“I don’t remember much about her,” Tommy admitted. “Bas’s brother hurt her?”
Paige nodded. “Let’s not talk about that. It’s stress you don’t need. At least not right now. You’ll get to see Bas and Dane soon. A few days maybe? That will be good, right? I know they’ve been crazy worried.”
“My memory has been really messed up. I didn’t remember signing something for no visitors at the last place. You think they will be coming to see me now that I’ve moved?”
“Bas and Dane plan to be back here in Minnesota this weekend. Ru is finishing up his European mini tour. He’ll be back in another week or so? Both Adam and Ru are always on the phone to each other, but we can all tell how growly Ru is without Adam. Mrs. C says it’s because Ru floats away without Adam to tether him. Makes sense. Adam is pretty grounded, and as long as he keeps running, he is okay.” She shrugged. “He’s been running a lot more since Ru’s tour started.”
“I was supposed to go with Ru.” Before all this started, Tommy thought, that had been the plan. Tommy on backup, even if he longed to be the star. He glanced over at the keyboard and the idea of playing at all made that dark bit in his brain grow. The sparkles around his eyes intensifying, pain starting with a dull throb and slowly growing. He laid back on the bed. Paige reached out and slid his shoes off, then swung his legs up the rest of the way, covering him with the blanket.
“Rest a bit, okay?”
“Feels like that’s all I do anymore.”
“But it seems to be helping, right?”
Not fast enough, Tommy thought, but in small ways, yes. Three weeks ago, walking to the bathroom had been impossible on his own. And the water on his skin in the shower had felt like missiles hitting his skin. He could handle it now. Even stand on his own for a few minutes. That had to mean something good, right? But if this was healing, it was at a snail’s pace.
Paige grabbed his hand and squeezed. Tommy felt a little less alone, and closed his eyes to rest for a bit.
