Page 32 of Worth the Wait

“Verity said you got crazy.”

“When did you even talk to Verity?” Landon threw his hands in the air.

“They called yesterday after I got out of surgery to let me know you were coming. They said you were upset.”

“Of course I was upset. I thought your blood was going to fucking poison you to death, asshole.”

“About Gregory.”

“I don’t want to talk about him right now,” Landon pouted

“I literally have nothing else to do besides enjoy this chilly air conditioning and draw conclusions while my insides drain. So, if you don’t want to tell me, I’ll guess and you can tell me if I’m right.”

Landon allowed him to continue.

“The collar is yours.”

“He says.”

“You believe him.”

“Do I?”

“Of course you do, or you wouldn’t be so desperate to be mad at him.” Jack shook his head. “You know, Landon, for someone who spends so much time on his knees, you sure have a lot of pride.”

“I do,” Landon conceded

“You do believe him, or you do have pride?”

Landon glared. “Yes.”

“Ha!” Jack winced in pain.

“Maybe I should go back to LA,” Landon mused, “You keep hurting yourself worse.”

“I’ve already committed myself to the idea of you staying, so you’re staying.”

“That was a quick flip.”

“Well, unlike you, my friend, I can admit when my initial reaction was the wrong one.” Jack paged the nurse.

“How are you doing, Mr. Martin?” the nurse asked, appearing with a smile and a gust of perfume.

Jack finessed the nurse into bringing him more jello and he tore into the container and spooned a glob of it into his mouth.

“So, the collar,” he said while he chewed.

“What about it?” Landon asked. “You’re already on to me.”

Then Landon’s eyes zoned out and seemed to disappear into his own head.

“You’re worth it. Just apologize to the man, Landon.” Jack finished his jello.

“Is that the best advice you’ve got, Daddy?”

Landon’s sass, for some reason, made Jack realize how tired he was. Maintaining this facade of wellbeing for Landon was exhausting considering he had a tube draining out of his stomach. All he wanted to do was call Callum. Talk to kitten. Go to sleep.

“I’m gonna wait a bit,” Landon interrupted his thoughts.