Shane
Chapter nineteen
Julian, the human robot.
I watch with pride as my Angel turns her back to her brother and steps away with only a single tear shed.
I never wanted it to come to this. I never wanted to ruin their relationship in any way, and I really do wish they could just work it out.
But I’m so proud of my girl for finally putting him in his place, for standing up to him and speaking her mind.
She’s changed so much in the short months we’ve been together, and it only makes me love her even more. She’s found this confidence in herself that makes her shine even brighter than before.
I know that confidence will slip once we get home, or maybe the second we step out of the house. She’ll most likely break down and cry for hours, if not days. But that’s okay, I’m ready for it, and I’ll be by her side the whole way through.
Despite the joy and overwhelming pride I feel inside, that isn’t what’s showing on my face.
I glare at Greyson for putting his sister in this position as she steps around me on uneven feet.
She’s shaken up, I can tell. And I know how deeply Aubrey feels, so after a moment like this, I’d expect her to be a bit unbalanced.
It isn’t until I turn to follow her that this sickening feeling that something’s wrong starts creeping through my veins.
I watch as her body sways to the side, I listen to her shallow breath. Her hand comes out to the side as if she’s searching for something to stabilize herself.
“Aubrey? Sweetheart?”
I take a step toward her as her hand makes contact with the kitchen island.
She stops moving, shakes her head a bit and it’s then I notice the light coating of sweat at the back of her neck.
Her skin even looks paler than usual. I take another step, reaching out to grab hold of her just as she begins to call my name.
But I’m too late.
The fabric of her shirt slips through my fingers as she collapses. But not before smacking her head against the corner of the counter and dropping face forward.
“AUbrEY!” I quickly drop to my knees and roll her over onto me as I hold her in my arms. I quickly brush the hair out of her face that’s already tainted red from the gash above her temple. “Shit! Someone call for help!”
I cradle her to my chest as her body lies limply in my hold, not caring about the blood staining my shirt.
There are a few shouts of fear and panic from the others, but my focus is fully on my Angel.
Ronnie shows up at my side with a wet cloth in hand and begins to dab it at her cut.
I watch Aubrey’s face for a reaction, but there’s none.
“Angel? Can you hear me, sweetheart?” I lean in and kiss her forehead then pull back.
I can see her chest rise and fall slowly, so I know she’s still breathing despite her seemingly lifeless state.
“You’re going to be okay, baby. We’re gonna get you to the hospital,” I whisper to her, stroking her hair.
“What’s wrong with her?” Gabriel asks, crouching down in front of me as he checks her pulse on her wrist.
“It’s the dizzy spells, isn’t it? She’s still getting them?” Emma asks with tears in her eyes. There’s a look of panic on everyone’s face, but we’re all trying to stay calm. Panicking at this moment won’t help anyone.
“She said they weren’t happening as often…” I mutter. “I knew I should have forced her to get checked…” I squeeze my eyes shut, willing the unwanted thoughts to vacate my mind. I can’t think of worst-case scenarios right now. Getting my Angel and my Little Star the help they need is what matters.
“You knew something was wrong with her and you did nothing!?” Greyson growls as he takes a step closer like he might want to take Aubrey away from me.
“Don’t freaking touch her!” I snarl at him, baring my teeth. “I swear to God, Ford. If you get any closer, I’ll be sending you to the hospital for a very different reason.” I know I probably shouldn’t be threatening him, but I couldn’t care less. He’d deserve it.
Emma grabs him by the arm, pulling him back. “Why don’t you go check on the kids, make sure everyone is okay? And maybe tell them not to come back out just yet, the kids don’t need to see this.”
His eyes bounce from Aubrey to his wife, then back to Aubrey before he nods and reluctantly leaves. Good for him if he feels like shit.
“Don’t beat yourself up over this, you couldn’t have predicted it.” Veronica places her hand on my shoulder once Aubrey’s cut has stopped bleeding and she’s cleaned it as best as she can. “I didn’t even know that she was feeling this way, and she’s my best friend.”
“She’s right, Coach. If you feel guilty, then we all should. None of us knew what was going on,” Cecilia says, kneeling to the floor beside Gabe as she looks over Aubrey.
A small smile graces my lips at her choice of name. “I think you can call me by my real name now, Cecilia.”
“Right, sorry. Force of habit.” She chuckles lightly.
Aubrey suddenly stirs in my arms with a tiny groan, and I feel like I can finally breathe properly again. “Hi, sweetheart. You’re okay. Don’t move, just stay like you are, okay? The paramedics are coming.”
She makes a sound again, but doesn’t attempt to move, instead she turns her head further into me and falls back asleep.
It’s just past midnight by the time we make it home from the hospital. Aubrey woke up fully in the ambulance as we were pulling up to the hospital. She was a bit confused at first, but everything came back to her quickly.
Turns out Aubrey has low blood pressure, but to a more severe degree. There’s no real treatment to it, but they did run some tests to make sure it wasn’t something else causing her pressure to drop so low. In the end, they concluded it was most likely due to intense stress.
She’s been ordered to rest as much as possible, sit or lie down any time she gets dizzy or lightheaded. To drink plenty of fluids and eat small meals throughout the day, as well as taking everything slowly and avoiding any stressful situations.
They also gave her three stitches for her gash and checked on Little Star to make sure everything was okay.
Thankfully, the doctor confirmed our baby is still in very good health.
Although Aubrey does have an appointment tomorrow with her OB-GYN, just to make sure everything is still okay and to check her pressure again.
I had asked no one to come to the hospital, even though I understood they wanted to be there for my Angel.
But I thought it would be best if we were alone, just in case we had some bad news concerning our child.
It would have been hard on Aubrey, and I didn’t want her to need to face all her friends and repeat whatever tragic story it could have been.
But I did promise them updates the moment we knew what was going on.
I’ve just placed my sleepy Angel in bed when the front doorbell chimes. I hurry over, leaving our bedroom door open, and greet my best friend. “Thank you for coming.”
“No need to thank me. I would have been here sooner if you had informed me earlier. Or I would have simply taken care of the problem myself.” Julian gives me his usual displeased look.
I chuckle. “I appreciate that, but I think it’s time I deal with the problem myself.”
“Shane?”
The sound of Aubrey’s voice pulls my attention, and I motion for Julian to follow me.
“I’m right here, Angel.” I come back into the room and walk to the side of the bed, kneeling down to eye level so she doesn’t need to get up.
“How are you feeling, sweetheart?” I ask as my fingers comb her soft strands.
“I told you I’m fine, Shane. I promise, I feel a lot better.” She then looks past my shoulder to where I presume Julian stands. “Why is he here?”
“He’s going to stay with you while I go take care of something,” I tell her softly.
“Shane… what are you going to do?” I can sense the worry in her voice, but I don’t want to cause her any more stress.
“Just going to pick up our car. Nothing you need to worry about.” Since we took a town car home, my Maserati has been sitting outside Ford’s place all day. It’s not entirely a lie, I am picking up my car, but it’s not the whole truth either.
“Please don’t do anything stupid, Shane,” she whispers. My girl is getting good at reading me.
“I won’t.” I kiss her forehead, stand, and turn to face Julian. “You don’t leave her side until I get back.”
He frowns at my orders but nods. I know telling him to stay wasn’t necessary, he wouldn’t have left her side anyway. But it’s fun to order him around from time to time.
I call another town car and make my way to Greyson’s place. A little over half an hour later, I’m outside his home and knocking on the front door. It’s one in the morning by now, so I avoid ringing to not wake the kids.
On the first attempt, no one shows up. But on the second, the outside patio light turns on.
I take a few steps back as the curtains to the side move, seconds before the door is swung open, and an angry-looking Ford stands at the threshold. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Step outside, Ford,” I say sternly.
“Why the fuck would I step outside at one in the God damn morning!?” he whisper-shouts.
“Because I, contrary to you, have some respect when it comes to your family. And I’d like not to wake them while we settle our unfinished business.
Now step outside.” I take another step back as he finally comes forward and closes the door behind him.
But I notice the light inside the house flick on, which means his wife is up as well.
He only takes two steps forward, then stops and crosses his arms at his chest, widening his stance and squaring his shoulders. “I have nothing to say to you.”
“That’s fine. I don’t need you to say anything. You can just stand there and listen while I tell you what I have to say.”
His jaw works from side to side, but finally he nods. Even if he didn’t give me approval, I would still say it.