Page 505 of End Game

“Thank you.”

“And because it's so late and she just came in, we're being flexible tonight. Tomorrow we'll be back to two visitors at the bedside during visiting hours, and one overnight support person that can be here after visiting hours.”

I nod.

I already know who that person will be.

Not because Griffin deserves more time with her.

Because that makes the most sense.

The strange thing is that I am glad the answer is Griffin.

I trust him.

I trust him with her.

That does not make the reality less sharp.

We get a text from Griff that he is on his way back.

About fifteen minutes later, the ICU doors open.

Micah comes through first.

Dex follows.

His eyes are red as he drops into the chair beside me and wipes both hands over his face.

“She made fun of me.”

“That sounds promising.”

“She told me if I cried on her she'd charge me for emotional labor.”

“That sounds very promising.”

His laugh breaks halfway through.

Micah sits on his other side and pulls him in without asking.

Dex goes willingly.

For several minutes, none of us speak.

Then Dex looks at me. “You going back?”

“I’ll wait until Griffin is back.”

“She asked if you were okay.”

Something tightens in my chest. “What did you tell her?”

“That you're weird, but that's baseline.”

“Dex.”

“She laughed.”