Blindsided by the Spotlight: A Sports Romance by Elora Maxwell

Author:Elora Maxwell [Maxwell, Elora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Mae

THE FLASHES OF cameras are our greeting to County North Medical Center. It’s a small country hospital, but even so, I thought the early hour would make it possible for me to at least make it inside before the rumors caught up with me.

Pulling up to the main doors, Wyatt parks the car and runs around to get me. With no Dalton, the journalists pounce. I can tell Wyatt’s annoyed because he growls at the crowd before he twists to let me out.

“It’s no use,” I whisper to him. He turns fully toward me, his broad shoulders blocking most of the vultures’ views. Boldened by my discomfort with our guests, he brushes some hair behind my ear and holds his hand just below my ear. Giving me a reassuring look, he coaxes me from the car. Closing the car door and locking it up, he grabs my hand with both hands. In a different situation, I’d joke that he’s holding it like a football.

A few journalists call out questions but, thankfully, they make space for us as we grow nearer to the doors. Inside, hospital security and police officers hold off anyone who might want to follow.

Scanning the line of officers, I search for Bill’s face but don’t find it. Instead, I hear a familiar voice. “He’s not here, honey.”

Turning immediately to find the face to match the voice, I find Gale Clancy standing near the front desk with her arms crossed. I try to move to her but Wyatt’s grip is unrelenting, so I drag him over with me.

Gale begins to pull me into an embrace, but it’s difficult since Wyatt won’t let me go. She scowls at him, which finally gets him to give us the room we need. More of a mother than mine ever was, Gale was a constant in my life when I moved in with my grandmother. A friend for years and grandma’s caregiver in the final months. Gale was a rock.

“How is she?” I ask, wiping away the tears that aren’t for my mother but instead for how long it’s been since I’ve spoken to Gale.

“She’s through the worst of it. I’ll take you back to see her if you’d like.” She starts to tug me toward the hallway, but Wyatt’s anchoring hand returns to mine. Gale’s gaze sharpens. “I’ll take good care of her.” She can be sharp, but she’s only looking out for me. It’s a small town, and Wyatt is still an outsider. I give him a reassuring nod, and he lets go. Allowing me the space I need to get through, I follow Gale down the hallway.

There’s another officer inside my mother’s room. He signs over my belongings and informs me that the car has been removed from the tree it was wrapped around and towed to the nearest impound lot. Checking my wallet, I report the missing cash and the officer leaves me.

Gale checks my mother’s vitals before leaving me alone. My mother is asleep and that gives me the opportunity to really look at her.

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