“He’s going to be fine.” Hudson’s hand settled on his leg again, heavy and warm.
“Yeah. I hope so.” He huffed out a breath. “Thanks for coming with. I appreciate it.”
He hated waiting alone.
“Of course. Where else would I be? He’s your oldest friend, right?”
“Yeah. We’ve been together on the road a lot of years.” And he thought there was only another two or three years left in Mackey’s career, if he was honest.
They parked, and Hudson handed him back his phone once he shut off the engine. “I’ll follow you.”
Follow him? Hudson had no reason to follow—not at all. “Grab your Coke. I ain’t ashamed of having you with me.”
Hudson stared at him for a second, looking confused, but that disappeared and he got a smile instead. “Okay.” Hudson grabbed his Coke and hopped out of the cab.
They headed in, finding Sid and Tommy waiting together, the twins heading in with candy bars and Cokes.
“Y’all. How is he? Y’all know Hudson?”
“Hudson.” Tommy nodded.
Sid stuck out his hand. “We haven’t met. I’m Sid.”
Hudson shook it. “I’ve heard about you though. Good to meet you. Mackey took quite a hit.”
“I was just with him, and he’s a little rattled. They’re putting in a couple stitches, and he’s grumpy, but I think they’ll let him go soon.” Sid sighed. “Right after I texted you, he was cursing, and he tried to get up.”
“Puked all over the damn floor too.” Tommy rolled his eyes. “Bet they’re going to try and pull him for tomorrow.”
“Glad he’s sleeping with you, Sid.” Because Jack wasn’t interested in dealing with pissed-off Mackey.
“Lucky me!” Sid laughed, but it wasn’t really genuine. Jack could sense the tension underneath it. Puking wasn’t good, not for Mackey, and if sports med didn’t pull him, Sid would probably insist anyway.
It wasn’t his to handle.
A roar sounded from the back, and Jack knew that sound. “Sid, buddy, you’d best go get him before he tears out his IV.”
“Yep,” Sid answered and took off at a jog.
“Wow.” Hudson’s gaze followed Sid down the hall.
Tommy let out a laugh so loud every head in the waiting room turned to stare. “Wow…”
“He has a temper, does our Mackey.” Jack rolled his eyes. Not that he was gentle or nothing, but still…
Tommy shook his head. “He does not like anyone, especially doctors, telling him what to do.”
“Mmm. Stubborn. Who else do I know who is like that?” Hudson winked at him.
He fluttered his eyelashes. “Moi? I’m as easygoing as…” He couldn’t think of a single thing. “…an easygoing thing.”
Sid texted him, the phone vibrating in his hand.
Sid
He’s fine. You guys go ahead. He appreciates that you’re here, but he doesn’t want to see anybody tonight. Not sure yet about tomorrow, Doc is saying no.
He glanced at Tommy. “You get that?”