Page 52 of The Wiener Across the Way

“Oh, yes. Of course. We treat all kinds of celebrities here so, uh, I’m totally used to it.” She glanced back toward the double doors they’d rolled the love of my life through.

“Can you fill out her paperwork, Mr. Kingman?” The receptionist held out a clipboard to me. I hadn’t told her myname. So either she was a Mustangs fan, or a Bestie. I’d bet on the latter.

“I’ve got this.” Penelope stepped up beside me and took the clipboard from the woman. “Do we have news on her condition yet? I’m trying really hard not to freak out.”

I shook my head. “Not yet.”

My thoughts whirled between worrying that there was something seriously wrong, like a tumor or worse, and being sure she’d just worked herself to exhaustion. The chaos this would cause in the media was the last thing she needed either way. Whatever I did next, it would have to be as secret as possible, to protect Kelsey. Not just her health, but her privacy and peace of mind as well.

The doctors were still assessing Kelsey when my dad, my sister, every single one of my brothers, and Trixie came into the waiting room and surrounded me and Penelope. Trixie had a big bag on her shoulder, and Pooh popped her head up out of it, looking as forlorn as I felt.

Chris shook my hand and then pulled me in for a hug. “We’ve got you, brother.”

“Declan, how is she?” my dad asked, glancing around the waiting room with suspicious eyes. “Do we need to set up a wall of Kingmans to keep the press out?”

He did love to scare the media away, and I was grateful for it.

“Not yet. When they took her back, her vitals all sounded more like she was taking a nap than hurt or sick, so...” I replied, my voice tight.

My dad placed a reassuring hand on my back. “Son, you need to get her away from all this. I recognize someone whose been pushing themselves too hard. If she were one of my players, I’d have already benched her.”

“I know. But I can’t tell her what to do.” No matter how much I wanted to right now.

“No, you can’t. Because you’re a good man, and you were raised right.” He gave a nod of his head toward the doors to the ER. “But you’re not the only one who knows she needs quiet and to recover from this somewhere out of the spotlight.”

I nodded, my mind racing for what I could do. “Assuming they release her, I don’t want her to walk into a whole mess of media. What if I took her to the cabin?”

Dad shook his head. “It’s overflowing with Kingmans. We can skedaddle, but that is the first place the press are going to look for you two, and without the rest of us there to keep nosy media and fans at bay, it won’t be restful or private.”

My old man was right. Since our relationship was public, they’d definitely find us there. That was low-hanging fruit. “What about Mom’s old place? The little cabin near the lake?”

His eyebrows rose, considering it. “Nobody’s been up there in years, and it’s nothing fancy, Declan. Nothing like what Kelsey’s probably used to.”

Maybe she needed that. “Dad, right now, fancy is the least of our worries. She’s going to need rest, and that place is perfect. Secluded, quiet, and away from prying eyes.”

He nodded slowly. “It’s a good spot. Peaceful. Not to mention... only one,” he glanced around at the rest of the family, eyes stopping briefly on Jules and then Penelope. “Never mind, you’ll figure it out.”

Penelope, who’d been filling out the mountain of papers, had also clearly been paying attention to our conversation. She looked between us, her expression a mix of gratitude and the same determination to help Kelsey and keep her safe that I felt. “Is it safe? Is there food, a place for her to sleep, play her guitar, take Pooh for a walk? That’s all she needs. She might be a gazillionaire music star, but she’s really just a normal person like the rest of us. Aside from her enormous talent and the jet.”

“It’s safe and it’s got the basics,” I assured her. “I’ll make sure she’s comfortable. And I’ll stay with her, look after her.”

Skeeter, Kelsey’s agent, burst into the waiting area, her face a mask of concern that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She scootched her way into the circle and grabbed Penelope’s arm. “Pen, oh my god, is she okay?”

Her gaze quickly searched the space as if she’d see Kelsey just saunter out. “Can she continue? We can’t afford to cancel the rest of her shows. The record company is already on my back for rescheduling this one. Can they wake her up, give her some stimulants or something to get her back on her feet?”

I felt my jaw clench at her words. It was clear where her priorities lay, and it wasn’t with Kelsey’s well-being.

“No, they cannot. And you should be fired for even suggesting it.” My patience snapped. I would never hit someone, but my fists were curled and ready. “Kelsey needs rest, not more pressure. If you or the record label can’t see that, then?—”

My threat was cut short as Kelsey’s doctor came over. “Mr. Kingman? Oh, umm okay, lots of Kingmans, I see. Declan Kingman, you brought her in. Does she have any immediate family?”

Uh-oh. Didn’t they ask for immediate family when something was really wrong? Penelope interjected before I could say anything more. “No. She’s only got her parents, and they’re in California. Do I need to call them?”

“No. Ms. Best is doing fine. She’s awake, and we’re moving her to a room for some more tests and observation. But it’s past visiting hours so only immediate family members are allowed in to see her.”

She was awake.

She was fine.

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