Page 28 of B is for Baby Me (Classes in Kink #1)

Chapter twenty-seven

Blindsided

Fletcher

“JR, I’d like a word with you in my office,” I tell him at the end of class.

Though it’s been several weeks since the Super Bowl party, neither of the Bennett men have mentioned that loaded conversation in SR’s kitchen. My protégé still hasn’t spoken with his father about pursuing his master’s degree, either. With the NFL draft date looming, he can’t hold off much longer.

At least my sub is reaching out to me for support whenever his stress levels spike. We’ve been checking in several times a day by phone and text, as well as in person. Apparently, the best medicine for JR’s anxiety is a few minutes of hugging and kissing. The daily physical contact is enough to calm his nerves—and it’s done wonders for my mood.

JR grabs his backpack, following me out of the lecture hall and up the stairs to my fourth-floor office. “You wanted a word with me, Professor? Did you have any particular word in mind?” He grins at me, his eyes full of hope.

I push him into a chair, straddling his lap. “I have several. In fact, I’ve prepared a dissertation—listen closely.” I kiss the sensitive spot next to his ear, eventually working my way up his neck to his lips. We explore each other’s mouths, his hands caressing my back while my fingers grip his hair.

A rapid knock on the door interrupts us. Josh rushes in, stopping with a gasp when he sees the two of us wrapped in each other’s arms.

“Out,” I snap at my TA before climbing off JR’s lap. Damn it . How could I have forgotten to lock the door? This is the last thing my stressed-out sub needs.

“S-sorry, sir. It’s an emergency,” Josh says before turning to face his roommate. “Everyone’s looking for you, JR. Where’s your phone? We’ve been trying to reach you.”

“I turned it off,” JR admits, his face flushing bright red.

“Coach Becker sent me to find you.” Josh’s lips tremble as he reaches for his friend’s hand. “The hospital called... It’s your father. He’s had a heart attack.”

The color drains from the football player’s face. “My dad? But I just talked to him this morning. Josh, is he…?”

“He’s in surgery.” The teen chokes back a sob. “We’ve got to go to him.”

I grab my keys from the desk and my coat from the back of the chair. “I’ll drive. Josh, help me with JR.”

Together, we guide him out of the building and towards the parking lot. JR breathes in panicked gasps, staring blankly into the distance. His body is shaking so hard, he appears on the verge of a full-blown anxiety attack.

“SR’s at St. Joseph’s Hospital.” Josh climbs into the back of the car while I help my sub into the passenger’s seat.

“We’ll be there in just a few minutes, Ben. Hang on for me.” Sprinting to the driver’s side, I slide behind the steering wheel and throw the gear shift into reverse. A second later, we’re peeling out of the parking lot. I hold onto the wheel with my left hand, grabbing JR’s hand with my right.

Flashbacks of my parents slam into me from every direction. How I’d found out the news. The way I’d raced to the hospital. The feeling of panic and dread.

JR clutches my fingers in a white-knuckled grip, staring blindly out the windshield. It takes almost twenty minutes to reach the hospital, even going ten miles over the speed limit. By the time we pull into a parking space, the athlete is breathing with an audible wheeze. My own heart is beating out of my chest. I just hope we’re not too late.

“We’re here, baby.” I tap his hand to shake him from his stupor. “Would you like me to talk to the doctors?”

“Um… y-yes.” A fat tear rolls down JR’s cheek as he turns to look at me. “Fletcher, don’t let anything happen to my dad, OK?”

I raise his fingers to my mouth, kissing them hard. “I’ll make sure he gets the best care available. Let’s go, baby boy.”

We race toward the emergency room entrance, JR gripping my hand while Josh runs beside us. After rushing past Coach Becker and several Gladiators in the waiting room, we hurry toward the reception desk. “I’m Dr. Thomas Fletcher. This is my partner, George Bennett Junior. His father was admitted for a heart attack and we’d like to know his status.”

The attendant gives us a kind smile as she types into the computer, locating the information. “George Bennett Senior is currently in surgery. I’ll have more information once he’s in recovery.”

“Which doctor is performing the operation?” I ask. “When do you expect an update on his condition?”

“Our top cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. Foster, is the attending physician,” she says as she checks the monitor. “They went into surgery about an hour ago. It could take three to six hours to complete the operation, depending on the patient’s condition. If you’d like to take a seat in the waiting room, we’ll update you as soon as we know more.”

“Thank you for your help.” I give her a grateful nod, then guide both of the undergrads into the waiting area. When we find seats in the far corner, I ask Josh to touch base with JR’s coach and teammates, hoping for a few minutes alone with my sub.

JR stares at me, the terror in his eyes causing a pit to form in my stomach. “What if he doesn’t make it out of surgery, Fletcher? My dad is all the family I’ve got. I’m not ready to lose him, too.” He drops onto a chair, burying his head in my chest as sobs wrack his enormous body.

“Let it out, Ben.” I rock him in my arms, cradling his head in one hand while rubbing his back with the other. “You can cry, baby boy. I’m here.”

All those days I kept my tears inside… All of those nights I cried alone…

“Don’t leave me,” he sobs, his shoulders heaving.

Is he begging for me to stay, or is he talking to his father? “You’re not alone, my love. You’ll never be alone. I’m here.” I continue to rock him back and forth while he cries himself out in my arms.

When there’s nothing left but ragged gasps and hiccups, I tip up JR’s chin, peering into his red eyes. “Your dad is strong. If anyone can pull through this, it’s your father. You’ve just got to keep the faith.” I give him a gentle kiss on the lips, wiping his tears away with my thumbs.

A muted cough sounds behind me. I glance over my shoulder to see JR’s roommate—along with a few stunned football players. “Stay with him, Josh. I’ll be right back, Ben.”

I leave the two young men to comfort each other while I cross the room to speak with Coach Becker. JR’s teammates stare at me in shock as I pass, but the coach’s face only shows concern. “Andy, thank you for finding a way to reach JR. We appreciate you tracking us down.”

“Of course, Tom,” he says, filling me in on the afternoon’s details. “Apparently, George collapsed at work, and they rushed him here by ambulance. When his coworkers couldn’t reach JR, they called me, and I sent out the search party via text. I expect more Gladiators to show up once classes are done for the day.”

“About that.” I dart my eyes toward the nearby athletes. “Some of them just became aware of... my relationship with their teammate. The last thing JR needs right now is more stress. Would you speak with them?”

“I will, Tom. Don’t worry.” Andy gives me a hug. “We’re JR’s friends—and yours, too. Nobody will turn their backs on the Bennetts, at least not anyone that matters.”

Simon rushes into the waiting room, his face grim. “I just heard. How’s SR? Where’s JR?”

“George is in surgery. That’s all we know right now.” Thank god my best friend is here. How can I stay strong for my sub when I feel like I’m falling apart myself? “Come to the cafeteria with me, Si. JR needs a little time to calm down, and I could use the company.”

Simon wraps an arm around me as we trudge toward the hospital café where we purchase several cups of hot tea. When my friend turns to leave, I put a hand on his elbow.

“Can we talk for a moment?” My voice trembles against my will.

“Oh, Tommy. Sit down, sweetheart.” He takes the tray from my hands, setting it on a table before guiding me toward a bench.

I sink into the seat, my head buried in my hands as I fight to keep myself under control. “I’m so scared for him, Si. JR’s already lost his mother—it will crush him if George dies.”

“Let’s focus on you for a moment, Thomas. How are you holding up?” He rubs a firm hand up and down my back.

“Not well,” I admit. “This is hitting a bit too close to home… I know that I told you about my parents’ car crash, but did I tell you that my father survived for a few hours after it?”

“Oh, honey.” Simon shakes his head, his face softening.

I turn toward the window, taking a ragged breath as I steel my shoulders. “My mother died on impact, but they thought they could save my father. I prayed, Si—I prayed to a god that doesn’t exist to please, please save my dad. But He didn’t, and he died, and I was alone .”

My closest friend folds me into his arms. “What happened to you was so unfair. Losing both of your parents at once... Not having anyone to grieve with or take care of you. Twenty years old was much too young to handle that all by yourself.”

I suck in a gasp as a tidal wave of suppressed pain crashes down on top of me. I can’t hold it in any longer. Sobbing against his neck, my shoulders shake as the memories come flooding back. “I was so lost. I didn’t have anyone. It hurt too much to feel— to love —so I just... just... shut myself off. Buried myself in my studies and work. I don’t want that for my Ben.”

“Of course not, Tommy. You love the boy.” Simon holds me close to his chest, rocking me back and forth.

“I do, Si. I love him so much.” There’s no point denying it any longer—to my best friend or to myself.

He pulls back, gazing at me with a soft smile. “You and JR, you’re made for each other.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, shaking my head. “He’s too good for me—too young and too damn good . He’s got his entire life ahead of him. He could be a star in the NFL, like his father wants.”

“We both know football is SR’s dream, not JR’s,” my friend gently chides.

“And I’m taking that away from George!” What sort of heartless monster am I? “The man has been nothing but kind to me, and I’ve been encouraging his son to leave football behind his back. Now he might die—“

“Listen to me.” Simon grips my shoulder, giving it a shake. “You’ve done nothing wrong. Don’t you think George wants his son to be happy?”

“He deserves happiness. JR’s the sweetest, most loving person I know. It will break him if anything happens to his dad.“ I stare into my best friend’s eyes, searching for answers. “What should I do, Si? How can I help him through this?”

He gazes back at me, looking more serious than I’ve ever seen him. “You’ll keep doing what you’ve been doing all along, Thomas. You’ll love him. You’ll be there for him. And I’ll be there for you both, no matter what happens.”

Another tear slips from the corner of my eye as I swallow the lump in my throat. “Thanks, Si. I love you.”

“Well, since you’ve broken our L-word rule… I love you, too.” He kisses me on the cheek. “Now let’s bring JR his tea before it gets cold.”

I take a deep breath, then stand up. He’s right—JR needs me.

As we leave the cafeteria, Simon murmurs, “Have you told him how you feel?”

“Not in so many words.” I let out a sigh. “And I think I just outed him to the team. What a fucking mess.”

Simon clucks his tongue. “One emergency at a time, Tommy. Let’s worry about that one later.”

He’s right again. It’s time to focus on JR’s immediate needs—everything else can wait. As we enter the crowded waiting room, I find my sub slouched in his chair surrounded by teammates and Josh glued to his side. Blake and Tyrell each have a hand on one shoulder while Josiah kneels at his feet.

“He’s gonna make it, buddy. I can feel it,” Blake says. “We’re backing Team Dad all the way.”

“Yeah, Team Dad for the win.” Tyrell pats his muscular arm. “SR’s the man. He’s got this.”

JR wipes his face with the front of his tshirt. “Thanks, you guys. My dad loves you all so much.” A fresh set of tears rolls down his cheeks.

“We love him, too,” Josiah says, echoed by his teammates.

Several more Gladiators add their voices of support as I make my way to my sub’s side. “Thank you, gentlemen. Your friendship means everything to JR. Perhaps he should rest now. Is that what you need, Bennett?”

“Yeah... my head really hurts.” He rubs his temple, wincing.

“I’ll go find some aspirin.” Tyrell squeezes JR’s shoulder before rushing off.

“And we’ll get you a snack. C’mon, Josiah.” Blake and the running back jog out of the waiting room.

Josh gives JR a watery smile. “I’ll call your teachers and collect your assignments. Professor, can I call anyone at Spartacus for you?”

Good thinking. “Please have Dean Owens cancel my classes tomorrow.”

The group disbands to perform their tasks and to sit with Coach Becker on the far side of the room. When I take a seat next to JR, he slumps over, resting his head on top of mine. We sit in silence while I rub his back. His friends return with supplies, handing them to me before stepping away to give us privacy.

“I need you to take some aspirin and eat a few bites of food. Can you do that for me, baby?” Once he swallows the pills and a few gulps of water, I hold the sandwich up to his mouth, waiting while he takes a few small bites. Hopefully, the snack will soothe his anxious body. “Good boy, Ben. Now, I want you to rest—sleep if you can. I’ll wake you as soon as there’s any news.”

JR leans against me with a sigh, closing his eyes.

Several hours pass while he naps off and on, jerking awake to ask about his father. Coach Becker comes over periodically, giving me quiet updates while the football player rests. About midway through the wait, Simon returns with a stack of takeout pizza. My sub’s headache seems better, and he even eats a slice while he talks with his teammates. Several students come and go, but most of the team has settled in for the long haul, waiting to hear news about SR.

At long last, a nurse walks toward us, a clipboard in his hand. “The surgeon would like to speak with you,” he says.

Our group of supporters rise as one, calling out words of encouragement as JR and I follow the nurse to a consultation room. “Dr. Foster will be with you in a moment,” he says before closing the door behind him.

JR grabs my hand, turning to face me. “Tell me he’ll be OK,” he begs.

I gaze into his frightened eyes. “I swear to you, no matter what happens, you won’t have to go through it alone. You’re my family now, Ben—and I’ll be yours for as long as you want me.”

That’s a promise I intend to keep.