Chapter 9

Nick’s face had taken on a shade that reminded A.J. of the screaming face in that famous picture with the hands shaped like tentacles held stiff to its cheeks. With this amusing thought as reassurance, he was able to calm his rapid heartbeat a few scales.

The nurse cleared her throat discreetly and looked at Kevin. “A Mercy Hospital is calling for Howie,” she said importantly.

Howie shook his head, backing away a few inches. His eyes were wide in abject fear. Brian frowned and wrapped an arm around him, sending an unreadable look to Kevin.

Nodding at his cousin, Kevin took the phone from her and held it to his ear. “Hello?” he said with a touch of bitterness seeping into his voice.

A.J. watched Kevin’s face with an expression resembling that of an eagle’s piercing glare. A.J. pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head as an attempt to catch Kevin’s eye with his own. For a fleeting second, Kevin’s emerald gaze flitted over to the rebel’s questioning – not to mention partly menacing – eyes. As soon as Kevin saw the fury in A.J.’s eyes, though, he looked away. A.J. fumed, suddenly finding the idea of a restraining order on Mercy Hospital tempting and realistic.

“Yeah, he’s here.” Howie’s expression turned weak. “No, he can’t. Yes, I’m sure. He can’t hear me, okay?” A.J. bit a sharp breath back, shutting his eyes. Whatever it was couldn’t be good if the hospital wanted to make sure Howie couldn’t hear them. “Just get on with it,” Kevin barked, making both Nick and Brian jump involuntarily. “Yes, I remember. You said he had three months left. Well, we came to this new hospital in Florida and they’re saying–” Kevin paused, apparently cut off. His eyes narrowed. “The hospital here is telling us your judgment is basically unreliable.” Another pause. “Do you have proof?”

Turning his head away, Howie winced. Catching Howie’s subtle attempt to try hiding his pain, A.J. reached over and grasped his arm. Howie brought a hand to his ribcage, making a face. Brian frowned and craned his neck downward, nudging Howie’s arm with his free hand. Howie looked a little pale, probably the result of the stale hospital atmosphere, A.J. reasoned, mostly to reassure himself.

“Take him outside,” A.J. told Brian quietly.

Brian nodded and led his older band mate through the automatic doors, casting one last glimpse at Kevin before both he and Howie vanished from view.

A.J. turned back to Kevin, eyes intense.

Kevin appeared to be listening to the voice on the other end. His eyes dilated. It gave the Greek-looking singer a sort of petrified look in addition to the sickly white his skin had paled to. With a sharp twist of his head, Kevin stared at the very doors Howie and Brian had left out of. He swallowed hard. A.J.’s insides turned to ice.

“He…he just… He just left… No. He left with my cousin. I can see them. They-oh shit.” He dropped the phone and darted out the doors, nearly slamming into the second pair as they swooshed open.

A.J. and Nick exchanged helpless, terrified looks before running after their older band mate. The sight they were greeted with was not a pleasant one.

Howie was having a heart attack.