Chapter 10: Chapter 10

REECE

“So, you just happened to be there?” Winston asked.

I had texted Wren and Winston to let them know Etta was in the hospital getting checked out. Winston said he would come by since Wren needed to finish his last-minute tux fitting.

“I showed up because Etta needed a ride back to her car. She had too much to drink last night, and I didn’t want her driving, so I promised to pick her up and take her. I was in the kitchen making her breakfast when I heard her fall.”

“That’s it?” he asked, his tone accusatory.

“Yes. I didn’t lay a hand on your sister,” I said defensively.

Winston let out a laugh.

“Relax. I trust you, and I’m glad you were there; she needs support. Etta wants to be independent, but she tends to close herself off to people to get there,” Winston added.

“Hart family?”

Winston and I jumped up as the doctor called for us.

“Odette asked that I bring you guys back before we discussed her scans.”

“Is everything fine?” I asked the doctor.

The doctor didn’t answer us, and I was starting to freak out.

When we got into the room, Etta was on the bed, dressed in a hospital gown.

“Is everything okay?” Winston asked.

“I didn’t want to be alone when the doctor went over everything, so take a seat and let the doctor talk.”

“You do have a concussion, and the scans confirmed that there aren’t any internal injuries or bleeding, so you’ll be released on light duty and are not to be left alone for the next forty-eight hours.”

“We can make sure of that, right, Reece?” Winston asked.

I was surprised Winston included me in this.

“Right, we’ll make sure she’s taken care of,” I agreed.

“Good, I’ll get the nurse to prepare the discharge papers.”

I was glad she was okay, but I felt like there was something she wasn’t telling us.

“Are you sure you feel fine?” I asked.

“I feel much better; they gave me some medicine for my stomach, so I don’t feel like throwing up right now.”

“Are you going to feel well enough to go to the rehearsal dinner tonight?” Winston asked.

“Yes, I want to be there for Sterling.”

“Well, Reece, it looks like you’re coming with us. I’ll be busy, and I would prefer to have someone with her all the time right now.”

Part of me felt like this was Winston giving me his blessing to try and move forward with Odette.

“Winston and I are going to step into the hallway while you get dressed.”

She nodded at us, and I clapped Winston on the back. “Let’s go. I need to talk to you,” I whispered.

As soon as the door shut, he turned around. “What’s wrong?”

“I think something else is wrong, and she isn’t telling us.”

“She’ll tell us when she’s ready. We have to trust her, and I want to make one thing clear. I’m okay with you seeing my sister, but I’ll be watching you, and I will be there to kill you if you hurt her,” Winston threatened.

“I understand that, and you don’t have to worry about me hurting her. If anything, I feel like she has the potential to hurt me.”

“You’ll be all right,” he clapped back.

Etta opened the door and gave us a judgmental look.

“Are you guys out here bonding?” Etta joked.

“Winston isn’t the bonding type,” I joked back.

“Sure, he is, but he only bonds with the people he likes.”

“Let’s get out of here. Reece is going to take you back to Wren’s, and he will make sure you get to where you need to be for dinner tonight.”

“I’m sure he has better things to do than babysit me,” Etta stated.

I shrugged my shoulders.

“I would like to spend time with you. I don’t see it as babysitting,” I responded.

“Really? No Saturday date?” Etta asked.

“Nope.”

“Fine,” she huffed out.

If I was around, it meant I had time to wiggle my way into her life, get her to open up to me, and trust me.

***

Etta seemed nervous on the way back to Wren’s. She didn’t speak, and she kept picking at her nails.

“Now that you are home, will you tell me what’s bothering you?” I asked again, hoping she would tell me.

“Nothing is bothering me.”

“Nice try, but you’ve been picking at your nails, and you’ve barely said a word.” Over the years, I had learned that Etta picked at her nails when she was nervous.

“I’m just tired, and I’m worried about my car,” she lied.

“Winston and Beau went to get it. They’ll bring it later. Now, let’s try again. What is bothering you?”

“Nothing! Mind your own business. You’re not my boyfriend; you don’t have any right to interrogate me. Just leave me alone,” she yelled. She stormed off to her room and slammed the door shut.

I wasn’t sure what had happened. Maybe she was tired and not feeling well from the fall. But I had no fucking clue how to handle this.