For the Love of Gracie (28 page)
She stood up. "I'll be right back. I'm going to get you the name of some counselors I know. You can research and decide which one you want to see."
Before she closed the door, she popped back in and said, "Would you like me to get your friend to sit with you while you wait?"
I nodded. "Please."
Ashton came in the door a few minutes later. His shoulders were slumped, his face
tight with concern.
"I'm fine, baby. Come here." I held my arms out to him.
He embraced me and sighed with relief. His hands cradled my head against his chest.
Ash
stepped back to look at me. "The baby?"
I took a deep breath. "There never was a baby, apparently."
I filled him in on the story. Like me, he was annoyed with the mix-up, but somewhat relieved that there was no tie to Hudson now. I also confessed to him that I didn't report the rape to the doctor before today.
"I'm proud of you for asking about talking to someone.
I know how difficult it is for you to admit what happened. Talking about it will help you heal though."
I fidgeted with my nails. "It's time. I felt that hopelessness again, today. It's why I went to lay down while Derrick was there. I need to keep from going to that dark place."
"Whenever you feel that way, I want you to talk to me about it," he said, holding my hand. "We're in this together. I don’t plan on going anywhere."
He kissed my forehead and I smiled. "I like the sound of that."
The doctor walked back into the room. "Is it alright to speak freely, or would you like your friend to leave?"
I took Ashton's hand in mine. "My boyfriend can stay."
She smiled. "That's great that you have someone to keep your spirits heightened."
Ashton gave my hand a squeeze.
"Here are some business cards for the different counselors. Some of them specialize in rape specifically; others are for domestic abuse or trauma."
Ashton took them from her because I was frozen; everything was overwhelming at the moment.
"Make sure to make an appointment soon. In fact, I can set you one up today, if you'd like."
Ashton brushed a hair from my face. "Sweetie, I think that'd be a good idea."
I nodded. "Yeah, uh, yes, please do."
She set the appointment up for the following week with a female rape counselor. It brought me a little relief to know when I would have to talk about it again.
Ashton had Gavin come by with his car for us to get home. Gavin drove Ash's bike back from my house. I stared out the window the whole drive. Ashton reached over and held my hand across the center console.
"Gracie?" he asked as we pulled into the driveway of his house.
"Hmm?" I replied. "
You ready to go in?"
I nodded.
He led the way. Once inside, I wanted some time alone to think. "I'm a little tired. Do you mind if I lay down?"
He replied, "Sure, bug. Do you want me to come with you?"
I thought about it for a second. "No. I mean, I do. Right now, I need a little time alone. I have a bit of a headache after everything today."
He nodded in understanding, though his face displayed the rejection he felt.
"Tuck me in?" I asked, with a smile.
He followed me to the bedroom. I removed my jeans and untied Ash's shirt that I was wearing. He came up behind me and kissed my neck, sliding his arms around my waist and placing his chin on my shoulder.
"I love you, bug."
I reached my hand behind me to caress his face gently. He sighed at my touch. I turned to face him as I unbuttoned the shirt slowly. His hands slid inside as he pushed it off my shoulders. I stood in my bra and panties.
His mouth met mine with a soft caress; his tongue slid into my welcomin
g mouth. I moaned as his hands moved to my waist, lifting me off the ground. He moved me to the bed, laying me down softly. He moved back from me, reaching for the blanket to cover me. I pouted, "Why did you stop?"
He smiled. "You wanted some time alone, I want to respect that. We'll pick that up later, I promise." I fell asleep shortly after he closed the door
.
Chapter Twenty-two
When I woke up, my head was feeling better and the cramps had subsided. I threw on a t-shirt and shorts. My feet padded against the hardwood floor as I walked to the living room to check for Ashton. Cameron was sitting on the couch. He snickered and pointed. “Nice bed head.”
I reached up to smooth my hair down. “Where’s Ash?”
He acted offended. “Nice to see you too, sunshine.”
I rolled my eyes. “You know I’m always glad to see you. Would you like something to eat?”
With an old English accent he stated, “Yes fair maiden, fetch me food!”
I turned away from him. “Wanna guess how many fingers I’m holding up?” I strolled to the kitchen, whistling.
Cameron followed like a lost puppy. I turned almost bumping into him. “Personal space, man.”
He stepped back from me, “Sorry. What are we going to make?”
I opened the fridge, “Hmm. Eggs, bacon and French toast…how does that sound?”
His stomach growled in response. He pointed to his stomach and says, “Little Cam says that sounds delish.”
I cocked an eyebrow at him, “So that’s what you call Little Cam?”
He stuck his hand on his hip and said, “Yep, cause ain't nothing else little.” I snorted with laughter.
"Seriously, where is Ash?" I asked again.
“He went down to the station to give his statement about what happened at your house. He asked if I’d sit with you until he got back.”
I wrapped my arms around Cameron. He squeezed me close and kissed my head. “Wanna go downstairs and watch a movie?”
He shrugged. “Sure, why not. Let’s make snacks.” We loaded our arms with snacks and drinks, and then headed to the basement.
In the middle of the movie, Cameron tossed a handful of popcorn at me. My mouth fell open in shock.
“You are so in for it.”
I grabbed a handful and threw it back at him, hitting him directly in the face. He spit out the popcorn that landed in his mouth. He tackled me on the couch tickling me.
I screamed, “Uncle.”
We were laughing so hard that we almost missed the phone ringing. I felt a pang of dread wash over me. I glanced at the number, it was unknown. “It’s unknown, Cameron. That’s what it said when Hudson called.”
He took the phone from me, answering it gruffly. “Who is this?” he demanded. “Oh. Yes, she’s right here.” He held the phone out to me. “It’s the police station.”
I took the phone from him. “Hello. Yes this is Gracie Walker. I’m sorry, can you repeat that?”
I immediately began trembling, my voice got higher each word. “Is he okay?” Cameron’s face paled with worry. I closed my eyes. “Yes, I’m heading there now.”
As soon as I hung up, Cameron burst out, “What happened?”
I grabbed his hand leading him upstairs as I said, “Ashton’s in the hospital, he wrecked his bike.”
Cameron tugged on my arm. “Slow down, Gracie. You’re shaking like a leaf.”
I screamed at him, “He needs me. We have to get there.”
Cameron grabbed my face. “Stop. You’ll do him no good like this. Calm down. I’m driving.” He pulled his phone out and began to text.
“What are you doing?” I screamed.
He sighed “Telling Gavin to meet us at the hospital. Ash is his family you know.”
I hugged him. “I’m sorry, I’m just freaked.”
He nodded. “I know, Gracie.”
When we arrived at the hospital, Cameron went to the information desk. He came back angry. “What’s the matter?”
He scoffed, “They won’t give us any information because we aren’t family.”
I whimpered, “I’m his girlfriend.”
He nodded. “I told them that. They said it would only count if you were married or listed in his chart as acceptable to give personal information to.”
I pushed him aside and went to the desk. I remained as calm as I could. “Please help us, my boyfriend doesn’t have any…”
Then it dawned on me, Derrick. “Oh my gosh.” I turned to Cameron. “We need to call Derrick.”
Derrick answered, sounding confused, “Hello?”
I replied, “Derrick, it’s Gracie.”
His voice became panicked. “What happened to Ash?”
My voice choked so Cameron took the phone. Derrick told Cameron he would call to get Ash's condition for us and that he would be up as soon as he found someone to watch Katelyn.
Gavin walked through the lobby doors as Cameron hung up. He bypassed Cameron and wrapped his arms around me. I began to sob against his chest. Gavin pulled away and wiped my face with a tissue. “How is he?” he asked.
I pointed at the desk. “They won’t tell me because I’m not family.”
His jaw clenched. “The hell you aren’t. Come on.”
He tugged me to the desk with him. “I have all Ashton Collins information to prove I am family. I’m his brother. You should find my name on his PHI release as well.”
He proceeded to give her Ash's social security number and birth date, to which she was satisfied enough to tell us he was in surgery. She said she would alert the doctor about us being here, so when the surgery was over he could fill us in. Gavin wrapped his arm around me and led me to a chair. He pulled me close as he rocked me.
"What's PHI?" He kissed my forehead, "Protected health information. You have to sign a release and name anyone allowed to know your medical information. Ashton, Derrick and I all have each other listed for emergencies, like this one."
Cameron sat beside us, holding my hand. My phone rang; he answered and handed it to me. “Hey Derrick. Gavin's here and was able to get an update on Ash for us.”
Derrick replied, “That's good. Gracie, will you keep me posted on how he's doing? I can’t find a babysitter. Dammit, I want to be there right now. I can’t bring Katelyn up there and scare her.”
I had an idea. “Let me call my friend Mary Jane; she’s great with kids. As long as you’re okay with that.”
Derrick responded, relieved, “Any friend of yours, Gracie.”
When I explained everything to Mary Jane, she said she'd love to help. She agreed to meet Derrick at a park, near the hospital, so Katelyn wouldn’t know where he was going.
Cameron told me he’d watch for Derrick. “Just describe him for me.”
I sniffed. “Ash with shaggy hair, clean-shaven and a few inches shorter.”
Cameron tsked. “What a gene pool.”
About an hour later, Cameron walked in with Derrick. I went to greet him. He hugged me and it made me ache for Ashton. My arms tightened around him as I tried to hold back the tears. He patted my hair.
“Bad time for me to resemble him I guess.”
I smiled, sadly. He sat down with me after he hugged Gavin. The nurse called Gavin up and informed him that the surgery would be another two hours at least.
Cameron and Gavin went to get coffee for all of us. I grasped Derrick's hand. “Talk about anything to ge
t my mind off things, please," I begged. "Did Katelyn do well with MJ?"
He replied, “I was pretty shocked when I saw Mary Jane. That friend of yours, she’s…”
As he was speaking I thought he was going to make a comment about her weight and I was going to have to kick his ass.
He finished with, “...beautiful and so sweet. Katelyn took to her right away, which is unusual for her with strangers.” I smiled at the realization that he was just like his brother in personality, too.
“Where’s Katelyn’s mom?” He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I’m sorry, that was rude to ask. This is the second time you've met me and I have no right to ask such a personal thing.”
He waved it off. “No it wasn’t rude. We're practically family now; it was a logical question. We had Katie very young, she wasn’t ready. I wasn’t either, but she’s my kid, I couldn’t turn my back on her. Her mother didn’t feel that way, though. I had to beg her to have Katie and then pay her to let me have total custody. Since I was going through all the trouble, I had her sign away all rights. She’s never even seen her, didn’t even hold her at the hospital.”
I sighed. “Good grief, is your family full of amazing guys like you and Ash? It has to be in the genes.”
He chuckled softly. “Nothing spectacular about taking responsibility for your actions.”
I patted his hand. “Yeah there is. Are you seeing anyone?”
He shook his head. “Been on a few dates, nothing special, why?”
I replied, “How about, when Ashton’s better, I set you and Mary Jane up?”
He smiled. “She’s single? Awesome. Yeah, that’d be great.”