A Duck Dynasty Story: Love Sparks ON HOLD

Chapter Eight

Elle's P.O.V

For the past hour I couldn't seem to get Cole Robertson off my mind. That was a first. Inside he made me melt like no other. Yet, my brain told me to back away from the egotistical stalker. He wasn't good for me and I knew it too. My heart said otherwise though.

On top of it all I still can't get over the fact that I actually told him that I liked him! I was just being impulsive and got heated up in the moment. None of what I told him was true, right? Sure lets go with that. Deep down I knew I was kidding myself. I felt myself drawn to him, just like a magnet was to a metal surface. 

I jumped out of my bed when I heard the phone ring. I nervously picked up my phone and stared at the caller ID. It was Sadie. Oh god I had so much to tell her!! I don't know why I didn't think of calling her sooner! Only she called me first.

But wait. This was SADIE! Whose brother was John Luke. "Shit!", I exclaimed. I had totally forgot about him! What  if he told Sadie? Was she really to grill me with questions about her "bothersome" brother? Those were her words not mine!

I cautiously answered the phone mentally preparing myself for Sadie's bombarding questions when I heard screaming on the other line. I froze; I wasn't expecting this. 

Elle: H-h-ello?

Sadie: Elle you need to get to the hospital, now! 

Elle: What’s going on?! Wait. Are you..crying?

Sadie: *Sniffles* Its Cole...

I froze. I couldn't move. I could barely think now. Without Sadie saying another word I disconnected the phone. I felt my heart start to pound from inside my chest. Next thing you know, my feet are moving. I'm running as fast as I can towards my car. I needed to see him, to know that he was okay. 

15 Minutes Later

I was really surprised when I arrived at the hospital and hadn't gotten pulled over by the police. I was speeding at 75 miles per hour in a 40 miles per hour road! This was me being reckless. I knew I shouldn't have done something this stupid, but going slow was not an option. 

I now started to sprint, finally nearing my destination. As I approached the glass double doors, I nearly collided into them. I took a breif second to readjust myself before I continued to run, in a hospital no less. I came to a halt when I reached the elevator. Nurses and patients were starting to give me weird looks, but I didn't care. I wasn't there to please them or to follow their rules, I was there for Cole.

In annoyance, I continually pressed the elevator button until it finally opened. I stepped in and hit the Level 5 button and waited for the doors to close. As the doors finally closed, I sighed in relief. Very soon after, the elevator doors opened revealing a long white hallway.

I was never one for hospitals, in fact, they freaked me out. The sterilization and precautionary measures they took for their patients only added to my fear. Hospitals were supposed to be a safe place, but my sense of logic defined the place as mental. And who could forget the blood. The sight of blood had always made me feel light headed, but now even more so. I was in a place filled with nothing, but blood bags.

I had to try my best to calm down. I took a deep breath and then walked down the dwindling hall until I found room 507. With my sense of direction, it probably took an extra ten minutes than needed. 

I stood outside wondering whether to go in or not. The door was creaked open after all so why not. I slowly walked inside to see the man of the hour lying in a hospital bed with a machine hooked up to him.

I went to his side and felt a tear stroll down my cheek. I thought I was about to lose it any moment, but I knew I had to be strong.  I raised my hand and gently brushed his face until I felt a hand on top of my shoulder.

I prayed that it wasn't John Luke. He was just someone I didn't have the strength to deal with right now. I felt too vulnerable. When I spun around, I saw a lady who looked a lot like Cole in her early forties. I could only assume that this was his mom. Trailing after her came a little girl and an unfamiliar teenage boy. My body started to tense up. This was his family. I suddenly became very uncomfortable and conscious of myself; I was intruding. 

"I shouldn't be here...It was a mistake coming." I started to walk out until I heard a voice calling me back. "Wait! Is your name Elle by any chance?", the boy said. "H-h-ow did you know that?", I stuttered. "Well Cole talks about you all the time. Is there something going on between you that I should know?" I felt taken aback. "Dating? Umm no were not....like I said before, I shouldn't be here. The only reason I came was because Sadie called..I'm guessing you know her?" "Well yeah she's my cousin", he said slightly chuckling to himself.

I began to think. If he was her cousin then that meant Cole was related to not only Sadie, but to John Luke as well. I'm in deep shit. I then sighed; my lips shifting into a frown. " Would you like to share?", the guy said starting to look amused now. " Did I really just say that all out loud?". "Looks as if you have a mind of your own blondie. Anyways my names Reed and you can stay if you like." "Hmm, blondie. I like the sound of that... I think. And I should really go. Please tell Sadie to text me if she hears anything new!"

I started to walk off again for yet the second time, but was stopped by Reed's yelling. I stopped and saw him approaching me until we met. "Or better yet I can just text you", Reed said. I gave him my number and waved goodbye. 

After what seemed a long drive home, I locked my car and glanced up at my house. My jaw went ajar as I saw someone I never thought I'd want to see again in over a million years standing on my front porch. I quickly adjusted my jaw and felt anger beginning to wash over me.

It was HIM. My ex-best friend and ex-boyfriend neatly packaged as a two for one deal. This was one deal I wasn't going to give into. He ruined me. I was not going to fall for his witty charm like I had done once before. All of his lies and abuse drove me over the edge making me another one of his helpless victims. I had to stand up for myself. No one else was here though. A shiver quickly went down my spine just at the thought of the two of us alone. I was with the guy I loathed, the guy I detested. And there was no escape.