𝔼𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕟

Chapter 22 : The brave one

It's almost nine a.m. when Alex wakes up to a quiet room and empty beds.

The events from last night come rushing back, and he wonders if Ivy's absence means she's currently with Mason.

He desperately hopes it does.

Alex goes straight into the bathroom, brushes his teeth, and then steps under the shower, taking a minute to relax.

He thinks about what he needs to do today, other than call his mother and some clients.

Maybe he'll have lunch with Lara.
Alex has high hopes for their friendship.

When he steps out of the bathroom with a baby blue towel around his waist, he finds Tyler and Luca packing some bags.

"Morning," Alex greets quietly.

"Hey !" Tyler glances at him for a quick second then goes back to filling his backpack, "Lu has to go the library, gotta explain to them why Mace won't be able to work for a little while and I have to go get some stuff at home, clean up a bit and check on the club."

"We should be back soon," Luca adds.

"That's cool. Ty, d'you mind bringing back my laptop? Gotta deal with a few clients today, so I might need it."

Tyler gives him a thumbs up and picks up his bags, handing one to Luca, and they are gone in a flash.

Alex shuts the door and hurries to change into his grey joggers and a plain black tee-shirt.
He can't find comfortable shoes, so he covers his feet with black socks Tyler brought from the house and sprays some perfume on.

Once he's done, Alex leaves the room and makes sure it's locked before walking down the stairs and into the waiting room in hopes of finding Dexter.

"Hey you !"

The voice startles him, and he turns to see Lara holding a cup of steaming coffee.

"Hi !" Alex says a little too loudly, "sorry, hello."

Lara chuckles, "Did you sleep well ? Doctor Heely told us you guys were staying here for a while."

"I did, thanks. I was actually looking for him, I wanted to know if it's possible to go see Mason," Alex says, and Lara grins.

"It's cute how you care about him."

"He's a good guy, deserves it."

Lara nods, "m'sure he is. C'mon," she juts her head to the side,"let's take you to Mason. Visting hours start at ten, but I'll get you in now."

"I don't want you to get in trouble..." Alex scans the room anxiously as if something horrible is going to happen the minute they start walking.

"No way, If Heely was here he would've done it himself but he's with a patient right now, so anything you need you can ask me, as long as you're with a nurse or a doctor you should be fine to do whatever," Lara shrugs but her smile gives away how pleased she is with the new rules.

"Alright, maybe I can pay you back with lunch later on ?"

Lara's eyes go wide, and she agrees eagerly with a 'sure, I'd like that.'

They reach Mason's room, and Alex is slightly disappointed when a curly haired girl isn't in there with his friend.
He tells himself she probably went to see him already, but somehow Alex knows she didn't.

"I'll give you two a minute. If you need anything, just press the yellow button on the side of his bed." Lara opens the door with a key and steps away from it so Alex can get in.