Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
SALVATORE
Icall Keeley for the fourth time in as many minutes and pace as I wait for her to pick up. She called me and asked me to call her after the meeting, then our meeting got canceled, and no one can tell me what the hell is going on.
When Keeley doesn’t answer again, I try calling Wes, since he was also set to attend the meeting. But I’m once again forwarded to voicemail, making me throw my pen across the room.
As if I don’t have enough to worry about here in New York, now there’s something going on back home.
After blowing out a breath, I scroll through my recent call list until I find Coach Pierce, and I’m just about to try him next when my phone rings, and my stomach drops.
Easton Wilder.
The one guy I never expected to call me. Ever.
Nausea fills me as I answer. “Easton? Is everything okay with Paige and Isaac?”
“Yes, they’re both fine.” He pauses as I sigh, but my relief is short-lived. “It’s Keeley.”
“Keeley? What happened?”
“I don’t know exactly. She fell down some stairs and broke her ankle. They’re taking her to the hospital, and she needs you to come home.”
“Fuck, is she okay?”
“Physically, yes. Broken ankle aside.”
“Physically?” What the fuck does that mean?
“There’s more going on but she won’t talk to anyone. She had a full-blown panic attack. She needs you here. I…I need you here.” His voice comes out strained, making way for his panic to shine through.
“I’m on my way. Which hospital?”
“San Francisco General. She’s not happy about it, but I think her annoyance is a front.”
Fuck. My heart beats chaotically as I rush around my office, grabbing my keys and wallet. “Is anyone with her?” I ask, praying she’s not alone.
“Paige is on her way with my mom. I’m heading home to pick up Isaac from school. How quickly can you get here?”
I breathe a sigh of relief as I close my door, not even bothering to lock my office like I usually would. “I’m already walking to my car; I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Thank you.”
He’s thanking me? Jesus. “I appreciate you calling me. I know I’m not your favorite person at the moment.”
“Yeah, well, I’m pretty sure you’re hers. So that has to count for something. I’ll see you soon.”
My jaw drops and I’m silent for a beat before finally answering, “Thank you.” I choke back the emotion lodged in my throat. “Bye, Easton.”
“Bye.”
After hanging up, I call my car service while pressing the button for the elevator at least ten times. It’s like I’m a kid that thinks that will make the thing move faster.
“Mr. D’Angelo?” My car service answers and I pause.
“I need a car to take me to the airport. Right away.” I’m not usually so blunt, but I don’t have time for niceties.
“I’m sending someone now. ETA is three minutes.”
“Thank you.”
My next call is Tabitha, urging her to book me on the next flight to San Francisco, no matter the cost or seat. Now would be the perfect time to own a private jet, and I’m almost considering it.
If Tabitha can’t get me a decent flight, it’ll be my next big purchase.
Jeffrey’s waiting at the airport in San Francisco, his weary eyes meeting mine as he grabs my bag. “Any news?” he asks when he’s settled in the front seat, pulling out into the line of cars leaving the airport.
“Not yet. Easton texted to say she was having surgery but that she should be out of recovery and awake by the time I get there. What’s the traffic like?”
“Hectic. I’ll be as quick as I can be.”
“I have no doubt, thank you.” I sigh loudly, letting my head fall back until someone blares their horn and our car swerves out of the way.
“What the hell was that?”
“I’m sorry. Someone decided to stop suddenly, and the guy in front of us almost slammed into the back of him.”
“Jesus. Thanks for swerving. I want to get to the hospital fast, but not ambulance fast.”
Jeffrey smiles as his eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror. “Permission to speak frankly?”
“I thought you always did that.”
“True.” He chuckles, his gaze meeting mine in the rearview mirror. “I like her. I’m happy you found someone you care about.”
I huff out a laugh. “More than work?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
Jeffrey’s been with me since before my divorce with Camilla. He’s the only person I asked to follow me here, and I’m grateful on a daily basis that he said yes. Sometimes I think he knows more about my life than I do. He certainly sees a lot of it.
“You deserve to be happy, Sal. And the nights I’ve driven you and Keeley home are the nights you’ve looked the happiest, your time with Paige and Isaac aside.”
“Fuck, I know. But she’s…” I trail off. I’m not talking about this with Jeffrey, even if he is a friend as much as a driver.
“Great for you,” he finishes for me. “That’s all that matters.”
“Just drive.” I jokingly roll my eyes, and he laughs again.
“Yes, sir.”
“Jeffrey,” I warn, and yet I’m smiling after being so worried when I first got into the car. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. We’re not too far away now.”
Thank God.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be. Feel free to go home. I can book an Uber later.”
“I’ll be around. Call me when you’re done.”
“Okay. I will.”
Jeffrey pulls up in front of San Francisco General, and I’m out of the car so fast, I almost trip up the curb. I rush through the front doors, beelining for the reception desk until Paige calls out from behind me.
“Dad. She’s this way.”
I spin around, finding Paige’s soft gaze staring back at me, and when she smiles, I return it, striding her way.
“Thanks, Kid. How is she?”
“Almost as grumpy as Easton usually is.”
“I can see that.” A laugh escapes me but I know there’s more coming, and when Paige’s face drops, I briefly close my eyes.
“How is she really?”
“I don’t know. She won’t talk to me either. Easton said she wouldn’t tell him anything after her fall, but I wasn’t too concerned. Only now, I’ve tried, and so has her mom. The thing is…” she trails off, glancing nervously over her shoulder, eliciting a heaviness in my chest.
“What thing?”
“She told me something that I promised I’d never tell you.”
“What? When?”
“A while ago.”
“Paige, honey. I love you, but you need to tell me what the hell is going on. Now.” My voice rises a little and I rein it back in. “Please.”
Paige closes her eyes and I immediately feel bad.
“I’m sorry, Paige. I just?—”
“Love her?”
“Care. I care. A lot. And I know you. If the secret you’re keeping wasn’t important to the present situation, you wouldn’t have brought it up.”
“You’re right. Only it’s not really my place to say. I just care a lot too.” I smile and let her off the hook.
“How about I talk to Keeley and see what she says? But if she gives me nothing, you’re going to have to come clean.”
“I think that sounds fair. Come on. I’ll take you to her.”
She gestures down a hallway to the left and I walk beside her, my mind reeling with what the hell Paige was trying to say. I’m running through a million possibilities until one sticks and I lose my breath. “Is she sick?” I feel the blood drain from my face as I turn toward Paige.
Is ALS hereditary? “What?” Paige’s eyes widen as she takes in my expression, rushing to grab my arm, her head shaking almost violently. “No. God. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. She’s not sick.” She pauses for a moment before her face drops. “I don’t think so. Jesus. She fell. What if?”
Fuck. “Let me talk to her before we both panic.”
“That sounds like a good idea. We’re almost to her room.”
She points down the hall just as Rochelle walks out, a smile reaching her eyes when she sees me. Meanwhile, I stiffen uncomfortably. It’s the first time I’ve seen her since everyone found out I had a thing for her daughter.
“I’m going to let the two of you talk,” Paige announces as if there’s awkwardness oozing from my pores and she wants out. Too bad I’m not going to let her.
“You don’t have to?—”
“I’m going. I was on my way to get something to eat anyway.”
“Paige.” I try to grab her hand but she dodges me, smiling as she walks away, and when I turn back around, Rochelle’s grin is showing her matching amusement. Great. All I need now is Keeley’s sister.
“Rochelle. How are you? How’s Keeley?”
“She’s been better. Though I have no doubt her mood’s about to improve. Thank you for coming.” She grabs ahold of a walker lying abandoned by the wall, and her smile turns awkward.
“I didn’t want Keeley to feel sorry for me. This is my life now.”
“Fuck. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m alive.”
“And thriving. No one can take away your positivity.”
“Exactly. Now, back to my daughter.”
I cringe but nod. One day I’ll get to actually see her.
“I’m not going to keep you for long, because Keeley needs you. But did Paige tell you she’s being particularly stubborn and refusing to tell any of us what’s going on?” She laughs, but there’s an edge to it, giving away her true feelings. She’s worried. As am I. Especially after what Paige said.
“She mentioned it, and I’m going to try my best to get her to talk to me.”
“Thank you. If anyone can do it, it’s you.
And on that note, protect her with your life and we won’t have a problem.
” Her expression turns serious, and I swallow a lump in my throat, waiting for more.
Because I have no doubt there’s more. “Keeley’s in denial about a lot of things, with one of those things being her ability to let others in.
Particularly men. If she tries to push you away and you let her, over something as minor as age, we’re going to have words.
We’ve all had a feeling something was going on.
Well, most of us anyway, my oblivious son being the exception.
No one has any issues with the two of you dating.
Least of all me. All I ask is that you protect her heart, and don’t ever tell her we had this conversation. ”
“You want me to lie to your daughter?” I raise a brow, hoping my response will hide the fact that I’m not my usual confident self right now.
Rochelle throws her head back and laughs. “Normally, no. In this case, yes. Otherwise, she’ll disown me.”
“You don’t have to worry about me saying anything, or she’d likely disown me too.”
“She’s a darling, isn’t she?” Rochelle’s joking, but the thing is…
“She’s perfect.” I chuckle lightly, avoiding eye contact as I shake my head. I’m so fucking gone for that woman, it’s scary. “On that note, I’m going to go.”
I foolishly glance back at Rochelle to find her eyes lit up and a little bit watery, making me smile uneasily.
“I don’t think I have to worry.”
“I’m going to try to make sure that’s true.”
I squeeze her arm as I walk past, only pausing again when I reach Keeley’s room, half expecting someone else to jump out to delay me even more. I just need to see her smiling face.
With a soft knock, I push open the door, my heart racing as my beautiful girl comes into view. She pouts when she sees me, putting her whole face into it, and I have to fight to hide a grin.
“It’s nice to see you too,” I joke, walking closer.
“I broke my ankle, Sal. My goddamn ankle. The doctor said I have to stay off it for weeks. No, not just off it. He wants me to keep it elevated for at least the first two weeks to make sure the swelling settles, and… You’re here?”
She throws her head back, letting out a fake cry and I move toward the bed. “Keels.”
“No.” She raises a hand to stop me. “Please go outside and come back in.”
“What?” I half chuckle, half scoff.
“Please.”
“As you wish.” With my smile trapped between my teeth, I turn around and head back out the door, pausing for long enough to compose myself, then I’m back inside again.
I open my mouth to speak until Keeley’s eyes widen with an excited gasp, hitting me with the smile I pictured when I first walked in. “You’re here.” She holds her hands out and I walk forward, taking them in mine as I stare down at her, my heart pounding in my chest.
I’d laugh at her change in demeanor if I wasn’t so worried about the whys.
“Of course I’m here.” I press a kiss to her knuckles before releasing her hands and brushing my fingers across her cheek. “I’m sorry it took me so long.”
I want to ask her what happened, but if no one else has had any luck getting answers, I need to ease into it. So instead, I cup her face and lean in, taking her lips in a chaste kiss. “You had me worried.”
“It’s just an ankle.”
“Just an ankle?” I raise an eyebrow, and she laughs. “I may have committed to your re-do of my arrival, but I haven’t forgotten the first one.”
“Ugh. It’s just so frustrating. I did not need this right now.”
“When would have been convenient for you?” I ask, my lips pulled into a grin, making her giggle lightly.
“Okay, fine. I’ll try to be less Easton.” I open my mouth to speak until she cuts me off. “Try being the operative word.”
“Trying is good. How are you feeling after surgery?”
“The pain’s starting to come back now that the anesthesia’s wearing off. It’s a dull ache at the moment. And my back’s sore too. And my shoulder.”
“From the fall?”
“Yep. It was a good one.”
“Easton didn’t exactly fill me in on what happened. Did you trip?”
Keeley winces before she turns away, no longer able to meet my eyes. I reach for her hand again and she squeezes me tightly. “There’s something I should have told you.”
“Okay.”
“You’re not going to like it.”
What? She turns back to face me, and her anxious expression guts me.
“Please don’t be mad. And please stay. I need you here.”
Please stay? Jesus. What is she about to tell me?
“I’m not going anywhere, Keeley. I can promise you that.” I hope.
She gestures for me to sit down, and I do so with trepidation, my heart lodged in my throat. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”
She nods before letting go of my hands, and my muscles tense.
“I’ve known Vance for a long time. He’s one of the reasons I’ll never date an athlete.”