CHAPTER 15
Anna
Anna closed her eyes for what felt like only moments, but when she startled awake, the sun shone in the windows at the far end of the hospital waiting area.
She stretched. They’d been in the hard plastic chairs all night, waiting for an update on Vince’s condition.
Being here like this brought back memories of her grandmother’s accident when Anna had been twenty-one and close to graduating from university.
There’d been sleepless nights and cramped muscles then, too.
She stood, her back cracking as she massaged her kinked neck.
No matter what country it was in, hospitals were always uncomfortable.
Isaac’s head leaned against the wall where he slept with his feet braced on the floor, his long legs stretched out. At least he was getting some rest.
She sighed. Shouldn’t they have heard something by now?
She glanced at Isaac again, checking that he was still asleep.
Grabbing her wallet, she scuttled downstairs to get herself tea, coffee for him, and something quick for their breakfast. He was still sleeping when she returned, so she set his breakfast pastry on the side table next to him while she sipped her steaming beverage.
She glanced up when a white-coated doctor entered the room. She hadn’t seen this one before. His gaze settled on Isaac, and the doctor moved toward them with purpose, so she rested her hand on Isaac’s shoulder and whispered, “Honey, wake up. The doctor is here.”
Isaac’s eyes fluttered open. It took a second for him to react.
Perhaps he was figuring out where they were and why.
He yawned and stood stiffly, looking as though he was bracing himself for what the doctor would say, his feet shoulder-width apart.
He took a deep breath. She took his hand and squeezed. Vince had to be all right.
“You must be Isaac Vasquez,” said the doctor with a thin-lipped shadow of a weary smile.
“The daredevil younger brother. It’s a wonder both of you haven’t been in hospitals more often.
” No-nonsense directness oozed from him.
At least they might get the actual story from someone like him, rather than medical run-around and partial answers.
Isaac tightened his grip on Anna’s hand and attempted a smile. “How’s my brother?” She tried to radiate positive vibes, hoping the news was good.
The doctor said, “He’s awake and doesn’t seem to have any cognitive impairments.
Physical symptoms include deep tissue bruises, a fractured collarbone, and two fractured ribs.
The only issue is his diplopia, or double vision.
I understand that he’s suffered from this condition twice before.
Concussion symptoms are cumulative, so we don’t know how long it will take him to recover.
” He listed the injuries matter-of-factly.
Most of it didn’t sound too serious, though head injuries were always difficult to gauge healing time.
“The last time he had double vision, he worried it might be permanent,” said Isaac. “Is that likely?” Through their joined hands, she felt his body stiffen.
If Vince couldn’t see to race, his career would be over.
“We have no way of knowing at this stage.” As a professional, the doctor’s face gave nothing away.
“We’re recommending that your brother shouldn’t fly right now.
The noise and busy environment at both the airport and onboard the plane would be too much stimulation in his condition.
He will also need a fair bit of help at home for the next while. ”
“I’ll be there. I live with him.”
Isaac’s quick answer took Anna by surprise.
Not that he wouldn’t want to care for his brother because, of course, he would, but because Isaac had moved out.
Perhaps during the early recovery, staying with his brother at the villa made the most sense.
It didn’t seem the time to ask, but where did that leave her?
It had all just happened, and she and Isaac hadn’t discussed their living arrangement again.
Not Portugal and the beach for certain. Was she supposed to move in at Vince’s too, or would she be going back to the Inn?
She squared her shoulders. Isaac could help Vince and she could support Isaac. She’d do whatever she could to help.
“He won’t want to stay here.” Isaac looked out the window, perhaps considering their options for returning to Spain from the Netherlands. “I’ll rent a car. It’s only a two-day drive to get home.”
The doctor nodded. “We can discharge him tomorrow, allowing you to make travel arrangements tonight. Would you like me to take you back to see him?”
“Yes, please.” Isaac dropped Anna’s hand and reached for the coffee she’d brought him. He turned to her. “I’ll be back in not too long. We’ll go back to the hotel afterward, figure out a car, and get cleaned up.”
“Maybe more sleep too,” she said. Dark shadows ringed his eyes, and he needed to shave, but he looked better than earlier. Waking up was a positive first step in Vince’s recovery. She was exhausted, and she wasn’t the one who had raced yesterday. Isaac must be ready to drop.
His wan smile said it all as he left, following the doctor down the hall where they disappeared.
She was happy for Isaac that his brother was alright. Vince couldn’t race with double-vision, but it had gone away before—hopefully, it would again.
. . .
An hour and a half later, they returned to the hotel, and Isaac flopped onto the bed. He’d kicked off his shoes but was otherwise still dressed.
“I just need a minute, then I’ll get undressed.” He closed his eyes.
Before Anna could speak, his deep, even breaths showed he was already falling asleep.
She should leave him be—he’d dropped off so fast. She couldn’t sleep like that.
Slipping into the bathroom, she took a quick shower, washing the smell and feel of the hospital from her skin.
A million small things to do ran through her head as the hot water rushed over her and down the drain.
Once out of the shower, she texted Angel. “Don’t know if Isaac told you. Vince is awake. Battered and bruised. Has a concussion. We’ll get the hotel to let us into Vince’s room later today to collect his stuff.” It wasn’t her place to mention the diplopia.
She was about to lie down to rest despite the daylight seeping in through the edges of the blinds and curtains when her phone vibrated.
She debated ignoring it, but it might be something important.
Picking it up, a pit formed in her stomach.
She didn’t want to, but she should answer.
She slid into the bathroom, where she could speak without disturbing Isaac.
Her eyes ached, and she longed to sleep, but this was Adam’s work number.
Had he gotten her new number from Sandra?
“Hello.” Despite the privacy, she kept her voice quiet.
“Oh my god, Anna. You answered. It’s about time.” Adam’s self-important voice was just how she remembered. “How’ve you been, Babe?”
“What do you want?” She didn’t want to talk to him if he was going to chit-chat and not get to the point.
“Sweetheart, that’s no way to speak to someone. You’re being rude again.” Adam’s rebuke and overly familiar term of endearment caused a stab of pain in her temple. He was a headache even long distance.
“I’ve had two hours of sleep. You probably should speak to my lawyer, anyway. What do you want?” Her patience was already wafer thin, and she regretted answering.
“I miss you,” he said. “And I was wondering how long it will be until you come home from Texas or whatever ridiculous jaunt you’ve gone on.”
His words grated on her nerves as he continued.
“I don’t want you to regret selling our place and ending things whenever you come to your senses.”
At least he didn’t know she lived in Spain. Her entire head now pounded. “Adam, I’m not coming back. We’re over. Not just right now. For good. What happened?” Before he answered, she said, “Tiffany dumped you. Didn’t she?”
There was a pause that told her she’d struck the truth.
“I want you to come home.”
Did he believe his own lies? She deserved better than Adam. How had she ever put up with this pretentious idiot?
“You just want to keep living in my townhouse for free. You need to move. If you have nothing essential to tell me, next time, call my lawyer.” Answering had been pointless.
“Anna, don’t hang up. I’ll sign the papers, provided you meet me in person. No lawyers, just me and you.”
That was the last thing she wanted. “Why?”
“I want you to look me in the face and tell me it’s really over.”
“It’s over. You cheated. You don’t love me.
Give up, move out, and if you have questions, talk to my lawyer.
I’m blocking this number.” Her hands were shaking as she hung up and made it so he couldn’t call from work again.
A sense of satisfaction suffused her. She’d stuck up for herself and handled the conflict on her own.
Her head pounded as she came out of the bathroom, plugged in her phone, and lay down, resting her hand on Isaac’s chest, which rose and fell in even rhythm as he slept.
Laying next to him was peaceful. The two men were the same age, but that was where the similarity ended.
She hadn’t dared to think too far ahead with Adam, but even after just a few months, she couldn’t imagine her life without Isaac.
He respected her and gave her the care and love she’d always hoped for. Closing her eyes, she fell asleep.
. . .