Page 138 of The Betrayal
“Oh, well, hello...” he pauses as he stands at my side. I slowly turn to face him, blink a couple of times then look into his eyes. Exactly the same as Amora’s. “Arizona,” he smiles.
“Hey.”
His eyes scan my face then lift to where my sleeve is pressed. “What happened? Are you okay?” his strong British accent fills the room.
“She’s fine, thanks,” Keaton wraps his arm around me, hand on bump.
“Hi,” Xavier rolls his eyes, shaking his head at Keaton. “Arizona, it was a pleasure seeing you again, but if you would please excuse me,” he gives a gentle but curt nod as he breezes past me and over to my dad. Royal gives me a small smile as she walks past, catching up with Xavier.
“Keaton,” my dad's voice is loud as he walks away, giving him a look over his shoulder, “get her seen, now.”
I hear the deep sigh leave Keaton and I shake my head from side to side.
“Come,” he links his fingers through mine and walks me away and to the emergency room.
“Honestly, I think you're making a bigger deal out of this than needed.”
“Ari, please. I am wracked with guilt; please can I just get you checked out? If not for you, but for my own peace of mind.”
I nod, rolling my lips and choosing not to respond.
We're not waiting long until I am called forward and see one of my old work friends, Taylor.
“Oh my god, Ari,” her eyes scan over me, widening a little more when she sees my bump then they're back on my face. “Are you okay?”
“I'm fine,” I hum, hands linked under my bump as twin B kicks away.
“How far along are you?” one of her brows lift as she gloves up.
“Thirty weeks, pregnant with twins.”
“Wow,” she smiles, “you must be thrilled.”
Is it wrong that I feel a stab of jealously course through me? This was my life. This was what I wanted. I love Keaton and I love my babies, but I miss the old me. The old Arizona. The one with her nose stuffed into a textbook. Not the one that swung round poles for a living and lost her virginity to a stranger off her cam app. Nausea rolls through me.
“I am,” I keep my answer short, eyes finding Keaton's. I know he can read me. He knows exactly what I am thinking.
His hand scoops one of mine into his and squeezes it tightly.
“How did this happen?” Taylor asks and I hear Keaton about to answer.
“He hit the brake too hard at the barrier. It was open when we were pulling up but came down a little too quickly which caused my husband to hit the brake a little too heavily,” I laugh it off, my stomach tightening, my heart racing.
“Oh man, those barriers can be a real nightmare can't they.” She shakes her head from side to side in a knowing manner as she examines the cut on my head.
“I have told him I am fine, but he wanted me to get checked out.” I throw my hand up as if it's not a big deal.
“Well, he is right to have brought you in. You need stitches,” she pulls her gloves off, stepping back and furrowing her brow.
“What?” I scrunch my nose.
“It's pretty deep. What did you hit it on?” she asks me, taking notes.
“The dash,” I sigh, my eyes looking at my bloodstained sleeve.
“Let me get you cleaned up then Dr Trent will be over shortly to get you stitched up.”
I nod. Turning to look at Keaton. His eyes are fixed ahead, jaw tight and teeth no doubt clenched.