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I held his hand and kissed the top of it. “I love him so much, Simon. When he comes out of this, I’m going to put us back together. I don’t care about the hiding anymore. I just want him.”
“Well, I don’t think you’re going to have to worry about that.”
It took a moment for that to sink in. “What? Why? What aren’t you telling me?”
He released a sigh, as if warring with himself. “I’m guessing he didn’t tell you about Donovan.”
My mouth hung open as I looked back at Patrick. Had he met someone else? “Who’s that?”
“I shouldn’t be telling you this, but under the circumstances, I’m going to. Donovan is the therapist Patrick had been seeing. Cooper recommended him when he came back from Phoenix.”
My eyes filled with more tears. I hung my head. “Goddamn it. That must be what he wanted to tell me.”
Simon nodded slowly. “Probably. When he came back from Phoenix, he decided he needed to get some help. He was doing the work, Cole.”
More tears found their way out of me. I was such an asshole. He’s fighting for his life because of me.
“You need to rest. You won’t be any good to him if you’re exhausted. When he wakes up, he’s gonna need you.” He headed toward the curtain. “I’m going to go get you a blanket and pillow from the nurses. They brought in the hide-a-bed that unfolds from the cabinet over there.”
“Okay,” I croaked out.
When I was alone with Patrick, I found a place to kiss him that wasn’t marred. “I’m here, baby, and I’m not going anywhere without you.”
I laid my head on the bed next to where I held his hand. Even though he was unconscious and we’d been apart for two months, this was the first time I felt like I could breathe.
I was startled awake when the nurse came in to check on Patrick. I had no concept of time or what day it was when I picked my head up from his bed. The nurses had changed shifts and the new nurses were here. The rhythm of Patrick’s heart beeping quietly on the monitor had put me out.
“Good morning, Mr. Bradley. I’m sorry to wake you, but that can’t be comfortable,” the nurse said quietly, motioning to where I had slept.
“No, it’s okay. I’m here. That’s all that matters.”
I glanced at the dry erase board where the nurses and doctors wrote information down for the patients and families. I’m not sure which one she was, but she was efficient and kind.
“Can I bring you anything? We have juice, water, and a few sodas.”
I held up my hand. “Could I get some water? My throat is kinda dry.”
“Of course. I can imagine. Didn’t you just finish a tour?”
She began to change the bag of IV fluids for Patrick, giving me a glimpse of her nametag: Natalie.
“Uh, yeah. Last night. Before this happened.”
When she looked at me, her eyes were sad and one side of her mouth pulled up in a soft smile. Did she suspect that Patrick and I were more than just best friends? Had I said anything that would be a problem later?
I ran my hands through my hair and leaned back in the chair. My head ached, my eyes were burning, and my body felt like I’d been through the wringer. Sleeping in the chair didn’t help.
“I’ll be right back with some water for you. Want anything else?”
“No, thank you. I’ll text Adam to bring me something.”
She nodded, but her smile told me she knew who the Adam I was referring to was.
“Okay. I’ll be right back.”
She left the room and came back a few minutes later with a couple bottles of water, some packs of crackers and cookies, and a few chocolate chip granola bars.
“Here you go. This can be exhausting, so just in case you need something to eat before your friend gets here.”
