“How’re you feeling now?” Tim took a right turn and spotted the tall hospital building up ahead. “Better?”
“So much better. You have no idea.” Seb fidgeted in his seat. “Sorry about the smell, though. You can open the windows more if you want. I’ll take cold air over the smell of sick any day.”
Tim lowered the windows another few inches, the fresh air a welcome relief. “We’re almost there, anyway.”
Seb perked up a bit at that and wiped his face on his sleeve. “Don’t suppose you’ve anything to drink. Water or Coke, or something? My mouth tastes awful.”
“Try the glove box. I think there might be a bottle of water in there. I might’ve already drunk some of it, but you’re welcome to the rest if it doesn’t bother you.”
Seb snorted a laugh. “It doesn’t bother me.” He rifled through the glove box and held up a half-full water and a pack of Polos. “Jackpot.” After downing the water, he popped a couple of Polos in his mouth and offered one to Tim. “Hopefully I won’t smell too bad when we meet your brother.” He shoved the bucket onto the floor between his feet. “The sooner we can get rid of this the better, though. Again, I’m really sorry.”
Tim shrugged. “It’s fine, honestly.” He’d seen far, far worse than that. Being the doctor for a shifter pack wasn’t for the faint-hearted. “And don’t worry about David, he’s an A&E nurse.” After pulling in to the hospital car park, he turned off the engine and smiled. “His Friday nights are filled with drunk idiots throwing up everywhere.”
Seb’s mouth fell open, and Tim smiled wider as Seb’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, fuck off,” Seb said with a laugh. “In my defence, when I was happily drinking those beers, I thought I’d be safely tucked up in bed right now, sleeping off my hangover, not still awake and driving around London.”
“Well, we’re here now.” Tim reached for his phone and sent a quick text to let David know they were outside. “Come on.”
Tim got out and walked quickly around the back of the car to help Seb, and with a hand around his waist, managed to him out without too much jostling.
Seb leaned into him slightly and breathed deep. “God, that fresh air smells good.”
Tim hummed in agreement, his nose so close to Seb’s neck that all he smelled was his skin.
“Is it far to A&E?” He glanced around looking for a signpost.
“Reception is around the front of that building over there, but I’m just waiting for—” Tim pointed at the double doors to their left. “—that.”
His brother, dressed in nurse’s scrubs, walked through the doors, pushing a wheelchair in front of him. He grinned when he looked up and saw Tim. “What’ve you got for me this time?”
“This is Sebastian Calloway, human member of the Regent’s Park pack.” Tim then turned to Seb again. “Seb, this is my brother, David.”
David nodded in understanding. “Human member, eh? Employee or partner?”
Seb glanced at Tim, confused.
Tim explained. “Usually human members either work for one of the pack businesses or are involved with a pack member.”
“Which one are you?” David asked, parking the wheelchair in front of Seb. “I’m guessing this is for you?”
“Yeah.” Seb shuffled forward, grabbed onto one of the armrests, then lowered himself into the chair. “And I’m neither.”
“Oh?” David raised an eyebrow, so Tim jumped in to clarify.
“Seb is Jared’s best friend.” Would David make the connection? He hoped not, but—
David started to smile again and shot a quick look Tim’s way. “Are you the one who’s living in Jared’s old apartment?” When Seb nodded, David’s smile widened. “Ahh, so you’rethatfriend.”
“Um… maybe?” Seb sent Tim a questioning look, and Tim tried not to blush.
Fucking David.
Before David could say anything more, Tim fished the bucket out of the passenger side of his car and thrust it at him. “Here, do something with that for me, would you?” He smiled with all his teeth and hoped David got the message toshut the fuck up already. Why had he thought telling his brother anything about Seb was a good idea?
Because I never thought they’d actually have cause to meet. That’s why.
David took the bucket but growled softly, startling Seb, who jumped a little. “Since you asked so nicely,” David snipped. His tone softened considerably when he saw Seb’s reaction and realised what he’d done. “Fuck, sorry. Didn’t mean to make you jump. I forgot how tetchy my brother gets when he’s tired.”
With that, David gestured for Tim to push the wheelchair and started back towards the double doors. “Come on, it’s cold out here, and Seb’s starting to shiver.”
