"Okay, good. I want to know what tests they're going to run."
"Just be aware that Dad doesn't want to be here, so he's not going to be excited to see you. Don't take it personally."
"Trust me, I know what kind of response I'm going to get," Kaia said. "But I'm still going to make sure he's getting the best care. First, I need to use the restroom."
"It's right there." Ben pointed down the hallway. "I'll wait for you, and then we'll go up together."
As Kaia left, Ben turned to him with a questioning gaze. "How did you get involved in this?"
"I was with Kaia when you called. She seemed upset. I didn't think it was a good idea for her to drive down here on her own."
"I'm glad she let you drive her; she can be as stubbornly independent as our father. I'm hoping to send her home this afternoon, just so you know. She wants to help, but there's a lot of friction between her and our dad."
"She told me. She wants what's best for him, so I'm sure she'll make a decision based on what she believes that is."
Ben cocked his head to one side, giving him another long look. "Are you two involved? What's the deal?"
"We're friends. We're getting to know each other."
"Have you told her who you really are?"
He wasn't that surprised to get that question from Ben. "You figured that out, huh?"
"You seemed to be together a lot, which is why I looked you up. Couldn't find anything under Jax Ridley, but while I was browsing the Internet, I came across my sister's photo with a disgraced country music star. That's what they called you."
"Not surprised," he said evenly. "Kaia knows who I am."
"You don't come off that great, from what I read. Which concerns me since you're spending time with my sister. I'll do whatever I need to do to protect her."
"I wouldn't expect anything less."
As they gave each other a long, assessing look, Kaia returned, her gaze immediately noting the tension between them.
"What's going on?" she asked. "Did something happen since I left?"
"No," Ben said. "Let's go upstairs."
As her brother headed toward the elevator, Kaia grabbed his arm. "What did my brother say to you, Jax?"
"Nothing. Don't worry about it."
"I don't believe you, but we'll talk later after I find out what's going on with my dad."
Kaia followed Ben into her father's hospital room, feeling more trepidation than she cared to admit. Jax had waited in the hall, not wanting to overwhelm her dad. It was a smart decision, but she already missed having him by her side. He made her feel even more confident and strong than she normally felt, and today, she was going to need every bit of that confidence and strength.
Her father was sitting up in bed, complaining to the nurse that he didn't need to be poked again, as he'd already given enough blood. They waited until the nurse was done and then stepped forward.
Her dad gave her a look of complete and utter annoyance. But she was more interested in the paleness of his face, the weariness in his eyes, the messy gray hair that was so out of character for a man who was always precise with his hygiene and everything else in his life.
"What are you doing here?" her dad demanded. "Did you call her, Ben? Why the hell would you do that?"
"I called him," Kaia lied. "I'm worried about you, Dad."
"You kids need to mind your own business. I'm fine. I took a little fall. I do not need to stay the night when nothing is wrong with me."
"You were disoriented and slurring your words when you fell," Ben reminded him.
Her father shot his eldest child a killing glare. "I was sleepy; that's it."
