Page 18 of Single Greatest Threat
Sometimes Joesph confused the fuck out him. “We’re getting married. You know that means we share everything now, right?”
Joesph laughed. “I know. It just feels so real when you talk aboutourhouse.”
“It is real.” He didn’t know what Joesph wasn’t getting about this. Shaw had chosen them. He had finally figured out why he was miserable, and now he wouldn’t let go.
“It’ll have to be wheelchair friendly.”
“Of course. Matt gave me like twenty office buildings to look at with the crazy parameters I gave him for offices. I’m sure he won’t have any trouble switching to houses. There’s probably way more of those.”
“I love you so fucking much. You know that, right? I’d choose you every time or there’d be no one.”
Shaw’s throat swelled. After his father’s anger and feeling like his dad chose a woman over him, Joesph had no idea how badly Shaw needed to hear he would be first. “You know I’m not like him, right?” Even Shaw heard the way his voice cracked. He cleared his throat. “I know I’ve fucked up a lot and I haven’t given you much reason to believe in me, but I’d always choose you too.”
“I believe in you. You never would’ve dared breathe a word about marriage if you weren’t dead serious. That’s who you are. You’re unapologetically honest.”
Shaw nodded. His throat felt a little tight. Joesph had only talked about the way Shaw told things like they were, which wasn’t always a good trait. It was obvious Shaw was failing at showing he loved Joesph too much to hurt him. It got a little harder to breathe. He wasn’t sure why. Shaw sort of needed to sit down and put his head between his knees.
Joesph’s expression changed. He quickly kicked up the foot rests on his chair and used his cane to stand. “What’s wrong?”
Shaw tried to take a breath, and nothing happened.
Joesph pulled him toward his wheelchair. “Sit. I’m calling nine one one.”
Shaw wanted to ask him not to do that. He definitely wanted to refuse to take Joesph’s chair. Joesph couldn’t stand for long and it was Shaw’s job to take care of him. But everything went a little dark around the edges and Shaw couldn’t draw a deep enough breath to say a thing. He couldn’t pass out on Joesph. Joesph needed him. In a distant sort of way, he heard Joesph talking, but nothing made sense. It was like no oxygen reached his brain. A terrifying thought hit. Maybe that unexpected heart attack came sooner than he thought. Damn. He really didn’t want to leave this world without Joesph as his husband where he would be protected by Shaw’s money. It seemed Shaw was doomed to fail him.
Chapter Eight
Joesph felt so fuckingsick. He wanted to pace, but his body wouldn’t let him. His knees shook. He was only Shaw’s fiancé, so no one told him shit. Shaw just sat in the ER waiting room and lost his goddamn mind. He felt like he should do something, but he didn’t know what. Shaw would lose his shit if Joesph called his parents. He didn’t want to bother Dodge just to have someone sit with him. Joesph only had his cane because it was too much to drag out his wheelchair. His arms felt weak as hell with the stress wearing him down. Hours passed, and he could barely hold up his head. But Joesph’s spine was steel because Shaw was right. It was their job to take care of each other. That was nonnegotiable.
Six hours in, Joesph had caved and asked to go back. Unfortunately, he was reminded he was not family. He went back to waiting. Joesph was determined he would sit there allnight, no matter the cost to his health. He wouldn’t leave without Shaw.
Shaw:Did you go home or come to the hospital?
Joesph nearly cried in relief at the sight of Shaw’s text. At least he knew his man was still alive.
Joesph:I’m here. They won’t let me come back because I’m not family. I followed the ambulance here and never left. You have no idea how relieved I am to get your text. Are you okay?
Shaw: I still don’t really know anything. It looks like it might’ve been just a major panic attack. They’re still waiting for some tests. I was just now allowed to leave the bed to find my phone. They have me in the red grippy socks. Give me a few. I’ll make sure you can come and wait with me.
Joesph rubbed his forehead. Red socks meant Shaw was obviously considered a fall risk. Likely they had an alarm set on the bed, ensuring he couldn’t leave it. Joesph tried taking a few steadying breaths. Shaw was okay. They were making sure he stayed that way. Joesph could sit here.
Joesph:I love you. Don’t get your blood pressure up. I can sit here for as long as it takes.
Truthfully, Joesph didn’t know if that was true. He was going downhill after missing dinner and being trapped for hours with his feet on the floor. His eyelids felt heavy. The exhaustion kicked his ass.
Shaw:I love you too. Don’t worry about my blood pressure. You’d be more comfortable in a room with me. It’s my job to take care of you.
He was already in a room? More and more, this didn’t sound like nothing. Shaw hadn’t texted him again and Joesph didn’t know how much more he could take. Before Joesph had time to open his texts again to check on him, the automatic doors opened. A furious-looking Shaw Sr. breezed inside, wearing his usual expensive suit.
He motioned for Joesph as he passed. “Let’s go.”
Joesph scrambled to obey. For an older man, Senior walked fast as hell. Joesph fought to keep pace with his legs swollen and his cane barely keeping him upright.
Senior stormed toward the only available nurse behind the counter. “My son-in-law has been sitting in this waiting room for well over eight hours already, with no word about his husband. He has been denied the right to sit with my son in his time of need. You and I both know this is a simple case of discrimination against a same-sex couple. Make no mistake, I’ve never lost a case and I will sue this hospital into bankruptcy if this isn’t resolved.”
Joesph was horrified.
She looked taken aback. “What’s your son’s name?”
