Page 68 of Holding On to a Hero
Cole came in behind us with Will’s bag and Dave in his cardboard box. He set both down on one of the beds and started to let Dave out.
“I got two beds so you wouldn’t get jostled during the night, Will.” I spun to face him. “But it doesn’t mean I don’t want to sleep with you. I mean….” Will pulled his sunglasses off and gave me a sad smile.
“I know, Jason. My back has bad timing.”
“I’m going to give you that hug now.” I carefully circled him with my arms. He cautiously embraced me back. Cole was standing behind Will, and I grimaced as I met his eyes. I felt like I was hugging a stranger.
“Well, crap, this is the worst hug I’ve ever gotten from you.” Will’s complaint forced me to laugh.
“I’m sorry! I’m trying not to hurt you.” I pulled back and palmed his face. He pressed his cheek to my hand. “Well, if hugs are out for now, we can always follow Cole’s suggestion.” I held his face still as I leaned in slowly and met his lips with my own. I kept it short, conscious of his pain, but it was still perfect.
When I pulled back, Will’s eyes were closed and he looked a lot more relaxed. “Stay right there,” Cole instructed as he ducked under my arm to squeeze between me and Will. I only moved back enough to keep Will from getting jostled.
“My turn.” Cole took Will’s mouth in a heated kiss. “God, Will, we missed you so much, you have no idea.”
Will looked between Cole and me. “I have a pretty good idea.” Then he zeroed in on Cole and sucked in a breath. “Oh, my god, Cole. Your poor face! That scar isn’t going to go away, is it?” He looked appalled. I knew I had to interrupt what was coming next. “I’m so so—”
“No!” Both Cole and I said it together, but I let him take the lead on this conversation.
“Will, I’m only going to say this once. This injury was not your fault. In fact, you saved my life. Didn’t the police tell you?” He stared at Will until Will finally nodded. “Right. So, if I hadn’t hit my face on the door, I’d be dead. And I was the one who refused to see a plastic surgeon. I prefer the scar. The scar will keep people from asking me to do movies again. Now I can have the life I want to live without everyone always hounding me about coming out of retirement. If you really think about it, that means you saved my life twice over.” Will gave Cole a skeptical look. “It’s true. So I don’t want to hear any more apologies from you. About the shooter, about saving my life, or any of it!”
I gently tightened my arms around Will, trapping Cole between us. Will sighed, “That’s a much better hug. Thanks. And thank you, Cole. I’ll try to do better about always apologizing.”
Cole made ahmmphsound. “See that you do. Or we’re going to have to come up with some sort of punishment.” I couldn’t see Cole’s face, but he must have wiggled his eyebrows or leered at Will, because Will chuckled. Warmth curled through me. We were all together again.
Our relationship with Will had barely begun when we’d been forced to separate. We had a lot to learn about each other and a lot to figure out about how to be together. But that could all start now.
I took a deep breath, the scent of both of my men covering up the room’s dismal smell. I pulled away reluctantly. I needed to take care of some things to keep us safe, and we needed some dinner.
“Okay,” I said as I moved back. “I’m going to check out the back of the motel and the parking lot exits. I’ll walk over to the restaurant to get us some dinner on the way back.”
Will smiled at me. “That would be great, Jason.”
“I’ll get the rest of the bags from the car,” Cole offered. “Will, would a hot bath help?”
“That sounds good,” Will nodded. Cole perked up with something to do.
“I’ll go grab the bags and then I’ll run your bath.” I opened the door and scanned the parking lot for anyone lurking around. Once I gave Cole the all-clear he pulled his sunglasses back on and hurried outside.
Will turned toward the bed and held out a hand for Dave to sniff. Dave rubbed his head against Will’s fingers.
“I guess you’re not allergic to cats?”
Cole came back in right at that moment and froze in the doorway. “Will’s allergic to cats?”
“No!” Will shook his head. “I’m not allergic. I like cats.”
Cole let out a relieved exhale. “Good. Dave’s cool.” He shut the door behind him and dumped our bags on the other bed. Dave skittered away and arched his back.
“Aww, it’s okay, Dave.” Will shook his head at Cole. “He seems nervous. How long have you had him?”
“Um, about twenty-four hours?” Will choked on a laugh.
“Well, no wonder he’s nervous.” Dave started to explore the room while Cole set up another box with some newspaper for his litterbox. “At least it looks like he’s neutered. He looks a little dirty; does he need a bath too?” Will asked.
I snorted. “That’s my cue to go walk the perimeter and get dinner. Cat baths can wait until your back feels better, Will. I have a feeling we’ll need all three of us in fighting shape to pull that off.” I peered out from behind the curtain on the window before I opened the door.
“Cole, keep an eye out the window while I’m gone. Do you have your gun?” He nodded and showed me the gun in the holster under his jacket. Will’s eyes widened.
