Just Good Friends?

Chapter 32 - Holding back the pain

Cal

I'm sitting in a chair next to Mike's bed, when the door opens and in walks Bex and Nate.

"Hey Cal, how is he?" Bex looks much better than when I last saw her. She was totally exhausted after sitting by Mike's bedside, but she wouldn't give in.

"He's stable, no change which is good. How are you two?" I'm glad Joe sorted things with Nate. They have been friends since before they could speak, it was s**t seeing them fall out so badly, and over a misunderstanding too.

"Better after rest. Just need this dude to wake up now and start getting back to how it was" Nate looks rested but totally defeated. This issue with Mike really affected him badly. I've known for years that he's in love with Bex, I think we all knew, but we also knew he cared too much about Joe's friendship, and Bex for that matter, to act on it. "Hey Cal, any idea what's up with him?" Nate nods his head towards Mike. "I've been thinking about it over and over, and there was definitely something else up with him, not just what he had in his head about me and Bex".

"Honestly Nate, I don't know. He's been a bit distracted for a few days now, and hasn't wanted to go home, so I'm guessing it's a family thing. I was hoping to have a chat with him this weekend, as I've been so busy trying to sort things out for college, I haven't had the chance before that. Then this happened, I left it too late" if only I'd put him first like he would do with me, has done with me actually.

"This isn't on you Cal. Mike is his own worst enemy sometimes, he knew deep down nothing was going on with Nate, that was just an excuse. I think it has to do with his mums new boyfriend. He mentioned him last week, and a cloud came over his face. I was meaning to chat with him, but like you, I was distracted with everything that was going on around me" Bex pulls up the other chair and sits down.

"I'm going to leave you guys have some time alone OK, just let me know if there's any change. I'll be back to pick you up at 1pm Bex, you need to eat, and I can bring you back later then. And I'm taking your car" Nate smiles his cheeky grin and leaves before Bex can argue.

"I'll leave you to it" I stand up, kiss Bex quickly on the cheek, say bye to Mike and run after Nate.

.....

"Nate! Hold up mate!" I run down the hospital corridor and catch up with him. "You OK dude?"

"Yeah dude, just hard seeing him lying there. Plus I'm in so much pain right now, but don't want Bex to see that. I forgot my pain killers, so I need to get back to the house to get them" Nates face looks washed out.

"Give me the keys, I'm driving" I take the keys Nate holds out, and we jump in and head back to Joe and Bex house in silence.

.....

"Woah dude, what's happened to you!?" Joe grabs Nate as we head through the kitchen door, and he almost collapses and stumbles on to a stool.

"He hasn't taken his pain killers apparently, but I'm not so sure that's all it is. I think we need to call a doctor, or get him back to hospital. If I'd realised he was this bad, I would of got him seen by someone when we were there, not brought him back here" I'm so angry at myself for not seeing it, but Nate was bad. I'm wondering if he's picked up an infection in one of his wounds.

"No, I'm fine, just pass me my pain meds please" He's holding his side where his worst wound is.

"At least let me look at that mate, come on, please"

"OK, but give me the meds first. This is f*****g agony!" Nate is getting really snappy now, so Joe passes them over and fills a glass with water for him too. Nate is sweating with the pain now, and I move him on to the sofa in the den so he can lie down and I can take a look at the wound properly.

I remove the dressing that's on it, and find it has wept a little. I clean it up gently, but relief floods through me when I realise there is no infection. He must have twisted and popped a couple of stitches, that's what caused the pain and weeping from the wound.

"Just rest there for a while ok dude. Im going to ring the hospital and check if they want us to bring you in, or if I can just put some steri-strips on" I've taken a photo, and head back out to the kitchen where Joe is pacing back and forth.

"He's fine dude, don't sweat it. I'm just going to ring the hospital quickly though" I head outside where Joe can't disturb me, and ring the hospital. 5 minutes later, I get my answer and head back in.

"Joe, can you grab me some steri-strips from your first aid box, and some more gloves please. Hospital say its fine, just keep an eye on him" I patch up Nate, and leave him sleep. The pain he was in exhausted him.

"I'm going to take Bex car back to the hospital to pick her up ok. Nate told her he'd be there for her at 1pm, so she could eat, but I don't want to wake him now. Just keep an eye on him. I'll take Bex for a burger or something" I grab Bex car keys off the work top and head out.

"Cal!" Joe come running after me, and gives me a shoulder hug. "Thanks dude. You know, you're gonna make a pretty s**t hot doctor! I totally freaked out then when I saw him collapse, some f*****g friend I am" he looks totally defeated.

"It was scary, I get it. Go back in and sit with him" I jump in the car and head back to the hospital. At least I can do something to help in this shitty time.

.....

"Where's Nate?" Bex asks when I let myself in to Mike's hospital room.

"He was in quite a bit of pain when we left here, so I let him sleep and came to pick you up myself. Now, let's go for that burger, or Nate will kick my ass" I laugh, trying to get a smile out of her, but it doesn't work.

"Is he ok? I'd rather go straight back to check on him, then I'll come back here later" she looks so torn. Not wanting to leave Mike's side, but wanting to check on her friend too. It was heartbreaking to watch her torture herself.

"Tell you what, we'll compromise a little bit. We'll get a drive through, and head back to the house. I'm sure the others will want food too. Harry is probably there by now. But I think you should stay away from here till tomorrow. If there is any change, you'll be told, but you need some time out Bex. Both you and Nate do. Me too for that matter! Joe and Harry can check in on Mike this evening, I can go home and spend some time with my family, and you and Nate can chill out or something ok" I say it softly but firmly, not giving her much choice to go against me.

The doctor comes in then and turns to Bex.

"Hi Bex, you look tired. Go home and rest, big day tomorrow" she smiles warmly at Bex, and takes hold of her hand. "We will be attempting to bring Mike out of his coma. We believe he is stable enough, and strong enough to hold his own now, and think this is the perfect time. You can't do anything for him here today. Go, rest, have a little fun, come back tomorrow afternoon and we will begin the process ok" she smiles again and leaves us alone.

"You heard her, let's go" I grab Bex by the hand and pull her out of the room and away from Mike.