Page 88 of The Road Home
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Orson woke to a pounding in his head that was like a drumline marching back and forth. He groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, memories of the night before slowly coming back to him. He stretched his legs, finding his muscles tight and sore as he moved.
He'd gone to bed soon after getting home, but remembered Jared talking to him off and on through the night. He loved how gentle Jared had been with him, hardly daring to hold him in his arms, afraid of hurting him.
"Morning." Jared's voice was soft as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "Hurting?"
Orson nodded. "More than I thought I would."
"Here, sit up a bit and take these." Jared dropped several pills into Orson's hand.
Sitting up was even worse, his shoulder on fire. Funny, because that was the least of his injuries. Once he was able, he took the glass of water Jared held and popped the pills into his mouth before swallowing them down. "Thanks." He leaned his head carefully against Jared's chest. "I didn't think I'd hurt this bad."
"Your body is in shock. The muscles all tensed when you got hit. From the look of the bruise on your shoulder, you had to have hit the ground hard."
"Honestly, I don't even remember." Orson reached up, trying to run his fingers through his hair. "Can I shower?"
"You can, but you have to be careful with your stitches. I can help you rinse most of your hair, but we need to be careful and avoid that one area."
"Okay, once the pills kick in." Orson hated how tired he was.
"Hungry?"
"Yeah, starving actually."
"Relax for a bit. I'll go cook you something and bring it in."
"I can do with a bowl of cereal." He didn't want Jared to have to cook.
"I'm hungry too. I don't mind. I'll just scramble some eggs. You let the pills kick in and then we'll see about that shower." Jared kissed his cheek. "I have to work tonight, I can't get out of it. Do you want me to see if someone can come sit with you?"
Orson shook his head, then wished he hadn't. "No, I'll just put in a movie or something and nap on the couch. Tippy will keep me company."
The dog lifted her head from the foot of the bed, watching the two of them.
"Okay, but if you change your mind, we can see if Harry or someone can come over." Jared stood. "I'll be right back."
Orson sank back down against the pillows. "Thanks." He closed his eyes. Any other time, he would have welcomed having Harry over, but the way he was feeling, he didn't want company. As he relaxed, he thought about everything that had happened. He only remembered parts of the accident, but once they got to the hospital everything was clear. Cameron outing Jared was huge, but oddly, they hadn't discussed it. He'd never admit it to Jared, but he was glad that it was done. He wasn't very happy with the way it happened, but it was one less thing for Jared to worry about, and if the nurses he sat with while waiting for Jared to get off work were any sign, no one at the hospital was going to have an issue with Jared being gay. The nurses had laughed, asking him questions about their relationship, and finally understanding why Jared had never responded to their flirting.
He'd laughed hearing stories about one nurse who no longer worked there. Evidently, she'd tried everything to get Jared's attention. She'd been devastated when he wouldn't go out with her. Orson smiled. Things would have been easier for everyone if Jared had just admitted to being gay. Right or wrong, it no longer mattered, he was out. What that meant, he wasn't sure, but at least it was done.
So much had happened over the last few months. At times, he thought it was all a dream. The happiness he found was unlike anything he'd ever dreamed of having, and with Jared by his side, he was no longer scared of the future. Jared's love and support gave him the courage to conquer everything. He closed his eyes, fighting the tiredness.
"Wake up, love," Jared said softly.
Orson stirred, blinking several times. "I must have fallen back to sleep."
"You need the rest. Once you eat, we'll get you that shower and you can sleep the rest of the day if you want to."
"I should be with you."
"Did I say I was going anywhere? I'll lay here with you until I have to go into work." Jared lifted a tray. "Sit up so you can eat."
Orson did as he was told, propping the pillows behind him so he could set the tray on his lap. "Thank you."
"I just wish I could take away your pain."
"You have. Maybe not this current pain, but the pain I've been in over the last few years. You've given me a new life, a new hope. I never dreamed I could love someone as much as I love you. That day we met, I almost didn't go to the clinic. I hated doctors. Now, I dread to think where my life would be had I not walked through those doors that night and met you."
