Cross laughed helplessly although that shook his legs, sending an ache echoing through him. “Yeah. Sure did.”Does.
Rusty dragged his fingers through his overgrown blond hair. “I know I don’t belong here but Marie kept saying I should come along.”
“You didn’t want to?” Cross’s lips felt rubbery and weird, but he needed to know.
“Of course I did.” He shrugged one shoulder. “But I’m not family or anything.”
“You’re my friend.” Cross didn’t want Rusty wandering off into the dark not knowing that. “My best friend.” Although this injury would screw up all his plans to offer Rusty a chance at summer training, a chance to spend time together.Damn it.He couldn’t quite remember what all he’d planned. Keeping Rusty around, though. Fatigue was creeping over him but he fought for coherence. “Don’ go ’way.”
“Okay. Except I have morning practice.”
“Wha’ time izzit?”
Marie said, “After midnight.”
“Fuck.” That woke him up. Rusty had a long drive down to Eugene. Cross couldn’t remember how long right now, in his fuzzy, chemically-enhanced brain, but too much to be heading out this late. “Rusty, you should get going. Drive careful. Don’ miss practice.”
“Does he know how to drive carefully?” Marie raised a teasing eyebrow at Rusty, who flushed.
“He’s a good driver,” Cross contended, although he couldn’t remember if he’d ever ridden beside Rusty. “What’re you talking about?”
“I was kinda worried, driving here.” Rusty messed his hair further. Cross liked the way the silky strands tousled up around his face.
He couldn’t say so in front of Marie. “Well, I’m fine. You need to make your practice.”
“Yeah, I guess I do.” Rusty shifted foot to foot. For a second, Cross wondered if Rusty might kiss him. Cross was pretty sure his mouth tasted disgusting, but he could keep his lips closed. However, after a glance at Marie, Rusty gave him an odd, half-hearted wave, and headed out of the room.
Cross called, “Bye. Have a good game,” after him, before the door closed.
Marie dragged a chair closer to Cross’s bedside and sat down. “So. You were wondering about dating someone younger. Movies together. Not sure if you’re doing the right thing? Got something you want to tell me, little brother?”
He did, and didn’t. Either way, he was not going to start talking about Rusty when his brain was tripping on drugs and hewas so tired he might hallucinate pink elephants. “Did you talk to the doctors?”
That wiped the teasing look off her face. “Not in any detail. Did you?”
“Ortho guy’s supposed to come by tomorrow. Right ankle’s fucked, though. Pretty sure it’s gonna need surgery.” He cleared his throat. “The MRI tech didn’t look me in the face when she told me the scan quality was good.”
“I’m sorry, RJ.” Marie laid a hand on his arm. “That was a pretty scary accident to watch.”
Even more from underneath.“Did you tell Mom and Dad I’m fine? Don’ want them finding out from Facebook.” He yawned.
“I texted them. I told them they didn’t need to drop everything and rush out here tonight but if you want them—”
“No. Nope. This is good. You an’ me. An’ Rusty.” Another yawn about split his jaw.
Marie patted his arm. “It’s so damned tempting to take advantage of your loose lips, but I won’t.”
“M’lips aren’t loose.” He thought about how he wanted to give Rusty a blow job. “Maybe too tight.”
Marie chuckled and lowered the head of his bed. She rose, went over to the door, and turned out the brightest lights.
“Are you leaving?” Cross couldn’t figure out if he wanted solitude, or wanted her there. “Do you have a car? You coulda left with Rusty.”
“I have a car, a driver, and two bodyguards, if I need them.” She came back and lowered herself into the bedside chair. Foronce, she seemed less than fluidly graceful. “I’m staying right here.”
“Might be late, for visitors.”
“Let them try to move me.” She lifted her chin and folded her arms.
