Closing my eyes, I feel so much better having him here within my reach, right where I know he’s okay. He’s a pain in my ass, especially now, but he’s everything.
Our relationship is… complicated. Not really dating, but comfortable enough to be touched like this. The guys at the club say we’re friends with benefits, and I guess they’re not wrong. We’ve never tried to label it as anything else.
This is the closest way I can feed into my love for Warden without taking the risk of giving him my heart completely.
I need to pass out already before I really start to overthink everything.
* * *
When I wake up, the sun is already high in the sky. Patting around for my phone, I groan when I remember I left it in my abandoned jeans. Giving me no choice but to get up to check the time, I see I’ve slept through the afternoon.
In a sleepy haze, I notice the other side of the bed is empty. In an instant, I’m awake. The same fear that has coursed through my veins every day does its usual rounds, filling my head with the same haunting worries.
I’m too panicked to be reasonable with myself.
If Warden is foolish enough to try to get back to the clubhouse before he’s well enough, I’m going to kill him with my own hands.
As soon as I reach the living room, I spot him tucked inside the kitchen. He’s got a spatula tucked in one of his hands, the handle of a frying pan in the other. Standing there in just a pair of shorts, I’m left looking at the bare of his back. Everything appears flawless except for a few moles; what catches my eye isthe bandage wrapped around his abdomen. It looks a little loose, probably from the movement during his sleep.
“Seriously?” The word leaves me without thinking, and I’m forcing out a sigh that’s pure frustration at myself. “What part of bed rest did you not understand?”
Turning to look my way, he gives me one of his cheeky smiles that makes my stomach tingle with butterflies. Instead of giving me some excuse for why he’s moving around, he pauses long enough to take me in. Starting at my t-shirt, his eyes drag down to my bare legs, and he’s not even shy when it comes to staring.
I should’ve put pants on. Silly me. Now he’s biting and licking his lip like he’s regretting cooking.
Lifting his gaze, he shrugs. “I got hungry.”
That’s why I went out and got three bags worth of microwavable meals. They’re easy and simple to prepare.
Warden decided he wanted a grilled cheese instead. Cool.
Moving toward him, he lifts his arm and happily welcomes me to touch him until I’m pulling at his bandages, checking his wound. Making sure there isn’t too much blood or signs of infection, he groans as I poke and prod at him.
“The guys are going to get really jealous if they find out how much special treatment you’re giving me, Doc.” Out of habit, he laughs when I swat his arm. “I made you one. Tell me you’re hungry. Make this sacrifice worth something.”
He’s dramatic, but I’m a little relieved to see he’s back to himself. The pain medicine I got my hands on must be doing something for him. That, or he’s trying not to worry me by showing his pain.
With him, it can go either way.
When he offers up a plate, I have no choice but to accept. He then nods his head over toward my coffee pot, the drink brewed and ready. Knowing him, he’s made it strong, just the way I like it. The way Ineedit to even function.
If he’s worried that I’m still upset with him, he’s working really hard to get back on my good side. Unfortunately for me, it’s working. It’s getting harder and harder to keep up this act.
All because I hope that if I’m mad enough, he won’t ever do something so reckless ever again.
By the time I’ve got a cup filled and my plate in front of me, he’s turning off the stove and slowly making his way to join me at the table. Despite his stoic expression, he carefully settles across from me.
“You’re stuck here for at least another week, no debate.” Chewing through my sandwich, I can’t help but groan at the melt of the cheese. “I’m off for the next couple of days. Let me take care of you, alright?”
I’ve already done so much as is. Why can’t he just let me keep doing it until he’s all better? At least for two weeks, I won’t have to worry about him keeling over. Three weeks would be pushing my luck, but I wouldn’t mind being able to keep him safe and out of trouble for at least that long.
“You know me. I hate being a pain.” Nibbling on his own sandwich, he lets his gaze drift to the side. “Judge give you any update on things? I feel out of the loop. Everything is good, right?”
I don’t need to tell him that I’m getting texts from the club members asking for updates as well. They don’t like that I asked them to stay the hell away until he can function. He’s witnessed me checking the device over and over again. This is the first time he’s asked, though.
“Crimson Road isn’t a problem anymore, if that’s what has you worried. Everyone is alive and well.” My next bite gets chomped down with hard chews. “Hammer keeps asking when you’ll be back.”
His mouth quirks up, and a chuckle rumbles out of him.
