Kellan seemed to forget about his pain until he took a step. Then he groaned and gingerly held his stomach. Feeling bad that I couldn’t do anything for him, I merely held the bathroom door open. His face was tight as he passed by me. “Thanks.”
Before I closed the door behind him, I couldn’t help but check out the toned sections of skin showing between the ties along the back of his gown. Only Kellan Kyle could make a hospital gown sexy. Kellan started to chuckle when he noticed me watching; he instantly grimaced. “Stop making me laugh and close the door.”
Letting out a hearty laugh, since he couldn’t, I did what he asked. While I waited for him and hoped he didn’t get light-headed and pass out, I meandered over to the window to watch the crowd of well-wishers. They were stretched along the sidewalk across from the hospital, almost as far as I could see; it really was an impressive sight.
A short knock followed by a polite voice disrupted my thoughts. “Mrs. Kyle, I’m sorry to bother you. It’s after hours, but your brother is here?”
I turned to see the night nurse poking her head through the partially open door. I kept my face purposely neutral. Brother? I didn’t have a brother. The nurse looked behind her, then back at me. “Normally, I’d make him wait until morning, but he says he flew across the country to see you?”
She looked at me skeptically, like she was sure the person behind her was not who he claimed to be. And she was right; he wasn’t who he said he was. I let the surprise I felt show on my face. “Denny? Denny’s here?”
The nurse seemed relieved and opened the door a bit wider. “I’ll let him come in, but just for a few minutes, okay?”
I nodded, still absolutely stunned that he’d come all this way. The nurse stepped back and made a motion with her hand while opening the door wide with her other one. Denny stepped into the room, looking worn and weary. Abby followed a step behind him. Even more surprise trickled through me at seeing Denny’s fiancée.
Respectfully, Denny turned to the nurse and told her, “Thank you for your help, Renae.” For the millionth time today, I was shocked; he’d said that without any trace of an accent. Nothing.
Once she was gone, Denny turned back to me. I must have still looked shocked, because he started laughing. His accent back in place, he told me, “I couldn’t be your brother if I didn’t sound like you, and I wanted to make sure they let me in.” My favorite grin formed on his lips. “And faking an American accent is not easy. I was positive she was going to see right through me.”
Giggling, I rushed over to him and tossed my arms around him. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
Sighing, Denny held me tight. “I’m only sorry I’m late.”
The bathroom door swung open as Denny and I pulled apart. Kellan had a small smile on his face that fell when he noticed Denny. The same shock I’d felt flitted over Kellan’s features as he wobbled a bit. He didn’t seem angry, just massively surprised. Tilting his head, he asked, “Are you a figment of my pain meds? Or are you really standing right in front of me?”
“I’m really here. It’s good to see you in one piece, mate.” Smiling, Denny walked over and gave Kellan a quick hug. It was pretty easy to see that Kellan was quickly losing strength.
As Denny helped him get back into bed, Kellan looked between Denny and Abby and stammered, “You’re here? You both came all the way over here? For me?”
Once Kellan was lying down, Denny sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, we came here for you.” He glanced at Abby, then turned back to Kellan. “It scared the piss outta me, when I found out you were hurt. All I could think was that . . .” Swallowing, Denny looked away.
Realizing this moment had nothing to do with me, I stayed against the wall and tried to be inconspicuous. Abby moved beside me and gave me a soft smile as she patted my hand. I could tell by the look on her face that she was silently acknowledging all of the pain I’d gone through today, and offering me her support and friendship. I clasped her hand, grateful, and then the both of us turned to watch our fiancés.
When Denny could continue, he told Kellan, “We used to be close. We used to be like brothers. And if you died . . . it would be like a part of my family had died. And I don’t think you realize that.” His eyes returned to Kellan’s. “I hate the idea of you dying without knowing how much I . . .” Closing his mouth, he sniffed, then said, “I don’t know, I feel like, maybe I haven’t been the greatest friend to you.”
“Denny—”
Kellan tried to interrupt him, but Denny wouldn’t let him.“I knew what was going on, Kellan, with you and your dad, and I didn’t say anything to anybody. I didn’t help you like I should have.”
“You were a kid,” Kellan muttered.