Page 14 of Rushing Her: Seattle, Westerners (Gridiron Warriors #2)
Alexandra
S itting in a new exam room, waiting on a doctor I know nothing about, I shift around, crinkling and tearing the awful table covering. Ugh, why can’t they figure out something other than flimsy paper? The door opens, and I already know what the doctor will say based on how I’ve been feeling lately.
Dr. Grands is supposedly one of the best perinatologists in Seattle. She smiles at me as she looks at the tablet in her hand, then sets it down and folds her arms across her chest, leaning back against the counter.
“How about we start with getting to know each other? I’m good friends with Dr. Jarvis, and she contacted me personally about you.
At this moment, we’re unsure if you are carrying multiples, but based on the injection you were given, we should treat you for any risks.
” She pauses for a moment, and I let her continue.
“I’m aware of what happened down in Portland.
I’ll let you know that we keep our pharmaceuticals behind locked doors, and never do we have more than one patient’s medications ready on the counter. Do you have any questions for me?”
“The million-dollar question is, am I pregnant? I’m terribly sorry for the incident at Doctor Jarvis’ office. I liked her and have seen her for several years now, but it’s understandable why she doesn’t want to see me anymore. Unfortunately, whoever did this keeps winning.”
“Let’s get some facts straight before we move on to the test results.
Dr. Jarvis didn’t want to stop seeing you but chose to for your safety and well-being.
Naturally, you’d worry that another mistake could be made after that one.
Plus, she wouldn’t have been able to see you if you’d gotten pregnant.
You need to be with a local physician unless you plan to move to Portland. ”
“No, I don’t. I have an amazing job that I recently fought hard to keep, so I have no intention of leaving. However, there’s no promise that this person won’t try to come to this clinic too.”
“I’m only available by referral and personally screen every one of my patients. Don’t worry.”
“That makes me feel so much better. Well…?” I wave my hand toward the tablet.
“You already know the answer. The key now is to discern if it’s a multiple pregnancy.”
“I thought so.” Sighing deeply, warmth radiates through my body in acceptance. My hand slides to my belly where my baby lies. “I began having some serious nausea while on the trip to New York. My bra hurts my breasts, and everything is more intense than I expected.”
“Those symptoms can sometimes be indicators of multiples. Also telling is the fact that the effects are hitting you quicker. For the nausea, let’s try some natural remedies before considering medications.
I’ve read that you meet with a counselor regularly.
I would continue that. It will help with any worries or concerns you'll likely have. Be it with the attack on you or the anxiety of preparing for a multiple pregnancy. I’d like to do a quick ultrasound to see how many are discernible. Good?”
“That all sounds wonderful. I use herbal mint or ginger teas to help with the nausea, right now.”
“You can try some ginger chews if you like those.”
“I can look for them.”
A n hour later, I’m sitting down the block from the clinic, with photos in my hand and Warner giving me space. Three babies. I’m pregnant with triplets. I curb the urge to rub my stomach just in case someone is watching me. I’m scared, like the doctor said I would be. I need to talk to Brayden.
We haven’t seen each other in almost a week.
I miss him terribly and have been craving his body something fierce.
As I reach for my phone to call him, it pings with an alert.
Due to my job, I have it set to receive any breaking news in the football league, so with a flip of a phone, my whole world flips upside down.
The gossip rag claims to have photos of Brayden sleeping with a woman in Salt Lake City while he was there earlier this week.
I click on the link, and I’m bombarded with the images.
Bray’s naked ass is barely visible because of the black square over it, but his massive body is sprawled out in sleep on the bed.
The unidentified woman suggests that she’s coming forward because of these pictures, but she has other proof, as well.
Movement catches my eye as Warner sprints toward me. I raise my hand, not wishing to talk to her. She’ll only deny it. I realize there’s a chance it’s not him, but there is an equally strong chance that it is.
I turn and head into the café, toward the bathrooms. I can’t process all this at once, and as soon as the door clicks behind me, I rub my stomach to ground myself. I now have a higher purpose here. My three babies. They are everything.
Needing more time to myself, I calm my breathing and peek around the open door. Warner’s back is to me at the head of the hallway. I glance around and notice another exit that leads to the attached mall.
Say a prayer that I can do this as quietly as possible.
I slip out the bathroom door and push the other one open, never turning my back on Warner. I slip out and immediately know I’m not alone. I see the driver, and he sees me.
Sneaking away, I mingle with the crowd, hiding amongst them.
As a group of tourists strolls to Pike Place Market, I join along and step into the first store some of them break off to.
Sticking to the middle of the shop, I partially hide behind a display as I watch the driver walk past me first, then Warner.
I need to get out of here.
Opening my phone, I tap the car service app and set a pickup time to take me to Raven’s office. From there, she’ll get me clothes, and I can escape for a few days. Somewhere to think before Brayden attempts to coerce me into believing his side of the story.
A part of me knows it’s not him, but that insecure part that remembers his behavior after we broke up is not so sure.
The car pulls up in front of the store, and I race out, jumping in just as Warner recognizes me. She yells my name, but I just shake my head at her.
I t took some time and a lot of trickery to get Warner and her staff off my trail, but I’m finally on my way down to Oregon.
Family is what I need, and hopefully, I don’t lead Brayden’s stalker their way.
Which is another reason for taking a break from him and all this.
Do I want to bring that craziness into my children’s lives?
Raven rented a car and a hotel room for me in her name.
The car so I can escape and the hotel as a diversion.
She also purchased a burner phone for me, which only T.K.
and my father have the number for. It won’t take long for Warner to figure things out, but it’ll give me some time to work out the next steps before my thoughts overwhelm me. I’m running on pure emotion right now.
Earlier, my father called me with an idea.
One of the men in his practice has a place on Cannon Beach that I can use.
The drive is four hours and will give me time to focus on something other than the disaster that is my life.
My parents will be staying out there with me tomorrow, but for the night, they are at a hotel in Portland, hiding out as well.
Everyone is rallying around me this time. T.K. even assured me that Brayden wouldn’t find out my location from him, and he also doesn’t think the image is of Brayden, but it’s still questionable.
By nightfall, I’ve reached Cannon Beach and the lavish cabin where we’re staying, but I feel exposed out here by myself.
I’ve never experienced this type of fear before but recognize that it stems from the stalker woman.
This was never a problem until Brayden, but he can’t control other people.
And for that matter, she came after me way before he and I decided to work our shit out.
I make my way closer to the massive house on pilings near the rocky shore. It’s gorgeous. There’s even an outdoor fireplace on the ground level. When I step through the front door, the opulence is breathtaking, and I decide I need one of these for myself.
I plan to give the primary suite on the main floor to my parents, so I take the stairs, choose one of the two bedrooms, and drop my bag inside. I log in to my computer to handle some office work, looking forward to eating soon. A call to the caretaker before arriving ensured a fully stocked pantry.
Food, rest, and relaxation. It’s all I need.
Brayden
“ S on of a bitch.” I toss my phone onto the seat next to me as Warner confirms for the umpteenth time that my girl gave her the slip. I need her found.
My agent and attorney have both been on the phone with me, trying to get this media nightmare under control.
I know it’s the woman from Salt Lake City, but I don’t understand why, unless, like Warner and my attorney think, she’s my stalker.
Tomorrow, we’ve planned a meeting to examine an image of her, but I need to find Alexandra now.
I know she had an appointment today, and I tried to contact the doctor, but she told me she wouldn’t break patient confidentiality.
My phone rings, and I don’t look, I just answer, “Alexandra.” My heart is in my throat, worried about her.
“Nope, guess again,” her father’s voice breaks through the line.
“Sir, it wasn’t me.”
“You broke her again. I thought this time you were going to be good, but you just couldn’t keep it in your pants, could you?”
“It’s not me; I swear. I walked away and went to my room. I have witnesses.”
“Well, if it’s not, you’d better figure this out. She’s safe. That’s the only reason I’m contacting you. She’d be pissed if she knew I called.”
“Please tell me where she is.” I’m not above begging right now.
“No. Give her some time.”
“What about the danger?”
“That’s part of this. Think about what she’s going through. She had to find a new doctor after already establishing a relationship with another one.”
“Okay. Twenty-four hours.” I’m pissed now. I grip the phone, angry that I have to give in to him on this. He’s protecting his daughter.
“Brayden, I don’t take orders from you. Think about what you did right after she broke up with you the first time.
Stop!” He anticipates my interruption. “She was supposed to be the love of your life; you were going to propose. You came to me and promised never to hurt her. When you slept with one of her sorority sisters less than a week after you broke up, you destroyed her. Now give her a chance to breathe.”
He hangs up, and again I want to throw my phone. I need to calm down but can’t. He’s right, I wrecked us worse than she did. I’ve blamed it on alcohol in the past, but it doesn’t make it right. Nothing will ever make that right.
Taking several deep, calming breaths, I focus on the busy downtown Seattle traffic before appearing for another meeting I hadn’t planned on today.
Walking into the towering building where my attorney’s office is located, I’m even more upset than before.
Dealing with all of this is exhausting, but the team owner called me in to strategize before I make any major spur-of-the-moment decisions.