“Fine. I’ll keep pushing until I get confirmation everything’s okay. I have to say, I’m glad your uh… friendship has progressed to this point. Last week, Cole and I were taking bets on how long it would be before the two of you had a knock-down-drag-out.”
“If he doesn’t have a darned-good excuse for not calling me or returning my texts, that could still happen.”
Finn tried to open his eyes, but they were glued shut. Something was pressing on his face, and he thought to push it away. But he felt a hand tighten around his wrist and force his arm back to the bed.
“Leave that alone. It’s an oxygen mask.” A man spoke in quiet tones, and Finn didn’t have the strength to resist.
He knew that voice.
“Branson.” His attempt to speak with a thick dry tongue produced more of a “Brrmph.”
“Are you finally awake?” Bran asked.
“Water.” Finn’s throat felt like someone had been rubbing it with sandpaper.
“Hang on. There’s a cup here somewhere.”
First the scrape of a chair on the floor, and then shuffling noises came from somewhere near Finn’s head. Then Bran spoke again. “Here’s some water, but I can’t get it to your mouth. You’re going to have to sit up and loosen your mask a bit.”
Finn pried his eyelids open, his blurry vision gradually coming into focus. He found the bed control and tilted the head up before taking the cup from Bran’s hand. Lifting the bottom of the mask, he wedged the straw into his mouth and sipped the soothing water.
“Why are you here?” he rasped, his voice so weak Bran leaned in close. “Told you not to come.”
“You had such a high fever you were thrashing around and wouldn’t leave your oxygen mask on. We had to come and take turns holding your hands down.”
Finn knew the docs used a full oxygen mask when nasal congestion forced him to breathe through his mouth.
“Nurses can take care of me,” he replied in a hoarse whisper.
“The nurses can’t sit in here twenty-four seven, and they aren’t allowed to strap you down.”
He felt an ache in his chest that wasn’t from his lungs. Branson and Cole were true friends. They had sacrificed to sit beside him in the hospital, putting them even further behind at work.
“Thank you for this. I owe you guys, big time.”
“You don’t owe me anything. Branson’s forehead drew into stern lines. “I’ve always thought your rule was stupid. There’s no good reason for us to stay away when you’re in the hospital. This just proves it.”
“Having you here makes it feel too real.” Finn drank some more water and stretched to set the cup down on the rolling table near his head.
“I know you like to compartmentalize your life.” Bran sat back down, one hand rising to rub the scruff on his chin. “You do your therapy in the mornings and then go about your day pretending you’re just like everyone else who doesn’t have cystic fibrosis. Believe me, I understand the appeal. I wish I could do the same thing.”
“I don’t see anything wrong with it. It’s worked for thirty-three years.”
“It’s fine for your general acquaintances, Finn. But your friends and family… we’re here for the nitty gritty of real life. You didn’t desert me when I tried to withdraw from the world. We’ll be there for Jarrett when he’s throwing up from chemo. We all know Cole has his ghosts, and we haven’t turned our backs on him yet. So, it’s your turn to accept a little help from your friends.”
“I appreciate you guys, but I’m fine now. You can head back to the office.”
A mocking smile slid onto Bran’s face. “It’s eight p.m.—a little late to go back to work.”
“Are you kidding me? I lost a whole day?” He felt guiltier than ever. “Did you stay the entire time or trade off with Cole?”
“I was at the office all day. I’ve only been sitting here a few hours. I had to pull the sheet over your arms so I could hear when you were reaching for that mask again.”
“I’m still sorry you had to do it, even for a few hours.”
“I had to find some way to give Laurie a break. She’s been watching you since five a.m.” Branson gestured toward the window on the opposite side of the bed. “She had her laptop with her, but I don’t think she got much done. She said you fought with that oxygen mask all day long.”
Finn turned to look in the direction Bran had pointed. Curled up on the hard loveseat, Laurie lay with her head askew, propped on the vinyl-covered arm. She appeared to be sound asleep, though her neck had to be strained. “Why did you bring her here?”
Bran shook his head, wearing a rueful grin. “Once she found out your fever was so high you were delirious, I couldn’t have kept her away without a set of chains.”
“Why would she do this?” Finn murmured as he watched the rise and fall of her gentle breaths.
“She claims the two of you are friends, now.”
Finn could hear Bran’s skepticism, loud and clear, but he didn’t care what Bran thought. He only cared that Laurie had given up her whole day for him. Warmth spread inside his chest. She cares about me. Then a nervous chill shook him from head to toe. This woman was chipping away at his carefully constructed wall.
“That’s right—we’re friends.” He answered with a firm and confident tone, not so much to convince Branson as himself. “And nothing more.”
A loud knocking jarred Laurie from her deep sleep. Bright light flooded the room.
“Mr. Anderson, it’s good to see you awake.” The nurse marched in, his boisterous voice making it impossible for Laurie to fade back into dreamland.
She swung her feet to the floor and sat up, rubbing her eyes with the backs of her hands. Did he say Finn’s awake? Her gaze jerked toward the hospital bed where it connected with Finn’s intense stare. His brows pulled together, a deep line forming between them, leaving no doubt he was displeased to find her here. But her relief at seeing him sitting up and in his right mind far outweighed any possible consequence. She sent up a silent prayer of thanks.
