The Road To Heaven (Allendale Four 3)

The elevator doors opened, and standing just outside are two familiar faces. My heart seized and I wipe my palms on my pants. This couldn’t be happening.

Jackson greeted me with a lazy smile before pulling Anderson into a hug. Oliver watched me carefully while exchanging a bro-handshake with Anderson.

“What are you doing here?” I finally asked when I was able to find my voice. I hadn’t been in the room with this many Allendale boys in a long time.

“These guys have some ideas about Hayden’s treatment,” Anderson said.

“You talked?” I asked him, feeling a bit betrayed. Anderson and I had spent most of the last two days together.

Jackson shrugged. “Anderson’s been giving us updates. It gave us time to make arrangements at the gym and get out here.”

We entered the small private waiting area outside Hayden’s room and I felt like an observer in this surreal situation. What happened to our rules? The agreement for space? Did it all go out the window if one of us needed help?

I knew the answer to that and it left me unreasonably conflicted.

The door opened and all eyes shifted to Sabine walking through, ear to her phone. She passed us without much of a glance.

“Have you seen him yet?” Anderson asked Oliver and Jackson.

Oliver replied, “No, they were doing some tests and asked us to wait. How’s he doing?”

I waited for the tears to well in my eyes again but to my surprise, there were none. It was likely I’d spent them all the night before during my breakdown. “He’s okay,” I said. “A little confused—I think it’s from the concussion. His body is beat up pretty badly and he’ll have to stay off his ankle, but I guess it could be worse.”

I heard a snort from across the room. We all turned. Sabine rolled her eyes. “Worse? How could this be worse? He’s missing the final games, including whatever shot they still have at the finals. Then every event we’ve had on our calendar will have to be cancelled. But the biggest thing is, if he doesn’t make it to pre-season practice on June first, they will give his spot to someone else.”

Jackson, adept at hiding his true feelings behind his handsome face, arranged his expression into something neutral. He stepped forward and said, “I’m Jackson Hall. This is Anderson, Oliver, and Heaven.”

“Oh, I know who you are,” she replied and cut Anderson a glance. “Friends—not family like you told the doctor.”

“We’re on the paperwork,” Anderson replied calmly.

“Well, that was a mistake. I’m his girlfriend,” Sabine said, “and physical therapist. There are protocols for a reason.”

I tried to follow Jackson’s lead with my expression but there’s no doubt I made a sound. A squeak. A growl? Something, and a warm hand landed on my shoulder.

“Sabine, right?” Jackson asked, knowing her name already. He could be such a brat. I loved him for it. “I’ve seen you on the sidelines of the games and in the tabloids.”

Her cheeks flushed at that little tidbit and she smiled again. “Therapist for the last eighteen months. Girlfriend for six. And yeah, Hayden’s a very popular a

thlete, the media can’t get enough of him, which means we also have a lot of obligations socially and for his endorsements. His injuries are going to cause a problem.”

“A problem?” I blurted. “Because you can’t go to a party or something? He’s hurt and needs time to heal and hopefully get back on the field.”

Sabine stiffened. “I know what he needs. I’m his physical therapist. I’ve helped him through dozens of injuries over the past year.” Her eyebrows raised. “What have you been here for and do you have any idea, the slightest concept, of the sacrifices he’s had to make because of his relationship with the four of you?”

It was a direct hit, with the implication she knew exactly who I was and the others and how much my absence, in particular, was noted. Before I could respond, Hayden’s doctor appeared in the doorway, forcing us all to settle down for the moment.

“Doctor,” Anderson said, walking over and shaking his hand. “How is he today?”

“He’s making decent progress. His mind is a little clearer. He’s still in a lot of pain from the injuries though, mostly the ribs.” He glanced around the room. “Hayden has asked that you all attend the meeting about his treatment plan.”

“Everyone?” Sabine asked. “Why would all of you need to be there?”

“Because,” Oliver said, quietly, “he asked. Despite what you may think, Hayden is our family and we’re here to take care of him in any way he needs.”

“But...”

Jackson gave her a sympathetic grin and threw an arm around her shoulder. “Don’t see it as a threat, Sabine. Understand it for what it is. You don’t just date Hayden. You get all of us in the package, like it or not.”