Page 99 of Unpredictable
“The way you’d attack a problem on the field. You need a game plan.”
I nodded. A game plan. Yes, a game plan. I needed a game plan.
The door flew open, and Juliana burst in, wide-eyed, hair wild. “Harrison,” she panted. “Thank god you’re okay.”
I blinked a few times, certain I must be dreaming.
“Excuse me. Miss.” A nurse ran into the room. “Mr. Hayes, I’m so sorry.” She grabbed Juliana’s elbow. “Security is on the way.”
“It’s okay,” I said. “She can stay.”
With great reluctance, the nurse released Juliana’s arm. “If you’re sure.”
I nodded.
“Okay. But I don’t want you getting aggravated. Any sign that your heart rate’s up, and she’s gone.”
I nodded, my expression solemn. Outwardly, I may have fooled the nurse. But inside, my heart was galloping like a racehorse. I didn’t care what the nurse said, there was no way in hell I was letting Juliana leave. But first, I wanted to know why she was even here.
“I’m going to go grab a snack,” Reg said, following the nurse out of the room.
Juliana remained by the door, fidgeting with the strap of her purse. “Hey. Sorry about that. I think she thought I was a deranged fan.”
“Meh.” I lifted a shoulder. “My day has been kind of boring so far. So, I appreciate you injecting a little excitement.”
She laughed, though it had a nervous edge to it. It mirrored how I felt—uneasy.
“How did you know I was here?” I asked.
“When Harper and I were waiting to go through customs, she got a local alert on her phone. I was—” Her skin paled. “God, I was terrified.”
I frowned. “What did the news say?”
“That you’d collapsed during a run and had been admitted to the hospital.”
“Oh fuck.” I wiped a hand over my face. “I need to call Olivia. And Talia.”
“They made it sound like you had a heart attack.” Her eyes searched me as if checking to confirm that I was alive and in one piece. “What happened? Was it your heart?”
I shook my head, though my heart was still aching. It was stopping and starting as I tried not to get my hopes up about why Juliana was here and what it meant.
“Kidney stones.”
She cringed. “Yikes. I hear those can be painful. I’m just…” She sighed. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” She stepped closer. “You are okay, right?”
“For the most part.”
She frowned. “What do you mean, for the most part?”
“My heart’s a little sore. It’s been missing you.” I held out my hand, reaching for her. She took it, and my body relaxed at her touch.
She perched on the edge of the bed next to me. “I’m sorry, Harrison. So, so sorry.”
“Did you get the answers you wanted?” I asked, afraid to come right out and ask if she’d seen Ryan.
“It gave me the closure I needed.” Both of us were skirting around the Ryan issue, but it was enough.
“I’m glad.” I just didn’t know what that meant for us. Even though I felt as if I might explode, I waited to hear what she’d say next.
