I freeze. The way they’re talking pisses me off. I’m aware there’s a small group who have camped outside the gate, but Delaney’s my priority. I’ve done a shitty job of that, and it sounds like the situation outside the gate isn’t much better.

“What did you say?” I ask.

The guard turns toward me. “Just one of those fans trying to get in to see you, sir. I took care of it.”

“What was her name?” Prickly heat runs up the back of my spine.

He shrugs. “No idea. Pretty little thing she was, but I wasn’t born yesterday. Looked sweet, but I’m sure that’s just another tactic to get inside. Tried to tell me she came in with Mr. Brown yesterday.”

For a moment, I stare at him. He turns back toward his friend.

“What did she look like?”

“Curvy little brunette.”

“Was she wearing a dress? White with big blue flowers?”

When he turns back around, his wide eyes tell me everything.

“You fucking idiot.” Anger swells within me.

“Josh,” Bradley says. “We know where she is now. I’ll get the car and pick you up out front.”

My jaw tics, but I have more important places to be. My girl is ill and I need to know she’s okay. I give him a curt nod. “This isn’t finished.”

I storm from the room. I’ll deal with the guard later. Right now my focus has to be on Delaney and cleaning up this mess I’ve made with her. As it is, I’m on the back foot, and I need to make things right.

How the fuck do I convince her she belongs in my world when she can’t even get back into the house we’re staying in?

I’m not sure I’m worth forgiving.

She’s so convinced that there’s this gulf between us and this has just amplified it.

Fuck.

* * *

The receptionist at the emergency room looks up as I approach.

“I’m looking for my girlfriend. She was brought in with heatstroke.”

She nods. “What was her name?”

“Delaney Carruthers.”

“If you’d like to take a seat, sir …”

“No, I want to see her. Now.”

She raises an eyebrow like she’s heard this shit a million times. “It’ll just take me a moment to find someone who can help you.”

“Thanks.”

I’m way too wound up to sit, so instead I lean on the desk while she picks up the phone. Without even thinking about it, I tap my fingers on the hard surface of the desk until a man in a suit approaches me.

“You’re looking for Ms. Carruthers. Are you her next of kin?”

“Boyfriend. Why?”

“There were questions she couldn’t answer when she arrived. Mostly about insurance.”

I roll my eyes. “Who gives a fuck? I’ll pay for any expenses if she doesn’t have any.”