Forever You: A Friends to Lovers MM Romance by Briar Lightwood

Author:Briar Lightwood [Lightwood, Briar]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Danny

“You’re doing great, Danny. We’re almost there,” Jere said as he steadied me by the crook of my elbow. “Think of the delicious sandwiches waiting for you.”

I was sweaty and sticky, exhausted and on cloud nine as I walked the three blocks from my mother’s house to the cafe. It was the most exercise I’d gotten in months. Even before the assault, I wasn’t a big fitness freak, preferring to take long walks along Lake Michigan rather than knock out endless miles on the treadmill. But these few blocks had knocked me on my ass and reminded me how out of shape I was.

“I’m not sure…there are many sandwiches…more yummy than yours.”

My lungs were achy from labored breathing, and my leg muscles were burning, but it felt absolutely great to get the blood pumping. Even the faint pounding in my brain couldn’t dampen the moment. The progress to the cafe was slow, but Jere was with me every step of the way, coaching me, unbothered by the snail’s pace.

Ronnie was sitting at one of the outside tables, tears in her eyes as she shouted encouragement to me. I could see she wanted to run and greet me, but she understood I needed to do this. Tackling a three-block walk might not sound like an accomplishment to most, but for someone who had survived a serious assault and was working through the complications of a traumatic brain injury, it was everything.

My cheeks hurt as I smiled at my Chucks against the pavement, glad my legs were holding me up. I leaned against Jere as we waited for traffic to clear before we could cross the street, knowing he wouldn’t let me fall. My balance was getting good, to the point where I was certain I’d no longer need a walker, at least, and I’d focused on the balance techniques Alex had shown me.

“Only a few more steps and then you can sit down and have a nice lunch with us,” he said. He knew how to give a pep talk that could motivate a rock to roll.

“With my two favorite people,” I added between breaths.

“Here we go, are you ready?” he asked as he guided me into the crosswalk.

When we made it to the other side and into the enclosed circle of tables, Ronnie rose to squeeze me so tightly I was sure a rib snapped. I hugged her back, savoring her weight in my arms and her perfume in my nose.

“I’m so proud of you!” she said and kissed my cheek multiple times.

She’d gotten all dressed up for lunch. Her hair was pinned up elegantly, and the summer dress she was wearing reminded me of a field of wildflowers. It made me think back to our college days when we’d gone shopping to pick out some more feminine clothes after she’d had top-surgery. She’d been shy about shopping in the women's section and trying on articles made to fit breasts. I’d splurged and bought her a $300 dress because I wanted her to feel pretty.

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