Page 99 of Switch
“My…”
Evans turns toward the door, and there’s Fallon out in the hall with a shoulder sling on one arm.My heart rate monitor starts beeping all crazy for some reason.
He’s talking to some other guy.Older, better dressed, and sickeningly handsome in spite of the exhaustion all over his face.Fallon gives the guy a one-armed hug, and I’m pulling at the stuff I’m hooked up to, trying to get out of bed.
“Hey, cool it.”Simon lunges forward, pushing me back into the bed.“You obviously forgot about the dick tube, you idiot.”
Fallon’s at the doorway, knocking on the frame.“Is it okay if I come in?”I give a slight nod, not trusting myself to speak.I might say something stupid.Like threatening to murder his new whatever-that-guy-is.
Still, I could pass out from how relieved I am to see him whole and standing right in front of me.It’s a good fucking thing I’m already mostly lying down.
“Do me a favor and leave your new boyfriend’s name and address when you leave so I can kick the shit out of him after I’m released.”
Or maybe saying something like that.
Fallon nearly rolls his eyes.If he were still mine, I’d punish him for that.
“That was myfriendTomás.He was crashing in the guest room after too much wine the night Eric showed up.He’s also dog-sitting Bruiser until we find a new place.The Premiere doesn’t allow animals.”
It doesn’t pass my notice that he leans heavily on the words “friend” and “guest room.”I try not to let my chest swell over that win, but the train has left the station.
Fallon pulls a chair up next to where Evans is standing.Evans, for his part, pats the back of my hand before moving away.“Hey, I have to go and talk to the police again, okay?I’ve been giving them all the info I can on what Eric was up to.They said you might be able to check out tomorrow, so I’ll meet you back at our place, okay?Couldn’t believe my key still worked.”
I clear my throat.“Yeah.Everything’s waiting for you.Bet Jojo’s thrilled to have you home.”
Evans grins.“She told me to fuck off.I’ve missed her so much.Both of you.”He gives Fallon a friendly smile.“We’ll talk later.I think you two have some catching up to do.”
Then he’s gone, and a look around the room tells me everyone else left when I wasn’t paying attention.
It’s only the two of us now.It’s everything I want, even if it’s only for a minute.
“I’m sorry,” Fallon says when he sits down.
“I’m the one who’s sorry.”I resist the urge to squirm under Fallon’s gaze, or clear away the discomfort in my throat.Apologizing is right up there with having a tube in my dick, but it needs to be said.“I should have been honest with you.”
Fallon nods.“I understand why you felt like you couldn’t be.I had a long talk with Wes.He admitted you wanted to say something, and he asked you to wait.I’ve also made it clear that if he can’t stay out of my personal life in the future, he won’t be welcome in it.”
Nothing I say to that will come out sounding good right now.As far as I’m concerned, Wes can eat a dick.Still, I’m glad for the news.
Wait.“Does that mean I get to be in your personal life from now on?”
Fallon’s smile is sad.“That’s up to you.”He pulls an envelope out of his pocket and lays it on a table by my bed.“First off, this is for you.Second, the house is destroyed.You’ve been unconscious for a couple of days.I met with an insurance adjuster yesterday, and they’re going to cut me a check.Which I’d like to use to buy a smaller place.More land.More privacy.”
“Hmm.”It’s all I say, because inside my heart is twisting itself into knots.Fallon is so close, and I’m dying to touch him.“That sounds great for you.”
You know what sucks?Feeling like you want to punch something but not being able to because there’s a tube in your dick.
“You doing okay?”I ask.
I’m not sure I am, but I want him to be.
“Better than you.”His fingers brush over the hair on my arm.“I was treated for a strained shoulder and smoke inhalation and released the same day.”
“No, I mean…”After you killed someone.
“Honestly, it was a relief.”Fallon lowers his voice.“Maybe that makes me as bad as him, but knowing he can’t hurt anyone else?I’m glad.”
With a wince, I reach to squeeze his hand.Every time I try to move some wires pull at me.
