Page 74 of Collide

“I would but I didn’t get a chance to talk to him today. Like I said, I want to make sure this is what he wants.”

It was on the tip of Noah’s tongue to tell her it was, but he held it back.

“Just walk with me. I’m going to take the back elevator so we won’t see as many people. Security has been watching out for you.”

“Christ, what did I do that was so wrong? Because I want to go in and see the man I love?”

Adrianna frowned. “Everyone knows Cooper’s uncle. He was a police officer here for years. If he said not to let you in, people will listen.” She shook her head. “I never knew. How could Cooper be gay?”

Noah wasn’t sure what to say to that, so he chose nothing. No matter what they planned, that didn’t mean Cooper would feel the same after speaking with Vernon. No matter what the man was, he was Cooper’s family. Noah wouldn’t come between that.

He kept his head down as he followed behind Adrianna. The whole scene made him want to hit something. They treated him like he was a criminal.

“Hello, Adrianna.” A woman said, as she walked by.

Noah looked the other way as Adrianna told her hi.

They noticed a few more people on their way, most of them too busy to pay any attention to Noah and Adrianna.

They took the elevators the second floor and headed west. As they rounded a corner, Adrianna froze. Standing in front of them was Cooper’s Aunt.

He let a heavy breath push from his lungs.

“Mrs. Bradshaw,” Adrianna stuttered.

“It’s not her fault,” Noah told her, before the woman could say anything. “I just…I need to see him.” Noah didn’t give a shit about the vulnerability in his voice. He needed to see the man he loved, and that was that.

“Then you should see him.” Noah’s eyes caught hers with her words. It was that easy? They were going to change their mind so quickly?

“He’ll want to see you, in fact, he’s been asking to see you, and I’m sorry we kept you away. It’s just…we didn’t know, and it was painful to see you. I’d thought I put it all behind me, but I guess I hadn’t.”

Put all what behind her? Noah had no idea what she was talking about. “What happened?”

Autumn shook her head. “I can’t…just go see Cooper. I think…I think he needs you. Heaven knows he wants you, and he doesn’t want to see his uncle or me, right now. Not that I blame him.”

Autumn tried to smile at him but she was crying too hard. When she tried to step away, she stumbled slightly and Adrianna reached out to grab her. She looked at Noah. “Room 2025. I’m going to help Mrs. Bradshaw downstairs. Just…I don’t know you, and don’t understand what’s going on with you and Cooper. Even though I don’t love him, I care about him. He’s my friend, and I don’t want to see him get hurt.”

Cooper was Noah’s first true friend. The first person he’d trusted. The happiest times of his childhood, or hell, his adulthood, the man had been a part of. “I would never hurt him.”

Noah turned and headed for Cooper’s room. Slowly, he pushed the door open. Coop’s eyes were closed, the blanket pulled up. He had bandages and a sling on one of his arms. Noah’s heart pinched seeing Cooper like this.

He was only a few feet away from the bed, when Cooper’s eyes fluttered open. The second he saw Noah, a smile spread across his face. Finally Noah felt like he could breathe.

With that fucking smile, they had to be okay. Had to.

“No..ah.” Cooper’s voice was pained, raspy.

Noah grabbed his lover’s hand. “Does it hurt to talk?”

Cooper nodded.

“Do you want me here?” Again he held his breath, needing the answer to be yes.

“Ye-s. Fuck—yes.”

Thank God. Bending over, Noah kissed his lips. “Then don’t speak. Words can wait till later. I just want to hold you, baby, and make sure you’re really okay.”

He didn’t pretend there weren’t things they needed to discuss. Cooper might still want him, but that didn’t mean he was ready. It didn’t mean he could claim Noah the way he needed to be claimed by the man. But right now, all that mattered was feeling him and knowing he was really there.

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