A Forever Family (Forever #6) (15 page)

Connor

Julia was in and out of sleep most of the day. Finally, around three o’clock, the doctor walked into the room. It infuriated me that we’d been here since this morning and we still had no answers.

“I have the results of your bloodwork and it seems you have a bacterial infection. I’ve had the nurse start you on a round of strong antibiotics and you should be feeling better in a few days. Until then, you’ll need to stay in the hospital and get plenty of fluids and rest. And I’m sorry to tell you this Julia, but no contact with your son. Not until the infection has cleared up.”

“But, Dr.—”

“No buts. This is very serious,” he spoke.

Julia’s eyes filled with tears as Jake squeezed her hand. “It’ll be okay, baby. It’s only for a few days,” he spoke.

“I’ve also gone ahead and put you on the transplant list.”

“How long?” I asked.

He sighed. “It can be weeks, months, or even years. Because of her age, she’s down on the bottom of the list. There are others who are in more desperate need of a kidney than Julia.”

“That’s bullshit!” I snapped and Ellery placed her hand on my arm.

“I know it’s frustrating, Mr. Black, and I would feel the same way if it were my daughter. My advice to you is to see if you yourself can find a match. But I will tell you that not a lot of people are just willing to give away their kidney. I’ll be by in the morning to check up on you, Julia. Until then, get some rest.”

I rubbed the back of my neck as I walked over and stared out the window. Suddenly, Julia screamed.

“I HATE THIS! IT ISN’T FAIR!”

I turned around and Ellery and Jake were by her side, trying to calm her down as she cried. The pain on her face and the sadness in her eyes was too much to bear. I stepped out of the room and called Collin.

“Hey, Dad. How’s Julia?”

“She has a bacterial infection. Can you and Amelia keep Brayden until your mom and I come home? Julia can’t see him for a few days until the infection clears up.”

“Shit. Yeah, of course we can. I want to come by and see Julia. Amelia will be off work soon, so I’ll drop Brayden off at home and then swing by. There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Good news, I hope.”

“Great news. I’ll see you soon, Dad.”

I hung up and walked back into the room. Julia had seemed to calm down. I walked over to her and pressed my lips against her forehead.

“Collin and Amelia are going to keep an eye on Brayden until we get home. He’ll be stopping by later.”

She nodded her head and closed her eyes. Ellery and I stepped out of the room and went down to grab some coffee. Before we made it to the coffee bar, Ellery suddenly grabbed my arm and led me down an isolated hallway. Pushing me up against the wall, she smashed her mouth into mine. I didn’t know what the hell had gotten into her at that moment, but I wasn’t complaining.

****

Ellery

As Connor and I were on our way to the coffee bar, I saw Ashlyn standing there talking to someone. She didn’t see us, but I couldn’t let Connor see her. I grabbed his arm and led him down a hallway, pushed him up against the wall, and passionately kissed him. He was going to question me about what I had just done, so I had to come up with something quick.

“Baby, what the hell was that for?”

“Are you complaining?”

“Of course not, but we’re in a hospital.”

“So what. It never stopped
you
before. I just felt like I needed to do that. We both needed it, Connor.”

He placed his hand on my cheek and softly brushed his lips against mine. “You’re right. We did need it, didn’t we?”

I gave him a small smile as I pulled him from the wall and hugged him, staring out and making sure Ashlyn was nowhere in sight.

“Okay. I really need that coffee now.”

He chuckled. “Let’s go and get it, then.”

I was a nervous wreck. It was only going to be a matter of time before he saw her and then, when he did, the shit was going to hit the fan full force.

****

Connor

Shortly after we got back to Julia’s room, Collin walked in. He went over to her, kissed her head, and asked her how she was doing. Ellery, Jake, and I took a seat over on the small couch by the window so the two of them could talk. If anyone could talk to her, it was him. After their conversation, and Julia smiled, Collin walked over to us.

“What’s this great news you have to tell?”

“Let me guess!” Ellery shrieked. “Amelia’s pregnant!”

“Good God. No, Mom. I closed the Durant deal, Dad.”

“What?” I looked at him in confusion.

“I had that meeting with Durant today.”

“No, son. That meeting was for tomorrow.”

“No, Dad. It was today. Anyway, I had to take Brayden in the meeting with me because our secretaries were at lunch. Durant and his associates loved Brayden and they loved how I was with him and how I put my family first, so they signed the deal.”

“Right there on the spot?”

“Yep.”

I was speechless at that moment. That deal had just made our company millions of dollars and my son closed it at the proposal. Even I had never done that. I reached over and gave him a hug.

“Good job, Collin. I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Even though Collin was more than ready to take over Black Enterprises, Ellery and I had talked, and considering Julia’s accident, handing over the company to them in three months was put on hold until we knew for sure how long this would affect Julia’s life.

Collin

The next day, after I visited Julia in the hospital, Liam and I went out for dinner and a drink. Amelia was going out with her girlfriends to celebrate one of their birthdays, so I used the opportunity to hang with Liam and have some guy time. We ended up at a bar for some burgers and beer. As we were talking, eating, and having a good time, my phone rang. I pulled it from my pocket. Hailey was calling.

“Hello,” I answered.

“Collin. I need your help. Please.” She sounded like she was crying and her voice was really low.

“What’s wrong, Hailey?”

“I need your help.”

“Where are you?”

“516 West 71
st
Street. Apartment 6B.”

“I’ll be there soon.” I ended the call and asked Liam to come with me.

When we arrived at the building, we took the elevator up to Hailey’s apartment. I didn’t even know she lived here. I knocked on the door and there was no answer, so I placed my hand on the knob, and it opened.

“Hailey?”

I saw her sitting on the couch with her knees up to her chest. As I walked closer, I noticed the glass coffee table was filled with drug paraphernalia. She looked up at me with blood dripping from her nose and her eye was swollen.

“Did Marcus do this to you?” I asked calmly as I sat down next to her.

She nodded her head and then began to cry. Liam went into the bathroom, grabbed a washcloth and handed it to me.

“What happened, Hailey?” I gently wiped the blood from her nose.

“We got into a huge fight.”

“Where is he now?” I asked in anger.

“I don’t know.” She continued to cry. “He took off. I’m so scared of him. I thought he was going to kill me.”

I pulled her into me to comfort her. “You can’t stay here.”

“I can’t tell my mom and dad. Please, Collin.”

I sighed. I didn’t know if I was doing the right thing or not. I looked up at Liam as he slowly shook his head.

“You’re staying with me and Amelia tonight and I’m calling the police.”

Her head shot up and a look of terror swept over her face. “No police. He’ll kill me, Collin.”

I placed my hands firmly on her shoulders, gripping them tightly. “Listen to me, Hailey. This ends tonight. I know he’s been hurting you and I know you’re hooked on drugs. If you want my help, you’re going to do exactly as I say. We’re going to my place. I’m calling the police, and you’re going to press charges against him. Tomorrow morning, you’re going to call your parents and then you’re checking yourself into a treatment center to get help. You called me because you want me to help you. So this is me helping you.”

“I’m scared.”

I pulled her into me. “There’s nothing to be scared of. You have a lot of people who love you and are going to support you. You need to get your life back on track, Hailey. If you don’t, I can’t help you.”

She nodded her head and I helped her up from the couch. “Go pack a bag and let’s get out of here before he comes back.”

She walked to the bedroom and I turned and looked at Liam.

“What’s Amelia going to say about this?” he asked.

“I don’t know. I guess I’ll find out right now.” I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed her.

“Hey, baby,” she answered. “I just got home. I’m surprised you aren’t home yet.”

“I need to talk to you about something.”

“God, what happened, Collin? I can hear it in your voice.”

“I’m bringing Hailey home with me and she’s going to stay in the guest room tonight. She’s in bad shape and I need you to look at her.”

“What happened?”

“She and Marcus got into a fight and he beat her.”

“Oh my God. When will you be here?”

“About twenty minutes. I’ll explain the rest later.”

“Okay. I love you.”

“I love you too and thank you.”

I ended the call and placed my phone back in my pocket.

“Boy, you better thank your lucky stars Amelia is such a wonderful and caring woman. I don’t know too many women who would be willing to take in their husband’s ex-girlfriend.”

I gave him a small smile. “She’s the most incredible woman in the world.”

Hailey came out with her bag and I took it from her. We climbed in Liam’s car and he drove us back to the bar so I could get my Range Rover. I helped Hailey in and then gave Liam a light hug.

“Thanks, bro, for everything.”

“No problem, man. Call me and let me know how she’s doing.”

When we arrived home, Amelia came from the direction of the kitchen and stopped when she saw Hailey.

“Come here,” she said as she walked over and wrapped her arm around her shoulder and led her to the couch. “I’m going to get some ice for your eye.”

“I’ll get it, baby. Just sit with her.”

I went into the kitchen and wrapped some ice in a towel and handed it to Amelia. She gently placed it over Hailey’s eye and she flinched.

“It’s okay, Hailey. Just relax. When and what type of drug did you last use?”

Hailey looked at her and then at me. I could tell she didn’t want to answer her.

“It’s important you tell me.”

“I did some coke about two hours ago,” she replied.

“Okay. Hold this over your eye. I’ll be right back. Collin, follow me, please.”

I followed her into the kitchen as she placed her hands on the counter. “She’s going to start going through withdrawal in about five hours, maybe sooner. What are you planning to do with her?” she asked.

“First thing tomorrow, I’m calling the police, and then she’s checking into a rehab center.”

“You need to tell her parents.”

“She’s going to tomorrow. Right now, she just needs to sleep this night off.” I wrapped my arms around my wife and hugged her tight. “Thank you for this.”

“No problem. She needs help really bad and I think you’re the only person that can convince her to get it.”

****

Amelia and I didn’t get much sleep. A thousand things were going through my mind and I couldn’t shut my brain down. Not only was I dealing with Julia’s situation, I was now dealing with Hailey’s.

I climbed out of bed around six a.m. and went into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. Amelia wasn’t too far behind as she joined me in the kitchen. Around seven a.m., Hailey walked in and Amelia poured her a cup of coffee.

“How are you feeling?” she asked her.

“Like I’ve been hit by a train.” She took the coffee cup and sat down at the table. “Listen, I’m so sorry to involve both of you in this. I didn’t know who else to call.”

I sat down next to her and placed my hand on hers. “I’m glad you did call. You need help, Hailey, and you can’t deny that. He could have killed you.”

“I know.” Tears sprang to her eyes.

“I’m going to call the police now and then you need to call your parents. They have to know what happened.”

“I can’t, Collin. Can you call them for me? I’ll fall apart and I’m not feeling real good right now.” She was shaking.

“Fine. I’ll call Peyton and tell her what happened.”

I walked out of the kitchen and to my bedroom. Picking my phone up from the nightstand, I dialed Peyton.

“Good morning, Mr. Black,” Peyton answered.

“Good morning, Peyton.”

“I’m a little worried that you’re calling me so early. What happened?”

“Can you and Henry come by my place as soon as possible? Hailey’s here and she needs you.”

“What the fuck happened to her?”

“She and Marcus got into a fight and he hit her.”

“WHAT?!” she yelled. “We’re on our way.”
Click
.

I dialed the police and told them what happened. They were sending out two police officers right away.

Before long, there was a knock at the door, and when I opened it, Peyton and Henry stormed in.

“Where is she?” Henry asked calmly.

“In the living room.”

They walked in and the minute Hailey saw them, she broke down and sobbed along with Peyton. It was heartbreaking to watch as Amelia and I stepped out of the room to give them some privacy. A few moments later, two police officers showed up and took Hailey’s statement.

My phone rang and I grabbed it from the kitchen counter to see that my dad was calling.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hi, son. Your mom and I are going to visit Julia in about an hour. Do you and Amelia want to ride with us?”

“Sorry, Dad. We can’t right now. We sort of have a situation.”

“What situation?”

I explained to him what happened and before I knew it, he and my mom came racing into the apartment. The police officers left and Peyton helped Hailey into the shower. Henry walked over to me and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Thank you, Collin, for helping my little girl last night. Considering your history together, that was very nice of you to still want to help her.”

I gave him a small smile. “You just can’t throw away years of history because things didn’t work out. Where is she going?”

“We’re taking her to the Odyssey House. A friend of mine is the director there and I just called him. He’s getting her room ready as we speak.”

Hailey and Peyton walked back into the room and it was time to say goodbye. She looked at me and the sadness in her eyes made my heart ache. I walked over to her and took both of her hands in mine.

“You can do this, Hailey. You’re better than the drugs. It’s time to get your life back.”

“I know. Thank you again for not turning your back on me.”

“I’ll come visit you,” I said as I hugged her.

“You better because, right now, you’re the only friend I have.”

“That’s not true,” Amelia spoke as she walked over to her. “I’m your friend too and you have our full support. You can call us at any time.” Amelia hugged her.

“Thanks, Amelia. Are you ready, Mom? Dad?” She took in a deep breath.

Peyton patted my shoulder as they walked out the door. Once it closed, my mom walked over and hugged me.

“Thank you, my sweet boy. You’re an amazing man.”

“I know I am, Mom. I have the genes of two amazing parents.” I smiled as I kissed her head.