Page 48 of Hollywood King
Nineteen
Heath
I threwmyself across the bed and snagged my phone on the side table and punched in Eddy’s number. Every drawn out ring felt infinite, until he answered. “Eddy, you need to come over now. Something’s wrong with Cathy.”
He didn’t even respond, the hang up click enough to spur me into action back to Cathy’s side. She kept coughing, and I spotted a few drops of blood on her hand. “Tell me what I can do to help you, please?”
Standing over her, watching her suffer, churned my insides to mush. Witnessing all the medical trials she went through as a teenager nearly killed me. As a grown man, I felt even more useless.
When her coughing subsided, my knees nearly buckled in relief. “Water,” she said, hoarsely. “And we both need clothes before Eddy gets here. He doesn’t want to see either of us naked, I’m sure.”
I grabbed her underwear and helped slide them in place. Then I found a t-shirt for her to wear while I threw on a pair of sweatpants and cleaned up the scattered clothes all over the floor. By the time Eddy arrived, we were somewhat presentable. Her propped in bed with a glass of water and mascara smeared around her eyes. Me not wearing my boxer briefs. Not that he’d ever know that. First rule in show business…fake it till you make it.
He entered my room without so much as a hello, aiming straight for Cathy’s bedside. I hovered near the end of the bed while he looked her over and prodded her. “What happened? You were fine earlier.”
He checked her arms, legs, back. Something crossed his face as he scanned the back of her thighs. No doubt my bright red hand prints were still visible. But Cathy spoke up before I had to explain. “Get that look of your face, Eddy. I know you’ve spanked a girl or two in your exploits.” And the night’s interruption was almost worth it to see the blush flash in his cheeks.
“Well, that answers part of my question. I take it you two had an eventful evening, and that brought on the coughing I heard over the phone?”
Cathy nodded and leaned her head back against the pillow. “Heath, can you find me something to eat? High protein would be good.”
Practically giddy for a task, I raced out of the room and dug out a homemade protein bar I kept stocked for quick snacks. As I approached the door, I caught Eddy replying to something she said. “You need to tell him. Please, let him help you. I know he would want that. He’s a good man.”
She whispered back fiercely, “I know he’s a good man. But I don’t want him to see me like that again. Look at me like something he needs to protect.”
I bustled in scuffing my feet to alert them I entered. Eddy took the protein bar while I tried it puzzle through their little chat. Neither of them would look at me now, so it was bad, and they were both hiding it. I’d seem them together several times now, so it wasn’t like Eddy had become her lover behind my back. Secrets and lies, two things I despise above all else. “One of you better tell me what’s going on. Now.”
Cathy flicked her gaze my way for a heartbeat, and Eddy found something very interested in his medical bag. But I could be as stubborn as them. “It’s obvious your hiding something from me. What did I say about that bed, Cathy?”
Nothing except a guilty drag of her lip between her teeth as she peered anywhere but my way. I came around the bed behind Eddy into her line of sight. “I told you the rules. I won’t hesitate to take my belt to you next time.”
Eddy stiffened and balled his fists next to me.
“Calm the hell down, Doctor. She knows I won’t hurt her. It would probably be more pleasure than punishment for her.”
He wandered further away from us muttering, “I didn’t need to know that.”
I sat beside her on the bed and waited. She’d tell me eventually. Or I’d bribe every nurse or doctor who worked at her hospital until someone revealed the information. Most people had a price, and I’d long been particularly good at enticing them to name it.
Five minutes passed of stretched silence. Eddy paced at the end of the bed, legally he couldn’t say anything. And I knew the man well enough to know he wouldn’t take a bribe either.
“Cathy?” I prompted again.
She took a huge breath and blew it out her mouth before casting her gaze to the ceiling. “The cancer is back.”
Her declaration cascaded around me. I could almost feel the words casting physical wounds into my skin. Each letter edged sharp and hitting home. “When did you find out?”
“Father’s wake. I got the call when I was in my bedroom.”
I balled my fists and surged to my feet. The room closed around me, too tight, too close, too much. No. I couldn’t watch her waste away again. Wonder if any moment she’d decide she was done fighting and give up. And afterward, I was supposed to be brave she lasted so long, grateful for the time I got to be with her.
I never got any time. We were separated by circumstances. I’ve had a week, and she is sick again. I spun once more, my body and brain seeking the exit and wide open space it craved. If I ran, she might think I didn’t want to be with her, that I rejected her.No.
I forced my breathing to more normal rhythm and focused on the corners of the room, spinning to count them. Then the doorknobs. Windows, until I felt the edge of the panic recede enough to allow me to talk to her. “I wish you’d told me sooner so I could have…”
“What?” Cathy demanded. “Vow to take care of me, protect me, baby me within an inch of my life.” The derision dripped from her tone, and I froze.
“Is it so wrong I’d want to take care of you, help you?”
