Hero of Mine Read Online Free PDF Page B

it to you, but if they accept money and actually let you touch them, they’re no longer just a stripper.”
    Henry mumbled something under his breath, and Tyler chuckled. “Usually you deliver your insults at a roar.”
    â€œAt least I found someone to love. Not everyone does, and some of us don’t have all the time in the world, you know.”
    It was far too true, and Tyler stared at Henry, the silence between them thick enough to cut with a knife.
    Tyler didn’t like to talk about the day he got shot, but with Henry . . . Well, he felt like the old guy could empathize. Besides, he’d heard all his battle stories. Might as well share his before Henry was gone.
    â€œDid I ever tell you about when I got shot?”
    Henry opened both of his eyes and sat up a bit. “No, haven’t heard that one.”
    â€œWanna hear it now?”
    Henry nodded. “Sure, kid.”
    Tyler started talking, staring at the wall as he remembered. “I was patrolling with my dog, Rex. He was this big German shepherd, about ninety pounds and smart as hell. We were just walking, and then there was this slicing pain. There were bullets flying everywhere; it took me a second to even realize Rex wasn’t moving. I radioed for help and just kept holding Rex as I waited. And then when I was in the hospital, my friend brought me a plastic container full of ashes and told me they belonged to Rex. That they’d burned him and thought I’d want to take him home with me. Corny, right? But I did, even bought an engraved urn and everything. It sits up on the shelf in my room.”
    Henry’s gaze was heavy, belying his lighthearted insult. “You’re still a crap storyteller.”
    â€œI know.” He gave his friend a little salute as he stood up. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
    Henry didn’t respond, just stared at him for a few seconds. Finally, he returned the salute. “Thank you for making my time here not so shitty.”
    Tyler hated how much the words sounded like good-bye.
    S EVERAL HOURS LATER , Dani stood in the hallway of Mercy San Juan Hospital, outside of Noah’s room, talking to his doctor. After X-rays, blood tests, and a mountain of tears from both Noah and Dani, Dr. Barrick finally had answers.
    â€œWe believe that Noah got a tear in his esophagus while vomiting yesterday, and it bled into his stomach. At this point, we don’t think we’ll have to repair it surgically, as these tears usually heal on their own. However, we’d like to keep him a day or so for observation.”
    Despite the doctor’s almost casual, no-big-deal tone, Dani still had a lump of panic lodged in her throat. “Is there anything I need to watch for?”
    â€œOther than if the vomiting continues, no. He’s being monitored by the machines and getting fluids. You might want to grab a couple of things from home to make him more comfortable, but otherwise, I assure you, he’s in good hands.”
    â€œThank you.” Dani could tell that the doctor was anxious to move on, and she wanted to be back in the room with Noah. She could see her mom sitting next to his bed, giving Dani hand cues and mouthing What’s he saying? while Noah watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse , his thumb in his mouth. Dani had been trying to break him of the habit, but today she would let it slide.
    She entered the room, walked straight to the head of Noah’s hospital bed, and began brushing back his curls. He didn’t take his hazel eyes from the screen, but he did reach up with his IV-free hand to hold hers.
    â€œWhat did the doctor say?” her mom demanded.
    â€œThat they want to keep him overnight for observation, but he should be fine.” Dani gave her mom a warning look when she opened her mouth again. She didn’t want to discuss what the doctor had said in front of Noah. “Do you mind going to my place and packing a bag for Noah and me? And