Changes
The white lights were making Ethan dizzy, and the sterile hospital smell was nauseating. The black metal clock on the wall ticked, paying no mind to those who tracked the time, toying with him as the minutes passed.
It’d been some time since anyone at the hospital updated them regarding his sister-in-law, Brenna. Hungry, tired, and aching for a shower, he paced the lobby alongside his older brother, Aden, in an unsuccessful attempt to keep calm.
"I'm not sure what happened," Aden began. "She became light-headed and felt a sharp pain in her abdomen after her yoga class." The unusually disheveled black curls on his head bounced as he spoke. "At five months pregnant, we can't take any chances, you know? So, here we are."
Aden and Brenna were expecting their first child. A girl. They’d been trying for a baby for far too long, and the slightest discomfort was a concern for the new parents-to-be. Fearing miscarriage symptoms, they rushed to the hospital.
Aden squeezed his shoulder. His hazel-green eyes bore into his. "Ethan, I'm afraid we won't be able to travel to Seville. Three weeks is too soon for Brenna, and I don't want to leave her here by herself either."
Ethan nodded, blinked a few times, and took a step back, clearly comprehending his brother's words. Me? Spain? I don't speak Spanish. I’m not prepared. Shit.
Surprises. He hated surprises. However, he knew he would now need to take their place, even if momentarily. The thought of having to go to the grand opening of their boutique hotel had not crossed his mind. Especially not alone.
Ethan’s stomach knotted, and he bit one of his meticulous nails. Not a habit of his, he found it unprofessional, but there was no time to think about that. His blue eyes shifted to his brother pacing back and forth.
Where’s the fucking doctor?! Stretching his neck, he turned his head towards the nurse’s station.
The worry wouldn’t cease. It noisily sounded an alarm, giving him a migraine. He ran a hand across his moist forehead, glancing at his wrist. Blankly, he stared at the watch’s face long enough to make out what time it was.
Out of the corner of his eye, he observed Aden looking at nothingness. A numb expression on his face. His restlessness and the out-of-focus eyes bounced around the waiting room, tearing at his heart. Tears stained his cheeks, and Ethan could do nothing to console him. At that moment, he hoped Aden knew how much he loved him.
Aden paced in front of his chair. Eyes focused as he took long strides and breaths in between. His square fingers numbly rubbed his chapped lips.
Ethan massaged his bearded cheek, and a heavy sigh left his chest. “Can I get you anything?” Water maybe?
Glazed eyes returned his stare, as Aden shook his head. Ethan caught a glimpse into a world he’d never been a part of but wished to. Be in love. The adoration Aden had for Brenna and his unborn child was palpable. When it came to "his girls", all else was secondary. They were his life and his drive.
Ethan recalled when Brenna and his brother met six years ago. That evening, Aden had eaten at her restaurant. He complained about an overcooked steak. Brenna came out to apologize, standing firmly behind her staff. She softened the mood with her impeccable humor and teasing eyes, and he was eternally hers.
Ethan grinned to himself, and although he wasn’t a religious man, he said a little prayer under his breath, in case anyone was listening.
“Finally,” Ethan muttered under his breath when a doctor came around the corner and into the waiting room.
“How are my girls doing?” Aden met the doctor halfway.
“Mr. Roy?”
Aden nodded.
“Your wife and baby are doing fine. She is resting, but asked for you. You can go in and see her before she falls asleep.”
As if holding their breath for hours, the brothers let out a noisy sigh of relief, strongly patting each other’s backs in solace.
“Thank you!” Aden exclaimed, darting out of the waiting room and heading towards the nurse’s station, disappearing down the hallway. The doctor sprinted, attempting to catch up.
Ethan was left standing solo, but comforted. Aden needed a moment alone with his wife. With clearer thoughts, his mind shifted back to Spain. With less than a month to organize and pack, he had no clue how he’d make it happen.
If he was being honest with himself, it made him nervous. Not because he didn’t think he could get it together; they had opened quite a few hotels before, but this was their first one internationally, and in a country where he had a language barrier.
His fingers were caught by the sandy strands that fell over his forehead, and the realization of being gone a year hit him. Never had he been away from home that long a time, and he'd miss the birth of his niece.
With a murky mind, he paced towards Brenna’s room and popped his head in. Aden lifted his tired stare towards the door, smiling. He gently held Brenna’s hand and lowered his lips to kiss the back of it with a certain amount of peace. She’d gone back to sleep.
With a thumb, Ethan pointed behind himself, mouthing, “I’m gonna go.” He placed his right open palm on his heart and thumped his chest. “I’m happy she’s doing better. Call me.”
Aden nodded absentmindedly, shifting his attention back to his wife.
At the parking lot, he slid into the comfort of the cream leather seats of his red luxury car, shutting his eyes and the world around him. A calming breath, cracked knuckles, and a yawn followed before the music on his phone blasted through the speakers. It would have to keep him awake on the thirty-minute drive home.
Ethan set the keys in a ceramic bowl on top of the mahogany table and headed to the fridge. Placing the cell phone on the countertop, he grabbed a beer and slid out the glass doors leading to the terrace overlooking the ocean.
He loved the smell of salt and the sound of crashing waves against the rocks. Scanning the beautiful scenery, he knew he'd miss waking up to it.
He'd be gone until the hotel was smoothly running and the Spanish team could take over. Most likely a year. Afterwards, he or his brother would need to fly back and forth a few times a year until fully established.
He might be able to plan to travel back to San Diego after the baby's birth; he couldn’t wait to be an uncle. Christmas would be fun with a niece to spoil. It was only the three of them for the holidays, and it was satisfying to watch his family grow.
Ethan heard the beep of a voicemail message on his cell as he stepped inside.
- Hey, babe.
I thought you might need company tonight. Give me a call if you want to head out to the club or stay in. You know what I mean... Kisses.
Amilia's message ended with a giggle. He erased it, shaking his head. "Nope. How about never, Amilia?"
He wasn’t in the mood for her games or demands, regardless of how good she made his body feel. It wasn’t entirely her fault, although he’d ended things with her more than once. Every time she wanted something from him, needed release, or if he felt lonely, he’d give in to her antics. That was his fault.
Random evenings, she showed up in a trench coat over sexy lingerie and a pout on her face. Did he have regrets about it? No. How can a single man resist that? He knew she was trouble, and he kept sticking to her web. It wasn't that he couldn’t help it, but more like he didn’t want to. He was tired of searching for the right woman, and Amilia was available. It would never become more than what it already was, sex, but now he wanted it to end.
I hate feeling toxic.
A smile curved at the corner of his lip. On a positive note, when he left for Spain, they’d be so far apart they could finally end it all. He knew finding love abroad was not what he wanted, or needed, but he didn't mind exploring his options.
Plus, Amilia wasn’t a victim in all of this. She was using him as much as he was using her. It was solely a physical bond. The year abroad would be perfect to finish the relationship, or whatever the hell it was they shared, and shouldn’t have started.
She was superficial, possessive, and could hold a grudge. She also has positive traits, which were what he first liked about her. She was intelligent, a go-getter, independent, and beautiful. She also knew how to have a good time.
There was always an ulterior motive. When Amilia came around, she knew exactly what she was looking for and what he was offering.
That woman has no idea what the word no means.
Shaking her out of his head, he succumbed to the tiredness and, after a hot shower, fell asleep naked on the plush towel over the cotton, grey comforter.
