Across the Miles (The Not So Bad Boys of Rock #1) (7 page)

“Sebas…” the words broke off as everything once again went black.

I was on the
floor, but my head was laying on something other than the carpeting, it was Sebastian’s legs, he was sitting cross-legged behind me, cradling my head in his lap.

“Brooke, honey, I think you passed out. Is your head still hurting? Don’t talk, just nod your head if that’s a yes.” I started to speak, but a finger brushed lightly against my lips, halting my words, so I nodded. He stroked my hair, and gently massaged over my ears. His touch was light but effective, and when he stopped moving his fingers, the pain resumed, making me wince. “I’m taking you to the hospital. I’ll help you stand and then we’ll see if you can get dressed on your own.”

Once on my feet, I staggered slightly, but the dizziness
had subsided. “I can get changed on my own, but would you mind handing me that bag over there?” I asked, pointing in the direction of my suitcase. “Just set it on the bed and I can get everything that I need.” He did as I requested, standing there for a moment, making sure that I was indeed able to function on my own. When he saw that I was able to select my clothes without falling over, he moved for the door.

“I’ll be just down the hall if you need me,” he eyed me carefully. “Okay, we’ll leave as soon as you’re dressed. I’ll go call Steve.”

After he had left the room, I sat down on the bed and changed into a new outfit, throwing on my skinny jeans and a red V-neck shirt. I brushed my teeth and splashed some cold water on my face before reaching for my make-up bag, I needed to throw on just a hint of mascara to wake up my tired looking eyes. Maybe a bit of blush would help with the pale color of my skin, was I always this pale? I needed some sun, maybe L.A. would be a good move for me, no one should be this pale, I looked like a ghost. Once I finished, I made my way down to the kitchen, where Sebastian waited for me, keys in hand.

“Ready?” he held out a hand for me to grasp, I assumed it was for stability, just in case, and we walked out to the garage. He opened the passenger door of his black Lexus SUV, and I was immediately enveloped in luxury. He jumped into the driver’s seat and backed out of the garage and onto the adjacent street. I watched as houses moved quickly by, taking in the posh surroundings; this was an upscale neighborhood. If I had to guess, I would have said that he lived among various celebrities as the houses must have gone for at least three million easily.

“My flight leaves at two-thirty this afternoon, do you
think you can drop me off at the airport?” I asked, attempting to fill the awkward silence that seemed to be present.

“Um, sure,” he cleared his throat. “I hate that you have to leave so soon. You didn’t even get to see any of the cool sights. Maybe you can come back, I’ll give you a personal tour.”

“We’ll see,” I chuckled softly. Why was it that we both seemed to dread the thought of me leaving? Was I reading his signals incorrectly? Everything he did and said led me to believe that he was somewhat interested in me. Could that be right? I barely knew him. If I was honest with myself, I would have admitted that I was slightly interested in him, but that would be silly of me. He’s a rock star, and I’m just a girl from Michigan with a culinary degree and a messed up family. What chance would we have of ever being more than acquaintances? No, I would leave him this afternoon and never hear from him again. Sad really, when you think about it, because he seemed like the kind of guy that had a lot to offer a girl like me, or any girl for that matter.

CHAPTER SIX

Sebastian~

It was hard to keep my eyes on the road, what with mere inches between us, I could barely control my breathing. Everything about her excited me, even watching her as she looked out the window seemed to fascinate me. What was I doing? This is not who I am. Could it be that I have fixated myself on her because she is a damsel in distress? I mean, come on, every guy dreams of rescuing a woman, being her hero and all that foo-foo crap. This was all completely new to me, I’ve been in love once, and after the accident I fell apart and became the guy that never dated a woman more than once. The reputation I had gotten over the years was one that I was not proud of, but it had served me well as it helped me get over my heartbreak. I became not only the guy that never dated a woman more than once, but most of those dates ended in someone’s bed. I never gave a second thought to their feelings, if they walked away wanting more that was their problem, I always made sure that they knew it was a one
time deal. I never gave a woman false hope, getting serious with them was not something I was interested in. I had hardened my heart so that none of their sweetness or tears had affected me. All of that changed with her. With her, I knew immediately that this was different because, for the first time in years, I felt alive again. I actually did care about her needs and feelings, and I wanted to do everything that I could to take care of her. Right now, she needed to have her head looked at, after that she needed to get back home to Michigan. I didn’t like that she had to leave, but if that was what she wanted, then I intended to make it happen for her, even if it meant losing her.

We were only in the waiting room a few minutes before Steve came out, smiling as he saw Brooke sitting up.

“It’s good to see you up and about Brooke, how are you feeling today? You’re pretty pale.” He gave her a quick once over before holding out a hand to shake, “I’m Steve, by the way; we met yesterday but you probably don’t remember that.”

“No, that’s all pretty fuzzy right now, but thank you for helping me.” She grasped his hand gently, and my heart tightened just a bit at the sight of her small fingers clasped in his. Why the hell am I jealous of a handshake?

“Well, I’m glad you came by; Sebastian mentioned that you have been suffering from a headache since the incident, and that you blacked out.” Brooke nodded in response. “That doesn’t surprise me, but it does give reason for concern, I want to get a look at your brain to rule out any serious complications that could arise from a blow like that. I’m pretty sure that you have a concussion, a pretty good one it seems, and I feel that it’s better to be safe than sorry.” Steve turned to me, “Sebastian, we won’t
be long, just have a seat and we should be back within the hour.”

I watched as he led her down the hall; she glanced back over her shoulder one last time, and I gave a small finger wave and an encouraging thumbs up. I couldn’t help but notice the fear in her eyes as she rounded the corner. I settled in with a magazine, looking through a few pages, before becoming bored and tossing it aside. I picked up my phone and called Dek.

“What’s up dude? Where are you? I just stopped by your house and rang the bell like twenty times. Are we writing today or taking a beach day again?” Dek and I had been friends since the third grade, having sided with one another during a large recess brawl. I don’t care who you are, when a guy you don’t even know has your back in a bad situation, you are friends for life. I may have only been nine years old, but even back then I knew I had found someone that I could count on, no matter what, and to this day Dek had never let me down. He stood beside me through all of the booze and all of the drugs, through everything.

“Man, something came up; I won’t be able to hang out.”

“What aren’t you telling me?” Dek asked suspiciously. He’d known me long enough to tell when I wasn’t being completely honest.

“I won’t go into the full story now, because I don’t have time, but I met someone yesterday and now she needs my help.” I knew it was a weak explanation, and he would never buy it.

“What do you mean ‘she needs your help’? You mean financially? Dude, you need to be careful; these women will take advantage of your kindness. Do I need to remind you of the chick who took you for ten grand a few years
back?” he quipped.

“No,” I snapped back, “I don’t need reminding, and it’s not like that with this girl. She was mugged and injured while visiting the beach. I found her and took her home. We’re at the hospital now, Steve is checking her out.”

“Whoa, sorry about that. So you really are being a nice guy, that’s cool. So, where does she go to after the hospital?”

“She’s catching a plane back to Michigan this afternoon, I’m taking her to the airport,” I said, my voice catching as I forced the words out.

“Dude, you’re acting weird. Is there something going on with this girl? You didn’t take advantage of her in her condition did you?” Dek accused gently, knowing my jaded history with women.

“Of course not!” I barked out, drawing the attention of the receptionist seated behind the glass partition, I lowered my voice. “It’s just… I don’t know what it is man. There’s just something about her. She’s different. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but right now, she needs me, and it feels good to be able to help.”

“So you like her? You’ve known her how long?”

“We just met yesterday morning, but that’s beside the point. It’s hard to explain, but…” Just then, I heard my name being called, and I looked up to see Steve beckoning me to join him in the hall. “I gotta go man, talk to you later.” I hung up and jogged down the hall.

“Brooke is having a mild anxiety attack at the thought of going into the scanner. It appears she may be claustrophobic. Maybe if you come and sit at her feet, that will help her calm down.”

“Sure, is it okay for me to be in there. Did she ask for me?”

“It will be fine, and no she didn’t ask, but I think she will be pleased,” he looked back at me. “I’ve seen the way she looks at you,” he winked, and I couldn’t hide the smile forming on my lips.

“Brooke,” Steve announced as we entered the room, pointing to the chair where I should sit, right at her feet. “I know you are scared, that’s why I had the attendant fit you with that mirror over your forehead. Can you see me standing here now?”

“Yes,” she replied in a small, scared voice.

“Can you see who else is in the room with you?” Her head shifted a bit and I heard an audible whimper as it registered that I was here. I reached out, placing my hand on her ankle to reassure her of my presence. “Sebastian is here, and he will stay with you during the procedure, it won’t take long. I promise you will be safe. Will it help to have him with you?”

“Yes,” she responded, voice stronger now. I squeezed her gently and rested my hand protectively over her, letting her know that I wasn’t going anywhere. I looked down the opening of the scanner and saw the mirror over her face. In a brief flash we made eye contact, I smiled reassuringly and kept my gaze on her throughout the duration of the test. At times, she kept her eye on me, and at others she closed her eyes as if trying to mentally escape. I could totally relate. I don’t like confinement either, so if the roles were reversed I wasn’t too sure that I wouldn’t need a kind soul at my feet. Soon the test was over and the attendant came out to remove the cage contraption that had been placed over her face, then helped her to a seated position, instructing her to remain there until Steve came back in the room. I looked back through the window partition and saw Steve standing with two other doctors, looking at a screen in front of
them.

“How are you feeling?” I asked her.

“About the same, except now I have a loud banging in my head from all of that racket. I should have taken them up on the offer of headphones and music,” she laughed nervously.

“Sorry, guess I could have offered to sing for you,” I laughed too, trying my best to put her at ease. “They’ll be done soon, and we can get you home,” I encouraged. In my head, I meant back to her home state, but in my heart I knew that I meant back to my place. We were going to have to stop back by there to pick up her belongings, but then would be rushing off to the airport where I would drop her off and never see her again. My heart was unnaturally heavy.

“Brooke,” Steve announced, as he came through the doorway. “We’ve gone over your scans, and everything looks normal on your brain, activity is good and there aren’t any bleeds. But, there is some mild swelling that is normal with a concussion. I would like to keep an eye on that. How long are you in town for?”

“My flight leaves today at two-thirty,” she replied nervously. “Why do you ask?”

“Well, I’m sorry to do this to you, but I’m going to recommend that you avoid air travel for the next seven to ten days. You’ve suffered a pretty nasty blow, and although your scan is clear, I would feel better knowing that you aren’t flying. Air travel can prolong your recovery and even make your symptoms worse.” Steve snuck a quick glance at me before continuing. “However, I can’t stop you from choosing to fly; it’s just a medical recommendation. I’ll let you two discuss this, you are free to leave the hospital if you wish.” He shook both our hands and left the room. Brooke remained sitting on the
edge of the table, staring ahead, as if shocked by the recent news.

“Hey honey, you okay?” I prodded gently. I knew she probably found it strange that I kept referring to her as honey, but I couldn’t help myself, that endearment just fit her, it must have been the hair that led me to call her that. Yeah, that was all it was.

Brooke~

I don’t like confined spaces, and this machine is totally freaking me out. Steve left, and the assistant is in fitting me with a mirror over my eyes. I’m not sure how this is going to help my situation, but I resign to it and pray that this procedure is over quickly, and I can be off to the airport. The thought of leaving brings about two conflicting emotions, excitement and dread. I want to get back home to the familiarity and comfort of my apartment, but a part of me would like nothing more than to remain here for a while longer and spend more time getting to know this man that intrigues me. Something about him calls to the deepest part of my being, he calms me and excites me all at the same time. Maybe we can exchange phone numbers and become those people that have a long distance relationship getting to know one another via technology. Yeah, that sounds romantic. Get a grip girl, he’s just a man, you see hundreds of them on a weekly basis and never react this way. I’m sure that once I am home he will become nothing but a pleasant memory of this terrible vacation, and surely he will forget all about me once I am gone, after all, he has gobs of women seeking his attention on a regular basis. I’m sure that the only memory he will have of me is that I was an inconvenience, a needy inconvenience.