Chapter Nine
Tease
SHERIDAN’S BEEN IN the hospital for almost a full week and I’m just getting back to town after being on a run.
I was trying to get back to town but it wasn’t possible because Omen and I were the only two members with a Prospect.
Omen didn’t care if I left to be with Sheridan, but I couldn’t leave him alone.
If someone else could have ridden out to meet him to grab the parts and conduct the other meetings we had to have, I would have left without hesitation.
Unfortunately, everyone is busy as hell and we can’t just switch out on a whim.
My parents and Knuckles have kept me updated every single day and I’ve been spending more time messaging Sheridan.
Things are still extremely strained between the two of us and we need to have a conversation, but I can’t do that over the phone. It needs to be done in person.
Sheridan’s blood pressure really hasn’t gone down since she was admitted to the hospital and I know something major is going on, but no one has been able to get the truth out of her.
My dad has let me know he’s walked in her hospital room and she’s been talking to her dad only for them to abruptly stop talking when the door opens.
They don’t resume the conversation while any of my family is in the room with them.
That tells me Sheridan is trying to keep something from everyone but her dad.
If anyone knows every detail of her life, it would be her dad.
They're really close and she tells him everything. Shelly would also know, but she’s not in town.
Shelly called me once this past week to find out why I wasn’t with her and sent my family to be with her instead.
I tried to pry information out of her about the situation Sheridan’s in, but she wouldn’t tell me a damn thing. Shelly is loyal if nothing else.
I’m finally back in town and today Sheridan has another appointment with Dr. Matthews.
I barely have time to stop at the clubhouse to shower and change from being on the road all day long before I have to meet her there.
Her dad is still with her in the hospital and Dr. Matthews is meeting her in the room she has there.
It’s the first time my parents or Knuckles haven’t been there since I called them.
They don’t want to intrude on her appointment and said they’d go visit her later today despite me being home.
Janessa has gone to visit Sheridan a few times without Knuckles or my parents.
She told me Sheridan talked to her but if anything got too personal, she’d clam up and not say a word.
I’m not sure what Janessa was trying to find out, but it really doesn’t surprise me.
Sheridan doesn’t easily let people in her world and share information with them.
Janessa is going to have to work for her friendship with Sheridan and she’s cool with it.
My cousin’s woman completely understood the situation when I explained it to her.
Janessa was honestly a little hurt at first because she’s been nothing but nice to Sheridan.
When I told her this is nothing personal but simply who Sheridan is, she stopped feeling hurt and vowed to work harder to bring her into our small circle.
One of the many reasons Janessa is so good for Knuckles and the club.
After showering and changing at the clubhouse, I quickly make my way to the hospital and head straight for the maternity ward.
They didn’t want Sheridan in a regular room because she needed to be hooked up to the monitors for the baby.
Thankfully, our son is strong and hasn’t shown any signs of distress over the last week.
His heartbeat has remained steady and strong and the ultrasound has shown him moving around like normal.
At least that’s what Sheridan told me during our one conversation when I was able to call her.
My mom stayed in the room with her and got to see our son while everyone else left them so Sheridan wouldn’t feel completely overwhelmed during the ultrasound.
They’ve done everything they can think of to help make her comfortable.
Walking into Sheridan’s room, I see what my dad was talking about.
Sheridan’s been crying based on her eyes shining bright, being swollen, and so red they look painful.
She was talking to her dad until I opened the door.
Their conversation ends immediately and Sheridan looks at the door.
She tries to smile at me as if everything is okay, but it’s her fake smile.
The one she shows the world that doesn’t reach her eyes.
I don’t like getting this smile from her.
I want the genuine one very few people are lucky enough to get.
When Sheridan truly smiles at you, her eyes light up and her nose crinkles slightly.
There’s a lightness to her that’s not normally there and it makes me feel as if she’s my light in complete darkness.
Today, I don’t get that and it hurts to know I’m the reason why.
Taking a good look at Sheridan, I find her normally pale skin even paler than normal.
Her hair has been brushed and thrown in a messy bun, but there are more strands than usual hanging down around her face.
While her eyes are red-rimmed and swollen, they’re also not full of life.
There’s a dullness to them I’m not used to seeing from Sheridan.
The hospital gown is rumpled as it covers her body and she’s got a hundred blankets on the bed.
I can guarantee she’s still cold because these blankets are thin and don’t do much to keep the patients warm.
I’m surprised she didn’t ask for one of her thick blankets to be brought from home to cover her.
Sheridan is a mess and yet she’s never looked more beautiful than in this moment.
“How are you feeling?” I ask her, walking up to the bed and taking in the machines next to her as they beep and papers print out.
“I’m exhausted,” she answers honestly as I turn my attention to her. “The baby has been moving like crazy today and doesn’t like all the people wandering in and out of here. I can’t get enough rest because someone is always coming in to check on one thing or another.”
I go to open my mouth to respond, knowing I need to ask her what’s wrong, when the door opens again and I turn to find Dr. Matthews entering the room.
“I’ll leave you two alone for the appointment,” Mr. Russell says as he gets up from the chair by Sheridan’s bed and leans over to press a kiss against the top of her head. “I’ll be right outside if you need me, Sweetheart.”
Sheridan nods at her dad as he leaves the room and we both turn our attention to Dr. Matthews. She’s looking over the tablet that’s in her hands with a frown on her face. My heart starts racing because if she’s already frowning, I’m not sure we’re gonna get good news today.
“Your blood pressure hasn’t gone down as much as I believed it would, Sheridan.
It’s not at dangerous levels like it was a week ago, but it’s still higher than I’d like.
And you’ve had some swelling in your ankles and legs as well.
I know you’re getting up and walking around and doing everything we’ve asked of you.
How are you truly feeling?” Dr. Matthews questions Sheridan, finally looking away from the tablet as she stands at the end of the bed.
“I’m exhausted. I can’t get enough sleep when people are constantly coming and going from the room.
I get why they are, but it means a lack of sleep for me.
I’m a light sleeper on a good day so I’m constantly waking up every time the door opens,” Sheridan answers her honestly as she sinks back into the pillows at her back.
“I get it. Everything else looks good and the baby has shown no signs of distress. It’s the only reason I’m willing to discharge you today.
However, you need to stay with someone who will be there around the clock to keep an eye on you.
I want you mainly on bed rest. You can get up to use the bathroom and walk for a few minutes a day, but I’d prefer you resting and off your feet until we can get your blood pressure down even more.
How is your back doing?” Dr. Matthews asks, looking at the tablet again after asking that question.
“It’s been bothering me more, but honestly I’m used to the pain. If I’m up moving around it tends to bother me more so being on bed rest might help alleviate some of the pain,” Sheridan answers and I know she’s not telling the truth of how bad the pain is.
“Do you have somewhere you can stay with someone?”
“She’ll stay with me,” I answer without hesitation or thought. I just know I need to have her with me on the compound where I can watch over her.
“I can stay with my dad. He’ll be there with me around the clock and won’t have to leave at the drop of a hat,” Sheridan responds without looking at me.
I do notice she’s twisting the blanket in her hands and that’s a sign of her being nervous.
Sheridan is scared to stay with me and would rather be with her dad.
While I know she should be with him during this time, I can’t help the fact that I need her with me on the compound.
I want to be the one to take care of her and be there first thing if something happens to her or our son.
All I have to do is get the room ready downstairs so she’s not having to walk up and down the large flight of stairs I have in the house.
It won’t take me that long if I have my parents, Knuckles, and Janessa help me get things ready.