Stopping in front of the door that Lamar knew opened to Aeren’s room, he shoved it open and motioned for Lamar to enter. “He’s been asking for you.”
Lamar swallowed and walked in, his heart clenching at the sight of Aeren on a stretcher. His blond curls were tangled and crusted with dried blood. A bruise bloomed under his left eye and blood dripped from a scratch on his right cheek.
“Hey, you,” Lamar laid a gentle hand on the sheet covering his thigh. “Are you okay?”
The boy nodded, his lips trembling, and reached one shaking hand out toward Lamar. “Yes. I am now that you’re here.”
“Good,” Lamar soothed his hair back from his forehead, frowning at a scrape there. “They’re going to have to take you to the emergency room.”
“No!” The boy jerked, grabbing at his hand. “Don’t leave me!”
“Okay, okay,” Lamar soothed, gently placing the boy’s hand back on the gurney. “I won’t leave you, Ren. I just need to let my partner know and then I’ll ride with you, okay?”
When the blond curls bobbed, Lamar reached for his phone. “Just give me a minute.”
