A Humble Heart (Hollywood Hearts #1)(104)

She looked over Cole. The casts looked bigger and heavier than the rest of his body. His right side received most of the damage. They'd been so lucky today. She only wished Brett had been as lucky. The doctor said he'd died instantly. He was such a good man, fun, loving and honest. She was going to miss him. He was leaving behind a teenage son who he'd absolutely adored. This was going to be hard on him. They would help him in any way he needed. John was a great kid. He didn’t deserve to have his father taken away like this, for something this stupid and reckless, no one did.

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“Oh, my God! Edward, I love you!” a woman screamed.

His grip on Dana’s hand tightened. They'd just been kicked out of their children’s hospital room ten minutes ago, but not before they insisted a guard stand outside the room at all times.

Now they were making their way to the limo Amy hired for them. The hospital grounds were now tightly covered by media and fans. People from the media were throwing questions at them while fans were demanding autographs, trying to hug him, and pull on him. He felt anger bubble up in him. A man was dead and they wanted his goddamn autograph, were they kidding?

He couldn’t get the image of John crying on Dana’s shoulder out of his head. Fifteen years old and now he was fatherless. Dana held onto him for more than an hour while the boy broke down. The doctor’s finally had to sedate him when he began flipping out. Dana couldn’t calm him down then. Edward grabbed John and hugged him tightly while the doctor’s injected him with the sedative. He felt John’s body relax in his arms.

Now they were walking through people who were laughing and crying just because they got a glance of him and Dana. They only saw what they wanted, two stars. These fans refused to see what was in front of them, a husband and wife who were almost torn apart, a mother and father who came close to losing their children and now had two seriously injured kids to take care of, and friends who just lost someone very special to them.

They made their way to the limousine, slowly. People were pulling on him, making his stitches sting. He pulled away from them. Tyler was having a hell of a time clearing the way for them. There were dozens of police trying to control the crowd. The hospital already demanded the police clear everyone off the property, but the people kept coming back.

Mark was leaning against the limousine when they arrived. His cameraman was standing next to him with the camera down by his side. “Mark, I’m supposed to film this. We’re going to get in trouble.”

“We are not recording this,” Mark said through clenched teeth. He pushed off the limo and walked to Edward. He hugged Edward tightly.

“Man, am I am glad to see you. I’m glad the kids are alright. I’m so sorry about Brett. He was a great guy,” Mark said in Edward’s ear. Edward returned the hug and then released him so Mark could hug Dana.

“This is unbelievable. They’re acting like it’s a concert,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief, looking Edward and Dana over. “How are the kids?”

“They’re…they’re in a lot of pain. The doctors want to keep them sleeping for a little while. John has been sedated and admitted overnight to make sure he doesn’t do anything rash.” Dana wiped the tears off her face.

“Edward, can we have an interview?” a man from channel seven news asked.

“It might be the best thing if you said something now, while everything is fresh, Edward. It will have more of an impact,” Mark said softly.

“What if what I have to say is something people don’t want to hear?” he snapped.

“Then I think you should say it,” Mark said somberly.

Edward nodded. “Okay, but only if you pick up that camera and take part of it.” After a long pause Mark sighed and gestured to his cameraman to start rolling.

“I’ll wait for you by the car,” Dana said and stepped away. Edward grabbed her hand and brought her closer. He put his arm around her shoulders.

“We stand together,” Edward said. He kissed the top of her head which earned several “Boo’s”

He ignored the crowd. “Are we ready?” Edward asked

Mark nodded.

“This isn’t going to be interview. I have something I want to say.” He looked down at the ground for a minute, drew in a steadying breath before looked into the cameras. “Today I was attacked, chased, grabbed, and groped by teenage girls. I wish I could say this was a new experience, but it wasn’t.”

“This was a typical day in my life and in the lives of my family. I appreciate all of the people who enjoy our films and the books my wife writes, you have no idea how much you all mean to us. You’re in our daily prayers, but this” he gestured to the crowd surrounding them, “is too much.”

“A man, a very good man and friend died today because some fans went beyond appreciating our work to obsession. A young man’s life has been violently altered because three fans decided they had a right to attack and pursue me in very dangerous situation with two of our children in the car, a three year old and a six year old.” He shook his head in disgust.

“I understand the excitement behind meeting someone you admire, believe me I do,” he looked down at Dana and smiled fondly. “But there needs to be an understanding. I am a very happily married man with four small children. I am not, now nor will I ever be interested in another woman. I am done. I’m sorry if this upsets anyone, but this is the reality. Please respect that when you approach me, respect my wife by not crossing the line and laying your hands on me or her. Especially stop doing it in front of my children. It upsets and confuses them.”