Chapter Twenty-Three
Avery
“Good morning, sunshine.”
I opened my eyes to see my favorite nurse, Jack Barnes, coming into my room to open the curtain so I could see the sunrise.
All of the hospital staff were great, but Jack and I had a special bond. He had some amazing stories when he sat with me after his shifts ended. I loved hearing about Jack and his husband, Paul.
It was sad that Paul died from cancer, but with Jack’s storytelling, I felt as though I was with the two of them on their many road trips. It was easy to tell Paul was very much alive in Jack’s heart.
“Good morning, Jack. Why are you here so early? What’s for breakfast?” The hospital had incredible food. Now that I was able to eat food instead of just relying on the damn IV, I was fucking starved.
The bald man with the beautiful smile laughed. “I traded shifts with Esther so she could take her granddaughter to breakfast for the girl’s tenth birthday. See, regardless of what other people say, I’m nice that way.
“For your last breakfast here at Casa Hopkins, I took the liberty of ordering you an egg white omelet, a blueberry pancake, and turkey bacon. For your young man, I ordered the same, though I’m sure that’s just a drop in the bucket of what keeps that muscular body in motion. When will he be arriving, do you think?”
I exhaled before I picked up my phone to see that Holden had responded to my desperate text from the previous night. I basically begged to stay with him. It was humiliating, but I had no desire to stay with my parents, and I had to get the hell out of my apartment while Brooke and Kyle continued to celebrate their engagement by fucking like rabbits.
When I opened the message Holden had sent after I fell asleep, my heart skipped a beat.
I’m sure you’re asleep but I’ll be there to pick you up in the morning and bring you here to stay with me. No couch camping. You’re mine, Avery Langhorn, and I intend to treat you like a king. Love you, Holy
He signed his message that he still loved me, and I smiled at Jack. “He’ll be here this morning. I’m gonna stay with him.”
Jack chuckled. “I expected no less. I’ll be back in a minute, dear.”
It was sweet the way Jack called everyonedear. He was full of love, I could tell, and I was sorry his husband had died. In a perfect world, they’d have gone together at the end of a very long, well-lived life.
The catheter had been removed the previous day, and I was finally able to piss like a grown man. I’d even been able to have a shower and wear scrubs instead of having my ass hang out in a hospital gown.
I wanted only Holden to pay attention to my ass, and I hoped he would very soon. Dr. Latham had mentioned that I needed to wait a few more weeks before athletic sex was on the table, but I had the feeling the doctor was underestimating my recovery time.
Jack returned to the hospital room with a smile, and I wasn’t surprised to see Holden come in behind him. “Hey, sweetheart.” Those words were beautiful from his mouth.
“Hi, Holy.” I stood from the bed and wrapped my arms around his neck.
He pulled me closer and grinned. “You ready to go home?”
Home.The word had never sounded so damn good. “Yes, I am. You okay?”
Holden chuckled. “I can’t figure out if I had a strange dream or if I saw a ghost.”
“Oh! Happy? Did you see her? I’m so glad.”
When Holden’s arms wrapped around my waist, I closed my eyes and soaked in the feel of his strong body next to mine. I tipped up on my toes. “You still love me, Holden?”
Holden laughed. “Are you kidding me? I don’t say anything about love to anyone. I said I loved you, and I damn well meant it, Avery.”
Being held by Holden was amazing. I felt safe and secure. It hadn’t been often in my life that I’d felt that way. “Thank you, Holden. I love you too.”
“Well, well. Aren’t the two of you so stinkin’ cute!”
I turned to see Brooke pulling a suitcase in behind her. “How’s my bestie?”
I hugged her tightly. Brooke was the straight woman I’d have married if I were straight, too. She was a one-of-a-kind, and Kyle was fucking lucky to get her.
“So, did you set a wedding date yet?” For some reason, they seemed to be dragging their feet.
