Page 64 of The Road Home
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
"Do you think he'll go?" Jared tossed his keys on the table as he shut the front door, glad to be home after an insane night at work.
"I don't know. He's nervous about it. He's been on his own for so long, but honestly, I don't see what choice he has. He can't survive out there if he can't hear anything. It's too dangerous." Orson slumped down on the couch in the den.
"It sounds like a good program. If they'll teach him Sign Language and everything." Jared didn't know the first thing about what it took to survive in a non-hearing world. He couldn't imagine how hard it would be to learn everything again without being able to hear.
"Have his doctors found anything? I know they haven't told him much."
Jared sat down beside him. "There isn't much to tell him. They just don't know yet. There is a specialist coming in tomorrow to look at his case. They're thinking it's something with the nerves in the brain and not necessarily the ears. With it being both ears, both would have had to have been damaged in the attack, but if you remember, most of the injuries were to one side of his head, not both. It's very rare, but it could be something with the brain not processing the sound. It's something I've only read about and have no experience with."
"Is it permanent?"
"I honestly can't say." He reached for Orson's hand. "I wish I had answers, but I don't."
"It's okay. I just hate seeing him this way." Orson linked their fingers.
"Come here." Jared leaned in and kissed him, pulling Orson halfway onto his lap. "I missed this tonight. I'm not used to thinking about someone so much through my shift. I nearly snuck upstairs several times to see if I could sneak a kiss when no one was watching."
"You should have." Orson smiled as he wrapped his arms around Jared's neck.
"I can't risk it at the hospital." Jared ran his nose along Orson's shoulder. "Makes coming home more exciting though."
"Does it?" Orson turned, going to his knees, straddling Jared's lap. "So, you're still okay with this? With us?" He settled onto him, smiling as Jared's cock stirred under him.
"With this?" Jared sucked at Orson's bottom lip. "And this?" He lifted his hip, bringing them even closer together. "Yeah, more than okay." Jared cupped Orson's face in his hands. "Are you okay? You're the one making a sacrifice."
"Giving up my active dating and social life?" Orson rolled his eyes. "This is perfect for me. I like that I'll be able to come home to you after work every night."
"Wake up with me every morning too." Jared grinned.
"So, we're sharing a bed every night?"
"I'd like to." Jared leaned back, worried that it would be too much too fast for Orson. "Is that something you don't want?"
"No, I do, but I worry about my nightmares keeping you up. I dream every night. I might not scream all the time, but I know I get restless and toss and turn a lot. I want to share a bed, but you have to promise me that if I keep you awake, we stop. Okay?"
"I don't like the idea of you being alone when you have them. I'd rather be with you."
"I appreciate that, but you need to sleep too. If I'm up all night, I don't want you up too."
"We'll figure it all out. This is new to both of us. We'll find what works for us. I know I slept great last night with you in my arms. I've never done that before. I've always just…" Jared shook his head. "It doesn't matter what I've done. The fact is, this is all new to me too. I'm sure I'll mess it up somehow, but until I do, I'm going to enjoy having you by my side as often as possible."
"Why do you think you'll mess this up?"
Jared shrugged. The truth was, he wasn't sure how long Orson would put up with keeping them a secret. He was going to enjoy having Orson with him as long as he could, but he had to prepare himself for the time when Orson would want more and move on to someone who could give him the full life and relationship that he deserved. "I hope I don't, but I have no idea how to be a boyfriend. How to give you what you need."
"I only need this. You holding me. You talking to me. I want to wake up in your arms, go to bed with you in mine. Beyond that, we'll figure it out. There is no right or wrong. It's only what we want." Orson kissed him. "Don't overthink things and doom us from the start."
"I won't. At least I'll try not to." Jared leaned his head forward onto Orson's chest. "Just be patient with me."
"And you with me."
Jared looked up at him, still stunned that things had progressed to where they were now. Just twenty-four hours ago he would have sworn he wouldn't commit to someone, but now, here he was, holding the man who was his boyfriend in his arms. Orson was so easy to care about, and the more time they spent together, the more he wanted to be with him. As amazing as it all was, the simplistic way it all seemed to happen made him nervous. It could all end just as quickly as it started, and that would kill him if it happened. "So, will you move your things into my room?"
"You want me to move in there? Are you sure?"
"Yeah. It doesn't make sense to use both bedrooms. I don't want you running back and forth all the time. I'll make room for your stuff in my closet and dresser." Jared grinned. "I never thought I'd have a live-in boyfriend."
