Twenty-Four ~ Chris Evans X Reader

Part 9 - The Calm Before The Storm

"I'd like to say yes but," She pauses for a moment making my heart stop. "Dad collapsed last night."

"What?! Is he okay?!" I cry out in panic as a hand covers my racing heart.

"He's fine, he's pissed I'm calling you, but he's fine."

"Let him be pissed! What'd the doc say?" I ask as I sit down on the couch right as Chris comes into view wearing nothing but a pair of old sweats.

"He said it was just a minor heart attack. Dad's gonna be laid up for a while. Doc says he needs to stay here at least a week or so. I hate to ask this but is there any way you can come home?"

"I haven't been there since-"

"I know, I wouldn't ask if had any other choice. Mom's been her usual shitty self and I can't leave the clinic to take care of the cows and horses; not only that I can't take time off to watch him."

"What'd your husband say about me coming back?" I ask as I run a hand through my hair as a glass of water appears in front of me. Taking it I mouth the words thank you too Chris before I return to our conversation.

"He can get over it. If he gives you any trouble, I'll do what I should have done months ago, and whoop his ass." She says making a chuckle escape my lips. "(Name), I know we haven't always gotten along, but I'd like to try to fix that."

"I know, I haven't been the nicest person to be around since Em... I should've been a better sister to you."

"You had your reasons. So when can you get here?"

"I'll have to check my schedule and move some things around. I'll call you back here in a few okay?"

"Okay, just a forewarning, dad's been in a funk lately. He might be mean to you when you get here."

"Nothing I ain't used too already."

"Sorry for that too."

"Not your fault. Dad's been that way since my mom died."

"I gotta get back to the clinic, old man Ryan's bull has colic."

"A vet's job is never done, is it?" I joke making her chuckle, and from the sound of it she needed it.

"Nope, it's a 24/7 job. Call me when you can."

"Will do, bye Angie." I say as I hang up the phone and let out a breath of air I didn't know I'd been holding.

"Everything okay?" Chris asks as he sits down next to me and I shake my head.

"My dad's in the hospital. He had a heart attack."

"Shit (Name), you okay?" He asks as his arms wrap around me.

"I don't know what I'm feeling honestly." I say as I bury my face into his neck. "That old man didn't want me to know." I say as my heart starts to clench with a mixture of anger and pain.

"I'm sure he didn't want to worry you." Chris says as he smoothes my hair back.

"I gotta call Maggie and see if I can take some time off." I say as I reluctantly pull away from his warmth.

"I'll get dressed and go get us some coffee and cannoli's. You take a shower, make your call, and then I'll walk you home. Unless you want me to go with you."

"Chris, I can't ask you to put your life on hold for me. He's my father, I'll go take care of that old fart."

"You don't have to ask, I wanna help you."

"I know you do, but I, I don't wanna pull you into my drama. I'm not the most liked person in my hometown."

"That's because they don't know the truth about what happened."