Page 101 of Played By Design

“Not yet.”

Kain waits before settling back onto the bed, though he doesn’t lie down, and we lock into a glare, neither of us relenting, until the door opens.

William walks in carrying a white pharmacy bag, his lab coat replaced by jeans and a creased button-up, looking like he slept in his car.

His attention lands on Kain, taking in Kain’s hair matted on one side and dark stubble shadows his jaw. “Well. Look who finally decided to rejoin us.”

Kain’s eyes narrow. “You look terrible.”

William snorts. “Does being in the hospital turn you both into assholes?”

Kain frowns at him. “Bunny would never be an asshole.”

“Sure. You just keep believing that.” William comes farther into the room. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I got mugged.”

“Good. Your memory is working.”

Kain’s brow furrows. “Some of it. I remember leaving the house for dinner and getting to Stackers. The parking lot is...pieces. I don’t remember if I got to the order window.”

William sobers, but he doesn’t push.

Kain turns to me. “Did you eat dinner?”

Of course that’s what he asks first. He’s better at keeping pets than I was. “Yes.”

His shoulders loosen.

William arches an eyebrow in my direction.

I glare at him before he can say anything.

His mouth twitches.

“Here.” He holds out the pharmacy bag. “Pain meds and anti-inflammatory. The dosing schedules are on the bottles.”

I snatch it from his fingers and open the bag to check each prescription. Three bottles, all with Kain’s name, all filled this morning.

Kain reaches for the bag. “Here, I’ll take care of that⁠—”

I pull it away. “I’m managing your health bar.”

His eyebrows rise. “Bunny…”

“I’m managing your health bar,” I repeat, shoving the bag into the front pocket of my hoodie.

William chokes back a laugh. “Fair play.”

Kain watches me for several seconds before letting his hand fall to the bed. “All right, Bunny. Whatever makes you feel better.”

“The doctor will be in soon,” William says into the awkward silence. “I called ahead. They’re fast-tracking the discharge paperwork.”

A few minutes later, the attending physician arrives with a clipboard and a penlight.

She’s brisk, efficient, asks Kain three questions to check his orientation, then shines the light in each eye.

“Pupils are reactive and equal.” She marks the chart. “Follow my finger.”