Page 128 of Trust Me

Chapter 34

Dean

“Dean.”

With a start, I opened my eyes. My neck immediately ached from the awkward position I was in. With a little groan, I sat up and looked to my left, but Oli was gone.

I was really considering that ankle monitor. Or a bell. Then, if he moved, I’d wake up.

Registering that someone had said my name, I turned and found my dad’s eyes open. I jumped to my feet and rushed to the side of the bed.

“Hey,” I said, taking his hand. He squeezed it, weaker than I would’ve liked. “How’s your head?”

He offered me a small smile that deepened the wrinkles around his eyes. “You don’t always have to ask me that, D. Let’s talk about you.”

“What about me?”

“I met Oli.”

I ran my tongue over the bottom of my teeth absently. “You did?”

“He’s a brilliant young man. Even insisted on checking my eyes to make sure everything was working properly.” He chuckled. “He’s a little odd, you know.”

“Yeah, he is. Where’d he go?”

“To sneak some fries in for me. This food they brought me isn’t fit for a dog.”

I glanced at it, wrinkling my nose. “Maybe you should’ve gone for some protein, though.”

“When we get home, you can be bossy.”

“Mmhmm. I’ll make you something better than this slop.”

“You?” He laughed. “Don’t pull my leg.”

“I’ve been learning to cook,” I countered, playing up how offended I was. “I was going to come in and impress you over the summer, but I guess I can bless you early.”

He whistled. “Wow, look at you. Never thought I’d see the day.”

“You’re just lucky I’ve gotten better. I almost made Oli puke when I mixed up the cayenne and cinnamon.”

Dad roared with laughter, making me smile. “How did you manage that?”

“They look alike at a glance and both start with a C. Taught me to pay attention, that’s for sure.”

“Christ.” He wiped underneath his eye. “Poor kid, but better him than me.”

“You read any good books lately, Dad?”

He hummed thoughtfully. “Not since that one we listened to last time you were home.”

“I’ve got this series you’ll love.”

Pulling out my phone, I loaded it up. Since reading triggered his migraines, I’d gotten him onto audiobooks when I was in high school, and outside of sports, it had been one of the ways we bonded.

“Want to listen?” I asked.

“Always.”