They sat in silence. Luke remained fixated on the swinging doors where he’d seen Drew disappear. One hour turned to two. Before he’d come to the hospital, Luke had contacted Mike and Rachel, and they’d picked up Sasha to bring her home with them. Rachel had texted him, letting him know Sasha had settled in fine, and Mike was on his way over to the hospital.
After another half an hour, where Luke thought he’d jump out of his skin every time the door swung open, Mike had shown up, so the three of them sat around together, feeling useless, Luke thought bitterly.
“What’s taking so fucking long?” Lucas couldn’t stand sitting anymore and paced the small waiting area. “It’s been hours already. He must be worse than we thought.”
“He isn’t the only patient. They probably had to take him for X-rays and then wait to read the results.” Mike’s attempt to reason with him failed, as he felt no better.
“He’s too damn stubborn to let a knock on the head keep him down.” Ash flashed him a quick smile. “He’s probably being his usual obnoxious self to the nurses.”
Luke remained unconvinced. “I have a bad feeling.” The doors swung open, and Drew made his appearance, looking worn-out and disheveled, but ultimately all Luke could see was the smile on his face. He ran over to Drew and skidded to a stop in front of him.
“Well, tell me? Is he going to be okay? Is he awake?”
Drew put up his hands. “Whoa. Let me tell you what I know.” He waved to Mike and Ash. “Both of you come.” He led the three of them to a more secluded section of the waiting area.
“He has a slight concussion and severely bruised ribs. They kicked him pretty badly in his side, so the doctor needed to make sure he wasn’t bleeding internally from any ruptured organs.”
“Was he?” Luke held his breath.
“No, thank God.”
Drew paused and took a moment to rub his eyes. Luke could tell how drained he was, not only physically but emotionally. It struck him then that by falling in love with Jordan, he’d inherited an entire family in Mike, Rachel, Drew, and Esther. Funny how that didn’t seem to rankle him as much as it had before.
Ash put his arms around Drew, and Drew sank back into the larger man’s embrace. There was a tenderness between them that went beyond anything physical. It spoke in the way Drew relaxed against Ash’s chest and the brief brush of Ash’s lips in Drew’s hair. Luke was reminded of Jordan’s initial misgivings about Ash because of his previously wild reputation. Something about the unassuming Drew Klein had so ensnared Ash that he’d completely turned his life around and, more importantly, fallen in love.
With a start, Luke understood the same thing had happened to him. Jordan had been such a complete shock to his senses. A second chance. That’s what Jordan had said once. They’d both been burned so badly, so hurt and beaten down by what life had thrown in their paths, that they’d scarcely recognized when the real thing hit them in the face.
“Is he awake? Can I see him?” Luke bounced on his feet, nervous and dancing as if he stood on the head of a lit match.
“Yeah. Tash is back there with him now.” Drew kissed Ash and took Luke by the elbow, leading him through the swinging doors. “You won’t be able to stay long, but I know he’ll be happy to see you.”
Luke swallowed as he breathed through his mouth, so he didn’t have to smell the noxious fumes of ether, antiseptic, and bleach. He kept his eyes trained on the top of Drew’s dark head. The beeping of the machines, the moans of the patients, and the blare of the overhead speakers melded together until he could only hear a low whine playing in his head.
Shit. I hope I don’t get sick.
They came before a curtained-off area. “He’s in here. They don’t have a room for him yet.” Drew pulled the curtain and stepped aside. “Jordy. Someone’s here to see you.”
Luke hesitated, then grinned to himself when he heard Jordan’s irritable voice. “Who is it? Christ, D. You didn’t let Ash in here, did you? My head already hurts.”
Peering around Drew’s shoulder, Luke winced at the sight of Jordan, pale and bandaged. “Hey, Prep School. How’re you feeling?” Black anger welled up inside of him at the thought of anyone laying hands on Jordan, touching him, hurting him. For everyone’s sake, he swallowed down the rage threatening to swamp him with bloodlust.
“Like shit. I have a massive headache, my side is killing me, and I’m freezing.” The smile Jordan aimed his way belied his complaints. “But I wouldn’t mind if you came closer, you know.”
As he entered the small space, Luke saw Tash standing off to the side, and acknowledged him, but focused his attention mainly on Jordan. “Try not to talk. You need your rest.” It hurt his heart to see Jordan laid out in the bed, on sheets merely a shade whiter than the pallor of his skin.
“Yes, I know. But I need you to rest properly, so come here already.” In his typical impatient fashion, Jordan waved his hand at Luke, beckoning him closer. “I’m not going to break. Tell him, D.”
Drew rolled his eyes. “Come on, Jordan. Luke and everyone else have been outside waiting for hours. Don’t give the guy a hard time. Besides, we can’t stay here long. They’re going to admit you.”
“Why can’t I go home? I’m fine.” He pointed to his head. “It barely hurts anymore. I can take some aspirin and rest in my own bed.”
“Don’t be a dope,” Luke scolded him. “I can’t watch you properly.”
“I’d rather you watch me improperly.” His teeth gleamed, but as he attempted to sit up, an inadvertent groan slipped out and he paled.
In a flash, Lucas was by Jordan’s side, bracing his arm against Jordan’s shoulder. His throat tightened. Jordan seemed almost fragile, his bones slight, as though they could easily be snapped by a too-strong wind. “Take it easy. Lie back down.”
This time, Jordan merely listened and sank back into the pillow. A light sweat had broken out across his brow, and he closed his eyes. “Shit, my head is spinning and pounding at the same time.”
