Second Chance(60)

Rage tore through Nate as he instantly went into papa bear mode. “What the fuck?” Nate’s voice rose and Cass stirred, pulling her hand away from his and rolling over onto her other side. Nate stood, facing Jack. “Why would anyone do that to Cass?”

“It’s all hearsay but the word is that Adam’s ex-girlfriend did it. Someone overheard her telling one of her friends that she’d put something in Adam’s drink. He was her target, not Cass. But Adam and Cass were both drinking Coke and they must have swapped drinks, or the ex put it in the wrong one.”

“Jesus. Has anyone told the police?”

“No. Adam thought it was up to you to make the decision whether to report it or not. Sounds like it would be hard to prove unless she admitted it, or unless someone actually saw her do it.”

Fury burned in Nate’s gut like bitter acid. He clenched his fists. “What a fucking stupid thing to do. She shouldn’t get away with it. She could have killed her. If she’d passed out alone and thrown up… choked on her own vomit… it doesn’t bear thinking about.” The images of what could have happened flooded Nate’s consciousness, making him feel sick and terrified.

“I know.” The sympathy on Jack’s face made Nate’s eyes flood with tears. Overwhelmed by too many different emotions, he balled his fists and rubbed at his eyes, a harsh sob escaping despite his best efforts to hold it back. Boys don’t cry. Nate hated how crying still made him feel weak even though he knew that was bullshit.

He felt Jack’s hands on his shoulders, drawing him close, and Nate let himself be held. Jack’s arms were warm and strong and he leaned into the comfort they offered. All Nate’s defences crumbled and he couldn’t hold the tears back anymore. He cried out all his fears from earlier, his relief that Cass was fine, his fury that someone had done this to her, his guilt at doubting Cass. Jack held him, solid as a rock, hands stroking Nate’s back, his face pressed against Nate’s hair until Nate was finally done. Limp and exhausted, he lifted his head from Jack’s shoulder and sniffed. “Thanks. I needed that.” He wiped his nose. “Sorry about the snot on your shoulder.”

Jack chuckled. “I can live with it.”

“I need to try to sleep more.” Nate was too tired to make a decision tonight. Reporting this to the police could wait. For now, he wanted to get Cass safely home and they’d deal with the fallout over the weekend.

“Take the recliner,” Jack said.

“Not on my own. You make a good pillow anyway.” Nate needed to be held. With his defences at an all-time low he needed Jack and he wasn’t ashamed of admitting it. “Share it with me. Please?”

Their gazes locked, and the intensity on Jack’s face stole Nate’s breath for a moment. “Of course,” Jack finally said.

They settled back down in the recliner and wiped out with exhaustion, Nate fell asleep almost instantly. The last thing he was aware of was the thump of Jack’s heart under his ear, and Jack’s hand gently stroking his hair.



They managed a couple more hours of sleep before the ward lights were turned up even brighter and the doctor started doing the morning rounds. Cass was given some hospital breakfast and managed to eat most of it, and Jack went up to buy coffees and bacon sandwiches for himself and Nate from one of the cafés in the concourse.

While they were waiting to see the doctor, there was a commotion outside the ward.

“Please! I really need to see her,” a female voice begged.

“If you’re not family, you’re not allowed in until visiting hours,” someone replied firmly. “And she’ll be discharged by then anyway, so you can go and see your friend when she’s back home later.”

“She’s not my friend exactly… look. It’s really important!”

“Shit!” Cass’s eyes widened. “That sounds like Molly!”

“Who’s Molly?” Nate asked.

Cass scowled. “Adam’s ex.” Nate and Jack glanced at each other in alarm. Nate hadn’t told Cass about the rumours yet. He’d been planning on breaking it to her on the drive home. “What the hell is she doing here? What does she want?” Cass pushed the covers aside and started to climb out of bed. Nate rushed to support her, but she stood easily, and seemed totally steady.

“What are you doing, Cass?”

“I want to talk to her. Find out what’s going on.”

Nate wanted a word with the infamous Molly himself, so if Cass wanted a confrontation then he wasn’t going to stop her. But he’d be right there beside her. Cass straightened the gown she was wearing and put her shoulders back as she marched determinedly towards the source of the noise. Nate and Jack flanked her, casting each other more anxious looks.

Out by the nurses’ station there was a blonde girl still arguing fiercely with the nurses. A stocky male nurse with a beard was blocking her way, arms outstretched. “If you don’t leave right now I’m going to call security,” he said fiercely.

“Oh, Cass! There you are.” Molly caught sight of Cass and her entourage over the nurse’s shoulder. “I have to talk to you. Please!” She was tearstained and pale, mascara smudged, and as she took in the sight of Nate and Jack her eyes widened in fear. “Which one of you is her dad? I need to explain….”