“Yeah, but you know I don’t listen to what you say.” I pushed a chair to the side of his bed and sat. Manny walked in and winced.
“God, Brenner.”
“Hey. I’m okay.” He tried to sit up but couldn’t mask the pain and groaned. “Ow, shit. That hurts.”
A nurse walked in. “I’m sure it does. You have four severely bruised ribs, a sprained ankle, and a mild concussion. You’re going to hurt for quite some time.”
That sounded as bad as Brenner looked. Without thinking, I put my hand on his arm and patted it. “Don’t worry. I’ll stay here with you.”
Apparently, Brenner wasn’t impressed. “Don’t be ridiculous.” His growl had little effect on me, and I didn’t respond. “I don’t need a babysitter, and I’m in the hospital, where they can look after me.” To Manny, he softened his tone. “Thanks for stoppingby. I’ll be out in the morning and touch base when I get home. How’re you feeling?”
Whatever I had to say to Brenner would be between the two of us, so I stayed silent.
Frowning at me, Manny answered, “I’m okay, just some bumps and bruises. I’m sorry you took the brunt of it.”
“Are you going to talk to the police?” I asked. “I’m sure they can be identified by the bartender or someone else.”
Manny nodded. “I plan to stop by the station before heading back to the hotel.”
For the first time, I smiled. “Good idea. You should get a move on it so the bozos don’t get a head start, in case they make a run for it.”
Manny’s eyes narrowed, but I kept up that fake-ass grin. I wanted him to leave, and the sooner the better.
“I’ll check in with you in the morning. I’m really sorry this happened, Brenner.”
Brenner dismissed him with a wave of his hand. “Not your fault. I’m sure I’ll be out of here tomorrow. I should’ve listened to you and not opened my mouth to those idiots.”
True, but I decided to keepmymouth shut. I didn’t need that famous Brenner Fleming scowl. Manny looked to me as if expecting me to come with him, but I kept my ass in the chair.
With a huff, Manny said, “Now I see why you’re friends. You’re both grouches,” then left us.
“I thought you were leaving too.”
“I don’t think you should be alone. And yes, there are nurses, but you don’t have someone personal to watch over you. What happens if you start to feel sick and no one’s around?”
Dubious blue eyes met mine. “And you’re going to be here to take care of that? You expect me to believe you care?”
“Ouch. That hurt. Come on, Brenner. Enough already.”
Brenner turned his head to face me, and it must’ve been too quick for his pounded-upon brain to catch up. Whatever he’d been about to unleash on me faded to the wayside. He paled, and beads of sweat glistened on his face.
“Shit, I’m gonna be sick.”
I grabbed the plastic bowl from the table and held it under his head while he puked up his guts. After he was finished, I poured him a cup of water, and he swished out his mouth. I set it aside and waited for him to thank me.
“Get out.”
Shocked, I blinked. “What?”
“Get the hell out of here.” He shut his eyes.
Recognizing defeat, I walked out of the room. I should let Brenner Fleming sit with it, but I couldn’t, in case something was seriously wrong. I stopped by the nurse’s station to tell them he’d gotten sick.
“You’re a good friend,” one of them said, and I forced a smile.
Too bad Brenner didn’t think so.
Chapter Eleven
