Page 7 of Dominate
As soon as the doctor releases Gareth’s hand, Vi is in Gareth’s arms, crying and murmuring unintelligible words into his shoulder. He runs his hand down the back of her head, soothing her until she’s composed enough to stand up again.
Once she steps away, Gareth’s eyes find his father, who’s nearly hugging the wall. He’s so uncomfortable. It’s as if Gareth waking up reminded Vaughn that he is in a hospital and now he’s frozen in fear.
Gareth clears his throat and turns his focus from his dad back to Dr. Howard. “So, what did you tell my wife about my condition? How long am I out of football?”
I back up from Gareth’s bedside, suddenly feeling self-conscious. It was easier being Gareth’s advocate when he was unconscious. Now I don’t know how to feel. Gareth’s hand quickly reaches out and clasps mine so I can’t move away from him. I look down at him with relief. How does he have the ability to help me feel strong when he’s laid up in a hospital?
Dr. Howard’s eyes narrow sympathetically. “Well, we need to evaluate some new scans and do some cognitive tests before we know anything conclusively. But I’d venture to guess a couple of weeks at the very least.”
Gareth closes his eyes in pain. “That bad?”
“With this level of concussion, it’s necessary. You need rest and relaxation after a blow to the head. You’re very lucky. Injuries to the temple can be fatal.”
I inhale sharply at that comment and Gareth squeezes my hand reassuringly. Looking at me, he replies to the doctor, “I can handle some rest.”
Vaughn is still silent as Dr. Howard tells Gareth that he’s going to go put in an order for another head scan and that he wants to keep him overnight for observation. He pins Gareth with a serious expression and adds that no travel is advised, then makes his way out of the room.
Gareth accepts gentle hugs from all of his brothers and yet another long, tearful hug from Vi. It’s clear that his siblings aren’t used to their big brother being down.
Finally, Gareth’s eyes turn back to his father, who still hasn’t moved off the wall. “Am I dreaming, or are you seriously in Manchester right now?”
Vaughn’s Adam’s apple bobs with a swallow. “I’m here,” he replies stoically—much more mild sounding than he was a few moments ago.
“Why?” Gareth asks, confused.
Vaughn looks around the room, clearly uncomfortable that he has to think about where he is again. “Well, you’re hurt. I…had to be here.”
“I’ve been hurt before,” Gareth retorts.
“Not like this,” Vaughn states firmly, his brow furrowed. “Which is why I want you back in London. They have the best doctors there. You can recover at home with me. I can take care of you. Vi will help.”
My throat tightens with a tiny growl that Gareth hears. He gazes over at me and offers a small, reassuring smile. “I think I’m good here, Dad.”
Vaughn’s brow furrows as he stares at our clasped hands.
Then Gareth adds, “But I’d like it if you stayed in town for a bit.”
“Here?” Vaughn asks, his hand going to the back of his neck and squeezing nervously.
Gareth exhales, and his expression shifts from soft and open to hard and closed off. The wall that I’ve seen on his face before is coming back. He’s preparing himself for rejection. He’s preparing to have his father do what he expects: Leave. Avoid Manchester and his home and any memory of a life he once had here.
Then, four words are uttered from Vaughn that shock everyone in the room. “Very well. I’ll stay.”
THE AWFUL TEXTURE OF THEhospital gown is spiking my blood pressure, but my heart is also racing over the fact that Sloan is so fiercely by my side. It’s no wonder she went after my dad. She’s in full-blown fearsome mother mode, and it’s making it really hard for me to focus on anything but her.
But after my family steps out into the waiting room for the police to come in to take statements, I learn the full scope of everything that happened and my hospital gown is the last thing on my mind.
Sloan and I walked into my house in the middle of a burglary. It was likely the same burglars who hit Hobo’s house, but we must have caught them early. As far as the police could tell, there was only some minor vandalising that was noted. They are working with my security company to recover the CCTV footage which will hopefully provide some clue as to how they got in without setting off the alarm.
Whoever it was, one of them must have had somewhat of a conscience because they used my mobile to call an ambulance before they fled the scene. When the first responders showed up, Sloan had just come to, but I remained unconscious all the way to the hospital.
Sloan’s eyes are red and downcast as she describes what she recalls to the female officer sitting beside her. “I woke up on the floor in the entryway and was covered in blood. It took me a minute to realise it wasn’t my blood but Gareth’s. His phone was laying right next to him, and it started ringing so I answered it. It was the 999 dispatcher. She said someone had called from his phone and the ambulance was close.”
My muscles tense as I imagine how horrific that must have been for her to see me like that. Luckily, her friend Freya brought her some clothes, so she’s no longer covered in my blood. It’s clear she is shaken to the core, and I hate that I put her through all of this. I wish I could remember exactly what the fuck happened. Everything is fuzzy.
Throughout the questioning, we learn that there was no sign of forced entry, so whoever got into the house either had the code or they were agile enough to scale the large security fence. Because of that, my staff members who have access to my home will need to be questioned.
“Did you see or hear anything unusual when you opened the door?” the male officer standing beside my bed asks.
