“They skipped the med center and took him directly into the city to the hospital. The track medic said, at the very least, he has a concussion,” said Angel. “His vitals are stable. Don’t worry, your brother is a warrior.” He gripped Isaac’s shoulder, hard enough to almost hurt. “I’ve arranged a quick podium and a ride for you two to the hospital.”
Isaac shook his head, preparing to refuse, but the look in Angel’s eyes told him it was pointless to argue.
The older man continued. “Your contract says you have to do the interview, but everyone will understand if you keep it short. No autographs.”
Isaac took a deep breath. He could keep it together that long. “Thank you. Let’s get this over with.”
Podium. He’d forgotten that he’d won the race. Without Vince there to celebrate, this victory was hollow. Isaac tuned out the swarming cameras and the crowd of reporters as they made their way into parc ferme. He would focus on these essential pieces of his job, then go to the hospital.
Isaac didn’t remember the words he spoke to the media. It was a blur from the time he answered their questions to the moment he stood on atop the podium accepting the first-place trophy. He raised the trophy over his head. Removinghis winner’s cap for the Spanish national anthem, he stood at attention—separate from Luka and Fabiano. Afterward, the two of them sprayed each other with champagne while he half-heartedly shook his bottle and took a single sip. He tried, but he wasn’t in a celebratory mood. Everyone must understand.
Soon he could leave the podium, and Angel escorted Anna and Isaac to a waiting car that drove them to the hospital. For all their hurry as they rushed inside the well-lit ER that smelled of disinfectant, there was no new information. Vince’s head injury was serious, but he was stable. The doctors wouldn’t know more until he woke up—which could be minutes, or it could be days.
The three of them sat in a row. Waiting. While noises in the busy ER continued around them. Hours passed without news. Anna fetched water and sandwiches nobody wanted to eat, and they settled in for a long night.
At midnight, Angel left, saying, “Text me if you hear anything. No matter the time.”
Isaac nodded and sent another message to his mom, telling her to sleep if she could and that he’d update her in the morning or as soon as he heard anything. He willed his brother to hang in there. He needed Vince to be okay.
CHAPTER 15
Anna
Anna closed her eyes for what felt like only moments, but when she startled awake, the sun shone in the windows at the far end of the hospital waiting area. She stretched. They’d been in the hard plastic chairs all night, waiting for an update on Vince’s condition. Being here like this brought back memories of her grandmother’s accident when Anna had been twenty-one and close to graduating from university.
There’d been sleepless nights and cramped muscles then, too. She stood, her back cracking as she massaged her kinked neck. No matter what country it was in, hospitals were always uncomfortable. Isaac’s head leaned against the wall where he slept with his feet braced on the floor, his long legs stretched out. At least he was getting some rest.
She sighed. Shouldn’t they have heard something by now?
She glanced at Isaac again, checking that he was still asleep. Grabbing her wallet, she scuttled downstairs to get herself tea, coffee for him, and something quick for their breakfast. He was still sleeping when she returned, so she set his breakfast pastry on the side table next to him while she sipped her steaming beverage.
She glanced up when a white-coated doctor entered the room. She hadn’t seen this one before. His gaze settled on Isaac, and the doctor moved toward them with purpose, so she restedher hand on Isaac’s shoulder and whispered, “Honey, wake up. The doctor is here.”
Isaac’s eyes fluttered open. It took a second for him to react. Perhaps he was figuring out where they were and why. He yawned and stood stiffly, looking as though he was bracing himself for what the doctor would say, his feet shoulder-width apart. He took a deep breath. She took his hand and squeezed. Vince had to be all right.
“You must be Isaac Vasquez,” said the doctor with a thin-lipped shadow of a weary smile. “The daredevil younger brother. It’s a wonder both of you haven’t been in hospitals more often.” No-nonsense directness oozed from him. At least they might get the actual story from someone like him, rather than medical run-around and partial answers.
Isaac tightened his grip on Anna’s hand and attempted a smile. “How’s my brother?” She tried to radiate positive vibes, hoping the news was good.
The doctor said, “He’s awake and doesn’t seem to have any cognitive impairments. Physical symptoms include deep tissue bruises, a fractured collarbone, and two fractured ribs. The only issue is his diplopia, or double vision. I understand that he’s suffered from this condition twice before. Concussion symptoms are cumulative, so we don’t know how long it will take him to recover.” He listed the injuries matter-of-factly. Most of it didn’t sound too serious, though head injuries were always difficult to gauge healing time.
“The last time he had double vision, he worried it might be permanent,” said Isaac. “Is that likely?” Through their joined hands, she felt his body stiffen.
If Vince couldn’t see to race, his career would be over.
“We have no way of knowing at this stage.” As a professional, the doctor’s face gave nothing away. “We’re recommending that your brother shouldn’t fly right now. The noise and busyenvironment at both the airport and onboard the plane would be too much stimulation in his condition. He will also need a fair bit of help at home for the next while.”
“I’ll be there. I live with him.”
Isaac’s quick answer took Anna by surprise.
Not that he wouldn’t want to care for his brother because, of course, he would, but because Isaac had moved out. Perhaps during the early recovery, staying with his brother at the villa made the most sense. It didn’t seem the time to ask, but where did that leave her? It had all just happened, and she and Isaac hadn’t discussed their living arrangement again. Not Portugal and the beach for certain. Was she supposed to move in at Vince’s too, or would she be going back to the Inn? She squared her shoulders. Isaac could help Vince and she could support Isaac. She’d do whatever she could to help.
“He won’t want to stay here.” Isaac looked out the window, perhaps considering their options for returning to Spain from the Netherlands. “I’ll rent a car. It’s only a two-day drive to get home.”
The doctor nodded. “We can discharge him tomorrow, allowing you to make travel arrangements tonight. Would you like me to take you back to see him?”
“Yes, please.” Isaac dropped Anna’s hand and reached for the coffee she’d brought him. He turned to her. “I’ll be back in not too long. We’ll go back to the hotel afterward, figure out a car, and get cleaned up.”
