“So time to go over the plans.” Rocky smiled wide. “It’s nearly showtime.”
Thank fucking Christ; this can’t be over soon enough.
FINN FELTawful about the argument with Mitch. He knew Mitch didn’t have much choice other than to follow Rocky’s orders, and it still pissed him off, but he knew Mitch cared about Pete. After Mitchfinished his meeting with Rocky and collected Finn from the office, he was insistent they stop by the hospital to see if there had been any change in Pete’s condition.
The smell of the hospital was unavoidable. The distinctive mix of antiseptic and cleaning products—at least that’s what Finn assumed it was—assaulted his nostrils and stirred the memories of his previous visits. But instead ofthe overwhelming sense of sadness and the compelling urge to get out of the building as quickly as he could that he experienced the previous night, Finn felt more in control. Just knowing Mitch was at his side was reassuring.
Their boots sounded loudly on the worn linoleum, but, as if sharing the same thought, they slowed and stepped more carefully as they approached the third-floor waiting roomthe hospital receptionist downstairs had directed them to. They stopped at the threshold, and Mitch stiffened beside him.
“Mitch?” The woman who rose from the chair was small, her voice quiet and tentative. “Mitch?”
She looked uncertain for a moment as she stood across the room and stared at Mitch as if he were an apparition that would disappear at any moment. When he finally moved into theroom, her eyes lit up in happiness, momentarily losing that sad, hollow look. When she smiled, she was transformed, looking years younger than only seconds before. She took a step forward, and then another. When she reached Mitch, she wrapped her arms around him, and Mitch pulled her into a hug. The top of her brown curly hair only came up to his chin, and Mitch looked over her head at Finn whilehe held the woman and gently patted her shoulder. She eventually pulled away and tilted her tear-stained face to Mitch, who met her gaze.
Her voice quavered as she spoke. “Oh my gosh, it reallyisyou. It’s so lovely to see you, sweetheart. It’s been so long.”
“It’s nice to see you too, Judith.” Mitch’s voice was gruff. “I only wish it was under better circumstances. How is he? Has there beenany change since we last spoke?”
She dabbed a handkerchief against her cheek and slowly shook her head. “There hasn’t been any change since last night.”
“But that’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Mitch asked.
“I think so. The doctors haven’t been providing much information. But I think it’s because there isn’t a lot they can tell us. It’s very much a waiting game. But you’re right, itisgood thathe hasn’t deteriorated. It could be a lot worse.”
“I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this.”
“I know you are, sweetheart.” She raised a hand to the side of Mitch’s face. “You’re looking as handsome as ever. I guess life is treating you well? Peter doesn’t tell me much about what you’re up to. Are you doing okay? How are things at work? Are you staying safe?”
Mitch flicked his gaze toFinn’s. “Work is going great, thanks, Judith. In fact, let me introduce you to one of my colleagues. I work with Finn at the bike shop.”
Judith Crowley looked to Finn as she finally noticed him at the doorway. “The bike shop?”
“Yeah. Come in, Finn.” Mitch beckoned him into the room.
Finn held out his hand to the woman as he approached. “Hi. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Crowley. I’m Finn Cummings.I work with Peter and Mitch. I’m so sorry about what happened to Pete.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes welled up and she raised the handkerchief again. “You know my son?”
“I do. Pete and I met a few months ago when he was in Melbourne. He works for my family’s business—Cummings Motorcycles.”
“Oh, I see.” She looked back at Mitch, her brow furrowed. “And you work there too? That’s a bit of a change.”
Mitch nodded. “I do. Pete got me the job at the beginning of the year. It’s been great. The job’s good, and it was nice to reconnect with Pete again. Where’s Larry?”
“He’s ducked down to the café to get sandwiches and bring back coffee.”
“Perhaps you both should take a break and head out for some fresh air. Or maybe you and Larry could sit and enjoy your coffee in the coffee shop? Finn and Iwould be happy to wait here for news and can call you if the doctors come or there’s any change.”
“Oh, thank you, sweetheart, but I couldn’t possibly. I can’t leave until I’m 100 percent certain Peter’s going to be okay.” She looked between Mitch and Finn. “The police said it was a hit-and-run. Do you know anything about it?”
Mitch glanced at Finn. “Err… yeah. Finn and I were there.”
“Whathappened?”
“Let’s sit down, shall we?” Mitch took Mrs. Crowley by the hand and led her back to the seat where she’d been sitting. She sat and picked up her handbag from the floor, rummaging inside for a clean handkerchief before balancing the bag on her lap. She looked expectantly between Mitch and Finn. Mitch took a seat in the chair adjacent to her, and Finn sat in the next chair along.
Hetook a deep breath before beginning the story. “I was in the car with Pete heading out for a few drinks after work. We were parking outside the pub, and Pete had just got out of the car when another car sped past and hit him.” He didn’t want to go into any further detail. Pete’s mum didn’t need to know the horror of seeing Pete lying broken on the bitumen in an ever-increasing pool of his own blood.
Mitch leaned across and placed a hand on Mrs. Crowley’s knee. “Finn stopped the bleeding until the ambulance arrived, then traveled to the hospital with Pete.”
