Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 73794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“Wow. Sean’s kid made the news again. Declan’s in the running for that new motocross series championship.” Eric nodded toward the TV as we both stood awkwardly near the edge of the room. “And look, there’s a seat near Caleb.” Eric gestured at the corner. “Go take it.”
Following orders was much easier than deciding on my own what might be appropriate.
“Hey,” I said softly to Caleb as I took the open chair. “Any news?”
“He’s conscious. Mom’s back there with him now, but he was complaining up a storm when I was with him. They’re doing several tests to rule out the big bads like concussion or spinal damage because he had some confusion and numbness immediately after the hit.”
“Conscious is good,” I murmured. God, I wanted to touch Caleb, help to replace his wooden tone with something sunnier.
“Surprised you came.” Caleb kept his voice at a bare whisper.
“Couldn’t stay away.” I was nothing if not dead honest.
“Tony.” Caleb exhaled hard, drawing my name out like a curse.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have come—”
“Of course you should have.” His whisper had a harsh edge. “That’s the whole point.” Caleb sounded utterly miserable, and I understood fully for the first time what I was asking of him with this secret fling. He deserved so much more, a love out in the open and a partner who could hold his hand in moments like these.
“I wish…” I trailed off because my wishes didn’t matter. In addition to the professional risks, I wasn’t convinced I could be that guy for Caleb, not long-term like he deserved. I might have the impulse for the first time in my life, but what did I truly know about comfort?
“Me too.” Caleb echoed my mournful tone, looking past me as his mother, whom I’d met briefly at the fundraiser, emerged from the big double doors leading back to the emergency department exam rooms. He stood as she approached the waiting area. “Any news?”
“Yes.” Caleb’s mother rubbed her red and weary eyes. “Finally. Scotty is back from the last of the imaging tests. All clear. The doctor is calling it a stinger. Those can look serious at first and be plenty painful in the moment, but there’s no structural damage.”
“Thank goodness.” Caleb hugged her tightly, and I had to swallow a bunch of times to maintain my composure in the face of overwhelming relief. Over the summer, I’d come to care about all the football kids, Scotty included, which added another level of emotion to the situation.
“Do you want to go back and wait with him for the discharge papers? I’m in desperate need of coffee despite the hour.”
I opened my mouth to offer to fetch her some, but Caleb shook his head, another subtle signal that I couldn’t overstep the imaginary boundaries we’d set around our friendship.
“Sounds good, Mom. Let me grab my phone.” Caleb returned to the chair where he’d been sitting, patting all around it and the side table before discovering the phone in his pocket. “Oops. Here it is,” he announced loudly before lowering his voice so only I could hear. “She’ll stay with us tonight, likely, but I’ll text you.”
I nodded, knowing full well it wasn’t enough, wouldn’t ever be enough.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Caleb
I wasn’t entirely surprised by the tap on my window. Tony had texted asking if we were back home some time ago, and I’d replied that Scotty was resting while Mom was bunked down on the couch, having refused my bed.
Tony
What do you need?
Me
Sleep, probably. Already lying in bed, but my brain won’t shut off. And I’d give up donuts for good for a sleepover with you.
Instead of calling me out for being sappy, Tony had replied.
Tony
That was nice. I wish I could be there for you too.
Want clogged my chest and made it hard to breathe, so I hadn’t trusted myself with a reply. The soft tap on my bedroom window had come around ten minutes later, almost exactly the length of time it would take to walk from Eric’s house to my place, especially if one stuck to the alleys to avoid being seen.
Lord, it had been such a long, exhausting day, and all I wanted was to collapse into Tony. Dragging him through the window and over to my bed sounded like a grand idea, but my last shred of logic reminded me to move slowly and quietly so I wouldn’t wake the house. I took a moment for a steadying breath before opening the window. It wouldn’t do to appear too needy for him or to reward his recklessness.
“This is maybe our most risky meeting yet,” I scolded in a low whisper, trying not to beam at the welcome sight of him in a T-shirt and elastic workout shorts. “At least you can claim you were out for a run, I guess.”