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Thierry

I closed my eyes. Of course, there’d been one. Before he even said a word, I knew who it was about. “Derrick Whitlock?”

“It seems he’s been trying to get up here to see you for the last few days and was denied entry again today.” Cobi stepped closer to the bed. “Said your friends are keeping him from your side and abusing you.”

I’d have laughed if I could’ve mustered the gumption. “Glad you’re here.” I changed the subject. “Do you know anything about a PomPom app?”

He stared at me for a moment, then nodded. “We’ve been hearing some rumblings from the cybercrimes division. Why?”

“Derrick, put it on my phone,” I admitted. “We found it right before you came in.”

Pope handed over his phone. “Here it is. I took a screenshot to show you. My friend said unless you investigate the forensics of Derrick’s phone, you’d have never found it, even if we kept it on Thierry’s phone.”

Cobi nodded. “Heard that too. The fucking app is worse than SnapChat .”

“I’ve been trying to figure out how he kept finding me before all this happened.” I tried to adjust my position, but with all the needles and wires, I was stuck where I was until someone moved me.

“Can I make a suggestion?” Cobi said, handing Pope his phone back.

“Always,” I replied.

“Don’t go home alone. I already advised the hospital to put Derrick on trespass.” Cobi glanced at Pope. “Make sure when you leave here, Derrick isn’t around.”

Pope nodded.

“Until then, should you need us...”

“Thanks.” I wouldn’t. I had Pope and my parents. If anything, I could always go back to their house for a few weeks to heal up and let the current drama blow over. This was Derrick. I’d gotten used to his antics. That’s where I’d gone wrong, too. I saw the red flags and made excuses.

“Lean on us,” Cobi stated, squeezing my shoulder. “You’ve been part of our family for a long time, both of you. If you need anything, call. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some trash to take out.”

“Wait,” Pope said before Cobi turned to walk away, “The app colors are green and purple. Green is the stalker part of the app. Purple is the victim.”

“Thanks for a heads up. Might just need to look at Derrick’s phone before he leaves.” Cobi exited the room, leaving me to wonder what the hell I’d gotten myself into.

“Sorry,” I muttered.

“Don’t be sorry,” Pope said. “Derrick is a big boy. He can take care of himself.”

It wasn’t just that. Pope had a business to run. He had a life outside of being at this hospital. He was giving up his ability to make money to be here. “You should go home. I know you have shit to do. I can get my mom and dad to sit with me or someone.”

Pope shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. I have everything covered.”

“Can I at least pay you for your time?” I winced before I even finished saying the sentence.

“Are you my sugar daddy now?” Pope quirked a brow. “How much you gonna pay me, Thier?”

I shook my head. “Blame the drugs. I’m sorry that was rude of me. I don’t want you worrying about your bills. Or me.”

“Well, too late for that,” he muttered. “I don’t think I’ll get over you falling like that for a long time.”

Guilt ate at me. “I’m sorry. I don’t... I can’t imagine what you must have felt.”

“You know, I thought I would freak out,” he said. “Go into some fight or flight mode. Instead, I was calm.”

“I’m also sorry for running away like I did,” I added. Figured it was best to address the elephant in the room than to let things fester. “I could use a million excuses for why I left like I did and didn’t answer your text, but they’d all be ridiculous reasons.”

“Have to admit,” Pope murmured, “didn’t feel too good waking up to an empty bed. I wanted to be mad at you. Hate you. Then I saw a photo of you and Derrick...”

“I’m screwing all this up.” I exhaled.

“Well, I’m here, and I’m going to continue to be here for you. The way I see it, we’ve got time.” Pope took my hand.

“Maybe.” I nodded, then yawned. “Whatever they’re giving me knocked me on my ass.”

Pope chuckled. “Good. You needed the rest. When you wake up again, I’ll be here.”

I nodded. Sure, he would. “Thanks, Pope. I’ve missed you.”

I could have sworn as my eyes drifted closed, he said the same, but that was wishful thinking on my part. In a few days he’d go back to his life, and I’d have to pick up the pieces of what was left of mine.

“Good morning, Thierry,” Dr. Jay said, walking into the room as my physical therapist helped me out of bed. “Today’s the day you’re breaking out of here.”

Relief flooded me. What started as a week-long stay became two weeks when the septicemia hadn’t resolved itself after the many, many rounds of antibiotics.

Dr. Jay reassured me it was part of the healing process while reminding me, this time the full spectrum antibiotics attacked and cleared the infection which took a little time because of how sick I’d been.

He’d also gone in and done a small biopsy of the area to be sure he’d gotten everything while the nurses and staff kept a constant watch on the drain for my knee.

“Freedom,” I said. “Finally.”

He chuckled softly. “I have those peer review studies if you’d like a copy.”

“I would. How bad is it?” I questioned, balancing myself on my new set of ergonomic crutches.

“Pretty straightforward,” he replied. “If you decide to pursue anything, I’m at your disposal.”

“Thank you,” I replied, joining my therapist at the door. “So, when can I break out?”

Dr. Jay grinned. “When you get back from PT. I’m drawing up your discharge papers now.”

“Even better.”

For the next hour I went through the exercises from the beginning.

Felt like only a few months ago I was here learning to use my leg after the accident.

This time, at least I had the mechanics of using my artificial knee down pat.

I wouldn’t say, however, it was easier. None of this was.

Once more I was dependent on people to help me.

When I returned to the room, Pope was already there and had the paperwork in his hand.

My bag sat on the bed, along with a small white prescription bag.

He stood when I entered and crossed to me, concern filling his features.

I was fine, just tired. Felt like I ran the IronMan Triathlon.

When, in reality, all I’d done was use a stationary bike and walk on a treadmill.

“You ready to go or do you need to rest a moment?”

Just the thought of sitting on that bed again made me feel gross.

The first time I showered was day five. Once I was cleared to stand on my own with supervision nearby, I’d taken two a day, needing to clean the hospital gunk off me.

Which only seemed to return when I laid in that bed.

“I’d rather get the hell out of here. I’m going stir crazy staring at these four beige walls. ”

“There’s a window,” Pope said, hooking his thumb toward the blind-covered window.

“Fine, three and a half beige walls, and a parking lot.” I tilted my head. “Better?”

He snickered and grabbed my things. “I hope you don’t mind, but I stocked your apartment with stuff I knew you’d need.”

“I’ll pay you back,” I replied. “You didn’t have to do all that.”

“Don’t insult me,” he said, holding the door open while I exited. At the same moment, one of the many nurses who cared for me, stopped in front of us with a wheelchair. “Right on time. Your chariot awaits.”

I groaned. I’d rather walk out under my own power than ride in a damn wheelchair, but I’d also worked my ass off for the last hour. I slumped down into the seat and held the crutches in front of me as she rolled me down the hall to the elevator.

By the time we left the hospital I wanted a nap.

I must’ve had selective amnesia, because I didn’t remember being this damn exhausted the last time.

Then again, I also didn’t have sepsis the last time nor had I lost seven pounds in two weeks, either.

My stomach rumbled in agreement with my assessment.

“Good thing I planned on grabbing us lunch, huh?” Pope glanced at me as we sat beside each other in my truck. The smile he threw my way, twisted my insides.

“Yeah, thanks. I’m beginning to realize I can’t judge this surgery from the last. Everything is different.”

“Suppose it would be,” he replied. “Now what do you want to eat?”

Anything would complicate matters but as we drove toward the freeway, I caught a glimpse of Flame out the passenger window. “ Flame .”

“Can do.” Pope turned on his blinker and drove around the block. At the driveway, he pulled in and found a spot close to the door. “I can go in and get the order to-go if you want.”

“I’ll go with you, if you don’t care. I need to stretch.”

Once inside, Mack joined us at the bar while we waited for our meal to be prepared.

Felt almost normal being there. Watching Pope, I couldn’t wrap my mind around why he wanted to help me.

The last time we had a real conversation about things, he told me he needed time.

Then everything got twisted and fucked. Now, I felt like I’d gone back to walking on eggshells around him, not sure what he expected from me or if he expected anything at all.

“I’m staying with Thierry for the time being,” Pope said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“What?” He’d made the offer in front of Cobi because of Derrick, I thought. Never believing he’d follow through.

“That’s my cue to go check on your meal,” Mack said. “Great seeing you again, Thierry. I’ll tell Ireland you’re out of the hospital.”

Why would... Never mind. I cut my gaze to Pope who watched me with an intensity that seared my nerve endings. “Why are you staying with me?”

“To help,” he replied, then motioned between us. “I know what I said last time about this. Cut me some slack, okay? This is all unfamiliar territory, and I’m way out of my depths still.”