Page 73 of The Callahan Effect

I squeezed his hand gently.

Easy. Don't try to move.

He read the screen, then looked at his surroundings before his gaze settled on me again.

"...Hospital?"

You're at Providence Sacred Heart. They had to operate to repair the wound above your hip.

He frowned faintly, attempting to piece everything together before trying to move. The effort lasted less than a second. Pain tightened the muscles in his face and he let out a low groan before sinking back onto the pillow.

Don't move. The nurses can give you more pain medication.

He squeezed his eyes shut, breathing carefully until the worst of the pain eased.

When he opened them again, they found me immediately.

"...Game?"

Despite everything, I couldn't stop smiling.

The Red Cedars won. 4-3.

A tired smile touched his lips.

"Good."

I shook my head in amusement. Trust Mason to wake from surgery and worry about the final score before anything else.

***

Just after four o'clock in the morning, Mason's parents stepped into the bay.

Richard Brooks looked exhausted. His suit jacket hung over one arm, his tie had been loosened sometime during the flight from Florida, and several days' worth of worry seemed etched across his face. Beside him stood Victoria Brooks, equally exhausted. Her eyes were red and swollen, her face pale, and although she managed a small smile when she saw me, it trembled almost as much as her hands.

Mr. and Mrs. Brooks. He's just fallen back to sleep. He's sore and groggy but talking. The surgery went well and I'm sure the doctors will tell you more later this morning.

Mrs. Brooks closed her eyes briefly, emotion washing across her face and then she pulled me into her arms for a hug.

"Thank God."

Richard rested one hand on my shoulder.

"Thank you for staying with him."

I shook my head.

There was never anywhere else I was going to be. I could have told them I stayed because I love their son but I hadn't yet told Mason and he needed to know first.

Victoria's eyes softened.

Mason woke and managed a tired smile.

"You...made good time."

Victoria bent immediately to kiss his forehead.

"We caught the first flight available."