Page 96 of Sixty Meters Under

“Hey, babe,” Maya greeted him and got tangled in her own legs, almost falling face down. She clumsily stumbled on the bed beside him and gave him a sheepish smile. “Sorry.”

“Hey…” Björn tried to act normal. He didn’t want to ruin her good mood.

Oh, boy. She’s stoned.

“Are you finally going to be released today?”

“Yeah. I’ll have one more checkup after this thing drips out,” Björn said and glanced at the infusion fluid.

“That’s great news. From now on I should do a better job of keeping an eye on you,” she said playfully.

Björn sighed and put his hand behind her back and around her shoulders. “Yeah. You should.”

She giggled and gave him a tight hug.

“But what did I tell you about dru–?”

“About what?” she interrupted him, seemingly not even bothered to listen.

Björn wanted to finish his thought, but he heard the door open. The sound of heavy steps followed, and they both looked towards the newcomer.

Lennart stopped by the bed. “I need to talk to you.”

“Talk to who, exactly?” Björn asked.

“I have a few questions for Maya. But it’s good to have both of you in the same room.”

Lennart looked at him then at Maya. As his eyes scanned her features, he took a step closer and narrowed his eyes.

“Is she…?”

Seeing her smiling face and dropped lids made Lennart frown.

“Are youonsomething?” he finished.

Björn looked at his brother sternly and said, “She just loves to drink wine when she’s alone. That’s all.”

“Wine you say?” Lennart raised his eyebrow.

“Yeah.”

“Mhm.” Maya nodded but her eyes were unfocused.

Maya turned pale and Björn shook his head. “What do you mean?”

“I’m just going to check your room. That’s all.”

“But she was probably drinking at the bar. There might be no bottles in our room. Right, Maya? You were at the bar?”

“Uh?” Maya looked at Björn, visibly confused, but confirmed. “Y-yeah.”

“I said I’m going to check your room. End of discussion. Maya is coming with me,” Lennart added and waited for Maya to get up. She hesitated but obeyed.

“No. Wait.” Björn grunted while freeing his hand. He knew how to do it; he had learned it from the nurses. He got to his feet and headed after them.

Björn didn’t want to let Maya go all by herself. If his brother found what she used, he would automatically assume he was a consumer as well.

He reached Lennart and blocked his way. “Wait. Who gives you permission to search the room? It’s my room too. Not only hers.”