Not Falling Apart

Chapter 11

Blake’s POV

Blake had asked Usher to go with him to pick up Adam’s car and drop it off at his house, and they just made it back in time for the doctor to tell them that if they wanted to see Adam, they could. As much as Blake really did want to see him, he couldn’t help but think of the way he looked when he was in there yesterday, scared and fragile and upset. He loved having the almost-old-Adam back last night. He followed the others anyway.

“He’s just waking up completely, so you can’t stay long, he’ll need his rest,” Dr. Barnes told them.

“How did everything go? I’m assuming he’s okay?” Shakira asked.

“Everything went very smoothly. No complications. I didn’t find any more cancer cells, which is a good thing, because sometimes it spreads and then it becomes very hard to control. We’ll need to keep him monitored for the next few weeks though, to make sure everything stays okay.”

They followed the doctor into Adam’s room. He left them alone with Adam.

Shakira was the first by his side. “Hey Adam, how are you feeling?”

“I don’t know, how do I look?” He cracked a smile.

“Like garbage, as usual.” Blake meant it light-heartedly, and he hoped Adam wouldn’t take it the wrong way. He seemed okay with it.

“Wow, cancer. That was pretty serious. I’m really glad you pulled out okay.” Usher said as he laid a hand on Adam’s shoulder.

Shakira spoke. “It’s just so hard to believe that last week you were fine, and then…” She didn’t continue. “I’m just really happy they found out what was wrong, and that you’ll be okay.” She smiled at Adam.

“Thanks guys.”

Blake could have said something, like ‘I was scared to death that I would lose my best friend’ or ‘I love you so much and hated seeing you sick,’ but he kept quiet and watched the interactions between the three.

After a few minutes of talking, Adam looked like he could give out any second, so they said their goodbyes and left the room. Again, Blake didn’t want to leave.

***

Adam had to stay the night at the hospital, so that gave Blake a chance to go home. He walked in and saw Miranda sitting at the kitchen table.

“Hey!” she said happily when she saw him. She stood up and they kissed. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too. How was the tour?”

“Amazing! What have you been up to here?”

It was weird having Miranda not know anything about Adam. He was sure it would all over the news in a few days, but for now, only he and other the coaches, and Carson, knew.

“I’ve been at Adam’s house and at the hospital,” he said as he went to take a seat at the table.

“Wait, what? Why? Is everything okay?”

“Adam was in pretty bad shape last week, so he went to the doctor’s and was told it was stress. He took a few days off but when he came back to work he was even worse. Turns out he had stomach cancer. He had surgery this morning.”

 Miranda looked shocked. “Oh my God, is he okay?”

“Yeah, he should be alright now. He’s still gotta have follow-up treatment but the doctor thinks he’ll get better.”

“Oh honey, I’m so sorry. I know how close ya’ll are to him. When you see him again, tell him I’m sorry and that I’m thinking of him.”

Blake appreciated her concern. If she only knew just how much Adam meant to him though. Actually, it was probably better that she didn’t know.

“Thanks baby. I will.”

“Not to sound un-sympathetic, but what’s this going to mean for the show? They can’t just have three coaches, can they?”

Blake shook his head. “They’re moving the blinds back a few weeks, maybe more. It depends.”

“Well, the most important thing is for Adam to get better. I’m sure they’d rather have that than a T.V. show.”

Blake nodded in agreement. After he didn’t speak for a few moments, Miranda said, “Come on, you can help me unpack.”

Adam’s POV

He looked over at the clock that was on a small dresser next to the bed. 4:00. When was the last time he’d eaten? Hell, he couldn’t remember. It didn’t really matter though, he wasn’t very hungry. More importantly, when was the last time he’d used the bathroom? Again, he didn’t remember, but his bladder was telling him that it was time now. Dr. Barnes had been in a couple times and told him that he could get up to use the restroom or stretch his legs, but for the most part he was to remain in bed. Thankfully, his room had an attached bathroom that was only a few steps away. He sat up slowly, dizzy from having been laying down for so long. He was just about to stand when he saw Blake in the doorway.

“Need some help?”

“No, I can manage.”

He stood up and made his way to the bathroom. He was very dizzy and disoriented. Apparently, Blake saw this, and went over and put an arm around his body, supporting him.

“Thanks,” Adam muttered. Nice, I’m sure this is really attractive. I can’t even walk five steps to the bathroom by myself. He was a little embarrassed, but Blake didn’t seem to mind helping him; he didn’t make any jokes or anything. Adam just hated looking so weak and useless in front of his friend.

He reappeared from the bathroom back to his room, this time a little steadier on his feet and managed to get to the bed by himself. Blake was sitting on it.

“I thought I’d just stop by, see if ya needed anything.”

“Thanks.”

“Do ya know when yer comin’ home?”

“I think I have to stay here for a few days, for treatment. Ugh, I’m just so ready for this to be over!” He moaned as he put a hand across his face.

Blake’s POV

Blake wished Adam could go home right now. He really wished he could take him home, they could have a fun night together, and he could stay with him more. No, he was being selfish. He wanted Adam to get better, and that meant staying here and getting well. He had to live with it. Besides, he could come see Adam any time he wanted to, bring him stuff, comfort him. It might be kinda nice.

“Hang in there, buddy. Before ya know it, all of this will all be over and you’ll be back to yer normal self and yer normal life.” He paused. “If you can even call yerself normal.”

It made Adam smile. “I consider myself part crazy and part cocky.”

“You forgot part stupid.”

“Yeah, that too.”

Blake smiled. They were made for each other.