She hands him the papers while she speaks. Slowly, my heart rate returns to a regular pace as I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding in.
“You’re free to go today if you feel well enough. If you’d like further monitoring, you can stay through the night.”
Eryk purses his mouth. “No, thank you. I’d like to go home.”
She nods and stands. “I’ll let them know at the nurse’s station. Give us a call if you have any more fainting spells.”
“Thank you, Doctor Harris.”
She leaves, closing the door behind her.
Crystal takes the vacated stool and I step a couple feet closer to them.
“Well,” Crystal says.
“Well,” Eryk replies.
I nod. “Agreed.”
Eryk looks at me. “Thanks for being too busy boning in your room to come out and save me.”
My mouth falls open.
“I’m kidding,” he says, then laughs.
I cross my arms. “That’s not funny. I was scared to death, Eryk, and so was Simon.”
Eryk looks interested in the last part. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“He didn’t give me mouth to mouth, did he?”
“Almost.”
He snaps his fingers. “Damn. So close. If I ever faint again will you make sure to ask him to? And then get a picture of it. Oh, and post it on Facebook.”
Crystal grins. “And tag me in it.”
I unwrap my arms. “You two like him, huh?”
“There’s a hidden sweetness in him, Sydney,” Eryk says.
I cock my head and look at him. I’ve only seen Eryk be so serious a few times before, and it’s almost hard to believe he’s not joking.
“It came out today,” Crystal tells him. “You should have seen him in the waiting room, demanding to find out what was happening with you. He meant business.”
“Mm,” Eryk says. “Sexy.” His face grows serious and he looks at me. “You two should really be together.”
“It’s—”
“Complicated. Yeah, trust me, I got it. No one knows complicated like I do. But still, it’s just the way you are when you’re with him.”
Crystal speaks up. “It’s like a light shines right out of you.”
I look down at the floor, not knowing what to say to that.
Crystal takes the papers from the bed and studies the top one. “I hate to say I told you so, Eryk, but…”
“Yeah, yeah. Go ahead and say it.”
She looks at him over the top of the paper. “Every dietary thing you’re supposed to do for diabetes, you’ve been ignoring.”
He twists his lips. “I feel like an idiot.”
“No,” she quickly says. “That’s not what I meant.”
“You didn’t know,” I add.
Crystal nods vigorously. “Right. But now you do. And we can help you stay on track.”
Eryk looks from Crystal to me. “Thanks, you guys. You two are the shit.”
Someone else knocks on the door and a nurse comes in, telling Eryk he’s being discharged. He’s wearing a hospital gown, so Crystal and I leave the room so he can get changed into his regular clothes.
The three of us head for the waiting room together and, true to his word, Simon is there.
“How are you feeling?” he asks Eryk. “I just talked to one of the nurses. He told me your diagnosis.”
“Better,” Eryk says. “But still weak. Thank you.”
Simon gives a single nod. “You’re welcome. I have a car waiting outside to take you home.”
My roommates and I glance at each other, surprised at the announcement.
“I can drive him,” Crystal says.
“No,” Eryk interjects. “Having my own car sounds exciting.” He grins at her. A bit of the color has returned to his cheeks, although he still doesn’t look quite his usual self.
Simon talks to Crystal. “I didn’t know where you were going from here, and my car only seats two. I’m sorry if I intruded.”
“You didn’t,” she says.
“No,” I reply at the same time.
“Never,” adds Eryk.
With a shock, I realize we’re all staring at him.
Simon smiles lightly. “I’ll take you out there.”
Eryk extends his arm and Simon takes it, acting the part of the gentleman while Eryk makes a big show of leaning against him. Crystal and I follow them out through the sliding doors and into the parking lot.
The car is an SUV, much like the one Simon’s father rides around in. The driver opens the door for Eryk, and Simon helps him in then steps away. The three of us watch the car roll away.
Crystal pulls her car keys out of her purse. “I should go home to meet him there.”