Alpha Billionaire Series

MADII

I still hadn't quite figured out how to tell Drew about me and Gavin, but I had assured Alice under no uncertain term: that I was going to tell him in my own way when the mood was right. So there I was pushing his wheelchair through the hospital almost a week later on the way to yet another therapy appointment. He was strong enough to walk around his parents’ house in short bursts, but long walks still tired him too much. And he needed me, so I offered to continue toing with him, despite the effect it was now having on my photography business.

“Here,” Drew said, pointing. I recognized the turn in the hallway, but my mind had been distracted with thoughts of how to tell him and what to say, so I'd missed my turn.

“Sorry, lost in thought.” I pushed his chair through the door into the large room full of machines and equipment use for therapy. It looked more like a training gym than a hospital. Treadmills lined one wall, weight machines another. A set of stainless-steel parallel bars set in the center of the room, with large gym mats lining the floor beneath it. Drew's therapist, Adam, was waiting by the parallel bars, looking down at his cell phone. He looked up as we approached and offered a broad smile. I didn’t smile, however, because Ms. Emily Gutierrez, Ten News, just happene to be sitting in a black plastic chair nearby, also consumed with her phone screen. She, too, looked up as we stoppec there, and she gestured like she was calling someone.

Suddenly a camera crew of three men wearing Ten News polo shirts and carrying tripods, cameras, and a boom mic appeared. They had been leaning against a wall where I hadn't seen them. I hadn't thought for a second that we would be having an intimate discussion about me and Gavin during Drew's therapy, but the presence of the news crew cemented that fact.

“Emily! So glad you made it” Drew reached out toward her, scooting forward on the wheelchair seat.

“So glad you invited me. I think getting some therapy shots in action with you on your feet will be awesome for the piece.” She had spiked her fiery hair and all I could think was how easy it would be to poke someone's eye out on those sharp points. She turned her attention to me after shaking Drew's hand and raised an eyebrow. “Ms. Springer, you always join him for therapy?”

“Yes, I do.” My voice was flat and cold, and I didn’t try to mask my distaste for the woman.

Adam offered a questioning look, and I avoided his eye contact. I busied myself with locking the wheels on the chair in place, so it didn't move as Drew tried to stand up. We stood and talked with Adam for a while, Emily and her crew hovering over us, and Adam gave us the rundown of what we'd be doing. It was pretty straightforward.

“So go ahead and do your chair stretches first. We'll get you limbered up and then we'll get you standing.” Adam stepped back and watched as Drew started doing the simple stretches he could do on his own. He rolled his ankles and flexed his feet to stretch his calves, but when it came to the more difficult ones, Adam asked me to help.

I knelt in front of Drew, holding his legs for him as she leaned forward to stretch his hips. I could see how doing this on the floor would have been much easier but getting Drew off the ground would have been a logistical nightmare. And God knows he wouldnt want that on video. So I helped him.

“That's it, Madii. You should encourage him the entire time he’s doing these exercises too. It will help him push himself harder to improve faster” Adam coached from over my shoulder, but I felt stuck inside my head. I didn’t have any encouragement to give him.

Until I thought of the first time, I went rock climbing with Drew. We were at a climbing gym, and I had never done anything like that. He had talked me through every step of the climb, then helped me rappel safely to the ground again. Drawing inspiration, I started what I thought was great coaching.

“Okay, yeah, try to lean into the stretch a bit more. I got you.” I held his feet firmly, but as he leaned forward more, the chair started to move a bit, and he rolled away from me. I could have sworn I had locked the wheels, so instantly I felt embarrassed. Luckily, he didn't fall from his seat or anything.

Emily took a few steps forward and locked the wheels, patting Drew on the shoulder. “I got it. No worries.” She smirked at me, her thick mauve lipstick clinging to her teeth. Inwardly I chuckled at how stupid she looked. She wouldn't be smirking like that if she knew her lipstick had smudged on her crooked grin.

“Okay, well let's just get you up and at it then. I'll teach you an easy way to get down to the floor and back up later, after our workout.” Adam pushed into the circle and offered Drew a hand.

I'd seen him stand up and walk about three steps, but nothing farther. So, it was still a shock when he stood under his own power using Adam's hand for balance. It warmed my heart to know he was back. I thought of all the adventures we'd been on, the mountains we'd climbed, the trails we'd hiked. We had a plan to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia where it started all the way to Maine where it ended. It would take us around six months, so it meant we'd have to really rely on my photography of the scenery and such to sell and support us financially. But tha had been our dream.

Now my dream was just to wake up not feeling the pangs of guilt that made my stomach want to empty itself. I'd felt so sick at times I thought I was pregnant, but pregnancy tests had proven that wasn't the case. It was just nerves anc the lack of eating.

“Good, now place your hands here” Adam patted the bars.

I stood and strolled over closer, my hand hovering over my mouth. Drew positioned himself next to the bars and gripped them. I watched as he walked back and forth, from one end of the bars to the other. His hands slid along the shining metal. Emily's camera man followed along, recording video of Drew walking, each struggling step.

“Now, you're going to stand really still while I lower the bars.” Adam gestured at me. “Madii, stand behind him for support as I lower these.”

I followed his orders, standing behind Drew with my arms around his waist. He patted my arm and smiled over his shoulder. He was all grins, and I could imagine why. It must have felt amazing to be back on his feet again. The bars slowly lowered and all I could think was how incredible it would feel to stand on top of Pikes Peak with my arms around him like this.

“You just keep working hard and imagine the mountains you'll climb again!” I squeezed a little, smiling and pressing my forehead to the back of his shoulder.

“Nah, I'm done with those risk-seeking days.” The bars stopped in a lower position, and I felt confused.

Drew had been just as much of an adrenaline junkie as I was. Even more so at times. So, I was baffled why he'd just give up our dreams.

“What do you mean?” I asked, backing away. Drew braced himself on the bars as Adam walked up.

“Now, each long stride you take, do a deep knee bend. Use the bars for support. This is really a whole-body strength exercise. You're testing your core here, your leg muscles, and putting those arms to work when the legs feel tired. Give it a try” Adam gestured for Drew to start walking and the camera man zoomed in on him as he took his first stey Drew didn’t answer me, so I asked again.

“What do you mean, you've just given up our plans?” I took tiny steps next to him as he went. I didn’t understand what he was saying.

“Yeah, I mean. I almost died, Madii. So, we'll just settle down and get a good job. You know, have a family.” Drew took another step, grimacing as his knee almost buckled.

“Arms, arms!” Adam coached, and I saw the concentration on Drew's face as he forced himself to stand up. Drew slowly rose and stood, taking a few deep breaths.

“Drew, we have plans to hike the Appalachian Trail. We're going to climb Everest, swim the Barrier Reef. What about our future?” My heart sank at his expression, and it unnerved me that the cameras were zeroing in on my face now. I must have seemed harsh, or maybe it was the drama effect. They wanted to watch me unravel. I didn’t care. I felt offended he didn't even talk to me about this. He just announced it to me while we were doing therapy, while the news cameras were in my face.

“Yeah, well when you almost die, you change.” Drew took another step, focusing his eyes on where his foot was going As his knee bent and his torso lowered, he faltered, landing on that knee. “F**k!”

“Oh, God." I backed away, letting Adam come in and swoop behind the bars to get Drew back to standing.

“Arms, okay? You use your arms when your legs feel weak.” Adam stood there for a moment with his arms wrapped around Drew. “Madii, the chair”

I scurried over to the wheelchair and tried pushing it, only to be rudely reminded it was still locked. After unlocking the brakes, I got it positioned behind Adam in between the bars, and locked the wheels again.

“I'm sorry, Drew. I just.” I glanced at the cameras; the boom mic was right in my face. Emily Gutierrez was grinning with a nefarious hint in the way her lips curled to one side. “Maybe now isn't the time.”

“Now is definitely not the time.” Adam let Drew go and ducked under the bars as Drew sat down in the chair. “I think you should go have a walk and cool off for a bit. We discussed having only positive energy around when Drew is doing his therapy because it helps him recover faster.”

I nodded, and looked to Drew, who didn’t make eye contact with me. How could he just give up everything he loved, just like that? It didn't make sense. Alice and Henry had never been huge fans of his risky behavior, but these days even the most dangerous adventure seeking was safe. I wondered if they had tried to talk him out of it. Regardless, i was clear to me that he wasn't going to change his mind easily, and I wasn’t even sure if I fit into his future anyway. The only thing that interaction did was make me want to call Gavin. I had run to him for comfort for everything from a papercut to a horrible client, and even for difficult things with my mother or Violet for months now. But right now, my safe space was missing. I could reach for him, but he wouldn't be there. I had walked out that night and let him believe I was choosing Drew.

I hadn't done that purposely, but now, weeks later, he likely assumed I had made my choice. Tears burned in my eyes, and another glance at the camera revealed it focused on my face.

“Drew?” I asked, hoping he would help me.

“We should talk later” His voice was as cold and flat when directed at me as mine had been when directed at Emily ii the beginning of our appointment.

“You mean when these cameras aren't invading our privacy?” I snapped, glaring at the news lady, who looked away. I could see the smirk on her face still. “I'll have your mother come pick you up.”

Before he could respond, I walked out. I was furious. I let my own self anger get the better of me and I unleashed it on him, but it felt good. I felt justified. And now I wanted to think clearly. Maybe a drive past the bay would do me good. Anything outside of a fucking hospital.