Head Over Heels (32 page)

Kari didn’t have time to answer or sort out the whole situation. She saw her world falling apart in front of her.

When she hit the back hallway, she heard a slam at the far end. She moved so fast to get to the location that she overshot her destination and had to double-back to get to the door.

“Michael, honey, are you in there?” She pressed her hand against the wood as she waited for his answer. As soon as she heard quiet sobs from in the room, her heart accelerated. “Open the door, baby.”

“He-he pushed me,” Michael said from inside the locked room.

“Who? Thane?” She couldn’t imagine him putting his hands on her child in anger, especially since he’d implored her to go after him and not concern herself with his wellbeing.

“Dad. Never seen him so angry.” Michael cried harder.

Kari had seen Jarrod in a worse mood. She’d never known him to be physical outside of a basketball court. With all the hurtful things he’d said to her, he’d never put his hands on her out of anger.

She took a deep breath. “I need you to be a big boy and come out of the room. I can’t help you if you keep yourself locked up.” She looked over her shoulder and wondered if Thane had gotten some help by now. “Thane needs me, needs us.”

She didn’t know if her statement held any merit. He had his family around him, defending him fiercely. When she saw him on the floor at Jarrod’s feet, her protective nature had kicked in.

When Michael didn’t answer, she continued her plea. “He’s hurt and they’re going to take him to the hospital.”

“I don’t want to see Dad ever again.” Anger filled each word. “Don’t make me see him. Please.”

Kari longed to make that wish happen. She hated the reasoning though. It took all of her willpower not to go back into the gym, go to Jarrod, and kick him squarely in his nonexistent balls.

“I’ll sing to you, baby, if that will help.” As the silence lingered, Kari started to open her mouth to sing his favorite baseball-themed song when the door finally opened.

Michael peered up at Kari as he stepped out of what looked to be the janitor’s closet. “I don’t need you to sing to me.” He shook his head. “Sorry for making you worry.”

“You apologize. You’re never sorry.” She wrapped her arms around him and held him close to her chest. Then she pulled back from him, held his shoulders, and crouched down to face level. “Are you hurt?” She did a quick scan of his body to look for scrapes or blood.

Michael’s lips started to tremble, but he firmed them up to a tight line. “I’m okay.”

“I’ll talk to your father. He should have never touched you like that.” She embraced him again. “I should have been there for you to keep that from happening.”

This time, Michael pulled back from her. “I’m fine. I know you’re always here for me.” He smiled. “I love you.”

Kari had to keep herself together to not cry in front of her child. Thane’s influence showed in Michael’s response.

“I want to see Mr. Wells. He tried to help me but he was hurt.” He pointed toward the gym.

“Let’s see how Thane is.” She held his hand as she led him back to the gym.

By the time Kari made it the location, she watched the group of children breaking up around the doorway where Thane and Jarrod had been. She weaved through the throngs of people to get to that area. She found an older gentleman wiping the floor and Jarrod pacing.

Michael cowered behind Kari.

“Take him to the car.” She nudged Michael toward Reagan.

“Don’t take my boy from me.” Jarrod started to move toward Michael when Kari blocked his path.

“Reagan, take him. I’ll meet you all outside in a minute.” Although she smiled at her son and friend, Kari wanted to scream and kick the jerk she’d once loved.

Once her family moved out of earshot, she let Jarrod have it.

“Michael told me what you did to him.” She got in his face and said between gritted teeth, “If you ever put your hands on him again, I will kill you. I won’t call the police.”

“The police? I barely touched him. I took worse hits than that when I was—” He stopped.

Kari had always had a feeling Jarrod’s home life hadn’t been idyllic. He’d never shared anything with her, not then and not now.

Jarrod said nothing as he tried to return her stare. He ended up averting his gaze. “I didn’t mean to shove him. I got caught up with arguing with your dude.” He shook his head. “It’s your fault. If you hadn’t—”

She cut him off before he could say anything else damaging. “Stop it. Be a damn man for once and accept some responsibility.” Kari had wanted to say that to Jarrod for years. “I can’t believe you came all the way over here not to see your son. You wanted to confront a man who has been more of a father to Michael in the short time I’ve been with him than you have for Michael’s entire life. Our son idolizes you.” She shook her head. “At least he did before you showed up here. Go home. Get some professional help. You’ve done enough damage.”

“Professional help?” He chuckled. “You think I need a shrink? Are you calling me crazy?”

Kari shook her head. “No. Damaged. You’re not going to continue this cycle with Michael. If you truly want a relationship with him, you’ll get yourself sorted out first. My child is my first, last, and only responsibility. I’m not going to stand by and watch anyone hurt him, especially you.”

She went outside and met with Reagan and Michael in her rental.

“I asked a couple of people who saw them take Thane away where they took him.” Reagan put the car in gear and sped off as Kari slammed the car door. “Virginia Beach General.” She waved her phone. “Got it programmed in here. Should take us ten minutes to get there.”

“Good. Drop me off at the hospital and you and Michael go back to the hotel.” Kari didn’t need Michael mixed up with any adult drama.

“No. I want to make sure Mr. Wells is okay. Please?” Michael’s voice sounded mature, like he’d skipped the whole little-kid phase.

She didn’t like that. Michael deserved his innocence. “I’m going to visit with him first and see how he is. If he’s okay, I’ll bring you to check on him tomorrow morning.”

Michael slumped back and crossed his little arms. “Fine.”

Reagan pulled up to the emergency room entrance of the hospital. “Are you sure you don’t want us going in with you? What if you can’t see him right now?”

Kari opened the door. “I’ll take a cab back to the hotel.” She opened the door to the backseat. “I love you, Michael.” She leaned in and kissed her son. “I’m so sorry about what happened tonight.”

Michael held Kari’s hand. “You’re not sorry, Mom. You apologize.” He smiled. “And there’s nothing for you to apologize for.”

“When you get back to the hotel, I want you to order room service and get the biggest and best dessert they have.” For his rough night and his amazing attitude, he deserved a treat.

“I’ll see you when you get back. If I’m asleep, wake me, okay?” He squeezed her hand.

“I’ll see you two later.” Kari closed the door and ran into the hospital. She forgot about her flashy attire until the security guard and triage nurse scanned her from head to toe. “Hi, I’m looking for someone who was brought here.”

“Name?” The surly nurse hovered her hands over the computer keyboard.

Kari leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Thane Wells.”

The nurse didn’t bother typing. “Nice try, lady. Unless you’re family, you’re not getting back there and you’re not getting any information.”

“You don’t understand. I’m his—” Kari didn’t know how to complete that sentence. What did she mean to Thane? Better yet, what did Thane mean to her?

“Hey.”

She felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and saw Janelle behind her. “Thank God.” She moved away from the window and went to the waiting area with Janelle. “Can you tell me what’s going on with Thane?”

Janelle shook her head. “Not yet. Gideon and Gunnar were able to go with him when they took him to the back.” She sat down next to Eboni. “They said they would be out when they know something.”

Kari took a seat in between the women.

“Can you tell us what happened? Why was Jarrod Townsend here and why was he confronting Thane in the first place?” Eboni shook her head.

Kari had to steel her nerves before making her confession. “Jarrod is my son’s father. I’m sure he saw video or pictures of Thane playing catch with him recently. It made him angry enough to come here.”

“Are you two still dating?” Janelle asked.

“No.” Kari shook her head. “He’s moved on with his life. He needs to realize that I’m going to live my life.”

The doors going to the back area swung open. Gunnar and Gideon strolled through them and headed straight to the women.

Kari stood and the other two ladies followed suit. “How is he? What’s going on?”

Gunnar glared at her for a beat before he spoke. “Did you know about his bleeding ulcer?”

She blinked, glanced at the women before returning her attention to Gunnar. “No.” She shook her head. “He mentioned something about not being able to play. I thought it was a mental thing, like he didn’t enjoy the sport anymore. He never told me about his medical condition.”

“Maybe you two aren’t as close as you think.” Gideon draped his arm around Janelle’s shoulders.

Kari understood Gideon’s anger. To him, he probably saw her as the catalyst for all the drama. Gideon had no idea that Thane had asked her to go with him to the house in the Outer Banks and that he’d planned on confessing some news about himself. Perhaps he had planned on telling her about his ulcer.

“So now what?” Eboni asked.

“He’s getting prepped for surgery.” Gunnar smoothed his hand over his head.

Kari gasped and covered her mouth. “Surgery? It’s that bad?”

Gunnar nodded. “The confrontation didn’t help. Why would Jarrod Townsend show up to a dance at a community center?”

Eboni wrapped her arms around him. “I’ll tell you later.”

“One thing I do know is that Thane doesn’t need any stress in his life.” Gideon took a step toward Kari. “That includes you.”

She took a step back. “What are you saying?”

“Maybe you shouldn’t be here.”

Kari scanned the faces of his family. “I would never, ever hurt Thane. I care about him deeply.”

“As an agent?” Gunnar asked.

The dig stung. Kari suddenly felt cold and alone. She thought she would have allies. Instead, Thane’s family gave her suspicious stares.

“No. As a woman.” She sat down in the waiting area. “I’m not leaving until I know he’s okay.” She crossed her legs. “You can choose to sit with me or go as far away from me as possible. It won’t change the fact that I…” Kari hesitated. The first time she confessed her true feelings for Thane, she wanted to do it to him and not his brothers. “I’m just as concerned about his health like you all.”

Gunnar held Eboni’s hand. “Good luck trying to get in to see him.” Then he walked to the other side of the waiting area and took a seat.

“Go back to your hotel room.” Gideon put his arm around Janelle’s waist as he stared at Kari. “I’m sure you’ll get updates on Thane on some social media outlet or something.” He followed Gunnar and took a seat next to him.

Kari didn’t care what they thought of her. She wouldn’t be leaving until she found out Thane’s condition.

As the time went by, she kept herself occupied by constantly checking her messages and ignoring calls from Frank and Chelsi. She didn’t care how long she would have to wait to hear news about Thane.

Kari felt someone sitting in the chair next to her before she turned and saw Eboni. She gave Kari a sweet smile.

“Coffee?” She held up a cup.

Kari shook her head. “No, thank you.” She peered over to the other side of the room and noticed Gunnar still glaring at her. “Should you be talking to me? I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

Eboni took a sip of her coffee first. “I’ve been in the exact same spot as you. Gunny was not happy with me and refused to talk to me right after he was shot.”

Kari blinked. “Really?” She glanced down and noticed an impressive engagement ring on Eboni’s finger. “But you two are getting married now.”

Eboni nodded. “I know. It’s because, like you, I refused to give up on the man I love.”

“I never said that I love Thane.”

Eboni patted Kari’s hand. “You didn’t have to. Your actions say it all.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Hang in there. The Wells men are stubborn, but they have good hearts. If they see your commitment, they’ll let you in. Even if they don’t, I will.”

Kari smiled. “Thank you.” She stared at the large hospital doors. “It’s killing me not knowing what’s happening to him.”

As though she’d willed it, a doctor came through the doors. Her gut told her this woman in scrubs had operated on Thane. When Kari saw her heading toward Gunnar and Gideon, she bolted to her feet along with Eboni.

“Let’s go in the conference area to discuss Thane’s condition.” The doctor led the group to a room behind the waiting area.

Not to be left out, Kari followed them along with Eboni and Janelle.

“You shouldn’t be here.” Gunnar pointed to Kari.

“Yes, she should.” To make sure she didn’t get kicked out, Eboni held Kari’s hand. “She cares about Thane as much as we do.” She turned to the doctor. “What’s going on with Thane?”

“It looks like your brother allowed his ulcer to bother him for far too long. Ordinarily, you don’t need surgery for these things. Thane had a tear in his stomach.”

Janelle gasped and covered her mouth.

“Will he be okay?” Kari could care less what Gunnar or Gideon thought of her inquiry.

“Yes. With a lot of rest and some medication, he’ll be fine.” The doctor removed her surgical cap and threw it in the trashcan behind her.

Gideon exhaled. “Good.”

“Can we see him?” Janelle held Gideon’s hand.

“Yes. He’s sleeping right now. If you want him responsive, come back in the morning. He should be awake by then.” The doctor shook each of their hands before leaving.

“Some good news finally.” Janelle exhaled.

Kari said nothing as she started to leave.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Gunnar approached her.

Even without holding Eboni’s hand, Kari felt powerful enough to face off against this giant. “I’m seeing Thane. I want to make sure he’s okay, and I promised my son that I would check on him.”