“My secretary called his parents right away, but we didn’t get through. We’ll keep trying.” Mr. Platten’s lips pressed together. I was sure this was looking like a nightmare to him just about now: a student badly injured on school property, and the only witnesses were four prominent members of the first winning football team the school had known in decades.
“I want to go to the hospital with Nate.” Quinn pushed away from me, turning as though to follow the gurney. “He shouldn’t be alone.”
“You can’t ride in the ambulance with him, but you’re welcome to meet us there.” The EMT’s eyes flickered to Mr. Platten. “If that’s okay with the school.”
“I’ll drive her over.” I grasped Quinn’s hand, holding it tight. “We—we’re like family. We’re Nate’s best friends, so we should be there until his parents can get to the hospital.”
“I agree. Go ahead.” Mr. Platten shot me a long and steady look. “Keep me informed, please, Mr. Taylor.”
“Will do.” I tugged on Quinn’s hand. “Let’s go.”
The ride to the hospital was only about ten minutes, but it felt endless. Quinn had climbed into the front seat of my car without a word, and she didn’t speak until we were parked and walking inside.
“Do we go to the emergency room, or ...?” She flashed wide, confused eyes at me. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Let’s go in here.” I led her to the main entrance, through the automatic doors and up to the information desk, where a volunteer sat in front of a computer screen. “Nate Wellman. He was just brought in by ambulance.”
The older woman raised one eyebrow. “Family?”
“Yep.” I didn’t even hesitate.
“Wellman?” She tapped a few keys and scanned the monitor. “He’s in the ER, but it looks like he’s about to be taken up for a CT scan.” She pointed down the hall behind her. “Through those doors, take a left, follow the signs. Ask at the desk there, and they’ll tell you where to wait.”
We were moving before she’d finished speaking. Quinn stumbled, trying to keep up with me; her legs were long, but I still walked a lot faster. I tightened my grip on her hand.
“You okay?”
She nodded. “I just want to get there. See him.”
“I know.” We rounded another corner and stopped in front of another desk. The nurse nodded when I gave her Nate’s name.
“The EMTs told me you were coming. He’s awake, and you can go back there—but he’s about to go up to imaging, so make it fast.” She directed us to the right room.
“He’s awake. That’s good, right?” Quinn looked up at me anxiously.
“I think it’s got to be. And they’re letting us see him.” I halted by the door with a number eight above it. “This is it.”
Nate had always looked small to me. Even though he was the oldest of the three of us, as long as I could remember I’d been a good head taller than he was, not to mention just overall sturdier. But when I saw him lying in that hospital bed, he looked ... weak. Vulnerable. And suddenly I was wracked with guilt for the way I’d let him down over the past few months. Hell, who was I fooling? It had been years since I’d been a friend to either Nate or Quinn. I’d put on a good front, doing the small talk and the waves in the hallway, or stopping when I saw them out and about, but I couldn’t remember the last time we’d hung out or had a real conversation.
Beside me, Quinn made a small noise and rushed to the bed. She found Nate’s hand and had it pressed between her own before I even took two steps to join her.
“Nate, oh, my God.” She gave a half-sob, and tears I guessed she’d been just barely holding back streamed down her face. “How—are you okay? Well, that’s stupid, you’re laying in a hospital bed, you’re clearly not okay.”
“I’m going to be fine, Quinn.” His voice sounded a little strained and a little slurry. “My head is just killing me right now, but they gave me something for the pain. And I guess I’m going up to get some kind of scan in a few minutes.”
“Yeah, that’s what the nurse said.” Quinn caught my eye and jerked her head a little, clearly gesturing for me to come stand next to her. I moved into Nate’s view, not sure how happy he was going to be to see me there after our last exchange.
“Leo drove me over ... and he made sure you got help.” She was nearly babbling, and I knew she was talking me up to Nate. Trying to patch things between us, just like she’d always done.
“Thanks, Leo.” Nate focused on me. “Seriously. Thanks.” He paused, his forehead knitting together. “Was that you who yelled right before ... I went down?”
“Yeah.” I crossed my arms over my chest and swallowed hard. “I’m sorry, Nate. Really sorry.” I hoped he understood that I meant that apology for more than just failing to rescue him in time.
“There wasn’t anything you could’ve done.” He blinked so slowly that I wasn’t sure he was going to open his eyes again right away. When he did, I could tell he was having trouble staying awake. “Listen, Leo. What happened with ... Brent and them?”
I shook my head. “Nothing yet. It wasn’t clear exactly what went down, and I was more worried about getting you help. And Brent—he said you tripped.” I set my jaw. “But I’ll make sure it’s straightened out. They were giving you shit, weren’t they? Messing with you?”
Nate rocked his head a little, wincing as he did. “No. I mean ... yeah. They were. But I don’t want to get them in trouble. It’s kind of my ...fault, I guess. A little. And I don’t want everyone to hate me.”
