Chapter 37
Sabrina and Charles dashed to the supermarket, snagging some fruits, and food. Then they got some cold medicine from the pharmacy. Sabrina had a hunch that Shawn’s cupboards were bare.
They raced to Shawn’s villa, rang the bell, and waited, but no one answered the door.
N
“Maybe Shawn passed out,” Charles said, his voice laced with concern. A nasty cold could spike a fever, and that could lead to passing out.
“Oh, Charles, what do we do? Call 911 or an ambulance?” Sabrina’s voice cracked, her hands pounding on the door
in
a panic.
“Let me get a locksmith here first.” Charles whipped out his phone to find a locksmith, but then the door swung open, almost sending Sabrina tumbling in.
Shawn stood there, his face drawn and flushed, looking frail yet clearly ticked off. “You’re making too much noise,” he grumbled, glaring at them before shuffling to the couch and collapsing onto it.
Sabrina and Charles hurried inside, stashed the groceries, and found Shawn still sprawled on the couch, eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
At the sound of their approach, Shawn lifted his lids, furrowing his brow. “What are you guys doing here?”
“We heard you were sick, and we thought you might need some help, Shawn,” Charles explained.
“See? I’m fine. You can leave now,” Shawn said to them, trying to get up, but as soon as he did, the room spun, and he fainted.
Charles caught him just in time.
“Shawn! Shawn! What’s happening?” Sabrina’s voice shrilled as she felt his forehead. “Oh my God, he’s burning up!”
Charles, ever the calm one, said, “Let’s get him to the hospital. Help me carry him.”
“Oh, right! The hospital, let’s go!” Sabrina agreed, her voice shaky.
In a whirlwind of activity, they managed to get Shawn to the hospital and settled in a ward.
When Aaron, Hayden, and Fred arrived, Shawn was already on an IV drip, still unconscious.
The doctor reassured them that Shawn would be okay but needed to be monitored for a couple of days. The fainting spell was due to a fever all day long without any treatment or medication, but he’d be waking up soon.
Relief flooded through them as they realized Shawn was going to be okay. Initially, the news of Shawn’s fainting spell had been a shock, and with Henry’s age and his deep concern for Shawn in mind, they had decided to keep the situation from him. They figured it was best not to add to Henry’s worries.
After a bit, Sabrina remembered the doctor’s advice about Shawn’s hospital stay. Knowing Shawn wouldn’t be thrilled with hospital gowns, she told the others she’d go back and pack some stuff for him. They’d left the villa in such a rush they hadn’t brought a thing.
Hayden offered to drive Sabrina, and though she wanted to decline, with all of Shawn’s friends there, she just nodded.
Once in the car, Sabrina went silent.
“Everything alright? Is your work getting to you?” Hayden asked, noting her quiet mood.
“Everything’s fine,” Sabrina replied and then turned to gaze out the window.
Sabrina often found herself frustrated with her unrequited feelings for Hayden. He saw her as just a friend, like Abby, but she’d had a crush on him since childhood. Now, with her parents setting her up on blind dates, she felt like she was running out of time.
Hayden, usually surrounded by eager women at his bar, Starlight Bar, was a catch. Sabrina was terrified of being alone with him, fearing her heart would betray her. She chided herself for being such a coward.
Seeing Sabrina so unusually subdued, Hayden, who hadn’t crossed paths with her much at Evercrest Group lately, made a mental note to check in with Abby about what was going on with her.
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Soon, Hayden pulled up in front of the villa and stopped the car. Sabrina was quick to jump out, with the key in hand, and she led the way as they
entered the house.
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1:28 PM
Chapter 37
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*I’ll head upstairs and get some clothes ready for Shawn, Make yourself at home, Hayden,” she said, not waiting for a response as she hurried up the stairs, her steps echoing through the quiet house.
As she reached Shawn’s room, Sabrina wasted no time, flinging open the wardrobe to pull out a couple of sets of comfortable clothes and a pair of house slippers.
When she hunted for a bag, she noticed a black shape on the end of the bed. Reaching for what she thought was a piece of laundry, she was surprised to find a used evening gown.
Sabrina’s eyes widened as if she’d found a secret. Shawn had been divorced for ages, and this dress definitely wasn’t Tracy’s. Since the divorce, Shawn had stayed put in the villa, and Tracy had barely shown her face here, let alone stayed over.
Sabrina wasn’t in the loop about their breakup, and Natalie had faded into the background. The dress hinted that Shawn might be seeing someone
new.
Clutching the gown, she rushed downstairs. “Hayden, check this out! What’s this?” Sabrina asked, her curiosity piqued.
Hayden glanced over to see Sabrina, who’d been sulking moments ago, now brandishing a swath of black fabric at him. “Looks like… a piece of clothing,” Hayden said, playing along.
“A dress! A woman’s dress! And I found it on my brother’s bed,” Sabrina said, her tone dripping with mystery.
Hayden’s brow furrowed in interest, but then he reconsidered. “It couldn’t be Tracy’s, could it?”
“No way. Tracy’s never stayed over,” Sabrina said with certainty.
“How do you know so much?” Hayden asked, intrigued.
“Just the grapevine,” Sabrina said with a sly smile. “Now I’m curious. Who’s the lady that kept my brother company last night?”
Sabrina’s thoughts raced ahead. “Oh, my gosh. Let me take a wild guess: Shawn’s sick from… well, you know, getting too close for comfort last night.”
Hayden glanced at Sabrina with a mix of curiosity and confusion. “What exactly are you getting at?” he questioned, his brow furrowing.
Sabrina gave him a sly smile and a playful nudge. “You know, the romance–hugs, kisses, and… the whole shebang,” she teased, winking to drive the point home.
Hayden felt a bit awkward and gave Sabrina a light tap on the head. “What would a girl like you know about that? Just grab your brother’s clothes and let’s head back to the hospital.
Then Sabrina turned, still holding the dress, and grumbled as she went back upstairs, I’m 25. Some people my age are already moms.”
Hayden heard her mumbling and asked, “What’s that about?”
“Nothing! Just saying I’ve got everything ready. I’ll be down in a sec, and we can leave,” Sabrina replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
“Hmph, always treating me like a little girl, Sabrina muttered under her breath, her frustration slipping out.
Upon their return to the hospital, they found Shawn awake, propped up against his pillows with an IV in his arm.
The room was deserted, likely by Shawn’s orders.
“Hey, bro. How’s everything? You really had us worried when you went down. I’ve brought what you need,” Sabrina said, her concern evident.
I’m much better. You should get going, and Hayden, see Sabrina home for me,” Shawn said, his voice firm.
“Let me stay, just in case you need anything during the night,” Sabrina offered.
“No!
Hayc
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