Page 104 of Sycopation
Suddenly, Ray was colder than the water had been. The trembles started next when he realized exactly what that meant.
Zavier stood and reclaimed the cup. Stroked his hair. “Shh, Ray.”
The trembling went on. He didn’t rememberanything. Not one moment. “What...what did hedoto me after that?” It came out rough and tight.
“Nothing.” Zavier cupped his face. “He didn’t touch you. No one did.”
“Then why am I here?” In a hospital bed with wires and an IV and machines all stuck to him.
“Turns out you have a severe allergy to whatever it was. You had an anaphylactic reaction.”
Ohshit. He must have looked shocked or disturbed, because Zavier stroked his cheek. “You’re fine now.”
Which meant he hadn’t been then. Fuck. He leaned into Zavier’s touch and listened as he spilled out the rest of the story. Mish’s EpiPen. Dom riding with him to the hospital to direct treatment. Zavier speaking to the cops. There were lawyers and law enforcement involved now, from the local to the state and even the record label. Everything jumbled in his head.
It was only the next day. Dom and Mish had left to clean up and change, leaving Zavier on watch. Ray had a sinking suspicion that Zavier chose to stay because he would not leave.
It was a Zavier thing to do.
But overall, the whole situation was amess. The rest of the tour—well, their part of it as the opening band for Five Asylum—had been canceled. The press was full of photos and rumors.
Tears came to Ray’s eyes, and that was horrible and unexpected, but he couldn’t help them. He’d known Carl hated him, but hadn’t thought that hate was enough to make Carl want tokillhim. That one fact played over and over in his mind.
Zavier wiped the salt trails away, murmuring words that didn’t make sense.
Finally, Ray whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. None of this was your fault.”
On the surface, he knew that. But deep inside? He didn’t understand how it had even come to be. “Butwhy?” Why did Carl hate him so much? What had Raydone?
“Carl Roberts is a vindictive asshole who can’t cope with anyone he sees as inferior climbing above him. Didn’t matter that you worked hard. Didn’t matter that you’re insanely talented. He only saw class and status.”
“The dumbass slacker succeeding.” Made a twisted sense. “Shit, that’s a hell of a way to live, with that much poison.”
A soft, sad laugh. Zavier tipped Ray’s chin until he gazed up. A position of trust and surrender. “Ray Van Zeller, you’re an amazing man, and I’m honored to be your friend.”
He fucking loved Zavier. Down to his toes. With every piece of his body.
“Always?” It was all he could push out. The only word.
Emotions played over Zavier’s face, and for a moment, Ray saw fear there, but then it was gone and Zavier nodded. “Always. As long as you’re true to yourself.”
Ray closed his eyes. He wanted to be honest and true, but this wasn’t a love affair—it was a friendship. A deep and abidingone. He’d just happened to have fallen in love with Zavier, which...he’d deal with that later. Figure out how they could be themselves together.
Right now? He wanted out of this damn bed and gown. Needed to be free of all this machinery. “You think they’re gonna let me out of here anytime soon?”
Zavier let him go. “Let me go find a nurse and see what I can do.”
If there was anyone who could spring him from a hospital, it was Zavier.
Took far longerthan Ray had hoped to get him the fuck out of the hospital. Long enough that he endured breakfast and lunch in bed. Food wasn’t that bad, but it was still hospital food.
He spoke to both Mish and Dom on the phone, thanking the latter for everything he’d done. “I know I put you on the spot.”
Dom chuckled. “You know I’ll be there for you, but maybe you should add Zav to your health power of attorney?”
Yeah, he should. Wanted to, if Zavier was willing. Something they needed to talk about once they got out of here. If he ever got out of here. Damn, he itched to be free of this bed!
