Page 18 of Twink Heart

?“He needs it.”

?“I… I don’t know if I want to see that…” I could feel my face flush white again. “I’m not great with blood and stuff.”

?“You can sit in the waiting room,” Doc offered.

?“Go ahead,” James smiled. “I’ll be fine.”

?I fought with myself for a moment. I wanted to stay there and be supportive of James because I knew how much pain he must be in. But my stomach was also turning at the idea of seeing a needle pushed through his skin. Still, I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him. I didn’t know why either. It wasn’t like he belonged to me and we definitely weren’t involved. However, I wanted to be there at his side. I had to be.

?Just as I was about to leave, I spotted another rolling chair on the far side of the room. I grabbed it and pulled it over to the stainless steel table, climbing in so I was facing away from James’ feet.

?“I’ll stay,” I said, a flood of anxiety filling my chest. I was so far out of my comfort zone, but I couldn’t help it. James was hurt, and I felt like I had to be there for him. “For moral support.”

?James nodded with a smile and held out his hand. “For moral support.”

?I took his hand, the butterflies in my stomach erupting all at once. It was such a small gesture, but there was something so deeply intimate about having his fingers laced through mine. I felt like my hands were made for his, like his were the ones I’d been searching for all my life whenever I went to take someone’s hand.

?I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at myself. That was a stupid thing to think. Good thing I didn’t say it out loud because that was some cheesy bullshit for the movies. Real life wasn’t that nice.

?However, I didn’t get to dwell on it for too long as James’ fingers squeezed around mine.

?“Brace yourself,” Doc said with a click of his tongue.

?The next five minutes were some of the weirdest and most uncomfortable of my life. And that being said after I found some other dude fucking my girlfriend. James winced and squeezed my hand as Doc sewed him up. But, to his credit, he didn’t cry out or even whimper. The dude was a fucking trooper. But then again, after some of the things I heard gay guys go through in the bedroom from Adam, James was probably a lot tougher than his soft smiley facade might imply.

?“Well, that should about do it,” Doc said at last, leaning back from James’ foot.

?I stole a glance downward, surprised to see that not only was his foot stitched, but completely cleaned and bandaged once again. It almost looked like nothing had every happened to begin with.

?“You know to keep that clean,” Doc added. “And to stay off it. I won’t expect you in the office all next week while that heals.”

?“I can’t take that much time off work!” James protested. “You guys need the help! And well… I need a paycheck.”

?“It’s not going to break the bank to pay you for normal hours, so don’t worry about that.” Doc pulled off his nitrile gloves and tossed them in the trash can. “However, when you get back you’ll be on cleaning duty. And if I ever hear of you walking barefoot out in a public park again, I won’t be stitching you up. You can go deal with the hospital.”

?“Ugh… fine. That’s fair I guess.”

?“And you,” Doc said, pointing at me. “Make sure this boy wears some shoes. You seem to have some sense, so keep him in line.”

?“Oh… uh… we’re not together…” I was having a hard time looking Doc in the eyes as I said that. “He’s just a friend.”

?“Uh-huh,” the vet nodded. Clearly he didn’t believe me. “Right. Still make him wear shoes though.”

?My cheeks were burning. “I’ll do my best.”

?“If that starts to look even remotely infected, you call me. I don’t care what time it is.”

?“Don’t worry,” James smiled. “I know what to watch for.”

?“Good.” Doc huffed, stood up from his stool, and stretched. “Now get out of my office. I want to go home. It’s the weekend for Christ’s sake.”

?James started to slide off the table, but Doc stopped him.

?“What are you doing? You can’t put any weight on that with fresh stitches in.”

?“I have to walk, Doc.”

?“Your friend carried you in,” he replied, glancing over at me with one eyebrow raised. “He can carry you out.” He paused. “In fact, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to have someone to look after you, at least for the weekend.” Doc turned to me, a serious look on his face. “Can he stay with you for the weekend?”

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