“Nice work, cowboy.”
“You should have seen him before I wore him out.”
That looked hard. And it looked like it hurt. And he didn’t have a pulley in Sky’s bedroom.
What the hell, Sky couldn’t weigh 150 pounds soaking wet. He’d show off and move his husband himself.
“Can y’all go? Please? I’m fixin’ to puke.”
He looked at Kevin. “Is he serious?”
“Ice on the base of the neck. He worked his ass off today.” Kevin grabbed an ice pack and tossed it to Beck. “He needs to relax, and I’ll have someone get him a Dr Pepper in a few minutes.”
He cracked the ice pack and shook it up. “On it. Thanks, Kevin.” He put the ice pack on Skyler’s neck and held it there. “Sounds like you did some good work today.”
“I fucking hate this.” Sky sucked in one desperate breath after another, his whole body shaking.
Beck pushed the pillows out of the way and perched behind Sky, to rub his back. “You’re doing great.”
There were new scars here, new ink, and it had hurt the first time, but now he knew all the changes, his fingers knew them.
He shook the ice pack to keep it cold and put it back. Sky seemed a little better, so he rubbed more firmly, fingers finding knots and hot spots all over the place. “Relax. I’ve got you. Just breathe, Sky.”
Scars aside, it felt good to touch Sky and he closed his eyes, letting his fingers work, trying to let the gentle connection ease them both a little.
“You’re tired. You should take the weekend off. Sleep.” Sky began to relax, to melt forward with a sigh.
“Can’t this weekend. I’ve got your bed coming in tomorrow morning. And the ramp should be delivered a little later in the day. I’ve got court on Monday, and I need to meet with Adam Sunday afternoon. I’m sure I’ll catch a nap with Walter at some point.”
He could sleep in on Sunday, maybe. If Walter let him.
Sky sighed. “Then you can’t come back here until Friday. You’ll have to…rest. I’ve got the TV.”
He’d promised, and Sky wasn’t going to keep him from coming just by saying so. Sky had a job to do and so did he. “We’ll see. I’d rather see you than sleep. Stop worrying about me, I’ve been busy and that’ll ease up soon. Focus on what you need to do to get out of here.”
“I am. I’m going to start practicing walking soon. I’ll be on my feet in days.”
He didn’t argue. Who was he to say Sky couldn’t do it? He thought Kevin might have something to say about it, though. “Adam gave me a rec for an outpatient rehab so when they do spring you, we can get you set up there. He says they’re good.”
“Good deal. Maybe I won’t need it. You never know. I know I’m a pain in your ass.” Sky shifted, taking pressure off that new hip.
“Yeah, well. Better than the alternative. I’ll take it.” He set the ice down. “I bet that hip is tired. You want to lie on your side for a bit? I’ll get your knee pillow.”
“Thanks.”
He got Sky settled, not sure if he should ignore the tears on Skyler’s cheeks.
He would have been better off gone.
Parker’s words echoed in his mind, making his own eyes sting. He didn’t know if that was how Sky felt, and he didn’t want to.
If he was a betting man, though…
He pulled his chair over and sat close to the bed where Sky could see him. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m sad for you that this is happening, but I’m glad we’re together.”
“Liar. It’s a good lie, though. One I need.”
It wasn’t all a lie. He really did feel badly for his cowboy. Sky worked his ass off.