Walker shared a smile with me. “It’s mutual. But don’t you worry about that. What can we do to help you?”
“Haven’t talked to Ren yet, but I’m gonna see if he’ll give me another shot at staying in the rental Mr. Paige set aside for me. Mind if I hang here for a few days until we get that settled? I can’t stand the thought of another hotel room.”
“Of course, man. But should you be in the hospital?” I asked.
“No. Fuck no. I canceled the rest of the tour on the way to the airport, then fired my entire management team from the plane. I’m done. I’m so fucking done.”
Guilt flooded my belly. With all of my new business planning, volunteering, and falling in love, I’d neglected my cousin. “Well, you’re here now. I’ll take care of you. Promise.”
“Sorry I’m so pathetic,” he said, gesturing at himself. “I feel like I could sleep for three days.”
“Then sleep for three days,” I said fiercely. “Never again. You’re not going to do this to yourself ever again.”
He gave me a grin that was so off I nearly cried. “Pretty sure if I try, it’ll kill me.”
I walked him to my guest room. He hadn’t even brought a bag with him—he’d left the hospital with nothing but the clothes on his back. I lent him some sweats and a T-shirt, then stood outside the bathroom, worried out of my mind, as he took a shower. When he emerged in my clothes, he looked like a little kid swimming in soft cotton.
“Have you talked to your parents?” I asked.
Hen’s eyes hit the floor as he shook his head. “I can’t really deal with them right now.”
“Fair. Not pressuring you or anything, but I can tell your dad regrets how he handled your coming out, and he misses you. And you know your mom has your back.”
“I know. I just don’t know how to handle any of that yet.”
“Of course. You get to do this on your own timeline.”
He rested his head on my shoulder. “So, Walker, huh? Looks like that went well,” he said, his words starting to meld together.
I wrapped an arm around him, afraid he was about to fall over. “I love him, probably have for a lot longer than I’d realized. It was completely unexpected, but he’s the best man I’ve ever known.”
Hen’s smile was sad. “You deserve to have the best guy in the world. I’m glad to see you this happy.”
I drew him into another hug. “You deserve to be this happy, too. Stay here for a while, okay? Don’t make any decisions, just let us take care of you, all right?”
“All right,” he said reluctantly.
After getting him settled in, I made my way to my bedroom, where Walker was waiting for me on the bed. He was leaned up against the wall of pillows, wearing my pajama bottoms, his legs crossed as he smiled at something on his phone.
“Funny video?” I asked, joining him.
“Something like that.” He put the phone down on the nightstand and focused on me. “How is he?”
“Drained. Completely drained,” I said on a sigh. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen somebody so tired in my life. I’ll help him get set up with Ren’s rental, but I have no clue how to help him after that. I feel so lost.”
“I’ve discovered that you being you is pretty amazing. Maybe just try that. And get some calories into the poor guy.”
“Will do.”
“Mm, good,” he murmured as I pushed him back against the pillows, covering him with my body.
His eyes twinkled up at me. “Hello there.”
“Hello,” I replied, returning to the deep, needful kisses I had started at the door.
We held each other as we kissed and whispered ourI love yous. God, we were magic together.
CHAPTER31
