Lachlan collapsed against my chest, laughing. I joined him, wrapping my arms around him and holding him close.
“It fucking figures,” he said, still chuckling. “How is this possible? We have nothing in common, except that!”
“Is it a hard no with you?” I asked, pulling his chin up and enjoying the humor on his face.
“Not a hard no, but a hard preference. I have bottomed, but I’m not a fan of giving up that control.”
“Oh, how shocking.”
“Shut up.” He punched my arm, and I laughed some more. “How about you? Hard no?”
“Strong preference. I have, and I would again.”
“So this isn’t completely doomed before we start trying?”
“I think we can make it work. Besides, you have a wicked mouth, and I’ll never turn down a blowjob.”
Lachlan licked his lips, his eyelids drooping seductively. “Then how about another one of those for the road?”
“Mmm. Yes please.”
There was no way I could say no to that. And Lachlan ensured he turned me inside out before finally letting me come. Which was fine, because two could play at that game.
We stopped at the lodge so Lachlan could shower and change before we headed back to the hospital. I knew Dad was probably long ago out of steam since he’d been there all day. I hoped when I arrived, they’d tell me I could take Percy home.
They let us right through to see him, and I found Dad and Elaina in Percy’s room. The minute the kid laid eyes on me, his whole face lit up. “East! Guess what?”
I couldn’t help returning his toothy grin. “What’s up, buddy?”
“I get to live at your house now. Every day.”
“I know. Pretty cool, huh?”
“Do you wanna sign my cast? ‘laina did and so did Erwin. I save this spot for you.” He pointed then searched up a black marker from the hospital side table.
“You look better.”
“I’m not sick anymore,” he said, removing the lid with his teeth. “The doctor said everything is A-okay now.”
“That’s good.” I entered the room, but Lachlan hovered near the door.
Dad gave him a meaningful look, and Elaina smiled knowingly. It was likely clear to both of them that we’d spent the night together. Day? Man, I was so messed up with all that was going on.
“Show me again where I’m writin’ my name.”
“Here.”
I used big letters and wrote clearly so he could read it, adding a smiley face at the end. Percy beamed as he examined it, touching each letter reverently.
“Did they say when he could leave?” I asked Dad and Elaina.
“The doctor said if he was still here when you got back, he’d sign him out.”
“Perfect.”
“Windsor collected a few clothes for Percy in the suitcase there,” Dad said, pointing at a ratty backpack. “He said they’re in rough shape, but that was all he had.”
“We’ll get him new clothes,” Lachlan said from the door.
I glanced back, but Lachlan’s hard gaze held a no-nonsense tone. He’d made up his mind, and if I argued, I knew we’d go round and round.
Percy noticed Lachlan in the doorway. “Percy, that’s my friend, Lachlan. He lives in the big city.”
“In Edmonton?”
“Yes, sir,” Lachlan said.
“That’s where my mom’s from.”
Lachlan and I traded glances. I managed to communicate enough to let him know it was a touchy subject. Percy didn’t know his mom. He knew of her, but only because Mervin never knew when to shut up. No one had heard hide nor hair since the day she’d abandoned him as a newborn.
“That’s cool.” Lachlan came up beside me and nodded at Percy’s cast. “That’s a wicked purple cast. It’s my favorite color.”
Percy’s eyes blew wide. “Me too. Do you wanna sign it?”
“I’d be honored.”
Lachlan got a spot on the inside of Percy’s wrist. He wrote in a flowing cursive that made Percy wrinkle his nose as he tried to read it. “You have messy letters.”
Lachlan chuckled.
“Are you here now?” Dad asked, shuffling to the edge of the hard chair where he was sitting.
“Yeah.”
“Good. I’m gonna have your sister take me home. Can’t sit in these damn chairs anymore. My hip’s killin’ me.”
“No problem. Thanks for staying with him.”
“Did you get any sleep, son?” He pinned Lachlan with an accusing glare.
“I did.” I refused to look at Elaina, who’d grown smug again.
“Good. I’ll make sure the dresser is cleaned out in the small room downstairs. That way, Percy has somewhere to put his clothes.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“I’ll whip up something for dinner too.”
“Should I come back and collect you guys?” Elaina asked, shifting her