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Sighing, I reached over the pillow wall and stroked his jaw. “I want to sleep and end this long fucking day. But at some point, I’ll need to pee. Is that something you can help me with, or will I need to get my parents in here?”

York’s fingers danced across my hand, making me smile. “I didn’t have anyone to help me after I got hurt, but you’re surrounded by people that care. So, I’ll help you, but you’ve got to ask. Don’t be a martyr. No more of that crap you pulled with the wheelchair.”

“Hey, I have a right to try the crutches.”

“You’re too banged up and weak to use them. You can’t even handle a knee scooter. Just accept your current weakness and move on. You didn’t only fuck up your foot when you got hit. You’re bruised up, inside and out. Your head’s also fucked up. In a week, most of your injuries will be healed, and you can move around easier. Until then, act like a royal lady carried in a palanquin.”

“What’s that?”

“Have you ever seen those chairs or boxes used by royalty and carried by people?”

“Oh, yeah. How do you know what they’re called? Are you a big reader?”

“When I travel, I schedule my trips to be half educational and half lazy fun.”

“Do you travel alone?”

“Usually, yeah. Sometimes, Ojai or Sugar comes along. Exile went on a few trips before Nova moved to Baton Rouge.”

“Do you ever visit the same place twice?”

“Yes. I like the Netherlands. Japan is cool. I’ve gone to Chile several times.”

I couldn’t picture York in travel mode. Did he bring one of those neck pillows on the flights? Was he friendly to locals or did he do his tall, dark, and silent routine?

“Are you asleep?” he asked when I didn’t respond.

“No, I’m thinking.”

“About what happened today?”

“I’m imagining you traveling.”

“Do you want me to take you on a trip?”

“Yes, but we should test spending more than twenty-four hours together first. I’d hate to learn I can’t stand you while we’re in a different country.”

“You love me, remember?” York said, sounding amused. “Of course, you can tolerate me for more than twenty-four hours.”

“Well, tomorrow will either prove you right or wrong,” I said and slid my hand under the pillow wall to touch his arm. “I’m going to try to sleep. If you need anything, wake me up.”

I heard York chuckling at the idea of him being the needy one. Closing my eyes, I refused to think about anything violent or painful. I forced my brain to imagine York in Japan.

Years ago, my family visited the country. Yarrow had found Japan to be weird and fascinating. We spent two weeks traveling from one end of the island to the other.

I chose to rewrite those Japan memories with York at my side. By the time I dozed off, I had us in our most goofy, gooey form, holding hands and smiling too much like two dorks from a rom-com.

YORK

I hadn’t expected to crash so fast. Goldie’s room was dark and quiet. I had assumed the Sorority House would be noisy with so many people calling it home, but the walls were thick. The only sounds came from the bell on Mochi’s collar whenever the dog changed positions in her bed.

Next to me, Goldie was absolutely silent. I assumed that was a good thing. Moaning signaled pain. Silence meant she was comfortable.

Dozing off in her comfy bed, I dreamed of gunfire and screaming. Part of me was back on duty in the Marines, but Goldie was at my side. I lost her in the chaos and heard her calling my name.

Waking up, I was certain she needed help. I turned on my phone’s light to get a glimpse of her sleeping face. Her expression was pinched, and faint grunts escaped her lips. I realized she was due for her pain medication.

As much as Goldie might complain about me waking her up, I figured she’d be twice as pissed about the pain showing up full force.