Max rushed up, dropping several bags of chips to grab his arm. “Holy shit, are you dying?”
“I’m not dying,” Benji croaked, vision pinwheeling. “Move.”
They turned the corner, staggering toward the elevator. Max dropped more bags of chips. Benji kept glancing behind him, waiting for Michael to appear around the corner.
But he never did. Even when Benji fell into the elevator, he grabbed the wall to hold himself up. The elevator doors swished closed on an empty hallway.
“Holy shit,” Max repeated. “Dude, your pupils are all screwy. You need to go to the hospital.”
“No hospital,” Benji managed, smearing his sweaty forehead against the elevator wall. His stomach rolled. He closed his eyes, wishing for a horizon to focus on, like Aunt Nat told him during long car rides as he tried not to puke. Wishing for Noah’s hand on his back, rubbing the sickness away.
“Seriously,” Max said, stuffing his pockets with the vending machine snacks he hadn’t dropped. “You lookbad. I’m calling Noah.”
“No Noah,” Benji slurred. Even as his heart jerked, even as he wished for Noah’s hands on his back. It was instinct: when someone askedDo you need someone,Benji said no. No matter how much he wanted to say something else.
The elevator doors opened in the lobby.
Benji took one step.
Then he collapsed, vision graying out before he hit the plush carpet.
CHAPTER 22
Noah had spent most of his adult life trying very hard not to be an asshole.
Unlearning the entitled crap his father had weaned him on. Reminding himself to stay calm, stay polite, andsmile. He was going through every single one of his old mantras as he did his best not to turn this discussion with the nurse into an argument.
“It’s past visiting hours,” she said apologetically. “I can’t let you through.”
Noah clenched his teeth in a smile. “I understand. I’m asking if you can make an exception for five minutes.”
“Rules are rules, sir. I really can’t?—”
A familiar shout cut her off. “Noah!”
Heart in his throat, Noah turned.
Max waved at him wildly from down the hall. “He’s in here!”
Noah surged forward.
The nurse stepped in front of him. “Sir!”
“Just five minutes,” Noah pleaded, pushing past her.
Max met him halfway down the hall, bouncing nervously on the spot. He crinkled with every step. A chip wrapper spilled out of his pocket as he grabbed Noah’s sleeve, pulling him toward the hospital room.
“He threw up twice in the ambulance,” he said excitedly. “And his cheek’s all swollen up!”
Benji’s voice echoed into the hall. “Don’t listen to him! It’s really not that bad!”
Noah rushed into the room, heart in his throat.
Benji smiled uneasily. “See? Totally fine.”
He scratched his cheek with a wince. It was puffy and purple, with part of the bruise snaking up to touch his eye. He was pale and exhausted, nothing like the bright, excited man Noah had left only a few hours ago.
“I was working out,” Noah started, taking Benji’s hand. “I’m so sorry, I thought you'd be safe.”
