Talon (Ashes & Embers 4)

Talon: I have to go. We have a sound check. I'll get in touch tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

Me: Ok… have a good night. I miss you xo

He doesn't reply, and I'm completely dumbfounded. My gut tells me something else is going on here he isn't letting me in on, because this behavior is so unlike him. He hates to fight. He hates distance between us just as much as I do. I rack my brain, trying to remember everything from the past few days, attempting to come up with a clue of some sort as to what's got him so twisted up. We haven't made love in two days, which is also unusual for him. Both nights he told me his head felt funny and he felt too tired. And then he fell asleep almost immediately, hugging me. Which I love, but it's odd for him. He's also been distracted. Several times in the past month, he's spaced out during a conversation and I've had to repeat myself. Maybe there's more stuff going on with the band he doesn't want to tell me about and he's stressed out by it all.

Worried, I decide the best thing to do is give him what he keeps asking for—time to think. As hard as it is, I refrain from sending any more texts or attempting to call him.

My fingers reach up to touch the necklace hanging against my chest, remembering his words when he gave it to me on Christmas Eve. I'm always with you.

I silently pray that's still true.

Chapter 34

Asia

I'm lying in bed reading, unable to sleep, when my cell phone rings from my nightstand. I don't even care that it's almost one a.m. I'm just relieved he's finally calling me. An entire day has passed since his last text when he told me he needed to think, and it's been torture for me waiting for him to get in touch.

But when I pick up my phone, it's Asher's name flashing on the screen.

"Hello?" My insides go cold as I hold my breath, hoping Talon is using his brother's phone for whatever reason, like maybe the battery is dead in his.

"Asia, it's Ash. I'm sorry to call so late…" Shit.

"It's okay. Is everything all right?" I sit up in bed, my book falling to the floor.

"No. Talon fell off the stage tonight. We've been at the hospital, and they're running some tests, but I think you should come. I'm getting the feeling something serious is going on."

A little gasp escapes me as my heart jumps into overdrive. "Oh my God, what happened? Is he okay?"

"We're not sure. He may have blacked out. It all happened so fast. One minute he was on the edge of the stage playing, and the next, he just fell right off. He's a little banged up and he smacked his head on the floor."

"Oh God…" I jump out of bed and run to the closet, frantically pulling out random clothes and throwing them onto the bed.

"He's been kinda off the past few days. He thought he had an ear infection. If he does, then he definitely could have gotten dizzy and lost his balance. It happens."

"That's true. He's been complaining of headaches since Christmas, too."

"Right. An ambulance brought him to the ER, and I've only talked briefly to the doctor so far. I'm waiting to hear more. I just think you should be here."

"Of course."

"I checked into some flights for you. There's a 5:30 a.m. flight out of Manchester, and you'll get here a little before noon. I'll arrange for a driver to pick you up at the airport and bring you here, and I'll book a hotel room for you. I'll text you all the info when we hang up."

"Okay. Thank you so much. Have you called your parents?" Noon is so far away; that's almost twelve hours before I can actually get to see him.

"Yeah, they're in California discussing a movie deal for one of Mom's books, but they're going to try to get out here tomorrow night."

"Okay. I'm going to pack a few things, then I'll leave."

"Are you gonna be okay to get yourself to the airport?"

"Yes, definitely." I'll drive the shit out of that car to get to my husband and get on that evil plane.

"Drive safe. I'll send that info now, and I'll see you when you get here. Try not to worry."

"Thank you for all your help, Asher. Please stay with him."

I end the call and toss the phone onto the bed, my entire body trembling with fear and worry. I try to steer my thoughts over to Asher's words—if Talon has an ear infection, he may have gotten dizzy and lost his balance. But he also said he had a feeling something serious is going on, and that's the part I can't stop hearing over and over again in my head.

I pull my small, beat-up suitcase out of the closet and start piling my clothes into it, when Pixie jumps on the bed and steps into the suitcase, circling in my clothes.

Oh no! What am I going to do with her if I'm leaving?

Retrieving my phone, I call Kat, hoping she'll answer at this time of night, and she does, on the fifth ring.

"Asia?" Her voice is scratchy and muffled.

"Kat, I'm so sorry to call you so late, but I need a huge favor."

"Sure…of course. What time is it? Are you all right?"

"Yes. No… Talon is in the hospital in Florida, and I need to go there right away. But I need you to watch Pixie for me. Do you want to stay here and house-sit for me?"

"Oh no! Is he okay? What the hell happened?"

"'I'm not sure." I lift the cat out of my suitcase and snap it shut so I don't end up taking her with me by accident. "Asher called me and said Talon fell off the stage."

"Holy shit. Was he wasted?"

"Kat! No, he doesn't do that! They think he may have an ear infection, but Asher sounded worried. Talon hit his head when he fell. I need to get there, and my flight leaves at five a.m."

"Your flight? You're getting on a plane?" She doesn't even try to hide her shock.

"I have to. I need to get to him, Kat. He hasn't been right since the fight we had. I feel terrible. If anything happens to him, I'll never forgive myself." I choke on my words as tears well up in my eyes.

"Okay…anything you need, hon. Please don't cry. Should I come now?"

"If you can, that would be great. I'm so sorry to do this to you."

"For God's sake, Asia. Don't apologize. I'll be there in half an hour."

"Thank you! You're a doll."

While I wait for Kat, I scribble a list for her about what and when Pixie eats, the alarm code, and leave her a few hundred dollars left over from the cash Talon set aside for me when he went away in October.

I read over the text Asher sent me, which has details for everything I need about the flight, the hospital, and hotel. He also noted at the end that he hasn't yet talked to a doctor, but he will text me if he hears anything before I get there.

"I'm so excited to be staying at Chateau Valentine!" Kat exclaims when she arrives, throwing her arms around me in the foyer. "Don't worry, Asia. He's going to be fine. You're pale as a ghost."

"I appreciate you coming over so fast. I'm not sure when I'll be back, though—"

She waves her hand at me. "No worries. I can stay as long as you need me to. Rob can come here if he wants to hang out at night. I promise we won't trash your beautiful house."

"I know that, Kat. There's food in the fridge, I left you cash in case you need anything for Pixie or yourself… The guest room is clean—no one's ever slept in there. Help yourself to anything you need. I left the alarm code on a note in the kitchen, too. If you don't set it before midnight and when you leave the house, it will send us a text message."

"Swanky."

"And don't drive the monster truck," I tease.

"Well, damn, now you've wrecked my day. I was planning to go off-roading."

I scoop up Pixie from the floor and give her a little kiss. "You be good for your auntie." I stroke her little head and put her back down before turning back to Kat. "I can't thank you enough."

"Stop. Do you even know where the airport is? I could drive you."

"I actually do know where it is, and that's okay. I can leave my car in the lot."

"Do you want a sedative for the flight?"

"Why are you always offering me pills?"

&nbsp

; "Because you're a nervous wreck and you've never been on a plane."

Sighing, I grab my purse and my suitcase. "I'll be okay. I need a clear mind when I see him."