Chapter
The doctor lets me go into to see my best friend, but only for a couple of minutes. The sight of him, now bandaged, doesn’t make it any easier to speak.
“Hey, Finn, don’t cry. I’ll be okay. The police will find him, and he’ll go to prison.” He lifts his hand, and all I can see are his fingernails, and they’re all bloodied and bruised.
“I don’t know why I left it so long to realise how long you’d been gone.” My voice is so shaky. I’m so out of my depth. I’ve had kids and bullies push me around a bit when I was at school. But as I grew taller and bigger that soon stopped—until Matt.
“Don’t even think about blaming yourself. This is all on Simon-Fucking-Mansbridge and whoever he coerced into helping him.” His eyes close, and a small tear leaks through his eyelashes. I wipe it away as it slides to his ear.
Royal steps halfway through the curtain gap, giving me a tiny smile. “The room is ready for Memphis.”
With a nod at the incredibly handsome man, a man I can tell loves my best friend fully and forever. I kiss Memphis’ temple. “I love you. Get some sleep, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Royal steps in as I leave. “Let Drake take you home. He’s feeling at a loss. It’s not something he’s used to.”
I smile, thinking of the questions he skipped over. “He’s really a spy?”
“You’ll have to ask him.” For the first time tonight, there’s a little humour in his eyes. It’s gone as soon as it came.
“I did; he didn’t answer,” I say, brushing my interest off.
“Yeah, he’s a private guy, but always a good one to have your back. Thank you for calling me, even if I’m partly to blame. You should go home, get some sleep. I’ll call you when there’s news about his surgery.”
We both hear Memphis quietly saying Royal’s name. “Go, stay with him,” I tell him and walk out towards the waiting room.
Drake stands up and walks towards me. “Let me take you home.”
“You don’t need to do that. I’m sure you want to get back; you’ve got a long drive ahead.” How does he look so with it? I know I’m on my last legs and ready to fall asleep the minute I lie down.
He shakes his head. “I won’t be going home tonight. My brothers need me.”
I nod, of course he is, and step past him. “It was good to meet you, James.”
“James?” Confusion floods his face as his eyes narrow.
“Y’know. James, James Bond.” I carry on out of the building, pull my phone out of my pocket, and bring up the Uber app.
I can’t imagine many are still about at this crazy time, but it’s worth looking.
If I take the lift from Drake, I’ll only end up saying something even dumber than calling him James.
I’m not having much luck trying to get a ride, and as I lean against the wall of the hospital, my eyes close.
The image of Memphis on the floor has my eyes flying open; I know sleep won’t be as easy as I thought.
The sound of a revving engine catches my attention; the sleek BMW I rode in is idling at the kerbside.
Drake’s window is down. “Get in the car, Finnegan.”
What the fuck did he just call me? How the hell does he know my full name? I doubt Memphis would’ve told him. It’s been so long I wonder if he even remembers it. It hasn’t been mentioned since that first drunken night at freshers.
“What did you just call me?” I say as I saunter up to the car, very aware of the way he looks at me—curious and something more, something that looks very much like interest and desire. What else does he know about me?
“Get in.” It’s not a request, more an order. I’m not going to argue and walk. I’m too bloody tired and mentally exhausted to make an argument, especially not with this man. I’m sure he can run rings around me and any thoughts I have.
When I open the door, he gives me a tight smile. “Where’s home?”
I click my seatbelt in place before speaking. “Turn left out of here.”
We continue in silence, only breaking the quiet to give him more directions. It doesn’t take too long to reach my house. It’s totally in the dark, and there’s no sign of Matt’s car; a breath I wasn’t aware I was holding leaks as a heavy sigh of relief. I can’t deal with any conversations with him.
“Nobody home?” Drake asks. His voice loud in the small space.
“No, I live alone.” I press the lock to release my seatbelt, then open the door.
“Thanks for the lift.” It sounds hollow, almost dismissive.
I try again, turning to face him. “Sorry, I meant to say thank you for all you’ve done.
For dropping everything tonight to help Royal find Memphis.
I can see the love you have for your brothers.
It was good to meet you. If I don’t see you again at the hospital, I hope we’ll meet in better circumstances. ”
He nods. It looks like he wants to say more, but he doesn't, so I climb out of his car. I’m about to close the door when he speaks. “The answer is yes.”
I frown at him. “Yes to what?”
“One of your questions. Goodbye, Finnegan.”
When I call back to not call me that, I hear a low, sexy laugh that causes the butterflies in my stomach to stir.
I lock up the house, and I flick the deadbolt on too. Matt won’t be coming around. Probably not ever. I think his lack of concern or interest in my friend’s safety and welfare has put the final nail in the coffin of our shitty relationship.
As I drift off to sleep, Drake’s final words come back to me. I think hard to remember what questions he’s talking about.
Is he in the lifestyle or is he a spy. “The answer is yes.” Which one is it?