“What are they doing?” she asked as he stopped. They were partially hidden behind a hideous plastic potted plant.
She spotted Kiesha, Isa, Cleo, Juliet, O’Ryan, Loki, and even the guy from the motel room next to her. What on Earth . . .
She’d been a bit sad that no one had visited her while she was in the hospital. She’d figured that the friendships they’d struck up had been just a one-night thing. Alcohol inspired. Or maybe that they’d been annoyed by the fact that she wouldn’t open the door or answer any calls the next day.
Xavier sighed. “For God’s sake, they’re going to have Mary-Lee coming for my head if they keep this up.”
“Why are they arguing? Is there someone here they’ve come to see?”
He moved around the wheelchair and crouched down next to her. “They’re here to see you, sweetheart.”
“But why? None of them have visited.”
He winced. “My fault. I asked everyone to stay away to let you rest. They can be a bit overpowering.”
Yeah, no kidding.
“I’m her bestie, she’s coming home with me,” Kiesha suddenly yelled. “That’s final.”
“Well, I think she should come home with me,” Loki said, shocking her. “I owe her for the misunderstanding the other night.”
Misunderstanding, her ass. But as she listened to them all fight over her, part of the pain she’d been holding close faded away.
“She can come home with me,” Cleo announced. “I have a spare bedroom and I’m not as noisy as the rest of you. Kiesha will play her music too loud and Loki scares her.”
“Are they all arguing over . . . “
“Taking you home, yep. By the way, I’d totally win that argument if I didn’t have to work.” He winked at her and she gaped at him.
She turned back to the group in time to see Juliet whisper something to O’Ryan. She had her hand twisted in his shirt. He grimaced then stared down at Juliet. She nudged him.
“Juliet said that she wants Georgie to come home with her.”
Everyone went silent and stared at Juliet. Georgina did too. Why would she want Georgina to go home with her? The silent woman wouldn’t even be able to speak to her. She was amazed she was even here.
O’Ryan looked slightly ill as he said the next part. “She said Reuben offered to come home and help her care for her friend.”
“Jesus, didn’t see that coming,” Xavier muttered.
Everyone gaped at Juliet then Kiesha shook her head. “That’s a kind offer, Juliet, but I, umm, I don’t think it’s necessary to have Reuben come all the way here. He’s busy at work.”
“We hope,” Xavier muttered.
“And she’s coming home with me,” Kiesha said.
That sent them all off arguing again. Georgina winced. “What am I going to do?”
“Do?”
“Well, I can’t go home with any of them.”
“Why not? I’d prefer you go home with someone than be on your own. And here they all are, arguing over who gets to keep you.” Xavier’s lips twitched.
“I’m not a darn dog,” she muttered. “And why is the guy from the motel here?”
“Remy? Didn’t I tell you? He helped Ed search for you.”
“He did? But I don’t even know him.”