As they were about to enter the car, Niall emerged from a nearby vehicle.
"Oh, she's still here," Mary remarked, briefly glancing at Niall before looking away.
Veronica had assumed Mary hadn't noticed Niall earlier, but it was clear she had. As they watched Cullen walk over to Niall, Mary seemed to connect the dots about his extended absence from the hospital room.
"They seem quite close," Mary observed.
Veronica secured Mary's seatbelt without offering any response. Just as she pressed the gas pedal, ready to drive away, she caught sight of Leo rushing out of the hospital entrance. His face lit up with shock and excitement as he spotted Niall, sprinting toward her and Cullen. Veronica took one final glance before pulling away from the curb.
"Cull!" Leo called out, his eyes fixed on Niall as he approached. "You're... you're actually ROCK! I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me!"
Niall recognized that Cullen had mentioned having a younger brother in high school, though they'd never been introduced. Leo's reaction made it immediately clear who he was.
Before she could speak, Leo burst out enthusiastically, "ROCK, hello! I'm such a huge fan! I even attended your last race in person! That incredible overtake on the bend at three minutes and three seconds was absolutely mind-blowing! I've saved that video and replayed it at least fifty times—it never gets old—"
His excited rambling halted when he noticed Cullen raising an eyebrow at him. Though Cullen hadn't actually interrupted, Leo stopped himself mid-sentence as a realization dawned on him.
"Wait a second... Cull, you... you actually know my idol?"
Cullen didn't answer directly, instead asking, "Is that a problem?"
"N-No, not at all," Leo stammered.
He wasn't genuinely surprised. His older brother had always maintained impressive connections—knowing someone like Niall wasn't beyond the realm of possibility.
"Why did you come back down so quickly?" Cullen questioned.
Leo smacked his forehead. "Oh right! I completely forgot something important. It almost slipped my mind."
He checked his watch and his eyes widened. "Shoot, is it this late already?"
He started rushing toward another car, calling over his shoulder, "Cull, ROCK, I've gotta go—"
Halfway across the parking area, he abruptly stopped, spun around, and jogged back to them. His face flushed slightly as he looked at Niall with hopeful eyes.
"Um... ROCK, would it be okay if I followed you on Instagram?"
Before Niall could respond, he quickly added, "I promise I won't bother you with messages or anything!"
Niall smiled warmly. "Of course you can."
Leo's face broke into a delighted grin as he immediately pulled out his phone to find and follow her account.
Being in a hurry, he thanked her profusely and was about to dash off when another thought struck him. He pivoted on his heel and hurried back once more.
"One more thing! Could I... could I possibly get your autograph?"
"Sure, but you seem—"
Cullen cut in before Niall could finish. "Handle your business first. I'll bring the autograph back for you later."
Leo's expression instantly relaxed into relief and gratitude. "Thanks, Cull!" With that, he finally sprinted off toward his destination.
Although Cullen rarely interfered in Leo's life, the younger brother had always sensed his disapproval of his interests and behavior. Cullen's quick agreement had caught him by surprise. Perhaps it was because ROCK was Cullen's friend, and he considered her worthy of admiration? Whatever the reason, Leo couldn't contain his excitement as he hurried away, already planning where he would display the coveted autograph.