“There are,” I agree. “Kairo has been an angry person since we were children. For as long as I can remember, he’s been angry. It’s something he needs to work through.”
“He’s like, thirty,” Huntley scoffs. “When is he going to work through it?”
“He’s thirty-four, and I think he’s lonely.”
Huntley shakes his head. There’s no sympathy there. I press a kiss to his lips, enjoying the way he sighs, relaxing onto the bed. “Thank you for wanting to protect me.”
His phone rings, and his shoulders sag. I reach for it, finding the ID stating it’s the company he works for. Huntley scowls at the phone as he answers.
“Hello?” Pause. “Yes.” There’s wariness in his voice, and I’m guessing it’s his boss, Nick-the-Dick.
However, as I concentrate on his face, I watch the wariness give way to confusion and surprise. There’s the occasional acknowledgement of whatever Nick-the-Dick is saying; otherwise, he listens.
It’s a short conversation. When Huntley hangs up a few minutes later, he stares at the phone as if seeing it for the first time.
“What happened?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” Huntley says, shaking his head. “That was probably one of the weirdest phone calls I’ve ever had.”
“Who was it?”
“My boss. He apologized. He says his behavior was inexcusable. He said that he can’t imagine what I’m going through and that he wishes me a recovery without complications. He told me to take my time, assured me my job is safe, and he asked if I needed anything.”
His eyes meet mine, and I smile. “Good. That’s how he should have responded to begin with.”
“But… I’ve worked there for two years, and I’veneverheard him say anything like that. It’s weird.”
“Sounds like he’s been taught a lesson in compassion.”
Huntley’s frown remains. He doesn’t answer. I’m a little surprised when he doesn’t put it together that maybe I had a hand in this. I told him I clean up the crime in the city.
Hmm. Actually, I told him that my team tries to intercept that hate violence. I suppose that’s not the same thing.
“Are you hungry?” I ask.
He nods. “Yes.”
“Want to come into the kitchen with me?”
Huntley smiles widely. “Yes, I do. I want to walk with my crutches.”
I didn’t think this through. I’d rather have him just let me carry him. Sighing, I nod. “I’ll go get them.”
I’mrelieved when I have Huntley back in bed and off his leg. Mark has been saying he needs to begin PT, and I know Huntley has mentioned it a couple times as well.
It’s not that I want him to be bound to the bed. But I like waiting on him. I enjoy it. I love being at his beck and call.
However, there are things I need to do, and having him stuck in the bed will only cause me a whole lot of anxiety if I need to leave the house. The things I need to do require me to leave the house.
It’s midday when Huntley takes a nap. I think the excitement of Kairo and then his walking around the kitchen and getting some fresh air on the balcony tired him out.
Once he’s comfortably asleep, I head back to the balcony and call Nori.
“Hey, boss.”
“Hey. How’s everything?”
“We’re good. How’s your injured boyfriend?”
