The Rockstar's bodyguard { A Bethanny Mcnarie novel }

Chapter 15: Hospital Rooms { Aaron POV }

                   Everything hurt.

My whole body hurt, and I woke up to the sound of hospital monitors. Where was I? The last thing I remembered was Bethanny being held at knifepoint.

"Bethanny! " I shot up.

She was sitting in the corner, looking safe

but tired. She stood up and walked over, grabbing my hands.  For once, I held her hands and didn't care.

                  "You're safe, " I whispered.  "God I was terrified."

"You? That mad woman stabbed you. I was so terrified you'd bleed to death in front of me."

"I don’t remember. I remember seeing you and I had a plan. I was going to talk her down."

"You did," Bethanny said.  "How did you know how to do that, what to say to her?"

"I've studied her," I said. "I've read her letters over and over, just to understand her. I'm glad she's caught now, right?

                    "She's in a safe facility where she can't hurt herself or others anymore, " Beth said. "Who knows, if she is on regular medication she might even get better. She didn't seem evil, just confused. I hope she gets help."

"She's delusional, but not a sociopath.  She can still feel and grow."

"Is that how you knew to use emotion to talk to her?"

"What? "

"That's how you saved me," Beth said. "You begged her to let me go because you loved me. She let go...but then she stabbed you. It was insane."
I was probably just being too honest because I was afraid of losing you. 

"I guess I have good instincts. "

"And everything else is a blur, " she asked.

              "Yeah," I said. "So you're ok? "

"Because you saved me," she said.

I squeezed her hand and we just sat in the silence. What did you say after you saved someone's life?

"So, how long was I out? " I asked.

"It's been a day," she frowned. "You lost a lot of blood and they think the adrenline made you fatique. You've been sleeping and they said you'd be ok. I just... I didn't know. There was so much blood Aaron."

"Hey," I said. "If you think it's that easy to get rid of me, you're sorely mistaken.  You're stuck with me, ok?"

"Ok," she nodded.

"So..." she said. "I've been reading reading the paper to you while you slept."

"Oh," I said. "How are the Yankees doing?"

"I didn't know you were a Yankees fan," she said.

                   "I'm not," I said. "If be hate their guts. I'm a Mariners fan."

"The Mariners suck, Aaron. "

"Not as bad as the Yankees, " I smiled.

She smiled back,  and for a moment,  it all felt ok.

*

*

*

         After having a chat with the doctor about my recovery, I frowned. I needed a week off and I didn't know how Joel would feel about that. I mean,  he already paid me too much. How was he going to feel considering I allowed his daughter to get accosted and then wanted a week off. Joel knocked on my door,  smiling.

And somehow guilt washed over me.

I'd been dreaming about his daughter.
I let that maniac almost kill her.

                 I was officially the worst bodygaurd ever.

"How you feeling man?" Joel asked.

"Ok," I said. "A little embarassed. I passed out due to an arm cut."

"Tis a mere flesh wound," Joel said in a Monty python British accent. "But seriously,  it was more serious.  She sliced a major artery. It was terrifying. "

"So I'm not fired?"

                 "Hell no!" Joel laughed. "You saved my girl's life. Aaron, you almost died for my daughter.  How can I even... there are no words."

Joel and I didn't speak for a moment.

"She's alive, and so are you."

"I'm just glad she's safe," I said. "I know it's a job. But she's a friend... and I would do it all again."

"Look, our shows are all concealed for a week. Beth and I are staying here until you're better."

"Where's Angie?"

"Well, she had to go and help put our other daughter. Bethanny was relieved because Angie was a little overwhelming and smothering. She needed space."

                 "Well, I hope Blake is ok," I said.

"Dude,  you need to be selfish. You're in a hospital bed."

"Ok..." I said.  "I'll get back to work when I can."

"Aaron, don't worry about it. We will fly you back to Omaha and hire an additional bodyguard. I'll pay you for the whole tour even if you don't come back."

"No..." I said. " I mean, yes, pay me. But I don't want to go home."

             "I know your family is complicated..."

"Not to sound like a narcissist," I said. "But Bethanny needs me. She was attacked and she's going to feel uneven. I've protected her. She needs me."

"I agree, " Joel said. "But you can't be expected to work after an injury."

"Look," I said. "Let's just wait a few days and see how we all feel, ok."

              "Ok," Joel said. "And Aaron, I think you're officially family. I love you man. I'm glad you're ok."

I just nodded, feeling uneasy. He'd offered me a way to get paid and be free from my obligation.  If I didn't want to be there for the money,  what the hell did I want?