Chapter 25
CHAPTER 25
NATALIE
I took a sip of my coffee and glanced at my phone, which was charging on the counter. I fell asleep while reading last night and was too tired to plug it in. I reached over to see if there were any updates from Rhett. Last night, he flew to New York to meet with his agent and attorney.
Every time I thought about him being traded to another team, a wave of guilt washed over me. Beau warned me that this could happen, but I still didn’t believe it would get this far. It was stupid of me to think it wouldn’t escalate to this.
I refreshed the screen, hoping for a sign of life. A dozen notifications started popping up. Five missed calls from an unknown number and a string of text messages from my aunt Suzie.
Aunt Suzie
We’ve been trying to reach you.
Beau had a heart attack.
They brought him to Emory.
Call me.
“Oh, my God.” I clicked on her number and brought the phone to my ear.
The phone rang, and I closed my eyes and started pacing the room.
“Natalie,” Suzie answered, her voice barely a whisper. I heard her moving across a room and a door closing behind her.
“I’m so sorry,” I rushed out. “I just saw the messages.”
“Beau is okay. No need to beat yourself up.”
A puff of air rushed from my lungs. “How bad was it?”
Uncle Beau was only sixty-one. He was still young, and he still had so much life ahead of him. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Had he been sick all this time? Had he had symptoms? I had so many questions.
“He was having his breakfast with his friends at the country club when he started feeling some sharp pains in his chest. They called nine-one-one and brought him to the hospital. They found a clogged artery and put a stent in.”
“So, he’s okay?” My hands were trembling as tears spilled down my cheeks. I should have been there sooner. I shouldn’t have fought with him. God, I will live with that guilt for the rest of my life.
“He’s going to be fine. The hard part is going to be keeping him away from the cheeseburgers and french fries.”
“Thank God.” I dropped into the chair and breathed out a sigh of relief.
“He’s in intensive care,” she said. “They are going to be waking him up in a few minutes. ”
My feet started moving across the room. “I’m on my way.”
I hung up, grabbed my things, and jogged toward the elevators. I pulled up my Uber app and ordered a ride. There was no way I was going to be able to drive myself.
Thankfully, by the time I made it outside, a car was already idling at the curb. Once I hopped in, I rested my head against the seat. Our relationship might have hit a rough patch yesterday, but he was the only family I had left.
I pulled out my phone and shot a text to Rhett.
Me
Uncle Beau had a heart attack. He’s fine, but I’m on my way to the hospital now.
Rhett
Holy Shit! Where are you? Can you talk?
My knees bounced with nerves.
Me
I’m in the back of an Uber. I don’t have much to report. You have a full day of meetings, so please don’t worry. I will be fine.
Rhett
Nothing is more important than you. Things got a little heated yesterday, but I still care about the guy. I’m going to cancel my meetings.
A lump formed in my throat. I was so glad we were texting because I wasn’t sure if I could even talk.
Me
Please don’t do anything until I know what we’re dealing with. I’ll call once I know more.
Rhett
I’ll keep my phone on and wait for your call. I love you.
Me
I love you, too. Good luck with your meetings. We’ll talk soon.
I slipped my phone back into the bag as we approached the hospital. I rushed through the sliding glass doors and made my way over to the check-in desk. My heart was pounding while I waited for them to print out my visitor badge.
Tears welled in my eyes as I made my way through the maze of corridors. I stepped off the elevator, trying to read the room numbers. The antiseptic smell, bright lights, and muffled voices of doctors and nurses brought me back to a time I never wanted to visit again. For some people, a hospital was associated with a place of healing. For me, it was a reminder of pain and loss.
My stomach twisted in knots as I entered Beau’s private room. He was lying in a hospital bed, with an IV bag in his arm and a monitor beeping in the background. He was completely still and had lost all color from his face. He looked nothing like the man who stormed out of Rhett’s condo yesterday.
Aunt Suzie was sitting in a chair. She glanced up and quickly came over, wrapping her arms around me. She searched my face in concern. “Everything is going to be fine. He’s a tough old bird. He isn’t close to being done yet. ”
I sagged against her. “I was so scared,” I said, wrapping my arms around her and trying not to cry.
“That’s why I told you not to worry.” She sniffed and patted my back. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course.” I let her go and wiped under my eyes.
“He’s barely been able to stay awake. He wakes up and goes back to sleep.” Her eyes were red-rimmed as she stared at him. My heart broke for her. They’ve been together for over thirty years. They didn’t have any kids. All they had was each other. I had no idea how she was holding it all together.
“I’m so sorry, Aunt Suzie.”
She patted my shoulder. “It’s fine. Try not to beat yourself up though, okay. It’s not going to do anybody any good. I’m glad you’re here.”
“There is nowhere else I’d rather be,” I said, trying to get my shit together. She already had enough on her plate. She didn’t need to worry about me, too.
She walked to the nearest chair and pulled it out. “Have a seat. I’m going to go make a few calls and stop by the cafeteria. Can I get you anything?”
I slumped into the chair and leaned forward. “I’m all set.”
She gave me a sad smile, squeezed my shoulder, and left the room. Sitting around and waiting was driving her crazy, so I could understand why she needed a break.
I looked up at Beau’s heartbeat on the monitor, feeling my mind race with guilt and regret. Tears stung my eyes, and I berated myself for causing him so much stress. I know Beau was only acting out of concern and was doing what was best for his business. If only I could turn the clock back, I would have handled things differently.
There was a soft knock on the door. “Natalie. ”
I turned to see Rylee and Kinley standing in the doorway.
“Rhett called,” Rylee said as I got to my feet. “He didn’t want you to be alone. He’s worried about you.”
I gave them both a hug and sniffed back my tears. God, I wished he were here right now. I needed him in ways I didn’t even understand.
“How’s Beau doing?” Kinley reached for my hand.
“He’s going to be okay.” I explained what the doctors said as a nurse came in to take his vitals.
Rylee's phone vibrated in her purse. She pulled it out, glanced at it quickly, and silenced it before shoving it back into her bag. “Rhett is going out of his mind with worry. He was in the process of booking a flight and skipping his meeting, but JP talked him out of it.”
I was afraid he would try to do something like that. “Thank JP for me.”
“There’s a waiting room at the end of the hall. Do you have a few minutes?” Rylee asked.
“Sure.” I ran my hand down my pants, grabbed my purse off the back of the chair, and followed them out the door.
I sat in one of the chairs and folded my legs underneath me. “Thank you both for coming and checking on me.”
“How are you holding up?” Rylee asked, taking a sip of her coffee.
I leaned my head back. Should I tell them that I felt responsible for Beau’s heart attack? That I felt awful that Rhett was losing his spot on the team? That I was questioning every single one of my life choices right now?
“I’m hanging in there,” I muttered. I didn’t want to burden them, but I suspected they could tell I was choosing my words carefully .
“Rhett told us what happened yesterday.” Kinley squeezed my hand. I rolled my lips together, tasting my salty tears.
For the first time since I agreed to give this marriage a fighting chance, I was questioning if it was all for nothing. Rhett could be living his life without a care in the world. My uncle might not have had a heart attack, and I wouldn’t feel so helpless right now.
I thought about the last time I saw Beau. He was so mad at me. I shouldn’t have let him leave like that. Maybe I could have talked to him and gotten him to cool down a bit. Instead, I was scared, and now I was beating myself up, feeling like I was on an endless loop of self-destruction.
I dropped my head in my hands. “I made a mess of everything, and I have no idea what to do.”
Rylee grabbed my arm. “You can talk to us, you know. About anything. We might be friends of Rhett’s, but we’re here for you too.”
I wasn’t an emotional person, but those words did me in. They had no idea how much that meant to me, especially after everything that happened at Gina’s wedding.
I smiled, feeling a lump in my throat. “Can I ask you both something?”
This situation had been weighing on me, tearing me apart from the inside out. Maybe they could help me gain some perspective.
They both leaned forward and nodded.
“Do you think Rhett will truly be happy playing for another team?”
It killed me that I was responsible for this. He loved Atlanta and his teammates, and I had a feeling he would be settling anywhere he went.
Kinley looked down at her water bottle. “When Maverick found out I was pregnant, and he made the decision to retire, I thought he was going to regret it. But life works in mysterious ways. I believe he was meant to be a father more than he was meant to play football. I know it sounds crazy, but from what I see, Rhett is happier with you than when he’s on the field. A career in the NFL doesn’t last forever, but your marriage can. I think he will be happy as long as he has you.”
I gave her a small smile. “Yeah, but this is different. This isn’t Rhett’s decision. He’s being forced.”
“I think Rhett will end up where he is meant to be.” Rylee squeezed my hand. “Does he love it here? Yes. Do we wish he could stay and retire as an Arrow? Absolutely. But in all the time I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him so stupid over a girl. You mean the world to him, and I have no doubt you feel the same way. I know you’re in a tough spot right now, but your love is stronger than you think. You’ll get through this.”
Their words should have made me feel better, but all I wanted to do was cry. I wanted to believe that Rhett and I could have it all like they did.
I shook my head and looked away. “You are both forgetting that Rhett has never had a serious relationship before. We’re just starting to get to know each other. We haven’t talked about a future or if he wants kids someday. What if he ends up miserable and resentful and ends up hating me?” I sniffed. “Let’s be honest. This is all my fault.”
Kinley set her water down. “Rhett is a big boy, and I know for a fact that he does not blame you for the situation he is in. You both have plenty of time to talk about what you want out of life. He might joke and act like an idiot most of the time, but he is sweet and kind, and he is head over heels in love with you. ”
My chest tightened. “But that could change.”
Rylee leaned forward. “Natalie, what’s going on? Why are you trying to talk yourself out of being with him?”
I wiped at my cheeks. “How is this all supposed to work? Do I give up my job and my relationship with my uncle to have a life with him? Or do I give up Rhett and free him from this mess?” I stared at them, hoping they could give me the right answer. “No matter which way you slice it, it feels like I will have to choose. I know you probably think I’m crazy because his career is so much bigger than mine, but I’m just finding my footing after having the rug pulled out from under me. I spent four years with a man that I planned on building a future with. What if this all blows up in my face and I end up losing twice?”
Kinley reached into her purse and handed me a napkin. “Breathe.” Her expression was a mixture of empathy and concern. “I know this is a lot, but don’t think of it as choosing one relationship over the other. Think of it as following your heart.”
“But what if my heart leads me down the wrong path? It wouldn’t be the first time.”
They both exchanged sympathetic glances.
Rylee squeezed my knee gently. “There is no such thing as a wrong path. Each path teaches us valuable lessons in life. There is no right or wrong choice to be made. You just have to follow your instincts and have faith that no matter what direction you choose, you’ll be okay.”
While I appreciated their words of comfort and support, my reality was the same. No matter which direction I chose, a piece of my heart was going to be broken forever.