Ru pushed Dane’s wheelchair up beside Bas’s bed. He was groggy but awake. Dane wanted to hold his hand something fierce, but the room was tiny, and he only had access to Bas’s bandaged arm.
“Hey,” Dane called to him.
Bas turned his head and smiled sleepily. “Hey.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Good. Good. Very good drugs.”
Both Dane and Ru laughed. Ru sat down in the only chair in the room. Bas would be released soon. The cast on his arm was set, and his shoulder popped back in place. The pain meds would make him sleep most of the day, which they all thought was a good idea.
“The Corbins are going to spring you soon. We’re going to take you home to bed.” Dane didn’t mention that they’d have to find a different bed to sleep in because he didn’t think either one of them could climb the bunk.
“How’re you?” Bas asked, looking him over. “Hurt?”
“Sprained ankle. Nothing major. Crutches for a few days, hot and cold packs. Rest. Easy stuff.” Dane ran his fingers gently along Bas’s new cast. His ulna had been cracked, probably from slamming into the tree after he’d fallen. It was a mild fracture, the pain from the dislocated shoulder probably worse, though that would ease faster. Bas would likely still be in the cast at graduation.
“Marissa?”
Dane glanced at Ru and Adam, who came in a moment later. They both shook their head. Bas wasn’t ready for that yet. “Let’s get you home to bed.”
A nurse came in with a chair for Bas, Mrs. Corbin behind her.
“Josiah has gone to get the car. He’ll be waiting out front. Let’s get you all home.” Dane helped Bas into the chair, straightening him when he wobbled and kissing his good hand.
They moved down the hallway at a slow pace, Bas clearly battling the drugs for consciousness.
“Is she dead?” he whispered. He didn’t want the confirmation, but had to know. His heart hurt just thinking about it.
“No. But she’s not doing well, either. Let’s not talk about that now. Let’s get you home,” Dane said.
“I should have told. About Nate and Hank. It’s my fault.”
The air outside was a cold blast, but Mr. C was there with the SUV. Dane settled himself against Bas in the vehicle on his left side so he could hold his hand.
“Not your fault. Nate is out of town visiting a college, and Hank has been in juvie for the past week because he broke into a liquor store. Even if it wanted to be them. It’s not.” Adam said.
Bas laid his head on Dane’s shoulder. “So tired. Don’t want to think about it anymore. Afraid to sleep. To dream…”
Dane kissed Bas’s forehead. “Dream of me, then. I’m in your kitchen, making you that cinnamon bread you like so much. Adam and Ru are on the couch. Adam’s laughing. Ru’s singing. Paige is working on our prom outfits.”
“And Marissa…” Bas mumbled. No one else talked as they made their way back to Bas’s house. The mood of the car was somber, but Dane didn’t want Bas to pick up on it. He needed to rest both his body and his mind
“She’s helping Paige. They’re talking about sequins or sparkles or something about matching hair clips. You should see the clips they bought. I’ve never seen so much bling in my life. And I’ve traveled the world!”
Dane tried to think through the past few days and his time with the girls. Best to focus on the positive, Dr. Zander had told him this morning when he called. Support was more than just a physical force to hold a person up.
“She’s got a stack of bow ties. The real kind. Not those clip-on ones. You’ll have to show me how to tie it. Not sure which color I want yet. But there’s a rainbow to choose from. She got a great deal on them at the consignment shop. Apparently no one wears real bow ties anymore. But it’s going to be great. I can’t wait to see you in your suit. Maybe the green tie. There’s a green tie that would look so nice with your eyes.”
“Blue one for your eyes?”
“I’m sure we can find one. We’re both going to look dashing. I’m going to dance with you all night and kiss you under the moonlight.”
Bas smiled. “We’ll be crazy unicorns with messed-up eyes or something. Everyone will stare.”
“Badass unicorns. You and me. Everyonewillstare, because everyone wants to be badass unicorns. And we’re it, babe.”
“We make each other unicorns. Without you, I’m just a pony.”
