THIRTY-THREE
Pride
RYAN RUSHED FROM class to the hospital, a smile stuck dopily on his face. He caught the glances of a few students side-eyeing him like he was a wacko, and he tried to calm himself down. Look a little less…manic.
It was hard, though. Professor Bismarck had read his defense, then held him after class. Nervously, he had waited for the man’s judgment. He’d fully expected to hear: “Not good enough. Think about another career.” So when the professor had reached out and pulled him in for a hug, clapping him on the back before letting him go, he couldn’t believe it.
“Valore.” His voice had broken, then he’d started again, reaching for Ryan’s paper to hold in shaking hands. “I’ve never read anything like this. Anything. I’m not sure if I’ve ever been more proud of a student or more heartbroken for the young man who felt so dishonored he completed more good works in two years than I have in my whole life.” Chuckling softly, he had shaken his head. “You put me to shame.”
Unsure how to proceed, Ryan had waited, hoping Professor Bismarck would tell him what to do next.
“Student advisory council is tomorrow. I already sent this to the dean; they want you to attend.”
It was faster than he’d expected, but Ryan had nodded his head. “Sure.”
“I should warn you, Beau Curtis will be there.”
Here was Ryan’s chance. He could show Beau what he’d done, show him some good came out of the mess he’d made out things. Would it be enough? It couldn’t be, really. A thousand times he’d put himself in Beau’s shoes, and he recognized there was nothing he could do to give his old friend the two years he’d lost.
“Beau’s on the council?” he’d asked.
“No. Any student can bring a concern to the council, but if an argument is raised, they must attend the hearing. It is a law school, after all.”
“What do I need to do?”
“Defend yourself,” Bismarck had told him. “Be honest; don’t sell yourself short. This…” He held up Ryan’s defense again. “This is incredible. Tell them. If they deny you admittance after reading this, I’ll eat my hat.”
Buttoning his coat, Ryan had nodded. “Okay.”
Now he was racing across campus, barely holding it together, caught somewhere between glee and terror. Forcing himself to slow inside the hospital, the best he could manage was a power walk to Cai’s room.
Inside, Apollo, Nora, Seok, Cai, and Matisse played a card game.
Placing a card on the pile, Seok called out, “Uno!” and his friends groaned.
“Haha!” Nora laughed, slapping something down. “Draw four!”
“How long does this game go on?” Matisse asked. “We’ve already run out of cards twice. You just keep shuffling and playing?”
“Yup,” she answered, arranging her cards before spying him in the doorway. “Hi!” After tossing her cards on the table, she walked to him, enfolding him in a hug. “How was class?”
“Good.” He framed her face with his hands, kissing each cheek before nuzzling her neck. “Tomorrow is my meeting with the student advisory council at CCSL.”
She froze, her gaze searching his face.
“I’m good,” he assured her. “I’m good. Ready.”
“Can I come with you?” she asked.
“Good question,” Seok interrupted. “Can we?”
“Moral support,” Apollo added.
“Entourage,” Matisse snorted.
“I wish I could go.” Cai’s hoarse voice still managed to cut through their chatter. “Doctor wants me to stay another day at least.”
“I don’t know.” He pictured his group of friends and Nora at CCSL. Beau would be there, and as far as he knew, the man had no idea of Nora’s connection to Ryan. What if he saw her and took his anger out on her? Things would deteriorate rapidly. “It would probably be better if I go alone.”
Disappointment flashed across her face, but she tried to hide it. “I could wait in the car.”
It was tempting. If things didn’t work out, he’d need someone. She’d be right there.
“Let me think about it,” he allowed. “I don’t like the idea of you sitting in the car in the cold, even though I’d love having you close by. And I don’t know about— what if Beau saw you and got angry?”
Nodding her understanding, she embraced him harder. “Whatever you decide.”
He kissed the top of her head, found a chair, and dragged her onto his lap. “Now, tell me more about the doctor. What’d he say?”
Cai swallowed visibly, his throat working, and winced. “I’m still running a bit of a fever, and while I’m feeling better, they want me to stay a little longer. Make sure the infection clears up.”
“How’s your throat?” he asked.
Cai’s hand went to his neck, still covered in a bright red rash. “Okay.”
Pushing against Ryan, Nora stood. “Let me get you another popsicle.”
“Just ice,” he said. “Please.”
Walking to his side, Ryan watched Cai stare at her like he'd never seen anything like her in his life. Even with his friend looking like death warmed over, his eyes fever bright, he perked up considerably under Nora's gaze.
“Just ice?” she asked.
“Yeah. I'm purple popsicled out.”
Leaning down, she nuzzled his cheek. “Who knew purple was a flavor, right?”
His chuckle turned into a cough so harsh everyone in the room winced.
She waited until he caught his breath before kissing his cheek again and standing. “Don't stress him out.” Pinning Matisse with a glare made less severe with a wink, she went on, “Give him a break from Uno.”
Hand to heart, his friend pledged, and she left them.
“You sound awful,” Ryan observed.
“Thanks,” Cai replied wryly. “I hadn't noticed.” With Nora gone, all the energy left him.
“But you're improving?”
“My lungs aren't so...” His eyes searched the room as he struggled to find the word.
“Crackly,” Apollo offered.
“Thanks.” Adjusting the head of the bed, Cai sighed. “I feel like I got run over by a truck, and it's frustrating. I want to get out of here. Everyone at work is covering for me, and they have their own stuff to do.”
“You've covered for all of them,” Ryan countered. “I've heard your work cell ring at all hours; I know you go in for them when they need it. I'm sure they're happy to do the same for you.”
Shrugging, Cai stared at the blanket. “Doesn't matter. The kids count on me; the staff counts on me. I need to be there.”
“Dude,” Apollo interjected. “You're not going to get better if you keep stressing yourself out like this. If you force it too soon, you're just going to pay for it later.”
“I know!” he snapped before drawing a hand down his face. The back of his fingers brushed against his stubble, and he grimaced. “I know,” he said again, calmer.
“Ice!” Nora came into the room carrying a pitcher and a tray of snacks. “And pudding. They were just delivering this; I thought it might be a nice change from purple.”
Passing them out to everyone but Apollo, who held up a hand in refusal, they dug into their no need to be refrigerated pudding cups. Ryan watched Cai closely, noting he only took a few small bites before placing the food on his tray. Raising an eyebrow, his friend seemed to dare him to comment.
“I gotta go,” Matisse said, tossing his cup in the trash. “I'm going to go home to sleep, and I'll be back tonight. Nora?”
“I'll stay.”
“No.” Tiredly, Cai readjusted his position. “You've been here since last night.”
“I slept.”
“Not well. You and I both know it's impossible to sleep well here. Go home, Nora. Go with Ryan tomorrow and come back when he’s done. Tell me all about it.”
Ryan watched the two of them argue, unsure whether or not to step in. It wasn't a sure thing she would come with him, but he suspected his friend's argument was about needing space. He’d been packed into his hospital room along with them.
“Apollo,” Seok said carefully, leading him to believe he caught the same message Ryan had. “You have class, right?”
“But I can stay,” Apollo added quickly. “I don't mind skipping.”
“No. You go to class. Ryan will hang back with Cai a little, and Matisse and I will go home with Nora.”
“I—” she began to argue, but Matisse intervened, throwing an arm around her shoulders and leading her toward the door.
“Come on, cher. Let the boy sleep.”
Her face darkened with guilt, and Ryan wanted to cuff his friend. From Seok's face, he did as well. The door closed behind them, and Cai released a huge sigh.
“I love them, but—”
“Sometimes you just need to be miserable on your own,” Ryan finished.
“Exactly.”
“I'll leave in five,” Ryan assured him. “But is there anything else you need?”
Closing his eyes, Cai shook his head. “Sleep. All I want to do is sleep. And be quiet.”
Taking the hint, Ryan settled into the chair next to the bed. “Go to sleep. I’ll leave in a few.”
Nodding without opening his eyes, Cai fell asleep almost instantly. Ryan watched as Cai’s cheeks became redder, and leaning forward, he touched his friend’s forehead. He felt warm again. Thank goodness he had insurance because with this up and down, he may be in here a while.
When Ryan left a little while later, he made sure to check in with the nurses, telling them to call him if there was any change in Cai’s condition.
Walking into his house, he immediately noted the difference in the atmosphere compared to when he’d arrived alone. Every light in the house was on, and loud voices emanated from the kitchen.
“Hi!” someone yelled to him.
“Hi!” Unable to stop himself from smiling, he dropped his things by the door and went toward the room. He was surprised to find only Matisse and Nora in there; they were so loud he’d thought Seok and maybe even Apollo were there.
Standing next to the stove, hands on hips, Nora glared at Matisse. Arms crossed, he merely watched her smugly.
“What’s going on?” Ryan asked carefully.
“We’re making dinner.” Her eyes cut to him, and she smiled. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Chuckling and smiling, he edged closer. “So what’s the problem?”
“Jambalaya.”
“Huh?” Rubbing across his forehead, he felt tiny wrinkles along his skin. “What’s the problem with jambalaya?”
“Of the two of us, my friend,” Matisse answered. “Who do you think has the most experience with this dish?”
“Tisse,” she argued. “I believe you. But I had a plan. Let me do it.”
“Cher—”
“Fine!” Throwing up her hands, she turned around and winked at Ryan. “Ingredients are in the fridge.”
Ryan had never made jambalaya, but it sounded like a complicated dish for a bunch of exhausted people who’d just arrived home from the hospital. It wouldn’t be his first choice. Canned soup or toaster waffles was about all he could handle. Easy and warm. Done in minutes.
“Did you just play me?” Matisse asked when Nora sat.
“What do you mean?” Smiling sweetly, she took a sip of water. “You wanted to cook, and then you wanted to make jambalaya. I’m letting you cook.”
Ryan didn’t know what had happened before he got there, but he got the distinct impression Nora was teaching Matisse a lesson. At times, his friend was the equivalent of a backseat driver in the kitchen. Next time, he might decide to keep his opinions to himself if the result was cooking on his own.
“How was Cai?” Dark eyes met his. Placing the water on the table, she leaned forward. “What happened?”
“He was asleep when I left. I think he was exhausted.” Remembering Cai’s mild fever, he debated telling Nora but decided against it. “He’ll be better soon.” He reached for her hand, and she took it, squeezing before leaning back in her chair.
A clang from the stove made them both jump. “Need help?” she asked.
“Non.” The sizzle of oil and smell of cooking onions filled the kitchen.
“Is there anything you need to do to prepare?” she asked Ryan after a moment of staring at Matisse.
“I don’t know,” Ryan answered honestly. “I don’t know what the council will ask or what Beau will say.”
She studied him, and he shifted uneasily. After a moment, she stood and placed herself carefully in his lap, leaning her head against his chest. “I love you, Ryan. No matter what happens tomorrow, I am grateful for whatever it is that shaped you into you. Without it, I could be in jail. I most certainly never would have met all of you.”
Embarrassed, he shrugged, but she didn’t let him get away with his disparaging gesture. “It’s a big deal to me, Ryan. You gave me hope. A future. You gave me Matisse, and even though he’s burning the bottom of that pan while he eavesdrops, I am so grateful for him. For all of you.”
Her plump lips tempted him, and he gave in. They were cool, and her tongue when it touched his was chilly from the water she’d been drinking. Her fingers trailed along the shell of his ear, making him shiver and wrap her a little closer. Another bang sounded from the stove. Slowly, her tongue tracing her lower lip, she drew away from him. He remained focused on the tantalizing sight of her tongue tip hiding behind her swollen lips.
“Do you want help?” Nora asked.
Confused, he tried to make sense of what she meant, but a loud sigh came from behind him. “Fine.”
Winking at Ryan, she stood. Matisse watched the floor, his cheeks pink.
“Catch!” she cried out, and Matisse’s head whipped up. Jumping at him, she quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and raspberried his neck. Unable to help himself, Matisse started laughing along with his friend. His arms came up to hold her tightly, muscles flexing.
When she whispered in Matisse’s ear, his eyes closed and Ryan wondered what Nora said to him to make him so content. Slowly, her legs dropped to the floor and, reaching around him, she grasped the pan of celery and onion and moved it to a back burner.
A pair of twinkling, dark eyes met his as Nora raised her eyebrows. “Waffles for supper.”
“Perfect,” Ryan answered, staring at the girl who was meant for him.