Page 69 of Diamond in the Rough

“What is it?”

“Just…thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, thank the doctors and nurses.”

Jake shook his head. “You’ve always been there for me, and it really does mean so much to me.”

“When you talk like that, I get worried.”

“Sorry, I wanted to say it, that’s all.”

Sam flashed a look at Zoe. “Any problems—”

“And I’ll call you.”

As soon as he’d gone, Zoe pulled the curtain back around him. “How’s the pain?”

“Painful…”

Zoe huffed. “I mean, do you need any more painkillers?”

“They make me feel dizzy and nauseous.”

“I can try you on something else.”

Jake shook his head.

“Do you want help getting to the toilet?”

As humiliating as it sounded, he was dying for a piss. Jake nodded and swung his legs out of the bed. Zoe helped him up. Pain flared down his left side, and he clutched his ribs.

“All right?”

“Yeah, it’s the getting up part that’s the worst.”

Zoe walked beside him, ready to catch him if he fell. Jake stumbled into the small toilet room and eyed the help button on the wall.

“If I need you, I’ll press it.”

“I’ll wait outside the door.”

Jake rolled his eyes but didn’t protest. He relieved himself, then washed his one usable hand. He caught sight of himself in the mirror, huge bandage wrapped around his head. His usually bright blue eyes were dull, and the bruises beneath were so dark they looked like holes in his face. His skin was stark pale, and he swayed and had to grip the sink.

“I look a mess.”

Zoe opened the door. “It’s only been ten days. Do you remember what happened?”

“I was an idiot, and I finally got what I deserved.”

“Come on,” Zoe said, leading Jake out.

“I look a mess, but my brain’s intact. I can remember everything, even the parts I don’t want to.”

“You say that, but I’m not so sure.”

“I was only playing confused to get rid of that Billy guy.”

Zoe hummed. “You don’t recognise me from before, do you?”

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