Certain I am seconds from being sick again, I dash to the waste bin located halfway down the corridor. Since I don’t have anything in my stomach, I only dry heave, but it’s enough to have Jacob’s stomach clenching along with mine.
Its violent churns are heard when he asks Cormack, "Is that just Noah's share or the band’s as a whole?"
Before Cormack can answer, Marcus jumps back into the conversation. “Can’t the record label bail us out; can’t they do something?”
“The label would usually pay, but we have to remain cautious on if we’ll recover the loss or not.”
Jacob’s stance firms as he breathes harshly out of his nose. He heard Cormack’s statement the same way as me. He’s unsure on if Noah will survive his injuries.
Just as Jacob is about to rebut Cormack’s statement, a deep voice interrupts our private conversation. “I’ll pay it.”
When my eyes lift from the waste bin to the voice, I’m shocked to discover Isaac’s piercing gray irises staring back at me. They’re not as stern as they usually are, but something in them has changed since we last met.
“You can’t do that,” I reply through the churns of an upset stomach.
He offers me a handkerchief from his suit jacket pocket before helping me back onto my feet. “Yes, I can; consider it a loan. Once Noah is back on his feet, you can pay me back.”
Shock fills me when Jacob seizes my elbow to drag me behind him. He is acting as if Isaac is a threat to my safety. I don’t know why. He’s never been an enemy of mine, and he’s offering to help us. Isn’t that a good thing?
With my pulse beeping in my throat, my eyes drift to Nick, wondering if he too can feel the tension hanging thickly in the air. He’s no longer pacing. He’s frozen in place, gawking at his brother, apparently as unaware of his substantial wealth as the rest of us.
10
After a lengthy discussion, the band accepts Isaac’s offer of a loan on the understanding it will be paid in full once Noah has recovered. Cormack suggested for the band to continue with the tour as scheduled but have a replacement singer brought in for Noah.
They refused, point-blank.
They said there's no Rise Up without Noah, and that they'd rather be in debt than play without him. I'm not surprised by their dedication of their lead singer. Slater, Marcus, and Nick are Noah's brothers. They've been with him through thick and thin, and are as confident as me that he'll come out of this stronger than ever.
It's been a tiring day, but I'm glad Noah has the full support of his band. His concentration needs to remain on getting better. Their decision today will help him do that.
My eyes float up to Jacob when he hands me a sandwich from the vending machine in the corridor. “Here you go, Em.”
As per the doctor's orders, he's been making sure I consume enough nutrients each day, but since he's reluctant to leave Noah's side, we've been living off vending-machine food.
“Thank you, Jacob.” Words will never express how grateful I am for everything Jacob is doing for Noah and me. He truly is a remarkable man and friend.
As I take a bite of my tomato and cheese sandwich, Jacob makes his way to Noah’s bedside. My brow arches when he carefully places something around Noah’s neck. He’s talking to Noah, but since his words are hushed whispers, I don’t hear anything he says.
I wish that was still the case a few seconds later when I catch the last portion of their conversation, "Happy birthday, Noah."
Guilt swamps me, making it hard for me to breathe. I completely forgot today is Noah’s birthday. I’ve been so tied up in his recovery, I didn’t stop to consider what day it is, much less the actual date.
I don’t even have a present for him as I was planning on our wedding being his gift.
When a pained sob scuttles up my throat, Jacob shifts on his feet to face me. “Don’t you dare cry, Em. This gift is from both of us.”
I try to stumble out a pathetic excuse on how I forgot Noah’s birthday, but I’m at a loss on how to reply—other than I’m a terrible person.
Jacob gives me a few minutes to settle the dam in my eyes before wordlessly requesting for me to join him at Noah’s beside.My legs shake when I stand from my chair and pad closer to him, then they almost buckle when I notice a wooden guitar pendant nestled between Noah’s pecs.
“It’s the same shape as the guitar you bought him for his birthday last year.” Jacob’s low tone reveals he too is struggling to hold in his emotions.
I lose the ability when he flips over the pendant. My handwritten name is inscribed on the back.
“How?” I ask through a barrage of hiccups.
When Jacob tucks me in close to his side, I feel his raging pulse as much as I hear it in his reply. “Ryan found part of the inscription you wrote on Noah’s guitar at the accident site before you arrived. I wish he could have gotten the whole inscription, but he found the most relevant section—your name. Jenni had it placed onto the pendant for me today. I know Noah isn’t a fan of jewelry, but I think he’ll like this one.”
