Page 50 of You Are Cordially Invited

I narrowed my gaze. “Wouldn’t you? I doubt you’d let anyone sendyouto the fucking waiting room if that was Josh on the table.”

Michael glanced at Reuben and sighed. “Yeah, no chance. I’d be worse than you. But can you please trust me to do the heavy lifting regarding any medical oversight? Will’s a great doctor. I don’t need you pissing him off.”

I grimaced and caught Will’s eye. He looked... focused. He nodded sharply and got back to work. “I’ll try,” I said.

Michael gave a wry smile. “I guess that’ll have to do. Now let me go and help Will. I’ve sent Alison to get you a coffee, and you’re to sit on that damn stool and keep quiet, understand? I love you, Cam, but if you cause us any problems, so help me, I’ll chain you to that chair in your office without a second thought, got it?”

“I’d like to see you try,” I growled. “Fucking bossy boots.” But I did as he said and took a seat on the stool, my overwhelming fear for Reuben a burning itch under my skin I couldn’t scratch.

Michael kept an eye on me, Alison brought me a coffee, and the universe kept spinning as if my heart wasn’t laid out on the gurney in this room and ripped open for the world to see.

I hated it. Hated sitting. Hated waiting. Hated watching people do things I could’ve done quicker, better, maybe. Hated feeling powerless. Hated that I couldn’t function. And hated that everyone was watching it happen, watching me fall apart. Hated that I couldn’t throw my weight around and demand they get Reuben fixed right the hell now. Hated that I couldn’t hold him. That I couldn’t touch him. That I couldn’t make it better.

“Cam?”

“What—shit.” I fumbled to hold on to the half-empty mug of cold coffee, but it slipped through my fingers and smashed on the floor, spewing its contents across the room.

Alison was there in a second with a towel to throw over it. “I’ll see to it when he’s gone.”

“Gone?” I spun to Michael.

He tipped my chin up. “They’re taking Reuben upstairs to get the imaging done, and no, before you ask, you can’t go with him.”

“But—”

“No.” He looked at me kindly. “X-ray made me promise, and I don’t blame them. But while he’s up there, I want you to head to the private waiting room where they’ve stashed your family and friends and bring them up to speed.”

“But if he’s going, then that means the portable X-rays came back.” I jumped from the stool. “Are you sure he’s safe to move? Why the hell didn’t you tell me?” I shoved him hard. “Where are they? I want to see them.”

Michael sighed. “To be honest, we didn’t tell you because we didn’t need you hovering over our shoulders the first time we looked. Have at it.”

“You’re bloody lucky I like you,” I growled as I shoved him aside and stormed out of the room and over to the nurses station to see for myself. He followed at a distance.

My gaze darted over each image and found... nothing. I looked again, taking my time, just to be sure. Still, nothing.

“Please tell me there isn’t a fracture I’m missing?” I white-knuckled the desk, still staring.

“No,” Michael answered softly. “They appear to be clear so far. It’s a good start, but we need the rest of the imaging before we can be sure.”

We filled in a few minutes talking about the possibilities while I grabbed a fresh cup of coffee from the break room and kept an eye out for the arrival of the orderlies who’d be taking Reuben to imaging.

Then as we headed back toward trauma two, Alison stuck her head out of its curtains and waved for us to hurry up. “Reuben’s awake if you want to say something before they take him.”

“Thank Christ.” I shoved my coffee into Michael’s hand and ran, not stopping until I was at Reuben’s shoulder.

“Oh my god, baby.” I leaned right over the gurney so Reuben could see me past the neck and head brace that now splinted his spine. His mouth curved up in a shaky smile and my heart burst in my chest at the sheer beauty of it.

I fired Will a killer look. He was perched on a stool and writing up his notes. “How long has he been awake?”

He shrugged, looking completely unapologetic. “Five minutes. I needed to ask him some questions first, Cam, in case he drifted off again.”

“You still should’ve told me!”

“Hey,” Reuben whispered. “Don’t be mad. Let me see you.”

I huffed my displeasure at Will and looked down at Reuben’s sweet face.

“You look so good.” He smiled a little crooked, his focus wavering. “I love you.”

---