Warriors and Healers by H. J. Brues

Author:H. J. Brues [Brues, H. J.]
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Contemporary, Polyamory
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2009-12-06T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Jeff closed the door behind him and took a deep breath. It was the third night, and still there was no change. Soon it would be too late. Christ, Daniel, why did you have to come to this godforsaken corner of the world? Ironically enough, Daniel had never been wounded before, even though he’d spent most of his summers in war-ridden countries. He had come to rest, to find some distraction; he’d just broken up with the woman who’d been his girlfriend for six years. Six whole years. Jeff couldn’t begin to imagine what it would be like to be with someone that long, how it would feel to be left behind after all that time. Of course, knowing Daniel, he was most likely blaming himself, even though, according to Raúl, she had been cheating on him. Daniel must have been feeling hurt, lonely, and inadequate.

Jeff cursed aloud in the empty hallway. How could they have been so blind, so insensitive, forcing themselves on Daniel, shoving him around, giving him new insecurities? They had been more than a little patronizing, thinking they knew what was best for the man without taking the time to really hear him out. They had been outright arrogant.

He started walking down the hall, his mind back in that bed where Daniel seemed to sleep placidly. Yeah. With Daniel, everything seemed nice and easy, when nothing ever was. And they’d fallen for it, hook, line, and sinker, the blind fools that they were.

As he turned the corner, he saw the other fool, sprawled on the hard hospital chair, head resting uncomfortably against the wall, eyes closed. Jeff’s chest grew tight as he took in the bandage, the ashen hue to his complexion, the dark circles around his eyes. Then he felt angry all over again. The big lug should know better than to add to their worries. What did he think he was doing? Well, Jeff knew what he was doing, knew the fear that was eating at him. Jeff’s shoulders sagged. He also knew he shouldn’t care about the stubborn Irishman, but he couldn’t help it, and it made him feel hopeless.

“Hey, babe.”

And damn if the way that scruffy face lit up at seeing him wasn’t drilling a hole in his sternum.

“How’s Daniel?” Jeff shook his head and heard Sean sigh. “I take it Raúl is with him now.”

Jeff just nodded, afraid of the emotions his voice might betray if he spoke. Sean patted the empty chair by his side, and Jeff hesitated. “C’mere.” Sean’s eyes were warm, and Jeff almost surrendered to their plea, till the big man added, “I need you.”

Oh no, he wasn’t having any of that bullshit. “Let’s come clean on this once and for all. I know it’s not me you need, so drop the act already,” Jeff spat through clenched teeth.

Sean eyes widened and then narrowed in anger, making the sheriff look like a startled owl. Jeff wasn’t in the mood to find it funny, though, just irritating as all hell.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.