Page 81 of A Case of You
Jeff was desperately glad about that, because he wasn’t sure hecouldmake that walk and then return to the living room to eat dinner. Once he headed for the bedroom that night, he’d be going to bed.
He was barely able to remain sitting upright.
Brandon sat on the coffee table and stared at Jeff. He sat with his hands clasped, elbows propped on his knees, and a lovingly stern expression in his blue eyes.
Stuart stood next to him, arms crossed over his chest and staring down at Jeff.
“We going to need to discuss this?” Brandon asked.
Jeff shook his head. “No, Sir,” he quietly said. “I apparently don’t have Lyme as much as I have a case of the dumbasses. I’m done fighting.”
Brandon reached out and cupped his cheek. “We have a case ofyou. We both do. We love you. You arenotstupid, so stop saying that. We tried, you tried. The bottom line is you’re meant to stay home and be a kept man.” His handsome smirk belied his words. “So get used to it.”
“I’ll even give up my Alpha subby title to you, if you want it,” Stuart offered. “Not like I’m toppy.”
Jeff managed a small laugh for him. “That’s okay, buddy. I don’t care about the label.” He held his arm out to Stuart.
He climbed onto the couch, lying down with his head in Jeff’s lap. Jeff ruffled his hair before returning his focus to Brandon.
“My life,” Brandon said, “revolves around those two girls out there, and you two. I don’t care that it’s not perfect. I don’t care that you’re sick. When I married you, I meant it for life. Hell, I meant it for life when Icollaredboth of you, and I’d be lying to deny it. Right now, my focus is onyou. Because you need me the most. And that’s the way itshouldbe.”
Jeff hated that he couldn’t hold his tears back. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, buddy. We love you so damn much, and you don’t know how fucking hard it’s been on me and Stu and the girls, standing back and watching you hurt yourself in bad ways the past few weeks.”
“Thank you.”
Brandon touched his forehead to Jeff’s. “Have we made our case, mister?”
“Yeah. Yes, Sir.”
“No. Brandon and Jeff and Stuart. You’re ourhusband.”
Jeff stared into his eyes. “My doctor appointment’s at four tomorrow. I don’twantanother PICC line.”
Brandon stroked Jeff’s cheek with his thumb. “If he says that’s what you need, then that’s what you need. Let’s let him decide that, though.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Stuartspoke up from where he lay in Jeff’s lap. “Let’s talk about you filing for disability. If you get it, fine. If not, oh well, we got you covered.”
“Okay.”
“We need to hear you say it,” Brandon told him. “We aren’t going through this again.”
Jeff took a deep breath. “I’m not working outside the house.”
“Thankyou.” Brandon kissed him, long and tenderly. “We can talk about you going to school, or…something. But it needs to fit with your health. Making barely above minimum wage and killing yourself isn’t acceptable.”
“Nakey house slave when the girls aren’t around?” Stuart suggested.
“I actually really like that idea,” Brandon said. After one final kiss pressed to Jeff’s forehead, he stood and waved Tracey, Grace, and Emma back inside. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
* * * *
Stuart felt relief set in when Jefffinallyagreed with them. One less worry on his plate. Maybe Brandon told them they should lethimworry about stuff, but it was hardnotto worry.
Jeff ate on the couch, and Emma and Grace volunteered to sit with him, leaving the other three adults at the table.
