Cody wiped a bit of frosting off his cheek and grinned. “I think Jeff and Trent are going to love it.”
David chuckled. “I think you’re right.” He allowed his class a moment of self-congratulation, then he clapped his hands again. “OK, group! You did a fantastic job, and I’m very proud of all of you. Let’s call it a night, but please remember, we have to be up at 8 a.m. to help set up for the wedding!”
The last buspulled out of the parking lot, headed for Timber Ridge Campground, its occupants hanging from every window, waving and yelling their good-byes. Joshua stood next to Colin, watching as he waved and cheered, offering a thumbs-up to the youngsters who called out his name. But as the bus rounded the bend and disappeared from sight, he slumped over his knee scooter, bowing so low that his head nearly touched his arms.
Alarmed, Joshua slid both arms around him. “Hey!” he burst out. “Colin? Honey? Are you OK?”
Colin sighed out a long, moaning breath as he eased himself to his full height. “I’m fine.”
Joshua’s hand tightened on his arm. “Are you in pain?”
Colin turned and gazed at him, his eyes filled with exhausted disbelief.
“Right,” Joshua said, then took his arm. “C’mon, darlin’. Lean on me if you like. Let’s get you to bed.”
“Can’t lean on you and this thing, too,” Colin said with a slow smile. “I’ll be OK with this,” he said, tapping his scooter. “I’ll lean on you once we hit the bed.”
“Youreallyoverdid it today,” Joshua grumbled, still holding Colin’s arm as they moved toward their cabin.
“Did I really have a choice?”
They heard feet pounding toward them and turned to see Trent, racing to join them. “Hey!” he said, stepping in front of Colin’s scooter.
Colin stared at his physical therapist, his mouth quirked in annoyance. “Trent, I’m tired.”
“Exactly my point,” Trent replied. He gripped the front of Colin’s scooter and bent toward him. “Take a pill tonight.”
Colin reared back, returning Trent’s stubborn stare in silence.
“I’m talking as your PT now. You were all over the fucking place today. It’s not just the pain, Colin. It’s the risk of complications. Just takeone.”
Colin’s teeth drew back over his upper lip.
“Imeanit, Colin!”
Colin sighed. “I’ll think about it.” He gave Trent a gentle nudge. “Now get the fuck out of my way. I’m beat and I have to play Pastor Campbell-Abrams at a wedding tomorrow.”
Trent threw a pleading look at Joshua, who stood just behind Colin with a hand on his shoulder. Joshua remained silent. Trent sighed and patted Colin’s back as he turned away. “Great game today, Coach.”
Inside their cabin, Joshua helped Colin ease out of his clothes and settle into bed. As he drew the blankets over him, Colin grabbed his arm and pulled him down beside him. “I know you’re biting your tongue. Might as well just say it.”
“No.”
“Josh, it’s OK. Just say it.”
Joshua looked away, and his head gave a taut shake.
“I’ll takeone.”
Joshua visibly wilted, collapsing against Colin until his head touched his husband’s chest. “Thankgod!” When he lifted his head, his dark eyes were smoky with tears.
“You don’t have to do that,” Colin told him as Joshua moved to the dresser to grab one of Colin’s pain pills. “You don’t have to force yourself not to talk about it.”
“I promised you. I swore I’d never push you again.”
Colin shrugged and took the pill from his hand, reaching with the other for a bottle of water that sat on the bedside table. “Suggesting that Trent might be right isn’t pushing.”
“Colin, may I ask you something about this issue?”
