Page 27 of Beyond Friendship

My heart warms at the concern those two men show for their friend’s well-being.

“Sure, I’ll drop by on my way home.”

“Thanks, love you. And text me to let me know when you’ve seen him.”

Arriving at Brian’s dream, I go straight to Darius standing behind the bar. He seems relieved to see me.

“Good, maybe you can convince him to go home. He’s in the corner seat,” he says, pointing to an area in the back.

I move through the crowd and find him sitting alone in a corner booth, his head in his hands. As I stop next to him, he slowly lifts his head and looks up at me. His eyes are wide and watery, his cheeks flushed.

Concern tugs at my heart when seeing him in this state; my voice softens as I ask, “Brian, what’s wrong?”

He lets out a defeated sigh before speaking, “Nothing... I’m just not feeling too well. Have a massive headache and a cold, but it will pass. So don’t worry.” He looks away from me, but I’m aware of the fact that he seems visibly distressed himself.

“Go home and get some sleep, Brian,” I say, my voice heavy with concern.

“No,” he groans, “I have business to attend to later.” Knowing he’s stubborn as a mule and won’t accept my help easily, I ask.

“Have you taken painkillers?”

“Yeah, Tylenol.”

A twisted sensation settles in my chest as helplessness washes through me. What can I do?

I pause for a few seconds to think of something else I can do for him other than send him home. “Let’s get some fresh air. It might help with your headache.“Come with me.”

He shakes his head in defiance, but when I take his hand, he gets up out of the booth and follows me outside. We both inhale deeply as the cool air fills our lungs.

He shuffles to the side of the building and leans against the hard stone wall, closing his eyes.

“You really should go home, Brian.”

He sighs in response. “And do what? Lie in bed? No, thank you, that’s the worst thing I can do right now.”

“Huh. Why? When you’re sick, your body needs rest.”

A faint smile tugs on his lips. “Well, mine is different, and I know what I need.” He meets my gaze, gratitude radiating from his eyes. “Thank you for coming by, Amanda. I appreciate it.”

I place a hand on his shoulder. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Mister Fox. Let me whip up some ginger tea. It will help boost your immune system and might ease the throbbing in your head.”

He smiles at me, a silent understanding prevailing between us. “If I accept that drink, will you stop fussing over me and go home?” he says, tenderness seeping through his watery gaze.

My cheeks flame as I respond, “Perhaps, but how do you know I’m worrying?”

“Your emotions play out on your face, Amanda.”

My lips quirk up involuntarily, comforted to find that he knows me so well. “Since you can read me so easily, you should be able to see that I never leave when I’m concerned about you. So let’s go inside so I can make the tea; then maybe I’ll depart after getting you to promise me to call if anything arises.”

My hands tremble at this memory, which makes me realize that this man tries to handle and deal with everything on his own. But like then, I won’t let him. I rise and step closer to him. With a shaky finger, I trace the rigid line of his jaw, only to see it tense beneath my touch.

“Don’t push me away, Brian.”

“I don’t want you to worry about me like my mom does all the time.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Well, tough luck, Mister Fox. Because you don’t get to choose whether or not I worry about someone who is my friend. You know that about me.”

A line sets between his brows as he scowls at me from the corner of his eye.

---