Joshua breathed out a laugh. “You don’t know the half of it.” He caressed Colin’s hair, his fingers gentle as they tangled in the sandy locks.
The medic slid Colin’s arm onto a board and started an IV, then secured a pulse oximeter to his finger. He turned to Joshua and tilted his head toward the device. “Monitors his blood oxygen stats.”
It was wellpast 11 p.m. when they finally reached the hospital, and Colin’s emergency treatment kept them there through a long and distressing night.
His ankle was confirmed to be a clean break, mercifully avoiding the need for surgery. Emergency room physicians injected a local anesthetic, set the bone, and encased it in a sturdy cast, leaving Colin scowling but accepting the temporary immobilization. His cracked rib, while painful, required no special intervention beyond a list of breathing exercises meant to keep his lungs clear.
Trent stayed long enough at the hospital to confer with Colin’s doctor about the physical therapy he would require after returning home. Then, he headed back to Camp Pride to update everyone there on Colin’s condition.
The following morning, Colin and Joshua met with his doctor to discuss his aftercare.
“That’s all my cracked rib needs? Just … breathing exercises?”
“Colin, it’s a cracked rib, not a broken leg. The best medicine is pain management and those exercises.”
Colin grumbled, wincing as he crossed his arms over his chest. Joshua placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “You’ll do the exercises, like it or not.”
Colin shot him a rebellious look, but Joshua’s eyes were steely. “Yeah, OK,” he muttered. “Whatever you say, Doctor Bossy Boots!”
Joshua’s lips pressed into a firm, tight line. “Goddamn right!”
But the real battle began when the doctor—armed with medical authority and Joshua’s unwavering support—tried to convince Colin to employ some common-sense aftercare by taking narcotics for his pain. His resistance was as unyielding as the cast on his ankle, and it was clear that it would take more than medical advice to break through his stubborn opposition.
The doctor folded his arms, his eyes fixed on his patient. “Look, I get it. You’re a tough guy. But by refusing pain meds,you’re only going to make things harder on yourself. And on everyone around you.”
Colin’s jaw tightened, his eyes hard. “I don’t need narcotics,” he snapped, defiant.
Joshua stepped closer, eyes blazing. “This isn’t about toughness—it’s about rest and healing. I took them when Lukas Page put me in the hospital. Was I weak?”
Colin sighed deeply, shoulders slumping. “You just had to play the ‘Lukas Page’ card.”
Joshua gave a small shrug. “I’ll play whatever card will work!”
The doctor stepped forward, his voice low but insistent. “I prescribed a low dose. Just enough to help you sleep and take the edge off the pain.” He handed a small bag to Joshua. “I gave you enough for the next week or so. You can see your own physician when you need more.”
Colin’s shoulders slumped, his eyes flicking to Joshua’s. “All right. Just for a few days until I can get back on my feet.” He gave a comical grimace. “Foot!”
Joshua blew out a relieved breath. “That’s all I’m asking.” He leaned in, his lips close to Colin’s ear. “Hey …” he whispered, “I need you, too.”
His words hung in the air, raw and vulnerable, and Colin’s chest tightened. He turned his face until their lips met. “I’ll be there for you,mo chroí.”
A half-hour later,Trent arrived to drive them back to camp. He entered the emergency room where Colin and Joshua were waiting, pushing a knee scooter. “Brought your ride,” he crowed, indicating the device with an elaborate flourish.
For the briefest of seconds, Colin stiffened, a rush of defiant pride coursing through his veins. Then he looked at his friend, whose face was creased with a knowing grin.
“Don’t eventhinkit,” Trent warned, shoving the device closer to where Colin stood.
Colin nodded in surrender and lifted his knee to the scooter’s pad.
“It even has a basket to carry things in,” Trent told him with a grin. He laid a hand on Colin’s shoulder, and the two men exchanged a glance. “Suck it up and cope,” Trent growled out. “We need you mobile, and this will do it.” He turned to Joshua. “Is his doctor around? I want a quick word.”
“He was just at the desk,” Joshua said, then hugged Trent with one arm. “Thanks, buddy.”
Trent nodded. “Van’s out front. I’ll be right there.” He patted Joshua’s back and strode to the nurse’s station.
When Trent returned to his van, Colin was already stretched across the back seat with Joshua up front. “I talked to your doctor. Your physical therapy routine is all set,” Trent said, grinning as he peered over the seat at his patient. “Youluckything.”
“Well, I figured that much,” Colin muttered, then winced and adjusted his position.
