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“I’d be much happier if you’d go to the hospital,” Mac said, and I nodded. A dull throb had set in my lower back, and I really wanted some good painkillers.

“You look after my grandson. He’s all I’ve got left these days. I’m sorry, Frankie, but I want nothing to do with your mum after today.”

“I know, Gran, and I can’t blame you.” Mum had sided with Brian against her own son. She’d effectively disowned me because of who I was, or more importantly, who I chose to be with.

Why in this day and age was it still such a stigma? I realised then that Brian had been turning her against me from day one. It had taken seven years for me to see that I was no longer a part of her family. How had it taken me so long to realise that? To want to be seen as she saw Logan.

I should have been upset, and maybe when things settled down, it would hit me when I least expected it, but for now, it was time to heal.

I needed a place to stay. Gran said I could stay here, but I really didn’t think that’d be a good idea. They knew where I was, and I wouldn’t put it past either of them to bring more trouble to her door. With her health as it was, I couldn’t do that to her.

I gripped Mac’s arm as I hobbled out to his car and climbed in with difficulty. I tried hard not to let the pain show on my face, but I’m not sure I hid it well.

With a promise to call her as soon as we knew anything, Gran kissed my cheek, her face wet with tears. Were they hers or mine? Who knew?

But today was a turning point, one that had been a long time coming.

“You okay, Frankie?” Mac asked as he drove to the hospital.

I turned to him, realising he was the only friend I had. “Not yet, but I will be.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

MAC

“Are you sure you don’t want to press charges?” I looked across at Frankie. How could his stepdad do that to him?

I understood homophobia, but this was something else. Beatings like this usually happened in big cities, not small towns like Edgmond-on Sea. But for it to come from one of your family really hit home.

“I don’t want to. You know why. How much longer do we have to sit here? I’m tired. Don’t we get rushed through because you work here?”

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. We’re waiting on the X-ray results, and if all is okay, we can get you…” The word home was on the tip of my tongue, but I faltered at the last minute.

“I don’t have a home anymore. What am I going to do?” he whispered.

“Don’t worry about that now. We’ll figure something out.” I squeezed his hand, but before we could say anything more, Sal called us through.

“Good news. There are no fractures, but your ribs are badly bruised. Mac here will know what to do, but there’s no point wrapping them. Rest as much as you can. As for the other contusions, none of them need stitches, so I think you’re okay to go home.”

“Thanks, Sal. That’s good news. Thanks for your help.” I helped Frankie stand, my arm wrapped gently around his waist.

“Not a great way to start your days off, but it could have been worse.” Sal patted me on the back and walked away. He’d have other patients to see.

“He’s far too cheerful for this early in the morning, and how could it have been worse?” Frankie struggled to speak. No doubt the aches and pains were worsening. They often did after the initial rush of adrenaline wore off.

I didn’t want to tell Frankie how it could have been worse: internal injuries, broken bones. I’d seen them all, and as badly as he was doing, it really could have been worse.

“Let’s get you somewhere to rest. Home isn’t an option. I could take you back to your gran’s…” An idea formed, but I wasn’t sure he’d go for it. “Or you could come back to mine, and I can take care of you.”

“I can’t let you do that. You’ve done enough already.” By now, we’d reached the car, and a decision would need to be made.

“What’s the alternative, Frankie? Is there someone else who could take you in? Other relatives, maybe?”

He slumped into the front seat. “I just don’t want to take advantage. I already called you out at the arse crack of dawn to look after me. It’s not right.”

“You know, you can be a stubborn fucker.” I started the car and drove. I bypassed his house and his gran’s and pointed the car toward home. “You’re coming home with me because I’d like to keep an eye on you. I can’t do that if you’re somewhere else. Now quit arguing and rest.”

Frankie grumbled something I didn’t catch, but when I turned to look at him again, his eyes were closed, and the tension he’d been carrying had lessened.