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CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

CALLAN

T he doctors wanted to keep visitors to a minimum in those initial forty-eight hours. At first, I refused to leave until they’d let me in to see him. Teammates came and went, leaving wee gifts for Baird and his family. His grandparents arrived too.

Then Beth’s parents showed up with Elle, and the three of them were carrying enough food to feed an army. Now that I knew Baird would be all right, I ate.

Her parents didn’t stick around long, just made sure we were okay and fed. I got a hug from Joss and Elle, and a comforting pat on the back from Braden.

“Call us if you need anything,” Beth’s dad had said, meaning it.

Finally, I got to see Baird.

It was weird seeing my mate, this larger-than-life bloke, laid out on a hospital bed. There were odd, dark circles around his eyes, especially his right, and that side of his head was swollen. He looked pale and helpless, and I fucking hated it.

“Am I pretty?” Baird asked groggily as I sat down next to him.

I burst out laughing, but it turned into choked tears.

Bowing my head over his bed, I shook, trying to get a hold of myself.

I felt his hand rest on the back of my head.

We didn’t say anything.

We just stayed like that for a while until I felt like I could breathe again.