Lydia opened the bag of food and set everything on the rolling table before pushing it to him. “Well, guys, I’m going to get going.” She gently hugged Chad and whispered in his ear, “He’s cute. And he’s totally into you.”
Chad’s lips turned down. “You’re so wrong. And you don’t need to leave.”
She grinned. “Trust me. I need to get going.” She twirled around and extended her hand to Jeff. “It was really nice to meet you. I’ve got to run. I have plans later.” At Jeff’s grin, she winked at him and smiled. “Good luck,” she mouthed to him and swept out the door.
Chad struggled to pull himself up to a sitting position that would allow him to eat, but he was sore all over and the cast was a huge nuisance. He grumbled as he shifted, then nearly shrieked when pain stabbedthrough his entire body.
“Let me help.” Jeff slid his arm under Chad’s neck, pushing him forward a little and rearranging the pillows so he sat at a better angle.
“Thanks,” Chad mumbled, gritting his teeth and trying to ignore the pain.
“No problem.”
Chad tried not to look at Jeff’s eyes again because, for some reason, whenever he did, he felt overwhelmed. The food smelled good, though. He started to unwrap his chicken sandwich, but groaned.
“Hey, I’m here to help, Officer.” Jeff took the sandwich, quickly laying it in front of him. “Let meget you some cool ice water, too.”
Chad only nodded as he watched him leave with the glass. He felt embarrassed that he couldn’t even openhis own sandwich. He was used to being in charge. Usually he was the one helping others, not the other way around. Chad definitely wasn’t the best at accepting help. Still, he didn’t want to be rude.
Jeff returned and placed the fresh glass of ice water on the table.
“Thank you,” Chad offered as he picked up the sandwich and took a bite.
“You’re welcome,” Jeff replied brightly before cocking his head. “Are you okay? Did I interrupt something with you and Lydia? I mean—” he cleared his throat and blushed as he glanced sideways, “—is she…are you guys…dating?”
Chad nearly choked on the food. He shook his head and swallowed as quickly as possible. “Lydia and I aren’t dating. And she isn’t my…type,” he added, raising an eyebrow at Jeff.
“Oh. I thought maybe I’d misread the signals,” Jeff grinned. “Good to know.”
Chad chuckled and tilted his head toward the chair. “You going to join me?”
Jeff grabbed his burger from the table and settled in. When he took a bite and a moan escaped his lips, Chad couldn’t tear away his gaze. Jeff closed his eyes and relished the food in a way that made Chad jealous of that burger. His eyes traced down from his mouth to his neck, and he groaned inwardly when Jeff swallowed his food, making his Adam’s apple bob.
Jeff opened his eyes and pinned him with a sultry stare. “You okay, Officer?”
Chad felt himself blush and turned his attention to his chicken. Fuck. What was wrong with him? Maybe itwas the pain meds. Sure, that had to be it. That’s why he felt so…discombobulated. He giggled. Discombobulated. That was a funny word.
Jeff smiled. “What’s got you so silly?”
Chad tried to school his features, but failed. He laughed again. “Discombob…discombob…Well, crap!” He struggled to say the word, but gave up.
Jeff set down his burger and took a long sip of his drink before smiling. “I think your meds are definitely kicking in, Officer.”
“Chad,” he whispered, his eyelids feeling heavy.
“What?”
“Call me Chad.”
Jeff removed the sandwich from Chad’s hand before it fell to the floor. Chad was quickly drifting off to sleep.
“I’m going to head out, Officer—I mean, Chad. I’m leaving you my phone number in case you need anything.”
A nurse entered the room. Chad tried to focus, but he wasn’t sure if it was the same nurse from earlier or not.
“Are you heading out?” she asked Jeff.
“Yes. Looks like your patient is falling asleep.” Jeff laughed and set something on the table. “I’ve written down my cell number. Can you make sure he gets it into his phone? And have him call me for anything.”
“Sure, Mr. Garner.”
Garner. Why did that sound so familiar?
“Thanks. Have a good night. I’ll be back in the morning at some point.”
“Sounds good. I’ll make sure he gets a good night sleep.”
They exchanged more words, but try as he might, Chad couldn’t make them out.
Tired of fighting it, he surrendered to the darkness and fell into a deep sleep.