I shoot a look at Sami, who smiles.
“She’s the queen of research. If that’s what she found, then it’s right. We should make sure your tetanus is up to date too. Hang on while I get the first aid kit.”
“I got it,” Ruby says.
Sami nods, and I’m glad she’s staying with me. She’s cradling my palm, her touch gentle as she checks and rechecks the bites.
The front door opens and a dark-haired good-looking guy walks in, pausing when he sees me on the sofa with Sami bent over my hand. “Did I interrupt something?” There’s a trace of a laugh in his voice.
“Nothing like you’re thinking, perv,” Sami says without any heat. “Josh, meet Ruby’s brother, Joey. Joey, this is the new neighbor, Josh. A boa bit his hand.”
Joey cocks his head at me. “For real?”
I nod. “Yep.”
“Cool story, bro. Chicks dig scars, right, Sam?”
She shrugs. “If it’s not a good time, it’s a good story.”
Ruby walks back in with a first aid kit. “Joseph. Go away.”
“Don’t be like that, kiddo,” he says, grinning.
“Don’t call me kiddo and I won’t be like that. What do you want?”
I shoot a look at Sami, trying to gain some insight into their family dynamic. She catches my eye and gives a short shake of her head. Aloud she says, “I’m going to take Josh back to his place to finish this up and make sure he has what he needs for wound care.”
She stands, keeping her hand lightly clasped around my wrist below my injury, and tows me behind her to the door. Does she even realize she’s still holding on to me? I’m not about to point it out.
As we’re stepping out, Joey says, “Moms said to tell you—” and Ruby interrupts with “Mom, singular. There is nos. There is only one of her.”
Joey is coming back with something, but Sami pulls the door shut on the argument.
“They don’t get along?” I ask as we walk to my door.
“He’s her favorite brother, actually,” Sami says. “It’s just how they talk to each other.”
“Got it.” I understand, in a way. It’s kind of like when Reagan sends me a card comparing me buying my own place to getting big boy underpants. “Hey, thanks for the nursing. I owe you big time.”
She opens my door and points me to the sofa. “Sit by the window so I have good light.”
I obey, and she sinks onto the cushion next to me, pulling back the towel again to check.
“The bleeding is definitely slowing, but you need to apply pressure for a little longer.” But she does it, creating a firm but not uncomfortable grip around the bite marks. “Does that hurt?”
I shake my head. “How do I find out if my tetanus is up to date?”
Her lips twitch. “Do what I do. Ask your mom.”
“Seriously?”
She nods. “Moms always know. I never remember that stuff.”
I work my phone free and send a voice text. “Mom, is my tetanus current?” I barely set the phone down when it rings with her number.
Sami grins. “What did you think was going to happen?”
I answer the phone. “I’m fine, Mom . . . small incident, no big—” She keeps cutting me off, and I give Sami an eyeroll. “With a snake . . . yes, Wade’s . . . no, it was my fault . . . you don’t need to do that . . . really, I’m fine . . .” She’s fussing between every breath I take, so I give her something she can’t argue with. “Remember my girlfriend is a nurse? And she’s right here taking care of it.”
