“You did?” Wright looked up at him. “I don’t remember that.”
That concerned Xander. With the injuries he sustained yesterday, memory loss was a possibility. “What’s the last thing you remember?”
“You waking me up to take more pills. Then I woke up on my own this morning.”
“You were pretty out of it when I told you I was heading out,” Xander said. He wouldn’t think worst case scenarios. If he remembered waking up to take the pills, it could be nothing.
“I don’t usually sleep this late either,” Wright said. “I had to get myself up for school most days and then when I graduated, dad liked me to be up before he went to work.”
“Well, you’re going to get plenty of rest over the next couple weeks.” Xander started to walk with Wright back to the guest house. “I mean it. You have serious injuries, Wright. You need to rest until they’re better. How is your shoulder feeling?”
“It hurts, but not as much as yesterday. I think that might be the pills because I looked at the bruises in the mirror. I look terrible.”
“You’re still gorgeous, sweetheart.”
Wright looked up at Xander just as they made it to the door. “A double endearment. Must be my lucky day.”
“I’ll call you that every day if it’ll help you feel better,” Xander said. He meant it too, which was probably something he should think about. But once again, he pushed it to the back of his mind for now. “But I need to shower before we go to the main house for breakfast. You have an appointment in the city at noon to see a doctor.”
“I have to go back into the city?” Wright stopped in the kitchen and stood on his own. Xander turned around to face him. His good hand was wrapped around his stomach, bothhands curled into fists. His good eye was rounded, shocked. Scared. Xander recognized the emotion.
“Just to see the doctor,” Xander said. “She’s a good friend of ours. We won’t stop anywhere else.”
“Which… Which hospital?” Wright started to shake and Xander ignored that he was sweaty and probably smelt bad. He moved closer and wrapped Wright in his arms. He kept his hands in his usual spot, one on his waist and one on the back of his head.
“She works at Trinity, in the trauma department.”
“That’s the one by the bagel shop and near the high school, right?” The question was asked directly into his chest. “I live near there. I don’t want to see my dad again.”
“Does he work in the hospital? We can arrange for the doctor to come here.” Xander wouldn’t risk that asshole getting anywhere near Wright again. He’d only known him for twelve hours, but he would do anything to protect him.
“No, he works in an office somewhere near the college. But the house is only ten minutes from the hospital. I passed it when I took the bus to school.”
“We don’t have to go,” Xander said. “I can tell Patrick and we can reschedule or figure something out.”
“No, it’s okay. You’re going with me, right?” Wright looked up and took a step back. “I’ll be okay if you’re there.”
“Patrick is going too,” Xander said. “We’ll take you in the truck and be with you the entire time.”
“And I need to see the doctor? I don’t have money to pay for the bill.”
“Don’t worry about that, okay? We just need to know that you’re okay.” Xander rubbed his hand against his back, avoiding any hurt areas. “I’m going to take a shower and then we can go see the others. Are you okay to see everyone today?”
“I’ll have to eventually,” Wright said. He followed Xander to the bedroom and stood in the doorway while Xander grabbed fresh clothes. “Is, um, what’s his name? The grooms. Are they still here?”
“They are,” Xander said. He had a text from William himself, checking in on Wright. “They stayed here last night in the guest room of the main house. They’re heading out on their honeymoon tomorrow. William is excited to meet you. He’s worried.”
“I want to apologize to them,” he said. Xander stopped just short of the bathroom door and turned back to Wright. He dropped his hands, gearing up to give his same little speech, but Wright beat him to it. “Yeah, I know he doesn’t care. He’s just glad I’m safe. Doesn’t help the fact that I feel horrible about it.”
“We’ll meet them in a few minutes,” Xander said. “Did you want to take another shower before we go?”
“Should I?” Wright asked. “I mean, I tried to wash my hair yesterday but I couldn’t do much with one hand.”
“You’re fine just how you are,” Xander said. “I can help you wash it tonight if you want. Or get Tracy to wash it in the sink for you.”
“No.” Wright said the word quickly. Xander watched him. He took a deep breath and shook his head. “I can’t do-” He took another quick breath. “I have bad memories with my head in a sink. Can we just leave it at that, please?”
“Of course,” Xander said. “I’m sorry I brought it up. But my offer still stands. I can help you wash it later.”
