After what felt like forever in a void, Michael finally came back with another doctor Brian sort of recognised.
“This is Dr. Chandra, Andrew’s neurologist.”
The Indian woman smiled and it instantly eased some of Brian’s anxiety. “It’s good news. Andrew hasn’t suffered too badly. There’s no swelling and no depressed fracture of his skull. He does have some bruising where he impacted the ground, but there doesn’t appear to be any damage to his brain stem. All in all, the prognosis is good. We’re just waiting for him to wake up now. He’s being admitted into ICU. Once he’s settled in, you’ll be able to see him.”
Michael and Dr. Chandra left and Brian sagged back into Elle’s arms. “It is good news.”
“Why isn’t he waking up though?” Elle asked quietly.
Brian shrugged. “Could be lots of reasons. It’s mostly up to Andrew now.”
While Andrew was transferred to the intensive care unit, Elle called Carly and reported that the twins would be there as quickly as they could be. “I want to call James. He’d want to know. I won’t if you don’t want me to.”
It wasn’t even a consideration. “Call him. Andrew needs us all.”
Brian and Elle had relocated to the family lounge outside ICU when Carly and Troy arrived. Carly flew at him, dry eyed but shaking. Troy held back until Brian held a hand out to him, then the other man was hugging him and Carly both.
“What happened?” Troy asked, stroking his sister’s hair as she rested her head on his shoulder. “Elle just said he’d been hit by a bloke at work.”
“Can we wait until James is here? I don’t have the strength to tell it twice.”
They didn’t have to wait long. James appeared at the door to the small room, hesitant and wary. His eyes were wet, though. Elle stood and just gravitated towards him, like they were magnetised. His arms went around her and the tears fell.
“I can’t believe it. I was just talking to him like two hours ago . . .” He reached out and gripped Brian’s hand tightly. “Is he going to be okay?”
“Come and sit,” Brian said. “I’ll tell you what I know.”
Brian told him and the twins what he knew and once again, it was a waiting game. Andrew’s parents called to give Brian their flight number and arrival time, early the following morning. James took the information and said he would pick them up so Brian could stay with Andrew. Carly and Troy found vending machines and brought them drinks and snacks. Michael came up after his shift to offer his help with anything. He told Brian he’d put him down as Andrew’s partner, so he could go in and see him in ICU. Brian had done his rotation in ICU long enough ago the faces were only occasionally familiar, but they were all incredibly kind and considerate whenever he went and sat with Andrew.
Coming back from a short visit with Andrew, Brian found Troy in the corridor outside the family lounge.
“Anything?” Troy asked hopefully, then sagged against the wall when Brian shook his head. “It’s not good is it? Him not waking up.”
“It’s not great, no.” The sheer sadness in Troy’s whole body tugged at Brian. He was tired and emotionally wrung out, but the doctor in him wouldn’t rest it seemed. “Hey, his physical prognosis is good. Nothing much worse than the cut on his head and a concussion. He’s strong, he’ll pull through.”
Troy nodded, then peered at him from under the sagging sweep of hair over his forehead. “I’m really sorry about what happened at paintball. James shouldn’t have said what he did, and I shouldn’t have left it the way I did. Your sexuality is your business, no one else’s and, shit, it shouldn’t be a thing that needs to be discussed, you know? No one has to come out as hetero. It’s a stupid double standard.”
“Yeah, it is. Thanks for saying that.” Brian’s next words were out without him having to think about it. “But you’re kind of wrong. About it not being anyone else’s business. I’m bisexual and I want you all to know that because when Andrew’s awake and okay, we’re not going to hide our relationship anymore.”
Troy straightened and for a moment, Brian thought he was getting ready to run again. Then Troy smiled and stepped up for a bro-hug. “Thanks for telling me.”
They went back to the lounge and Brian calmly came out to the rest of his friends. He was hugged and kissed and James held on so long Brian started to give up hope of ever being free again.
It was when he was coming back from the toilet that James caught him alone.
“I spoke to Andrew this morning,” he said softly. “He set me straight on a few things and I’m sorry for everything I’ve said for, oh, about the past two months.”
Brian frowned. “Andrew told you off for being a jerk? Not Elle or anyone else?”
James’s laugh was short and rough. “Yeah. Caught me off guard. He’s not usually that direct.”
An image of Zach Greene tumbling over backwards on the oval flashed across Brian’s vision. “He can be.” There was pride in his words.
“Apparently. Anyway, he accepted my apology and we were . . . are all good.” Taking a deep breath, James said, “Brian, I’m sorry for how I reacted at the bach party. You guys are my brothers in every way that matters. I just want you to be happy.”
Already tender and exhausted, Brian just gave him a hug. “Feel better?”
“Dunno. You’re kinda holding on so tight no blood’s getting to my brain,” James muttered, but his tone was relieved.
“Fine.” Brian let him go. “Not that adequate blood flow usually helps your thinking process.”
“Guess not. Can you forgive me?”
Brian made him wait a few seconds, then said, “Nah . . . yeah.”
James punched his shoulder lightly and then dragged him back to the waiting room.
It was just after midnight and Brian was curled up on a couch, watching over his sleeping friends, when the intensivist came to get him.
“Andrew’s awake. He doesn’t remember the assault, though. We’ve told him what happened, but he’s just asking for you.”
Andrew appeared asleep when Brian was led into his room in the unit. The nurse at her station whispered, “He’s waiting for you.”
The chair Brian had been using was still next to the bed, so he sank into it and touched Andrew’s hand. Pale eyelids fluttered and then opened. He looked dazed and groggy still, like he’d been woken rudely from the deepest of sleeps.
“Hey,” Brian said softly. “Look who woke up.” He leaned in and kissed his cheek. “I’m so happy to see those beautiful brown eyes.”
Andrew frowned. “Who are you?”
Brian’s heart stuttered, then he saw the corner of Andrew’s mouth turn up slightly. “Oh you fuu . . . fire truck.” He almost cried in relief. “I told you not to scare me anymore.”
“Couldn’t resist.” His words were a bit slurred. “Don’t remember what happened.”
“That’s okay. You don’t need to.” Brian lifted Andrew’s hand and kissed his knuckles. “You just have to get better for me. I’ve got big plans for you.”