Page 63 of Healed Heart

Fuck…

He nods toward his erection.“Most men are ready no matter what.It’s in our physiology.”

“Or maybe it’s just a symptom of some medication they have you on.”

“You think they’re giving me Viagra for my pain?”

“Viagra’s original use was as a vasodilator,” I say.“Maybe your blood pressure’s a little high.”

“Of course my blood pressure’s high.My body is stressed right now.”

“Which means it doesn’t need the extra stress of a sexual encounter.”

He laughs again, wincing.“Damn, that hurts, but it’s worth it.You really think sex is ever a stressor for men?Hell, it’s a stressreliever.”

I shake my head.“That’s not what I mean, and you fucking know it.You’re weak.Weak, Ralph.Your body’s been through trauma.So yeah, sex will be a stress.”

He shrugs.“Your call, Simpson.Climb on and take a ride, or Dr.Lansing goes to prison.And as pretty as he is, he won’t have much fun there.”He pauses a moment.“Unless he likes you taking the back door.”

ChapterTwenty-Four

Jason

I hold back a gasp.“What?”

“Yeah, I’ve got to go.”

“Wait!”

“What?I just lost my brother, man.I mean literally.Like an hour ago.”

An hour ago?My timing really sucks.“I’m so sorry.It’s just… Do you know a Ronny Burgundy?”

Breathing on the line.

At least he isn’t hanging up.

“Who is this?”he finally asks.

“I’m sorry,” I say.“I should have identified myself.My name is Jason Lansing.I was married to Lindsay Davis, who was a classmate of Steve’s and Ronny’s.”

Another pause.Then, “Why are you asking?”

“It’s important,” I say.“Please.Did Steve ever mention him?”

Yet another pause, longer this time.“Yeah, he mentioned him a couple of times.”

“Do you remember anything he said about Ronny?”I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

“He didn’t talk about him much,” Tom says, his voice thick.“But I remember one time, he was drunk and started talking about how Ronny had disappeared off the face of the earth.Said it creeped him out how Ronny just vanished after high school.”

A chill rips through me at Tom’s words.“Did he ever mention where Ronny might have gone?”

“No.Then he couldn’t.”

“He couldn’t.Why?”

“Not after his accident.”