Page 9 of The Best of Friends

He raised his arms and linked his fingers behind his head. “Damn. Did Rebecca tell you about that stick up my ass? Because I got it taken out a while ago. There’s barely a scar.”

She laughed, then groaned when her wrist throbbed.

He dropped his arms and half came out of his seat. “I’m sorry. I’ll stop talking.”

“Probably a good idea.”

“Because I can’t help being funny. It’s just the kind of guy I am.”

She waved her free hand and focused on the pain for a second. That took care of any lingering need to chuckle.

Rebecca burst into the room. “Are you all right? Is that a cast? Dear God, what happened?” She rushed toward the bed and hugged Jayne, then jumped back. “Can I do that? Did I hurt you?” She flicked her fingers at David. “I need to sit there. I’m the friend.”

“As my queen commands,” he said, standing up and grinning at Jayne. “She’s always been bossy.”

“I know.”

Rebecca perched on the edge of the chair, leaned forward, and took Jayne’s uninjured hand in hers. “Talk to me. Are you all right?”

“I will be.”

She turned to her brother. “This is all your fault.”

“Me? What did I do?” He glanced at Jayne. “You gotta protect me, here, Jayne. Tell her I’m innocent. And suffering. There wasn’t even a parade to welcome me. You’re not the only one dealing with something bad.”

“He can be punished later,” Rebecca said. “I can’t believe this.”

“Me, either,” Jayne said, hoping she could leave soon. She was ready to be out of the emergency room, not to mention away from both the Worden siblings. Together they were a little too intense for her.

“You can’t be sick,” Rebecca said earnestly. “I need you.”

“I’m not sick. I’m broken. There’s a difference.”

Rebecca winced. “That sounds worse. What happens now?”

“They release me, and I get to go home.”

“I’ll take you.” Rebecca squeezed her fingers. “We’ll go to my place. I’ll take care of you.”

David snorted. “I’d pay money to see that.”

“Ignore him,” Rebecca said. “We’ll go by your place and pick up a few things, then I’ll take you to my condo. It’s great. You’ll love the view. We can watch people on the beach and mock them.”

“Good times,” Jayne said weakly, knowing Rebecca taking care of her would be anything but restful. “I’ll actually be fine on my own. I’d prefer it. I just want to sleep. A good night’s sleep will make everything better.”

Behind Rebecca, David raised his eyebrows, as if remembering the cheerful doctor’s claim that there was no sleep to be had. She stared at him, willing him to keep quiet.

“As for driving me, you don’t have to,” she continued, earnestly. “You’re busy settling in. I don’t want to get in the way of that. I’ll take a cab home.”

Rebecca sighed. “You’re always thinking about other people. Stop it. This is why you get stuck doing so much crap for my mother. You’ve hurt yourself. You need to be fussed over. I know how to do that.”

“Technically, you know how to have it done to you,” David murmured.

“Do you hear a buzzing sound?” Rebecca asked. “It’s annoying. I wonder if there’s a way to make it stop.”

“I’ll be fine on my own,” Jayne began again, but Rebecca shook her head. Blond curls tumbled artfully… like in a conditioner commercial.

“No way.”