Page 488 of Rock Me All Night

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He nods with understanding.

My eyes sting. I squint, turn away from the sun. It doesn't help to keep the tear from rolling down my cheek.

The automatic doors swish open behind me.

"Tom, the nurse needs your—" Pete's voice drops as he spots me. He clears his throat. "Your number. Go give it to her."

"Not the best time," Tom says.

Pete shoots him a stern look.

Tom makes eye contact with me. He opens his mouth. It takes half a minute for him to speak. "I'll let you know how Mom is doing."

I shake my head. "Pete can do that."

Tom's expression sinks. "Don't do this, kid. I can't stomach losing you right now."

There's no stopping the tears from rolling down my cheeks. I choke back a sob. "It's not like that. I just—"

"I understand." Tom looks at the ground. His expression fills with frustration, but he nods, and he makes his way back into the hospital.

"You want me to drive you home?" Pete asks.

I shake my head. "You should be with your mom."

"I'll call you a car."

* * *

It'slate afternoon when I arrive at Drew's place. I check my makeup with my cell phone camera. There's some smudging but my eyes are no longerI've been sobbingred.

Drew answers the door. His expression fills with concern. He takes my suitcase and pulls me into a hug. "Do I need to kill him?"

"No."

"Should I make an appointment with my tattoo artist for tomorrow or do you need more time to pick out a design?"

"How about the day after tomorrow." I try to laugh but it comes out as a muffled sob.

"Crash and Coco Bandicoot?"

This time, the sound I make is more laugh than sob. Fifty-one/forty-nine but I'll take a single percentage point. "No thank you."

"You do have a thing for blonds."

I swat Drew. "You're not making this easier."

"Mario and Luigi?"

"Who gets Mario and who gets Luigi?"

He points to himself. "Green Yoshi." Then to me. "Pink Yoshi."

"You're fucking with me."

"Maybe." He shrugs. "Spryo the Dragon and Toothless?"

"They're not from the same universe."

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