Page 66 of IOU

“I treat it conservatively.”

My eyes narrow in his direction.

He mimics me but adds, “I should have put you up in a hotel. What was I thinking?”

He was thinking I was pretty fucking awesome, and he would eventually need my help.

“All right, Maverick. We’re going to stop your heart for just a moment. You might feel a little weird, but everything is going to be fine.”

Okay, so maybe I’m not much help to him. I might pass out.

When we arrived at the hospital, Maverick was rushed into a room, his shirt cut from his body, and wires upon wires were stuck to his beautiful chest. I followed along in a daze, not sure what I was supposed to do.

“Can we try the techniques again?” Maverick asks. His voice shakes with exhaustion.

They’ve been doing different things like asking him to blow on his thumb and bear down, but nothing has worked. His heart is still beating too fast. The doctor called it supraventricular tachycardia. I don’t know precisely what all that means other than a spelling nightmare, but I gather it’s a faster than normal heart rate for us non-medical people.

“How long has he been this way?” The doctor who seems to know Maverick looks at me.

“You’re asking me?”

He nods, pointing at Maverick. “This one only gives me half the truth.”

I want to grin so bad. He nailed Maverick perfectly. But instead, I cast a wary look at Mav. He’s where my loyalty lies. He’s my genie in the apartment and ... my friend.

The corner of his lip twitches and his eyes beg me to keep quiet. “I can’t lie,” I whisper. “This is your life we’re talking about.”

His eyes squeeze shut. Maybe they shut from acceptance or maybe they shut because he’s plotting my death. The world may never know.

“At least half an hour,” I answer the doc.

He frowns, nodding simultaneously. “I’m sorry, Maverick. It’s been too long.”

Maverick doesn’t answer him. No one does. Instead, the doctor starts calling out orders, and everyone moves, including me. I edge closer to the door as the nurse draws up the medication. I’m not sure if Maverick wants me in here, especially since I ratted him out to the doctor.

Maybe I should wait in the lobby. I think that’s a good idea.

“Ains.” Maverick’s raspy voice stops me.

I turn, expecting him to pull a card from his pocket. “Yeah?”

He twists his head away, and I almost think he didn’t mean to call me, when I see his hand. Outstretched from the mattress, his palm lies face up, inviting me to him.

Of course, I go.

When my genie needs me, I’m going to be there for him like he was for me.

Interlocking our fingers, he turns his face, holding my gaze. And then, I hang on, gripping the hand of the man who pretends not to be my friend until his heart stops.

Rumor has it he likes wearing women’s clothes.

“This is escalating, Maverick. I thought the last time we spoke you had everything under control?”

I watch as Ainsley paces the small ER room, on the phone with Fuckface. He had an extra shift open and knew she needed the money. She doesn’t, but I felt like I couldn’t interrupt since Dr. Kallay has been in my damn face for the past ten minutes.

“Maverick?”

This is all such a mess.

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