Page 27 of Bear the Burden

Hyett took Wesley’s hands and eased him off the bed, carefully rotating him before lowering him into the wheelchair.

If the guy had been any gentler, Wesley would’ve floated into the seat. Hyett even beat Gerald to folding down the footrests.

“This thing doesn’t have a seat belt?” Hyett looked dead serious as he knelt in front of Wesley.

“We aren’t really making a run for it.” Gerald looked at Hyett with furrowed brows. “I promise were not going over five miles an hour, sir.”

Wesley hid his smile at how vexed Hyett seemed. His concern touched Wesley deeply. It was the first time anyone had treated him with this much care and attentiveness.

“If we encounter any speed bumps, feel free to lift my chair over them.” Wesley waved a hand toward the door. “Can we get out of here? I’m pretty sure Gerald has other escapees to help, unless you want to check for air bags.”

Gerald snickered behind him. Killian and Ryker chuckled, and even Quinton wore a huge grin.

Hyett pushed to his feet with a scowl. Wesley crooked his finger. Although everyone’s enjoyment of the situation was good-natured, he didn’t want Hyett to be made fun of, even by him.

When Hyett leaned in close, he kissed the guy on the cheek. “Thanks for looking out for me. I really do appreciate it.”

Hyett gave a soft growl. “You just had to make this room special, didn’t you?”

“How?”

“This is the official spot where I just received the best kiss on the cheek.”

Wesley was about to go up in flames at the statement.

Hyett gave him a roguish smile, and all the fuss over the safety features of a hospital wheelchair no longer seemed ridiculous as Wesley’s heart wobbled.

How could someone think a kiss on the cheek was worth making official?

He didn’t have time to think too hard on it. They headed out of his room, Wesley giving a small wave to the male nurse, Bailey, who had been a great help.

The early afternoon was a flourish of activity—getting loaded into the SUV, a pitstop at Deep Dish for the biggest to-go order of lunch Wesley had ever seen, and then finally arriving at Hyett’s.

Just sitting around the table with the broad-shouldered bear shifters, enjoying their meal and good conversation, made Wesley feel like one of them. Watching the way they interacted with each other confirmed they were goodhearted men.

They’d even worked as a team to clean the kitchen, their synced movements showing they’d done this a million times before. But when Wesley tried to pitch in, he gained four deep scowls that told him to sit his butt down and relax.

Now, he was stepping into Hyett’s L-shaped bedroom, which was a blended theme of olive green and cream and contained a matching set of dark mahogany furniture.

When Wesley walked farther into the room, he was blown away at how spacious it was. He was willing to bet he could fit his and his dad’s bedrooms in here.

The centerpiece was undoubtedly the king-sized bed, with a curved headboard and dressed in tan and cream bedding.

With a grin, Wesley was glad to see he wasn’t the only one who left their folded laundry on their bed, waiting to be put away. Sometimes he just lived out of the stacks until it was time to do laundry again.

Which, from the look of clothes strewn across the floor, was exactly what Hyett did as well.

Wesley noticed a brick fireplace across from the bed with a large flat-screen television mounted above it.

At the other end of the room was a dark gray, overstuffed settee with a throw blanket draped over one arm. A small coffee table was in front of it, with empty dishes sitting on its surface.

Beyond the couch were sliding glass doors, and past them was a wooden deck with black railings, as well as a breathtaking view of the forest.

Wesley had never been inside such a gorgeous, messy bedroom before.

“Excuse the mess.” He placed his hands on Wesley’s waist and guided him toward the bed. “I didn’t get a chance to clean.”

“You don’t have to apologize.” Wesley sat on the edge of the bed with a grimace. His side still hurt like hell. What he wouldn’t give to repay Seth in the same way. “I have just as many clothes scattered around my room, and I think I left dishes sitting on the floor by my dresser.”

---