Beautifully Angelic - Charity Parkerson Page 0,14

“All the time, but everywhere I go, I’m still me. I can’t run from what I hate the most.”

Declan didn’t know how to fight that. “I’ll take you back to bed. You’re probably ready to fall out.” Declan pushed to his knees.

“Will you stay with me?”

It wasn’t like Declan could deny Ezra anything. He scooped Ezra from the chair. “Of course.”

“Can I keep your shirt for now?”

A chuckle escaped Declan. “It’s yours.” As he set Ezra on the bed, Ezra scooted over to make room for him. Declan didn’t hesitate to climb in beside him and tug Ezra into his arms. He forced himself not to think about Ezra wearing nothing but his shirt and how easy it would be to sneak beneath it. The doorbell chimed, saving Declan from himself.

Ezra groaned. “I thought I would finally get some cuddles.”

A smile tugged at Declan’s lips. He kissed Ezra’s shoulder. “Later. That’s probably the doctor.” He rushed from the bed to answer the door.

A blond guy who looked way too young to be a doctor stood on the other side. He smiled brightly at Declan. “Hey. I’m Dr. Black. Jessie sent me to see Ezra.”

Ezra was only wearing a shirt. This wasn’t the old dude Ezra had seen last time he got sick. Declan wanted to slam the door in his face. He didn’t. Declan stepped aside and motioned the doctor inside. “Hey. Yeah. Ezra’s in bed. He managed enough energy to get up and eat earlier, but it was zapped pretty quickly.” He closed the door and headed down the hall with the doctor trailing in his wake. “His bedroom is this way.” Declan didn’t speak again until they were inside Ezra’s bedroom. Ezra was sitting up, leaned back against his pillows and headboard, waiting.

He smiled at the sight of the doctor. “Hey, Seth.”

Oh, great. They were on a first-name basis.

Seth smiled like his entire life was made better by seeing Ezra. “Hey, Ezra. I hear you’ve been causing trouble.”

Declan motioned absently behind him toward the door. “I’ll just close this and leave you two alone.”

Ezra flashed him a grateful smile. Declan ducked out. He forced himself not to listen at the door and instead headed to the kitchen. As he caught sight of Icarus’s food bowl, he realized he hadn’t seen the dog since Ezra fed him fries. Declan searched every place he could think to check before looking out back. He found Icarus stretched out on his back, fat belly soaking up the sun, and with what was left of Ezra’s hamburger still plastered to his chunky little face. Declan dug out his phone and snapped a picture before heading back inside. He had to figure out how the little asshole had gotten on the counter. It seemed Icarus was thrilled with his new home.

In the kitchen, he found a mess around the island. He had no idea how Icarus had managed to climb up there, but he had enjoyed a feast. Declan cleaned up while trying not to think about Ezra being half nude and alone with Dr. Smexy M.D.

“You’re Declan, right?”

Declan tried hiding the way Seth startled him. The dude walked too softly. “Yep. That’s me.”

Seth nodded. His blue eyes did have the perfect amount of genuine concern for a doctor. Declan would give him that. “Ezra gave me permission to discuss his health with you since it seems you’ve volunteered to be his support system through this.”

That made Declan feel a thousand percent better. “Okay. Why is he still so wiped? In the shower, he said he didn’t have the energy to stand.”

Seth set an old-timey-looking doctors’ bag on the island. It caught Declan’s eye. He hadn’t even noticed the guy carrying it inside. Declan had to force his attention back to Seth’s face. It wasn’t like Declan to be so unobservant. “Going by his lab results from the ER last night, I’d say he’s still suffering from vitamin deficiency. I gave him a couple of shots that should help. Plus, I’ve called him in a few prescriptions. You should probably call the pharmacy and arrange to have those delivered.”

Declan nodded along, waiting his turn so he could ask what he wanted to know the most. “How bad are things this time?”

“Not as bad as they look,” Seth said, surprising Declan. “He’s pretty self-aware. This wasn’t purposeful. He admits he stopped taking his antidepressants about a year ago and thought he would be fine. Meds can trick you into thinking you’re well. He lost his

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