Page 63 of Call Me Sir

There’s a long stretch of silence. Am I missing something?

“Boss man?”

“Yeah, what’s up?” Sal doesn’t miss a beat.

Then Tony is piping up. “Hey Danny! Your boo is in the room.”

“Oh, it’s a work party to check up on him, huh?”

I wish I could see what’s happening.

Instead, I throw the blanket over me, gently tuck my phone under with me and pretend to be asleep.

There’s a knock on my open door. Then footsteps.

“Cole?” Danny’s voice is quieter than usual.

I can feel him standing at my bedside staring at me. My nose itches and I try to ignore it.

“Cole?” A thick hand swipes across my forehead, making me jump.

I let my eyes flutter open. “Danny?”

God I know I’m being stupid but I don’t know what else to do.

“Hey, you okay?”

“What’s going on?” It’s not a lie because I don’t know why he’s here.

“Do you need the hospital?”

I blink, unsure of how to answer.

“You don’t look so good.”

“Thanks,” I grumble. “My friends are taking care of me.”

Danny smirks and lifts the blanket up to my chin. “I see that.”

I don’t bother to try and hide my irritation. I throw the accusation at him like a dart. “You left me here.”

He nods, his mouth twisting to the side. “Guess I’m not so good at this stuff.”

“What stuff?”

I want him to say it. To put the nail in the coffin himself.

“Being a boyfriend.”

I shake my head. “We’re not boyfriends.”

I expect him to bristle in anger. Instead, he shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Cole.”

We both know it’s over.

“Me, too. Thanks for stopping by.”

The words are right, yet somehow I feel wrong about saying it.

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