Page 19 of Single Greatest Threat
“Shaw Howe.”
She typed on the computer. A deep line between her eyebrows. “I’m sorry. There’s no spouse listed.”
Senior’s spine stiffened. “Well, he obviously exists. He’s standing right here. So that detail in his chart seems a bit intentional.”
The obviously overworked nurse typed again. “What’s your son-in-law’s name? I can add him to the system, then you’re both free to go back.”
“Joesph.”
“Same last name, I’m assuming.”
Joesph panicked a little. If anyone wanted him to prove his identity, he was fucked. “It’s Drake, actually. I kept my last name. Maybe that’s what caused the confusion.”
She flashed him a small smile. “That’s probably it.” She typed a little more. “Okay, it looks like your husband has already been moved to a room. Third floor. Room 305.”
Joesph nodded. “Thank you.”
Senior squeezed his shoulder. “There you go. Everything should be good now. If not, just call.” He headed toward the door.
Joesph went after him. “Don’t you want to come see him?”
Senior flashed him a sad-looking smile. “I can only make him worse. When he texted me, I knew he wouldn’t have done so for any other reason than you. If I go up, he’ll probably fall right back into whatever landed him here.”
Joesph couldn’t argue with that. “Thank you.”
With a nod, Shaw Sr. headed out, leaving Joesph to find the elevator. Joesph couldn’t get to Shaw fast enough. He needed to see the other half of his soul. That was all that mattered.
Shaw stared at the TV, seeing nothing. He chewed the side of his nail. A soft knock sounded on the door, making Shaw want to growl. He needed Joesph, and all he kept getting were nurses and doctors. He had been scared as hell and his mind was all over the place. It bothered him that Joesph hadn’t shown. Now that he knew they had intentionally kept him away, he was fucking furious.
Joesph stuck his head in the door. Shaw nearly cried out in relief.
“Hey. Is it okay if I come in?”
“Are you joking? Get your ass in here. I knew Dad would get you in.”
Joesph slipped into the room, limping worse than ever. Every step was likely torture. “He said he didn’t want to come up and raise your blood pressure.”
Shaw rubbed his chest. His dad and he would find their way. Maybe. One of these days. Right now, all Shaw cared about was Joesph. He looked like hell. It was Shaw’s job to take care of him.
Joesph kissed him. “Stop. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you’re getting that same look as you had before you came here. If it’s me, just say so. All I care about is your health.”
Shaw’s heartbeat slowed. Joesph was here. He would focus on that rather than the bad… like how he drove Joesph to the edge of death. He hadn’t had these many bad thoughts since…
“Oh.”
A smile exploded across Joesph’s face. He pulled the chair closer to the bed so he could hold Shaw’s hand. “What was thatohall about?”
Shaw shook his head at his own terrible memory. “I just realized I’ve been so busy trying to do everything that I haven’t taken my meds in over a week.”
“That’s not good.”
No. It wasn’t. No wonder Shaw stayed on the edge of a meltdown. “With all the hopping between my place and yours, I forgot.”
Joesph nodded. “You definitely need a steady routine. When we move in together, I’ll keep you on schedule. You’d be amazed at how quickly meds can become part of your day that easily slips away. I’ve found some tricks.”
The idea of living with Joesph full time had Shaw smiling.
“That makes sense, though,” Joesph added. “The way you are right now, I mean. You’re not supposed to stop those meds cold turkey. Your body is probably going through dopamine withdrawals.”
