Rushed (Adventures in Love #1)(50)

“Jade just told me that right before we got here, the doctors came down to let them know Maisie is out of surgery and stable. They’re putting her in a room now.”

“That’s great news, sunshine.”

“Yeah.” She reaches for my hand and laces her fingers with mine before introducing me to Jade and her father by lifting our hands and stating, “Jade, Bernard, this is Tanner. Tanner, this is my family.”

“Nice to meet you both.” I dip my chin.

“I wish it were under better circumstances.” Bernard holds his hand out toward me, and the moment I take it, he pulls me forward to pound my bicep, saying quietly, “Thank you for getting Cybil here so quickly.”

“Anytime,” I reply, and he lets me go, looking away, but not before I catch the torment he’s trying to hide.

“Tanner.” Jade gives me a somber smile while reaching out to give my hand a squeeze. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too,” I say, and Cybil rests against me, so I wrap my arm around her waist and tuck her into my side.

“Cybil.” As soon as the man I noticed earlier says her name, her body against mine grows rigid, and she turns his way.

“Galvin, Chris,” she says, the tone of her voice not exactly cold, but neither is it welcoming. “Thank you for calling me to let me know about Maisie.”

“Yeah.” Galvin’s gaze pings between Cybil and me. “Do you think we can talk?” He swallows hard, and his husband’s jaw twitches, making me wonder what Galvin’s told him about Cybil’s and his relationship.

“I’m thinking right now isn’t the time for that,” I cut in before she can answer, not giving a fuck if I’m overstepping.

“Tanner’s right,” Bernard rumbles, narrowing his gaze on Galvin. “You wanna talk to Cybil, you do it another time, not right now when the woman who helped raise her is in a hospital bed.”

“Of course.” Galvin shakes his head. “I just—”

“You’re just thinking about yourself,” Bernard says, cutting his gaze to Chris before giving Galvin another look that has his shoulders sagging.

“We should go,” Chris inserts, wrapping his hand around Galvin’s bicep.

“Yeah, okay.” Galvin looks at Cybil quickly before focusing on Jade. “Will you call and let me know when your mom can have visitors?”

“Of course,” Jade says, giving him a hug; then she looks between him and Chris. “Thanks for coming.”

“If you need anything, let us know,” he tells her, sending Cybil one more long glance before Chris takes his hand and urges him out of the waiting room.

“You know, Dad, you could be a little nicer to him.” Jade sighs, wrapping her arms around his middle when he places his arm around her shoulders.

“I didn’t kick his ass. I consider that pretty nice,” Bernard grumbles, and I bite back a smile while Jade hisses.

“Dad.”

“Don’t ‘Dad’ me. He hurt Cybil. God only knows how long he knew he wanted to be with someone else.” He shakes his head, then looks past Cybil and me.

I turn to look over my shoulder and find an older woman in scrubs walking toward us. When she’s close, she looks us over before she locks eyes with Bernard. “Maisie is settled in her room. You can stay with her overnight if you like, of course, but there can only be two people in the room at a time. Visitors can only stay for fifteen minutes until she’s moved out of the ICU, which won’t be until tomorrow, and visiting hours are up at eight.”

“Thanks, Annie,” Bernard says, and she pats his arm before she turns to Cybil.

“It’s good to see you back, kid.”

“You too, Annie,” Cybil replies, and Annie glances up at me quickly, then gives Cybil a soft smile, walking away.

“All right.” Bernard drops his arm from Jade’s shoulders. “You and Cybil go on up and see your mom.”

“No, you and Jade go first,” Cybil says quickly, shaking her head.

“I’m gonna be here all night, and Maisie will want to see her girls,” he says gruffly, and Jade’s eyes fill with tears while Cybil tucks her face against my side and sniffles.

“Go on with Jade.” I rub her back, then kiss the top of her head, and she nods before tipping her head back, her gaze searching mine. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

With a nod, she looks at Jade, then reaches for her hand, and the two of them walk away.

“I need coffee.” Bernard rubs his hands down his face.

“We passed the cafeteria on the way up here. The coffee shop there was open. I can run and get you something.”

“Do you think they have whiskey?”

“That’s doubtful.” I smile, and he sighs.

“I probably shouldn’t drink anyway.” He pats my back. “I need a break from this room, so I’ll wander with you down to the cafeteria.”

Without another word, we head down the hall to the coffee shop, and while he gets a coffee, I pull out my cell phone when it vibrates. Seeing it’s Blake, I slide my finger across the screen and put it to my ear. “What’s up?”

“Mom just told me that you’re in Oregon with Cybil. What the fuck, Tanner? We have clients coming in a few days. When are you coming back?” he growls, and my temper flares while my hand balls into a fist.