Once again Dustin resisted the urge to shrug in response.
Eventually the doctor fitted him with a sling. It was navy blue and deeply undignified.
“Wear this for two to three weeks,” the doctor repeated. “I mean it.”
Dustin nodded and took the discharge sheet full of instructions he likely wouldn't follow, and then they walked out through the waiting room. Greg took Dustin's ruined shirt with him and carried it bundled in his armslike something that deserved care even though it was beyond saving.
Dustin didn't know why that got to him.
The parking lot was dark but the outside air felt nice after spending so long inside the hospital.
Dustin leaned against the tailgate of his truck, breathed cool air and let his shoulder throb in peace.
Greg stood beside him. Close, but not touching. Awkward. Anxious.
Dustin made a decision.
“Hey, Greg?”
“What?”
“Get in the car, I'll drive us to a motel.”
Greg blinked. Clearly, he had not expected the invitation. “You want me to come with you?”
“Would you rather go back to HQ and have a chat with your boss?”
“No.” Greg looked down, ears pink in a way that was visible even in the low light of the parking lot.
Dustin smiled. “Then get in the car.”
“But can you drive?”
“Why do you think I refused the drugs?”
“An unwillingness to appear vulnerable in a medical setting?”
“What? No! Because I wanted to be able to drive away from here. Unless you'd like to take another turn behind the wheel.”
Greg looked at the driver's door. Then at Dustin. Then at the driver's door again. “You drive,” he said.
Dustin got into the driver's seat. Greg climbed in on the other side and sat with his hands still clutching Dustin's ruined shirt rather than his clipboard.
Dustin pulled out of the lot and pointed them north.
CHAPTER 23
The motel was called the Mountain View Inn, which was generous considering there was neither a mountain nor a view, but they had a vacancy sign and a bored receptionist who handed Dustin a form to fill out.
“One room,” he said.
“King or two queens?”
“King,” Dustin said without even thinking.
Would that scare Greg? If there was only one bed. Dustin was about to find out.
The receptionist slid a key across the counter. “Room 14. Checkout's at eleven. No smoking. No pets.”
