“Lauren, relax. It’ll be okay. You stay here and rest, don’t worry about anything. We can call him later if you’re feeling better.” He returned his phone to his pocket, and I breathed out a gasp of relief. “Listen Lauren, I told you this before. Things happen for a reason. Sometimes life comes and taps you on the shoulder, or in your case, knocks you on the head, and you have to take a serious look at what’s happening and ask yourself… is this what you really want?”
“You’re a strong woman, even if you don’t know it. Don’t let anyone or anything keep you from getting what you want.” Brandon turned and shot a glance at the window. Aedyn was still out there, waiting. “Life is too short to waste on regrets.”
Brandon didn’t understand. He was a man. Standing up to Chip was like trying to remove a mountain of dirt with a teaspoon. Chip had worn me down over the years and feelings of worthlessness had crept up on me, burying my self-respect, until I became merely a ghost of my former self.
Brandon laid a hand on my arm. “You rest now. You’re a lucky girl. Your injuries are mild. Thank god someone was there to call the ambulance. I’ll come back to check on you in a minute.” He took a step toward the door, pausing as if to think for a second and then offered, “Aedyn rode with you in the ambulance. He didn’t leave your side.”
I looked at Brandon with amazement. He did? I watched as Brandon turned and headed toward the door.
Chapter 14
Lauren
“Thank you, Aedyn. It’s a good thing you were nearby. That crazy drunk came out of nowhere.” After Brandon had left, Aedyn entered the room and was now standing next to my hospital bed.
“It was no problem. You’re my friend, Lauren. I had to make sure you were okay.”
“I thought you were leaving town? Wasn’t someone coming to pick you up?”
“That can wait. When I saw it was you out there, lying in the intersection, I had to stay and make sure you were okay.” He smiled a warm, charming smile that brought a slight blush to my cheeks.
I was flattered that Aedyn had changed his plans for me. His admiration cheered me, and having him in my room, right next to my bed, staring at me with those eyes and that smile, made me ever happier that I’d convinced Brandon not to call his brother.
God, I didn’t have the strength to face Chip right now. All I wanted to do was roll over, bury my face in the pillow and sleep. My life was a mess and in the midst of the storm, here was Aedyn. I focused on his beautiful eyes beaming down on me with concern. They were like a soothing balm to my soul and all troubles turned to wisps of air.
“What about your work? Did you miss your flight? Oh, I feel awful. I’ve caused you so much trouble.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’re what’s important, Lauren. I made a call and got one of my junior guys to handle work. At least that’s what I think I pay them for.” His eyes studied me intently. “Coming back to Granger for my father’s funeral and seeing my aunt again, well it’s made me realize I spend entirely too much time at work. I need to learn to delegate more and take time for other things, like family… friends.”
Talking with Aedyn felt good. It helped me relax and forget the pain in my head. Unfortunately, my respite didn’t last long. It’d hardly seemed like Aedyn had been there a minute when the man I feared came bursting into the room. In a small town like this, I shouldn’t have been surprised. I should’ve known someone would’ve let Chip know I was here.
The minute Chip stepped up next to my bed, my composure was ripped apart and a wave of apprehension swept through me. Chip’s expression was blank at first, but the minute he saw a man standing next to my bed, someone who wasn’t a doctor or nurse, his face contorted with ugly jealousy. In an instant, panic rioted within me, spiking my adrenaline to the max. This was the reality of being oppressed. The never-ending roller-coaster ride of fear, anxiety, then calm, then gut wrenching fear again. Its acrid edges cut through everything.
“Chip!” My eyes darted to Chip’s face to gauge his mood. Based on my past experience, I shouldn’t have bothered. I already knew what it would be. Aedyn must have sensed the alarm in my voice and took a step back from my bedside.
Instead of asking if I was all right, Chip’s first response was to regard Aedyn with a speculative glare then blurt out, “Who’s this?”
“This is Aedyn Cumberland. Do you remember him from high school?”
Chip’s eyes darted from Aedyn and then to me. His jaw was set tightly. “Aedyn.” He nodded a terse greeting.