His Price(53)

Whipping around, I held my hand up. “You know what? Fuck this.” Pointing my finger directly at the mass of eyes, I said, “You people live like the real world around you doesn't exist. You don't know me, and for you to stand here on your mighty pedestal and think you can cast one ounce of judgment on me, you can take your money and shove it up your ass.”

“Excuse—”

Slashing Brandon's words, my back firmed, spine standing up as tall as I could lift it. “I'm not done. You think your son is a failure, that he won't live up to your standards, but you know what, Brandon?” Glaring at him, I took a long stride, bringing me right in front him. “You don't get to decide his life. Take a look at yourself for once, you want to talk about pathetic? This...” My hands guided them around the room. “This is pathetic. And so are you.”

In one swift motion I spun on my heels and stormed towards the door. I heard Hegan's feet closely behind mine. But I didn't turn around to look, I had the exit in my sight.

And for the first time a familiar face appeared. Stefan was standing at the door, arms folded behind his back. As I approached, he held his hand out to stop me. “Noella, you have a phone call.”

Twisting my head, I tried to pass by. All I wanted was to be as far from that place as possible. Not one second longer did I want to be there, with the rich assholes looking down on me like I'm some piece of trash off the street.

“Noella,” he said, fingers tugging on my shoulder. “They said it's important, please come with me.”

Hegan stepped besides Stefan, his frame made Stefan look so small. “Stefan, we're leaving. Move out of the way.”

“Sir, I'm sorry. But Noella has an urgent call.”

“Urgent? Who is it?” I asked. I couldn't think of any reason someone would be calling me here. The only people who knew where I was going was my parents.

“It's the hospital, they need to speak with you immediately.”

My heart dropped from my chest into my stomach. The tingles of anger turned to electric fear. “What? Why?”

“I'm not sure, I didn't ask. But, you can follow me.” Turning to another doorway, he looked over his shoulder. “This way.”

Looking up at Hegan, wide-eyed, my arms began to shake. He ran his hand over my shoulder and down my back. “Alright, I”ll come with you.”

“Sir, maybe you should wait here.” Stefan looked blankly at him. “You might have to do some damage control with your father.” Nodding his head towards where we just were, Brandon had begun to flail his arms in anger. His hands were wildly flying around, gesturing towards me.

“I'll be back. I'm sure it's nothing, go,” I said as he twisted his head between his father and me. “Go.”

Hegan leaned in and kissed my forehead. “I'll catch up with you in a minute, and you Stefan...” Holding up his finger, he stuffed it in Stefan's face, almost touching his nose. “I have a few things to say to you too after.”

With long strides, Hegan started back to where his dad was. The noises of the room were stirring with happy and angry voices. Some people stood oblivious to what had happened between us, others were gawking between Brandon and myself. Their mouths hung open, pointing in my direction and whispering with cupped hands into ears.

Huffing loudly, I turned to Stefan. “Let's go, where's the phone?”

Holding his arm out, I followed him down the hall. My entire frame was shaking, I could feel it all the way to my toes.

Why was the hospital calling me here? Is it my mom?

God, let everything be alright.

This was a fear I had tried to imagine myself dealing with, tried to prepare for.

That call. That voice on the end of the line telling me the news I never wanted to hear, but knew it was always a looming possibility.

As my lungs struggled to keep my breathing at a steady pace, I consciously tried to sooth my heart.

The beating drummed through my head, the pounding hitting my ribs so hard I thought it might break through.

It's fine Noella. I'm sure everything is fine.

Please let it be fine.





Chapter Eighteen


Hegan

The weight of all the years I had dealt with my father's demeaning and abusive remarks had finally come to an abrupt halt. Once he started on Noella, that was it, I was done. It was one thing for him to berate me in front of these people, it wasn't new to me.

But for him to go as low as he did, airing out her dirty laundry in front of people who had no business knowing... That was something I wasn't going to stand for.

The room around me had grown quiet, tunneling my sight onto just my dad. He was breathing fire through his eyes, his face looming in my direction like a charred piece of old oak.