Page 40 of Unchained

Jon snored lightly. A nurse had come by and given him something for the pain. He was asleep within minutes after she had left. Levi was thankful for that.

Gus had gone to make sure everything at the house was ready for Jon’s return and brought him some clean clothes for his trip home. After he and Levi had helped Jon get changed from his hospital gown, he left again to go get some clothes of his own. He had been embarrassed to admit it, but he had dropped everything to be with them. The ordeal had left Jon in extreme pain.

He watched the rise and fall of his chest from his seat. He looked so peaceful. Even in this state, covered with scrapes and bruises, Levi believed he was the best-looking man he’d ever seen. He had been worried about scarring, but seeing him now, Levi knew that any scars that remained would be distinguishing. But of course, he was biased.

The door swung open. An orderly peeked in.

“Y’all ready?”

“I was letting him sleep til you got here.”

Levi’s back cracked as he stood up.

“That chair is not comfy at all.”

“I hear that all the time. You should try sleeping in one of those.” The orderly pushed a wheelchair into the room.

“I’ve not slept since the night before last. Maybe once we get home, I’ll be able to calm down.” He placed a hand on Jon’s chest. He leaned in. “Hey. Can you hear me? Time to wake up and get your ass home.”

Jon stirred. He mumbled something, but Levi couldn’t understand him.

“Jon. We need to leave.” He turned to the orderly. “He can be a heavy sleeper, and I don’t know what they gave him. Can we just get him in the chair and wheel him out?”

The orderly laughed. “Nah. He’s gotta be conscious before we can release him.”

Levi looked at Jon and sighed. He didn’t want to wake him, but he didn’t want to spend one minute more in this room. He shook Jon, taking care not to hurt him.

“Jon! Gus is on his way to the house and said he’d kick your ass if he gets there before we do.”

Jon’s eyes flew open. “Fuck! We gotta go!”

Shaking his head, he watched Jon try to get up, but couldn’t even lift himself from the bed. He hoped it was the medication.

The orderly laughed. “Slow down there buddy, we’ll help you stand up.”

Levi rushed over to assist him.

“I can do it,” Jon insisted, though his legs seemed to melt the moment his weight was on them. They caught him quickly.

“Easy there. We’re gonna help you get over to that chair. Linda got you all doped up, didn’t she?”

“I don’t do drugs.” Jon’s tone reminded Levi of a drunk being cut off for the night.

“I know, bud, but we gave them to you for the pain.”

“I don’t have any pain.”

Levi chuckled. “Not right now, you don’t.”

Jon’s head spun in Levi’s direction. “Levi! I love you so much.”

Levi could feel his cheeks burning. “I love you too, but let’s get you over to that chair.”

“The wheelchair? I don’t need a wheelchair. I can walk all by myself.”

The orderly whispered something to Jon. His eyes went wide. “Okay, I’ll use the chair.” There was an unfamiliar apprehension in his voice. It hurt. Levi didn’t like any of this, but it would all be over soon. They’d be home and he would come down from whatever high he was riding soon enough.

Once seated, Jon looked up at Levi.

“You wouldn’t really just leave me here, would you?”

Levi looked at the orderly, who just shrugged. “Had to motivate him somehow.”

He bent down, eye to eye with Jon. He smiled and placed a hand on his cheek.

“Babe, I would never abandon you.”

Jon smiled. “I knew it! But I figured I’d play it safe. He’s scary.”

Levi heard a laugh from behind him. He ignored it. “I’m taking you home right now. We’ll get you in your bed and Gus is going to stay with us until you go back to work.”

“Oh, do you think he’ll grill for supper tonight?”

“You’ll have to ask him. I just know that this gentleman has to wheel you outside and then we’ll head home. I’m going to leave you alone with him for just a minute while I pull the car up to the front door, but you’ll be right behind me. Is that ok?”

Jon pouted. “I’m going to miss you.”

Levi kissed his forehead before he headed out the door. Jon and the orderly followed.

They were on the road within minutes. Jon didn’t say a word.

Levi wondered if Jon was awake. He faced away, unmoving. He dared not say anything. The medication had made him seem unlike himself. If he hadn’t seemed so normal, and if the doctor hadn’t told Levi that the medicine they were giving him might make him seem different, Levi would have argued for at least one more night of observation. Comfort be damned. The bar was in decent hands, and with Gus staying tonight, he could’ve rescued the bar in a pinch.

“I love you. You know that, right?” The words caught Levi off-guard. He’d thought Jon was asleep.

“I know, babe. You ok over there?”

He sighed. “Yeah. I’m just not enjoying being in a car right now.”

Levi placed his hand on Jon’s knee. Jon didn’t move.

“It’s ok babe. You’re alright, and that’s all that matters. One day, you’ll look back on all of this and laugh.”

“I know. Part of me is glad I don’t remember what happened.”

“What about the rest?”

“The fact I can’t remember terrifies me.”

“Well, the doctor told me that the memory loss likely isn’t permanent. Just know I’ll be there for you. You don’t have to go through any of this alone.”

“Granted right now, I barely remember leaving the hospital.”

Levi smiled. “So, you’re coming down. I’m not certain what they gave you, but you were high as a kite.”

Jon groaned. “I don’t get high. Like, I tried, but I turned into a weird goofball with diarrhea of the mouth. When you have a secret, that’s not a good thing.” He paused. “Is Gus really staying with us for a few days?”

“Yep. And James is manning the bar until I come back. You won’t be alone one minute until you’re feeling better.”

Jon turned his head. For the first time since leaving the hospital, Levi could see his face. The redness in his eyes. The dried salt remnants of his tears.

They pulled into the driveway.

“Looks like Gus hasn’t made it back yet.”

Jon’s mouth curled upwards into a slight grin. He closed his eyes.

“I think I can walk better now. But I’ll probably need a little help. I’m sore as hell and still woozy.”

“Gimme just a sec to come around.”

“Wait.” Jon looked at him. His eyes glistened. “Levi. I almost died last night.”

Levi felt a weight in his chest. “Yeah. You did.” He inhaled. “And I know there’s nothing I can say to make it better, to take away your pain. Just know that I’m here for you. I can be your rock while you sort this out. I can tell you’re dealing with a shit ton of emotions right now. Remember, none of it was intentional. None of it was your fault. I’m here for you. If you need someone to lean on, someone to talk to, or a shoulder to cry on. Hell, even if you need someone to give you space. I’ll be here because I love you.”

Jon smiled.

“I love you too. I think I’m ready to go inside now and lay in our bed.”