Page 139 of Now and Then

Luke takes the other edge of the blanket and pulls it down, exposing Hunter completely.

I burst out laughing.

Luke takes one look at Hunter and doubles over.

Hunter is wearing briefs covered in ornaments, with a Grinch hand holding a large ornament over the pouch.

At that exact moment, the nurse walks in holding a water cup with a bendy straw. “Well.” The nurse suppresses a giggle. “You don’t see that every day.”

“Bro,” Luke says between fits of laughter, “you know the rule—always have clean underwear on.”

“They are clean.” Hunter’s face flames, something I don’t think I’ve ever seen.

“What are you even wearing?” Luke can barely get the question out.

“They were supposed to be a surprise for Sutton. She loves the Grinch.”

“They are pretty great,” I say, and peck Hunter on the cheek.

“Hmm, kinky,” the nurse says, grinning. “I’ll be back in a bit with more pain medicine.”

She steps from the room while Luke and I finish getting Hunter changed. Once he’s dressed and settled in his bed, I gather the pile of his ruined clothes into a plastic bag. Luke sits on Hunter’s right, but I’m still too jittery to sit. I grab Hunter’s water and hold it to his lips. He takes a long drink.

“They forgot your boots,” I suddenly remember. “Let me run back to the ER and I’ll—”

“Sutton.” Hunter’s firm tone pierces my chest, pulling my gaze to his. “Luke can get them.”

“But I can hel—”

“I know you can help.” Hunter pats a small space on his bed. “I need you here. Luke can get the boots.”

“On it,” Luke says and exits the room.

Hunter squeezes my hand once. “You’re too far away.”

I sit on the edge of the bed. He snakes his good hand around my side and up the back of my sweater, warm palm pressing against my low back. The touch soothes my frazzled nerves.

“I’m supposed to be making you feel better,” I say, “not the other way around.”

“You are making me feel better.” His eyelids flutter, heavier now as the exhaustion kicks in.

Luke returns with the boots and leaves again to fill in the rest of our friends. The nurse comes back, and I reluctantly step away from Hunter to give her the space she needs to work. She injects a clear liquid into his IV.

“What is that?” I ask her.

“His next dose of his pain meds.” She touches my shoulder. “Page me if either of you need anything.”

I can tell the instant the medication reaches his bloodstream because his shoulders relax against the mattress. His eyes close, the creases near his eyes smoothing out. Within minutes, he drifts off to sleep.

Some time later, a soft knock pulls my attention. Hushed whispers and shuffling footsteps follow, and Vinnie’s head pokes in.

“Hey,” Navy whispers from over his shoulder. “Mind if we come in?”

My first instinct is to shoo them away so Hunter can rest, but I know he’d want to see them. I nod.

“Baby,” I say, smoothing my hand down the side of his face. “You’ve got some people here to see you.”

Hunter blinks awake. “Hey, guys,” he mumbles, voice groggy.