“Well, I never want another one of these. Fuck, thissucks!” Dean grumbled, holding his head.
He rolled toward the side of the bed. “I gotta pee.”
“Slowly!” Colton commanded. “Or you’ll get dizzy.”
Dean slowed his movement and cautiously moved off the bed toward the bathroom as Colton made his way to the kitchen to make coffee.
Dean finished in the bathroom and slowly made his way to a stool at the kitchen counter, where Colton poured him a cup of coffee. He wrapped his hands around the steaming mug with a smile.
“Wait. Shouldn’t you be at practice? It’s nearly nine o’clock.”
Colton poured himself a cup and leaned against the island, facing Dean. “Well, Coach heard about your accident and I told him I was taking care of you. He said I could come in late for a half-practice.”
Dean smiled and sipped his coffee. “That’s nice of him. Thank him for me.”
“Okay, now look.” Colton leaned forward with his elbows on the countertop. “While I’m gone, you have to take it easy. No working in the studio. No workouts. No staring at your phone or computer screen. Just sleep, watch TV, or hang out by the pool.”
“Yes, Coach!” Dean saluted with a smirk.
Colton smiled and shook his head. “I made you a sandwich for lunch and put it in the fridge, so you’re all set. I’ll come by after practice to make dinner for you. Shit! I have to go to my place to pick up some clothes.” Colton realized that, in his rush to get to Dean, he hadn’t planned ahead. He rinsed out his coffee mug and stepped around the island toward Dean.
“We’re the same size. Help yourself to anything in my closet,” Dean suggested as he drank his coffee.
“Hell no! I don’t wanna go around town dressed like a fucking DJ!” Colton joked with a wink.
“Fuck you! My clothes are awesome!” Dean scoffed.
“Your clothesareawesome.” Colton smiled, rubbing Dean’s back, his cheeks warming. “Thanks. I’ll go grab something.”
“Be sure you bring it back!" Dean teased as Colton walked away. “I don’t want you setting up some bizarre shrine to me at your place.”
“Fuck you!” Colton yelled back.
“You wish!” Dean snapped.
Colton returned to the kitchen after raiding Dean’s closet, having chosen Dean’s black and white striped Dolce and Gabbana shirt and a pair of gray slacks.
“You picked my favorite shirt! You’ve got good taste.”
Colton smiled and gently touched the back of Dean's head. “Looks like the swelling is going down. That’s a good sign.” He patted his shoulder. “Okay, I’ll see you in a few hours. Promise me you’ll rest.”
“I promise, Mom.” Dean rolled his eyes.
At practice, Colton struggled to concentrate. His mind continuously wandered back to Dean, worrying if he was ok. Was he resting? Or was he being stubborn and working on music, or trying to exercise?
On the team, when you got injured, there was a whole crew of trainers and medical staff to take care of you and oversee your recovery.
Dean was all alone in his recovery at that moment, but Colton was determined to help him through it. Even if it meant he'd have to skip a practice or two. He wasn’t going to let Dean suffer alone.
Although it was only a half day for Colton, the hours seemed to drag by. But after what felt like an eternity, practice finally ended and Colton hauled ass back to the loft, to Dean.
He opened the door and dropped his bag in the entryway. Dean gave him a key so he could come and go as he pleased. He found Dean lying on the sofa watching TV. It looked like he had followed directions and behaved himself.
Dean smiled and moved to rise from the sofa.
“Hold on, hold on.” Colton rushed over to help him.
He sat on the sofa next to Dean, put his arm around his shoulder, and they stood together.
