Chapter 17

Colin

Maddy barely woke when the doctor came in to examine him. It scared me to see him in the hospital bed and not fully responding. The doctor instructed the nurse to give Maddy an injection.

"We're going to give him an oxygen mask just to be on the safe side. I want to admit him and keep him overnight. We'll monitor the swelling. I'll give him something for that, as well, to keep it from getting worse."

Maddy said nothing. He fell back to sleep in seconds.

"I'm not leaving his side. Is that okay?"

"Are you his husband?"

"Boyfriend."

"Yes, that will be fine. I've already been informed the perpetrator has been arrested."

"Yes, he was." I knew the doctor was assessing me himself, just to make sure I wasn't the one who'd done this to Maddy.

"I'll get someone in here for the paperwork. Can you help with that?"

"I'll try."

Just then, Trent walked in followed by Ozzy, who clung to the back hem of his suit jacket. He had obviously overheard that last part.

"No need for any of that. I'm paying for his stay, however long that is. I'll take care of everything. Just make sure this boy gets the best care you have. Send everything to me. Paperwork and whatever else you need."

"Mr. Winterbourne?" The doctor straightened his shoulders. "Of course. The biggest donor to this hospital will always get the five-star treatment. But we do need a patient history."

"In time. Let him sleep. He's the hero of the day, you know. This little guy fought hard and saved my Ozzy from harm."

"Hero?" I echoed. "He'll love hearing that when he wakes up."

Ozzy walked up to the bed, reached out and ran his hand over Maddy's forehead. "Thank you, Maddy. Thank you for being there and helping me. And for being my new friend." Then he leaned over the bed and placed Kornie along the crook of Maddy's arm.

Ozzy looked up at Trent. "Can I see my new friend again? Please?"

"He will be welcome to any of our homes at any time, little one," Trent said.

Ozzy swung his hands forward, clutching his own wrists. A shy boy. Someone I'd never pegged to be Trent's type. "Thank you, Daddy."

"Thank you, Trent," I said. "For everything."

"For getting caught up in my mess?" He shook his head.

"It's my job. I'm honored to do it. I'm just glad this drama is over with now."

"After this, you'll be getting a raise. It's the least I can do for my best bouncer."

He already paid me too much. More than I needed. I was grateful. For the job. For an attentive if eccentric boss, and for the club that brought Maddy into my life.

Whatever drugs the nurse gave Maddy kept him sleeping even as he was transferred to a private room. I was allowed to go with him every step of the way.

I didn't like seeing my boy—in my private thoughts, he was my boy to me now—in any sort of hospital bed, no matter how nice. I knew he was in no danger with the great care he was getting, but I itched to take him out of here.

Later into the night, as Maddy slept, I turned the TV on low for some company. But I couldn't focus on it, and I turned it off.

I fiddled with my phone and kept expecting nasty texts only to remind myself that wasn't going to be happening anymore.

A nurse came in and offered to bring in a cot. At first I declined, but later I said yes. I needed to lie down. The night had taken more out of me than I'd realized.

I lay down and got comfortable on the pillows, but never took my eyes off Maddy. He looked a little pale beneath the oxygen mask, the bruises on his neck all dark purple now. Intermittent flares of anger shot through me when I looked at them. How dare Griff hurt a boy like that? Or anyone, for that matter? He'd hurt Ozzy. Tonight, he had hurt Maddy. What kind of man did those things? He was sick. And his half-brother had helped him. Why?

Stewart had been the kind of guy who was a bit irresponsible, late for work and taking his time with tasks I gave him, but he didn't seem mean or out of control. It made me wonder what sort of influence and control Griff had over his younger brother. Maybe for years.

I set my phone on the bed beside me and closed my eyes. Just to rest them, I told myself.

The next thing I knew, morning light was seeping through the edges of the curtained windows. I lifted my head to check on Maddy. He was on his side, his mask off, and staring at me.

"Morning," he said. His voice came out a little hoarse.

"Morning, not-a-baby. How are you feeling?"

"Good. I guess I slept."

"They gave you some muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories."

"Whatever it was, it put me right to sleep."

"What happened to your mask?" I asked.

"The nurse came in really early and I needed to pee. She said I could take it off."

"And they didn't tell you to put it back on?"

He shook his head, wincing as he did so.

I sat up and stretched my legs over the side of my cot.

"Daddy?"

I was so happy to hear him call me that now. "Yes?"

"When can I go home?"

"Soon, baby. I'll find out when, okay?"

He nodded. He pointed to Kornie. "When did he come back?"

"Trent and Ozzy came by last night, but you were out of it."

"I was going to tell Ozzy he could keep him for company. He had a real scare and Kornie's good for making the mind calm."

"You had a real scare, too, baby."

"Yeah. But I don't remember being scared. Just mad as H. E. double hockey sticks. I wanted Griff to just go away and leave Ozzy alone. He tried to take Ozzy away. I kicked and hit Griff as hard as I could."

"You wanted to help your friend."

"Ozzy was so scared he fainted."

I leaned forward and took Maddy's hand in mine. "Again, I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

Maddy's eyes started to shine as tears gathered. "If you hadn't come, he would've killed me, I think."

I swallowed hard, shutting my eyes for a second. It was a scenario I'd played over and over in my mind before I slept. What if Trent and I had gotten there too late?

There were always ‘what ifs' in life. It all could have turned out so much worse. Whatever wins came my way, I gladly took them.

"I'll always protect you, Maddy. That's a promise."

His mouth curved up in a sweet baby smile.

The door to the room opened and next thing we knew breakfast was served. They had brought two trays.

We happily ate cooling eggs, chewy toast with hard pats of butter, and little brown sausages. There were also fruit cups and orange juice boxes. We were set.

"I promise, I'll take you out for a better breakfast later, okay?"

Maddy frowned. "Am I still going to your house?"

"Do you want to?"

"Yes, please. I'd feel safer."

"You're safe, baby. The bad men are locked up, now."

"If you don't want me to?—"

I interrupted. "That's not what I meant. I want you with me. Of course, I do. Then I can take care of you while you heal."

"I'm glad." He smiled and sucked on his juice box until it made an empty noise.

By ten a.m., we were cleared to go. Paperwork for release took a long time. Plus, Maddy had to wait for the doctor to make his rounds.

A nurse wheeled Maddy outside in a wheelchair, as per hospital policy, and then Maddy, Kornie and I walked the rest of the way to my car. No one asked us for insurance. No one asked us to pay a dime.

Maddy had been worried about that. He was between medical insurance, not quite qualifying for state aid, and his job didn't offer it to part-timers. I reassured him that Trent had taken care of everything. This was never his problem to solve.

In the car, Maddy piped up. "I wish I could see Ozzy again."

"That can be arranged. We have a standing invitation to any of Trent's homes. Ozzy said he wanted to see you again, too."

"He did?"

"He sure did. You made quite an impression."

"We talked a little. Before—well—before Griff showed up. We have a lot of things in common."

"I'll bet you do. We can definitely see both Trent and Ozzy again."

When we got to my house, Maddy was impressed. It was pretty big. A two story on three acres.

"You live here?"

"Yep."

"Alone?"

"Yep."

"Wow. I didn't know your job paid so well."

"It doesn't. I grew up here. My parents are gone. I inherited it. And two other properties as well."

"I like it."

He bounced in his seat as I pulled up to my garage.

"It feels good to have a place to come home to that's all mine."

"Can I see the yards? Can I have a tour?"

"Well, baby boy, I think that should wait until later. The doctor said you should have bedrest for the next couple of days."

Maddy pouted.

"You can get comfy in my bed, okay?"

"Your bed?"

His question made me realize that I was presuming a lot. We had had a date to sleep together, but that had been before he got hurt. Now things were more focused on Maddy to get well.

"I'll sleep in the spare room."

"No, Daddy. With me. Please. I'll heal fast and be a good boy. Promise."

My heart warmed and turned over in my chest. "I'll do whatever you want, sweet boy."