Catching Bad: Am I Worthy

Chapter 9: Ego

~Brian's POV~

Brian's chest burned. Sweat beaded out on his forehead, dripping from his hairline. It felt like a ball of fire was creeping up his throat. He heaved again, leaning back against the wall of the bathroom. Pulling the wastebasket closer. He didn't have enough strength to hold his head over the toilet anymore. He was shaking, shivering. His head throbbed; his heart raced.

"Brian?"

That was Blake. Thank God, it had taken him long enough.

"In here Blake." His voice was raspy, shallow.

Blake appeared in the doorway to his bathroom after a moment. His face turned down into a frown as he took in the sight before him. "You look like hell."

Brian shook his head, pressing his lips into a fine unamused line. "Thanks. I need you to take me to the hospital."

Blake frowned softly gazing at him. "Yeah, okay, of course. Have you called Elise and Ian?"

"No. I haven't. That's why I called you, not Matthew. He's out with Ian and Eden, I think the kids wanted to go to the aquarium or something. I don't want Ian or Elise to know about this."

"Why?"

"Because I don't. Now help me up." Brian ordered.

Blake stepped into the bathroom and slowly helped him to his feet.

The world spun.

"Jesus, Brian. They let you out of the hospital like this?" Blake muttered in disapproval.

"I didn't feel this bad the other day. I mean I didn't feel great but..." Brian muttered as he made his way, slowly down the hall and into the kitchen. Thank God he had told Katie to come by after lunch. "Grab me a glass of water would you, and a mint."

Blake nodded walking around the island he was quick to fill up a water bottle and then the tin of mints that he knew Brian kept in the drawer closest to the fridge. "Come on, let's get you in the car, I can call Elise on the way."

"No, Blake. I don't want her to know about this."

Blake frowned. The frown that meant he was going to argue.

"Blake, you won't tell her or my brother about any of this. Not if you still want a job when I get back to work."

Blake's eyes narrowed a little. "Are you threatening me?"

"No, I am giving you an order and if you break it I will consider it insubordination. As you know we have zero tolerance for at InJustice Inc."

Blake frowned, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Look, Elise is worried enough as it is. She and my brother are hovering far too much. This will do nothing but intensify that even more. I need some space. I need to be pushed and have some room to get better on my own. If I drop dead, you can call her."

Blake sighed heavily, shaking his head. "I want it on the record that I did not encourage this."

"Copy that," Brian said.

The ride to the hospital was quiet. Filled only with some background country music that was playing over the radio. Blake didn't seem up to holding a conversation and Brian wasn't in the mood to attempt to start one. He just sat there, his head resting against the side of the car, breathing in the fresh air from the open window.

It didn't take long for a nurse to come out to the waiting room to get him. Hauling himself to his feet, Brian turned to Blake. "I'll call you when I am ready to head home. You can head back to the office."