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Were they friends? Ashok guessed they were. They’d eaten together, sang cheesy songs together. He shrugged and nodded.
“Yeah, we’re friends.” Ashok smiled. He’d not had a friend for a long while. He’d not let anyone get close. Not since… Ashok wasn’t going there. He didn’t want to ruin a good night with painful memories.
“You need a shower,” Hayden blurted before standing and moving to the other side of the room.
“What? That was it?” Ashok rolled his eyes and laughed. He knew he needed one, had been trying to wash himself every day in the bathroom but balancing on one leg while trying to make sure all his bits were clean… Well, it was difficult, to say the least. He was going to ask Hayden tonight to help now he was feeling more relaxed in his presence.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.” Ashok watched with amusement as Hayden ran his fingers through his hair as he paced the floor. “Don’t laugh. I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you all evening.”
“I can imagine, and I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh at all. I was actually going to ask if you minded helping me later. It’s been three days, and all I’ve done is lie in this bed. I really do need to shower.”
“Of course, I’ll help you. You don’t want me to get in with you, do you?” Hayden looked horror-stricken at the thought, and Ashok couldn’t help but feel a little hurt by his comment.
“Well, no. I wasn’t asking you to do that. God, Hayden. What do you take me for?” Ashok picked up the cushion from the bed and threw it, missing Hayden by a mile.
Hayden bent to pick it up and threw it back, hitting Ashok square in the chest.
“Hey, that hurt,” he said, rubbing his chest. It hadn’t really, but Ashok liked to tease.
“It was a cushion. Just wait until Quinn knocks you flat when he meets you.”
Ashok looked at him, puzzled. How would he meet Quinn?
“What? You thought I was leaving you here for Christmas? You’re coming home with me unless you have somewhere better to be. I overheard you say you were planning on staying home, the night you hurt your ankle. I can’t let you do that. I’ve already told Mum and Dad you’re coming, and Vic is dying to meet you.”
Ashok wiped at his eyes, dashing the tears that threatened to fall.
“You don’t need to do that,” he whispered.
Hayden came to sit on the bed and took his hand. This time he didn’t flinch, slowly getting used to Hayden’s tactile nature.
“I know I didn’t, but why would I leave you here? I’m not just doing it because of your ankle. I’d already decided to ask you before then, but I suppose it slipped my mind with everything that’s happened. Please say you’ll come. You don’t want to break a young girl’s heart, do you?”
He batted his eyelashes, and Ashok couldn’t help but think that was a low blow. How could he say no now?
“You’ve assumed an awful lot there, Hayden. I might have had other plans.”
“To do what? Lie here in bed, unable to do anything? You can’t even manage the stairs right now, and I’m about to help you undress and get in the shower.”
Hayden sounded frustrated, and Ashok had to concede he had a point.
“Let me help. Come home with me. I’d feel happier if you let me do this for you. I don’t know why you don’t want to go home, and I am, in your words, assuming you have a good reason for not going. You don’t have to tell me. I don’t need to know details, but please. Come home with me.”
Ashok nodded. “OK, I’ll do that. Not for you, mind, but for Vic. Maybe she’ll share some secrets about her big brother. Now, please. Can I have a shower?”
“Let’s go, Stinky, and before you get back into bed, we’ll change the sheets. I do love getting into a clean bed.” Ashok almost choked. Was that an offer?
He was cheeky. Gone was grumpy Hayden, and Ashok had to admit he enjoyed seeing this funny, almost carefree, side of him and couldn’t wait to see what happened when they got to the farm.
Hayden stood, pulling the covers back on the bed. A week ago, Ashok would have been horrified, but he was so used to it now he had no issue with Hayden seeing his semi-nude body. When you’re unable to move around, some things you just have to get used to.
Hayden hadn’t said anything about his scars, but he knew at some point that conversation would need to be had. He just didn’t want to do it now.
“Your shower kit is in the bathroom. Anyway, can I grab some clothes out of your holdall, or can you manage?”
“NO!” Ashok almost shouted. He couldn’t have Hayden digging around in there. “Sorry. No, just leave it there, and I’ll get out what I need. Maybe you could run the shower and then come back to get me?”
Hayden looked a little startled at his outburst but did as he was asked and placed the holdall on the bed before leaving the room.
