Page 15 of Trash and Treasure
The doctor nodded. “Sherrie from Bear Necessities. Your boss. Liam, Linda, and Maddi from the library. Seems like you’ve made some good friends in the short time both of you have been in Fox Hollow.”
“Can you take me to Jack right now?” Mico would figure out the rest later. All that mattered was seeing Jack, making sure he was okay, and telling him the things that Mico knew in his heart but had convinced himself it was too soon to say aloud.
Tomorrow is never guaranteed. I need to tell him how I feel so I don’t lose the chance forever.
The doctor unhooked Mico from the IV and monitor leads and insisted he use a wheelchair to travel to Jack’s room. When they reached the door, Dr. Alton stepped back.
“I’ll let you two reconnect in private,” he said. “If you need anything, use the call button. I’m very glad things turned out okay for both of you.”
Mico thanked him, but his focus was on Jack. The whipsaw of emotions from grief to elation was nearly as disorienting as his rapid shift, leaving him breathless.
He pushed the door open, bracing himself in case the doctor was wrong and there had been a terrible misunderstanding.
“Jack?” he whispered, stepping into the dimly lit room.
“Mico!” Jack sat up in bed, then winced and clutched at his side. Even the pain of pulling at his stitches didn’t dim the grin on his face.
Mico rushed across the room, leaving the wheelchair by the door. He leaned down and kissed Jack on the lips, needing to confirm proof of life. His hand slid behind Jack’s head, tangling in his white-blond hair, and Jack grabbed him by the shoulders and hung on tight.
When Mico finally pulled away, he stared at Jack, still unable to believe what he saw. “I thought—you looked—when I brought you here—” He didn’t seem to be able to finish a sentence, but the compassion in Jack’s eyes told him he got his point across just fine.
“I’m sorry I scared you,” Jack replied, raising a hand to let his fingertips trail down Mico’s face.
Mico shook his head, swallowing hard. “No, no, no. It’s all my fault—we should have stayed at the house. I put you in danger—”
Jack laid a finger across his lips. “We live in a forest. We can’t always stay inside a fence. Don’t blame yourself. I’m okay.”
Mico squeezed his eyes shut. Tears slid down his cheeks. “I didn’t protect you.”
Jack shook him gently until Mico looked up. “You saved my life. The coyote would have had me if you hadn’t tackled him.” He frowned. “How did you do that? Shit—did you fast shift? Do you know how dangerous that is?”
“Didn’t care. Couldn’t let you die.”
Jack seemed to realize just now that Mico wore a hospital gown as well. “Did the coyote hurt you? Or was it from shifting so quickly?”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll be fine—and you’re alive.” Mico felt giddy with relief, afraid to stop touching Jack in case his partner vanished.
He sobered, remembering that he had something he needed to say. “I thought I lost you, and I never got the chance to tell you how I feel.” He plunged ahead, trying to get the words out before he lost his nerve. “I believe we’re mates. I love you.”
The silence seemed to last forever, and Mico’s stomach clenched.Did I get it all wrong?
Jack grabbed Mico’s hand and pressed it against his chest, right over his heart. “I feel the same way,” he murmured. “My possum is doing a happy dance. He’s been saying all along that you’re my mate.”
“When they let you leave, come stay with me,” Mico said, twining their fingers together. “We work the same hours most of the time, so I can drop you off at the café. That way, you won’t be by yourself while you heal. And we can spend more time together.”
Jack smiled. “I’d like that. Thank you.” He kissed the back of Mico’s hand. “I love you too.”
Mico wobbled and pulled the wheelchair over so he could sit. “Still feeling the aftereffects, I guess,” he said, chagrined.
“Don’t apologize. You were badass. And fast-shifting is no joke.”
“I get why they say not to do it unless it’s an emergency—which it was,” Mico replied. “It worked. You’re safe. I’ll get over it.” He leaned in for another kiss, this time slow and lingering.
A tap at the door made them pull apart, both of them reluctant to stop. Dr. Alton poked his head into the room. “I hate to break up the reunion, but Mr. Foley needs to rest, and it’s time for Mr. Hargrave’s medication.”
Mico could feel his strength ebbing and knew the doctor was right. “I won’t be away long,” he promised. “And I’m not going far.” He gave Jack’s hand a squeeze and let the doctor wheel him back to his room and steady him as he got into bed.
“I imagine that you’re both eager to leave the hospital,” Dr. Alton said. “We can probably have the two of you out of here in another day if you let us help and follow instructions. Deal?”
