I shouldn’t have let her leave. I should have done something other than nothing.
“We couldn’t have kept her here Ava. She wanted to leave”. Maggie placed her hand on my shoulder. “I’ve alerted the authorities but other than that there isn’t much else we can do”.
“I shouldn’t have let her leave”. I knew something was wrong, we both did and yet we let her walk out with him. “I’m going for coffee. Page me if you need me”.
“Don’t beat yourself up about it”.
That was easier said than done. She was just a kid. Taking my phone from my pocket I opened a new message.
‘I’ve had a really shitty morning, and I don’t want to fight with you’
Hitting send I put my phone away and headed for my office only stopping for coffee on the way. I couldn’t stop thinking about that poor girl. Reaching my office, I smiled at Josh.
“I heard what happened. Are you okay?”.
“I should have called the cops there and then. I shouldn’t have let her leave with him”.
“Can’t blame yourself Ava. People like that are dangerous. We just need to hope she comes back”.
I knew he was right, but it still didn’t sit right with me. “I’m going to get some lunch and get some air. How is the guy in number 5 doing?”.
“Still no change but I’ll keep you posted. Enjoy your lunch”.
I got a sandwich and some chips from the hospital canteen and was currently sat outside enjoying the fresh air. Blaze hadn’t texted back, hadn’t even read my message.
He was either busy or ignoring me. I wasn’t going to apologies for thinking what I did. If he still wanted to move out, then I wasn’t going to stop him. Taking a bite of my sandwich I opened my chips putting a few in my mouth.
I wasn’t hungry I felt sick all the time and all I wanted to do was sleep. I felt exhausted. This pregnancy was taking its toll on me already and it was only the beginning.
Taking another bite of my sandwich I washed it down with some water. I was forcing myself to eat because I had to. Hearing the roar of a bike my head snapped in the direction it was coming from.
It wasn’t Blaze but it was someone I knew.
My dad.
Why was he here?
Getting to my feet I walked the short distance towards him stopping when he noticed me. As he unclipped his helmet and pulled a cigarette from his cut I rolled my eyes.
Typical.
“You on break?”. He lit up his smoke his shades still covering his eyes.
“Trying to eat a sandwich but keeping it down is a struggle”.
“You doing okay?”.
“I’m fine”.
“You bringing the little lady round today?”.
“Yeah”. How was it I was starting to feel bad. Was I wrong for saying what I did?
“Sorry bout yesterday darling i overstepped and-…”.
“It’s okay”. I didn’t want to get into it with him. I should have worded what I said better.
“I love the kid Ava”.
“I know you do”. Yes, the guilt was well and truly setting in.
“But I’ll try not to intrude as much. I don’t wanna miss out on anything with her”.
“She adores you dad”. Every second word out her mouth was papa.
“Fucking right she does”. He smirked.
“How come you’re out riding on your own?”.
“Who says I’m out alone?”. And just like that another 3 bikes pulled into the parking lot.
Of course he wasn’t.
“Seen Blaze earlier with a box of stuff”.
“Did you?”.
“Aye”. He tore the shades from his eyes. “The fucks going on this time?”.
Blaze was here, Jared and Cage to but they didn’t approach us.
“It doesn’t concern you dad. I have to get back to work but I’ll bring Everleigh around later”.
“Doesn’t concern me? It concerns me when it’s got something to do with you”.
“We’re just working somethings out. I really have to go”. I kissed his cheek. “Don’t ride to hard old man”.
I heard his chuckles as I walked away.
I checked my phone and sure as shit I had a message from Blaze that he sent 5 minutes ago.
‘We’ll talk tonight’
Of course he was still annoyed about the whole situation. Shoving my phone back in my scrubs I put my rubbish in the trash and headed back inside.
“Dr Mendez”.
It was Mia.
“You okay?”. I smiled.
“Did- did I do something wrong?”. She asked.
I frowned. Why would she think that? Oh, I swapped her out my service. “No, of course you didn’t. My heads just not in it today and I thought you’d be better with Holly”.
“Will I get the chance to learn from you?”.
“You can be on my service tomorrow and if I have a surgery, you can scrub in. Sound good?”. I smiled.
“Yes”. She grinned. “Looking forward to it. Can I get you a coffee or something?”.
“No thanks Mia but if you need me for anything I’ll be in my office”.
“Thanks Dr Mendez. I really appreciate it”.
Shutting down my computer I slipped my feet back into my sneakers ready to leave for today. I couldn’t stop thinking about that young girl from before and the fact that I did nothing to help her.
Sighing I got up from my seat and grabbed my bag. All I wanted was to go home and have a long hot bath. I hadn’t heard from Blaze since earlier. His words of we’ll talk later still playing on my mind.
I didn’t want Everleigh staying at the clubhouse with him but what choice did I have? Not because it wasn’t safe, or she wouldn’t be looked after I just wanted her under my roof along with her dad. I also wouldn’t stop her from seeing him just because of his choice to stay there.
Slipping my arms into my jacket I locked my office door behind me and made my way to the reception area. It had been a long day, and I couldn’t wait for it to be over.
“Heading home?”. Josh asked.
He was stood at the surgical board rubbing off names and writing new ones in.
“On time for once”. I smiled. “Am I down for any tomorrow?”. I asked.
“I want you to scrub in on the guy in number 5. I’m going to need your assistance”.
“Okay”. I chewed the inside of my cheek. “First thing?”.
“Around 9 but that’s if he makes it through the night. Honestly, I don’t know how he’s still hanging on”.
“Right”. I couldn’t help the guilt circling in my stomach. It was either that or morning sickness, morning sickness that lasted all bloody day. Either way I felt sick to my stomach.