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“Hospital.”
I stop dead in my tracks, pulling my hand free. “W-who?”
“Zie.”
My eyes widen in shock.
“Is he okay?”
“We need to go and find out.”
As soon as he says that, all of the current pain is replaced by a crippling fear that makes me slide my hand back into his.
“Hurry,” I whisper.
I’m grateful when we rush down the stairs and out of the main doors to a motorcycle propped on its side stand and two crash helmets hanging from the mirrors. It’ll be quicker to get to the hospital on two wheels, that’s for sure.
I grab the lid that’s got a peony flower emblazoned on it and leave the black one with the silver cross for Kaiden. I briefly wonder if this is his bike – why else would he get us both custom helmets? – but then he mounts the bike, kicks the stand off and starts the engine. I climb on before I’ve even managed to get the chin strap done up, and he takes off without hesitation.
He rides faster than I’ve ever been on the back of a bike, and I’m absolutely certain that he ignores every speed limit and traffic sign on the way to the hospital. My legs are jelly by the time we arrive but there’s no grin on my face at all this time as I stare up at the imposing hospital building, hesitating. The last time I was in a hospital, Kaiden died on us. And now I might be about to lose my first love. Zie doesn’t have nine lives like Kaiden. He might not be okay.
“Come on.” Kaiden’s large, warm palm in the centre of my back urges me forward, and we’re through the doors before I can even blink.
The antiseptic smell of the hospital hits me like a ton of bricks as we make our way to the reception desk. I’m holding onto Kaiden’s arm, my heart racing with anxiety. He squeezes my hand reassuringly and I lean into him, taking in his familiar scent.
“Excuse me,” Kaiden says to the receptionist, his voice calm and steady. “I’m here to see my brother, Mackenzie Montgomery. He was brought in earlier tonight.”
The receptionist looks up from her computer and types in a few keys. “Yes. He’s on the second floor. Room 212.”
Kaiden nods and we make our way to the elevator. As we wait, I can’t help but feel like I’m about to jump out of my skin. I’m not sure what’s wrong with Zie, but the fact that Kaiden is this worried means it can’t be good.
The elevator doors open and we step inside. Kaiden presses the button for the second floor and the doors close. The ride up is silent, except for the sound of our breathing.
When the doors open on the second floor, Kaiden takes my hand and leads me down the hallway. We pass by a few nurses and doctors, all of whom are too busy to notice us. Finally, we reach room 212 and Kaiden gently pushes the door to the private side room open.
I expect to see Zie in a hospital bed, hooked up to machines and surrounded by doctors and nurses, unresponsive. But instead, I see him sitting up in bed, a bandage on his arm and hand and a tired smile on his face.
“Hey, guys,” he says, his voice raspy.
Kaiden lets out a sigh of relief and I rush to Zie’s side, pulling him into a tight hug. He freezes for a moment before hugging me back. I don’t ever want to let him go. My heart is still poundingin my throat, causing a painful lump that’s almost impossible to swallow, and my eyes are stinging with unshed tears. I was so worried. So scared. I eventually release him and stand back, happy to see that he’s okay but still feeling like something’s wrong.
“Are you really okay? What happened?” I ask.
Kaiden and Zie exchange a glance and then Zie forces a smile onto his face. They’re about to lie to me. Again.
Zie shrugs. “Just a little accident. Nothing major.” He coughs and the sound makes me narrow my eyes at him.
“Bullshit.”
Zie looks shocked by my outburst but Kaiden laughs. “Told you there’s no getting anything past her. We just didn’t want you to worry.”
“Of course I’m going to worry. You just turned up at the flat in the middle of the night, banging and shouting, and all you told me was there was a fire and we had to get to the hospital to see Zie! I was worried sick.”
Something softens in Zie’s gaze and it makes my stomach flip.
Kaiden grimaces and takes a seat in the chair next to Zie’s bed, while I sit on the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb his bandaged arm and hand, even though I really want to reach out and hold his hand and thread my fingers through his.
I try to force a smile, but my fear must still show through. “We don’t have a good track record with hospitals, remember? I’m just glad you’re okay.”
