Page 53 of The Wiener Across the Way

I was going to kill her.

“I’m her fiancé.”

My family all froze, trying really hard not to react to my lie. Probably the first one I’d ever told in front of all of them. They all knew it and all they all understood.

“Then come this way please.” She led me through the hallway toward the hospital room. “We’d like to keep her overnight for observation, but she’s stable, and by all accounts healthy, save for some mild dehydration. We’ll have some more results from blood tests, but my diagnosis right now is that she’s overworked and exhausted. See if you can get her to take some time off, Mr. Kingman.”

That’s exactly what I was going to do. She left me standing in the doorway to Kelsey’s room. I stood there for a full minute, clenching, and unclenching my fists. I’d watched my family almost fall apart when my mother died. She was my dad’s entire world, and I honestly don’t know how he carried on without her. For us kids, I guess.

I couldn’t imagine how my life would be destroyed if I lost Kelsey. And she didn’t even know how I really felt about her. I’d been afraid she’d get scared off if I let her see how deep my feelings already were for her. The logical side of my brain told me it was insane to fall in love with someone so fast. But I had.

And I’d be damned if I let her kill herself working. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, and I wanted that life to last a long, long time.

I quietly crossed the room and pulled the visitor’s chair next to her bed. It was hardly big enough for my ass, but I would sit there as long as she needed me to.

I took her hand in mine and pressed my forehead to her knuckles. “I’m here, babe.”

She stirred and her eyelids fluttered open. “Declan.”

I stared deep into her eyes and kissed those knuckles I’d been praying over. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you scared the shit out of me, Kels.”

“I scared me quite a bit too.” She swallowed hard and then clasped her other hand over mine. This one was connected to the IV pushing her fluids, and she stared at it like it was an alien growing out of her skin. “I’ve never been in the hospital before.”

“As far as hospitals go, this one is nice.” What an inane thing to come out of my mouth. I needed to tell her I had real feelings for her, that none of this was fake, no showmance. The words got stuck in my throat. Stuck behind a week’s worth of lying to her.

“I don’t like it. Can we leave now?” She sounded so small and scared. I’d never seen her like this before, and I wanted to wrap her up in my arms and tell her I would take care of everything.

“The doctor wants you to stay overnight for observation.”

She frowned at that, and she blinked like she was trying to hold back tears. I couldn’t handle tears, not from her. I’d carry her out of here myself if she cried.

“Will you stay with me? I know you don’t have to be here, this is your vacation and all, but?—”

“I do have to be here. I have to be here with you.” I wouldn’t be anywhere else.

“Okay.” She still looked so scared, fragile even.

Fuck it. I stood, picked her up, and then sat back down on the hospital bed with her in my arms. The metal creaked beneath us and I was sure I’d be paying later to replace this contraption, but it would be worth every penny to hold her in my arms.

I laid back and settled Kelsey between my legs and against my chest and stroked her hair. She didn’t say a word, but after a few minutes, her muscles relaxed and her breathing turned heavy. She fell asleep in my arms, and it was exactly where we both needed to be.

“I’ve got you, Kelsey baby. I’ve got you.”

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ONLINE

ASPEN DAILY NEWS: KELSEY BEST HOSPITALIZED AFTER ONSTAGE COLLAPSE

By Emily Johnson, Entertainment Reporter

In a shocking turn of events at the much-anticipated Aspen Music Festival, superstar singer Kelsey Best was hospitalized last night after collapsing onstage during her performance at the Saddle Creek Bar. The incident, which left fans and fellow musicians concerned, occurred shortly after the beginning of her set. This was Best’s second performance of the day, having headlined the Friday opening lineup.

Witnesses report that Best appeared increasingly fatigued during both performances, eventually leading to her collapse. In a heroic effort, Denver Mustangs’ star defensive end, Declan Kingman, who was present at the event, quickly intervened. Kingman, who has been recently rumored to be in a relationship with the singer, rushed to her aid, carrying her offstage to safety.

Best was taken to Aspen Valley Hospital, where she is currently under observation. However, fans are warned that she will not be taking visitors. Hospital staff have reported that she is stable and recovering. The cause of the incident is believed to be exhaustion and dehydration, highlighting the intense pressures faced by artists in the entertainment industry.

Kelsey Best’s team has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident or her current health status. However, it is understood that her upcoming performances at the festival will be canceled.

In an unexpected twist, it has been confirmed by sources close to Best that Kingman identified himself as Best’s fiancé. This revelation will likely spark a frenzy among fans and media alike, as the nature of their relationship has been a topic of much speculation in recent weeks.

---