are downstairs in the cafeteria. Your dad’s down there too. He’s been here every day.”
That caught Bull by surprise. Maybe he had heard him wrong.
Aidan turned away and walked toward the door. With his hand on the doorknob, he glanced over his shoulder and gave Bull one more look. “You scared the shit out of all of us. Don’t do that again.”
Bull nodded, staring at his friend as he left the room. Finally alone, the need for sleep came barreling in. He turned his head and brushed his cheek against Ben, thankful for being alive and for the man at his side as he closed his eyes.
Bull wasn’t sure how much time passed before a soft knock at his door pulled him from his slumber. He glanced over at Ben, still asleep at his side, then back up to the door, somewhat surprised to see Rachel in the doorway. He expected her visit, but not her tired appearance.
“I wasn’t sure if you were awake,” she said, her tone timid. “I just needed to make sure you were okay before I left for the day.”
He reached for the tablet at his side to type out a note. I’ll be okay.
She nodded. “Good.” She looked as if she were going to say something else but chose to remain silent. She nodded again and turned toward the door.
Bull tapped the tablet hard enough to get her attention. He raised his hand when she turned, then signaled her to near as he typed out a note. Not your fault.
“Like hell it isn’t.” The firm tone was all Rachel but the vulnerability in her body language was something Bull hadn’t seen in years. “He got to you because of me. And nothing you say changes that.”
Bull shook his head.
“Don’t argue with me.” Rachel looked away for a moment. She blew out a heavy sigh as she returned her attention to him. “Regret is a bitch to deal with. So are guilt and anger. It’s a tough cocktail to drink down, especially after everything you’ve always done to watch out for me. But I’ll get through it because you’re still here with us.”
He nodded, swallowing past the lump in his throat.
“We can fight about this after you’re talking again.” She glanced over at Ben, still sleeping nestled against Bull’s body. “You’re like the oil that keeps the machine running. We need you to get better. And please, I need you guys to stay out of hospitals. I can’t handle this.”
He typed out another short note. ’Cause I’m your favorite.
A smile curled her lips. “And that’s why I need you.” She quieted, relief filling her expression. “Work on getting better. Whatever you need, just say the word.”
He gave her a thumbs-up before she turned away. She stopped at the door and whispered an “Excuse me” into the hallway as she left.
Bull cocked his head, wondering who was outside. He stilled when his father stepped into the room. His pulse quickened as his fingers curled into Ben, holding him closer.
He tracked his father’s steps as he walked around the hospital bed to his other side. His father stared at him, his eyes glistening with emotion. Without uttering a single word or argument, his father leaned forward and cupped Bull’s face. “I love you.”
Bull struggled to control the swell of emotions. He screwed his eyes shut, reveling in the words he had craved to hear for so many years.
“I love you so much,” his father whispered as he stroked Bull’s hair. “I’m sorry for being so…me.”
Bull stared up at his father as his vision blurred. He wished he could speak.
His father glanced over to the side. “Make sure he gets some rest.”
He followed his father’s line of sight toward Ben. Very awake green eyes met his father’s gaze. Ben finally gave him a nod in response.
Another stroke to the side of his head drew Bull’s attention back to his father. “I’ll be back tomorrow. If…that’s okay?”
Bull nodded, fighting to control the emotions threatening to break free.
His father smiled and leaned forward. Bull swallowed heavily as his father pressed a kiss to his forehead and then silently left the room.
Bull turned his upper body toward Ben, wincing at the scattered pulses of pain awakening throughout his body. Reluctantly, he pulled his arm from around Ben’s body. “Did you do that?” he signed.
Ben shrugged and gave him a shy smile.
“Thank you,” he signed.
Ben leaned in and lightly touched their lips together in a barely there, tender kiss.
Bull closed his eyes, savoring