Page 82 of Overtime

“Well, that’s not what it looked like.”

“I know. I saw the video. I’m sorry I scared you.”

“It’s not your fault. That stupid giant fucking ogre of a bastard on the other hand better hope I never find him.”

“He was just doing his job,” I say softly.

“And I’ll just be doing mine when I kill him.”

I can’t help but laugh at that.

“All right. So what’s the protocol then?” Violet looks between me and Ben.

“Should have someone here to check on him but no need to wake him up. At least one of us should stay.”

“I’m staying,” Joss says immediately.

“You have an early flight.”

“I can stay with him,” Ben offers.

“No. I’m staying. I’ll figure out the rest of it, but I’m staying here.” She steps closer to me like she’s ready to fight if someone argues with her about it.

“All right, well maybe we’ll stay too, so we can all get some sleep.” Violet looks meaningfully between Ben and me, glancing at the back of Joss’s head as she buries her face into my shirt.

“Whatever you guys want to do is fine with me. There’s plenty of room.”

“We’ll stay. That way Joss has backup if she needs it.”

“All right. I just really need a shower right now. Haven’t gotten one yet.”

“I’m going with you,” Joss announces. “You could get dizzy or something and you shouldn’t be alone.”

“I’m fine.”

“She’s right, and I really don’t want to have to be your shower buddy. So let her go?” Ben gives me a look, and I realize it’s probably half because Joss has been worried all day. While I hate that she spent the day so worried, it feels good to know that she cares that damn much.

“Fine. I’ll submit to being treated like this for a few more hours. But by tomorrow can we please all just realize this was a mild concussion, and I’m fine?” I grumble.

No sooner I say it, I realize it won’t matter. At least not where Joss is concerned because she’ll be on a flight back to Europe. So far away it won’t matter what I’m doing here. I’ve lost most of my last night with her, and I was given strict instructions that I rest and not participate in any strenuous activities. A lecture the doctor felt he needed to punctuate with the clarity of, “That includes sex.” So my last night with her will be spent like most of the rest of this trip—barely being able to touch her.

“Agreed. Let’s get you cleaned up and in bed for some rest,” she says as she finally releases the tight hug she’s been holding me in.

“Do you know where everything you need is?”

“We’ll figure it out. Don’t worry.” Violet smiles at me.

I’m incredibly grateful right now that I have the friends that I do, and these three especially to be here for me when I’d otherwise be alone. I don’t know what I’d do without them.

After I take my shower,during which Joss patiently sits in a corner with her back turned to me for my “privacy” while she reads up on her phone how to care for concussion patients, she helps me into bed.

“Do you care if I sleep in here? I promise no touching, doctors’ orders will be obeyed. I can even sleep on the chair if you want. I just want to be close in case you need something.”

“Of course you can sleep in here. Jesus. If it’s my last night, you’re definitely sleeping with me. Just make sure you wake me up in the morning before you go.”

“I’m not going. I’ll be here in the morning.”

I pause pulling back the sheets to look up and stare at her. “What do you mean?”