17. Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Shawn

I drove around aimlessly. I was waiting to hear from Marketa.

Watching them leave the arena killed me. There wasn’t much I could do, I know that. But I would have stepped in. However, he was hell bent on taking her home.

I had to chuckle to myself because in all truth, this felt like a high school situation. He took her from a party she wasn’t supposed to be at, yelled at her on the way home, or once they got home, then grounded her for life.

The only difference, she was an adult and had a say in how she wanted to handle things. And if he was going to pull the whole ‘this is my house’ card, she knew damn good and well she could move in with me. Okay, so maybe there had already been plans and talks about it. It was all true, though. I even had one of the guest rooms by the master being redone into a baby room.

I pulled up to a stop light, then glanced down as my phone dinged, seeing a text message pop up from Marketa.

“Huh,” I muttered, picking it up while I waited for the light to change.

[Not sure what’s going on, but got into it with my dad. On the way to Memorial Hospital right now.]

My eyes opened wide. No, this was not happening.

I didn’t want to think he would abuse her, but maybe I didn’t know the man as well as I thought I did.

I glanced around, seeing how dead traffic was, and making sure no cops were around, then flipped an illegal u-turn. Nothing was going to stop me from getting to this woman and being there when she needed me the most.

I already felt like I failed her thanks to not stepping in with her dad, no matter what she said. I wasn’t sure if it would help, or if she would see it, but I had to reply.

On my way.

I gunned the car, only to slam on the brakes as I got to another red light.

“Come on,” I cried, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel. I looked around, seeing no cops, or traffic. I hated the lights that were timed rather than detectors. But I already did an illegal move, I was about to try my luck at doing something stupid again.

Finally, the light turned green, and I slammed on the gas, taking off like a bat out of hell.

“I’m coming, Shorty,” I muttered in the car. It felt better with me putting it out in the universe like that.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I screamed, hitting yet another red light.

That’s the way it went for every streetlight on the way to the hospital. What should have taken me only ten minutes, was taking me nearly twenty. At this point, they were going to take her in and give me no information, seeing as I was nothing more than a boyfriend.

“Give me a fucking break,” I groaned, coming up to the last one. I looked around, shaking my head, and then took a breath, running through the intersection. And sure enough, I saw the lights flashing behind me. “Yup, just knew it.” I pulled off on the side of the road and rolled down my window.

No point in delaying anything longer than I had to. I wasn’t going to waste the cops’ time or mine. So, I grabbed the documents as well, already having it ready for him.

“In a hurry, sir?” he asked, looking over everything.

“Yes, actually. My girlfriend was rushed to the hospital, and I’m worried it’s my baby. I didn’t mean to run the light, I just hit everyone on the way here. This was my last one and I can’t wait anymore.” I didn’t mean to word vomit, but as the cop handed me back the stuff, I was kind of glad I did.

“I’m letting you off with a warning, Mr. Colter. Don’t make this a habit.”

“Thank you, Officer. Have a good night. And thank you for keeping our roads safe.” I started the car up, making a mental note to donate to the police department later on.

I pulled into the parking lot, right as my phone went off again.

Where are you?

I just parked, Shorty. I hit every red light on the way.

I knew you’d be here.

Always, Shorty. What’s the room number?

702. It’s the baby ward. I’m scared, please hurry.

I jumped out of my car and raced inside.

Going as fast as I can.

It’s good to be a basketball player, because when you’re in a hurry, and you’re a tall man, people move out of the way for you. It’s like they’re afraid we’re run over them. We aren’t semi-trailers; we know how to stop.

“Where’s the elevator to get to the 7th floor?” I asked the front desk cleric.

“To the left. But you won’t get past the lobby if you aren’t married.”

“I don’t care. I’ll sleep out there and wait. Thank you.”

I ran to the elevators, tapping my foot as it seemed to take forever. The anxiety was getting to me, and I was about ready to burst through the stairs. But luckily, the doors opened faster than I thought, and the ride was even faster.

I ran to the desk, smiling at the nurse that was sitting there.

“May I help you?”

“Hi, good evening, yes. I need to see Marketa Jones, please?”

“And you are?”

“Her fiancé.” The words slipped out before I could stop them and the woman raised a brow, as if questioning that statement.

“I’ll give you a temporary pass, Mr. Colter, but as her dad clearly stated not to let you in, I’m going to go out on a limb and say you aren’t.” She handed me the visitor sticker. “You can only be on the floor for a few minutes, but it’s enough to check in on her. Take the hallway on the left.”

“Thank you. I just need to make sure she’s okay.”

“Don’t tell anyone I did.” I gave her a smile, stuck the badge on, and then made my way down the hallway, already hearing the heated voices.

“Dad, he’s on his way. Would you please stop?”

“He’s only telling you that, Marketa. He won’t be here, he’s not that kind of man. He should have been here by now, if that was the case. He’s already living up to the expectations I told you about. Something better probably came along.”