Whirlwind (The Champions 1)

Fighting tears, she turned and walked out of the room.

In the hallway, she almost collided with a middle-aged nurse carrying a clipboard. “Sorry.” Lexie stepped aside.

The woman was Latina, with kind, brown eyes. “I was about to get his information so we can admit him,” she said. “Are you family?”

Lexie shook her head. “I was hoping to become family. Now I don’t know. But right now I’m all he has.”

“I understand. Times like this can be hard. Do you know his birthdate, address, and insurance information?”

“You’ll have to ask him. But he’s awake and talking. You say you’re admitting him?”

“That’s right. Now that his vitals are stable—a good sign—we’ll be moving him to a room in the neurology wing. We’ve got an MRI scheduled tomorrow. After we know more, we can talk about what to do next.”

“How soon will he be in his room?” Lexie asked.

“Probably in about an hour. You’ll be able to visit him there. Meanwhile, you look like you could use a break. There’s a coffee machine in the waiting room, but the coffee’s better in the cafeteria. Just follow the signs.”

After thanking her, Lexie headed for the cafeteria. Then she remembered that Casey would be coming to bring her the truck and the keys. She would need to stay in the waiting room, where he could find her.

After filling an insulated cup from the coffee machine, she settled in a quiet corner to wait, sip the scalding liquid, and sort out her churning thoughts.

Right now, the only

thing certain was uncertainty. Lexie had always liked having life settled and planned. Now she would have to let that go. She would have to take Shane’s condition and their relationship one day at a time. She loved him—that much she knew. But what if his pride wouldn’t allow her to stay? For now, that, too, would have to be taken day by day, or even hour by hour, with no expectations. Could she do that? If not, she might be better off walking away and leaving Shane’s welfare to Brock.

She had just finished the coffee when Casey walked into the waiting room. As she rose to meet him, he gave her a half smile and held up the keys. “Come out with me—I’ll show you where it’s parked,” he said.

The night air was fresh and cool. Lexie filled her lungs as she walked with Casey to the space where the dark blue pickup was parked.

“Any change?” he asked.

“He’s awake and talking. They’ll be moving him to a regular room tonight. But he’s angry and proud, pretty much insisting he doesn’t need anybody, not even me.”

“That’s understandable. He’s a man, little sis. When I got the keys, I cleaned out his locker. His things are in the truck, but you’ll want to take his wallet and his phone inside.”

“Thanks.” Lexie pocketed the phone and cradled the worn leather wallet between her hands, feeling the shape and texture of it.

“Oh, and I checked on your bull,” Casey said. “He’s fine. Your man, Aaron, was there. He says not to worry. If he doesn’t hear from you, he’ll be loading and leaving at first light. He gave me your duffel. It’s in the truck.”

“Thanks again, Casey—for everything.” Lexie hugged him.

“Gotta go—my ride is here.” He turned and headed for a Jeep that had pulled up to the curb. Pausing, he looked back at her. “Call me if you need anything—I mean it, girl.”

She blew him a kiss and watched the Jeep drive away. It was too soon for Shane to be settled in his room. She’d have time to call Tess, if she could get a signal. And it wouldn’t hurt to find something to eat. She didn’t have much appetite, but she’d be smart to get some nourishment while she could.

Sitting on a bench outside the entrance, she made the call. No answer, but she did get her sister’s voice mail and left a brief message. It wouldn’t hurt to back it up with an e-mail. She could do that inside.

In the cafeteria, she forced down a grilled cheese sandwich and more coffee. At the table, she composed an e-mail on her phone, telling Tess what had happened.

. . . Aaron will be driving the bull home in the morning. I have Shane’s truck. I don’t know how soon you’ll see me. That depends on what happens with Shane. But I’ll keep in touch.

She paused, thinking of Corey’s funeral and how she and Shane had talked about going together before their world collapsed. She wouldn’t be going now. She could only hope that, for the family’s sake, the divorce papers would be buried and forgotten, that Rianne would be portrayed as a faithful wife, and that Corey would be remembered as a hero.

More than an hour had passed since she’d spoken with the nurse. Hopefully Shane would be in his room by now. She could at least find out.

At the hospital’s main desk she learned that he’d been moved. She followed the directions to the neurology wing, took the elevator to the third floor, and walked down the hall to Shane’s room. A nurse, a young man in scrubs this time, had just stepped out the door.

“Is it all right for me to go in?” Lexie asked. “I was planning to stay if it’s allowed.”