Chapter 54

Chapter Fifty-Four

Will

" T welve-eighty," I told the guy holding his bank card up. He tapped the card reader, pocketed his card, then picked up his drinks and walked back to his table. "My pleasure, don't mention it, dickhead."

"I don't know why you get so upset," Marcus said as he wiped the bar down in front of me. "You know most pissed-up people have no manners."

I did know, and that was one of the few reasons why I hated owning a bar. There weren't many others, but rude customers were definitely one. Not seeing Maya was another. I couldn't not take my turn on the rota for a Saturday night, it wouldn't be fair, but it didn't mean I liked it.

"That hen night are getting a bit lairy as well," I ground out, everything getting on my nerves. "Maybe we should cut them off."

Marcus burst out laughing. "It's not like they're ordering quadruples or anything like that. They're just enjoying themselves."

"Yeah, well when the mother of the fucking bride thinks it's okay to squeeze my arse like she's testing the juiciness of an orange, I think that I'm entitled to be a killjoy."

He laughed again and called over to a serve one of our regulars. "Two pints, Joe?" When he got the thumbs up, he pulled two pint glasses from under the bar and set them under two pumps, and pulled them at the same time. "Are you grumpy because you've got blue balls, seeing as you haven't seen Maya since last weekend."

We'd both had busy weeks and had only managed our nightly phone calls; no lunchtime meetups or evening dinners. So, yes, I was grumpy because I hadn't seen Maya, and yes, I had fucking blue balls.

"She's coming over tomorrow morning."

"She won't be waiting at home for you when you've finished?" He finished pulling the pints and set them down in front of Joe, taking the cash from him and programming it into the till. "Keeping the bed warm."

"Nope," I replied like a sulky teenager, moving down the bar to the next customer.

While I served them, Marcus carried on down his end of the bar and Dilly worked the tables, carrying on with a usual Saturday night. Thankfully we were busy, so it didn't drag, but when it reached last orders, I was still relieved.

"I'll Z the tills and then stick the trays in the safe," I told Marcus. "We can bag it all tomorrow."

He saluted me and then turned to watch Dilly lean over the bar and grab a cloth to clean down the tables. I shook my head, despairing of his bloody desire to hook up with her, no matter how many times I'd told him it wasn't happening.

"Dills, leave that, love," I told her. "You get off. Your car is by the door, right?"

"Yep." She placed the cloth on the bar. "Sure, it's okay to go?"

I waved her away. "Me and Marcus can wipe down."

As she left, shouting a final goodbye, Marcus narrowed his eyes on me. "You knew I was going to make a move tonight, didn't you?"

"No," I laughed. "And I've told you, don't."

"Why not?" he smirked, like he thought I was the most stupid person on earth.

"Because she'll say no, and your ego won't take it. Then you'll sulk for days and be a pain in my fucking arse."

He gave an empty laugh as if the idea of her saying no was absurd. I threw the cloth at him.

"Get wiping, stud."

As we both set about cleaning up my phone rang in my pocket. It was almost midnight, and there were only two people who would call me—Maya or Maddy. I pulled my phone out, expecting either of their numbers, but it was unknown. I almost didn't answer it, but something inside of me told me I had to.

"Hello."

"Will, it's Jack, Maya's brother."

"What's wrong?" I knew something was. I just felt it. My heart was racing. With my legs feeling like jelly, I grabbed for a stool. "Is Maya okay?"

"She's had a car accident," Jack said, his voice shaky and breathless. "She was on her way to see you and some fucker rear-ended her on the M62."

I literally felt the colour drain from my face as my stomach dropped. "Is s-s-she…"

"She's in hospital. Manchester General. I'm on my way there now, but you'll probably be able to get there sooner than me. I've told them you're her fiancé so you can get information. Mum and Dad are leaving Scotland now, so should be at the hospital in about four hours."

"Right, okay, I'm going now." I pushed up from my stool and had to force my legs to move. If her parents were on their way, it had to be bad. "Message me any details that you think I might need. I know her date of birth but I…" I blew out a breath as I turned full circle, no idea what I was looking for. Marcus had clearly picked up on the fact something was wrong because he threw me my keys that I hung up behind the bar.

"Will, just drive carefully. She's going to be fine."

"You know that?" I grasped at the idea like I was drowning, and it was a lifebelt because that was exactly how I felt—like I was drowning. My lungs were tight, and I could barely breathe.

As soon as the call ended, Marcus ran to the door and pulled back the bolts, and swung it open.

"Maya's been in an accident," I told him as I ran a hand through my hair.

"I guessed." He slapped my back, gently pushing me outside. "Go and be fucking careful."

Then everything melted into the background because the only thing in my head was getting to Maya.

I made it to the hospital in record time, knowing full well that a speed camera had flashed me. Thankfully I'd found a parking space, and with Jack telling the hospital that I was Maya's fiancé, I'd been allowed onto the ward. I was waiting for the doctor to come and talk to me. All I'd been told was that she was comfortable.

My knees bounced as I sat and waited, seeing as pacing hadn't helped at all. I leaned forward, hoping to alleviate the pain in my stomach, but it wasn't helping in any way. Looking down at my phone, I saw I had been there almost forty minutes, which meant that Jack couldn't be far away. Standing up, I went to the door and looked through the glass. There was no one around, and I was getting more and more anxious. I started pacing, which still didn't help, and carried on waiting.

After a few more minutes, the door was flung open, and Jack came barrelling in breathing hard.

"What's happening?" he asked, trying to catch his breath.

"They've just told me that she's comfortable. That's all I know."

Suddenly I was dragged into his arms and into a strong hug and back slap. "She's going to be alright, bud. She's strong."

As we pulled apart the door opened, and a small guy with his shirt sleeves rolled up smiled at us both.

"Maya's fiancé and brother, is that right?"

We nodded, and I took his outstretched hand. "Will."

"Jack, Maya's brother," Jack offered as he then greeted him.

"Dr Young. Please take a seat."

Jack and I exchanged worried glances as we took a seat opposite the doctor. Thank fuck he was smiling.

"Okay, so the situation is this," he said. "Maya has a broken left wrist and three cracked ribs. She's got some stiffness in the neck, which would indicate she has whiplash, so don't be alarmed when you see her wearing a collar, it's just a temporary measure."

"Is she awake?" Jack asked.

"Yes, she is. She's a bit battered and bruised, so she's in a fair amount of pain, but we are giving her something for that. That means she may fall asleep soon. Which is why I'm going to let you see her for a few minutes before she does."

Both of us stood up immediately while Dr Young stayed seated. He grinned and held his hand up.

"One second, guys." We both sat back down, and my knees started bouncing again. "She's been very lucky it was only her quick thinking to veer into the hard shoulder when the other car hit her that stopped her from ploughing into the truck in front."

Nausea hit me, and when Jack groaned and grabbed my arm, I knew that piece of information had hit him hard, too.

"So," Dr Young continued, "we don't think there'll be any reason to keep her in. However, when she goes home, I need you to keep a look out for some form of post-accident trauma. What could have happened may hit her hard once she's got time to think about it."

"I'll keep a close eye on her," I said.

"We'll watch her like a hawk," Jack said at the same time.

Dr Young slapped the wooden arms of his chair. "Okay, let's take you to her."

Leading us to the side room that Maya was in, I was desperate for him to quicken his steps. I needed to see her—the woman I loved. There was no point in denying it any longer.

Finally, we reached the room. There on the bed Maya was lying, looking tiny and pale against her pillow

"Fuck," I muttered.

Her eyes fluttered open, and a smile ghosted over her face. "Hey."

Jack rushed over to her and bent to kiss her forehead. "What the hell, Mays."

"I know. I'm sorry."

I stood back to let them have a few moments, watching as her brother brushed her hair from her face. Looking down at her, he took in a deep breath and then slowly blew it out, and I noticed how his hand was shaking at his side.

"I'll leave you for a few minutes," Dr Young whispered to me. "She's in a temporary cast at the moment, so tomorrow we'll put her in a permanent one, but she needs some sleep for now."

I grabbed his hand and shook it. "Thank you, Dr Young."

"My pleasure and she's going to be fine."

As he slipped out of the door, Jack turned to me and then back to Maya. "Will's here, Mays." He took a step back, and I immediately rushed forward to take his place.

"Hey, gorgeous." Leaning closer, I placed my arm above her head and took her good hand in mine. "What were you doing driving on the motorway so late?"

Her eyes drooped but then she took a breath. "Coming to see you. I wanted to be there when you got home."

"Oh, sweetheart." I swallowed back the huge lump in my throat, hoping that the tears which were threatening didn't come. Now was a time to be strong. "I heard you acted brilliantly when the car hit you."

"I just knew I couldn't go into the back of the lorry." Her words were slow and deliberate. Her pain meds were kicking in. "I didn't know what else to do. I hit the bank."

"I know, but better that than the truck." Glancing over at Jack, I gave him a tight smile, and he gave me a sharp nod. "We're going to leave you to sleep, but I'll be here when you wake up if they let me."

"Go home, baby," she murmured, barely awake.

Kissing her forehead, I moved back and let Jack take my place to say his goodbye. When we walked through the door, I glanced back, not sure that I could leave her but knowing that I had to.

"Do you think they'll let me stay?" I asked Jack.

He shrugged, his hands deep in his pockets, his gaze on the door of Maya's room. "Maybe. I don't know. I think I'm going to find a Travelodge or something close by and see if I can get a room, and then Mum and Dad can use it when they get here."

"You don't need to get back home tonight?" I glanced at the clock on the wall, and it was almost two-thirty. "Or should I say this morning."

"Heather told me to stay as long as I'm needed. She's taking the kids to her mum's today anyway. Why don't you do the same? Find a room."

"Yeah, it wouldn't be a bad idea." I scrubbed a hand over my face, suddenly overpowered by tiredness. "Maddy is away so I don't need to get back for her. I just need to let my head barman know he'll have to sort the bar out tomorrow."

"Come on then." He beckoned to the corridor with his head. "Let's go and find somewhere. I just want to have a quick chat with the doctor if he's still around."

My shoulders sagged with relief. "Good, I wanted to, but didn't want to overstep. I just want him to clarify that she's going to be fine."

Jack nodded and gave me a pat on the back. "Let's go and find him."

It took everything for me to walk away from Maya's room, but I just kept telling myself that she would be there the next day, because the alternative was unthinkable.