Page 86 of Hidden Plays
“Yes, a police officer found us after you left to get JJ.” Mom glanced at Dad. “But then, we had other things to handle.”
Noel turned his head in my direction, his eyes slits. “Oh, I see Holden brought JJ and from the look of them, you all know their status.” He freed a soft snicker and winced. “Fuck, my chest hurts.” He set his hand on his sternum. “What’s wrong with me?”
“Yes, we know about Holden and JJ, and we support them.” Mom inhaled deeply. “You broke your ribs, kneecap and sternum. None of it badly, but your spleen ruptured, and you had surgery to repair it. You might still lose it.”
“Oh, shit.” He freed a wet cough. “This bill will cost me a fortune.”
Dad glanced at Mom and then stepped closer to the bed. “No, it won’t. I put you on my health insurance at work, just in case…” He huffed. “In case something like this happened.”
“You did?” Noel opened one eye. “I thought you cut me off?”
After pursing his lips, Dad said, “Not yet. You can be on it until next month, when you turn twenty-six. I didn’t—uh, I never took you off it.”
“Good thing I never needed it then.” His eyes shut again.
When would they bring up the addiction problem? Or would they wait until he was better? I eyed Mom. “Hey, when do you plan to talk to him about?—”
“My lack of sober driving?” He peered at Mom, the edge of his lips quirking. “I know the fucking police or hospital shared my drug tests with you.” He squirmed and flinched. “Fuck, thathurts. I need more pain meds.” He pressed the call button for the nurse. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll stop when I get out of here. I was planning on getting sober, anyway.”
Heat swarmed my chest. “Bullshit.” We’d heard this from him before.
JJ tensed beside me. “Babe, now may not be the time.”
With his gaze meeting mine, Noel said, “It’s not bullshit.” He jabbed the call button. “Where’s the fucking nurse?” With a scoff, he said, “And I don’t need those bullshit meetings. I can do this on my own.”
“Noel, that’s not good enough.” Dad glared at him. “Especially after this. If you haven’t learned your lesson?—”
“Stop, Keith.” Mom pressed her hand on Dad’s chest.
The nurse entered the room and stood at the end of his bed. “Can I get you something?”
“Yeah, I need more pain meds.” Noel smirked at Dad. “And load me up since my dad thinks I need rehab.”
“Youdoneed rehab.” Dad scoffed and paced away from the bed.
“I’m sorry, Noel, but it’s not time for your pain meds yet. I can’t give you any more.” The nurse straightened the blanket at his feet. “How about some water?”
“What? I’m in pain here. Aren’t you supposed to ask me what level of pain I’m at? ‘Cause I’m at a fucking ten.” With a snarl, he shifted and groaned. “See? I’m in pain. I need more meds.”
“Oh, my God.” Mom stared at him, covering her mouth again, her eyes glistening.
Noel’s gaze cut to her. “And get these people out of my room. They’re upsetting me.” He swung his arm across his body. “Ow, fuck!”
The nurse’s grin fell, and she said, “Let’s leave him for now, okay?” She grasped Mom’s elbow and led her and Dad from the room.
“You too, Golden Boy. How golden are you now? I bet Dadwas pissed when he found out about you and your fuckboy.” Noel glared at me, snarling.
“Noel, you need help. I hope you understand we’re only here because we love you and we care about you.” My gut coiled with heat as my eyes stung. Fuck him. What would we do? He’d survive this only for me to lose him again?
“I don’t give a fuck,” Noel jeered.
“Come on, babe.” With his arm tight around my shoulders, JJ hauled me from the room.
Following us, the nurse closed the door, her attention turning to Mom and Dad. “I’m sorry. They get like that. He’ll calm down, eventually.”
“Thank you,” Mom said and then turned to me. “Why don’t you go home? I’ll stay here in case there’s a change in his condition.”
“Leah.” Dad studied her. “If you’re staying, then so am I.”
