Chapter Twenty-Two
Keaton
W AKING UP, THE first thing I hear is the constant beeping and I immediately remember I’m in the hospital.
I was out of it for several hours yesterday before I finally woke up for about five minutes.
Then I went right back to sleep. I did see Tucker by my bed and I wanted to talk to him, but nothing would come out of my mouth.
He simply leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against my cheek before running his finger down it.
I closed my eyes knowing I was safe and no one would get close to me without his approval.
If I had simply waited a little while until he woke up, I never would have been taken if Tucker had been with me.
But, then again, Bridger might have been hurt because we would have had him with us.
Since that was his ultimate end game. In a way, I’m glad I didn’t wait for them to wake up because Bridger was safe at home with Tucker where Dillon couldn’t get to him.
Looking to my left, I spot Tucker sleeping with his head on the bed next to my arm as our fingers are laced together.
He looks completely at peace even if he’s uncomfortable.
His back is hunched over and I know it’s going to bother him once he finally wakes up and straightens his body out.
My heart hurts for him because I don’t ever want him in pain for any reason.
I want to reach over and touch his cheek, but my free arm has the IV in it and I can’t move it all that far.
So, I settle for looking at him for several minutes until I hear movement on my right side.
Turning my head, I see Wren standing there with Bridger in her arms. He’s shifting in his sleep against her body and I can’t help but smile at the little boy I love so much.
Wren gives me a smile as she continues to hold him because of my injuries.
Yeah, I noticed then during the short time I was awake last night and saw the bandages wrapped around both of my wrists and felt another one on my head.
“How are you feeling? Do you need something for the pain?” Wren questions me as she looks down the length of my body under the blankets covering me.
“I think I’m okay for now. I’ve got a headache, but that’s about it.
It’s not even that bad. When I woke up last night, it was horrible.
I’ve never felt pain as bad as it was then.
Nothing touched it either. I try not to take pain killers if I don’t have to,” I answer her as I move my hand and wince because I don’t want to wake Tucker up.
I’m not sure how long he was awake and he deserves to sleep.
“Good,” Wren replies, looking closer at me and I have a bad feeling she’s about to say something she shouldn’t. “Oh my God! It’s really you!”
Excitement fills her and I close my eyes as my breath catches in my throat. This is the last thing I wanted to happen. I’m not ready for anyone here to know who I am when I’m not Keaton. Wren practically bounces on her feet with Bridger in her arms and I worry for his safety.
“You’re fucking Ruby! From the time I saw you last night I knew you looked really familiar and now I know why.
I can’t believe I just met you and watched you perform live a few months ago.
Does anyone else know?” Wren practically shouts as I look toward Tucker and hope he’s still sleeping.
His eyes are still closed and his breathing is even as I watch him for a few minutes.
“Shh!” I tell her, turning my attention back to Wren. “No one in Briar Glen knows I’m Ruby with the exception of my parents. When I’m home, I don’t want to be Ruby. I want to live my life and be able to move around the town I grew up in without having to wear a disguise or something like that.”
“I promise you I won’t say a word to anyone. Does Ice know you’re Ruby?” she asks as I look back at him for a second.
“No. I haven’t found the right time or way to tell him I’m Ruby.
It’s not something I’ve ever done before.
The only other person who knew was my best friend Nora and she was killed.
She’s the one who helped my aunt and me put together the Ruby persona,” I answer her question and guilt immediately fills me.
“I’m sure you have a good reason for deciding to be someone else when you’re on stage. No one from the other chapter of Knight’s Rebellion knows who you really are?” she asks and I can’t help but smile because to me this is fun and I need it after yesterday.
“Nope. I’ve always been dressed as Ruby when I step off the bus and none of them ever get on unless something is going on like an interview.
If I’m talking to someone for a media or press tour, then I’m in my Ruby stuff so it doesn’t matter if they see me,” I tell her honestly.
“You’re now the only one in Briar Glen who knows my real identity.
I’m trusting you with this secret and that’s not something I take lightly.
It’s hard to let people in when I have the job I do.
Even here it’s hard for me because I can’t stand lying to people in my life and that’s what I’m doing by not revealing my truth. ”
“I get it, Keaton. You can count on me to keep this between the two of us. I will say Ice doesn’t like secrets, though. Tell him as soon as you're comfortable enough to share this news. I don’t honestly know how he’ll react when you tell him,” Wren says and I nod because that’s my biggest fear.
“I will. I’ve already wanted to tell him a few times but something always seems to happen. Or I chicken out,” I admit because I’m not sure what else to say. “Thank you for keeping this between the two of us. Will Judge get upset when he finds out you knew?”
“No. He’ll understand if you tell him your reasons for keeping this to yourself.
I’m going to go down and get something to eat from the cafeteria.
Do you want anything?” Wren asks me as I shake my head and watch as she leaves with Bridger still sleeping in her arms. She’s a natural with him and I hope one day I’m able to be the same way with him.
Before I can think too much of the conversation with Wren, a phone rings from Tucker’s direction. He wakes up and groggily pulls it out of his pocket.
“’Lo,” he answers as he turns his attention to me and I offer him a small smile he doesn’t really return. “Yeah. She’s awake now. It’s your mom. I found her number yesterday and called to let them know what was goin’ on.”
I take Tucker’s phone from him and wonder what’s wrong with him. Maybe he’s angry with me and telling him my secret won’t matter because he stops talking to me.
“Hi, Mom,” I greet her, not bothering to pretend I’m okay or happy.
“Sweetheart, how are you feeling?” she asks me, her voice carrying that hint of worry all parents seem to have when something is going on with one of their children.
“I’ve been better. I have a little headache and my wrists hurt. Not too bad though considering everything,” I answer her and hear her sigh on her end of the call.
“I know, Sweetheart. Dad and I are on our way home from our trip. We’re looking for the quickest flight home now.
Everything so far has at least one layover that’s hours long.
We want to get our eyes on you as soon as possible,” she informs me as Tucker sits up in his chair and folds his arms over his chest.
“Okay. Just keep me updated. I’m not even sure how long I’ll be in the hospital at this point.
I don’t think the doctor has been in to see me yet this morning.
I’ll have to get a new phone,” I tell her so she knows not to call Tucker again.
If he’s mad, he might leave me alone and I can’t blame him.
“I will, Sweetheart. See if you can have one delivered to the hospital. I’d do it for you, but I know how particular you are about that kind of thing,” she tells me and I give her a small laugh because she’s not wrong.
I like what I like and that’s what I stick with.
“Dad and I love you and will see you soon.”
“I love you both,” I tell her as I hang up and give the phone back to Tucker. “Thank you for calling them and letting me talk to her just now.”
“It’s not a problem, Keaton. Are you sure you’re okay?” he questions me, not moving closer at all.
“Yeah. My head hurt worse last night than it does right now. I don’t want to take anything for it,” I tell him honestly as he looks at me to ensure I’m telling him the truth.
“Wren just went down to get something to eat. You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to. I have to get a new phone and rest.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Keaton. And I’m not goin’ anywhere. I’m exactly where I need to be. I’m just exhausted and a little upset for a few reasons,” Tucker tells me as he looks at me while keeping his phone in his lap.
“Why are you upset? And you didn’t have to stay here last night. You could have gone home to sleep in your bed instead of staying here with me if all I did was sleep,” I tell him, sensing his anger.
“The main reason I’m upset is because you were kidnapped, Keaton.
I lost my damn mind when I woke up and you weren’t home.
Then I called you and there was no answer.
When you finally call me, I hear someone tellin’ you to shut the fuck up before you scream and then I call back and I get told by some fuckin’ automated voice that your number isn’t in service right now.
I wanted to lose my shit but I had Bridger and then we went to the clubhouse where Wren took him so I could find you,” Tucker says with a hard edge to his voice and I can’t help but feel the guilt raise even more inside me because this is all my fault.
I can’t blame anyone else for this mess.
“I’m sorry, Tucker. This is my fault. Bridger didn’t have any cereal for his breakfast and there wasn’t really any food for us.
I had already cleaned the house and wanted to just grab a few things before coming home and cooking for you.
You’ve done so much for me already and I wanted to thank you,” I tell him, turning my head so I’m no longer looking at him.
“Keaton, I’m not mad at you. You made a decision and I would have gone with you if you’d woken me up.
Instead, you went alone and I know you weren’t plannin’ on that pussy kidnappin’ you at the time.
You were concerned about Bridger havin’ somethin’ to eat when he woke up.
I understand it to a point. But, we haven’t worked at all on your self-defense moves or anythin’ else we talked about.
Then, I had to wait here while you were bein’ examined and I couldn’t see you until you were moved up here to this room,” Tucker says as he finally moves closer to my bed and laces our fingers together carefully so he doesn’t hurt my wrist. “Next time, wake me up so I can go with you.”
“I will. Um, what happened with Dillon? Is he back in jail?” I ask him, not sure I want the answer. Especially if he was hurt and ended up in this same hospital as me.
“I’m gonna tell you the truth because it’s what you deserve.
Dillon was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officer Arnold ruled his death a suicide since he shot himself.
He wants to talk to you so he can close out the case of your kidnappin’ and assault and the case of Nora’s murder has been closed since Dillon is dead,” he informs me and I release the breath I was holding in relief because it’s over.
I no longer have to worry about Dillon coming for Bridger.
“That’s good. I’ll talk to the officer when I get out of here. I don’t want him in my hospital room if I can help it,” I tell him as Tucker nods his head in response.
“I’ve got a phone on the way here now, Keaton.
Zach found your old one in the parkin’ lot where your car was parked.
He picked it up not realizin’ it was broken until I had it in hand.
I ordered you the same phone and have your SIM card here so your phone can be activated as soon as Tristan shows up with it,” Tucker states as he gives me a small smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Thank you. You really didn’t have to do that, Tucker.”
“You’re welcome. Now close your eyes and try to get some sleep. I’m sure you’re still exhausted and could use the sleep before nurses and the doctor walk back in your room,” Tucker orders and I close my eyes as a wave of exhaustion washes over me. It doesn’t take me long at all to fall asleep.