Spurs & Stilettos (17 page)

I bring my hand to my head to wipe some of the sweat away. I need to head home soon but I’m having a hard time leaving Mom and Dad. Last night and today is something I needed so much. I need to do it again soon. Saying goodbye is tough. Mom cried sending me into a bigger mess than I already was. I held onto her again like I was scared to let her go. I want her to know I’m fine and everything is better than it ever was now but I’m sure she can tell that from my hug.

Chapter 21

I notice Amber’s car as I pull up to our apartment. I also notice the bottle of Chardonnay that has recently been opened. She must have really had quite the day at the picnic.

“Amb, I’m home.” I call out to her.

She comes walking out of her bedroom with a now empty wine glass in her hand. “Boy am I glad to see you. You’re coming with me next year.”

“That bad?” I pour myself a glass of water and take a big sip.

She cuts me some eyes before filling her glass again. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and lets out a sigh. “Well let’s just say Brad and I had words and then his little I don’t know what you would call her that he brought tried to open her mouth and I shut her down. His mom had the nerve to tell me I needed to leave. My aunt or not, I don’t care. I told her I’m fucking family. That trash needs to leave. My Dad thought it was funny. It was bullshit.”

I seriously want to laugh but she looks so peeved about it all that I don’t let it out. Now I know how full of shit Brad was about everything. I’m so glad my phone rang that night and we didn’t go any further. He seriously brought some tramp to his family picnic? Why am I surprised by this? I pretty much expect anything from him now.

“Damn, I missed it all didn’t I? Well I learned a few new things last night.”

“Yeah, what’s that?” She raises her eyebrow in curiosity.

I open my web browser on my phone and pull up the article. I figure she can read it for herself. I hand the phone to her and watch as she sets her wine glass down to read. Her eyes scan the title and she wears a bit of a puzzled look on her face until she reaches mine and Karlee’s name. She lets out a gasp as she continues to read. Her jaw stays on the ground when she reads about Wesley.

“Hope, oh my God. How’d you find this?”

“I was just Googling him so I could see him and I found it. I asked him about it last night, he said he never put two and two together. I can’t believe it.”

“You know I’m not big on fate and all of that because well it’s never worked for me but this has fate and destiny written all over it girl. He came into your life for a reason.”

Funny thing, I really believe he did come into my life for a reason. Have I ever believed in fate? I don’t know but I almost have to believe in something.

“So what else did you learn?” She asks with a faint smile on her lips. It’s like she knows something, I’m not sure what though.

I reach for my glass of water but decide I don’t want a sip. It’s time to blow her mind. “Amber, I’m pregnant.”

Wine shoots from every direction. “WHAT?!”

“I found out last night.”

“And you’re just now telling me?! Some friend you are! How’d Wesley take the news?”

“I’m telling him when he comes home. I didn’t want to break any news like that over the phone.”

“A baby, wow. Hope I’m so excited for you. I get to be the nanny right?”

I have to laugh at her. Does she really think there is anyone else to take her place?

“Are you serious? That’s a big duh.”

“Well Nate and I were going out tonight and I was going to see if you wanted to come but you little mama need to rest. No bars for you.”

That is fine with me. I plan on lying in my bed and waiting to hear from Wesley. I have one day to figure out how to break the baby news to him. A couple of different scenarios play through my head. One where he is thrilled, but the other where he calls me a liar and swears it’s Brad’s baby. I shudder at the thought, thank God it isn’t his.

“You guys won’t need me there anyway. Ya’ll have fun. I’m just going to wait to hear from my baby daddy.” She laughs at me and I’m ready to tell her something else but my phone rings and it’s him. My stomach fills up with butterflies. I’m nervous as hell to talk to him. Tomorrow he’ll be here and everything will either come together or fall apart.

*******

I used to watch the rodeo with Karlee on TV. I didn’t really watch it though. I barely paid attention to what was going on. I had no desire to. Right now, I’m more than excited to watch as Wesley competes for his third title. He called me earlier and I wished him all the luck in the world. Today’s the day he finds out he’s going to be a dad so there are so many emotions swirling around in my head.

Nate and Amber are curled up on one side of the couch, their legs interlocked with one another. I feel like the third wheel in the apartment but I don’t feel so alone when they show a glimpse of Wesley. I can make out the stubble on his face. He hasn’t shaved and he looks so sexy. He winks at the camera and I know with all my heart it’s for me. I can hear people cheering for him and I’m silently cursing all the women who think they possibly have a chance with him. Sorry girls, he’s taken.

We’ve been watching for an hour when the announcer says the bareback bronco event is next. Wesley is against at least two other guys for this title. He is the only one with two titles. One of the others has one and the other guy is attempting to win his first. I admit I haven’t fully paid attention to the other events. I’ve been too busy trying not to gag when Nate and Amber get a little too fresh with one another. I wish they would just take it to her room, I promise I can turn the TV up to drown out any noise they make.

The camera man gets a good shot of Wesley talking to Bandit before they ride. I smile as I look at the two of them and find my hand resting on my stomach. I have the urge to talk to what I’m sure is nothing but a little peanut in my belly. I want to say, look there’s your daddy but I keep it to myself and just smile. One of his competitors is about to ride and the crowd goes wild as he begins. This guy stays on for six seconds before getting bucked off. He makes it look so easy but Wesley can make it look like a walk in the park.

Wesley is getting ready to ride. The announcer is briefly reminding everyone of his previous titles and many accomplishments. He turns to face Wesley one more time before he rides. “Congratulations on making it here tonight Wesley. Good to see you again.”

“It’s great to be back.” He smiles at the camera, that smile is melting me right here on my couch.

“Anything you’d like to say before you get started?”

“Thanks to each and every one of you for your support. I also want to tell my beautiful girlfriend back home that I miss her.”

My heart is officially soaring and Amber is smiling her face off from her side of the couch. He always manages to call me out like that and I don’t mind it at all. Matter of fact, it tells me he’s thinking of me and I love that. I smile at the TV screen as I reply back, “I miss you too.”

Amber rolls her eyes before we focus on the reason we’re watching. The chute swing opens and Bandit comes bucking out. He’s wild and Wesley is holding on tightly. He looks flawless on the screen and we begin to count the seconds he stays on.

1,2,3,4,5………

My heart just stopped. My hand flies over my mouth as we watch Wesley fly off Bandit. He falls too close and all I can see are Bandit’s hooves come down on Wesley’s side. It takes a few seconds too long before they are able to contain Bandit and remove him from the arena to check on Wesley. He’s not moving. Why the hell isn’t he moving? The arena is hushed, no one is speaking. Not even the announcer.
Move Wesley. Get up and move please.

“No,” I whisper. The tears are there before I can even think to stop them. Before I can blink Amber is by my side holding my hand. He’s still not moving and I can’t believe I’m watching this unfold before my eyes.

The EMT’s come out and place his limp body onto a stretcher. “Where are they taking him? Why isn’t he moving?” I cry out.

“I don’t know Hope, I, I don’t know.”

“I have to get to Vegas. Now--! I can’t lose him Amber. I need to see him.” Tears are spilling down my cheeks showing no signs of stopping. I’m torn apart knowing I’m so far away from him.

Nate grabs his keys without hesitation. I can’t believe this is happening. Without a word, we’re in the car on our way to the San Antonio International Airport. I’m not a fan of flying, I hate planes but right now I’d cross hot lava if it meant getting to see him. I need to know he’s ok. He’s got to be ok. I can’t lose him, we’re having a baby. A baby he doesn’t even know about yet. My mind keeps going back to the events we watched. Bandit’s hooves slammed down so violently on Wesley. Tears spring forward just thinking about it.

Nate valets his car like he does this sort of thing all the time. I run into the airport to buy a ticket. I don’t care what I have to pay right now. Amber beats me to it and purchases two tickets to Vegas. I eyeball her but she places her hand up telling me to stop. I can’t let her pay for my ticket, that’s ridiculous. At the same time I’m immensely grateful she’s coming too. The next plane doesn’t leave for an hour. What am I supposed to do for an hour? I can’t sit still and I can’t walk around. I’m feeling lost. Please God don’t take him away from me. I stare at the picture on my phone of the two of us.
I love you.
I repeat those three words in my head over and over again.

Chapter 22

Amber and I
arrive in Vegas and I realize I have no idea where to even go. I don’t know what hospital he may be at and we aren’t family so I can’t just walk in and demand to see him. Or maybe I could? What are they going to do check my driver’s license? The only thing I know is that he’s lying there hurt inside one of these hospitals. I’m realizing now I should have thought this through a little more before jumping on an airplane.

“Amber, how do I find him?” I’m shaking, my nerves are horrible and if I wasn’t pregnant I’m sure I’d walk into the first bar I saw and just drink myself into a stupor.

“Don’t worry, we’ll find him. We may have to do a little lying but we’ll find him.” She reassures me patting my shoulder my shoulder and smiling the best smile she can give me.

She pulls out her cell phone and begins looking up hospitals in the area. “Well, there’s at least five so let’s get started looking.”

The first two we went to show no signs of my Wesley. This is hopeless. We hail a cab to the Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center. I am numb already, I’ve asked twice and been turned down both times because he wasn’t in there.

The receptionist gives us a warm smile as we approach her. She is an older woman that looks to be in her 50’s. She might be the one who tells me exactly what I need to know. “How may I help you?”

“Yes ma’am. I was wondering if you could tell me if my husband is here. He was in the rodeo and was injured. I flew down as fast as I could. His name is Wesley Tyler.” I hate lying. Lying solves nothing and makes me feel shitty but I have to find him.

Her smile fades and I understand her sympathy for me. “Let me see if he’s here sweetheart.”

She’s typing quickly on her keyboard, not missing a beat. She pauses and stares at the screen for a moment before looking back at me. I’m waiting for her to tell me I’m at the wrong hospital and then we’ll have to continue our search.

“Your husband is here Mrs. Tyler. He’s just out of surgery; he should be back in ICU by the time you get upstairs.”

Surgery? What kind of surgery did he have to have? I fight back the tears as I tell her thank you. I want to ask about the surgery he had but I’m more concerned with being able to see him. Without looking to see whether Amber is behind me, I briskly walk towards the elevators. Once we’re inside, I pull my hands up to cover my face and cry. Amber pulls me in holding me. I know I can’t do this without her. The elevator seems like it’s taking forever to move. The doors open on almost every floor for workers and visitors to either leave or go somewhere else. The elevator finally opens on our floor and I freeze. Amber gives me a small reassuring smile as we step out onto the white tiled floor. The first thing I notice about ICU are the visiting hours plastered to the outside of the wall. There’s only twenty minutes left and I all but run up to the desk.

“Are you here to visit a patient?” The young girl asks. She barely looks up from her cellphone and I find myself agitated with her already.

“I’m here to see my husband please.” The more I tell this little lie, the more I like it. Olivia Hope Tyler has a nice ring to it.

“His name?” She pops her bubblegum and I cringe. What she doesn’t realize is that I’m severely close to grabbing her by her scrub top and making her pay attention to me. His life could be hanging by a thread for all I know.

“Wesley Tyler.” I tell her with about as much enthusiasm as she carried.

“Sign this please and take this badge with you.” I quickly sign my name and race through the doors before smiling at Amber. He saved me, now it was my turn to save him.

I walk through the doors and try to convince myself everything is ok. I clasp my hands together, I hate that they are so clammy. I pass several rooms before finding the one with his name on it. I don’t know what I expect as I walk into the room, but I know it’s not this.

Wesley is hooked up to all kinds of machines. He’s receiving oxygen. Oh my God, he can’t breathe? I try my best to hold my cry back but I can’t help it. What made me think walking back here alone was a good idea? Maybe because I thought he would be conscious. His beautiful face is covered in purple bruises. I want to kiss every bruise away; I want to kiss him until he wakes up. His right arm is in a cast and his stomach is wrapped. I grab onto his fingers and close my eyes as I cry.

“Wesley, you can’t leave me. Please wake up. I need you; I need you more than you know. You saved me, now I have to save you. I love you so much. You have to wake up so I can tell you something. I was waiting for you to get home…Wesley please don’t leave. I’m pregnant, you hear me. You’re going to be a dad. Can you squeeze my hand if you hear me?”

I wait for a few seconds but nothing happens. I want to believe with all my heart he can hear me. A nurse pokes her head in to let me know visitation is almost over. “Ma’am?” I call out.

She smiles politely as she steps into the room. “Can you please tell me what kind of surgery my husband had?”

“It wasn’t exactly a surgery. We didn’t mean to alarm you. They just needed to put some screws into his right arm, but everything is fine.” Her smile eases my mind.

I don’t want to leave him although time is almost up. I will stay here as long as I have to, anything to be with him.

“Wesley, open your eyes for me baby.” I beg but no change. He doesn’t move. He’s going to wake up I know it, and I plan on being here for him to see when he finally does.

“Where’s my son?” I hear a voice booming down the hall. Before I can blink, a man and woman are standing here looking at me holding their son’s hand. “Who the hell are you? Some groupie he met at the rodeo? You can go, he has us. He won’t know you were ever here.”

“Excuse me?” I choke out. This must be his dad and he’s proving to be quite the ass right now. His jet black hair is slicked back and he’s wearing a black--striped suit, as if he were going to a funeral. “I’m Wesley’s, uh wife. I took the first flight I could out of San Antonio to be here because when he wakes up. I know he’ll want to see me.”

He steps forward, intimidating me with his tall stature and I let go of Wesley’s hand. It falls lifelessly beside him and my heart hurts to see that. His mom quickly moves forward pushing me out the way to get to the son they don’t talk to often. She’s rather petite compared to his father. She looks like the portrait of Sunday’s finest in her red dress and heels. Not a single hair in her bob is out of place.

“Wife huh? I’ve never heard about you. All the girls say the same thing. We’ll tell him you were here. Will that make you feel better?” He leans into his wife and not so quietly whispers, “Maybe now we can convince him to sell the ranch. He’ll be too hurt to take care of it.”

I butt in throwing my two cents for what it’s worth. I really hope Wesley can’t hear any of this. “I’m assuming you’re Mr. and Mrs. Tyler? Wesley will never sell the ranch to you.”

His dad ignores me and moves in closer to Wesley. I need out of this room before I cause a scene in ICU and get escorted out. I whisper a quick ‘I love you’ before walking out. I’ll be back first thing in the morning to see him, they won’t stop me.

Amber is sitting in the waiting room sipping on old coffee. She jumps up the minute she sees me and comes barreling forward. “How is he, Hope?”

I sigh wishing I never had to see him like that. The tears are ready to spring back up but I push them back. “He’s unconscious right now,” I whisper. “His face is bruised badly. His arm is broken and his stomach is wrapped like he has broken ribs.”

“Shhh, I know sweetie. It’s ok.” She pulls me in hugging me tight as I let the tears fall. I know visiting hours are done for the day but I can’t bring myself to want to leave this hospital. I will sleep in the most uncomfortable chair here is if it means I can stay.

“Your Mom called and she’s worried. I told her we were here and you were in the room with him. I promised her we’d keep her posted.”

“Thank you Amber, I don’t know what I would do without you right now.”

I hear a scoff and immediately I know who it is. I’m not the biggest fan of his parents and I hate that. We don’t know each other, it shouldn’t be like this. “Go back to where you came from, he has us and we’re all he needs. I told you we’ll tell him you came by.”

I sneer at them with my red puffy eyes. His dad has some nerve. His mom never says anything, I’m not sure if she was afraid to, but she cut me some eyes like she feels sorry for me. I pull away from Amber’s hug in time to see her appalled face. She’s probably figured out who they are, but like me, doesn’t understand why they are so damn mean. Being this way won’t change anything with their son. It’s not going to magically wake him.

I walk straight up to his dad without a care in the world. I won’t be intimidated. I thrust my finger at his chest and poke him as I respond, “I’m not going anywhere. I love your son and he loves me. I’m carrying his child, got that? I will be here every waking minute I can and he will see me when he wakes up.”

I turned quickly embarrassed of my actions but proud that I put my foot down. An arm touches mine and I pull away to see who it is. His mom is beside me with a tear in her eye. “My son is going to be a father?”

“Yes ma’am. I just found out and was going to tell him when he came home but this happened. I honestly don’t appreciate the hostility, especially since we’ve never met.”

“Nolan means well dear, I want you to know that.” Mr. Tyler clears his throat rather loudly and I cut him some eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Hope right?” His mom’s smile rubs off on me and I step back from my hostility. I nod at her before walking towards the elevator with Amber right behind me.