T h i r s t

t w e n t y t w o

"Vitals?"

"All normal. He's asking for Ryan?"

I watched his jaw clench and he paced up. Just before we could enter, I stopped him outside the room by the window, letting Kathy pass by.

"You have to keep calm, ok?"

"Ok." He sighed, looking through the blinds impatiently.

"Ry." I said gently and took his hand. "He's been through a lot so try to keep it light, ok?"

He closed his eyes and sighed, squeezing my hand. He nodded, and followed me inside.

Gary was already talking to Kathy and making her laugh. That was good.

"You've been in a coma for 10 years but pedophilia's still a crime, Kent." Ryan smirked, doing the exact opposite of what I'd told him to. Honestly, I wasn't surprised.

"That explains why you look so fucking old, Conley." He chuckled, but winced and clutched his abdomen.

"Easy." I cautioned, pulling back the sheets to inspect the dressing. No fresh bleeds.

"And you're one to talk about pedophilia. Hey, Lori." He grinned.

"Hi, Gary." I smiled stiffly, checking on his feet.

"It's been a while huh? What was it, Christmas party?"

"No, I think it was that time you said I had a ripe cunt and Ryan was lucky to fuck it."

He stilled, and swallowed awkwardly. "I was drunk."

"No, you weren't. Feel any tightness in your chest?"

"Yes, but it ain't the surgery." He tittered hesitantly, and I smiled. "Sorry, kid. I know I can be a dick sometimes."

"Amen." Ryan contributed from the foot of his bed.

"I know." I smiled, squeezing his shoulder. "Everything looks good and we have you on antibiotics for a week. Kathy?"

She smiled and walked over with the syringe, deftly injecting it into his IV line.

"We'll leave you two alone." I said, holding my arm out for Kathy, which was supposed to be a gesture, but she clasped her hand with mine to my surprise. Ryan smiled and I left him with a one.

"Dr. Meyers, I don't mean to intrude but--"

"We used to date." I confessed, her hand still in mine. It was small and tender.

"But he's so old." She gasped and pulled her hand back to cover her mouth, her eyes alight with panic. "I am so sorry, I didn't mean that--"

"Kathy, Kathy, relax." I chuckled. She sure was adorable.

"He is old. But you know what they say about older men."

"What?" She grinned.

"The experience." I cleared my throat. Should I even be discussing this with her?

"Right." She sighed. "Well, he is handsome."

"Oh, you should have seen him 4 years ago."

"Why, was he even more handsome?"

"Actually, no. He's kind of in his prime now." I said, realising it at the same time.

"At 50?" She sneered.

I chuckled. "He's 40, Kath. Yeah, he used to have smoker's breath and a beer belly but it looks like he's taking care of himself now."

"I think he still likes you." Kathy gushed, nudging my shoulder with hers.