No One Else (The Ladies Who Brunch 2)

Chapter19

Amelia

“Easy, Amelia.” A familiar voice pulls me out of the deep sleep I was just under, and as I slowly blink my eyes, I take in the fluorescent lights above me.

“Where am I?”

“You’re at the hospital, honey.”

“Mom?” I go to turn my head in the direction of her voice, but a flash of pain shoots through my body.

“Don’t move, sweetie. You’ve been in an accident.”

Like a movie reel, flashes of the past twenty-four hours play out in my mind—Ethan showing me the picture that Oliver drew, Oliver coming into my office and breaking my heart with his words and love, running out of my office just to get away from them, the crunch of metal as someone ran a red light and plowed into the driver’s side of my car, and then the doctors telling me I would need surgery to repair my arm—it all hits me like a ton of bricks that no amount of drugs can abate.

“The surgery?” I croak out as more faces come into view.

“You did good, Amelia Be Delia,” Penelope says as she hovers over me. “Doc said you have a bionic arm now, so you’ll be back to spinning on the pole in no time.”

Laughter bubbles out of me but at the price of pain. “Don’t make me laugh.”

“I’m going to go get the nurse,” Noelle declares, and then I hear the door to my room opening and closing.

“Is there anything I can get you, baby?” my mom asks, smoothing my hair from my face.

“I’d like some water, please. And to sit up if that’s possible.”

“You’ve got it.”

A nurse comes in at that moment and checks my vitals before using the switch on the side of my bed to incline the top half so I can see. My left arm is in a cast that I struggle to lift, but all I care about right now is clearing the fuzziness from my mind. “The doctor will be in shortly. I’m going to increase the pain meds, which may make her sleepy again, so don’t be alarmed if she starts going in and out of consciousness,” she explains to my friends.

Like ice traveling through my veins, I feel the medication enter my body and bring reprieve from the aches, both physical and emotional. It’s the first time I’ve felt numb in weeks, and I’m going to enjoy it, at least while it lasts.

“I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks. I need to see her. I need to tell her so many things, and no one is going to stop me!” A voice from outside has my mother and my friends all turning their heads toward the door.

“You’re sure you’ve figured out your shit?” my brother asks the man outside.

“I’ve never been more sure about anything, man. I love her. Now let me in before you regret standing in my way.”

Ethan.

“Is that Ethan?” I turn to my mom, asking for clarification.

“I think so. Your brother said he ran into him at your office when he went by to collect some things for you and insisted on coming by to see you, but Nick told him no.”

“He did?”

She smooths her hand down my face again. “He wanted to make sure you were okay with seeing him first. What should I tell him?”

I look between the eyes of my friends and my mom, who have now gathered around me. “I don’t know…” My mind begins to feel woolly, but my heart begins to ache again. Even the pain medication can’t make that go away when it comes to him.

Before I can answer, Nick opens the door and closes it behind him. “Hey, look who’s up.”

“Is that Ethan out there?”

“Yes. I got him to sit down and take a few breaths while I came in here to check on you. How are you feeling?”

“Well, they gave me more drugs, so that’s helping.” Everyone laughs. “What does he want?”

Nick walks over to my bed and sits softly on the edge by my legs, reaching for my hand. “Look, I know things between the two of you are broken. But the man has been blowing up my phone for the past three hours, begging to see you. I kept him away for as long as I could, but I think it’s time you two talk. You didn’t see his face when I told him about your accident, Amelia. I thought his knees were going to buckle, and he stopped breathing for a good minute. He loves you, and he planned on telling you how much before your lunch plans were derailed.”

Our lunch. We were supposed to meet up for lunch today. He must have been waiting for me and then realized I wasn’t there.

I forgot that I agreed to those plans today as I ran away from him the night before. Turns out, running from him has become my M.O., and that’s not something I’m proud of. But every time we talk, his pleading grows more desperate with nothing closer to concrete evidence that he’s reevaluated a possibility of our future. And even though he said he changed his mind yesterday afternoon before my accident, I’m reluctant to believe him—because believing him would mean putting myself in a position to be hurt again, to be even more disappointed because I allowed myself to hold onto hope with the potential to be shattered once more.

And I don’t know that I can handle any more pain.

“I appreciate you trying to advocate for him, Nick, I do…but I was actually going to ask you for your help with something before the accident happened.” I blow out a breath and then speak. “I was thinking you could help me find another office once I get out of here.”

“What?” Noelle and Charlotte say simultaneously.

Everyone stares at me as I find the words. “I…I can’t work there anymore. It’s too hard. The last few weeks have been the hardest of my life, and seeing him and Oliver around the complex is preventing me from moving on. I can’t try to move forward knowing he’s across the courtyard and watching my every move. I can’t ask him to leave, so that only leaves one option. For me to do it.”

“Amelia, I don’t think this is what you want,” Noelle declares.

“Me neither, Amelia Be Delia,” Penelope chimes in. “Which is why I’m going to let Ethan in here in about five minutes, and there will be no more talking about moving offices.” She looks down at her phone and then back up to me, smiling.

“Are you joking?”

Noelle chimes in. “Nope. We were actually talking about this before your accident and had planned an intervention. You need to talk to him. Ethan has been blowing up our phones too.” My three best friends share a look.

“Damien even told me he’s been calling him, trying to get updates on your condition. The man is in knots, and the least you can do is hear him out. If, after you talk, you decide you want nothing to do with him, then we will stand by your side and support you. But we’re your best friends, and we know what’s best for you even if you can’t see it. So shut up and let the man say what he needs to say. Then if you decide you’re really done, we will guard you like soldiers outside of a castle until the end of time, and we won’t let him through. Nick will help you find another office, and Noelle will even venture out into the dating world again to help you back on the saddle when you’re ready.” Charlotte reaches for my good hand and gives it a squeeze.