Page 138 of Cemetery Boys

“We called 911, and they rushed them—and you—to the hospital,” his dad nodded. “You took good care of them.” An amused look crossed Enrique’s face, ruffling his mustache with a knowing grin. “I thought we might not even be able to get you to the hospital. That boy, Julian, guarded you and kept you safe. He was ready to fight anyone who got near you—”

Yadriel’s heart leaped. “Julian?” He sat bolt upright, ignoring the churning of his stomach. “Where is he?” he demanded. “Is he here?”

Enrique nodded. “Down the hall, but you—”

Yadriel threw the blankets back and staggered to his feet.

“Yadriel!” his dad gasped.

The machines chimed as he shook off the wires taped to him and bolted for the door.

Lita, Maritza, and his dad scrambled after him.

“Yadriel!”

But he was running down the hall, his legs like Jell-O, half leaning against the wall. He passed one room, and then another. The small whiteboard outside the third room read J. DIAZ.

Yadriel shoved open the door.

Rio stood at the center of the room in his coveralls, eyes shut and pinching the bridge of his nose. Flaca, Rocky, Omar, and Luca surrounded the bed.

“This is bullshit!” a voice yelled. Omar shifted, and Yadriel saw him.

Julian was trying to push himself up off the pillows, snarling and looking surly as he glared up at his brother.

Yadriel sucked in a breath.

All eyes swung to Yadriel, but he only cared about the dark, piercing gaze.

Julian blinked. “Yads?”

There was sudden thrashing, and his friends quickly moved out of the way.

“Dammit, Jules!” Rio snapped, but Julian wasn’t listening.

Yadriel didn’t have time to say anything before Julian was on his feet and across the room. They collided, and Yadriel could only clutch and hold on tight as Julian slammed into him, sending them toppling into the wall. Julian’s arms locked around him so tight it hurt, but Yadriel didn’t care.

Julian’s warm body pressed against him and a spark of discomfort momentarily flared. Yadriel didn’t have his binder on and he suddenly felt exposed and bare.

But then Julian laughed. It tickled Yadriel’s ear, and he could feel it rumble in Julian’s chest. Yadriel squeezed his arms tighter around Julian, smothering the spark in his embrace before it could catch fire.

Julian cupped Yadriel’s face in his hands. “You idiot!” he shouted, brow furrowed, but his smile was wide and dimpled. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed!”

Yadriel was overwhelmed by the sheer fierceness of him. Julian’s spirit was nothing but a dull shadow of his real self. Alive, fiery, crushing. It was overwhelming, but Yadriel would gladly get his breath robbed by Julian’s brilliant smile over and over again.

“You’re so stupid!” Julian repeated. “You—!”

“Shut up—” Yadriel threw himself against Julian and wrapped his arms around his neck and kissing him fervently.

He felt Julian’s smile under his lips. Felt his arms wrap around him and squeeze him tight again.

Someone let out a low whistle.

“You know we can see both your asses in those hospital gowns, right?” Maritza called.

Yadriel ignored her. He pulled back enough to look Julian in the eye. “If you ever scare me like that again,” he said breathlessly, “I’ll kill you myself, Julian Diaz.”

Julian’s grin was sharp. Bright. Blinding. “Deal,” he murmured before crushing him into another kiss.