Page 31 of Mountain Impact

“Relax, Drake, it’s just hospital policy,” Jens said good-naturedly. The nurse accompanied them all the way to the exit, where Jens said goodbye to her as if they’d known each other their whole lives.

“Dude, here I was, worried about you, and you were―”

“Get your mind out of the gutter, Drake. I was just being friendly.”

“Are you sure you’re okay to walk to the car? Did the doctor say―”

“I’m a doctor, Drake.”

Drake frowned. “You were a doctor yesterday as well, if I’m not mistaken, when you ignored all symptoms of a concussion and crumpled on the ground.”

“I didn’t crumple on the ground. It appears you caught me.”

“I should have let you fall.”

“What the hell are you doing here, anyway?” Jens asked. Despite his brave words, he walked slower than usual. Drake kept pace with him, not wanting to rush him.

“I thought I’d come over and take you home. I wanted to―”

“Careful with what you’re going to say next, Drake. You’re my friend, and I don’t want to have to deck you, but if you try to take responsibility for this―”

Drake nodded. “No. I tried that last night. Isolde and Kat set me straight.”

“Isolde was here, huh,” Jens said. His warm brown eyes crinkled at the corners.

“I called her,” Drake confessed.

“Good for you, man, good for you.”

Drake pressed the key fob and opened the car. He debated whether to walk over to the passenger seat and help Jens, then decided against it. Moving slowly, his friend got in the car.

“I wanted to say sorry for not realizing that you were hurt, Jens.”

Jens shrugged lightly. Drake didn’t miss the wince that crossed his friend’s face before he schooled it back into a neutral expression. “It was my fault more than anything else. I should have told you I was dizzy, but I thought ice and an aspirin would fix it.”

“How bad is it?” Drake asked.

“Grade 2 concussion. I’ll take the day off today and be fine tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? You’re sure? Maybe I should speak with your doctor.”

“Jesus, Drake, take me home, please. You’re worse than Damien, and that’s saying something.”

Drake’s phone rang.

“Speak of the Devil, it’s Damien. Damien, how are you?”

“Drake! Are you okay? How’s Jens?” There was an edge to his voice.

He’s already heard.

Drake put his friend and boss on speaker phone.

“Everything’s fine, Damien,” Jens said. “Small concussion. Nothing to worry about.”

“I thought you weren’t back until next week,” Drake said.

“We’re still in Sardinia. I got a call from Beau this morning.”