Page 255 of The Storm Boys Series Collection

“That’s great news.”

He smiled, tired but happy. “It is. He mentioned moving to another ward, but I really just want to go home.”

“I want you to come home too. I said I’d hire a full-time nurse, and I mean it. Just for a few days or a week, or however long it takes. At least you’d be home. Mr Percival misses you.”

“He does?”

I nodded. “Well, he squawks a lot. I don’t speak magpie.”

He smiled and squeezed my hand. “I’d like to go home.”

“Want me to bust you out? Because I will. I can wear some scrubs and put your sheet over your head, wheel you right out the door. No one would know.”

“I think they might.”

“Well, I could ask about getting you discharged legitimately, but it’s not as much fun.”

“I’m supposed to stay off my feet,” he said. “I have to be careful of the exit wounds. I’m supposed to be doing leg exercises, which would be fine if my ribs didn’t hurt so much.”

“Want me to bend your legs for you?”

He raised one tired eyebrow. “I’m almost certain that’s not what they had in mind.”

I snorted. “That’s not what I meant at all. You’ve got a dirty mind.”

He chuckled but his cheeks flushed pink.

I sighed and ran my thumb across his cheekbone. “Blush is my favourite colour on you.”

He looked up at me, slow-blinkin’. “That kind of talk isn’t helping with my dirty mind.”

That made me laugh. “Wanna give that ECG machine a workout?”

He snorted, but then he winced and held his ribs. “Maybe another time.”

“I wish I could do something to help.”

“You being here helps. It really does.”

I kissed his temple. “Can I take you out of this room at least? In a wheelchair?”

He brightened for half a second, like that was the best idea ever, then he sighed. “I’m not sure. I’d have to ask. Maybe when the doctor comes in. If they’re taking me to a different ward, I’d imagine they’d want me up and about more than I have been.”

“Do your feet still hurt?”

“Not so much.”

“I can help you walk. Take you to the bathroom.” Then I whispered, “And hold your dick when you pee.”

That made him smile. “You might have to shower me too.”

“Hell yes I will.” The banter was fun but he was getting tired, so I sat in the chair beside him and took his hand. “Well, when we get you home, I’ll park you up on the comfy couch with all the snacks and movies you wanna watch.”

“And books.”

“All the books you want.”

“I miss my phone. I miss reading.”

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