He moved hesitantly at first, not sure the cane could support him. I was terrified he’d fall, but each step seemed easier. My heart pinched as a permanent clamp of tension gripped it. I did my best to stay close to him in case he needed my help, mindful that I couldn’t touch any of his injured parts. By the time I got him settled in my truck, we were both drenched in sweat.
He leaned back in the passenger seat and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry, Jesse. You shouldn’t have to deal with this. With me, like this.”
I started the engine and let the AC blast over us. I wasn’t sure what to say. It wasn’t an easy situation. I’d gone through something similar with my father, and his words echoed in my head, merging with Sebastian’s.
In the end, I turned to him and repeated what I’d said to my dad. “It’s my privilege to be here for you. If the roles were reversed, what would you do? Dump me and leave because we had a few tough weeks ahead?”
He opened his eyes and turned his head to look at me. “You know damn well I wouldn’t. I would do anything for you.”
“So why can’t you accept that I’d do the same for you, and stop giving me shit about it? Jesus, you’re annoying.”
He laughed lightly.
I noticed he wasn’t wincing as badly when he did. I took that as a good sign.
“Touché, Princess,” he said.
I used the soft sofa cushion I’d brought with me and placed it between his chest and the strap as I carefully fastened his seatbelt.
“I have to warn you, there’s a small gathering at your place. The girls really wanted to welcome you home. But I promise, the moment you get tired, just tell me, and I’ll kick them out.”
He smiled. “That’s nice of them. I would enjoy seeing some familiar faces. What about Cam?” Sue’s husband was still one of his closest friends.
“Sue texted me that he’ll be there. What kind of food would you like us to order?”
“Pizza,” he answered, as though he’d been thinking about it for months.
I laughed. “Okay, I’ll text the girls to order.”
“Yes, please. Salami, pepperoni, and extra cheese.”
This would crush Nikki’s idea of healthy food. I texted Sue, then put the phone away and pulled the truck into traffic.
“Lean back and rest,” I said.
Sebastian sighed and complied.
When we got home, the steps were a nightmare, but Cam came to the rescue.
“Hey, old timer. Lean on me instead of this.” Cam handed me the cane. “We’ll take it one step at a time.” He bent slightly to allow Sebastian to put his good arm around his shoulders. “I knew you’d be the first one of us to crack—pun intended.”
“Fuck off,” Sebastian muttered. “Remember that time when you pulled your back vacuuming?”
Cam snorted and stopped on the third step. “I pulled my back lifting your huge-ass couch.”
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that.”
They moved again, with me bringing up the rear.
“At least an army of nurses didn’t see me naked,” Cam joked. “How many of them ran away in terror?”
The two men slowly ascended the stairs, bickering good-humoredly. I was happy Cam was here. His presence was good for Sebastian.
The get-together turned out to be a great idea. Sebastian enjoyed himself. After all, our friends were our family. With my dad gone and my mom out of the picture, the people in this room were all I had, and Janine was the only family Sebastian had left.
It was the first time I’d seen her dressed casually, in cutoff jeans and a T-shirt. Her hair was piled up into a messy bun. She looked a decade younger. She’d brought Sebastian a gigantic plush toy that looked like a crash-test dummy. It wore a red T-shirt with the slogan,This busts the myth that men are good drivers. It was probably the best gift of all.
We all burst out laughing when we saw it.
