Page 32 of From the Start

“Don’t you have some shenanigans to pull?”

I turn my pockets inside out to show her they’re empty. “I’m all out of shenanigans.”

“I’m serious, Kai. I’m fine.”

“What about your dad?”

Her face crumbles. “I don’t know. They haven’t told me anything.”

“I’ll ask.”

“They won’t tell you anything.”

“I’m going to try anyway.” I kiss her cheek before standing and sauntering to the reception desk. I give the receptionist – an elderly woman named Moira, whom I’ve met a time or two – my biggest smile.

“No,” she says before I can speak.

“You don’t know what my question is.”

She lifts an eyebrow. “But I do know you, Kai Raider. And you’re not bleeding or vomiting. Have a seat and wait.”

I open my mouth to question her more but notice Dr. Allens walking my way. My smile widens. “Dr. Allens.”

She sighs. “Who’s injured today?”

“No one. I’m actually worried about my friend’s dad. She’s been waiting a while and is really worried.”

I motion toward Harper, who is now pacing the waiting room.

“This is Henry’s daughter?”

“Yes,” I say, although I don’t know Harper’s dad’s name. I’m guessing he’s the only man with a worried daughter in the ER at the moment.

“She can come through.”

“Harper.” I motion her over and she rushes to me.

“Follow me,” Dr. Allens says.

I capture Harper’s hand and she squeezes. Squeeze as hard as you want, Harper. I’m here and I’m not leaving you, no matter how many times you ask me to.

Dr. Allens opens a door and motions us inside. There’s a man asleep on the bed. He’s hooked up to various machines and has a cast on one arm.

Harper drops my hand and rushes to him. “Why is he unconscious?”

“He’s not unconscious,” the doctor explains. “He’s sleeping. We gave him a powerful dose of painkillers.”

“Powerful dose? Was he in a lot of pain? What’s wrong?”

The doctor motions to his arm. “He broke his arm and pulled his shoulder out of the joint.”

I wince. My shoulder’s been pulled out of the joint once. It was more painful than breaking it. “Ouch.”

“Can I take him home? Does he need to stay overnight? He’s going to lose his mind if he has to stay in the hospital overnight.”

Dr. Allens chuckles. “He told me in no uncertain terminology he was not staying overnight, no matter what.”

Harper sighs. “That’s my dad for you.”