Breath Of The Heart (19 page)

Chapter Thirty-three

Zach

Never in my life had I been angrier. The entire drive to the hospital I could have killed anyone who crossed my path. I wanted to smash things, but my steering wheel took the brunt of my frustration.

I got to the hospital before Emma had even been admitted. It was time to make calls. The first was to Dad. Sure, it should have been to Emma's dad, but I had an agenda. I told him what happened and asked him to pull a few strings at the hospital. I wanted her to have her own room and I wanted full access to it. No questions asked.

The second call was the hardest. Mr. Andrews picked up on the second ring.

"Hello, Mr. Andrews," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "It's Zach."

"Well, hello there, Zach, and I insist you call me Paul. I'm surprised to hear from you." His voice dropped off. "Something happen?"

I took a deep breath. "Paul, Emma was attacked today outside her tennis club. They brought her to the hospital and I'm waiting to hear how she is. I did talk to her, so she's conscious and everything."

"What? No! I'm on my way. Which hospital?"

I gave him the details and told him I'd call once I knew more. I went to the emergency station and clearly Dad had already spoken to someone. I only had to say her name and the nurse nodded. "Ms. Andrews was just admitted. Dr. Lewis is in with her now and I will have him come speak with you when he's finished his exam."

Yes, having a senator for a father had its privileges, ones I didn't call in often, but this was an exception. I left the crowded emergency room to pace a nearby less crowded hallway. I had to keep calm for Emma and to think things through carefully. My first instinct was to go after Bianca, send out the video, but what would it accomplish? Enraging her further? And what if it was linked to me? I couldn't risk it.

I took out my phone and made a third call.

"What do you want?"

I hated Jake and his attitude didn't help. Had he been standing in front of me I would have crushed him into the wall. "I'd like to say this is a courtesy call, but it's not. It's a warning. Emma was attacked today and I can only assume it was Bianca, or she got someone to do it. Emma's at University Hospital. I've called her dad and when he gets here I'm telling him everything. Every last detail, you motherfucker."

I hung up before he could speak and then made my last call to Genie.

"Do you want me to come down?"

"No, not yet. Once I know more I'll call you back."

"I can come if you need me."

"I'll let you know. For now, put a few things together for Emma. I'm sure she'll want a change of clothes, especially if they keep her overnight." The nurse came to get me and motioned for me to follow her. "Genie, I got to go. I'll call you back later." I stuffed my phone into a pocket. My heart was pounding. What if she wasn't all right? My stomach flipped. I loved her. Yeah, I could admit it. The second I laid eyes on her at Brett's cabin, I couldn't get her out of my head. I tried to protect her and when I let my guard down, I'd let her down. I failed her.

"She's in here," the nurse said. "Dr. Lewis will be in shortly."

She had a private room and when I saw her I gasped. Her face was swollen, one eye shut, her lip split and scratches all over her face. I quietly pulled up a chair, but she opened her eyes, or what she could of the left one.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, clasping onto her hand and squeezing.

"Better now. I got drugs," she said, her voice groggy.

"What did the doctor say?"

"Nothing broken, but I have two cracked ribs and a concussion."

"I called your dad and he's on his way."

"He's probably upset."

"He was. I'm going to call him right after the doctor comes in and tell him you'll be back to your usual self in no time."

"I'm sorry, Zach." A tear spilled down her face and I gently wiped it away.

"Why are you sorry? Why are you crying?" Seeing her this way killed me. I wanted to scoop her up and take her away.

"I let this happen."

I shook my head and kissed her hand. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"I should have just left her alone from the start."

"None of this would have happened if she'd behaved like a normal human being. So I don't want to hear you blaming yourself again."

Dr. Lewis came in interrupting her rebuttal. He shook my hand and gave Emma a warm smile.

"And how are you feeling? The medication kicking in?"

"Yes," she said, every word causing her obvious pain.

"Headache?"

"Yes."

Dr. Lewis turned to me. "We're keeping her overnight as a precaution, but other than a few cracked ribs, a mild concussion and some scrapes and bruises, she should be fine. Emma's a tough one. I've explained this to her already, and because this was an assault, we've contacted the authorities. They will want to interview her."

"Okay."

"Next of kin? Have they been contacted?"

"Her father is on his way."

"All right. I'll check in again later."

Once he was gone, I turned back to Emma. "Em, you need to tell the police the truth."

She let out a halting, tortured breath. Agony was etched on her face. "The truth is that I didn't see anyone. I think it was three girls and one voice sounded like Bianca's. It was dark. I can't lie and say it was her."

"She's going to pay for this."

More tears sprang from her eyes. "No! Please, I want it over. Promise me that's it's over!"

"Emma, she can't get away with it."

"But then what? Tit for tat forever?"

"For now it's over. I'm going to call your dad and I'll be right back."

The truth was that I didn't want to argue with her and upset her even more. I went outside and there was Emma's dad, talking to a nurse at the emergency desk. He'd made good time. He'd probably sped the whole way. I jogged over to him and he saw me coming, relief washing over him. I briefed him then told him I had something else to tell him before he went in to see her.

I persuaded him to join me in the mostly empty cafeteria. I bought us coffees and we took a seat in a quiet corner.

"Zach, you have me worried. What's going on? Do you know who did this to Emma?"

"I have an idea, but wouldn't be able to prove it. Mr. Andrews–Paul, there's something Emma has been keeping from you and you have a right to know."

And so I told him, from the beginning, without holding back. From the day at the cabin when she'd seen all Bianca and Jake's texts, to Bianca's harassment and Emma breaking her nose. Then I dove into me getting her out of jail and moving in with me after Jake had kicked her out, to the texts I thought I'd stopped. Paul listened, his mouth gaping open, taking it all in.

"She didn't want to tell you because she was worried how disappointed you'd be. That it would wreck your friendship with Jake's brother."

He shook his head, leaned back in his chair and let out a deep breath. "I knew something wasn't right with her and Jake. I just assumed it had to do with you, I had no idea it was all about this girlfriend of Jake's. I have so many questions, and I don't know where to start."

"I didn't want to be the one to tell you, but I figured that if it came from me, it would be easier for her."

"And Jake just kicked her out?"

"Yes. He called me because he knew we'd formed a friendship. He told me to get her from jail, pick up her stuff and basically get her out of his life."

"Ron couldn't possibly know."

"Jake pressured Emma to keep it a secret."

Paul's face hardened. "What a piece of shit. I've always been so good to that kid, trusted him, but some girl comes along and he does this to Emma?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Thank you, Zach. I'd like to go see Emma now."

We went back to her floor and that's when I spotted Jake, wandering the halls. I marched towards him and when he saw me he was about to speak, but he must have seen something in my eyes. He took a few steps back and that's when something came over me, pure rage. It clouded my judgment and when I picked up my pace, Paul came after me and got between us just as I was about to throw a punch.

"Hey, we don't need this," Paul said. "Zach, you'll get thrown out of here."

"You're not seeing her!" I yelled.

Jake's shoulders sunk. "Do you think I wanted this to happen?"

"You didn't do anything to stop it," I seethed.

"Everyone relax and keep your voices down," Paul said, pushing me back a few steps.

"She said she didn't do it," Jake said.

I tried to get at him again, but Paul grabbed me, shaking me for second. "Zach, get it together. Do you need to go outside and cool off?"

I put up my arms. "I'm fine."

Paul turned to Jake. "I'm not sure why you came here. I learned today that you turned your back on my daughter months ago when she needed you most. She was all alone here, with no one and you promised me you'd take care of her. What happened to you? I thought you were a good kid."

"Paul, it got a little out of hand. I didn't know what was going on. She said she didn't do it, that she had nothing to do with it . . . I know she's lying." He started to cry. I wanted to laugh, but he was too pathetic. "I'm so sorry. I would have never let this happen to her."

"What you did was worse," I said. "She loved you! She would have done anything for you."

Jake's bloodshot blue eyes stared at me, defeated. "I guess now you've replaced me. You don't know how lucky you are. I'd do anything to fix this. I would!"

"I think the best thing you can do right now is leave. If she wants to see you, she'll let you know," Paul said. "In the meantime, you might want to tell Ron about this. Now get out of here before I sock you one myself."

"I'm so sorry," he said one last time before slithering down the hallway and into the elevator.

Paul turned to me. "I'm going in to see Emma. Let's not tell her about this until we know she's ready."

"Yes, of course."

He went in her room and I sat in the waiting area. It was then I saw Emma's text from earlier that night. So happy and full of excitement. I may have told Emma it was over, but Bianca would pay.

Chapter Thirty-four

Emma

I cried when I saw Dad. He pulled up a chair and gave me a kiss on the cheek. His bottom lip was quivering a bit, but he managed to keep composed.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been run over."

"The doctor says you'll be just fine. Do you want to come home? Have Grandpa and I take care of you?"

"I don't want to miss school, especially with exams coming."

He squeezed my hand. "I'm sure Zach will take good care of you."

"He always does, although we'll be eating takeout for the next few days."

Dad smiled but I could see that more was going on. "Kiddo, don't be mad, but Zach told me everything. About Jake and that girlfriend of his."

I felt my inside cave, yet a part of me was relieved. "I didn't know how to tell you."

"It doesn't matter. I know now. But you better promise to never keep something like that from me again."

"I didn't want to ruin your friendship with Uncle Ron."

"Ron and I are tight. This won't change a thing."

"Jake really hurt me, Dad. I don't care about Bianca, but Jake let me down."

"I know," he said, rubbing my hand. "Jake was here, but we sent him home. He seemed pretty sorry. Now when you go home, if you want to talk to him, that's your business, but I wanted you to know."

Jake had been the furthest person from my thoughts. I didn't care about him.

"Zach offered me a place to stay tonight, so we're going to go. It's getting late and you need your rest. We'll be back in the morning with some breakfast. You cannot eat hospital food."

"Thanks, Dad. I love you."

"Sweetie, I love you too."

~~~~~~~

The police interviewed me the next morning for less than five minutes. I told them I didn't know who attacked me because, in part, that was true. I didn't see Bianca or the other two people, and I couldn't identify her by voice. And even if I did know it was Bianca, I wanted this over. She got her eye for an eye.

Genie, Dad, Zach, Grandpa and Wendy piled into my room the next morning with breakfast from a fast food place. I didn't care since it was better than the slop they served at the hospital. Genie brought a change of clothes and Grandpa and Wendy gave me a box of chocolates. Dr. Lewis assured me that I'd be sprung by lunch so we all waited around chatting.

Genie got me alone when everyone else had gone for coffee.

"Probably inappropriate, but your dad is hot."

I stifled a laugh more so because it hurt. "Yeah, that's a bit gross."

"He's movie star hot. When Zach brought him home last night I couldn't stop drooling. I almost wet myself."

"Genie, we're talking about my dad," I said fighting back a giggle.

"Is he single?"

"Yes, but he doesn't date much."

"Does he date younger women?"

"Genie, totally gross now."

"I'm just curious. I wouldn't follow through or anything."

I was having a hard time believing that.

I had more visitors. First Helen, who'd found out from Frank. Turns out he was a member at the club and an acquaintance of Helen's.

"You look like hell, partner," she said, giving me a gentle hug.

"Thanks, I think."

"I bet you fought like hell. Any idea who it was?"

"No."

"Did they steal anything?"

"No. Just some random attack."

"I'm glad you're fine. Make sure to take it easy. I need my partner back as soon as she's ready."

Next came Andrea and Lucy. Our visit was cut short when Uncle Ron called. I was nervous talking to him, knowing that he probably knew everything now. I was glad to be alone for the call. The last thing I needed was an audience.

"Hi, Uncle Ron."

"Hey there, how you doing, Emma?" His always cheerful voice was tentative.

"I'm doing fine."

He cleared his throat. "You're dad called last night. Emma . . . I'm gutted. I wish I'd known."

"Really, it's okay," I said as my eyes welled up with tears. I couldn't stop the heaviness that had descended in my voice.

"She's never welcome in our home again. I told Jake that."

"Uncle Ron, I want it over. I don't want anyone to continue fighting. As long as she leaves me alone, I'll leave her alone."

"I can respect that. Paul mentioned that you'll be home next weekend. I'd like to come see you if that's all right. I want you to know we all love you."

I grabbed a crappy hospital tissue, the kind that resemble a loofah, and dabbed my eyes. "I'd love to see you too."

"Ah, don't cry," he said. "I don't want to make you cry."

"It's happy tears," I said.

"So I'll see you soon. Tell your dad I'm bringing burgers and fries from Harriet's."

"I will."

We ended the call and I composed myself before everyone came flooding back into my room. I was released an hour later and insisted on going straight to the apartment. It would be at least a week before my face was back to normal and I didn't want to have to explain what had happened. Zach was going to visit my professors and tell them what happened. He made me go through taking pictures just in case they needed more evidence. He promised to delete them when it was all over.

"Are you sure you don't want us to stay?" Dad asked after dinner. The apartment was a hub of people and normally I would have reveled in it, but my throbbing head would have none of it.

"I'll be fine and if I need anything, I know who to call."

"And we'll see you this weekend?" Dad asked Zach.

"Absolutely."

"I'd love to come too," Genie offered.

I was going to have to warn Dad about her.

I walked them to the door, giving each one a big hug. Despite what Bianca had done to me, I had everyone I loved around me. She couldn't take that from me.