AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We arrived at the hospital and soon found ourselves back in the CCU. This time, instead of following behind me, Ty walked beside me, holding my hand. I felt stronger with him near.
Doctor Hanover stopped us at the nurses’ station before we could even enter the room. “I suppose it’s too much to hope you’ll go in one at a time.” He frowned.
“This is scary. Please let my husband support me through this challenging time.” I held Ty’s hand even tighter. This time, the doctor glanced at our fingers and nodded grimly.
“You should know we’ve medicated him in an effort to help him remain calm, but this doesn’t necessarily mean he can’t get upset. Try to avoid any topics that might trigger him.” He wandered toward the door and gestured for us to follow him. Dr. Hanover casually entered the room. “Hey, James. Your daughter and her husband are here to see you before your procedure. Don’t get worked up. Got it?” He gave my father a stern look, then ducked out of the room.
“Husband?” My father scowled. He looked at me sadly, then he glared at Ty. “You did it. The minute I was down and out.” He shook his head and already, I could see the numbers on his monitor creeping up dangerously close to the limits they had set.
“Daddy, calm down.” I sat beside him and laid a hand on his arm, but he jerked it away. “Okay, never mind.” I stared sadly at the floor while my eyes flooded with tears and my cheeks burned.
“I’m not sure what you mean, sir.” Ty frowned.
“I knew you’d find some way to get your hands on this hotel.” He closed his eyes and I knew he was in pain.
“Please. Let’s talk about this later. You’re getting too upset.” I sniffled and Ty reached over onto the hospital tray and yanked a couple of tissues from the box to pass me. “Thank you,” I murmured sadly as I swiped at my eyes and then my nose.
“I’m not trying to get the hotel, Mr. Nash.” Ty shrugged. “The hotel is my father’s deal. My interest is solely with your daughter.” He laid a hand on my shoulder and rubbed it affectionately.
I smiled up at him, admiring the way he remained so cool and calm no matter how my father tried to provoke him. ‘Thank you,’ I mouthed.
“Do you think I don’t know why you’re interested in my daughter?” My father struggled to sit up.
“Daddy,” I hissed. “Lay down before we get kicked out. You need to relax. There’s nothing nefarious going on here.”
His eyebrows rose. “Really? So, he told you about the bet?”
I frowned. “Yes. You won the hotel from a bet. What does that have to do with anything?” I glanced up at Ty. He had a hand covering his eyes and I could see his nostrils flaring.
“Not my bet.” My father shook angrily. “His!” He pointed at Ty accusingly.
“Ty? What bet?” I bit my lower lip and turned to give my husband my full attention. “What’s he talking about?”
“I wasn’t thinking,” he muttered. “I forgot all about it. It was something stupid to cheer up Drew.” Ty squatted down in front of me, but already I was glancing at the door. “I see what you’re doing, Kate. I know you want to run, but you need to hear me out first.”
“Why? Why do I? I was a bet?” My cheeks felt a hot as the midday desert sun. I turned to see my father’s reaction. He seemed wholly satisfied with the situation, which made it even worse. I wanted to leave, but Ty was intentionally blocking my escape and he knew it.
“There was a bet. You weren’t part of it.” He sighed sadly. “Want to know how I ended up in Vegas?”
“I already know. Your father sent you here.” I turned and stared at the painting on the wall behind me like it was the most interesting thing in the room. At the moment, it was certainly the safest. There were no judgey eyes on the beach scene.
Ty laid a hand on my thigh, but I pushed it off. Still, I couldn’t shut him up. “Not exactly. We were already on our way. The trip was meant to distract Drew, who had returned from his uncle’s funeral convinced he was going to die sad and alone. And I’d just discovered my live-in girlfriend of four years was screwing the pool boy.”
“Oh my fucking god,” I gritted out. “So, I’m a goddamn rebound too! This just gets better and better.” I started to yank my rings off my finger. “You sure did go to a lot of trouble for a stupid bet.”
With a frown, Ty laid a hand over both of mine. “Stop. Listen to me.”
“No,” I grumbled. “I’m getting an annulment.”
“You aren’t.” He reached up and turned my face so I had to stare into his eyes.
“I hate you,” I grumbled.
He shook his head. “No, you don’t. You’re just really hurt and disappointed. I don’t blame you.” He blew out a breath. “I lived with Paisley for a long time.”
“Four fucking years. I heard.” I glared at him.
“Yeah. And in all that time, I never wanted to marry her. Our relationship was a natural progression. We were in the same social circles. Our parents were friends. Being together was expected, but I couldn’t make myself take the next step. Breaking up with her wounded my pride.” He shifted uncomfortably. “I mentioned the pool boy, right?” He shivered.
