Page 49 of After Felix
“Yes,” Max says loudly. When we all turn to stare at him, he immediately assumes a pious expression. “How extremely thoughtful of you, Felix,” he intones.
“Good good,” the doctor says. “Now, I’ll give you a list of things to watch out for. Mainly unusual sleep patterns.”
“They usually happen when he’s been drinking,” I observe. The doctor immediately looks at Max, his expression indicating Max has suddenly turned into Charlie Sheen.
“Okay,” he says slowly. “No drinking tonight, then, Mr Travers.” He frowns at Max. “Or drugs,” he adds.
I grin, but wipe it away as the doctor turns back to me. “If you see anything that worries you about Mr Travers—like unusual personality fluctuations—please ring the hospital.”
“That’s a very wide field, if you know Max,” I say uneasily.
“Maybe if he’s too loud or not making any sense,” the doctor offers.
“Ooh, it’s going to be really hard to tell the difference from the way he is normally,” I say mournfully.
Max glares at me.
The doctor turns back to Max and gives him instructions about how to shower with his injured arm. I tune out the conversation. I’m going absolutely nowhere near a naked, wet Max.
Andrew tugs at my arm. “I need to talk to you,” he murmurs.
I follow Andrew outside, ignoring Max’s furtive glare. “What is it?” I ask. “I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to drive back to London on your own.”
“Felix, I think I’m probably not going to call you again,” he says with a hushed intonation like he’s making a royal proclamation.
I wrinkle my nose. This revelation is hardly a surprise. “Oh yes,” I say carelessly. “Any particular reason?”
“I don’t think you’re that interested in me.”
“And how did you work that out?”
“The fact that since you ran Max over, you seem to have come to life. And he’s the same. The two of you seem very bright together and suddenly the most alive people in the room.”
I stare at him, lost for words. “Well, I suppose running a person over does tend to make you appreciate the life coursing through your veins,” I finally say.
To my astonishment, he laughs. “Felix, you are funny. You took him to the hospital and stayed and drank coffee while they set a cast. It’s not exactly the Battle of Britain.” He surprises me by reaching out and giving me a hug. “Maybe there’s still something there between you?”
“There is. It’s called snark and bitterness,” I inform him.
He hugs me again and ruffles my hair. “I don’t think we suit at all,” he says solemnly when he steps back. “But I want you to know that my time with you has never been boring.”
“You have no idea how many men have said that.” I sigh and smile at him. He’s not a bad sort. Patronising as fuck and the hair ruffling was getting really annoying, but he means well. “Have a safe trip back.” He kisses my forehead and starts towards the exit. “Oh, and if the hotel bills you for the dressing gown and slippers, I’m sure it’s just aterriblemistake,” I call after him.
He laughs and raises his fingers to his forehead in a salute and vanishes out of the door.
I hesitate and then wander out onto the hospital forecourt. I pull out my phone and ring Zeb.
“Felix?” he says as he answers the phone. “How’s Max? Did you get the signature?”
“Notexactly,” I say cautiously. “He couldn’t really sign the papers today.”
“Why? Was he drunk?”
“Oh no, completely sober, but… I sort of fractured his arm and concussed him when I ran him over with a car.”
There’s an exceptionally long pause that seems to stretch into eternity. “Have the two of you been arguing again?” he finally asks, his tone cautious.
I remove the phone from my ear and stare down at it for a long second before bringing it back to my ear. “No, of course not. For God’s sake, do you think I’d just run him over if he’d annoyed me?”
