Page 126 of Cohesion

“Some of the questions we have to ask are personal, and we require privacy. It won’t take long, don’t worry.”

“Of course,” Quinn said before Jericho could protest. Jericho let himself be dragged out into the hallway, even if it was the last thing he wanted to do.

“What was that about?” Peyton asked. “If Seb didn’t want us in there, he would have told us.” He shuffled on his feet, agitated.

None of them were comfortable having Sebastian out of sight. Even knowing that they were five stories up, and standing in front of the only entrance to his room, wasn’t making it any easier for Jericho not to shove right back through the closed door.

“The injuries he has are similar to domestic-violence victims,” Quinn said. “Toby wanted privacy so he could ask Sebastian whether it was any of us that did it to him. It’s standard procedure.”

Will frowned. “Oh.”

“It’s a good thing,” Quinn said patiently. “If Sebastian were being abused, this is the first step in trying to get his foot out the door and somewhere safe. Nurses are, in a lot of cases, the first line of defence against that kind of thing.”

“What if he’d said yes, but that he didn’t want to do anything?” Peyton asked. “Or lied about it?”

“That happens,” Quinn said sadly, “too much. The nurse would try and encourage him to change his mind, but if not,they’d give him information he could use if he ever did want help. Along with some extra help to treat any future injuries.”

“That’s fucked up,” Peyton said, scowling. “If they know who it is, why can’t they just arrest the asshole responsible and throw away the key?”

“Unless the victims agree to press charges, there isn’t a lot that can be done,” Quinn said. “Nothing would stick without evidence, and in a lot of cases, it would make the victim’s life even harder. It’s an unfortunate reality that can be difficult to navigate, and live with.”

Toby poked his head out the door. “You’re welcome to come back in. Thanks for waiting. Don’t forget to leave your feedback forms at the door.”

Once they were back inside, Will and Quinn moved to the other side of the bed, close to Sebastian’s back. Peyton hovered at the end, watching the nurse closely.

Toby handed Jericho gauze and a small tube of cream. “I assume you’re my helper this evening.”

Jericho bit his tongue to stop from smiling. He did not think this kid was amusing. He could do his job and get the fuck out, is what he could do.

“I’m going to have to ask you to remove your shirt,” Toby said, pointing to Sebastian. He grinned at Jericho. “I hope that’s okay with you.”

“How many stories high are we right now?” Jericho asked menacingly.

“Five, if you don’t include the basement where we keep difficult boyfriends,” Toby replied, none of the cheer lost in his tone. “Do you want to help him, or should I?”

“I will,” Jericho said stiffly.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. “I can take off my own shirt.”

“Are you sure?” Peyton teased. “You might not have full movement in that shoulder.”

“It’s a paper cut,” Sebastian said, scowling. “They mostly focused on my face.” As if to prove his point, he grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked it up over his head. He couldn’t disguise the hiss of pain. Fucking idiot.

“We could have unbuttoned that,” Quinn pointed out. “Or cut it off.”

“Can we get this over with, please?” Sebastian muttered.

“What’s your hurry?” Toby asked. “You don’t like my company?”

“No,” Jericho replied for him. Not one bit. Could they request someone else?

Toby patted him on the chest. “I like you.”

“The feeling isn’t mutual.” It wasn’t. If he didn’t stop flirting with Sebastian, they were going to have a problem.

“We’re going to need to clean this,” Toby said, indicating the cut on Sebastian’s shoulder. “It’s gonna sting a little. A lot.”

“A little or a lot?” Peyton asked, the corner of his mouth lifting.

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