Page 106 of Sycopation
A laugh. “No needles. No. Not at all my kink.”
“Good.” Ray couldn’t be happier about that. That kind of pain wasn’t his thing. “Join me in bed?” He missed Zavier. Wanted him near. Needed to feel his warmth.
“It’s still pretty early. I’d be a mess in bed. Tossing and turning.”
True. It had been after five when they’d left the hospital, far too early for most people to sleep, unless they were hopped up on drugs.
When they reached their floor, Zavier maneuvered him—really half carried him—to their joined rooms. Ray had trouble seeing straight enough to walk. His head was mush and all he wanted to do was close his eyes. “Holy shit, this stuff is strong.”
“Well, they gave you something pretty powerful. I bet Benadryl knocks you on your ass, doesn’t it? This is worse.” Zavier keyed them in.
“Yeah. I just don’t want to sleep.”
“Best thing to get your system back in shape.”
When they made it into the room, rather than being alone, both Mish and Dom were there.
Surprisingly, Dom was dressed down, even for him. Shorts and a T-shirt. “Dude, did you spring him and go to a bar to celebrate or something?”
Ray groaned. “Fuck you. I’m not drunk.”
“They doped him up with some powerful stuff to counteract anything left in his system.” Zavier sounded like he was laughing.
“Bastard,” Ray murmured. “Why is everyone here?”
“Mmmhmm. Iama bastard.” A moment later, Zavier deposited Ray on the end of the bed. “And they wanted to see you. Same as me, last night.”
“Hey, kiddo. You look better.” Mish patted his knee.
Dom snickered. “Except for that goofy smile.”
“’S not goofy. I’m happy. I’m here.” Ray flopped his arms out, and man, the bed felt good. Cool. Soft. “With everyone I love.”
He did love them all. Especially Zavier. Head over heels. Hard enough that it scared him and if it scared him, it would probably terrify Zavier. Still, he should tell him, explain that he didn’t expect anything in return—but Zavier should know how he felt.
That was only fair. Tell the truth. They’d said they would.
Mish and Dom both said their good-nights. The next few minutes—hours? Whatever. They were a blur of movement and commands and getting undressed and under the covers. So perfect. Crisp. Clean. The bed was heaven.
He cracked his eyes open and found Zavier watching him. “Stay?”
Zavier cupped his face. “I’m not leaving you.”
Good. That was enough. Ray closed his eyes and fell into blessed darkness.
Zavier had watchedRay fall asleep, then peeled off his dress wear and taken a long, hot shower before finding more comfortable clothes. A T-shirt. Jeans. Once dressed, he stepped into the other hotel room and left the joining door cracked for when Ray woke up, because chances were he’d come looking for someone once the drugs wore off.
But right now, both Mish and Dom were sitting on the bed, waiting for him.
Mish spoke first. “How is he really?”
“The doctor said he’d be fine. The stuff Carl used should be more or less out of his system, but the drugs the hospital gave him will make sure there’s nothing lingering that will cause issues. Kind of a precaution.”
“He could use the rest,” Dom said. There was a thoughtfulness to his look, and that sharpened the longer he stared at Zavier. “What about you?”
“Me?” Zavier worked to school his features, even as his brain tried to turn the past twenty-four hours over in his head.
Dom straightened and suddenly looked nothing like either the shy musician or the imposing rock star. He didn’t even look like a twink on the prowl. No, he had the posture of an equal. A friend—a very concerned friend. “This whole thing hasn’t been easy on you, either. How are you holding up?”
