Page 10 of Cassian

“We’re taking you to the hospital.”

“Jesus.” Cass rubbed his hands over his face. “I’m gonna end up in the psych ward.”

But then Blake was there, hugging him tight, rubbing his hand up and down Cass’s spine in reassurance. “Not if youshowthem. I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you. I promise. I’ve got your back.”

And how could Cass argue with that?

four

Blake

Blakeflippedthroughtherumpled magazine, scanning the images without reading any of the words. They’d been waiting a few hours already in the small emergency room waiting room. Blake had heard somewhere that abdominal pain got you bumped up the line, so he’d coached Cass on what to say and told him to at least try to look like he was uncomfortable, but it didn’t seem to be getting them seen any faster.

The boredom of waiting was somewhat improved by the fact that Cass’s version of pretending to be in pain seemed to be curling up into Blake in the waiting room chair, tucking his head into Blake’s shoulder like a little kitten. It shouldn’t have made the wait better, really. Blake had only one serious relationship under his belt, and she’d been way too into PDA and physical contact in general: always clinging to his arm, wanting to hold his hand, or snuggling into him in public. He’d tried to resign himself to it to make her happy, but he’d hated it. It had always seemed like she was trying to show him off, make a big display, like it wasn’t out of any real need to connect with him. He hadn’t exactly been heartbroken when she’d broken it off.

But for some reason, with Cass, he didn’t mind. It was even nice. Cass smelled good, especially when Blake pushed his nose against his soft hair. And Cass seemed to…need it, in a way. It wasn’t for show, not like Blake’s ex-girlfriend. Heneededto be touching Blake, to take comfort in it.

Why didn’t that bother Blake more? Because Cass was a friend, not a boyfriend? Yeah, maybe that was it—a friend in need.

A friend you jerked off this morning with more enthusiasm than you’ve ever shown a hookup before?

Blake ignored that unhelpful thought. There would be time for a sexuality freak-out later. Maybe. Hopefully. First, they were going to get some medical attention. They were going to get to the bottom of what was going on, an explanation that didn’t include the wordvampire. And then they were going to be fine.

Casswas going to be fine.

Andthenthere’d be time to talk about the touching and the kissing and how good it had all felt.

When Cass’s name was finally called, Blake had almost dozed off, his head resting on top of Cass’s, Cass’s hands gripping at his arm. They followed an unsmiling blonde woman into a small, curtained-off emergency bay, where she left them with instructions to wait for the nurse.

Two minutes later a guy in scrubs came in, smiling warmly at them both. He was good-looking, almost pretty, with big brown eyes and messy brown curls, a smattering of freckles that sort of matched Cass’s. Jesus. Was this what Blake was doing now, noticing when guys were pretty?

“Hi, you two, I’m Danny. I’ll be your nurse today.” Danny turned his focus immediately on Cass. “You’re Cassian?” At Cass’s nod, he glanced to Blake. “And you are…?”

“I’m Blake.”

“Family?”

“Boyfriend.” Blake ignored the way Cass startled at his answer. Cass was already clinging to him like they were together, and Blake didn’t want to be asked to leave. Boyfriend was more official than friend, right?

Danny nodded easily. “Okay. Cassian, if you’re willing to release your beau and hop up on the gurney? I promise I don’t bite.” He smiled to himself like it was an inside joke while he pulled on a pair of blue hospital gloves.

Once Cass was on the gurney, Danny started looking him over, listening to his heart and lungs and palpating his abdomen. “Where exactly do you hurt?”

“Um…” Cass flushed at the scrutiny, clearly unsure of what to say.

“Look, sorry for lying,” Blake cut in. “But we’re not actually here for stomach pain. He was given something last night, and he’s been having…weird symptoms ever since.”

Danny leaned back from his inspection, gloved hands going to his hips. “Oh! Okay, lying to your healthcare team, always a good start.” But he wasn’t looking at them too harshly, despite the sarcasm—maybe ER nurses were used to getting the runaround every now and then. “Let’s start with some vitals, then you can tell me about your symptoms, okay, Cassian?”

“Just Cass, please,” Cass requested meekly, but Blake didn’t miss the look of relief that they were no longer having to pretend.

Danny hooked Cass up to the monitor, pursing his lips while he looked it over. “Heart rate in the fifties, a little low but not unusual. You a runner, Cass?”

Cass shook his head. “Confirmed bookworm.”

“Blood pressure a perfect 120 over eighty. Oxygen shows…zero percent.” Danny’s dark brows rose. “Huh. This cord must be broken. Feeling short of breath?”

Apparently that relief had been short-lived because Cass was fidgeting more the longer Danny spoke to him. Before Blake could reassure him with a wink or a soft touch, Cass was blurting out, unnaturally loud, “Have you ever had any vampires come through here?”

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