Ihated this fucking hospital. We’d been coming to it for way too many years, almost always to see Nate; although I’d had my share of broken bones and mild concussions, none of them had called for a hospital stay.
“I hate this place,” I muttered to Quinn. “It smells funny and people die here.” As soon as I said the words, I could’ve bitten off my tongue. I knew how worried she was about Nate.
But to my relief she only smiled and shook her head. “Tell you what. If you’re a good boy, I’ll give you a treat when we’re finished here.” The sideways glance she shot me gave a hint about what that treat might be.Oh, baby.
The ICU was on the fifth floor. We were silent in the elevator, although Quinn gripped my hand a little tighter the closer we got to that floor. I could practically feel her nerves.
“Baby, remember, I need to use this hand for catching the football tomorrow night. Don’t break my fingers, okay?”
“I’m sorry.” She tried to tug her hand free, but I wouldn’t let her go.
“I didn’t mean I don’t want to hold your hand. Just let the blood get through.”
She sighed out a breath between clenched teeth. “I hate hospitals, too. And every time Nate’s here, I’m afraid.”
“I get that.” I wrapped my arm around her just as the elevator doors opened, and we stepped out into a small waiting alcove. I was surprised to see my mom there, along with Quinn’s. Sheri and Mark were sitting close together, their hands gripped tightly. I couldn’t miss the way Sheri’s eyes darted to my arm around Quinn’s shoulder.
“How’s he doing?” Quinn glanced around the room. I felt her body tense.
“Better than this morning. Oh, my God, I was terrified. I couldn’t wake him up.” Sheri pressed her face into her husband’s chest. “He’s at least conscious now. He caught some kind of virus, and then there’s an infection ... they’re treating him with IV antibiotics and fluids.”
“Can we see him? Just for a minute?”
Sheri nodded. “But one at a time, and ...” Her eyes flickered to me.
As if she’d read her mind, Quinn nodded. “Don’t worry. We’re not going to say anything.”
I took one step back, shoving my hands into my back pockets. “Go ahead. I’ll wait for you here.”
She glanced back at me as Mark stood up. “I’ll show you where to go.” The two of them headed down the hall, and I was left alone with the three mothers. I dropped into one of molded plastic chairs and sighed.
When I was a little kid, these three women had been almost interchangeable in my mind as authority figures. I’d obeyed Sheri and Carrie as fast as I did my own mom. And now, sitting among them, I waited for the onslaught.
I didn’t have to wait long.
“I hear there was news I missed out on last night.” My mother was the first to speak. “Luckily I have friends who tell me things.”
“Hey, you were asleep when I got home, and I didn’t see you this morning, either. I would’ve told you.” I glanced at Sheri, but she had her head leaned against the back of the chair, with her eyes closed.
“Hmm.” Mom didn’t say anything else, but her eyes rested on me for a long while. And Carrie leaned over to pat my knee.
“You know we’re here for you, no matter what.” She whispered the words, and I wondered if they hadn’t told Sheri yet about my mother’s diagnosis. It would make sense; she had enough on her plate just now.
We sat without speaking for the next ten minutes. I stared up at the tabloid-style talk show that was playing on the television, idly watching as two men argued over whowasn’tthe father of the baby held by the woman between them.
When Quinn came back into the waiting area, she was blinking rapidly and sniffling. Mark beckoned to Sheri.
“The doctor wants to give us an update. Come on down and you can sit with Nate for a while, too.”
Quinn inclined her head, motioning for me to follow her. I stood up, and we moved a little way down the hall, into a shadowed doorway. She leaned against the wall and exhaled loudly.
“I’ve never seen him this sick, Leo. Or not in a long time.” She cast her eyes up, and I could tell she was trying not to cry. “He held my hand and kept thanking me for coming to see him. God, it about broke my heart.” She twisted her mouth. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to see him, but they didn’t want him upset right now.”
I drew her close to me. “It’s okay, Mia. Nate’s getting the medicine he needs, and you know how these things go. In a day or two, he’ll be better. And then I’ll see him, and I promise—I’m going to make things right between us.”
“I hope so.” Her voice was muffled against me. We stayed that way for a few minutes, breathing in each other’s strength.
I almost turned when I heard Mark’s voice, but when I realized that neither he nor Sheri had seen us, I stood still, not wanting to interrupt.
