Page 55 of The Awful Truth

She narrowed her eyes and for a second, he was scared she understood what he had said. But then she pulled a walkie-talkie out of a holster strapped to the waistband of her shorts. “Emergency, emergency, there is a guest in trouble. We need assistance to…” She released the button and said, “Which suite is yours?”

“The Dolphin Suite,” he said, desperation causing every hair on his body to stand straight up.

“The Dolphin Suite. Again, assistance required immediately in the Dolphin Suite.”

Grabbing her arm, he started back to the room. “Come on! I need a key to get into the bathroom!”

She hurried along with him. The captain’s voice came over the walkie-talkie. “I’m on my way. Do we need to call for a medivac?”

Miguel grabbed the radio out of her hands. “Yes! Get a helicopter right now with a team of surgeons on it! He might be dying!”

Indira tried to take the walkie-talkie back, and they struggled a little while she ground out, “That’s not for guests!”

He let go of it, which sent her stumbling back a little.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” he said, reaching out to help her steady herself. “I’m panicking. The love of my life might be⁠—”

“You need to calm down, sir,” she said firmly.

Nodding quickly, he said, “Yes, yes. I need to stay calm.”

They started back down the hall and she muttered, “In order to stay calm, you’d already have to be calm.”

When they reached the suite, he tried the door handle, only to realize it had locked behind him and he didn’t have a key. “Open it! PLEASE!”

She used the cardkey that hung from her wrist to unlock it, then Miguel pushed it open. “Paint It, Black” filled the room and assaulted his ears. If he never heard it again, it would be too soon. A wave of nausea came over him as he stumbled to the door of the en suite, banging loudly and shouting for Winslow while the young woman propped the door to the suite open. She hurried over while peeling a small flat tool out from what looked like a Swiss Army knife. “Excuse me.”

The room filled with staff members, including Oliver, who was holding a defibrillator. Captain Ben strode in, looking very much in command as his employees parted for him. “What’s going on?”

Miguel answered him. “He fell. He’s in the shower. He’s not answering me.”

“Of course he’s not answering. He’s got the music blaring in there.” He banged on the door, as if Miguel hadn’t already tried that. He banged again, then shouted, “Mr. Taggart! It is Captain Benedetto speaking! Can you hear me?”

When there was no reply, the captain pulled out a walkie-talkie. “Cut the power to the Dolphin Suite.”

A few seconds later, the music stopped, the lights went off, and the sweet sound of Winslow’s voice could be heard. “Well, that’s just great.”

“That’s a good sign,” Indira said to no one in particular.

The captain ignored her. “Mr. Taggart, it’s the captain. We’ve got a medivac on the way for you. We’re going to force open the door. Don’t be alarmed.”

The door swung open and there stood Winslow, dripping wet in a towel. “What on earth is going on?!”

Overwhelmed with relief, Miguel launched himself at Winslow, who threw up a straight arm to keep him back. The result was immediate and embarrassing in a way few things could be. Miguel bounced back with an equal amount of force with which he had propelled his body at his husband, landing on the floor and sliding.

At the same time, both men said, “What are you doing?”

Miguel answered first. “I was saving you.”

Winslow didn’t offer to help him up, which only added insult to the injury of Miguel’s poor bottom. Instead, he raised one eyebrow. “From what, exactly? A long, hot shower?”

The captain offered a hand to Miguel and tugged him to his feet before turning back to Winslow. “I take it we can cancel the ambulance.”

“Obviously I’m fine,” Winslow snapped. “What I don’t understand is why you called one in the first place.”

The captain threw a look of irritation at Miguel. “Your husband led us to believe you had fallen in the shower.”

“Clearly not.” Winslow tightened his grip on the towel and pursed his lips at Miguel. “Seriously?”