Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Sloan
Beep… Beep… Beep…
The sound of the monitors, seeing Beck lying unconscious has my vision blurring.
I try to rouse Beck to bring myself to the present but it’s too late.
Beep… Beep… Beep…
James corners me in the PACU, as I’m monitoring his patients’ vitals, who’s slow to wake up from anesthesia.
He presses his body against mine from behind. Breathing down my neck. Trying to run his fingers up my scrub top, reaching for my breast.
“James, please stop,” I beg in a whisper.
I try to pull away but he has me trapped between him and the patient’s bed rail.
His fingers leave my breast but he digs them so hard into my ribs I wince.
“Why would I stop? I can’t get in trouble and you’re mine to touch whenever I want,” James snarls so low in my ear.
“Sloan…” A deep male voice startles me out of my panic. My eyes start to blink rapidly.
“Hey, Sloan. Are you all right?” Asher asks softly.
“Sloan, take a deep breath.”
I inhale deeply, then exhale. My breaths start to slow as I focus on Asher’s deep brown eyes. I take another breath.
“Sloan…” Asher soothes, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Yeah, I’m okay. Can we wait outside?” I point at the door.
“Yeah. Let’s give Beck more time.” Ash and I walk side by side toward the door leading into the hallway.
Asher and I have been sitting in the waiting room of Summerlin Hospital for what feels like an eternity. I think it’s only been a little over twenty-four hours.
It’s been so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The only sounds I’ve heard are the deep sighs leaving Asher’s large frame every so often and an occasional page over the loudspeakers.
It’s strange sitting next to such a powerful man and not feeling the slightest bit of fear. How did I get to this point?
Quinn and I had been eating today’s leftover pastries, watching the fight on pay-per-view in Sutton’s apartment, the dogs resting quietly at our feet when Beck took that nasty hit.
The second Kenzo’s foot hit the side of Beck’s head and he hit the ground immobile, the air whooshed out of both of our lungs. Our eyes bugging out of our heads.
Nothing but silence followed, permeating the room.
We watched speechless as Asher rushed into the ring with several paramedics before Beck was taken away.
Unresponsive.
The sight of the gurney finally snapped us out of our complete and utter shock.
Quinn immediately started blowing up Asher’s phone and without even thinking about it I booked the first flight to Vegas I could find.
I’m not sure what came over me or why that was my first instinct. I really should’ve been more careful but I hadn’t even questioned it. All I knew was I needed to help. I needed to be there for Beck.
“Asher said Beck isn’t responding. He has a pulse and he’s breathing but nothing…” Quinn explains in a panic.
“I booked a flight. I’ll fly out there and see if there’s anything I can do. At least maybe give Asher a break. We can take shifts. Do you think you can handle things here by yourself?” I’m talking so fast I’m making my own head spin.
“Oh. My. Gosh. Sutton. She probably doesn’t even know yet.” Quinn shrieks.
“Wait, you booked a flight?” She points a finger, looking questioningly at me. “Are you…sure?”
“Yes, I’ll be okay. I figured it made more sense if you stayed. Someone has to watch the dogs and keep an eye on the café.” I pause. “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t even thinking. Beck is your friend. You’d probably rather go. I can stay here.” I start to panic.
“It’s okay, Sloan.” She gently squeezes my hand reassuringly. “That makes the most sense. That was fast and smart thinking on your end. It never even crossed my mind to fly there.”
“You’re sure?” I ask.
“Positive. Thank you.” She gives me a side hug.
I lean into it the slightest bit, letting her warm affection sink in and heal the parts of me. It makes me miss Kailey and Maria just a little extra because I’m feeling comfort for the first time in a long time.
“When is your flight?” Quinn asks.
“Umm”—I open my phone to check again—“shit, 9p.m. and it’s seven-fifty.”
“Let’s get you packed and haul your ass to the airport. I’ll call Sut on the way.” Quinn jumps up and rushes to my room in Sutton’s apartment.
“You’re still in the United States. So, if you forget something, like underwear. No biggie,” she says with a wink.
“Umm, why would I forget underwear?”
“Why wouldn’t you? is the better question.” Quinn smirks. “You’re in Vegas, baby!”
“Q, I love you, but focus. One of your best friends is on his way to the hospital,” I chastise her.
“Okay, fair point. I’m just trying to lighten the mood a little.” She chuckles half-heartedly.
I’m packing panties in my carry-on suitcase when I hear her ask quietly, “Beck’s going to be okay though, right?”
When I turn to face her, she has tears in her eyes.
“I’ll make sure of it,” I whisper, leaning my head against her shoulder.
“Why won’t he just wake up?” Asher groans under his breath, snapping me out of my daze. Neither of us have hardly slept the past couple days.
“Maybe he just needs a little more time.” I gently squeeze Asher’s forearm.
“It’s been three days, Sloan. How long does it take to wake up from these things?” Asher asks, squeezing the back of his head with both hands. Defeat in his eyes.
“Everyone’s different. He’s going to be okay though, Ash,” I offer gently.
“You can’t promise that. You heard the doctor. They said they don’t think he should fight again. If he takes another hit like that he could die. And if he hears them say that, he’s going to wish he died. This is his life, Sloan.” Asher’s voice cracks in agony.
“Beck is going to have to rest for a while. He’ll eventually have to recondition again. The doctor said he shouldn’t fight but that doesn’t mean he has to quit. It’s just a suggestion. Beck could recover.” I state, trying to console Asher.
“Beck ‘could’ recover, but he could also have brain damage. The doctor even said Beck could have memory loss.” Asher leans his head against the wall.
“Ash…” I whisper. “There are so many possibilities and outcomes for this and it’s incredibly scary.
No one wants Beck to lose his dream or his memory.
The most important thing is that he is alive.
The doctor said Kenzo missed his temple by a centimeter.
Beck could’ve died, but he didn’t. It may be a tough road but we will all get him through this.
Physically he will recover. I’m more worried about how this will affect him mentally. ” Resting my hand on Asher’s back.
“Sloan, what if he forgets Sutton left? What is he going to do with all of his bottled-up anger? Beck needs an outlet to stay level headed and that’s hitting things and working out hours a day.
Beck is going to be a bastard to deal with,” Asher sighs.
“You saw how he was when Sutton left the first time. I’m surprised the bag at the gym doesn’t have a hole in it. ”
“I know. Maybe he can get a therapist, find something low impact he can do to keep himself busy,” I offer.
“Yeah, right. Beck will go to therapy when pigs fly,” Asher sighs.
“Mr. Ward?” The nurse pokes her head in the waiting room.
“That’s me,” he responds, walking toward the nurse.
“Mr. Scott is awake. Speak softly. No screens,” the nurse states.
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.” He nods, ready to follow her.
Asher stops abruptly, turning to hold his hand out for mine. I stare at it for just a second before I gently slide my hand in his.
A whisper of a smile graces Asher’s lips, as his very large hand engulfs my very small one and he holds it so gently. The gesture almost brings tears to my eyes.
It’s as if he knows that this little bit of trust I’m giving him is huge for me. He gives me the slightest little squeeze in appreciation as we make our way to Beck’s hospital room hand in hand.
I feel a sense of calm like I haven’t felt in a long time washing over me. I am safe.
.