Page 47 of He's the One

Robert recoiled. “My wife?”

“She hit Col.”

“What? No! That didn’t happen. Megan wasn’t there. It was only me and Col. And what did happen was an accident.”

Theo called his bluff. “Give me your number and I’ll pass it on to the police. They should be able to check where the pair of you were earlier tonight.”

“I’ll get in touch with them.” Robert turned and walked out.

“I know his number,” Col’s mum said quietly. “And his London address.”

Theo wasted no time forwarding them to the police.

When a doctor finally came into the waiting room, the three of them froze.

“Col’s family?” he asked.

Col’s mum and dad stood up and they tugged Theo to his feet.

“He’s conscious now. He had some intercranial bleeding but it’s stopped. We’re going to keep him in overnight for observation but he should be fine to go home tomorrow.”

Theo’s heart leapt. Col’s mum gave a little sigh of relief.

“Can we see him?” Col’s dad asked.

“Yes. For a little while.”

“Thank you, doctor.” Col’s mum turned to Theo. “I’m sure Col will want to see you too. We’ll have a few minutes with him first.”

When they left with the doctor, Theo dropped down on a seat, leaned back and closed his eyes. This was another chance and he wasn’t going to let it slip through his fingers.

Col’s parents didn’t stay long and gestured for Theo to take their place.

As Theo headed to Col’s bed, he saw Col watching him. There were dressings on the front and side of his head and he was hooked up to an IV.

“You look terrible,” Col croaked out.

“Hey, I changed my shirt especially.” He managed a smile. “You look amazing.”

“Sorry I can’t get up and bow.”

Theo winced. “I’m really sorry about that.”

“What? Sorry I can’t get up and bow?”

“Obviously. I’ll forgive you this once.”

Col’s lips twitched.

“I should have told you, but the moment never seemed right and I liked not being treated differently. As soon as someone finds out I’m a lord, it’s as if a barrier goes up and they can’t talk to me anymore. They go all weird. I know my life is far from normal, but I’m not some three-headed alien.”

He sat on the chair at the side of the bed, clutched Col’s hand, and gulped. “Is it okay to hold your hand?”

“Since you’re not a three-headed alien, yes.” Col gave his fingers a gentle squeeze.

“Do you forgive me?” Theo desperately wanted Col to understand where he was coming from.

“I’m glad I didn’t know. I’ve had the chance to get to know you a little and I don’t think I’d have dared do that if I’d been aware from the outset who you are. You’re right, I’d have felt differently about you.”

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