Jonas squeezed my shoulder. “I know, man. We all do. Bunch of us got a prayer circle going.”
I heard voices outside the waiting room and thought I recognized Dev’s mother’s voice. “’Scuse me. I’ll be right back.” I exited the waiting room area and found Dev’s mother talking to a man, presumably his doctor. “Excuse me, Doctor, how is he?”
The serious-faced doctor stopped speaking to Dev’s mother. “I’m sorry, but you’re not related to Mr. Summers, are you? You’re Blink Martin, correct?”
“Yes, but—”
Dev’s mother huffed out her impatience. “I’m sorry, but will you please leave us? I’m discussing my son’s condition with his doctor.”
I met her green eyes, and unlike Dev’s warmth and humor, I saw only ice. I tried to appeal to her. “Please, Mrs. Summers. Dev and I have been best friends since college. He’s like my…brother.”
God, those words tasted sour on my tongue. If we’d had the guts to come out, if we could’ve guaranteed the profession we’d both chosen and loved would stand by us, I’d be the one speaking to the doctor and making decisions as his husband, not the woman who barely acknowledged his existence.
Nothing I said melted that frosty facade. “Doctor, can we speak somewhere more privately? Where we won’t be disturbed?”
“This way, Mrs. Summers. I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear the positive results.” The two of them left me standing, but it didn’t matter. I’d heard the doctor say positive results, and a wave of relief crashed over me. Even if I couldn’t see Dev, hearing he was going to be all right chased away all the darkness.
Still, I ached to see him, so I decided to take a chance and found the nurses’ station. Leaning on the desk, I smiled at the women sitting behind their computers. Several men were also present, checking charts, and I knew the moment they recognized me when they elbowed each other, their eyes growing wide with excitement.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I was hopin’ one of you could help me?”
“What can I do for you?” One of the men stepped forward. “You’re Blink Martin, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Terrible what happened to Devil Summers. I was happy to see he woke up this afternoon.”
“That’s great news. He had some tests done too, I know.”
One of the nurses frowned. “I’m sorry, but we can’t discuss that with you.”
Not wanting to get on her bad side, I attempted to look contrite. “Oh, I know. I don’t mean to get you in trouble. We’re all just worried about our friend. Thanks, anyway.” I walked away.
Footsteps sounded behind me.
“Hey, Mr. Martin?”
I stopped and turned to see the man who’d spoken to me. When he got close enough for me to see his ID tag, I learned he was a doctor.
“Yes, Dr. Robinson? Call me Blink.”
“I can’t give you any medical information, but Mr. Summers is in Room 528 if you want to peek in to say hello.”
I fist-bumped him. “Thank you, man. I owe you one.”
I hurried to the room, hoping Dev was alone. My heart hurt, seeing him lying in the bed, so pale and banged up. I entered and closed the door behind me.
“If you’ve come to take more blood, I don’t have any left.”
“How about if I give you a kiss instead?” I walked to his bedside and watched as his eyes flew open, and the biggest smile I’d seen on his face since he won his first Super Bowl curved his lips.
“Brody…baby. Oh God, I missed you.”
“I love you.” I leaned over and touched my lips to his. Tears fell from my eyes and mixed with the ones on Dev’s cheeks. “I was so scared.”
His hand touched my face. “I’m okay. No breaks or tears. Just this stupid concussion. I can’t sit up yet without getting sick and having pain in my head. But the doctors say I’ll make a full recovery.” His face fell. “Just not for this season. Which sucks balls.”
“Listen to the doctors, and if you behave, I’ll suckyourballs. How’s that?” I was so damn happy to see and touch him, I didn’t care how bad my joke was.
