“I want you to set a flight up immediately for me. Have my jet pick me up tomorrow morning at eight, and I’ll use the time tonight to tie up any loose ends.”
Preston stared at me before nodding, picking up his phone, and dialing.
While he was on the phone, my own cell rang, and I saw a strange number on the screen. I knew that it might be Mom calling from the hospital, so I stepped outside and answered it. “Hello.”
“Austin, honey. I wanted to let you know that your dad is awake.” Mom’s voice shook with emotion.
“I’m done with Preston for now,” I said. “So, I’ll head right over.” I heard her sniffle at the other end. “I’ll see you soon, Mom.” I thought for a second before texting Rebecca that he was awake and that I was going to see him. I glanced at the door to Preston’s hotel room, but we were finished here. I strode to the car and got inside, pulling out of the parking lot to go to the hospital.
I was shaking as I got out of the car and walked through the main doors. I got on the elevator, seeing a nurse look at me with wide eyes and a sensual smile, but I glared at her until she looked away. I wasn’t Austin the billionaire right now walking into this building. I was a son worried about his father. She got off on the floor before me and darted away. I leaned against the wall of the car with a sigh. Once the doors opened again, I walked out and made the left turn to get to his room and walked through the door slowly. Mom was sitting beside him, leaning close and holding his hand as they spoke.
“Dad.” My voice was soft. He looked at me, his eyes tired and red. I stepped forward and took the spot on the other side of the bed, reaching for his hand. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m a little tired, but I’ll be fine. You two need to stop fussing over me.” Dad tried to smile, but I could see how uncomfortable he was. He looked weaker than I’d ever seen him, and a hint of guilt rushed through me as I thought about leaving for an undetermined amount of time.
“They’re going to take good care of you here,” I assured him. I glanced at my mom. She was smiling, but I could see the worry in her eyes. We made some small talk for a while. I asked him what his doctor said and listened to him and my mom. I learned that he was going to be there for a while, making me glad that the other cardiologist would have time to review his chart.
After a while, I asked Mom to go get some coffee with me. She frowned as she glanced at Dad before standing to follow me into the hall. “Is everything okay, Austin?”
“Yeah. I have to fly out tomorrow for some business, Mom. Something has come up.”
Her eyes narrowed with shock and anger. She’d never looked at me like this in my entire life.
“Is this that business you’ve been so obsessed with this entire trip, Austin? Is that why you’re leaving?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “How can you leave with this going on? How can you leave on Christmas? People don’t work on the holiday.” Her eyes begged me to tell her I would stay, but I merely shrugged.
“I have a doctor coming for him, Mom. That’s all I can do.” I clenched my fists at my sides.
“There’s a lot more you can do here, Austin. You could stay and support your family. You could put the business aside for the time. Until your father is home, at the very least.” Mom shook her head wearily. “I don’t want to do this alone. I need my son.”
“Mom, I have a business that I need to take care of. It’s critical, or else I wouldn’t leave. I’ll come back as soon as I can.” I was lying, but I couldn’t tell her the truth. She’d never understand.
My heart broke as a tear slid down her cheek. “Mom, I’m staying all through tonight. I am not leaving until tomorrow morning. You’ll have so much help from everyone in town. You know that everyone already knows about this.” I cracked a smile as I made the light joke, seeing her face fall even further. “Mom.”
“Every time there was a new story out about you, people talked. They gossiped about your life over there, and I remained quiet. You know why? I thought I knew my son. I am your mother, and I know that you’re kind and generous, and you love your family. I didn’t have any doubt in all those years, even when you didn’t come back for your father’s first health scare. Now you’re here to support me, and you tell me that you’re leaving?” Another tear slid down her cheek. “I don’t feel like I know you at all. You care about your damn money more than you care about your family or your father.”
“Mom,” I said, searching for the right words to make her understand.
“Just go,” she said and turned her back on me.
Mom walked back into the room, and I slumped against the wall. She really laid into me, but I wouldn’t argue with her. Not right now when I was turning around and leaving in the morning.
She told me that she didn’t know me.
As I turned to leave the hospital, I didn’t feel like I knew myself. I wanted to go and see my dad, but I couldn’t stand the idea of seeing the look on Mom’s face again. I’d try to come by later, after she was home, if I could. Dad worked hard his entire life. He’d understand the spot I was in.
Hell, I didn’t even understand the spot I was in. I walked out to the car and started the engine, feeling a sickening lump in my stomach. I pulled out of the lot and headed back to my parents’ house to get my things packed and wait for Mom to get home. I wanted to see Dad again before I left since I didn’t know when I would be back.
I had
to see Dad again. I needed someone to understand what my business meant to my life; what it had always meant.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Rebecca
I stopped by the hospital on my own to check on Mel since I hadn’t heard from Austin since he dropped me off. I was so worried, and Kim told me that she was going to get us some dinner and would meet me at my house later. I knew that Christmas was not going to happen, other than the necklace that was secured around my neck.
A quick look around told me that Austin wasn’t parked anywhere near me, making me feel sad. I sighed and got out to go back up to the ICU, greeting a few acquaintances along the way who asked about Austin’s dad. I told them that last time I checked, he was doing well. I assured them that I was going to check again. Hugs were exchanged, along with murmurs of how good it was to see us together again, which balanced out the dirty looks from the local girls who I was not friends with. For as many who supported whatever it was we were doing, there were an equal amount who were jealous. I wouldn’t be surprised if they got the news that he was back and hoped for the chance to leave this town. Austin had a lot of money and influence, and in their eyes, he could make all their dreams come true.