Breaking the Cycle Read online

  “This is by far the worst one she’s ever had.” Liz’s voice broke. “Are you sure the vomiting is over?”

  “Yeah, I am. When she was stable, I called Chad. Chad gave me the anti-anxiety and anti-nausea medications recommended for adults with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome. We injected them into her IV. I think that’s why she’s sleeping so peacefully.”

  Max could see the glimmer of tears against Liz’s cheek. “She’ll be awake in the morning?”

  “She should be.”

  “All right. I suppose we should go home.”

  “I’ll take you home,” Max agreed. “But then, I’m coming back.”

  Liz’s head snapped in his direction. “What? Why would you come back?”

  Max gazed at Chloe’s sleeping features. She looks like an angel. “I caused this. All of this is my fault. And I nearly lost her forever. I’m not leaving her side until she can go home.”

  Max didn’t look at anyone but Chloe as silence filled the room. He could feel their eyes on him. Do they condemn me for what I said? They can go ahead. I don’t care. The only thing I care about the woman in the hospital bed.

  Liz’s voice broke. “Maybe I should stay too?”

  Max turned toward her. “And sleep in your chair? No, Liz. That’s not going to help your situation much. You need to stretch out in your bed. I’ll take you home then come back.”

  Mark closed the file. “I’m about to end my shift. Liz, I can take you home and get you settled in the house. I can even stay the night if you want. I’ll bring you back in the morning. I’ll also talk to Rico and Dan to work out a schedule to get you here and home every day.”

  “All right,” Liz answered weakly. She grasped the wheels in her hand, pushing them into motion as she followed Mark from the hospital room. She stopped next to Max then tugged on his arm. He leaned down to her at her urging. She pressed a kiss against his cheek. “Good night, Max. Please get some sleep,” she breathed.

  “I’ll try. You need to get some sleep too,” he reminded.

  She forced a smile. “I’ll try.”

  Max watched as she disappeared into the corridor. He sighed. He would never hear an apology from her for what she had said. She was far too bullheaded. With good reason. She had built walls to protect Chloe and herself from the attacks of others who looked down on Chloe for what she had, something she couldn’t prevent.

  But the kiss on his cheek spoke volumes. He shrugged a smile. He understood. Every day that went by, he was building his own walls for the same reason. He and Liz just needed to realize they were fighting the same war.

  He slumped in the chair next to Chloe’s bed. The sound of the machines was almost soothing. He felt the exhaustion of the night drown him. But he knew he would never sleep. Max’s mind swirled with thoughts.

  He had failed Chloe. After this, would she even want him anymore? He remembered her first day at Roadie’s, the day they had first met. She had been bubbly as she extended her hand out to shake his, her ponytail brushing her shoulders. Her eyes had sparkled excitedly. He had lost his breath. No girl made his heart race like Chloe did.

  Now here he sat at her bedside, hours after she almost… He shuddered. Slipping his phone out of his pocket, he hit the speed dial.

  “Thomas residence,” a deep, male voice greeted on the other end.

  “Hey, Dad,” Max barely squeaked out.

  “Hey, Max. It’s late. What’s up?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Where are you, bud? You don’t sound yourself.”

  Max swallowed hard. “The hospital, Dad.”

  “Are you all right?” Panic laced in his voice.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Chloe?”

  Max felt tears burn his eyes. “She almost…died tonight. She aspirated. She stopped breathing.” He waited for his dad’s disapproval.

  “Max, do you need me to come up there? I can be out the door in a couple minutes.”

  “No. I’m all right.”

  “I can bring you something to eat if you want.”

  “It’s an hour and a half drive. I’m fine. Really. I just wanted to talk.”

  “About what?”

  “If Chloe deserves better than me.”

  There was a pause on the line. “Max, do you love this girl?”

  “Yes. More than anything. I would do anything for her.”

  “Then, she already has the best guy for her. My son.”

  Max couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks.”

  “Anytime, bud. Are you sure you don’t need anything?”

  “I’ll be fine. See you soon.”

  “See you soon. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.” Max slid his finger across the screen to end the call. Then, he settled back into the chair to try to rest. The night crept on. The silence nearly drove Max insane. He closed his eyes several times hoping sleep would overtake him. It was no use.

  His senses snapped awake at the rustle of bed sheets. Slowly unfolding from the vinyl-covered chair, he stood beside the bed. “Hey, Chloe.”

  Chloe took in the dark room through her drowsy brown eyes. She struggled to focus on him. “Max?”

  “Yeah. It’s me.”

  “Where am I?”

  “The hospital, baby. You had an episode. A pretty bad one.”

  She looked at him with confusion as she rubbed her eyes. She flinched at the IV needle embedded in the back of her hand. “You came back.”

  “Of course, I did. I would never leave you. I just needed to blow off some steam before I said something to your mom I would regret.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Three in the morning.”

  “Where is my mom?”

  “At home. Sleeping.”

  “Why are you here and not there?”

  “I’m staying here until you’re released. If you need anything, I’m here.”

  “But…”

  Max placed both palms on either side of her elbows and leaned over her. “Chloe, baby. You need your rest. Go back to sleep.”

  “But you’re here…”

  “Because I love you, Chloe. I’m not going anywhere.” He softly kissed her forehead. “Please. Sleep.”

  He gazed into the big eyes staring back at him silently. Then, he grasped her sheets in his hands and tugged them over her, tucking her into the hospital bed. Sitting back down, he watched her watching him. It wasn’t long before she fell back to sleep. Max followed quickly after her.

  Chapter Seven

  It took three full days for Chloe to regain her strength. Max stayed by her side, only leaving to run home, take a shower, and change clothes. He hated the look in her eyes every time he left. He knew she was terrified that he would abandon her.

  If he didn’t know how great his friends were before this, he knew now. Rico, Mark, and Dan took turns staying with Liz. They got her to her physical therapy sessions. They got her to and from the hospital. Jack even took a turn or two with Liz. Max couldn’t believe how lucky he was to call these men friends.

  When Liz was home, she cooked just so she could bring food up for Max. It was the best peace treaty he had ever heard of. How could he possibly be angry with her anymore? He knew Chloe noticed their reconciliation by the small smiles that escaped her lips.

  By day four, Chloe was strong enough for her first test. Max accompanied her as they wheeled her to the procedure room. While they examined her, he waited outside, leaning against the wall, counting the porous, white ceiling tiles above him. By the lack of color in her face as they emerged, he could tell they had taken one step forward in her recovery…and two steps back.

  The technicians took Chloe back to her room and helped her into her bed. She was shaking. “Max.”

  He stood beside her. “Yeah, Chloe? What do you need?”

  She wrapped her trembling arms around his waist as she buried her face against him. He untangled her from around him, sat on the mattress, and pulled her onto his lap. He gently whispered to he
r, soothing her as he prayed that he could take away her pain.

  Max was overjoyed to see Chloe’s strength back the next morning. The joy was short lived, as the same technicians arrived to perform another battery of tests. Max growled softly as he stalked after them to another part of the hospital. Once again, he counted ceiling tiles as he anxiously waited. And once again, Chloe came out of the procedure worse than when she went in.

  Max spent the rest of the day holding her tight, fighting himself from cursing the medical professionals hurting her. They were just trying to get the answers they desperately needed. Not to mention one of them was one of his best friends.

  He lost his temper when the techs, along with Mark, strolled in the next day. “Seriously, aren’t you trying to get her better?” Max noticed Chloe start to tremble at their appearance. “These tests are making her worse.”

  “Hang on, Max,” Mark stopped him. “All that is left is a simple scan. No injections, no poking, no prodding. A couple quick pictures. I know the last two tests were hell. I promise this one is easy. And even better, it’s the last one. You can even go in for the scan and keep Chloe company. I am.”

  Chloe’s eyes pleaded with Max. “Would you please go with me?”

  Max gave her a comforting smile. “Of course, baby. I’ll come along.”

  Max walked along with Mark behind the technicians pushing Chloe on the gurney. He stayed silent as the big man chattered along. He still didn’t trust Chloe was going to come out of this well. And the next time someone hurt her, they were going to have to deal with him.

  Fortunately, Mark was right. The scan was quick and painless. Mark cracked jokes with everyone in the room, including Chloe. A few pictures even had to be re-taken due to her giggling. Everyone, including Max, was in a lighthearted mood. No one minded the extra time it took to take the new shots.

  Mark and one of the technicians helped Chloe back into her bed. After a couple quick goodbyes, they left. Max sat in the chair, content for the first time since they had arrived at the hospital. But Chloe slumped against her pillow. Her face was sullen as she stared at the television mounted against the wall.

  “Is something wrong?” Max asked, concerned.

  “There was one good thing about those awful tests,” Chloe grumbled.

  “What was that?”

  She stared at him then turned her gaze back to the screen. “Nothing. Never mind.”

  Max lifted himself up. “Chloe, what is it?”

  She sighed. “It’s just, when I was shaking, you would hold me.”

  The grin that spread across Max’s face couldn’t have gotten bigger. He stood then settled on Chloe’s bed. Tugging her into his lap, he buried his face into her hair as he coiled his strong, sculpted arms around her. “Oh, baby. I don’t need an excuse to hold you. I’ll do that anytime you want.”

  She cuddled against him, her head pillowed against his chest. He sighed into her hair. Was the ice finally breaking? He sure hoped so.

  The next day, Chloe was out of bed and walking on her own. Max stayed nearby just in case she needed him. They barely got back to her room before Mark and Chad strode in.

  “Well, Chloe,” Mark addressed. “We’re here with information. Do you want the good news first…or the good news?”

  Chloe giggled. Max rolled his eyes as he chuckled.

  Chad elbowed Mark. “The results from the tests are back. It’s confirmed. You have Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome. I’m writing a prescription for you for a medication that should get your episodes under control and an anti-anxiety medication in case one gets away from you.”

  “Get my episodes under control?” Chloe questioned.

  “They should stop. You should start feeling normal, be able to live a normal life.”

  Chloe’s eyes filled with tears. Max sprung out of his seat and wrapped his arms around her. “Chloe?”

  “I don’t know what normal is,” she whimpered. “I’ve been doing this since I can remember.”

  Chad rubbed her shoulder as Max hugged her tight. “I want to see you in three months to make sure the medications are working. And you need to get anything that gives you anxiety out of your life. There’s no reason to invite an episode to start.”

  “As normal, I’m forgotten,” Mark pouted. “I had good news, too.” Chad gave him a dirty look. Mark continued with his usual grin, “You can go home, Chloe. I have your discharge papers.”

  Chloe’s glistening eyes grew wide with excitement. Max breathed a relieved sigh. Mark set the papers on the bedside table. “We’ll get out of your hair so you can change.”

  “Wait. Can I talk to you, Chad?” Chloe looked at Max. “Could you go call my Mom and let her know we’re coming home?”

  Max glanced from her to Chad as his brow wrinkled in a frown. The thought of leaving her unsettled him. There was nothing she could tell the doctor that he couldn’t hear. “Of course, sweetheart. I’ll be right back.”

  The ride home was quiet. Max knew Chloe still wasn’t feeling her best. She was pale. Every once in a while, a small groan escaped her lips.

  “What did you talk to Chad about?” he queried quietly.

  Chloe took a labored breath. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

  “You can tell me anything.”

  “Not this.”

  He scowled silently as he finished the drive home. Once he parked, he helped her from his car. Liz was elated when they stepped into the house. She had supper warming in the oven. They were directed to the kitchen table to be served.

  As they were enjoying forkfuls of homemade chicken pot-pie with a flaky golden crust, there was a knock at the door. Max excused himself to answer it. He frowned at the older gentleman standing on the mat. He was tall and well-built with thinning blond hair. “Can I help you?”

  “Is Liz home?” the man asked.

  “Yes. Follow me.” Max led him to the dining room.

  Liz stared at the man, clearly astounded. “Albert? What are you doing here?”

  “It’s Al. Remember?” A not so subtle blush colored her cheeks. Al continued, “I just finished meeting with the lawyer for the trucking company whose driver hit you. They offered a settlement. I have a check for a million dollars in my pocket. I can either give it to you, or tear it up and go back to negotiations.”

  Liz and Chloe’s eyes flew open wide with shock at the news. Max knew his had to mirror theirs. “Mom, you can pay off your medical bills,” Chloe breathed. “You don’t have to sell the house.”

  “I can pay off the mortgages. And your car, Chloe. I can give Max his money back.” Liz shook herself back to her senses. “I’ll take it. Of course, I’ll take it.”

  Al smiled. “Great. I have some papers for you to sign. I’ll go get them out of the car.”

  Liz wheeled herself after Al as he strode into the living room. Chloe stood as she picked up her empty plate. She wandered to the sink as she smiled. Max rose and followed her. He wrapped his arms around her as he watched her. She looked exhausted. Her face was a ghostly pale. But for the first time in a long time, she seemed peaceful.

  When she glanced up to him, Max dipped his head, softly enveloping her lips with his. He expected her to pull away, to cringe like a frightened rabbit. He didn’t expect her fingers to brush the stubble of his chin, to feel her lips part to allow him to dive deeper. He tugged her closer as he tasted her. He wasn’t sure how soon he would get to kiss her like this again.

  She stared at him with amazement as they parted. “Surprise,” he whispered. Then, he frowned. “Are you all right?”

  “Uh-huh,” she murmured as she grazed her fingertips over her lips.

  He kissed her forehead. “I’m going to shower and get ready for bed. I’ll get the dishes when I’m done. You should go sit and relax. All right?

  “Uh-huh.”

  He led her to the living room, holding her hand until she sat on the sofa. He met her awestruck gaze as he ascended the steps to his room.

  Chloe started on h
er medication just as Chad had ordered. The process was an adjustment for sure. She nearly forgot to take her medication every day for the first week. Between Max and Liz, however, she managed to get it down.

  Max noticed the changes in her. As each day passed, her energy level increased. She had a little more life every morning. She grew more mischievous. She was genuinely happy to be alive, and Max loved every second of it. She no longer ate like a bird, terrified she would lose what she ate as quickly as she ate it. She ate well. Her stick-like figure developed a curve or two.

  He watched her scrutinize herself in the mirror, noticing the subtle weight gain. He groaned as his eyes raked over her. He loved her. Nothing would change that. But those curves set his blood on fire.

  When she turned and found him standing there, he grew hot in embarrassment. She smiled as she sashayed by, then winked at him over her shoulder. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe. He could only stare. This new Chloe was learning how to flirt. But she had no idea he was putty in her hands.

  Max and Chloe took turns driving Liz to physical therapy. Soon, she was able to stand on her own two feet and take a step or two. Liz was proud of her accomplishment. She should have been. The fact that she had survived the accident was a miracle. Being able to return to normal was an epic feat.

  Days of working at Hard Drive and nights at home watching television drove them closer to Chloe’s typical sick day. Max tugged on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt as the day of reckoning arrived. Would the medication work? Or would he be holding Chloe in his arms, comforting her as she vomited?

  He jogged down the steps to find Liz and Chloe sitting in the living room. Liz was watching the morning news as she popped bits of blueberry muffin in her mouth. Chloe had a scowl plastered on her face.

  Max kissed her cheek. “Good morning. What’s up?”

  Liz frowned. “Chloe is doubting the meds.”

  “Are you feeling all right?” Max asked, concerned.

  “I feel fine,” Chloe huffed. “I just don’t think it will work. Nothing else has.”

  “You need to have faith. I’m going to get a bowl of cereal. Can I get you one?