“Just try not to do anything with that hand until the skin starts to heal.” The doctor gathered his supplies back into his bag and stood, looking at Joshua. “I assume there’s a room for me?”
“Same as last time,” Joshua agreed. “I’ll stay up with him and wake you if there’s a problem.”
“Wait, you’re going to bed?” How could he do that when Meyer was lying here at risk of another overdose? How long would I have to monitor his pulse to make sure he didn’t slip under again?
“If you want me to treat your boyfriend competently—”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“—then I need to rest. We’ve been through this before, as you may have gathered. Between the two of you, you can make sure his heart keeps beating and wake me if there’s an issue. Until that happens, let me sleep.” He turned on his heel and walked out the door. I turned to Joshua.
“How long do we have to watch him?”
“At least through the night. Hopefully by the morning, he’ll be okay. He took more than he did last time.”
I turned, pulling my knees underneath me on the mattress, and watched the gentle rise and fall of Meyer’s chest. He snored softly, but other than that, his breath seemed to come easy. “I’ll watch him.”
“You were planning to murder him earlier tonight. I’m not leaving you alone with him.”
Good point.
“I also called you to save his life.”
“Yeah. You did.”
I didn’t turn to look at him. I didn’t want to see whatever look he was giving me, the judgmental scowl or the prying eyes I knew he wore. I couldn’t explain my actions to myself, let alone anyone else. Meyer’s fingers rested on my uninjured palm, and I wrapped my fingers through his gently. He squeezed my hand and shifted, rolling toward me onto his side.
“I’m staying either way. You do what you want.”
I stretched along the bed next to Meyer, staring at his closed eyelids. They fluttered open momentarily, and he smiled. “Thanks for not murdering me,” he slurred softly.
“Aren’t you mad I stopped your suicide attempt?”
“Nah.” He squeezed my hand. “Because you stopped it.”
What had happened the night he brought me back here? I’d been so out of my mind with pain that I didn’t remember much after he dumped me on the floor, half naked with my hands bound. He’d been so pleased during the car ride.
“I still hate you.” I whispered the words quietly, so Joshua wouldn’t hear.
He snuggled closer to me, head against my chest. “Whatever you say.”
I didn’t speak again, afraid of what words would come out of my mouth. I counted his breaths, the time between breaths, and touched his chest or neck occasionally to feel the strength of his pulse. His hand grew warm in mine until he pulled it free to move to his back. I tucked my hands underneath my pillow and stared at him until my eyes began to droop. Turning my head one last time, I spied Joshua in the corner, sitting upright in a chair and looking entirely awake. He nodded at me once, and I let my eyes fall closed for good.