“Yeah, we’re done,” he said, standing and offering Julian his hand. “Come on, there’s a first aid kit inside. We’ll get an ice pack for you.”
Julian took Isaac’s offered hand, still unwilling to open his eye just yet. He desperately wanted to cover it again, but now that there were other people watching, he couldn’t bring himself to.
Isaac squeezed his hand and tugged him toward the office.
“I’m never gonna stop feeling guilty about this,” Isaac said as they headed inside.
“Don’t,” Julian murmured. “Think of the story I’m gonna tell when I get into work tomorrow.”
“My best friend hit me in the eye with a tennis ball? Oh, by the way, he’s actually supposed to be good at tennis.”
“You are good at it. This happened because I’m not. Seriously, don’t feel bad.”
“I dragged you out here this morning,” Isaac said, apparently determined to take his part of the blame.
Julian let himself be taken into a little first aid room off to the side, where Isaac got an ice pack from a small freezer in there. Obviously, this place had its share of injuries.
That made sense. People hurt themselves playing sport all the time.
“How’s the shoulder?” Julian asked as he pressed the pack against his eye, sighing with relief as it started to take the worst of the pain away immediately.
“Fine,” Isaac said, rolling it in demonstration. “I guess it’s never gonna be quite the same, but if this is as bad as it gets, I’m fine.”
Julian made a soft, sympathetic noise.
“You’re in worse shape than me, trust me,” Isaac said. “I’m sorry.”
“Quit apologizing,” Julian said. “It’s okay. I forgive you. I even had fun today.”
Isaac snorted. “Yeah, well… I’ll try not to injure you next time we hang out,” he said.
Julian beamed at that. As long as there was going to be a next time, he could take one little bruise.
