Page 56 of Shades of Henry
“Then good luck.”
They reached the waiting room and Lance gestured him in. “I’m afraid I need to get back to the ER. Usually I’m in the cardiac ward, but there are lots of hurt people today.”
“I appreciate the guided tour,” Ellery said. Then as though remembering who he was, he continued, “I hope to see you soon. Perhaps Henry could bring you by. He seems to fit right in.”
“Thank you, sir.” Lance nodded and backed away, trying to ignore the pounding of his own heart. He was halfway back to the madness of the ER when his pocket buzzed.
I’m fine. Case is over. Jackson’s in the hospital. Will fill you in tonight. Don’t worry, okay?
Lance stared at the text, his chest gradually warming as he caught his breath.I’ll always worry—but I’m glad you’re okay. Met Cramer in the ambulance bay. Cool customer. Good guy.
How’s Jackson?
Talking when he got here. That’s all I know.
Good. He won’t die if he’s talking. Keep me posted.
You too.
Lance was about to put his phone back in his pocket when it buzzed one more time.
Last night changed my life. See you tomorrow.
He smiled, touching the face of the phone foolishly before texting,Me too. If Randy isn’t banging someone in his bed, you can sleep in my bed tonight. Later.
Will think of you. Later.
Okay, then. He could deal with this. Henry was safe, and he had an entire world to deal with. He sprinted toward the ER and another car wreck with renewed energy and purpose.
He had a boyfriend, and his boyfriend had a mission. He himself should know there were worse things in life.
LANCE STAGGEREDhome at nine o’clock the next night, after catching a few hours in the crib between shifts. Henry was reading quietly on the couch while Curtis sat in the stuffed chair with his laptop, and sounds of sex drifted out from Zep and Fisher’s half of the bedroom.
“Randy and Billy?” Lance yawned.
“Went to see a movie,” Henry said, getting up. “Here—hit the shower. Have you eaten?”
Lance shook his head. “I could eat,” he said, because he knew he should, and because Henry would worry.
“Liar,” Henry said with a grimace. “Go shower. I made something tonight you might not hate.”
Lance emerged a dreamy half hour later and managed to find the kitchen table. Henry had plated chicken and veggies sautéed in a balsamic vinegar reduction that actually didn’t make him overfull. “This is perfect,” he breathed, trying to slow down between bites. “Where’d you get the recipe?”
“I asked the guys,” Henry told him. “Apparently my mother’s stew and spaghetti were part of the problem. You kids and your fuckin’ carbs. Anyway, eat. Your bed’s all made, clean sheets and everything. We can talk when you can see straight, ’kay?”
Lance managed to nod. “Morning?” he said hopefully. “I was gonna work out before my next shift.”
Henry grimaced. “I actually got a thing I gotta do tomorrow.”
Lance waited for a moment. “Go on….”
“Rivers sort of runs this… I guess halfway house for junior ex-cons. He and Cramer have a friend who’s dating one of them. Anyway, I told him I’d go visit and see how they’re doing. He’s getting the feeling they’re ready to move somewhere else, and Cramer sent me some info to help them out. Then I get to sort of vet more ex-cons to see who I think would benefit most from the house after they leave.”
“Wow,” Lance said, waking up a little just so he could marvel. “Rivers put you in charge of that?”
“He’s sort of down for a bit. I guess he’s got to go in for surgery in a couple of weeks, and he’s under strict orders to eat well and sleep a lot and not go running all over the fuckin’ world. I gotta tell you, I’m tired. I don’t know how he does it.”
“I hear you. Are you getting paid for this?” Because Henry felt like working for his brother made him a burden.
