Page 5 of Healing Conviction
“Always surprised to see me, huh? Even after all this time,” Matt teased, but Nora’s eyes darted to Draco’s and Melly’s.
Even though Nora’s physical responses were less than enthusiastic, Matt’s words were a reminder that the two of them had a history together that Draco couldn’t compete with. Draco stared at the floor. It was too hard watching them together.
Of course, Matt was clueless about the way Draco felt and always forced him into pointless conversation. “So, Mr. Heklason. Melly. How are y’all doin’ this mornin’?”
Fucking Nice Guy Matt.
At first Draco had believed the guy was a sadistic son of a bitch who loved seeing Draco squirm. But over time, it became apparent that the guy’s ‘charming act’ was genuine. He was the whole package: good-looking, smart, and kind.
Draco hated him.
Apparently while Draco had been busy wasting his life in a coma, Nora had gotten friendly with all the hospital staff, including his own nurse, Matt. From the bright smile on the guy’s face and the way he held her to his chest, they’d gottenveryfriendly.
“Matt, I was gonna meet you in the cafeteria.” Nora hugged herself while Matt’s side hug lingered. “I just wanted to visit with Drake and Melly first.”
“It’s… um, good to see you, though, Matt. You should come by more often.” Melly’s puppy doggish eyes blinked nervously as she spoke. Nora’s head tilted and Draco could practically see the gears turning behind her rose gold frames. “You know, because of, uh, Nora’s visits and stuff.”
Matt smiled genuinely at her and nodded before focusing his attention back on Nora. “I should! Anyway, I knew she would stop by, and I got to leave my shift early so I thought I’d walk her to the cafeteria.”
“Cafeteria food. Delicious,” Draco muttered under his breath, although not quietly enough apparently since everyone laughed.
“Yeah, you should try their vegetarian options.” Nora stuck her tongue out in disgust. “I tend to stick with the mac n’ cheese and call it a day.”
Matt’s smile shined like fluorescents. “It’s not about the food, though, right, babe? It’s all about the company.” Nora gave him a pasted-on smile, but he didn’t seem to realize the difference and kept grinning back. “Plus, this way I can check up on Mr. Heklason’s recovery, too. How’s the PT goin’?”
Draco only grunted in response. Was he being an asshole? Sure. But no one had ever accused him of beingnicelike Matt. If that’s what Nora was into, then Draco was shit out of luck.
“Whoa, don’t talk my ear off.” Matt’s smile dimmed before he laughed and cleared his throat. “Um, we’re rootin’ for ya. I heard that your doctor said you can go home today? Bet you’re excited, huh?”
Nora’s eyes widened and shot to Draco. The genuine happiness on her face was contagious. “For reals? You get to be outpatient now? Oh my gods and goddesses and the other entities, I am so effing stoked for you, Drake! That’s amazing that you’re getting out so—” She stopped mid-sentence and wheeled around to point an accusatory finger at Matt. “Wait, I know he’s doing well, but how’s he getting out so soon? If he’s not ready, he should stay safe and keep working.”
Draco’s chest ached at her concern. It’d been a long time since anyone cared for him like that. “I’ll be fine, Nora.”
Her bottom lip was shaking and the worry on her face was palpable. “Of courseyouthink that. But what if you fall? Or regress? I read somewhere that can happen to quick healers! Or what if—”
“He’s good to go,” Melly interrupted. “It’s crazy early, I’ll admit, but I told the doc myself that I’d sign off on it. As long as Draco does his work at home and comes to his therapy appointments, he’ll be right as rain in no time. He’s better than most ‘healthy’ people already.”
Hearing it from Melly must’ve helped convince her, because Nora’s face lit up again. Her emerald-green eyes watered with relief, but he could see her trying to bottle up her emotions even as they threatened to pour from her. Draco reached for her hand, suddenly needing to hold her, only to have Matt get there first.
Matt moved her body to face his, but her eyes were the last to follow, holding on to Draco’s until Matt began to speak. When he did, it was obvious the guy had misread her cues.
“Hey, don’t do that, babe. Don’t be sad. This is a good thing.”
No shit. She knows this is a good thing, moron.
She waved him off and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Iknowthat.” Her tone nearly mirrored the one in Draco’s head, making him almost laugh out loud. “These are happy tears. I just can’t believe it. I was so afraid for so long that this kind of news would never happen.”
Her grateful tears made him want to tug her close. She was stiff as Matt tried to comfort her and Draco’s fingers itched to hold her in his arms.
Fuck it.
“Come here, Pix.” Taking a chance, he tugged her by the hand, loving the way she welcomed his embrace. She wrapped her arms around his torso, and thanks to his seated position on the bench, she was able to fit her head underneath his chin.
“I am so glad you’re okay, Drake.”
“Pix?” Matt whispered.
“It’s what he calls her,” Melly answered. “Pixie. You know, ‘cause she’s Tinker Bell-sized compared to him.”