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Chapter Fourteen
TAMRYN
Three weeks had flown by in the blink of an eye, but the day had arrived. Most of the team had already headed to Miami. I stayed behind for a bit because I had some responsibilities in Baltimore I had to take care of first—Holden being one of them. They didn’t need me yet anyway.
He was supposed to find out today whether Merrick would allow him to delay the surgery for a bit and head to Florida. They still weren’t sure what was going on there, but if there was even a chance that it was a clot, there were risks. I honestly didn’t know what the doctor’s recommendation would be. Whatever happened, I would be there to support him, though I sincerely hoped that if the doctor told Holden that he couldn’t go and that he had to have the surgery right away, he wouldn’t fight it. However, I feared the worst.
Over the past day or so as Holden attended meetings with the team and helped to develop strategy, I could see how much he wanted to be there. How much it would devastate him if he was told he couldn’t go. And I knew he still felt like this was something he had to do to feel whole. Part of me got that. The other part knew that it was only a ripple in the ocean of life.
When the end of my workday rolled around, I was excited to see Holden and find out how things went. He’d given me a key and the codes the other day since we were spending most of our free time together now anyway. Good thing he did, too, since my phone had died earlier in the day and my charger was on his counter.
When I arrived at the house, I had a weird feeling. A sense of foreboding that I couldn’t quite place. When I walked into the house, Mrs. Reyes greeted me in the foyer.
“Ah, Miss Tamryn. How are you?”
I couldn’t help but smile. I loved this woman. She was so…genuine. And she kept Holden on his toes. I had only met her twice before, once at the hospital and once when she came to drop off supplies to the house, but I thought that we could become friends. And the woman cooked like nobody’s business.
“Mrs. Reyes. I’m well. And you?” I gave her a quick hug when she hustled over to me.
“Tamryn, I told you. Please call me Yari. And I’m good. But why are you here?”
I scrunched my brows, confused. “I’ve been staying here most nights. I came to see Holden.”
It was Yari’s turn to look confused. “El cabro is not here. I thought you were going with him.”
My stomach dropped. “Going with him…where? To the doctor? His appointment was this afternoon.”
“No, mi bonita, to the airport.”
I felt sick. Holden had gone to the airport? Did Merrick clear him for travel, or did he make the decision on his own? Did he not tell me because he was afraid of what I’d say, or did I miss a call? I squeezed Yari’s shoulder and rushed off to the kitchen where my charger was, quickly plugging the device in and losing my damn mind in the time it took to boot up.
When I could finally access my call log, I saw that I had indeed missed a call from him, but he hadn’t left a voicemail. When I checked my texts, I saw nothing. On a whim, I looked at my work email. He’d sent a note. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. It could have been considerate, him hoping I’d get it while still at the office. It could have been evasive.
Hey,
Merrick and I had a chat. He wants me to have the surgery tomorrow, but I just can’t. I need to go to Miami with the team. I need to see this through. I’ve accepted the dangers and will deal with the consequences if there are any. I’m headed to the airport now and know that you will be on your way shortly. We’ll talk when you get to Florida, okay? I’m sorry I couldn’t talk to you before I left.
Yours,
H-
Oh no, he didn’t. I could feel my blood pressure rising. After all the talks we’d had about the dangers of rushing things, of how doing certain things could mean a setback, he still went against medical advice. I’d thought I could be supportive of his decision. But that had been when, in my mind, Merrick had left that decision up to him. From that email, it sounded like Merrick had told him not to go, that it could be too dangerous, and yet…the pigheaded asshole had gone and done it anyway. I could empathize with the struggle he must be going through. But was this game really worth his life? That was probably a little extreme, but if that possible blockage turned into a clot while he was in the air or after landing, it literally could mean life or death.
Holden Cramer would be getting a piece of my mind. And since my main responsibility was now in the air on his way down south, I figured I might as well pack and get going, as well.
I had the ass of a stubborn man to kick.
Chapter Fifteen
HOLDEN
Miami was beautiful. It was also hectic. Every time I came here, the energy of South Beach blew me away. When a big event like this was being held, it was even more frenetic. Yet it fed something in my soul. The wild-child that I didn’t let out much anymore. I wouldn’t be partying during this trip, obviously. I was here for one reason, and one reason only: to see my team win and bring the Lombardi home to Baltimore. Or to congratulate one of my best friends on his win and watch as the trophy went back to Seattle.
Regardless, I needed to be here for this.
Tamryn had gotten into town last night, but we hadn’t been able to see each other. Both of us had meetings and things and by the time we were free, it was late. She’d texted me, briefly, her responses short and curt. I knew she was angry with me, but I also hoped that once I pled my case, she’d see my reasoning.
I was actually feeling okay. I’d made sure to stay on schedule with my meds, but I was down to very few now, thankfully. The new air cast was working well and allowed for better mobility, and if I watched what I did with my shoulder or kept it in the sling when I was feeling fatigued, that wasn’t too terrible either.
