“The only ass I might consider biting is yours, my sentience. I can toast them like a marshmallow if you like, though.” Smoky said with a smirk.
“I think I have a right to yell when my sentience is talking about leaving us. I have every right to yell, pound my hand on a table, and if I get really pissed, light somebody’s ass on fire, so don’t turn around Jude or you may feel a little heat.” Taco snapped.
Smoky peeled off Jude’s neck, and formed, saying, “Try it, taco boy, and I will rip your tail off and beat you with it.”
Taco puckered his lips, saying, “You’d have to get past my spikes and horns, old one.”
“I might be old, Taco, but that only means I have seen and learned more than you ever will. Now, stop threatening my sentience.” Smoky snarled.
A loud whistle ripped through the air, Cobra shouting out, “Everyone stop the fighting, damn it. Besides this not being the time nor the place for it, I believe Gio has some serious explaining to do.”
“And you all don’t need to be in here when he does it.” Taco added on.
“I just need to check Gio’s bandages and stitches. Then I’ll go, but I swear if I hear shouting of any sort, I will return and things will get very ugly. Gio needs rest and calm, not all this angst and bullshit you all are throwing his way.” Jude stated, then asked, “Gordy, what are you doing here?”
“I brought him. He was concerned about Gio. I think he thought I might have kidnapped or killed Gio, and I wanted to reassure him that his friend was still alive.” Cobra replied.
Nodding, Jude said, “Friends are good for healing patients. Just don’t overtire him.”
Gio lay there as Jude peeked under the bandage, “Everything is healing well. I think we can remove the stitches by the morning. Are you feeling any discomfort?”
Shaking his head, Gio replied, “Not like earlier. I still hurt a bit, but not like I did this afternoon.”
“Good. Okay, we’ll leave you alone with your mates and friend. Don’t overdo it and if things get too intense, yell, and I will come in and kick everyone out of here.” Jude stated.
“And if Jude isn’t around, I’ll come in with Spirit, and we will do it for him.” Rylee insisted.
Gio whispered, “Thank you.” Not really looking at anyone.
It didn’t take long before everyone left, except for Cobra, Taco and Gordy. The tension in the room was palpable, and Gio had no idea what to do. It wasn’t like he could jump out of the bed and leave the room. Surprisingly, it was Gordy that broke the uncomfortable silence, asking, “About the store. If you give me the keys, I’ll be happy to keep it going until you’re well enough to return.”
Not knowing what to do or say, “I… I don’t kn—”
“Where are the keys, Gio?” Cobra asked gruffly.
Gio blinked at the anger flowing from Cobra. It had to be because of what he had found out about Gio, and all the lies he had been living that upset the man so much. He didn’t want to hand over his keys. He didn’t want to let go of the life he had built, but apparently, that life was over. Feeling his tears returning, Gio whispered, “I-it’s the silver one on m-my keyring in my p-pants.”
Cobra went to the closet and within seconds came out, handing the key to Gordy. “Thank you for holding down the fort until Gio can get back to the store. I know it means a lot to him.”
Gio was confused by Cobra’s words. He looked to Taco, hoping to get some kind of answer, but all he saw was Taco with his arms crossed as he tapped his large sharp claws on his folded arm, while he tapped his foot causing those claws to make atick tick tick,all while glaring at Gio. That had to be what they meant when they said, “if looks could kill,” because with that look, Gio felt like he should have some kind of funeral plan. Gods, he had no clue what to do.
“Gordy, it seems that our sentience has some explaining to do. Would it be alright if you came back tomorrow? I’m sure Gio will be feeling much better when you return, and you can have a much better visit.” Cobra said, with one of the fakest smiles Gio had ever seen.
Gio grabbed Gordy’s arm whispering, “Don’t leave me.”
Taco snarled, “Do you honestly think either Cobra or I would hurt you?”
Gio didn’t answer. Hell, even if he wanted to say anything he couldn’t. His mouth was bone dry.
Cobra went to Gordon, “Go. Gio will be fine. No one in this room is going to hurt him.”
Gordy looked torn about leaving Gio when the stress in the air was so evident. He looked at Gio, and then back at Cobra and Taco as he nibbled on his bottom lip. His indecision on what to do was etched within his features.
Gio resigned himself to what was about to happen. Hell, he deserved whatever they were going to do to him and exhaustion hit him hard once more. At this point Gio just wanted to get this discussion over with, “It’s okay, Gordy. I’m going to be fine. Just go. I’ll be here tomorrow when you come to visit and I want to know all the good gossip going on in town.”
Gordy gave Gio a nervous smile, nervously saying, “If you’re sure.”
Gio wasn’t sure about anything anymore, and honestly, his heart was breaking at losing everything he had built in the last twenty-five years, especially Gordy. The man was the best friend anyone could ask for, and Gio didn’t even want to think about losing Taco and Cobra. It just wasn’t fair, but Gio had learned a long time ago, life wasn’t fair. “I’ll be fine. Tell everyone I’ll be ba—” Gio stopped himself, because as much as he would like to say he’d be back soon, he couldn’t promise it, so instead he said, “Tell everyone hello for me.”
