I take my phone from Elliot and we share another good-morning kiss that threatens to send us back to bed. This was an unexpected interlude. While I feel badly Leo’s in pain, I’ll never turn down a chance to kiss Elliot.
Finally, I sit back. “You heard him, pet. Let’s get moving.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“How’syourpain levels?” I ask as I take his coffee from him so he can get out of bed.
“A little achy, but I’ve had way worse. I’ll be fine. Please, go take care of him.”
With Elliot, I have to listen to his voice, to see if it sounds tighter than usual. To the noises he makes getting out of bed, and how he moves. The way the lines around his eyes and mouth look. Those things always tell me the truth about his pain levels.
He seems to be telling me the truth today.
By the time we’re out of the shower, Leo’s texted me the list, and I manage to get Elliot out the door almost five minutes ahead of schedule.
I’m out the door minutes later and heading to the store. Thank goodness for the driver. Having him waiting for me at the curb when I come out of the store with my arms loaded makes my life easy.
Although I won’t be able to spend much time with Leo this morning. The driver parks in the fire lane in front of the building, and I quickly make my way inside and race upstairs with my purchases. I included a few extra things that weren’t on his list, like his favorite ice cream and some healthy frozen dinners he can easily nuke.
If I can’t stay and cook for him, at least I can make his life a little easier in that way.
I have to set bags down to unlock the door, and it takes me a moment to get inside, reset the alarm, bring everything in, and lock the door behind me.
“I’m here, Sir,” I call out as I race to the kitchen.
“I’m in here,” he calls back.
I see his mug sitting in the sink, from yesterday, and I quickly wash it out and brew a cup for him before I start putting everything away. I bought extra Epsom salts, so he won’t run out anytime soon, including a couple of packages that have extra additives, like rosemary and peppermint, to help with pain levels even more.
I grab all that and take it into the bathroom and put it away, then get his coffee and carry it into the bedroom.
He looks like shit. I set the mug on the nightstand, kick off my shoes, and climb into bed, blazer and all, to kiss him good morning and hold him for a minute.
“Thank you, baby boy. I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“Shut up, Sir.” I press my face against his hair and deeply inhale. “This wouldn’t be an issue if you and Elliot were married, you know.”
“We’ve had this discussion, Jordan. I’mnotforcing him to come out and marry me.”
“Just putting it out there.” I lift my head and look into his eyes. “Can I help you into the bathroom?”
“No, I’ll make it that far. Thank you for making coffee.”
“You’re welcome.” I kiss him again. “There are frozen dinners in the freezer. And got your coffee ice cream.”
His smile looks drawn, full of pain. “You take good care of me, baby.”
“Yeah, well, I wish I could stay here today and take care of you.” I do help him up out of bed, mostly so I can hug him one last time. “Use the pain cream. Don’t forget to put gloves on this time when you apply it.” It has capsaicin in it.
He smirks. “Oh, I willneverforget to do that again.”
“I’d hope not.” He learned having that stuff on your hands and then taking a leak gets kind of painfulreallyfast.
I give him a last kiss good-bye and let myself out.
All the way down the stairs, I remind myself of the greater good—Elliot needs me.
And the country needs Elliot.
