Moments (Breath of Life Book 3) (4 page)

FIVE

Duke arrived back at the house after he had been driving around for an hour or so. Conflicting emotions surrounding Jack and Paxton picking up where they left off swarmed in his head. He knew they were back together, he knew that this would come eventually, but so soon? Duke just couldn't believe it. It was like everything he had with Paxton was forgotten, it never actually happened. Duke looked at the house wondering if they were inside waiting for him. He really hoped not. Climbing out of his truck, he headed into the house.

Duke was grateful when he realized the house was empty. Needing to catch up on work, he grabbed the stack of papers sitting on his desk. The school year was just about over and playoffs were around the corner, his work would only grow if he didn't start on it now. Duke headed back out to the living room, setting them down on the coffee table. He then walked into the kitchen and grabbed a cup of coffee. Once he had a cup of hot coffee, he sat on the couch and just tried to clear his mind of tonight's events and the busy weeks ahead of him. After a few more moments, he lost himself in grading the papers that he had seemed to avoid over the last week.

Duke was just about finished with the last essay when he heard the door open. He looked up and saw Paxton walking towards him. He set the paper down on the graded stack that sat on the coffee table. He was going to get up and move to his room, knowing Jack would be right behind her. When he looked back up, he realized Jack wasn't following her. She came alone.

"Where's Jack?"

"At the cabin. I told him that we needed to talk alone."

"About what?"

"Us."

"There is no us. There will not be another us."

She cast her eyes to the floor. She was obviously expecting more than Duke could give. "Listen, I know that you are still angry with me about the baby. I get that, but I was just trying to protect you."

"Protecting me or not, I should have known right away. She was my wife, Paxton," Duke interrupted.

"I know," she sat beside Duke. Duke didn't turn to welcome her on the couch. Instead he sat there unmoving. "Duke, I'm sorry we didn't tell you that we were back together."

"I knew you guys were back together already. The weekend Jack first stayed with you, he told me what his plan was. He said he was going to ask for your forgiveness and to give him another chance. Apparently you did and so much more."

"It wasn't like that. I mean, it was but,"

"But nothing Paxton!" He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. He rubbed his hands together as he looked down at the floor, "How long ago did he ask you to marry him?" Duke finally looked at her. He wanted to see her face as she answered. When she didn't answer right away he knew. He nodded his head as he stared at the floor, "The night he went to your place."

"Don't be mad at Jack-"

"I'm not mad. I'm upset, Paxton," Duke rolled his eyes. "The moment you said yes, the moment he came crawling back, you threw us away," he paused. "You just threw us away," he said quieter. "You didn't think about those nights I held you, took care of you, the nights we made love, the nights Jack wasn't there for you."

"Stop it," her voice quivered. Duke looked at the tears forming in her eyes. No doubt she was remembering.

"No, Paxton. How many different times are you going to lie to me, keep things from me? What else haven't told me?"

"Nothing!" She screamed. Tears fell down her face.

"I've heard that before," he muttered. He looked back up at her. "You know I used to think that we had a future together. That somehow Ella wanted us to be together. I never intended to walk away from you, never. You forced my hand though Paxton. You forced it when you kept my baby a secret. I had no other choice but to walk out that door, away from you and the future I was just started to dream about. You
forced
me to walk away." Sobs escaped from Paxton but Duke couldn't let up. His emotions were driving him down this angry, hurt road again. "So, go back to Jack."

"I can't leave you," she cried.

"Go back to Jack, where you belong. I am no longer you concern Paxton. You made your bed, now sleep in it."

They stared at each other for a few moments before she stood and walked out the door. Duke sighed as the door clicked closed. He didn't mean to get that hateful but seeing that ring on her finger after everything that has happened, just twisted something inside of him. It was like someone pulling off a scab that was just starting to heal. Duke shook his head and grabbed the essay he hadn't finished. He stared at it for a while after Paxton left but he couldn't concentrate on it. All he could think about was the hole he dug for himself. He found himself wanting to run after Paxton and apologize but he knew that Paxton needed to know nothing would ever be the same between them, no matter how much his heart was yearning for her.

SIX

Duke found himself at the ball field once more. The game was well underway but he couldn't concentrate. He had been in a fog since Paxton's visit a few days ago. Today in the bleachers, Jack and Paxton were there cheering on the team. To make matters worse, about halfway through the game, Jennah showed up as well. Between the three of them, Duke's head was everywhere else rather than where it should be, which is in the game. He tried to block them out but it was no use. Their cheers seemed like they were being funneled straight towards him. No amount of concentration could block them out.

Duke looked over at the scoreboard and they were losing by three runs. There was still one more inning to go. Things were definitely not looking good. Duke's assistant coach sat beside him and leaned in closer to him, "Duke, we need to take Ryan out. He's tired."

Duke looked up and watched Ryan deliver another pitch. Another walk. Duke sighed. His star pitcher was done for the day. Duke had yet to call in a relief pitcher.
Ryan was good and he never tired, but he was definitely off today, much like Duke himself. Duke went to the edge of the dugout, "Time ump!"

Duke walked out to the pitcher's mound. Ryan's face filled with relief but yet a hint of sadness, as he knew he was getting pulled.

"Coach, I'm sorry," he said as Duke approached.

"It's okay. We just need to get a fresh arm in here. You need some rest," Duke smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "Chase!"

Chase came running up to the mound, "You're in buddy. Get warmed up."

Duke watched as Chase warmed up. His assistant was right. Duke should have pulled Ryan a long time ago. Duke watched as each one sailed right down the plate. He sat back down on the bench as the game resumed. He tried focusing on the game once more, but failed. He was watching it yes, but he couldn't tell you what just happened.

"Duke," Jack's voice was suddenly beside him.

Duke turned and saw Jack standing on the other side of the fence that formed the dugout area. He already knew what Jack was going to ask. "I'm fine," he said before Jack voiced his questioned.

"You sure? I hear the voice. I know that she sounds like Ella. I can see your head is out of the game."

"I'm fine," Duke barked. It caused a few stares to come from the parents sitting nearby. He lowered his voice before continuing, "Besides this isn't the place to talk about it."

Jack took the hint and went back to the stands. He and Paxton left a few moments later. Duke huffed knowing that he shouldn't have reacted like that. Jack was just trying to be a friend. They were here to support him and the team. Jennah was here to support her nephew. Duke just needed to man up and get his head in the game. He turned to see Chase strike a batter out. "Alright Chase, keep it up!" he yelled out to the mound.

The rest of the inning, Duke was into the game trying to bring his players to life. He figured he had some making up to do since he seemed to have zoned out earlier in the game. They were now in the last inning and some life in the team had returned although it felt forced for Duke. It was the bottom of the last inning and they needed three runs to win this game. He headed out to third base sideline to coach his runners.

The inning was well underway when Duke signaled his two players on base. His player on second was getting ready to steal. The pitcher threw the ball and the catcher missed it. His running was sailing towards him when he saw the catcher throw to third. For a moment he thought about sending his player back but he saw the throw was off. His runner pushed forward and slid. "Safe!" the baseline ump called. Duke smiled and clapped as his player stood up to brush the dirt off.

Another pitch was thrown and the ball flew into the outfield. He sent his runner on third home, he signaled for the runner behind him to go home. He told his batter to stop at second. There was a throw home and his runner was out. They had one out left before the game would be over.

He watched Chase go up to the plate. He wasn't a star hitter but he was working his way up. Duke had faith in him. First pitch delivered, a ball. The second, a ball. Duke was trying to hold back his smile. The feeling of winning was so close yet so far away. He watched the pitcher deliver the third pitch, a strike. Chase was ready, Duke could see it in Chase's stance. Duke turned to look at his runner. He heard the crack of the bat realizing he missed the next pitch. He attempted to turn to see where the ball went so he can direct his runner. Before he could react properly, the ball made contact with his temple as he started to turn his head towards home plate. It knocked him off balance and he fell to his knees in the dirt.

He heard the collective gasp of the spectators behind him. Duke grasped the side of this head. Everything around him seemed to slow down as he tried to focus on his surroundings. His vision was blurry, his surroundings spinning, and suddenly his world went black.

Duke felt two hands grab him. He couldn't open his eyes even though he willed them too. He heard shuffling around him and soft voice calling out to him. The voice itself seemed muffled and far away from him. He found himself in a world of black.

"Are you okay Coach?" his assistant asked. Duke couldn't respond. He was busy swimming in blackness, trying to find his voice and open his very heavy eyelids. "Coach?" Voices seemed to echo around him.

Duke finally pried his eyes open slowly. When the light pierced into his eyes, he shut them again. When he slowly opened them once again, Jennah came into focus. Her hands were on either side of his face, keeping his head in a direction where he could see her. If it weren't for her hands, Duke was sure he would not be able to hold it up let alone being able to see right in front of him. His head was aching.

"Hey there Coach, I need you to stand up. Can you do that?" Jennah's voice flooded his ears.

He slowly nodded his head as he winced. His assistant helped him up. He stood still unbalance. His assistant coach quickly moved to his side and propped him up. Duke was thankful someone was helping him keep balanced otherwise he may have face-planted in the dirt.

"Easy their Duke," his assistant quietly said.

"Okay Coach, close your eyes and open them," Jennah's voice filled his ears again.

Duke closed his eyes as he followed her instructions. He felt his world shift and he lost his balance. His assistant coach caught him before he fell on the ground again. Duke couldn't remember what happened to him. He felt two small hands clasp his head. "Open your eyes back up Coach," she instructed again. They hadn't moved yet, they just got him up off the ground.

Duke slowly obeyed her. The light made him wince once again. Pain lanced through his head. His eyes slowly focused on Jennah in front of him. "Hey there beautiful," the words slipped past his lips before he could stop them.

"Alright," Jennah laughed, "Let's get you in the dugout. You may need to go get your head checked out."

With the assistance of the staff, they got him to the dugout. Jennah sat beside him, turned towards him and smiled. She made him follow her finger with his eyes and checked a few other things as he sat there.

"Well Coach, I think you have a concussion thanks to my dear old nephew. We should get you in and checked out as your eyes were lagging a bit. I can take you to the emergency room."

"I'll be fine. I can go later."

"Duke you need to go get checked out," his assistant butted in. "You can let her take you or I will call for medical staff to come get you and cart you off."

"Fine, she can take me but I swear I'm fine. I just need to shake it off."

"Sure big guy, let's go," Jennah smirked.

She helped him all the way to the car and the ride was silent, at least on Duke's side. She kept asking him questions when all he wanted to do was close his eyes and sleep.

"Can I ask you something?" Duke turned the tables on Jennah.

"Sure." She seemed delighted to keep him talking.

"How come you ran on the field to help me?"

Jennah was silent. She didn't respond right away.

"I want to be a paramedic one day. I spend a lot of time studying medical books, learning until I figure out how to get into a certification class."

Duke sat their silent. He never would have thought a waitress at a bar and grill would possess skills like that. Not that they couldn't, it just blew his very aching mind at the moment.

"You still with me over there?" She reached out and touched Duke's arm.

Duke looked at her hand. He felt her smooth skin and the little electric current it sent up his arm. He closed his eyes and relished in it. He saw Ella there before him. Duke missed his wife and never thought he could feel her touch again. He sighed.

"Coach? You with me?" She shook his arm. Duke slipped deeper into the darkness, images of Ella dancing before him. The warmth of her hand spreading throughout his body.

"Shit," Jennah said as he felt the car accelerate as he continued to fall down into the darkness behind his closed eyelids.

***

Jennah knew that Duke passing out after the fact wasn't good. From what she read in her medical books, head injuries can be dangerous. Concussions are no joke. He could be bleeding out but she won't know that until she got him to the hospital. She felt an undeniable constriction in her chest. Something about this man drew her in but she swore off men after her last relationship. She still wanted to make sure Coach Avery was okay, despite her current view on men.

Pulling into the hospital emergency room entrance, she raced in and got some nurses to help. They quickly took him back as she was stuck trying to fill out what paperwork she could. She looked over the form and realized she could only fill out his name and incident section. She had no idea who this man was, where he lived or his emergency contact information.

Sighing she went up to the desk and handed over the clipboard of no information. The administrator took it and her eyes went wide at the name.

"Sorry I can't fill out more," Jennah quickly apologized. "I don't know about his insurance or where he lives, who is contacts are..."

"It's okay, we know him very well. He's a close friend with one of our surgeons here. I'll just give her a buzz for the info."

"Great, will I be able to see him or get updates?" She didn't know why she was so worried about her nephew's coach. Just the thought of him being seriously injured brought about a gut-twisting pain.

"Unfortunately you are not family so I don't believe you can get news on his updates. Are you a friend?"

"I guess so. We recently just met. I was at the game watching the team when this happened."

"I see. Well, let me get working on this and I will see what I can do Miss..."

"Carsten, Jennah Carsten."

"Alright Miss Jennah, if you have a seat in the waiting area, I'll see what I can do for you."

Jennah smiled and got up from the chair in front of the intake desk. She walked to the waiting room, wondering why she wanted to stay. Maybe it was just her wanting to make sure he was okay. She was sure Chase would ask about him when she got back to the house after picking up Dobry from the sitter's. Jennah decided that was reason enough to stay. Just make sure he was okay then she could leave, have something to report back to Chase. She picked up her phone and let her babysitter know she would be running late and offered to pay her a little bit more.

She sat waiting for about an hour when the friendly face from the intake desk approached her. "Miss Carsten?"

"Yeah," Jennah looked at her with hope, "How is he?"

"I can't give you specifics, but he should be fine. I shouldn't tell you this but the doctor wants to observe him overnight just to be sure."

"Okay, thanks. I don't want to get you in any trouble. I just wanted to make sure he was okay."