Page 24 of Slam Dunk
Sterling stood. “Do you want something to eat? You should probably have something. All of this is pointless if you don’t look after yourself too.”
“The kid’s right, Jathan. You need to eat.”
Jathan startled at the sound of German’s voice from the corner. The guy was so quiet, he was nearly invisible, especially in Jathan’s barely aware state.
A huge grin split Sterling’s face. “Did you really just call me a kid? Damn, dude. I know I have a baby face, but I swear I’m grown.”
German chuckled. It was a low and deadly sound, even though Jathan felt certain he didn’t intend it that way. “When you get to be my age, everyone is a kid.”
“So I have maybe five years left until I too am a crotchety old man, is that what you’re saying? Because there’s no way you’re that much older than me.”
“I assure you, I am.” He stood. “Come on. I think I have Jathan’s tastes figured out. We’ll head down to the cafeteria and pick something out. He won’t eat unless we make him.” His light blue eyes focused on Jathan. “Cassius is still posted outside the door. Do you want me to send him in to sit with you?”
Jathan shook his head. Honestly, he looked forward to the reprieve from everyone looking at him. “I’d rather he stayed out there and keep an eye out for Quince’s dad. That old bastard has been relentless for someone who doesn’t really give a shit about their son.”
“Performative parenting. It’ll pass when Quince is out of here.”
Jathan nodded. He knew that. All he had to do was look to his mom to see what a real parent looked like. She had been amazing his whole life and that hadn’t changed through this. He had to make her go home. She wanted to stay and fret. But the two of them worrying together actually made things harder. He needed her handling his life outside of this room more than he needed an anxiety buddy. Like the superhero she was, his mom had everything under control, leaving him free to simply exist at Quince’s side. He didn’t know how much longer they had together, but he didn’t want to miss a second.
“I’ll be right back with some lunch for you.”
Jathan nodded. He didn’t watch the pair leave. His gaze returned to the wall where it stayed. He would be here to the end. No matter what that end looked like. Jathan owed Quince his life. He was welcome to it.
Chapter Nine
TherewasnowayJathan’s neck didn’t hurt, sleeping at the angle he slept. Sitting next to him in a chair, with his ball cap pulled low, Jathan looked uncomfortable as hell. That couldn’t be good for his injured ribs and back. He couldn’t take it.
“Did they X-ray your ribs?” Quince blinked at the sound of his voice. He didn’t sound like himself.
Jathan’s head shot up. His gaze locked on Quince’s face. His gorgeous light brown eyes almost looked crazed. He jumped to his feet. “Hey, gorgeous. You’re awake.”
“I notice you’re not answering me.”
Jathan’s blinding smile was beautiful. He opened his mouth to tell him, but lost his breath.
Jathan visibly panicked. “He can’t breathe. Get help, German.”
Quince’s head spun. He panted until everything cleared again. “Sorry. Not sure what happened there.”
“Do I need to sit you up? Do you think that would help?”
Now that he said something, Quince wasn’t sure why he was on his back. “Yeah. I should sit up.” The more time that passed, the more confused he felt. He didn’t have time to ask a single question. The coughing set in. He thought he might pass out. Oxygen just didn’t want to reach his brain. Alarms blared, making things worse. His head pounded. Then nurses stood over him. An oxygen mask covered his face. People spoke, asking him questions. He kept trying to see past them to get to Jathan. Quince didn’t understand what was happening.
Jathan shoved his way in. “Hug the pillow, baby.” He pushed a pillow into his arms.
Quince automatically obeyed.
“Take slow breaths.”
Quince focused on breathing slower. The pillow oddly helped with the pains in his chest, but not enough. “Hurts.”
Jathan rubbed his arm. “Okay. Just let these ladies work, all right? They’re about to give you something to help.”
He kept his gaze locked on Jathan. “Okay.” Quince still wanted to panic, but Jathan was there. If Jathan was there, then everything would be fine. His struggle to breathe eased.
A nurse smiled at him. “There we go. You have to take these things slow. Don’t rush. You can’t pop up after a month on your back and expect to jump out of bed.”
His gaze shot to Jathan. Quince’s confusion doubled. He looked around the room again. Quince was definitely at Jathan’s house, but the bed he was in was a hospital bed. He searched his lagging brain. The last thing he remembered was Jathan telling him he wasn’t crazy for feeling so strongly about them. That he felt the same. Then… nothing.
