and head straight for the exit. I move fast, barely checking if Scarlet’s keeping up, though I can hear her quiet sniffles. Each one messing with my head, stirring up emotions I’d rather avoid.
The touch we shared earlier, one meant for comfort, now lingers in my mind, stirring up filthy thoughts I shouldn’t entertain about her—especially not now, with Nate and Theo’s situation weighing over us.
I’m aware I need to keep my distance, but the temptation to fuck her again is nagging at me. Those two nights we spent together still fucking haunt me. The way she moaned as I buried my cock deep inside her, how she surrendered to the pleasure, screaming my name. Fuck, it was insane. But I need to push those memories aside. She’s Nate’s little sister, and no matter how badly I want her, I can’t let myself cross that line again.
As we reach the car, my phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s most likely a text from Xander, but I resist the urge to check it right away. If it’s more bad news, I can’t let Scarlet see my reaction.
I open the passenger door for her, and as she slides inside, I catch a whiff of her perfume and it fucks with my head. I make my way to the back, opening the trunk, and tossing her suitcase inside. With the trunk lid acting as a barrier, I retrieve my phone. Unlocking the screen, I feel my gut tighten, preparing for the unknown message that awaits.
Xander: It’s fucking bad, Ace. Theo’s okay, but he’s a mess. Nate’s in rough shape. Have you picked up Scarlet yet?
I swiftly tap away at the keys, typing out my response.
Ace: Yeah, just picked her up and told her about the accident. What should I say about Nate?
As I wait, the tight knot in my stomach intensifies with each passing second.
Xander: Tell her they’re preparing him for surgery. It’s serious.
Ace: How serious are we talking?
Xander: His right arm and shoulder are broken, along with a few ribs.
Ace: Shit. We’re on our way.
After shoving my phone back into my pocket, I close the trunk and slide into the driver’s seat.
Scarlet casts a worried glance in my direction, her eyes filled with concern. “Ace, give it to me straight. How bad is it?”
Taking a deep breath, I glance over at her, my heart racing as I try to find the right words to break the news.
“Just tell me what’s going on, Ace. They’re my brothers, for fuck sake,” Scarlet demands, her voice trembling with fear.
“Xander says Theo’s a mess but he’s okay for now,” I tell her. “Nate’s in pretty bad shape— broken arm, busted shoulder, and a few cracked ribs. They’re getting him ready for surgery as we speak. It’s serious, but we’ll have a better idea of what’s going on once the doctors have had a chance to work on him.”
Scarlet’s face pales, her expression mirroring the weight of the news that just hit her. Her tears start up again, and I’m hit with that all-too-familiar feeling of being utterly useless. Feeling like a complete asshole, I avert my eyes, twist the key, and purposefully avoid making eye contact with her as the engine roars to life. There’s nothing I can do to fix this or even make her feel better, and I’ve got no clue how to handle this kind of pain. It’s like second nature for me to comprehend a woman’s desires in bed, but when faced with tears and heartbreak, I’m at a fucking loss.
The sense of inadequacy gnaws at me as we leave the airport behind. I can hear Scarlet’s soft sniffles, barely audible but enough to make my heart ache, as I grip the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white. I keep my eyes fixed on the road, desperately resisting the urge to reach out and do something, anything, to make this easier for her. But I keep reminding myself that if Poppy is at the hospital, or Theo, who is like a big brother to Scarlet,they will handle this situation better than I ever could. They’re the ones who can offer real comfort and support to her—they’re the ones who know how to deal with this kind of shit.
The silence in the car is thick and oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of Scarlet’s occasional sniffles. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice her grabbing her phone, her fingers tapping away rapidly as she frantically messages someone. For a moment, I wonder who she’s reaching out to, but I swiftly dismiss the thought. It’s not my place to worry about who she texts—her business is her own.
With an intense gaze, she stares at her phone screen, as though she’s using her sheer willpower to summon a message. Frustrated by the lack of a response, she lets out an annoyed huff and shifts her gaze towards the window, seeking solace in the outside world.
With her attention fixed on the view outside, my gaze drifts to the tattoo gracefully trailing down her arm. The intricate vines and flowers that intertwine to form a lion’s face just above her elbow is sexy as hell. I can’t help but wonder what significance that lion holds for her—there’s something about it, something I can’t quite grasp, that pulls me in and makes me curious as hell.
As she checks her phone, I concentrate on the road, determined to clear my mind and refrain from eyefucking her at every opportunity. It’s probably just my mind playing tricks—after five long months without any groupies to scratch that itch, my head’s a jumbled mess. Once we hit the road for the tour in a month, I’ll have plenty of chances to let loose, drowning out any thoughts of her.
“Ace,” she says.
I glance over and catch her biting her bottom lip. Fuck me. My cock twitches. I shift my focus back to the road, desperately trying to banish those thoughts.
“Yeah?” I reply, my voice sounding rougher than I intended.
“I texted Theo, but he’s not responding.”
Keeping quiet, my foot hovers over the brake pedal as we approach a red light. As we come to a stop, the sudden sound of a piercing ringtone reverberates throughout the car, pulling me from my thoughts. I glance at the dashboard and see Xander’s name flash across the screen.
Grateful for the distraction, I press the button on the steering wheel to answer. “Hey.”
“Are you guys almost here?” Xander’s voice crackles through the speaker.
“We’re still in the car, but we’re close,” I inform him.
“Nate’s heading into surgery now.”
“Got it,” I reply, but before I can say anything else, Scarlet’s voice cuts in.
“How bad is he, Xander?” she asks, her voice trembling.
“Hey, Scarlet,” Xander replies gently. “The doc said Nate’s shoulder is pretty messed up and they need to operate. I don’t have any more details yet. Theo asked me to call your parents—they’re on their way.”
Scarlet desperately wipes at her tears, but they continue to stream down her cheeks.
“Scarlet’s been trying to get in touch with Theo. Is he around?” I ask Xander.
“Yeah, he’s here,” Xander replies. “His phone got messed up in the crash. Hang on, I’ll get him for you.”
In the background, I hear Xander’s voice calling out to Theo. Relief washes over me, knowing that Theo— the guy who can drive me up the wall sometimes—is at least okay. Despite all the crap he pulls, he’s still a brother to me, and I genuinely give a damn about him.
“Scar?” Theo’s voice comes through the car speakers, rough but familiar.
“Theo,” Scarlet’s voice quivers with raw emotion, and I can sense the weight of unshed tears in her voice. It twists something deep inside me, a feeling I’m not familiar with, like a knot tightening in my chest.
“I fucked up, Scar,” Theo’s voice trembles with unfiltered remorse. “Nate’s in really bad shape. I can’t even describe how messed up it is. I was an idiot. He wanted to drive, but I raced him to the driver’s seat for some stupid fucking reason. I should’ve let him take the wheel. None of this would’ve happened if I’d just let him.”
“You don’t know that, Theo. You can’t blame yourself,” Scarlet responds softly, her voice steady and comforting.
Hearing her give Theo that kind of support hits me hard, reminding me of my own inadequacy in providing the same. If she desired an orgasm, yep, sign me up. But this emotional crap? Fuck, I’m way out of my league.
Making a right turn, the massive hospital emerges before us, its imposing structure serving as a solemn reminder of the gravity of the situation.
“We’re almost there,” Scarlet says. “The hospital is just up ahead.”
“Alright, I’ll see you soon,” Theo replies.
After hitting the button to end the call, the lingering silence fills the car. With a sense of desperation, I steer the car into the crowded parking lot, hoping to spot an empty space.
By the time I find one and park, Scarlet’s already out of the car, moving towards the main entrance with a fierce urgency. Oblivious to the media circus unfolding outside, her sole focus remains on reaching Nate.
I can’t help but think they’re here for Nate. Whenever Xander made headlines, it was chaos—a feeding frenzy of camera crews swarming around, hungry for their next shot. It wouldn’t surprise me if they’re already camped out, hoping for some kind of scoop on Nate’s condition.
“Scarlet, wait up!” I shout, racing to catch up with her. “There’s a shitload of media outside the hospital.”
“Yeah, so what? They won’t bother me. They don’t know who I am,” she snaps back, dismissing my warning.
“Will you just fucking listen to me for a second?” I growl, grabbing her arm to make her stop. “The media's a pain in the ass, and I don’t want you getting caught up in their bullshit.”
“No, Ace. My brothers are in there,” she says, pulling her arm free. “You deal with the media. I can’t give a shit about that right now.”
I reluctantly let her walk ahead, even though every instinct tells me it’s a mistake.My eyes check out her ass, and despite everything—Nate’s unfortunate situation, the fucking accident—I’m unable to resist. I can’t help but picture grabbing her from behind, shoving my cock into her tight pussy, and fucking her like I did at Xander’s and Poppy’s wedding. I tear my gaze away, muttering under my breath, “Get a grip, you sick bastard. That’s Nate’s sister, the guy who could have fucking died.”
As Scarlet walks past the media, I watch them, some giving her a nonchalant glance while others openly check her out. The way their eyes move up and down her body makes my blood boil.
As she disappears through the double doors, I brace myself for the media shitshow that’s about to kick off. As soon as I get close, the camera-hungry vultures and their microphones come forward, desperate for any tidbit of information about Nate.
“Hey Ace, is it true? Theo and Nate were in a car accident and Nate’s hurt.”
The asshole suddenly blocks my path by shoving his microphone directly in front of me, leaving me no choice but to come to a stop. They close in, their microphones thrust forward like vultures closing in on a carcass.
Frustrated, I snap, “I don’t have any information yet,” as I forcefully make my way through the crowd. Their relentless bullshit has my blood boiling, my fists clenching as I try to hold back the fury building up inside me. Another jerk intentionally tries to block my path, but I step around him. Then they all run beside me, bombarding me with questions and shoving their microphones at me, each one desperate for the latest scoop.
As the reporters push through the big double doors, they are met with the stern gazes of two towering security guards, who promptly force the unruly pack of assholes back outside.
Ignoring the curious stares coming my way from the people in the foyer, I spot Scarlet at the front of a queue, eagerly waiting to speak to the lady behind the glass shield.
With a quick motion, I pull out my phone and dial Xander’s number. He picks up on the second ring, providing me with exactly what I need, as I move towards Scarlet.
“No, I can’t give out that information,” snaps the middle-aged lady behind the desk, her annoyance evident in her voice.
“But I’m his sister,” Scarlet snaps back, clearly pissed.
“Look, you fans will go to any lengths. You have no idea how many times I’ve heard that already today,” the lady shoots back.
I step up next to Scarlet and grab her arm, ignoring the annoyed glare she throws my way. “Come on, the room is this way,” I tell her.
A flicker of defiance crosses Scarlet’s face as she gives the woman a dismissive glance, before following me. Releasing her arm, I set off in the direction Xander told me, trusting that Scarlet will be close behind.
As the elevator doors slide open on the floor Xander mentioned, Scarlet is the first to step out. I find it difficult to divert my gaze from her tight little body and that ass in those jeans. I know I shouldn’t be checking her out with everything that’s happening, but goddamn, it’s hard not to.
Leaning against the wall across the hall, Xander’s furrowed brows mirror the same sense of unease twisting in my stomach. The person I saw this morning, grinning with Alex in the driveway, seems completely different from who I encounter now.
With his head in his hands and his leg bouncing like a jackhammer, Theo sits slumped in one of the chairs, appearing on the verge of losing control. Stress has never been his strong suit, and it’s painfully evident in his posture.
As soon as Xander spots us, he pushes off the wall, his face contorting with worry.
As Xander moves, Theo lifts his head,and I can’t help but notice the cut on his head, hastily mended with those fucking butterfly clips. Scarlet hurries over to him, and I see Theo’s gaze tighten when he takes in her bruised skin - the marks seem to have worsened since I picked her up at the airport.
Theo stands up, his arms wrapping tightly around Scarlet, as if he’s afraid to let go. It’s impossible to overlook the profound connection between them as Theo effortlessly embodies the role of a protective older brother.
The family dynamic between Nate’s household and Theo, who practically lived there, has always fascinated me. I’ve always admired how seamlessly they welcomed him into their home. I only had my sister, Daisy, but when things got tough, she bailed, leaving me to deal with all the messed-up shit on my own.
“Is she okay?” Xander asks, stepping up beside me. I can’t tell if he’s talking about how Scarlet’s handling the news or the bruises fucking up her face. Either way, it’s a goddamn mess.
“Yeah, she seems okay,” I reply, keeping my voice low as I glance over at Xander. “Any updates?”
“Yeah,” says Xander, his gaze drifting to Scarlet and Theo, sitting together. “He went into surgery a little while ago. His shoulder is pretty fucked up. The doc didn’t give me a solid recovery time yet, but it’s gonna be a few months at least before Nate’s back on his feet.”
The news hits me hard. Nate, the heartbeat of our band, is about to have some difficult days ahead.
“Fuck, that’s rough,” I mutter, feeling the weight of it all. The thought of the upcoming tour next month consumes my mind, especially remembering how excited Nate was to perform on stage again. But the only priority at this moment is his recovery.
“Theo said some old guy ran a red light,” Xander says, crossing his arms. “Theo was a wreck when I got here.” He glances over at Theo, who looks a bit more composed now, thanks to Scarlet. “Theo’s convinced it’s his fault that the old bastard ran the light.”
“Yeah, I heard him feeding that same bullshit to Scarlet. If he keeps this up, it’s gonna fuck with his head.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I was thinking.”
As Xander’s phone rings, he reaches into his pocket and retrieves it, briefly glancing at the screen to see who’s calling. It’s Poppy. He answers the call, his voice fading as he steps away from us. “Hey, Princess,” he says, his voice dropping to a softer, almost tender tone.
I move further into the room, keeping a sharp eye on Theo and Scarlet. I plop down in the seat across from them and catch snippets of their conversation, hearing fragments of their words as I try to decipher the situation.
“Is anything broken, Scar?” Theo asks, reaching out to touch her cheek. She flinches at his touch.
“I don’t think so,” she replies.
“What did the doctor say?” Theo presses.
“I don’t know,” Scarlet admits. “I didn’t get it checked out.”
“What the hell, Scar? You didn’t get it looked at?” Theo’s voice rises.
“No, I’ll be okay. I’m just worried about Mom and Dad seeing me like this. You know how Dad loses it,” Scarlet says, her voice shaky.
“Yeah, he’ll probably want to hunt down that asshole, and so do I, and so will Nate the minute he sees what that bastard did to you,” Theo replies, his voice edged with anger.
Yeah, get in fucking line. You all can have a crack at that bastard once I’m done with him.
Theo finally pulls his gaze away from Scarlet’s bruised face and turns his attention to me.
“You good?” I ask, trying to offer a bit of support. I can see the strain in his eyes, the effort it’s taking him to stay calm.
“Yeah, just trying to keep my shit together,” he replies. It’s clear he’s trying to put up a strong front.
“Nate’s tough. He’ll pull through,” I say, trying to sound reassuring. “And you’re not alone in this. Your brothers are here for you.” I’m relieved I can offer some support; it’s a hell of a lot better than the awkwardness I felt earlier with Scarlet, where I couldn’t give her what she needed.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Scarlet’s gaze, but I purposely avoid making eye contact, fearing that Theo will pick up on the awkwardness between us. As Xander comes back and takes a seat next to me, I feel a slight release of tension.
"That was Poppy," Xander says, glancing at his phone. "She’s checking if there’s any update on Nate. Apparently, it’s all over the headlines."
“Yeah, those assholes were all over me outside, shoving microphones in my face and grilling me for whatever info I had about Nate,” I snap, still pissed off.
“And Walter called,” Xander adds, his frustration clear. “It’s even on the headlines in Australia. He wanted to know if the tour’s still going ahead.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, taken aback. It’s insane how fast shit spreads.
Behind us, the sound of footsteps reverberates, causing all of us to abruptly turn. Stepping into view, a young nurse, fresh out of graduation, anxiously clutches her clipboard.
Xander is the first to rise and make his way over to her.
As soon as the nurse spots Xander, her eyes go wide. True to fucking form, she blushes and fumbles with her words, just like all the other women who come into contact with Xander Williams.
"I'm... um..." She licks her lips nervously, glancing between her clipboard and Xander. Her face turns an even deeper shade of red. "The doctor wanted me to give an update," she finally stammers, swallowing like it’s the hardest thing she’s ever had to do.
I swear, Xander’s always had that effect on women. Even back in school, they’d lose their shit over him. One look, and they were practically melting. Nothing’s changed—he’s still got that same power over them.
The nurse glances down at her clipboard again, desperately trying to regain her composure, but her trembling hands give away her inner turmoil. Her eyes dart between the clipboard and Xander, and it’s starting to piss me off. I’m here to get a fucking update on Nate, not to watch Xander play the charming romantic lead. Xander just stands there, his presence adding to her growing fluster. At this rate, we’re not getting any news if this chick keeps melting down over him.
Fed up, I get up from my seat and march over to Xander, grabbing him by the arm and yanking him away. “Go, sit the fuck down,” I snap, stepping in front of the nurse to get her full attention.
With Xander out of the way and me taking charge, the nurse finally regains her composure. The starry-eyed, dazed chick who was stumbling over her words a moment ago is long gone.
Regaining her professional composure, she starts to speak. “The doctor asked me to update you. Mr. Reynolds is still in surgery. They’re currently pinning the bone in his shoulder,” she reads from her notes. “It was a clean break, so it’s a relatively straightforward procedure.”
Glancing down at the clipboard, her eyes move swiftly as they scan over her notes. I wait for her to keep going, but her eyes remain fixed on the paper, and not a single word escapes her lips.
"How long until that shit’s done?" I snap, my tone harsh with impatience. I couldn’t care less if I come off as intimidating—I need more fucking details on what’s happening. What’s the point of her coming out here to give us an update if she’s not going to tell us anything?
She stares at me, swallowing hard, clearly rattled by my sharp tone.
I feel a hand on my arm and, even though I don’t like how my body reacts, I know exactly who it is. I shrug her off, stepping aside and pulling my arm away from her touch. Scarlet steps forward, and her intoxicating scent fills the air around me, overwhelming my senses. However, I forcefully push those thoughts out of my mind. Fuck, I need to get laid.
“Hi, I’m Nate’s sister, Scarlet,” she says, stepping in front of me. “I think what Ace is trying to say is if there’s anything else you can tell us.”
I pivot, putting some distance between me and Scarlet, and head over to Xander. I glance up to see his reaction, hoping he hasn’t picked up on the effect Scarlet’s having on me. Thank fuck, he’s too focused on the nurse to notice.
“Yes, his vitals are stable. The head scans came back clear, which is a relief,” she says, giving Scarlet a reassuring smile. “We’re focused on his shoulder right now. It shouldn’t take too long. I don’t have the exact details of the procedure—the doctor didn’t specify—but the x-rays confirmed it’s a clean break. I’ll update you as soon as I know more, or the doctor will come out when he’s done.”
“Okay, thanks,” Scarlet says.
The nurse shoots me a sharp look, her eyes filled with irritation before she turns and strides away. It’s obvious that she’s still seething with anger over my sudden interruption.