AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Short chapter, but enjoy. Feedback is very much appreciated thank you.

Chapter 15 – Support

NORMAL POV

Heath couldn't take it anymore and stormed into Angelo's taking a seat at the bar.

"Hey Kyle give me one of those will ya." Heath said pointing to a beer bottle.

Kyle approached the bar and handed Heath a drink. "You okay?" Kyle asked.

Heath sighed. "It's not getting any easier ya know." Kyle nodded.

"I can only imagine what it must be like for you and Brax, I mean growing up with Casey and all. It's worrying me and I've only known Casey for a year." Kyle said.

"We didn't just grow up with him. Brax practically raised him. We would both go to the ends of the earth for that kid...and this is how he repays us. I'm so angry at him for doing this to us!" Heath slammed his fist on the counter.

"I just wish we knew something!" Heath yelled frustrated.

"You going back to the hospital this afternoon?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah, I kind of stormed out of there when Casey's machines started to beep."

"Why? What happened?" Kyle asked but Heath only shrugged.

"Don't know. I left before I knew what happened." Heath explained.

"Well I'm almost finished here maybe we could go together. I was gonna bring Brax some meals from the restaurant. I'm worried about him too Heath. He won't leave Casey's beside and hasn't eaten or slept in days. He's shutting everyone out." Kyle said.

"I know what you mean. Maybe we can convince the big fella to take a night off." Heath suggested.

Kyle grabbed the food and followed Heath to his Ute and the two drove to the hospital.

Kyle and Heath walked into Casey's hospital room.

"Hey Brax." Kyle greeted. "Big fella." Heath greeted.

Heath walked up to Brax and rested his hand on his shoulder, receiving a sigh from Brax.

"Hey I brought you some food, thought you might be hungry." Kyle placed the food down on the side table.

"Thanks mate." Brax gripped Casey's hand in his. "What if he never wakes up? This never should have happened." Brax whispered.

"Casey is a tough kid Brax, you've said so yourself. We just have to stay strong for him and keep our hopes up." Kyle replied.

"There's no question about Casey making it through, because there is no way I'm letting the squirt get away with doing this without kicking his butt." Heath stated, gaining his strength back to fight this situation.

There was silence between the brothers for a few moments before Kyle spoke. "Look Brax, maybe you should go home and get a proper rest, let Heath and I stay with Casey the night."

Brax glared at Kyle. "How can you even suggest that to me Kyle?" Brax snapped.

"I...You need to take care of yourself too Brax. We're worried about you." Kyle said cautiously.

"Yeah big fella, we'll let you know the second anything changes." Brax huffed.

"So you're on his side now Heath? I don't care about me! I care about Casey and I am not leaving him until he wakes up! Now back off both of you!" Brax snapped, standing up and glaring at his brothers.

"Brax, calm down mate." Heath said as he touched Brax's arm, realising the severity of what had been going on around him whilst he was so caught up in his own anger.

"No! I'm not leaving Casey's side! You understand?" Brax yelled.

Heath and Kyle nodded as they watched Brax slump back in his chair and rest Casey's hand against his forehead, grasped in his own hands.

"Heath, do you remember the time Casey was ten and broke his arm?"

"Yeah, how could I forget? After he fell from the tree at the river and Mum ran after me and smacked me across the head for not watching him. I thought my ears were gonna bleed she whacked me that hard."

Heath rubbed the back of his head remembering how Cheryl had hit him.

"Yeah, but I was thinking more about what happened after, when Casey was in hospital." Brax implied.

Heath shook his head.

"I sat by Casey's side then, holding his hand, like now and he asked me one thing..."

"What?" Kyle pressed, seeing Brax shutting down again.

"He asked me if I would stay with him and I told him I would always be by his side. I promised him I wouldn't leave him and this time is no different."

Brax gently ran his hand over Casey's head.

"Well in that case I'm staying with you." Heath spoke.

"Me too. I can stay the night before my shift in the morning." Kyle added.

"You boys don't have to do that. I'm fine to keep an eye on Casey."

"We know you can, you have been his whole life, but we're family Brax." Heath stated.

"You have to let us be there for you too, you need some rest, even if you just sleep for a few hours and you'd still be here with Casey." Kyle added.

Brax nodded and rested his head down next to Casey's body.

Heath was in the front garden of the Braxton house when John Palmer walked by to check his post.

"Hey Heath. Just wanna know how young Casey is getting on?" John asked.

Heath shrugged. "He's still in a coma, no change."

"Ah Mate, if it's any consolation Marilyn, Jett and I send our wishes. Casey is a fine young lad and we hope he gets back on his feet again soon." John said.

Heath shrugged. "Thanks Palmer." Heath went to go inside but turned back towards John.

"Mate, and thanks for being there that day at the beach. You gave Casey a chance."

John nodded. "I'd have done that for anyone but especially Casey. You boys look after him." John tapped Heath on the arm and Heath gave a nod.

"Let me know if any of you boys need anything." He pointed at Heath before he walked back inside his house.

"Yeah, we need Casey." Heath whispered and walked back into his house, laying down on his bed.