His Always: Book 1 Rhodes Character Series

Chapter 14: Tate

Why doesn't anyone answer their phone? I know one person will. I click dial on my phone and wait for an answer. "9-1-1, what is your emergency?" My mind is reeling. What happened to Thomas? "Hi - Yes, my name is Dr. Tate Rhodes. I like to report a break-in at my friends apartment. I don't have details - I just came to check on him because I couldn't get ahold of him."

"That's fine. Do you know the address Dr. Rhodes?" Crap. "No - can you track my location? I've looked around and I don't see him. But there is blood here. Shit, there is actually a lot of blood." My mind is spinning. Did whoever Natalie fight off take Thomas? "Sir - Sir, did you hear me?" Shit. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"

"Just stay where you are Sir. I am sending officers and a medic now." A medic? I don't need a medic. "Cancel the medic no one is actively hurt here. I'm sorry I was just here to find a friend. My girlfriend is in the hospital. I have to go. You can contact me back at this number or you can tell the officers they can find me at Hudson Health Community Hospital. I am an OBGYN there." I hang up, close the door, and lock it in one swift motion. I just need to head to my place real quick to pick up some clothes. I don't want to leave the hospital again once I get there. I have no idea how Natalie is doing or if anyone has told her about the pregnancy. I hate being out of the loop. As I step into the elevator, my phone rings in my pocket. I click the lobby button and fish my phone out. It's Eric. "Hey, man. Give me a second. I am in the elevator." I don't hear any response on the other end. The elevator dings and I step out. Still cradling my phone against my ear waiting for the connection to restore, I rush out to get out the main door.

"Are you there? Hello?" I don't like the sound of Eric's voice. It scares me - and I don't scare. "Eric - I'm here. Holy shit. Something happened to Thomas. Have you heard from him? I had to call 9-1-1 when I got to his apartment." He cuts me off. "Tate. I know that's why I am calling. I need you to get back here. Natalie is out of control. I don't want to keep sedating her. How fast can you get back here? She's become a danger to herself. It was Thomas." I stop dead in my tracks. A lady slams into the back of me. "Hey - you can't just stop in the middle of the sidewalk. Watch what you are doing." The words don't register. I actually don't even know if my brain is processing anything. But Thomas was hurt too? I thought they were both attacked? You mean the blood on that table could have been Natalie's too? I feel sick. Actually sick. No time to feel sick. I start jogging. Running towards my car.

"Tate - did you hear me? I need you here. She's out of control." Shit. My Natalie. I'm coming baby. Hang on for me. "Yes - I'm on my way. Do what you have to do but it feels like every time we drug her she wakes up worse. I'm less than 5 minutes out. Hold onto her for me." I hop into the driver's seat and don't even bother to click my seatbelt in. I dial the only number who could tell me what to do in this situation. My mom. It rings and rings...come on mom. "Hello darling. I didn't expect to hear from you today. I'm out and about with Sue. Can I call you later?"

"No - Natalie was attacked. Badly. She ran to my apartment last night and Eric and I rushed her to the hospital. She was pregnant mom." My voice cracks. A tear slips down my face. I cough to try and hide the emotion in my voice. Hearing my mom gasp makes it harder to swallow the feeling in my gut. "Oh honey. What can I do?" I hear her rustling in the background. Probably gathering her and Sue's items. "She's not well mentally or physically. I don't even know if she knows about the baby yet." I full sob breaks through. I blink and wipe my face. I can't look like I have been crying once I get there.

"Do you need me to get to the hospital? Your dad is golfing - I can call him." I cut her off. "No, I just need you to go by my place and get some clothes for me for a couple of days. Grab some of my extra big sweatpants. I want Natalie to be comfortable for the next couple of days." I pause. Neither of us speak. Is there anything else I need? My mind is racing as I pull into my designated parking spot at the hospital. "That's really the main thing. Bring it to Hudson whenever you can. And don't worry about the blood on the couch. It was from when Natalie was over. I just didn't want it to scare you."