Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
I pull away from Hayden, who is still sitting up in the same position he was in when I passed out on him. It’s obvious hours have passed and as much as I want to thank him right now, I need to get to Doc.
After giving Hayden a quick smile, I shove to my feet. “Quit giving them trouble, old man.” He still has oxygen hooked up, IVs and all of that. His face is still more ashen than it usually is, and somehow, he looks smaller, but when he grins, it’s all fucking Doc.
“You still here?” he croaks out.
“You’re still here too,” I reply. “Aren’t you ready to go home yet?”
He gives me another smile, but I can see he still feels worn out. Doc reaches over with his hand covered in tape and tubes and grabs mine. “I’m gonna be okay, kid.”
I should have known he wouldn’t let me off by just giving him shit. “You scared the hell out of me.”
“I ain’t going nowhere yet. It’s not my time. Sometimes you gotta fight for what you want, and not just let things go and see what happens.” He’s not talking about his heart and there isn’t a part of me that doesn’t know it.
Doc cocks a brow at me, turns his head and says, “Oh, hey, Hayden. I didn’t see you there.”
“Liar,” I say as Hayden pushes off the couch and walks over.
“You waved at me ten minutes ago.” Hayden stands beside me.
“Shh. You weren’t supposed to tell him.”
Jesus, it feels so damn good to hear him joking.
Hayden puts a hand on my shoulder and keeps me close as we stand here and talk to Doc. He gets winded easily, despite the oxygen he’s being given. A few minutes later, the nurse comes in and checks his vitals before replacing his IV bag with a new one.
“You’re looking good,” she tells him, then turns to me. “Your dad’s a fighter.”
Doc’s eyes go wide at her words, but the truth is, that’s what he is to me. It’s what I told them he is to me. “Yeah…yeah, he is.”
She eyes Doc again. “Your son loves you very much. He hasn’t left your side once, no matter how many times his friend said he needed a break. And then as soon as his partner got here, he took care of your boy the way your son took care of you. You have a beautiful family. Why don’t you get some more rest and get yourself stronger for them? The doctor will be in soon.” With that, she walks out of the room. I hadn’t told her that’s who Hayden is to me, but it’s obvious she drew the conclusion herself.
And that’s what they are to me—family.
“You heard the lady. Get out so I can get some sleep.” Doc winks at me, but immediately I open my mouth to argue with him. Hayden cuts me off.
“I’m going to take you home. You need some more rest. I sent Gary and Travis home too, but Mom will be here any minute. She’s going to sit with Doc until we get back.”
“You somehow arranged a whole lot of shit while I was sleeping.”
Hayden grins. “That’s what I’m here for. Now say your good-byes. I’ll get us an Uber.”
The second Hayden walks out of the room, Doc says, “You’re so fucking in love with that kid. You better not let him walk away.”
I don’t bother to deny it. I started to realize it in the weeks after he left. I missed him, missed him like I’d never missed anyone in my life. “I know. But isn’t part of loving someone doing what’s best for them?”
“What makes you think being away from you is what’s best for him?”
“He has a real good opportunity in Chicago.”
“Don’t you think you should let Hayden decide that? You’ve never been a coward; don’t be one now,” Doc says and I know he’s right. There isn’t a chance I could let Hayden walk away without at least telling him how I feel, not with this reminder at how quickly those you love can be taken away from you.
“I know what I’m doing, old man. You get some sleep. I’ll be back soon.”
After giving Doc a hug, I make my way downstairs. As I step out of the glass doors, a car pulls up and Hayden turns my way. When he sees me, he smiles, then opens the door for me to get into the car. I lean against him as we make our way back to Metropolis.
“It’s good to see this place again,” Hayden says as we walk toward the elevator.
“Yeah?” I ask him, a little surprised.
“Yeah,” he replies.
When we get to my unit, it’s Hayden who pulls out his keys first and unlocks the door.
“You kept my key on your ring? You stalker.”