dripping off Rocky and Elijah’s foreheads. If it weren’t for the alcohol, I probably would be panicking the same.
“Do you think this is the first time I have seen this?” asks the cop.
“Uh, no, sir, I mean yes, sir…” Rocky answers nervously.
“Well, which one is it?”
“I don’t know, sir.”
The cop laughs, shaking his head. “You out-of-towners are no different from the rest of them.”
As soon as I realize he isn’t serious, I break out in a small smile. The cop takes out his key to undo the handcuffs, and I get an idea.
“Sir, can I ask you for a small favor first?”
The cop stares at me strangely.
Moments later, Elijah holds up the mug shot board with some random number next to Rocky as I take the picture.
I hit send.
“You’re dead meat.”
It takes not even a minute for my phone to ring, so I press the speaker button when I answer the call.
“What the fuck is my husband doing in jail, Edwards!”
I fall to the floor in hysterics along with Elijah. Unable to breathe from Nikki’s continuous cussing, she finally threatens Elijah that she will tell Adriana everything. It’s contagious. Soon the whole room is laughing, including Rocky.
It will definitely be a night to remember.
***
The next week is mainly spent in meetings and fighting every battle under the sun. Suddenly, work has become insane, and I’m putting in eighteen-hour days if not more. In the past week alone, I flew to Chicago, Boston, and Vancouver. I’m due next week to speak at a conference in Paris. I am reluctant to leave London again, just that nagging feeling that something isn’t right.
On a dreary Friday afternoon, the rain is pouring, covering the skyline. Employees start filing out of the boardroom after a presentation on current market trends. Kate sits across from me, fidgeting with her phone and bouncing her feet under the table. Her eyebrows draw together, and every few seconds, she lifts her eyes to look at me only to drop them again moments later. I sit still, tapping my pen on the desk as I watch her with a tight expression.
“I’m waiting…”
She glances up at me. “I’m sorry, sir, it’s just… nothing.”
“Great, well, nothing means you can get back to your desk and finalize the travel arrangements for Paris.”
Hesitating, I wait as she looks ready to open her mouth, but instead, she walks away, closing the door behind her.
It happens again, twice, then I call her back into my office. Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with her? By the fourth time, I’ve had enough.
“Kate, tell me what the hell is wrong that’s making you so unproductive today?”
“Excuse me, sir?”
“Whatever it is, you’ve tried to tell me four times in the past hour. Let me guess, you’re handing in your resignation?”
“Oh no! I enjoy my job… somewhat.”
“Okay, then what? I’m not a mind reader, and you’re wasting my time.”
She shuffles her feet, wringing her palms. With her head bowed, she mumbles something.
“I can’t hear you. Speak up.”
“Charlie’s in the hospital.”
“What?”
“She was admitted a few hours ago. She’s been very ill lately, but then she collapsed and had trouble breathing. Eric called me.”
“And no one thought to call me?”
“Sir, the history, you know—”
“I’m her fucking husband!”
“Excuse me, husband? I don’t even know where to begin with—”
“Book the next flight for me.”
Overwhelmed with panic, I grab my phone and dial Nikki’s number.
Voicemail.
I dial Adriana.
Voicemail.
I try every fucking person in New York.
Voicemail.
My grip tightens on my phone as I press it against my forehead, willingly my eyes to close. My chest begins to tighten, terrified of what state she’s in, my imagination running wild with possibilities.
Kate returns fifteen minutes later with my flight details. The plane is leaving in two hours from a different wing as she’s booked a private plane. I don’t care about the cost, I need to get back to the States now.
The hours pass by in a blur. Occasionally, I nod off, but my mind refuses to shut down. Still haven’t heard from anyone, and this cold-shoulder nonsense will be the death of me.
It’s just after midnight when I run through the doors of the hospital. The nurses quietly sit behind the desk. They see me and immediately tell me, “No visitors.”
I throw some money at them to which they demand even further that I leave. One goes as far to call security, not that I care. A doctor walks past, and I grab him by the coat, begging him for answers, for anything.