Page 75 of Halo

My gaze drifts to the doorway. Through the narrow window, I can just make out the edge of Grady's bed.

“Eh, well ...” I rub the back of my neck. “I think I may head downstairs for a bit. Take a breather. Maybe sit in the cafeteria, or … I don't know, maybe I'll —”

“Stop.” She holds up a finger. “Take a breather if you need one. Go splash water on your face, get a cup of coffee, smoke your emergency cigarettes you think you hide.” Her expression softens. “But don't leave him alone because you're scared to walk back into that room.”

I look away.

“Nick …” she warns.

“What am I even doing? I'm terrible at this—”

“Because your son got hurt?”

“I should've known—”

“Maybe you should have.” She doesn't flinch. “But you didn't. And you know what you did? You saved him, Nick.” She points to the window. “He's alive because of you.”

I blow out a heavy exhale, blink back the burn growing in my eyes. “I'm just so scared.”

She nods. “I know.” Her voice is barely above a whisper. “So don't be a coward this time. Fear has already taken enough from you.” She nods toward Grady's room. “Don't let it take this too. Your son is scared, Nick. He needs you, even if you're scared too. Stay. Do it for him. And do it for Maddie.

She pats my arm before giving it a thoughtful squeeze.

“Nick ...”

I turn at the sound of my name to find an out-of-breath Leah rushing down the corridor, a balloon bobbing in her hand.

“Call us if you need anything,” Tatum says softly. She smiles at Leah in passing before jogging back down the stairwell.

“How is he?” Leah looks to his door. “Is he okay?”

I nod, tension in my shoulders. “He's been sleeping on and off. Would you like to see him?”

She waves her hand. “I don't want to impose or anything.”

“That wasn't the question, Ms. Harrison.”

She stifles a grin. “Yes, Mr. Crawford, I'd love to.”

I gently take her by the arm, and together, we step quietly into the darkened room.

Grady stirs beneath his blankets, his oxygen mask fogging with each slow breath.

“Hey, partner.” I move to his bedside, brushing a hand through his sweaty curls. His gaze lazily finds mine, and he gives me the tiniest smile.

“Nick?” His voice is gravely, muffled by his oxygen mask. “My throat hurts.”

“Yeah, I bet it does.” I carefully slip the elastic from around his ears and ease the oxygen mask away. “You worked really hard to breathe tonight. It's gonna feel scratchy for a little while.”

His cheeks and neck are still mottled with angry red patches. Luckily, the swelling has finally begun to fade.

“Look who came to see you.” I hand him his glasses before stepping aside. Leah quietly comes forward.

His smile brightens tenfold despite his weak body.

“Hey, Grady,” she says softly. “I heard hospitals can be kinda boring. So...” She reveals a bright green balloon with a cartoon T-Rex wearing a pirate hat. “I rescued this from the harvest festival before we left.”

His face lights up. “For me?”