Home of His Own by T. Chase (small books to read .txt) 📕

“Doc, this is Brody MacCafferty.” Tony introduced them. The cowboy grimaced when he tried to move his arm. “This fucking hurts.”

“I know.” At Tony’s skeptical look, he laughed. “I’m a bodyguard, Tony. I’ve been injured as many times as you. So just go to the hospital.”

“Wow. You’ve hit the big time if you need a bodyguard around.” The doctor chuckled.

“He’s a friend, Doc.” Tony met Brody’s gaze.

Brody hoped his cowboy could see all the love and concern he felt for him.

Tony sighed. “Fine. I’ll go to the hospital, but Brody will drive me there. Call to let them know I’m coming.” Tony grabbed his torn shirt off a table.

“Thanks for convincing the stubborn bastard to go.” The doctor slapped Brody on the shoulder as he went by.

“Tony’s not stupid, just pigheaded.” Brody winked at his lover.

“Smart ass,” Tony grumbled.

As they collected the directions to the hospital, Brody noticed Tony’s olive skin growing paler the longer it took them to leave. He placed his hand at the small of Tony’s back for a second. Leaning down, he whispered, “A few more minutes, love.”

Tony nodded, but kept silent. Brody wanted to wrap his arm around Tony’s waist and support him. He figured the other cowboys might frown on that unless Tony had a leg injury.

They got settled in the truck. He pulled out his cell phone and handed it to Tony.

“Call Randy and Les; let them know what happened.”

Brody climbed behind the wheel and put the key in to start it. Tony shook his head and set the phone beside him.

“No. You can call them while I’m getting x-rayed.”

Brody left the parking lot. Reaching over, he rested his hand on Tony’s thigh. “It’s been hard not touching you this time,” he admitted, squeezing the firm muscle.

“Trust me, I understand. All I wanted to do when I saw you standing there was to throw myself at you and let you hold me.” Tony’s good hand covered Brody’s.

“You’re okay.” He laughed at Tony’s skeptical look. “Well except for the shoulder.

Nothing broken, not like Cody.”

“Thank God it wasn’t Tank’s Reward I was on. That s.o.b. would’ve stomped my ass into the ground.” Tony leaned back and grimaced. “I want painkillers and a shower. I’ve got dirt in places dirt shouldn’t be.”

He leered at Tony. “I’ll help take care of that problem when we get back to the hotel.”

I’ll take you up on that.” Tony closed his eyes.

“Try to relax. The doctor said the hospital wasn’t too far from the arena.”

Brody let silence fill the cab as they sped along. He wanted Tony to rest and not try to talk. Every once in a while Tony’s grip would tighten on his fingers. He’d had a few dislocated shoulders in his bouncer’s career, so he understood how Tony was feeling.

He saw the hospital lights. “Tony, we’re here.”

Tony sat up with a grimace. “Pull up outside the entrance. I’ll start the paperwork while you park the truck.”

“Sure.”

Brody stopped outside the doors and watched Tony climb out of the truck. He thought about offering to help, but decided against it. His lover could take care of himself and if Brody put his arm around Tony, he wasn’t sure he’d let the man go.

Tony nodded at him before opening the glass door. Brody found the closest parking spot, locked the truck and headed inside. Tony was getting the paperwork from the nurse to fill out when Brody got to the desk.

“Shit. This is turning out to be an expensive year.” Tony sighed, trying to hold the clipboard on his lap while writing without moving his left arm.

“Here.” Brody reached for his wallet and pulled out his insurance card.

“You’re not paying for me.” Tony didn’t glance at the card.

“I’m not paying for you. I’m helping you out,” Brody said.

The clipboard slid to the floor with a clang. Tony tried to catch it and Brody watched as Tony’s cheeks went pale.

“Fuck.”

Brody shook his head. “Don’t move. Let me get it.”

Tony closed his eyes and clenched his teeth. Brody didn’t care who might see them.

He placed his hand on Tony’s knee and squeezed. He waited until Tony looked at him before he spoke.

“Where’s your wallet?”

“In my bag out in the truck.”

He nodded. Made sense. Tony wasn’t going to ride a bull with a wallet in his back pocket.

“I’ll run out and grab it for you.” He handed Tony the forms. “Take your time and if you hurt, stop. I can finish filling it out when I get back in.”

Brody walked out to the truck.

“Stubborn ass cowboy,” he muttered, digging through Tony’s equipment bag for the man’s wallet. He grabbed it from under Tony’s glove.

He zipped the bag closed, slammed the truck door closed and turned. Tony stood behind him. Brody slid his arms around Tony’s waist and let the man lean on him. He ran his hands up and down Tony’s back, wishing he could have Tony naked pressed against him. Brody knew touch offered more comfort than words.

Brushing a kiss over Tony’s temple, he hugged him tight for a second and stepped away. “Let’s get you back in there. We’ll have the doctor check you out and then I’m taking you back to the hotel.”

“I’m sorry.” Tony didn’t fight him as he led the bull rider back inside.

“Why?” He lifted the clipboard from Tony’s seat and gestured for him to sit down.

“I know you’re trying to help.” Tony nodded towards the forms. “I’m not used to anyone being around to take care of me. Les and Randy would, but they don’t travel with me very often.”

“You’ve taken care of yourself for most of your life and I respect that, but you have to know when to let someone else do for you. I’m not giving you charity or pity.” Brody cupped Tony’s face with his hand. “I care about you, Tony and when you’re hurt, I want to help out.”

Tony nuzzled into Brody’s hand for a second before he finished filling out the forms.

Tony was called back only a few minutes