Page 35 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

"Umm, not really. I'm at Celeste's, and she's having a bad migraine. I just got here and found her curled up on the floor. I-I don't know how to help her. W-what do I do, man?"

"Shit. Give me a second." The phone goes quiet, but I can hear muffled conversation in the background. "You still there?"

"Yeah, I'm here."

"She's got prescriptions she can take when she gets bad migraines, but if she's as bad off as you're saying, I'm not sure they're going to help. Where are you at right now?"

"The kitchen."

"Okay, can you head to her bathroom and then tell me when you're there? Daphne and I are leaving the gala and are on our way to you, but we're going to be at least half an hour."

My panic, which was a steady thrum, flares with the concern in Ezra's voice.

"Alright, I'm in her bathroom."

"There's a box on the top shelf in the closet. The code for the lock is 1098. You want to get out the prescription that's called Maxalt and put that under her tongue. It melts, so you don't need to worry about her choking on it or anything."

"Okay, give me a second." I enter the code, grab out the bottle with the correct name on it, and pull out a tab.

Frustration fills me as I struggle to rip open one packet of the individually sealed pills.

"Why the fuck do they make this so difficult?

If I had a migraine, the last thing I'd want to do is piss with this stupid thing," I grumble.

"You sound like Celly." Ezra's voice startles me.

I completely forgot he was on the phone.

Once the pill is free, I place it under her tongue and wait. "How long does this usually take?"

"It depends on what state she's in and how bad her migraine is. Most of the time, she can tell within ten minutes whether she needs a second pill or if one will do the trick," Ezra informs me so matter-of-factly as if this is a normal part of life.

I suppose for him it is, but I hate that seeing Celeste in this much pain is anyone's normal.

"She's out of it. How's she going to be able to tell me if it's helping?"

"If she starts talking, I'd say it’s working. We're going to run home and change real quick then we'll be over."

"Thanks, man."

I hang up the phone, text Brooks to let him know I got ahold of Ezra, then curl up with Celeste. "Come on, gorgeous. Open those eyes for me, baby?" I beg, but she doesn't.

Her breathing is labored, and she's still clammy, but her eyes remain closed.

I lie there, eyes glued to hers and pleading for her to wake, to reassure me that she's okay.

Celeste starts to stir, but what little relief I feel is short lived when her hand clamps over her mouth.

I grab the bucket and hand it to her just as she starts to vomit.

"Shit. It's okay, baby. I've got you." I rub soft circles on her back as I hold her hair out of her face.

When she's done, I help her sip some water then guide her back down on the bed. I take the bucket to the bathroom, clean it out, and return to check on her. She's right where I left her.

"Celeste, can you hear me?"

She moans but doesn't open her eyes or respond.

"Hey, man." Ezra startles me from where he stands in the door.

"Hey."

"Daphne and I are all set to stay with the kids."

"Okay?"

Does he seriously want me to leave her when she's like this?

"Celly needs to go to the ER. It's the only thing that's going to break her from this migraine. If you're not comfortable taking her, I can instead. I figure you—"

"No, I'll take her." There's no way in hell I'd be able to sit back while Celeste is stuck in the ER.

"Does this happen often?" I turn towards Ezra as I grab my phone and a sweatshirt out of the closet.

"No. She knows how to manage them for the most part. The only time they get this bad is if she can't get her meds in when she needs them or if she tries to push through without them. She probably didn't take them tonight knowing I was at the gala and Dad was home taking care of Mom."

"Why the hell wouldn't she take them?" I growl in frustration.

"Because they knock her out. She's got three kids who depend on her. She can't be stoned, even on prescription meds, if they need her."

"Fucking hell." Guilt weighs heavy on me, knowing all of her pain could've been prevented if I hadn't been a prideful asshat. "I don't know if this is any better. She doesn't even know either of us are here."

"Hey, I hear ya man. But in her defense, I haven't seen her like this in years. It must've snuck up on her or she would've called me or my dad."

"Fuck. It doesn't matter now. Is there anything I need to tell the ER when we get there?"

"Not really. Take her purse so you have her insurance card and tell them she has migraines and to look up her history. She'll need a migraine cocktail, but they'll know how to take care of her."

"Alright. I'm gonna run down and grab my shoes, then I'll come get her." I race through the house as fast as I can then make it back to Cel.

Ezra helps me get her in my truck then tries to reassure me that she'll be just fine. I wish I could find his confidence right now, but the woman I love is hurting, and I played a huge part in her pain.

The drive into Sparrow Falls takes no time. When I pull up to the ER and park my truck, I'm relieved to see a friendly face.

"Hey, Mac-Attack. Not that I don't love seeing your handsome face, but why the hell do you need a wheelchair?" Landon sasses as he pushes said wheelchair my direction, his eyes assessing me.

"Thank fuck you're working." I run a hand through my hair as I exhale a relieved breath. "Celeste is having a horrible migraine. Ezra told me to bring her in. She's in my truck." I hitch my thumb over my shoulder.

"Aww, that sucks. Let's get your girl so I can start getting her on the mend." Landon follows me outside. "Alright, go park then come in through the double doors and go to Room Two. I'll let them know to buzz you in."

"Thanks, man."

It's almost midnight, so the hospital isn't too busy.

I find a close parking spot, then race back to the ER.

I pause at the double doors, then pull them open when I hear the buzz.

It takes me a few seconds to orient myself, but then I'm off and bursting into Room Two, where Landon's got Celeste hooked up to an IV and the lights down low.

"Damn, you move fast." I assess the room, find a chair, and pull it close to Celeste's bed.

"There aren't many patients so far tonight. The doc on duty is going to order a migraine cocktail, most likely, so I figured I'd get the IV going. He should be in any minute, and then we'll get Celeste feeling better. Can I get some information from you?"

"Sure."

"Is this pretty typical for her migraines?"

"Not according to Ezra. He said she has meds to manage them when they get bad. I know she takes daily meds to help prevent them. I couldn't tell you the name of any of them, though."

"That's okay. Do you know if she took anything tonight?"

"I don't know if she did before I got to the house, but I gave her one tablet of Maxalt ."

"Okay. I'll add that to the notes. The doctor should be in any minute, and then I'll be back once he orders meds."

"Thanks, Landon." I reach out to shake his hand.

"Of course. Push that button if you need me."

I fall silent as I stare at Celeste sleeping peacefully in the hospital bed. I hate seeing her like this. My thoughts are starting to spiral when a knock on the door halts them.

"Hello. I'm Dr. Carter. Landon told me there's a VIP in here and I need to make sure to take care of his girl."

"Hi, I'm Maclan, and this is Celeste. She's suffering from a bad migraine."

"Is she normally comatose with them?" he asks amidst his exam.

"According to her brother, only if she doesn't get her meds in time and only with really bad ones. This is the first time I'm experiencing this." Anguish floods my voice as sympathy shines through the doctor's eyes.

"She's going to be okay, Maclan. I'll get some meds ordered, and she'll be feeling better in no time. Hang in there." He claps my shoulder then leaves the room.

Landon returns with the meds Celeste needs. "I'm going to push these through her IV. They will take effect a lot faster, which will bring her quicker relief."

"Sounds good to me. Anything so she isn't in as much pain or getting sick anymore." I squeeze her hand that isn't hooked up to the IV and wait impatiently for the meds to kick in.

I don't know when it happens, but I doze off while I wait for Celeste to wake. I don't know why I wake up when I do until I realize someone is running their fingers through my hair.

Blinking my eyes open, I turn my head and see the most beautiful sight. Celeste is awake, running her fingers down my cheek. Tears spill from my eyes as relief like I've never felt before floods my veins.

I snag her hand in mine, bring it to my lips, and kiss it.

I will never let my pride get in the way where she is concerned again. I love her too fucking much to let it cause her the pain she endured because of my behavior, and I will spend the rest of my life proving that I am the man she needs me to be—one who will not walk away when things get hard.