Page 110 of Broken Wheels

“No,” Gary snapped, cutting Michael off. “We came to listen to what they had to say, so let’s do that.”

Michael glared at him. “You’ve been like this all day long. If you won’t tell me what’s going on, I can’t help.”

Gary’s face twisted in anger. “Who said I need your help? I’m a fucking adult, and you keep treating me like a child.”

Michael rubbed his nose. “Did you ever stop to think it’s because you’re acting like one?”

A tide of red rose up Gary’s neck, staining his cheeks. “Fuck you.”

Michael didn’t even blink. “Right back at you, babe.”

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

Gary sat, his back rigid, but a moment later, he winced and squeezed his eyes shut tight. “I hurt, okay? A lot. This morning I dropped my pants as I was getting dressed. I know I should have called you, but I thought, you know, I could do it myself. As I leaned over, something popped, and all of a sudden, there was like a fireball roaring up my spine. I took my meds, but it hasn’t really dulled the pain.”

Michael sighed. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Gary stared at him. “Because I’m sick to death of being an invalid. What makes it worse? I know it’s my own goddamn fault.” He swallowed hard. “I just want to be a whole partner for you, and a whole friend for everyone else.” He grimaced. “All this pillow-fluffing and coddling is like chewing tinfoil. You’d think I’d be used to it, but I’m not.”

Michael sat beside him and reached for his hand. “If you ever get used to it, then I’ll worry,” he said softly. “Tomorrow we’ll go to the doctor. And if you feel it’s bad enough right now, we can head to the emergency room.”

Gary shook his head. “Tomorrow is fine.”

Josh cleared his throat. “You know what we should have here? A clinic. Hire a doctor or two, a few nurses, outfit a room for them, and then anyone from CrossBow, or the families that live here, can be seen right away.”

Michael stilled. “That’s brilliant.” He turned to Gary. “We have space on the fourth floor we can use.”

Gary nodded. “We also have that area on the first floor. We were going to create a meditation area there, but we moved that outside.”

“First floor would be better,” Dixon commented. “In case agents come in from outside, there won’t be layers of security for them to go through.”

“I’ll get to work on it tomorrow.” Michael focused on Josh. “I’m sorry. You called us here to tell us something.”

Before Josh could reply, Gary whispered to Michael, “Could I have the pillow?”

Josh waited until Gary was settled before sharing his theory, with both Dixon and Chalmers adding bits here and there. Michael and Gary listened in silence, and when Josh was done, they stared at him.

Josh had half-expected that reaction.

“You think it’s a crazy idea, don’t you?”

Michael coughed. “Not crazy, no. But I think Grady was right. You’re going to need proof. A lot of proof.”

Gary expelled a long breath. “Just when you think you’ve heard everything.” He gazed at Josh. “About your idea that he’s gonna run for president…. He hasn’t mentioned it, and it’s a little late if he plans on being nominated for November.”

Josh shook his head. “I think he’s playing the long game. Maybe he’s set his sights on 2028. That gives him lots of time to really put himself in the public eye.”

“I’d like to say your theory is farfetched.” Gary sighed. “Unfortunately, there are some fucked-up individuals out there who are probably capable of atrocities I couldn’t even imagine.” He raised his chin and looked Josh in the eye. “I have faith in you. If the proof is out there, you’ll find it.”

Michael leaned into him. “And now you’re going to go lie down.”

Gary smiled. “Only if you lie down with me.”

Josh watched them, warmth flowing through him.

Now I have what they have.

Someone to love.

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