Finn swallowed, his throat still burning."How did I get here?"He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in his side stopped him cold.
"I'll answer your questions when you answer mine.How are you feeling?Better yet, let me get the doctor."Bevin started to stand, already turning toward the door.
"No," Finn said quickly, the sudden urgency in his voice surprising even him.The movement pulled at his ribs, and he sucked in a shallow breath."Not yet.Help me up."
Bevin paused, studying him for a moment before nodding."Alright."
He adjusted the bed, raising it slowly until Finn was sitting upright enough to breathe easier.The shift eased some of the pressure in his chest.Bevin carefully pulled the blankets higher, tucking them around him before sitting back down.
"Thanks," Finn breathed."Good son."
Bevin stared at him."You have the strength to joke?Are you kidding me right now?You scared the hell out of us."His voice carried exhaustion more than anger.
"Sorry," Finn whispered.
"Forget it."Bevin exhaled slowly."Do you remember anything?"
Finn hesitated, searching through the fog in his mind."I was skiing," he murmured."Then I don't know.I think I got hit by something and lost my balance.After that, everything just got out of control."He swallowed, his throat still raw."Why are you here?"
Bevin’s expression shifted, something complicated crossing his face.“Yeah.My dad called me for your number.He said you hadn’t gone back to the cabin, and he was worried.”He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck.“And let’s just say he didn’t sit around about it.He went looking for you.I helped track your location.”He held Finn’s gaze.“He’s the one who found you.”
So he was the one who found me?
Finn’s chest tightened despite the ache in his ribs.Then where is he?Why isn’t he here?
The steady beeping beside him quickened slightly, subtle but unmistakable.Bevin’s gaze flicked toward the monitor before returning to Finn’s face.
The questions lingered in the quiet room, heavier than the mechanical rhythm filling it.
Finn became aware of the way Bevin was staring at him, too closely, too knowingly.Normally, he could read his friend without effort, could predict the next joke or jab before it left his mouth.But with his head pounding and everything still slightly blurred around the edges, he couldn’t tell what Bevin was thinking.
"Why didn't you tell me you were staying with him?"
"It didn't matter," Finn whispered.
Bevin sighed, leaning back slightly.“Finn, be honest with me.Is there something going on between you two?”
Finn lowered his lashes, unable to hold his friend’s gaze.Truthfully, he didn’t know what to say.The monitor beside him picked up for a split second, the beeping quickening before he forced himself to breathe evenly.He looked back at Bevin just as he heard a quiet chuckle.
"My dad had that exact expression when I asked him the same thing."
"Nothing is going on between us," Finn said, the words coming out steadier than he felt.
Bevin stared at Finn with sharp eyes, making him nervous."Then I guess I should be asking you if you want something to happen."
Finn's fingers tightened slightly against the blanket."I don't know."He looked away, toward the far wall."Maybe."
Bevin exhaled slowly and shook his head, running a hand over his face."What the hell am I going to do with you?"
Finn turned his head toward the window, watching the faint reflection of himself in the glass."There's nothing for you to worry about," he said quietly."I'm sure your father only sees me as your friend.Or another son.Someone he could help out."The last two words felt heavier than he expected.
He shifted his gaze back to Bevin."He just wants to be my partner."
"Wait.What?"Bevin shot upright in his chair, eyes wide.
Finn winced and brought his hand to the side of his head as the dull ache flared again."Lower your damn voice," he snapped, squeezing his eyes shut for a second."My head is killing me."
"Sorry, sorry, but partner?What kind of partner?"Bevin asked, lowering his voice but leaning forward again, curiosity burning through his surprise.
