Page 42

Caleb

I hate the combination of smells in the hospital, sick and disinfectant. At least Leo is coming home today.

My gut feels like it’s been shredded by glass at the thought of leaving Leo alone for days when he can’t speak. He’ll probably be angry I found him a personal aide, but the doctor recommended extra care while he heals and manages his pain.

Visualizing the damage to Leo’s face, I take a deep breath and smile, not risking my face showing my pain for him when I open the door.

“Hey, Lovie.” I swing the door open and am surprised to see Ari Dimon by the window. “Oh, hey. I mean, hello, sir.” Suddenly my facial muscles are doing strange things.

“Good morning, Mr. Benz. I came to check on Leo and confirm he has transportation.”

“I have a driver,” I blurt out and don’t stop. “Well, Liska called his driver, and he’s here with the car and will take us to Leo’s place.” I step up to the bed and hold Leo’s hand.

Leo can’t talk and Mr. Dimon doesn’t respond and I have the urge to fill the silence. “Has the doctor been in yet?” Leo points to the word no. “Speech therapist?”

Leo grabs the tablet and types. She cleared me.

“Great.” I rock on my heels, unsure how to act in front of my big boss with my mute boyfriend. This is a scenario I never saw coming.

“Oh good. I didn’t miss you.” Mason rushes in, and I attempt to dislodge my palm from Leo’s, but he grips me tighter. “Hey,” Mason says to me, eyeing our hands.

“Hey.” I wave like an idiot. If I didn’t love Leo, I would run from Awkward Town so freaking fast. My cheeks hurt from smiling like a fool, so I try to rearrange my features. Mr. Dimon watches us, and his cough sounds suspiciously like a laugh.

Mason startles, noticing Mr. Dimon. He mutters something like, “Oh shit.”

“It’s a party in here.” Nurse Melissa breezes in. She asks Leo the standard questions and checks his vitals. “We are preparing your discharge papers, and it looks like you have a ride.” She scans the room, and I raise my free hand like I’m in class. “It shouldn’t be too long.”

I think hospitals work on a different time reference than the rest of the world.

After Mr. Dimon leaves, Mason collapses in the chair. “He fined me and suspended me for a few games,” he says to his dad.

Leo types out, That’s good. Right?

“What’s going on?” My gaze shifts between them.

Mason’s shoulders curl in as he explains. “I’m on some sort of unofficial probation and need to take an anger management class.”

“Oh, dang it.” I cringe. We talked last night, and I know he regrets hurting Leo, but he’s not happy we’re together.

“Yup. If I could rewind time, I’d take back being a fucktwat. My words might not mean much, but I’m really trying to be happy for you. I…” He’s at a loss, looking at me with big, sad puppy dog eyes.

Leo lets me go when I spread my arms out for a hug. We meet in the middle and slap each other’s backs.

“Are you still going to be my best friend?” he asks.

“Always,” I whisper and glance at Leo. “No matter what.”

“I already told my dad I don’t want to see either of you naked or anything kinky.” Mason grimaces.

“Done. Give us a heads-up before entering a room,” I tease. “Too soon?”

The doctor saves me and discharges Leo with a list of instructions and medications to pick up.

“I can go to the pharmacy for the meds and whatever else you need,” Mason volunteers. “And if you need me, I can stay the night. Since I’m not dressing for the game, I’m not staying at the hotel.”

It’s so wrong to feel jealous. “I wish I didn’t have to go,” I whine.

Leo rests his head on my shoulder, and my heart soars.

When we get to Leo’s apartment, he’s sleepy and grouchy but agreeable. He helps the best he can with the list of things he’ll need, but the meds make him loopy.

Mason picks up the list from the counter. “Text me if you need anything else. I’ll be back before you need to grab your suit for tomorrow and go to the hotel.”

As soon as Mason leaves, I tug Leo up. When we get to his room, I shut the door, lead him to sit on the bed, and kneel between his legs.

“We haven’t had a second alone today. Are you okay, Lovie?” His shoulders drop when I call him that, and I run my palms up his thighs to settle on his hips. I rest my cheek on his leg, and he cards his fingers through my hair. “You don’t have a way to talk, do you?”

His phone and tablet are in the living room. My gaze catches on the chair in the corner.

“Are those my clothes in the chair? Hold up one finger for no and two for yes.” He holds up two fingers.

“You can explain later, but I’ve missed you and need to be with you.” I wrap him in a hug.

Leo cocks his head, and I read his mind, pulling the covers back on the bed. He lies down gently, careful of his jaw, and I snuggle in next to him.

“I never want to be without you again,” I say, and he makes a sound of agreement in his throat.

Finn, our PR manager, tries to shield me from the press, but a few bloggers corner me after the game before I can get to the shower. A week later and the questions are still the same.

“Are you and Mason Griffin feuding?”

“Reports say you were at the hospital with Leo Griffin. Is that true?”

“Did Mason try to injure his father?”

“Mason and I are best friends, and our on-ice fight was from frustration and fear. He’s like my brother, and we scuffle sometimes.

” I barely pause to get this over with. “Mason would never try to hurt his father, and we both visited him in the hospital. They are like family to me. Thank you.” I walk forward, forcing them to move out of my way.

“Media time is over. Please exit.” I hear Finn usher everyone out.

“You good?” Ace fist-bumps me.

“They didn’t ask one question about our loss,” I complain.

After a quick shower, I rush home to Leo.

“Darling, I’m home,” I sing as I let myself into Leo’s apartment. Mason groans, and Leo types away. I will never tire of watching Leo’s aura change color when I walk into a room. It’s a nonverbal cue of how much he loves me.

Darling? That’s different , it states without the inflection Leo would give it.

I round the couch to kiss his temple on his good side. “Can’t call you Daddy or Lovie with your son here,” I whisper in his ear and watch his neck flush, knowing he can’t respond. While he’s distracted, I change the voice on the tablet.

“Tough game.” Mason notices the gift bag.

“Yeah, and then I defended your honor,” I say, and he covers his eyes.

“How long do you think they’ll focus on that?” he asks.

Until you have a winning streak or one of you does something even stupider , the device says for Leo, and Mason groans.

Unable to wait, I dangle the bag in Leo’s face.

“Got you a present.” He tries to catch it, but I twirl it out of his reach.

“You know how you’re worried about the permanent scar?

” His eyebrows scrunch, and Mason makes a guilty, strangled sound.

Probably should’ve waited until he left. Impulse control: not in check.

“Anyway, I thought you would look cool as fuck wearing this.” I flourish the jeweled black mask from the bag. Leo stares at it, and I place it in his hands. “You’ll be like the sickest Phantom of the Opera guy in Enforcers colors.” I had the mask bedazzled with purple gems.

Leo types and in an Italian accent says, You’re a dick.

“You love my dick.” I snuggle into his side and kiss his neck.

“Aren’t you the one who complained about having to watch teammates kissy face? I’m not interested in seeing my father and my teammate,” Mason complains, throwing my words back at me. “I should go.”

He’s doing his best to accept us. Most of the time, he’s faking it, but he’s trying and we appreciate it. Eventually, he’ll stop cringing.

I walk Mason to the door and give him a bro hug.

A few days ago, when Leo was sleeping, we made a friendship pact.

He’s going to spend most of his time here with us while Leo recovers, and after that, we’ll have roommate nights and video game marathons.

I promised him we wouldn’t lose each other, and I meant it.

Leo moves gingerly as if he doesn’t trust himself to walk without jostling his jaw.

He isn’t one to complain, but this has taken so much from him.

He enjoys solitude, and we’ve invaded his space.

I hate how he’s in constant pain, and I asked the doctor about sex out of earshot of Leo.

The doctor said we should wait two weeks since most people strain their face and neck muscles when they orgasm. So my plan to distract him is on hold.

I need to improvise.