Beautiful One (8 page)

****

The church was beautiful. Behind the podium, three decorated Christmas trees lit the stage. Twinkling lights reflected off the slick black surface of the baby grand piano. Fresh evergreen swags were draped throughout the sanctuary. The scent of pine filled the air, and a lone candle illuminated a small nativity.

After the performance, I was finally going to meet Spencer. He was sitting in the audience with his family. Thankfully, I felt good. Surprisingly good, considering how I'd felt just a few days ago. I'd barely said two words last week, hoping not to strain my vocal cords, knowing tonight I was closing out the performance with “Silent Night.”

Lance had been a nervous wreck because I had been so ill, but when I nailed the song during rehearsal, he'd been relieved. After our practice ended we'd had a private going away party for Lance. I'd been an emotional mess, and all the guys had broken down. Lance had teared up when we presented him with a heartfelt video montage of our best moments together.

The church lights dimmed as I took center stage. When I glanced over at Lance, his kind brown eyes were filled with emotion. Lance knew I hated the limelight, but he'd used every tactic he had to get me to solo. Finally, he'd cashed in the guilt card, knowing since this was his last night, I'd never refuse him. My usual custom was to hide behind the safety of my piano, but tonight that wasn't the case. I wiped my palms on my green dress then tried to adjust my mic, but my hands kept fumbling. Mason approached me to help. He lowered the mic then covered it with his hand.

“You okay?” he whispered.

“I'm freakin' out, Mason — I can't do this.” I must have looked terrified because the concern in Mason's eyes seemed worried on my behalf. “It's packed out there.”

“Liz, stop it. You're good. Just suck it up. Close your eyes during the whole song if you need to. Pretend you're at home. Whatever it takes. But you have to do this.” Mason looked at me wide-eyed. “Breathe, Liz.”

I took a deep breath and nodded at Mason.

“You ready?”

I nodded.

Mason stepped back, picked up his guitar, and began strumming the chords.

My hair was pulled up in a twisted bun, and a few loose curls framed my face. I nervously chewed my thumbnail, and seconds later the spotlight was on me. My hands trembled while I reached for the mic stand and held onto it for support. I gathered all the confidence within me, closed my eyes, and began to sing. I wanted to run from the stage when I heard the quivering in my voice, but thankfully by the second chorus, it subsided. When the song neared the end, my nerves had tapered off
as
my hands dropped to my side. Lance silenced the instruments, and I finished the song a cappella.

When I finally opened my eyes, they were met with thunderous applause. Relieved the song was over, I stepped back, hoping to take the attention off me. I motioned for Lance to join me, and within seconds, everyone was on their feet in adoration for this sweet man they loved. I gave him a warm embrace and told him for the last time I would miss him. I stepped back, allowing the church to pay homage to Lance. Overcome with grief, I wiped away my tears and exited the stage. When I turned the corner toward the hallway, I was met with the piercing blue eyes of Aidan Mitchell.

Stunned, I stood with my mouth gaping. Aidan was standing before me looking as gorgeous as ever. I closed my mouth while the last few tears fell from my eyes. An awkward silence filled the space between us. Aidan seemed anxious, but he spoke first.

“You wouldn't text me back, and I had to see you. I didn't know what else to do. I knew you'd be singing tonight. That's why I'm here.” Tension swept across his beautiful face while he stared at me. I wiped the last of my tears away and rubbed my temples.

“What do you want from me, Aidan? What could you possibly have to say to me?”

Aidan reached out and tried to stroke my arm, but I backed away. His eyes roamed over my face, and he murmured, “I'm sorry.”

“Fine.” I brushed past him then headed toward the exit door.

Aidan came after me and placed his hands on the door, closing me in. “Will you just listen to me? Please?” He groaned in frustration. “I just want to talk to you to clear things up.” His tone was desperate but guarded.

The pent-up anger from the last week was bubbling up inside me. Even Aidan's sheepish expression didn't faze me as my emotions became freely unleashed. “To clear up what? That you treated me like crap? That you kissed me, and I never heard from you again? That on my birthday you showed up with some whore, who was all over you on the dance floor? Is that what you want to clear up? Well, we're clear. Perfectly clear!”

I pushed him away, leaving Aidan in the wake of my fury then exited the door. The December air chilled me as I walked into the night.

****

After an uncomfortable night of tossing and turning, unable to sleep any longer, I finally got up. A thick veil of fog had rolled in offshore, covering my morning running route with a cloud-like mass. I was at my usual streetlamp, stretching out my legs while Maggie sniffed around. The visibility was so poor if Maggie was more than six feet in front of me, I couldn't see her. She didn't seem to mind, and neither did I.

Maggie and I jogged past my hot neighbor's house. The garage was open and the jeep was there, but the motorcycle was gone. I scanned the streets on my way to the creek bed, hoping to get a glimpse of him, but no luck. Trying to rid my mind from thoughts of Aidan, I put in my ear buds and blasted my music. It didn't help.

I kept replaying what had happened last night in my head. I had never yelled at anyone before, and the guilt was all-consuming. I wouldn't even listen to Aidan, and that wasn't me. I was usually so reasonable and understanding, giving people the benefit of the doubt. In a snap decision, I took my cell phone from my pocket. It was still early, but I didn't care. I tapped out a text to him before I changed my mind.

Me:
I'm ready to listen.

Aidan:
Now?

I was surprised Aidan texted me back so quickly, it was only 7:04 a.m.

Me:
Coffee place in the harbor at ten-thirty.

Aidan:
Great. Thanks, Liz.

The guilt was gone, and I immediately felt better. With this renewed sense of freedom, I surrendered myself to the run. The fog had lifted, and sweat was beading down my forehead. I was running in sync to the music, like a well-oiled machine, but then, I stopped.

Ahead in the distance, I saw a black and tan mangy dog sniffing around some trashcans. I removed my ear buds and slowly backed away, whispering Maggie's name. I silently prayed the stray dog didn't see us, but my prayer was unanswered. The dog glanced up and was headed our way.

I watched in horror while this raging animal charged with angry eyes fixed on my sweet Maggie. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, and my heart pounded. My eyes darted around, nervously looking for a place to run.

The dog was bearing down fast, but I knew I couldn't outrun it. My trembling hand reached in a frantic attempt for the pepper spray. My efforts were met with no avail as the impact of this unprovoked aggressive dog collided with me. The force of the blow knocked me to ground, causing me to drop the leash. Pain exploded from the back of my head as it slammed against the concrete. I staggered to my feet, clutching my head. I could feel blood trickling between my fingers. Maggie let out a yelp then rolled on her back in submission.

The snarling mongrel lunged forward, latching onto the soft fleshy fur at the base of Maggie's neck. Maggie cried out and rolled to her feet, then I grabbed the leash and yanked her back. Maggie's instincts kicked in, and she savagely attacked the aggressive animal. Tears streamed down my face, and I screamed for somebody to help me. Maggie's yellow coat was covered with splotches of red blood. I was vaguely aware a few cars had pulled to the side of the road.

Someone was yelling to call an ambulance. The sound of stomping feet ran past me toward the vicious dog. I heard the dog yelp as it ran toward the creek bed. Maggie was lying limp a few feet away, whimpering. I tried to reach her, but I stumbled. A strong warm arm caught me before I fell to the ground.

“Be still, darlin', you're hurt.” I was wrapped in the arms of a soft leather jacket, looking into the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen.

I choked out the words, “My dog, Maggie,” before I slipped into the darkness.

My eyelids fluttered open to the tearstained face of my mother.

“How do you feel, Liz? Does your head hurt?”

I lifted my hand to silence her before I turned my head toward the floor and violently threw up. Mom ran out of the room to get the nurse.

My head ached, and my body felt heavy. My left arm was bandaged from forearm to elbow, and my right arm was stuck with an IV. I was wearing an itchy hospital gown, covered with a thin blanket. Surveying the sterile environment, tears rolled down my cheeks. My immediate thought was of Maggie.

Mom hurried back to my bedside, a nurse followed behind her. I wiped my tears away before the nurse reached the bed.

“Hi, Elizabeth, I'm Katelyn.” Nurse Katelyn seemed to be in her mid-twenties, with wavy red hair pulled back in a ponytail and kind blue eyes. She checked my vital signs, told us the doctor would be in shortly, and cleaned up the vomit.

“Mom, what happened to… Maggie?” I could barely get the words out. I held my breath and waited for her to respond.

“Melissa and Mason took her to Dr. Wheaton. He's stitching her up now. He said she's going to be fine.”

I breathed a sigh of relief followed by tears.

“Oh, Mom, I was so scared. I thought she… was…”

“Sh-h-h, sweetie, she's hurt, but she's gonna be okay.” Mom glanced toward the door as my dad anxiously walked into the room.

“How's my girl?” Dad rubbed my blanket-covered leg as his eyes narrowed in concern.

“My head hurts, and I feel dizzy. What's wrong with me?”

As if on cue, the doctor walked through the door. Dr. Lee was a soft-spoken man who explained I had a concussion, stitches from the wound on the back of my head, and several cuts and abrasions. During Dr. Lee's examination of me, I glanced at my parents.

“How did I get here?”

Mom glanced to my dad then back at me.
“You don't remember being in the ambulance?”

“No, not at all. I remember screaming and trying to get Maggie away from that dog.”

“You were so brave. We're just so thankful you're okay.” She turned her attention to the doctor. “She is going to be okay. Right, Doctor?” Mom seemed anxious as she questioned Dr. Lee.

Dr. Lee focused his attention on my parents. “We're going to keep her overnight for observation. I'm sure she is going to be fine. If her night goes well, she'll be discharged in the morning.” Dr. Lee scribbled a few notes on a clipboard before he exited the room.

After I relived what I could remember from the dogfight, my parents kept me company for a while. Dad even joked about how I was a little warrior. When I told them I was tired, they each kissed me on my head and said they would be back later that night.

My sleep was interrupted with the gentle probing of Nurse Katelyn. She checked my vitals and refilled my water jug. I glanced at the clock in the room while she replaced my IV bag.

It was 4:38 p.m.
Aidan!

“Katelyn, do you know where my stuff is?”

“Yes, all your personal belongings are in this drawer.” Nurse Katelyn bent down to the table next to my bed. She pulled out a large plastic bag.

I cringed when I saw my blood-stained workout clothes.

She glanced at the cell phone and told me it was against hospital policy to use it. She put the bag next to me and said with a wink,
“Don't get caught.”

When
she exited the room, I grabbed the phone.

Five missed texts. The first four were from Aidan.

10:28:
I'm here. I'll order you a non-fat latte.

10:35:
I'm sitting outside.

10:45:
Your latte is getting cold.

11:02:
I can't believe you stood me up.

Melissa's text was last.

4:25:
Mason and I are on our way to pick up Maggie. We'll be at the hospital soon. I love you.

Several missed calls and messages, but the only one I listened to was Aidan's at 11:28 a.m.

“
I can't believe you. You text me and wake me up, tell me you'll meet me, and you don't show up? Is this your way of getting back at me? Thanks… thanks a lot.”

I tried to call Aidan, but the cell service was so bad it wouldn't go through. I tapped out a text and hoped it had enough power to reach him.

Me:
I'm at the hospital.

Aidan:
What happened?

Me:
My phone's gonna die. I'll tell you later.

Aidan:
Saddleback or Mission?

Me:
Mission
.

Aidan:
I'm on my way.