Page 84 of A Case of You
“Do you want me to take off and come drive you?’
“No. It’s just a blood draw.” The lab had already closed Friday afternoon by the time his doctor appointment had ended.
And if the doctor decided he needed another PICC line…that’s what he’d get.
He’d finally resigned himself to that.
His health and his happiness and his family were worth more to him than having a “job.”
Over the weekend, the girls, and Brandon and Stuart, had gently showered him with love and attention and he finally understood this needed to happen.
His family needed him, and they deserved to havehim. If he was too exhausted and in pain to actuallybewith them, it wasn’t fair to them.
Once he had the house to himself, he spent time in the hot tub, then did some stretching.
Then he realized the dip net that had been propped against the wall next to the hot tub following Stuart, once again, rescuing the dildo from the bottom of the hot tub Sunday night, was still propped there.
He didn’t have it in him to stow it in the bracket overhead. He damn sure wasn’t going to get a chair or a stepladder and attempt it.
Fuck.
So he left it propped up by the kitchen sliders, easily visible, so Brandon or Stuart could put it away later when they got home.
He spent the morning not doing much except getting a shower and watching TV. And making himself more appointments with Nate for that week, something else he’d let slide.
Now? Hehurt. He felt…exhausted.
Almost as bad as the pre-Thanksgiving crash. Except maybe he’d caught this one in time.
He hoped.
It was almost time for the girls to get home. He was sitting on the sofa with the blinds open, watching TV and ready for his appointment, when a car pulled into their driveway. He watched a guy he didn’t recognize, large man, climb out and head for their front door.
Jeff had managed to peel himself up off the couch, slipping his phone into the pocket of his cargo shorts as he headed for the door to answer it before the guy knocked. A couple of times, they’d had people show up looking for the former residents. The couple who’d owned the house, prior to the people who’d lost it to the bank and trashed it before Brandon bought it, had been an elderly couple. Sometimes people who didn’t know they’d died showed up, and it fell on them to pass along the unfortunate news.
“Can I help you?”
The guy stared at him for a moment. “I’m looking for Stuart Powell.”
“I’m his husband, Jeff. Can I help you?”
The guy grinned, and Jeff rocked back, letting go of the door and staggering when the guy cold-cocked him. Pain exploded behind his eyes, combined with trying to reconcile that this guy had justhithim out of the fucking blue!
“So you’re the other fucker who ruined him, huh?”
“What thefuck?” The guy was already in the doorway and Jeff stepped back, confused and trying to catch his breath.
“Goddamned wife left me. Friends fucking mocking me. All Stuart’s goddamned fault.”
Now he realized who this was—Jake. Jeff stepped back. “Get the hell out of here, asshole!”
“Not until I get whatIfucking want. Kick his fucking ass and drag him back to Iowa. Fucking parents won’t even talk to me. Siding with the little queer boy. I’ll show them and everyone else. Make a man out of that goddamned kid.”
Jeff realized this man was seriously unhinged, and he smelled like he’d already downed a six-pack. Jeff had never before in his life wished he owned a gun…until now.
Stumbling, still reeling from the punch, he knew he was in serious damn trouble. His cell phone was in his pocket but if he took the time to dig it out, the guy would be on him. If he could get outside and start screaming for help, maybe he could attract a neighbor’s attention.
Fuck!The girls would be home any minute!
