Cassidy Chapter 6

The trip to the hospital was a jumbled mess. The cops tried to make me stay at the scene, but somehow, Vader came to the rescue and got them to let me go. I gave them my information and assured them I’d be at the hospital. It wasn’t like they didn’t have enough witnesses clamoring to tell them what happened. They could wait to get my statement.

When I pulled into the hospital's parking lot, I was oddly relieved to see Vader park next to me. I’d been so preoccupied that I hadn’t noticed him following me, which was stupid. I should always be aware of my surroundings. The guys would chew me out if they knew I hadn’t been.

He led me inside and to the ER. It was clear he’d been here before by how he navigated without looking at the signs. He escorted me to the registration window. I had to fight my anger at the woman’s insistence I fill out a crapload of forms to register Sean. I wanted to be with him and know what was happening. If it wasn’t for Vader, I don’t know what I would’ve done. I probably would’ve punched her in the face, which wasn’t fair to her. The woman was doing her job.

Time dragged by for me. After filling out all the information, which, thankfully, I knew, I paced. They were working on him and wouldn’t let me in the back. For some reason, Vader stuck with me. I lost track of time. The cops eventually appeared and asked me questions. I answered the best I could, but it didn’t seem to be good enough. They seemed to be trying to pin the blame for the accident on Sean.

I was about to tell them if they asked me the same thing one more time, they could go fuck themselves when the door to the ER opened, and in rushed two sights for sore eyes. I left the one officer mid-sentence and ran to them. Griffin was the one to grab me first and hug me. He squeezed me tightly, and then, after placing a kiss on my cheek, he passed me off to Gabe to get the same treatment from him. I breathed easier just having them here, my brothers. When they let go, I heard a throat clear behind me. Turning, I faced the cop I’d left, O’Grady. He wasn’t looking pleased. His partner was with him. He was quieter but no less judgmental, in my opinion. A couple of feet behind them was Vader.

“Ms. O’Rourke, we’re super busy. We need to finish our conversation. Who are these gentlemen?” O’Grady asked.

“Officer, I have answered the same questions for you three times. My answer isn’t changing. I’m done. If you come up with new ones, you can call me. You have my contact information. I need to concentrate on Sean. I have people I need to bring up to date and keep informed.”

“And what’s your involvement in this?” O’Grady asked Gabe and Griff.

Before either could answer, I did. “Who they are is none of your business? Do you treat all victims and their families like this? You act as if we did something wrong. People at the scene told you how the other guy ran the light. You have CCTV cameras. Check them out. They’ll show we’re telling the truth. I have no idea who was driving the truck, nor do I know of any reason someone would have to target Sean. I told you, and so did Vader, that the other driver ran the light,” I pointed to the silent biker. “Sean wasn’t drinking, nor does he use drugs. You’re now pushing to the harassment stage.”

“I’d be careful using the word harassment. Your acquaintance here isn’t exactly reliable. How do we know this isn’t some insurance scheme you’re pulling?” his partner, Tavern, asked.

My outrage was tempered by Gabe and Griff coming to life. Gabe took out his phone and dialed a number. I had no idea who he was calling, but moments later, I smiled.

“I need you to find us the name and number of the police chief here in Jacksonville. Let him or her know we need to file a complaint about Officers O’Grady and Tavern. They’re harassing Cassidy and us at the hospital, making unfounded allegations. Also, call Flanagan and have him get here as soon as possible. As of this moment, all questions will go through him. Call me as soon as you have everything done.” He paused to listen for about a minute, then continued. “I don’t know. The cops are preventing us from finding out how Sean is, but as soon as I know, I’ll let you know. Thanks, Margie,” he said before he hung up. I fought not to stick my tongue out at the two cops. They were pissed.

“Our lawyer is on his way. He’ll be coming from Virginia, but they’ll fly him down, so it shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours to get him here, just like it did for us. He’ll be representing you if you like, Vader. No more answers until then. Officers, Ms. O’Rourke, and the three of us are done talking. Excuse us. Our brother needs our attention,” Gabe told them before walking past them. I followed him. Vader dropped in beside me, and Griff brought up the back. The cops stood there stunned. If they hadn’t been assholes, it would’ve never gotten to this point.

“I like your friends,” Vader whispered to me.

I laughed. “Me too.”

From that moment on, things began to move. Griff went to speak to the lady at the check-in window. It wasn’t long before a doctor came out to talk to us. Within twenty minutes at the most, we had an update, and I was shown into the back to sit with Sean. The guys were just as anxious to be with him but insisted it was my place. They knew how much I loved him. They remained in the waiting room talking to Vader.

When I reached his bedside, I couldn’t help it. I laid my head next to his on the pillow and wept as I whispered to him. “Sean, God, I can’t lose you. I love you. I’m sorry I lied to you. I’m not seriously dating anyone or sleeping with countless men. I went out twice, but there was nothing there. I left home because being near you and not being with you was killing me. I’ll always love you. You’re my heart and soul. Please, come back to us. I promise I’ll come home if you do. I won’t hold you to what you said at the house. I know you were just trying to get me to come back, but I don’t care.”

Something grazing my cheek made my eyes open. It was Sean’s hand. I gasped and raised my head to find his eyes open, and he was staring at me. His gaze was intense for someone who’d just woken up. I gulped. Was he cognizant? Had he heard what I said? Would he forgive me for pushing him to take off? It was my fault he was in this hospital bed. I went to stand up, but his hand grasped my chin and held me there.

“Sean, do you know who I am?” I asked hesitantly.

“I do,” he said somewhat hoarsely.

“Do you remember what happened?”

“Yes. I was driving, and a truck ran a red light and hit my car.”

“Yes, it did. Oh God, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault,” I admitted as tears began to fall. I tried to move away again, but his other hand came up and hooked behind my neck.

“It’s not your fault.”

“Yes, it is. I drove you to take off. You were upset. If you hadn’t been, you would’ve seen that truck sooner and been able to avoid it.” I told him. He tried to sit up. “Stop moving! They’re still running tests. I need to tell someone you’re awake. Stay still,” I commanded before attempting to move again.

He held me still. The next thing I knew, he was pulling my head down, and right before our lips met, he whispered, “I meant every word I said. I love you, Cassidy. If you want me to be alright, then you tell me what I have to do to earn your forgiveness,” he uttered before kissing me. Unlike the kiss at the house, I responded to this one. I kissed him back eagerly and passionately, the same way he was kissing me.