Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Ben
It’s Monday morning, and aside from briefly seeing Ashlyn in the faculty room late last week, I haven’t spoken to her since Wednesday night at Eden.
I’ve wanted to call her more times than I can count, but I promised to give her space.
As hard as it’s been, I’ve kept my word.
That hasn’t stopped me from checking my phone every five minutes, though. I’m driving myself insane.
A knock on my office door pulls me from my thoughts. I glance up to see Kat, the school secretary, standing in the doorway.
“Morning, Kat. Come in.”
“Morning, Ben. I just got a call from Ashlyn. Understandably, she won’t be in today, or for the rest of the week. I’ve arranged for a supply teacher to cover her class. They’re on their way in now.”
I frown, unease settling in my stomach. “What do you mean ‘understandably’? Is she sick?”
Kat shakes her head. “I forget you don’t live in Hope Creek. There was an accident on Main Street on Saturday night. Her brother’s girlfriend, Taylor, was hit by a car. She’s in critical condition… I think it’s touch and go whether she’ll make it.”
My chest tightens. “Shit. How did Ashlyn sound?”
“She was crying. I think they’re close.”
A wave of worry crashes over me. Even though things between us have been tense, I need to see her. “I’ll give her a call. Thanks, Kat, and thanks for sorting the cover.”
She nods before stepping out and closing the door behind her.
I immediately grab my phone and find Ashlyn’s number.
Pressing the call button, I stand and pace the room, but the call goes straight to voicemail.
If she’s at the hospital, her battery could be dead, or she might not have used her phone to call Kat.
I try once more, but it goes straight to voicemail again.
Screw waiting. I need to know she’s okay.
Grabbing my jacket, I pull my keys from my pocket and hurry out. On my way through reception, I stop by Kat’s desk. “Can you clear my schedule for the day?”
She gives me a knowing look but simply nods. “Of course.”
I head straight to Ashlyn’s apartment first, figuring she might be home if she spent all day yesterday at the hospital. But when I buzz her number, there’s no response. After a few minutes, I give up and drive to Hope Creek Hospital.
Pushing through the double doors of the emergency department, I scan the waiting area, searching for Ashlyn or anyone I recognize. When I don’t see her, I make my way to the reception desk and wait in line.
“Can I help you?” the receptionist asks once I reach the front.
“I’m looking for the family of a woman who was brought in Saturday night after being hit by a car.”
She gives me a questioning look. “Do you know the woman’s name?”
I hesitate. “Erm… Taylor.”
Her brows knit together. “Surname?” I shake my head. “So, you’re not a relative?”
“No. I don’t need any information on the woman herself. I’m just trying to find her family. The ones waiting for updates on her condition.”
“Sir, this is a large hospital. Without a patient’s full name, I have no way of knowing where they might be.”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “Right. Thanks anyway.”
Stepping away from the desk, I drop heavily into one of the hard, plastic chairs in the waiting area. I can’t exactly wander from floor to floor searching for Ash. Security would be on me in no time. Instead, I pull out my phone, ready to try calling her again.
“Ben?”
I look up at the sound of my name, my gaze landing on a woman who looks vaguely familiar.
“It is Ben, right?” she asks.
Recognition clicks into place, and I stand. “You’re Ivy?”
She nods.
“Is Ash here? Is she okay?”
“That’s why you’re here?”
“I need to see her.”
She exhales, clearly conflicted. I respect that she’s looking out for Ash. Part of me even appreciates it, but right now, I need her to trust me.
“I don’t think this is the right time, Ben.”
“Please, Ivy. I just need to know she’s okay.”
She hesitates before finally sighing. “She’s in the waiting area on the third floor.”
Relief washes over me. “Thank you.” Then I pause. “How’s Taylor?”
Tears well up in her eyes as she looks down. “She had surgery yesterday, but she’s in an induced coma.” Her voice wobbles. “The next twenty-four hours are critical.”
“I’m so sorry, Ivy.”
She offers me a sad smile. “Ash is struggling. She and Taylor are close.” Her eyes meet mine, filled with quiet warning. “Please don’t hurt her again.”
The word ‘again’ stings, and I shake my head. “I won’t,” I promise.
She nods. “I should go. I have to get to work. Bye, Ben.”
“Bye, Ivy.”
I watch her leave before heading toward the elevator. Nerves twist in my stomach as I ride up to the third floor. She won’t expect me to show up, and with everything going on, I’m unsure how I’ll be received.
When the elevator doors open, I scan the hallway and follow the signs to the relatives' waiting area. I turn a corner, and my breath catches when I spot Ashlyn pacing the small space. She’s dressed in yoga pants and a sweater, and even from here, I can see her eyes are red and swollen from crying.
A few people are seated in the small area, including one of her brothers and his partner.
There's also a pregnant woman and an older couple, who I assume are her parents.
My gaze locks on Ashlyn again, and her eyes widen in surprise when she sees me.
“Ben,” she says. “What are you doing here?”
Everyone in the waiting area turns to look at me, but I focus on Ashlyn. I wait to answer her until she’s standing in front of me, though, not wanting her whole family to hear our conversation.
“I heard what happened. I’m so sorry, Ash. I wanted to check you were okay.”
She bursts into tears, and I instinctively reach for her, tugging her gently against my chest as I wrap her in my arms. She comes willingly, winding her arms around my waist and sagging against me as she sobs.
“Please don’t cry, baby,” I whisper into her hair, holding her tighter.
As I hold her, I chance a look over her shoulder, seeing that her brother is glaring at me. She’d mentioned her brothers were fiercely protective of her. I guess she wasn’t exaggerating. Right now, I don’t care. Ash needs me, and that’s more important than what her brother thinks.
After a few minutes, her sobs subside and she lifts her head, her eyes finding mine. I hold her stare. She’s so beautiful, even with red, puffy eyes.
“Thank you for coming,” she whispers. “I really needed that hug.”
“When Kat told me what had happened, I had to see you.”
“How did you know where to find me?”
“I saw Ivy in the ED. She told me where you were.”
She nods before stepping out of my embrace, and my arms reluctantly fall away. I wish I could keep her close. It hurts to see her in tears.
“Come and sit down. We’re just waiting for Seb. He’s with the doctors now.”
“I don’t want to intrude,” I say, feeling hesitant.
She bites her bottom lip. “I know we’re not in the best place right now, but I’d like you to stay.”
I nod and take her hand, gently intertwining our fingers. “Then I’ll stay.”
She leads me to where everyone is sitting, guiding me to sit next to her.
She gestures to her brother. “You remember my brother Nash and his fiancée, Paisley?” she says, and I nod.
“And Sophie, Cade’s wife. Cade’s in with Seb,” she explains.
“These are my parents, Tessa and Henry.” She motions toward the older couple sitting across from us. “This is Ben.”
I look at each of them, giving them a small smile, trying not to notice that Nash is grimacing at me.
“Hello, Ben,” Tessa says, her eyes dropping to our joined hands. “How did you and Ashlyn meet?”
“Ben’s my boss. He’s the school principal,” Ashlyn explains.
“I’m sorry about Taylor,” I offer, even though no words feel like enough.
“I still can’t believe it,” Paisley says, her voice breaking. Nash wraps his arm around her and pulls her against him.
“She’s going to be okay,” Nash says.
“God, I hope so,” she whispers.
We sit in silence for a few minutes until Seb appears with Cade at his side. Ashlyn drops my hand and jumps up.
“What did the doctor say?” she asks, wringing her hands together. I stand and slip my arm around her waist, squeezing gently.
Seb sighs, and Cade’s hand rests on his shoulder.
“She’s had another CT. She’s no worse, but no better either.
They’ve scheduled another scan for in a couple of days.
We’ve just got to wait,” he says. His voice sounds pained, and I know how he feels.
I’ve been here, and I wouldn’t wish the waiting on my worst enemy.
I just hope to God they get a better outcome than I did.
“Can we see her?” Paisley asks.
Seb sits down heavily on one of the plastic chairs and drops his head in his hands. “Yeah. Just two at a time for now. You and Ash should go in,” Seb says, dejected.
She walks over and kneels in front of him. “This isn’t your fault, Seb. You know that, right? It was an accident.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t know anything anymore. Go and be with her. I don’t want her to be alone.”
Ash looks up at me. “Will you stay?”
“If you want me to.”
“I do,” she whispers.
“Okay.”
She gives me a small smile, and I watch her and Paisley walk off in the direction Cade and Seb came from.
“I need some air,” Seb says, standing from his seat and heading to the elevator.
“We’ll come with you,” his mom says, and she and Henry follow him.
I’m suddenly left with Cade and Nash, and despite being older than both of them, I’m apprehensive. Nash is clearly unhappy that I’m here with Ash, and I don’t know either of them well enough to make small talk, especially with everything that’s happened to Taylor.
“Does anyone want a coffee?” I ask, hoping I can put some distance between us while I wait for Ashlyn. I want to get to know her family, but I’m guessing now isn’t the time.
“I could use a water. I’m Sophie, by the way. I think we met briefly in Eden on Christmas Eve.”
“I remember. It’s good to see you again. I just wish it were under better circumstances.”
She smiles sadly. “Thanks for being here for Ash. I’m glad she’s not alone.”
“She’s not alone. She has her family,” Cade says. “What’s going on with you two anyway? Don’t you think you’re too old for her?”
Sophie stands and rolls her eyes. “Now’s not the time, Cade.” She turns to me. “Ignore him. I’ll come with you. I could do with a walk.”
Despite Sophie telling me to ignore Cade, I can’t. Now isn’t the time to discuss my and Ash’s relationship. I’m not even sure we have a relationship right now, but he and Nash need to know I’m serious about her.
“You’re right, I am older than Ash, but you should know that I care about your sister. She means a lot to me.”
“She means everything to us. She’s our baby sister,” Nash says. “We don’t want her to get hurt.”
“I’m glad she has you guys to look out for her, but I have no intention of hurting her.”
“Haven’t you already hurt her?” Cade asks, his arms crossing over his chest. I guess Seb told his brothers after overhearing Ash and me in Eden last week.
“Okay. That’s enough,” Sophie says. “Ashlyn is a grown woman, and who she dates has nothing to do with either of you. Behaving like this, all you’re going to do is push her away.
With everything that’s happened in the last couple of days, don’t you think there are more important things than an age gap? ”
Neither Nash nor Cade respond, and I don’t say anything either. I don’t want an argument, and definitely not here. I don’t need to be accepted. Ash wants me here and that’s all I care about right now. Acceptance can come later.