In a good way.
Not in a bad, heart disease kind of way.
A loud, gasping noise that resembled something I once heard in a horror movie came out of Trey’s mouth.
I stood there, frozen, not knowing what was going on with him.
“My puppies?” he mumbled out—or at least that was what I thought I’d heard.
I rushed to the head of the bed and looked down at him. “Trey?” I asked cautiously, not knowing what kind of reaction I was going to get.
“Who do you think it is, kid?” he asked, wincing quite a bit. “Is it bright in here? Or is it just me?” He moved his arm carefully up to cover his eyes. “You know I love these dogs, but Christ, I feel like shit. Did I get run over by a truck or something?”
The puppies wanted attention, so I grabbed naughty Angel, and Beau hauled Gordie into his arms.
“Or something,” I said in response.
He lifted his arm off his face. “What?”
“You don’t remember the game? Rozovsky pushing you into the boards and our fun ambulance ride after?”
He thought about it for a minute as he gazed around the room. “For fuck sakes. That motherfucker, I’m going to bash his face in,” he said, attempting to sit up, but not getting terribly far before he gave up and laid back down, clearly in a lot of pain.
“Too late, Beau already did that for you. Twice,” I said, reaching down for his hand. “Can you move your toes for me?” I asked, smiling down at him, trying my best not to get too emotional right now.
“Yeah, can you?” he asked in his stubborn, sarcastic tone that I’d missed so much. Then he moved both of his feet under the blanket. He pulled his legs up, making both of the bags fall to the floor. “I’m so stiff and sore, fuck.”
I handed Angel to Beau, so I could concentrate more fully on Trey. “You had us all so worried, my friend.” I touched his scruffy cheeks with my hand. “I’m so glad you’re back. We missed you, terribly.” Then I hugged him, careful of his possible injuries.
“Umm, excuse me, what do you think you’re doing?” a nurse that I hadn’t heard come in asked.
I moved back and smiled up at her.
Her eyes immediately moved to Trey.
“I’ll get the doctor,” she said, then rushed out the door.