Sexy Jerk(63)

Looking at it, he says, "I don't understand."

Before I can explain, the officers turn to address me. "Miss Winters, is there anything else you can tell us?"

Ash shakes his head, signaling for me to stay quiet.

"No, I've told you everything I can remember right now."

One of the officers hands me his card. "If you think of anything, please call me. Mr. Miller insists on transporting you to the emergency room, are you in agreement with this?"

I nod.

Once both officers are out the door and back in their car, Ash speaks up. "What am I missing, Tess?"

I walk over to the makeshift desk, which is oddly still standing, and pick up the other sign. I hand it to him, and then explain what happened on Friday.

His face goes white, and he pulls out his phone.

Ethan narrows his eyes at him. "What the hell is going on?"

Raising a finger in the air, Ash turns around to whisper into his phone.

"We need to get you to the hospital and get that cut stitched up," Ethan says, lifting and patting the cloth that I was holding to my face.

I suck in a breath, knowing that crying will only make the cut on my cheek burn more. "How did Ash find out what happened?" I ask Ethan.

Ethan daps at my face lightly. "I called Nick on my way here."

I wince from the pain spreading across the side of my face. "And he answered when you called?"

Ethan shakes his head. "I had to call Hayden and make him put the fucker on the phone."



       
         
       
        

I take the cloth from Ethan and press it against my face. "Did he say why he hasn't answered any of my calls?"

He nods. "He said he saw Ansel at your place Saturday night, down on one knee proposing to you."

My eyelids flutter as I try to figure out how I hadn't seen him.

"And the dumb fuck naturally thought you would say yes."

"Why would he think that?"

"Because he's a dumb fuck."

I almost laugh, but the pain that spreads across my lips stops me instantly. "Did you tell him I sent Ansel away?"

"Yeah, I did, and a few more things too."

"Did he believe you?"

Ethan motions toward Ash. I turn my head slowly and see he's holding his hand over the speaker of his phone. "Nick wants to talk to you. Are you up to it?"

I hold out my hand, and Ash brings me his phone. I walk toward the corner of the café and slowly sit on one of the only upright paint cans. Then I suck in a breath and say, "Hey."

"Tess," he breathes.

I take a long moment to compose myself.

"Tess, are you there?"

"I'm here," I whisper.

"I'm so sorry, baby. I'm at the airport now. I'll be in Chicago as soon as I can. I need to see you."

The agony in his voice can be heard so clearly that it makes me cry.

"Tess, listen to me, I shouldn't have left without talking to you. I just couldn't bear to lose you, and I thought I had. I really thought I had. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Please tell me you forgive me."

My heart seizes in my chest and my tears burn as they stream down my face. I remember our conversation weeks ago, and I remember promising him that I would stand by him, no matter what. "Nick," I breathe.

"Tess, I love you."

I don't even hesitate. "I love you, too."

His voice is so hoarse I can barely hear him. "Listen to me, baby, I want you to stay with Ash until I get there. You're not to go anywhere without him. Do you understand me, Tess?"

I swipe at my tears and wince at the pain. "Yes, but Nick, what is going on?"

"I don't know yet, but we're going to figure everything out, I promise, but for now, I need to know that you're safe. Ash will take you to the hospital, and then back to my place. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Okay," I answer, and then I feel everything inside me erupt into belly-deep sobs.

"Baby, please don't cry."

"Tell him you'll call him later," Ethan demands.

Before I can say anything though, Ash takes the phone from me, and I can hear him speaking to Nick, and then I feel Ethan's arms going around me and before I know it, he's carrying me across the café and out the door, into Ash's car. 

Ash is behind the wheel, and he hangs up the phone. "I'll call you and Fi as soon as we're at Nick's apartment."

Ethan looks over at him. "I'd really rather you bring her to my house. Fiona is going to hit the roof."

Ash seems torn. "Look man, I don't think Tess is in any more danger, but I can't be sure."

"Yeah, you're right," Ethan says, and then gently kisses my head. "I'll talk to you soon, okay?"