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Her son was too smart for his own good, but, maybe, he was just smart enough for her good.
Chapter Nine
Booker
As the elevator doors slid closed, Booker’s phone dinged.
I ORDERED A PRESENT FOR WYATT: BACON. PICK IT UP ON THE ELEVENTH FLOOR.
Bacon? That was odd, but he had worked with Dee long enough to know she’d done her homework and had chosen a gift for his friend accordingly. When his sister had gone into labor during the conference championship, she’d had the most beautiful arrangement of flowers delivered before he even knew the baby was on its way. No doubt, Dee had creeped on Wyatt’s page and found a post to back up her bacon get-well-soon present.
Booker hit the new floor destination hoping the cafeteria was easy to find. After getting off the elevator and passing the gift shop, his hope turned to reality with two additional right turns. When he asked for the bacon, though, the cashier said they didn’t have the order but that they could whip a plate up in a few minutes. He agreed and paid for the food, grabbing himself a tuna sandwich from the cold case.
Bacon and tuna in tow, Booker navigated the maze of a hospital to Wyatt’s room. Dallas had been right. Wyatt was far from alright if the oxygen and I.V. drip was any indication.
“What happened to you, man?” Booker blurted as he ambled up beside the hospital bed.
Wyatt gave a weak smile. “I could ask you the same thing, Watson. Long time, no see.”
“That’s the truth.” Booker handed him the tray from the cafeteria. “You hungry?”
“Starved. The food here is a joke.” Wyatt yanked back the lid and stared at the contents. With a grunt, he slammed the container shut again. “Did Dallas put you up to this?”
“Maybe.” Booker sat down in the chair along the wall. “But only because he’s worried about you.”
“He’s so worried, huh?” Wyatt snorted. “Bacon’s a new low, even for him.”
“Oh, no. The bacon was my idea. If you’d rather have sausage, say the word and I’ll g—”
“Sausage? Are you serious?” Shaking his head, Wyatt stared at him with a laser focus like the key to a 4th and long had been carved somewhere on Booker’s face. So intense was the glare that Booker resituated in his chair. Wyatt’s face softened. “You are serious, aren’t you, Book?”
“Yeah, it’s no big deal. The cafeteria is only a few floors up.”
A laugh busted free from Wyatt. “Same ol’ Booker. Ready to lend a helping hand. I appreciate ya, man, but I’m vegan now.”
“Oh.” When the meaning of what Wyatt had said registered, Booker stood, “Oh! Bro, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“Forget about it. I needed the laugh.”
“Well, in that case, I’m glad to help.” Booker snatched the food container from the side table. “I’ll be taking this, then.”
“Be my guest.” Wyatt laughed again. An alarm started to sound. In minutes, a nurse came to check on him. He flashed her his best no-worries-here look. “I’m fine, Tina. I lost my breath because this bozo brought me bacon.”
Tina turned to Booker. “Take it easy on this one. His bronchitis is no laughing matter.” Her voice remained stern, but the smiled she tossed at the boys eased Booker’s mind.
“Ignore her. I’m only in here because I can’t kick this cough. It’s going on three weeks now. With the rivalry game next Monday, Coach insisted I come to urgent care and they forced me to check in for round the clock breathing treatments and monitoring.” Wyatt jerked his head to the exiting nurse. “The doctor says I should go home in a day, two at the most, but I’m going to try to sweet talk him into staying for Tina’s whole rotation.”
Booker blinked at him in get-real kind of way, but Wyatt laughed. “You can’t blame a guy for trying.”
“I hear ya…” Booker’s words trailed off as his phone dinged. A text message from Dee lit the screen.
NOT BACON! BALLOONS! FROM THE GIFT SHOP.
Booker clicked the lock screen, making a mental note to pick up the balloons for Dee and do two things when he next saw her. First, give her the best sob story that he could come up with about the bacon, complete with Wyatt hyperventilating and the nurse rushing in. Second, to snap a picture of her to add to her contact info.
“Looks like I’m not the only one tryin’ with the ladies.”
Booker shifted awkwardly in his seat. “Man, the meds they’ve got you on are making you loopy.”
