Page 3 of Stanton Unconditional

“Natasha is on her way?” I ask.

Cameron nods, unable to speak past his tears, and slumps onto the floor next to Joshua’s bed, his head in his hands. For five hours I sit silently in the corner as I watch Joshua’s nurse apply and reapply water cooling blankets directly to his skin and check his vitals and check his vitals. He is hooked up to so many machines but the heartbeat sound echoing through the room is comforting, as long as I hear that beep all is ok. Cameron is a mess. I have never seen him like this. He had to ring his mother and break the news. I feel like I am having an out-of-body experience. I am numb, this can’t be real.

“I’m going to get you a drink, Cam.” He gives me a weak smile and nods as I walk back into the hall. Ben is waiting patiently with Pete, Joshua’s driver, in the small lounge area opposite Joshua’s room. They both immediately stand as I walk toward them, their faces anxious.

“He’s still ok, no news.” I mutter.

“Thank God,” Ben blows out a breath.

I rub my head. “I’m going to get some coffee. Do you want some?”

Ben nods, “Yeah, I’ll come with you.”

“I’m just going to the bathroom. I won’t be a minute.” I head through the double doors that lead to the bathrooms.

Two minutes later Ben comes into the bathroom after me. “Do you want the bad news or the bad news?” he asks me.

“Dear God, what’s happened?” I stammer.

“No, nothing with Josh.… sorry that was put badly.

Vinegar tits just arrived.”

My face drops. “Who in the hell rang her?”

He shrugs, “I don’t know.”

I am not in the mood for this bitch today. I shake my head, wash my hands and head back out to the lounge area.

She storms over to me. “Why in the hell wasn’t I rung?” she snaps.

I narrow my eyes. “Hello Amelie, you weren’t rung because you are not immediate family or Joshua’s girlfriend, that’s why.”

She scowls at me. “Last time I looked you were neither of those things either.”

I roll my eyes. “Go home, Amelie. Natasha is on her way and I know for a fact that Joshua doesn’t want you here. I will call you if there is any news.”

“I am here because Margaret, Joshua’s mother, called me and I am not going anywhere. Why in the hell was Natasha called? She left him if you care to remember,” she snaps.

Cameron walks out of Joshua’s room and looks up to see Amelie. His face drops and he quickly turns to go back into the room, hoping to escape her.

“Cameron,” she storms over to him before he can make an unnoticed getaway. “Why didn’t you call me? I’m furious.”

Cameron frowns at her and shakes his head. “I notice you haven’t asked me how he is, thanks, Amelie.” Cameron’s eyes flick to me in disgust. We don’t like Amelie. We did at first, but we have watched her manipulate Joshua like a fiddle too many times. She’s a conniving two faced bitch but Joshua seems to think she is this gentle pure friend that he has to protect. We decided collectively about two years ago that at least if Joshua spent his weekends with her, he wasn’t getting into trouble with Carson. Better the devil you know sort of thing. She is the ultimate player, and she is making a play right for Joshua. Thank God, she’s not his type. I think I will kill him if he ever goes there.

Cameron puts his hands in his pockets and glares at her. “Natasha is on her way, so you need to go home. Adrian will call you if there is any change.”

“I want to see him,” she snaps.

Cameron shakes his head “It’s only family at this stage. I will call you when he wakes. Seriously, go home. I promise. Someone will call you.”

The doctor walks back up the hall. “Ah, Mrs. Stanton?” he questions.

Cameron’s eyes flick to me nervously. “No, this is not his wife. Natasha is on her way.” Amelie’s eyes widen in shock as the doctor re-enters Joshua’s room. Cameron smirks at me and follows him. Oh no.… Great. How am I supposed to explain this shit?

“Joshua and Natasha are married?” she gasps.

I shrug. “Um, yes, not that it is any of your business.” Holy shit, she’s going to go ape. She shocks me and does the exact opposite, goes deathly pale and slumps silently into the seat. Why in the hell has Cameron told everyone that Joshua is married? It doesn’t make sense. I head back down to the cafeteria in the foyer of the hospital to grab our coffee. I am waiting in line when I see her, Natasha sprinting through the hospital hysterical, with Max running to keep up with her. I smile, this is how you act if the person you love is on death’s door. Thank God, she is here.