Slow Ride by Breezie Bennett

Author:Breezie Bennett [Bennett, Breezie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Palm Island Publishing
Published: 2019-11-08T06:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN — Jessica

The chilly, sterile air of the hospital settles on my skin as we rush into the hospital emergency room. I walk up to the check-in desk, nerves and fear spiraling down my spine. I force myself to take a deep breath and notice Elliot’s secure, steadying hand on my lower back. It feels like the only thing holding me up, keeping my head above my feet.

I’ve always been on my own. The picture of independence. I’ve never needed anything or anyone, but…

I’m so damn glad he’s here.

“Hi…” My voice comes out shaky as I walk up to the desk. “I need to see Maria Lopez. She was brought into the ER about an hour ago. She has COPD and was running a high fever.”

The receptionist barely looks up from her computer screen. “Are you immediate family?”

I swallow hard. More so than anyone I’m actually related to.

“We basically are. I live with her, and she’s—” I feel panic rising in my throat. They have to let me see her. Don’t they?

“I’m sorry,” the woman says without an ounce of sympathy in her voice. “Immediate family only.” She looks back down and continues clicking her keyboard with her enormous purple acrylic nails.

My stomach is in knots, and I can feel tears burning behind my eyes. I should have just fucking lied. I guess it’s too late now. Fear and sadness mix with anger. How can this woman be so awful?

I glance up at Elliot, feeling terrible for making him drive me here when I didn’t even think about the possibility that they might not let me see her.

“Is that your son?” Elliot asks kindly, pointing to a framed picture on the woman’s desk next to her computer. The photo shows her holding a boy who looks to be a little bit older than Asher.

She looks up over pink, thick-framed glasses and smiles (for the first time) at Elliot. “Oh yeah. That’s Jacob, my little pride and joy.” She looks down and resumes typing loudly.

What, is he chatting up the bitchy receptionist who won’t let me see Mami? This isn’t parent-bonding time.

“He’s cute,” Elliot says, studying the picture like he really cares about her kid. “He doesn’t happen to be a football fan, does he?”

The woman stops typing and looks up again, this time leaning back in her seat and giving Elliot a thorough once-over. “He loves football. He and his daddy never miss a Riders game.”

“That’s awesome. It’s great to hear about loyal fans.”

The woman narrows her eyes, clearly noticing his height and broad shoulders and noticeably athletic physique. My mind flashes to what we were doing just forty minutes ago.

Maria would cry if she knew her timing.

“Wait a second… Are you…” The reception excitedly points a pen at Elliot.

“Elliot Danes, number 22.” He holds out his hand to shake hers, flashing that alluring smile. She’s a goner. “And you are?”

“You’re the one with the kid!” she says through a gasp. “Oh, I’m Sandra.”

“Now, Sandra…” Elliot leans close to the desk like he has something secret and important to say to her.

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