Page 77 of Heart Strain

27

Jameson

“Do you guys seriously have to hold hands all the time?” Drix grumbles at Holds and me.

Holds slumps against me and tries to loosen his grip in my hand. Giving him one tight squeeze, I let it go, kiss him on the temple and say, “Baby, would you mind running out and getting me another cup of coffee?” Right around the corner from Kindred Soul Rehab is Refresh Coffee and Pastries. It’s become a joke that we need the refreshing after spending time with Hendrix’s grumpy ass.

“Sure, Foxy.” He stands and hustles out of the room without a backward glance.

“Don’t even start,” Drix says while staring at the door Holds just left through.

“What the actual fuck, Hendrix? You’re breaking your brother’s heart. You’re being such a dick.”

He turns toward me with fire shooting out of his eyes, his mouth not far behind. “Oh, so sorry. That’s right, now that you’re fucking my brother, it doesn’t matter that the last time I wasn’t in a hospital room I was with you, and now I’m laying here helpless. Let’s make it all about Holden, you know, the brother you fucking used to sympathize with me over because he fucking deserted me. But hey, as long as you’re getting your dick sucked, whatever! Fuck me, apparently. Who cares how I feel or what I need since you guys only care about yourselves and your damn animals.”

A nurse sticks her head in the room while Drix is mid-rant, but I wave her out, letting him finish. “Pity party for one done now, or what? I mean, if you need to keep going, be my guest.”

“Fuck you, Jameson.” He jabs a finger in my direction.

“Hmm…” I tilt my head at an angle. “I wonder if your brother would be up for that. I’ll have to ask him when he gets back.”

Again, he says, “Fuck you, Jameson,” but this time without heat. Waiting for it, I see the minute his nose curls up. “Eww. Come on, man. All those years you could’ve given me details about your sex life and you were all private, now it’s about my brother and you want to offer them up.” He pulls the pillow from his side up to his face and screams, “Grooooossss!” into it.

Finally, he drops it onto his chest and turns to me, his face defeated. “I’m sorry,” he breathes out.

“I know, buddy. Wanna tell me what’s going on?”

“I’m frustrated. I hate being stuck in this bed. I hate that my brother didn’t uproot his life to come back to me until after I can’t even go and do things with him. I hate that I didn’t get to live with him while he was still home.”

Planting my elbows on my knees, I lean forward, maintaining eye contact. “Let’s unpack all that one thing at a time. First off, your brother wouldn’t have stayed at the house at all if he had decided to move back.”

“What’s that mean?” Drix asks.

“You and your brother need to talk about some things, like why you didn’t tell him you don’t have the friends you used to have.” As Drix immediately shakes his head, I say, “Okay, maybe not now, if you’re not ready, but bud, you two have some major disconnects going on about the here and now and your past.”

Narrowing his eyes, he demands, “What was wrong with our past?”

“That’s between you two, but you need to talk about it eventually. I can tell you for a fact he missed you as much as you missed him, but that house doesn’t hold good memories for him. Not like it does for you.”

Hendrix turns his head away from me, muttering, “He’s not the only one who has shitty memories growing up there.”

“What are you talking about? You told me you had a great childhood.”

Drix inhales and faces me again. “Don’t worry about it. You’re right, Holden and I need to be honest about some things. But not right now, not until I’m on my feet.” Glancing down his body, he says, “Literally.”

“You know that can’t happen if you won’t even attempt to do what the PTs ask you to do, right? Like, Drix, you haven’t done anything for two days but yell at everyone and mope in this bed.” In response, he slams his head back against the pillows propped behind him. “So you really are mad at me about ending up in here, aren’t you?”

He turns his face toward me and grins mischievously. “Na, I just said that to be a dick. I know I’m being an asshole and I didn’t want to hear it. But you’re right, I have to do better, at least with Holds.”

“Did I hear my name?” Holds asks as he strides back in the door with a drink carrier containing three drinks. Two hot coffees and the ice coffee that Drix favors.

“You did. Come here, little bro.” Holds glances at me nervously but sets the carrier down on the bedside table and approaches Drix’s side. When Drix reaches up and pulls him into a hug, Holds falls into him, burying his face in the side of his brother’s neck. “I’m sorry, Holds. I’m taking out my frustration on you and I shouldn’t be. I’m so happy you’re home to stay, and I’ll do better.”

“Is it because I’m dating Jameson?” I hear Holds ask.

Drix pulls back from him, saying, “I couldn’t be happier about that, honestly. The two people I love most in the world together is a good thing. Now, I know you’re going to see Jameson’s dad later, so I expect you to take care of him afterward for me. It’s hard seeing his father in that place. Can you do that for me?”

Holds whispers, “Yes,” as they both turn their matching sapphire eyes on me, their inner-strength shining bright, and I know they’re going to be alright. We all will.

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