“I don’t have to do anything,” I said, and lifted the spoon to his lips. “I’m staying here until I know you’re okay.”
“I can’t ask you to do that. You have a job, and obligations.”
“You’re not asking,” I retorted. “I’mdoing. Now eat.”
He swallowed the spoonful of soup. “You don’t have a girl who might be missing you? And I don’t mean the ones you see after like a big brother. You never talk about dating much. You don’t have anyone…special? Wasn’t there a Maddy at some point?”
Special?I took a moment to think about what he’d said. I’d been with a few women, but none had managed to hold my interest. There’d been nothing wrong with them, I just seemed to lack interest in relationships that extended beyond hanging out because sex had always been awkward for me. I gave him another piece of bread and said, “The only one in my life is you. Like I said, I’m not going anywhere. I’m leaving nothing behind in Springfield other than a room I rent. And while I will worry about my girls, I’m not the only one protecting them. You’re my focus now.”
He furrowed his brows at me as if he were trying to understand something. Eventually, he pushed the bread into his mouth and chewed softly. There was more I wanted to say on the subject, but I wasn’t sure how to explain my feelings. I’d never been good at that kind of thing. Sometimes when I tried to explain myself or why I did certain things, I ended up sounding like ChatGPT trying to have an intelligent conversation with a human.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here,” he said and accepted some more soup. “I mean, I miss hanging out with you. I told myself after earning my masters, once I landed a good job and settled in, I could reconnect with you, but time just kept ticking and getting away. I know this isn’t ideal, but… I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too.”
Victoria returned and inhaled. “That’s what I smelled. Looks good. How is it going down? Any nausea?”
“Not yet,” Danny said.
“I bought a quart,” I said, passing a look to Victoria. “Do you want some?”
“Oh, no thank you. I’ve already had lunch. Maybe another time?”
“Sure.”
She did her thing, checking the machines and replacing some bags on the pole.
When she was gone, Danny tossed me a smirk. “She likes you.”
“Of course, she does. Most people do. Unless they’re assholes.”
“No, I mean, she’sintoyou.”
I frowned at him and scratched the stubble on my cheek. Sometimes I was surprised I’d managed to land a girlfriend. I wasn’t good with flirting and socialization, except with Danny. “How can you be sure?”
“She just asked if you’d like to have lunch with her.”
I held up a box of apple juice to his lips so he could drink. “We are friends.”
“She wants to be more than friends. You should go for it,” he said and set his head back against the pillow. “As delicious as this feast is, I don’t think I want to eat any more right now.”
“Nausea?”
“No, just tired. My head is throbbing again. I hate it because sometimes I still think there is a hole in my skull and my brain isn’t where it should be. And this damn wound itches, and I can’t fucking scratch it.”
By the time I got the food put away, he’d fallen asleep. I took my place next to him, feeling as if this was where I was meant to be. I watched him for a long while, and listened to his ragged breath, beyond thankful he was still with me.
He stirred, his head shifting toward me as if he knew where I was even in sleep. “Jere?”
“Yeah?”
“I mean it. I’m glad you’re here.”
So was I. The ones that did this to him wouldn’t be, however.
CHAPTER SIX
Danny
