“Hey, how’re you feeling?”
“Like someone punched my guts in.” He licked his lips. “Is there any water? I’m really thirsty.”
Marcus took the plastic cup from the swing table next to the bed and poured Tyler a small glass. “Let me raise the bed for you so you don’t spill it.” Tyler nodded and Marcus pressed the button and watched the head of the bed raise up a few inches before stopping. “Here. Drink it slow.”
Tyler gave him a searching look but said nothing and drank his water. His head fell back on the pillow, and he closed his eyes.
“What are you doing here?”
“That’s not very nice. How about: ‘Thanks Marcus for staying the night. I appreciate it.’”
He grinned at Tyler who rolled his eyes. “Thanks Marcus for staying the night. I appreciate it.” He sighed. “But why are you here? And what time is it anyway?”
Marcus consulted his watch. “It’s seven a.m. The doctor said last night when they brought you into the room here that if you didn’t show any signs of a concussion, they’d spring you out sometime this morning.”
“Okay. But that doesn’t answer my question about what you’re doing here.”
“I stayed to make sure you were okay, plus I’m taking you home when you’re discharged.”
“I can call a cab.” Tyler winced as he sat up. “I’m fine, and it doesn’t hurt nearly as bad as it did yesterday.” His fingers touched his side. “They have me taped up pretty well.”
“Let me see.” Before Tyler responded, Marcus placed his hand over Tyler’s rib cage and felt the bulky bandage through the thin fabric of the hospital gown. He slid his hand around Tyler’s waist.
“Marcus, stop,” Tyler warned.
“Stop what?” He might be far from innocent, but he could play the part.
“Oh, am I interrupting?” A nurse walked in with a tray and a thermometer. “I’m sorry, but I have to give him his meds and take his BP and temperature.”
“I hope you’re taking it rectally. I was always told it gave the most accurate reading. Is that true?” He stepped away from the bed and winked at the nurse, who broke out in laughter.
“Marcus, shut up,” said Tyler, not even trying to hide the exasperation in his voice.
“Oh Marcus, you’re silly.” She bit her lips to stop her amusement. “Don’t worry, Mr. Reiss. Your boyfriend is right, but we take it by the eardrum method. It’s very accurate as well.” She busied herself, unaware of Tyler’s glare. “Just relax now.”
After finishing, she pulled away the blood pressure machine and smiled. “Very good. All your vitals are excellent. How’s your head?”
“Hard as a rock,” Marcus spoke before Tyler could answer.
“Oh, you’re a kidder.” She patted him on his arm. “I think it’s sweet the way you stayed here all night to make sure everything was okay. And now you get to take him home and baby him.”
Watching Tyler grow angrier by the minute was a better show than anything he’d ever watched on television. “I’m looking forward to it. I may have to borrow a nurse outfit.”
The nurse’s laughter followed her out the door, but Tyler was having none of it. Seeing the hostility in his blue-gray eyes, Marcus girded himself.
“What the hell are you talking about? I’m not going home with you.”
“Yes, you are.” Marcus scrubbed his face with his hands. “I wonder if they’ll give me a toothbrush. My breath must stink.”
Watching Tyler struggle to sit up, Marcus rushed over to his bedside to help him up, which only earned him more glowering, but as usual, he ignored Tyler’s bad temper.
“Take it slow. You seem to forget you were beaten up pretty badly; lucky for you, the only result is a few cracked ribs.”
“Stop it.” Tyler shook him off. “I don’t understand why you’re still here this morning. Shit.” A terrified expression clouded his face. “Lillie. Oh my God. What’s happening? Where is she?” Hissing in pain, he slid off the bed and grabbed Marcus by the arms. “Who’s with her?” Tyler’s grip tightened.
Wild-eyed and without waiting for Marcus to respond, Tyler limped over to where Marcus had laid his clothes out. Even with the pain medication, trying to reach behind himself to untie his hospital gown proved too much.
“Can you help me please? I need to get dressed and get out of here.”
