Page 70 of The Texas Sterling Collection
We strolled out into the warm autumn afternoon. I kept my arm around Wyl and hoped the fresh air would help clear his head.
“Rod, what will I do if he goes?” The tremble in Wyl’s voice said everything. “He’s my only family. Though I’m the older brother, he’s the strong one.”
I tugged Wyl’s chin to face me. “I love Walt too, and he loves us both. He brought us together; whatever happens, it’s out of our hands. We’ll survive this together.”
Wyl grabbed me into a tight hug. “Oh God, Roddy.” A choke and a sob interrupted his words. “Walt called you family, and he was right. You are part of my family.”
I clung to my troubled man and whispered in his ear. “Destiny brought us together and made us a couple. You occupy my every thought. I love you and am here for you no matter what.”
“Same for me,” Wyl sniffed.
I rocked Wyl in my arms. “You are my family too, Wyl. And I’ll stay with you while Walt recovers.”
Wyl pulled back. A forced smile crossed his face, and I knew it was the best he could do. We walked arm-in-arm to a tree-shaded bench in the hospital gardens and sat, deep in our thoughts.
Supporting Wyl during a family tragedy was not on the list of all the scenarios I imagined. I went through this before. When Patrick and I became a couple, I figured we would die of old age together. I pictured us sharing our retirement years traveling the world. When Patrick vanished, the dream vanished, too. My relationship with Wyl was still new. But he became my world and my future, and the future included Walt. I didn’t have a brother, but Walt became like a brother to me. He already proved invaluable to both of us, bringing us together when neither would put on our big boy britches and admit our mutual attraction.
As five o’clock neared, we walked inside and waited near the ICU. When the doors opened, Wyl grasped my hand, and we entered. The ICU was a circular room with ten walled cubicles open to a central desk. At the desk, Wyl asked for Walt.
“Family only.” The nurse focused on me, her eyes narrowing like she recognized me.
Wyl snapped. In his emotional state, his raw nerves limited his ability to reason. “He’s my partner, and I need him with me, and don’t you dare deny my wish.” Each day, Wyl got bolder about our relationship.
“I understand. Number 7.” She pointed to Walt’s cubicle.
Keeping his grasp on my hand, Wyl pulled me into Walt’s cubicle. The space resembled a small hospital room with one wall missing. A multitude of machines surrounded Walt. One helped him breathe, one measured his vital signs, and one dispensed medicine. The induced coma kept him in an unresponsive state. Wyl approached the bed, released my hand, and took Walt’s. “Walt.” His soft voice trembled. “I hope you can hear me. We love you, and we need you. Please get better.”
I heard thewe, and tears fell when Wyl included me. I stood behind Wyl and wrapped him in my arms. With the touch, Wyl’s crushing pain flowed into me. The grief Wyl experienced became mine, and I tightened my embrace to pour my support into Wyl the only way I knew how.
Over Wyl’s shoulder, I studied the unresponsive Walt. I longed for the warm smile and jovial personality of the man who brought us together. The short raven hair remained hidden under a gauze helmet.Walt, it’s time for you to survive, buddy. Come back to Wyl. Come back to me.Tears brimmed again, and I tightened my arms around Wyl more.
After thirty minutes, the nurse came to show us out. I pulled away and guided Wyl, keeping my arm around him as we walked. We stopped at the central desk.
“What time can we come back in the morning?” Wyl asked.
“Visiting hours start at 10:00. We’re doing everything we can, Mr. Sterling. You and Dr. Bonner can visit with the doctor when you’re here in the morning.”
Wyl threw a puzzled expression at me. I shrugged.
“My daughter took your class and loved it, Dr. Bonner,” she said. “I recognized you from the photo on the college website.” She turned to Wyl. “He’s a good man, Mr. Sterling. Hang on to him.”
We left the ICU and made our way to my truck. I helped Wyl into the passenger seat. On the silent drive to the ranch, my heart ached for Wyl, but he needed to sort things out in his head, and I left him to his thoughts.
Back at the ranch house, I opened the passenger door, unfastened his seat belt, and helped Wyl out of the truck. He hugged me tight, and I held him as he cried. The day was overwhelming for him. For me, too, but I must have the strength to give Wyl the love and support he needed.
The sobs eased, and Wyl leaned away, keeping me in his arms. “Thanks.”
I guided Wyl into the house. “What do you need? Do you want a drink or something to eat?”
“A shot of whiskey would help calm my nerves a bit.” The tremor in Wyl’s voice from this morning remained. He needed to eat, but he needed sleep more than anything.
He wrapped his arms around himself and gazed at the floor while I poured a bourbon for each of us. Wyl downed it in one swallow and held out the empty glass.
“Another?”
“No. I’m worn out and need sleep. Are you staying?” His eyes pleaded.
I could be nowhere else. I downed my shot and took Wyl’s glass. “Yes, babe.” I led Wyl toward the bedroom.
