Last Chance (5 page)

Natalie

As
Nurse Sally slowly pushes me through the halls, she informs me of my MRI results.

“Normally I am not supposed to tell you the result of any medical test that was done on ya
Hun. Dr. Reed should be telling ya this all, but since he was taken away by an important phone call, I thought I would let ya know, so you’re not worrying all night. Your results came back that everything is fine dear.”

Relief fills me.

“So what does that mean? Do I get to leave soon?” I ask.

“Well dear that would still be up to Doctor Reed. If he stil
l wants to run more tests, then you would have to stay a couple more days. If he opts out of running more, then you could possibly leave by tomorrow. I told him I thought you were too tired to have another exam done. So we’re going to head back to your room now and let you have a little rest. You’ll be all right Hun.”

I don’t reply. My stomach is gurgling and rumbling in pain
. It feels like it’s eating itself. I am starving, and I need substance. After that, I want to drink a huge glass of water because my throat is still dry and scratchy. Then take a nap. It’s funny if you think about it. I was in a coma for four days and after waking up, all I want to do is sleep.

The wheelchair glides into my room. Liam is s
itting on my bed, and Layla is beside him sitting in a green hospital chair. They aren’t saying anything to each other and are looking down at the floor, so I assume something must have gone down.

Immediately distracted by the subway bag placed on my bed near Liam
, I forget about the tension that was previously wafting the air. Liam stands up offering his hand in assistance, helping me out of the wheelchair. I’m glad the nurse had made sure my back was sealed, or I am sure that they would have all had a show, because I slightly fell while standing up.

Liam caught me with his arm around my waist
, but I didn’t let it go unnoticed, that I felt my gown loosen slightly. It would have been embarrassing. Liam and I have an indescribable bond. I don’t think there are words made to define what I feel towards him. It’s not lust or even sexual.

I wasn’t sure of it before, but with his arm still around my waist I look deep into his eyes
, and it hits me. Triumphantly. He’s home. He feels like comfort, warmth and security. He is my home. My heart, my soul, feels as if it has found its twin buried inside of him.

I freeze because I want to remember this moment. If emotions were something that one could see, they would see a sliver of lightning, a connection intertwining Liam and I. Fusing our beings to one another.

If it weren’t for the recognition in his eyes that he felt the same. I would think that I was maybe going fucking crazy. Just add it to my list today; suicidal, invalid and psychopath.

I take a step back
, and Liam’s hand slides away from me. I almost forgot that there was an audience in the room. I feel like I could have stayed their gazing into his beautiful green eyes. Not wanting the moment Liam and I had just shared make, everyone act weird, I decide to brush it off.

“So what’s in that Subway bag you have there?”

“Well during the past few days Layla and I have had nothing to do, but talk. She told me your favorite was a turkey sub from Subway, with pickles. So in that bag is your very favorite sub and three chocolate chip cookies. You are very lucky I am even considering sharing them with you.” He tells me.

“I could kiss you for this you know. I am starving. Have you and Layla eaten yet?”

“No, Layla wanted to wait for you. I, on the other hand, had all I could do, not to dig in as soon as you returned.”

At that very second three odd looking men
, and an overly healthy lady walk into the room. Like this is where they belonged. Liam, Layla and I look over to them in question.

And then Liam starts laughing hysterically. Either I really have lost my mind
, or I am missing something. I glance back at the flashback to the nineties guys and the beast of a woman. One of them takes his ridiculous coke bottle sunglasses off, and I notice a striking resemblance to Gage.

“Gage?” I question out loud.

“We had to come see ya babe. We needed to know that you were safe and sound.” He replies.

I
try to stand up out of bed to give him a hug, but the woman stops me. I was so caught up in the surprise of seeing Gage, I didn’t stop to think of who the woman was.

But once I steal a glance into those clear blue eyes
, I know just who it is underneath all the outdated garb.

I really wished he hadn’t come to see me. Looking into his eyes
, rehashes out all that pain I’ve tried to slide under the carpet today. He was my breaking point in life. I don’t want him to think that he and I have any chance with any kind of relationship. I don’t want to show him any cause to gain hope.

I also do not want to have this out in front of everybody. I don’t think that it is anyone’s business what I did with Steele
, regardless of how close I feel to Liam, or how close I am to Layla. In a way, I am doing Steele a favor and protecting him.

I know that Liam is not only his band mate
, but he is his best friend. If I made it clear right now what went down between both of us, they would know that Steele was part of the cause of where I am. Liam might start a fight over it, and I know damn sure Layla would attack with her cat-like claws.

She wouldn’t let go of him until she shredded every piece of his being. No.
The best decision would be to act friendly, in a civilized way. The same way everyone on that God forsaken tour bus saw us act. I mean the rest of the guys came to see me too.

This isn’t normal for me. For me to enjoy having the guys, or anyone care about me, about my health. I know they had concerts planned this week
, so they had to have canceled them or something to be here. They wouldn’t really cancel a show for me, would they? Maybe just Liam canceled, and the guys flew in today.

“
Hey guys, I’m surprised you came to see me. And I can’t be the only one here who is wondering, what are you guys wearing? Is there a Rock of The Ages show going on in Boston that I don’t know about?” I ask, ignoring Steele’s presence smoothly. Even though he is seriously invading my space. Zepp replies.

“What? I kind of like our outfits
. Ryan’s is my personal favorite. We didn’t want to bring paparazzi mayhem down on you, so we thought it would be better to disguise ourselves. I had a better idea of just grabbing some sweats from the local Walmart and sneaking in. Ryan here though it would make us look questioningly suspicious.”

I chuckle at his expense.

“Have you looked in the mirror? All three of you are rocking a hair band wig, and Steele does certainly not make a pretty woman.”

Steele cuts in.

“I beg to differ. For example, on the way over here I am pretty sure the cab driver was checking me out. I think I make a pretty attractive woman.” He says, while modeling his miniature dress that is four sizes too small.

Layla cuts in. “I could pull that dress off, you cannot. First
the color is not flattering to your skin tone, and it’s much too small. Plus who thought you would look good as a blonde? I think you look much better with dark hair Ryan.”

“You like my dark hair huh? So tell me Layla what colors do you think go with my skin tone?” Steele flirts back.

Somewhere along the week, I seemed to have forgotten that Layla had a massive crush on Steele. Looking back, I think she only pushed me so hard to go on this stupid internship, so she could meet up with us along some of the tour stops, just to try to hook up with him. Nothing good can come of this. Fuck. I really, really don’t want to have to tell her.

For some reason it kind of stings, her hitting on him. That she’s attracted to him
, and he’s reacting back. It has to be because he was my first. The only person I ever caved to. Just some nostalgic feeling I hold onto unwillingly.

I look between the two and think
, is this for real. I wish to flush these feelings out of me. That I could forget that night altogether and the morning after. I don’t want to be mad at Layla. She has no idea what happened and if I don’t have to tell her, I won’t. 

Steele pauses his game for a few minutes to inquire about my health
, which shocks me. After fucking me and another woman within hours, I would have thought I was just another notch on the numerous beds he must own.

“Has a Doctor Reed shown yet?” He asks.

I thought Liam had called him because he was concerned. Nope. I should have known he couldn’t mind his own business. Or maybe it was because he didn’t want to have to fly out. His doctor was a way to keep an eye on me.

“Actually he made an appearance this morning. How do you know him?” I play along. I want him to admit he was responsible for this over active doctor. Ordering labs to be done and scans of this and that.
When all I want to do is get home and sleep my days away in bed until school starts.

“I don’t know him. One of the guys mentioned that he was going to be on your case. I just have it on good authority that he is one of the best doctors. Did they say anything about releasing you? I mean you are healthy right?”

Steele showing concern over my well-being. I’ll be damned.

“I haven’t seen
a doctor since the MRI they conducted not long ago. The nurse told me that she thinks they might cancel the other tests, because the MRI came back that I was healthy. No severe damage. I could be released as soon as tomorrow morning.”

His body
, previously tense awaiting my response, suddenly loosens.

“If you are released are you coming back on the tour
, or do you have other plans?” He asks.

“I don’t think…” I get out before Liam cuts me off.

“I don’t think she should join us on the tour, Ryan. I’m not sure it’s good for her health to be running around all over the country. I was hoping to be able to discuss it with you later actually.”

“Well Liam maybe if you answered my fucking calls or texts. Fuck!
” He yells. “If you answered any of your calls or text messages, we could have talked about whatever you wanted. We were resorted to sneaking in, because you wouldn’t communicate with us. So say whatever it is you wanted to talk about now, while we are here.” Steele says clearly pissed off.

Liam hesitates to reply awkwardly. “I really didn’t want to discuss this he
re in front of everybody.” He says, while nudging his head in my direction.

My guess is that Liam hasn’t told Steele that I caused myself this hospital stay. I would rather this not be revealed and hashed out in front of everyone. I would give anything to not be put on the spot right now.

I know that Layla and Liam have stayed away from this topic on purpose. They’re afraid of the answer. Of my reasoning’s. Right now I am not ready emotionally, let alone do I have the endurance to talk through this conversation today; maybe in a few days, weeks. I don’t fucking know, but it’s not today.

Quickly defusing the
discussion that’s on stage in front of us all, I suggest that they go talk outside. Allowing myself to visit with the rest of the guys and Layla.

“Hey
, why don’t you guys take this conversation outside? You both can blab, and I can hang with these four.” I say, smiling.

Steele glances at me questionably
, seeing through that facade, most likely wanting to dig into why I am basically shoving him and Liam out into the hall. I want to smirk at him with my head held high, but it is so hard to take him seriously while dressed this way.

“I guess I can trust you alone for a few minutes Princess. After the past few days
, I don’t want to let you out of my sight. Wait until they release you.” Liam says, while pulling Steele out into the hall with him.

I roll my eyes at his statement. If I didn’t feel the way I do toward him
, I would tell him to shove that pet name Princess up his ass. As for being out of his sight, I’m all right with him being close. He makes me feel like everything is going to be all right.

I go back to talking to the guys. With Steele and Liam out of the room
, they have no one to set them along that straight and narrow path, regarding holding back information.

I lean back against the hospital bed
. Layla is still sitting in a chair next to the bed. Zepp, Gage and Jason are standing around us forming a semicircle. I fill the empty space with conversation.

“I know it’s only been what, a week since I have seen you all? How did you
r show in New York go? Tell me what you guys have been up to.”

“Ha! Within hours of Ryan finding out that you left by airplane, then with Layla’s call to Liam
, he canceled the show. We boarded a plane, and we’ve been here for a few days now. Locked away in a hotel room awaiting news of your health. Ryan was a mess, not that he shouldn’t have cared. It’s just that he seemed to care a lot more. For some unknown reason, he still hasn’t cared to share with us. Would you like to share any information?” Jason is quick to reply.