How To Save A Life

by Andria Large

  The boys leave the kitchen and I make my way back to the living room. Crutches suck. I need to get one of those kneely scooter things. Once I get situated back on the couch, I shoot Ezra a text telling him to call me when he leaves work. Hopefully he won’t freak out too much.

  +

  EZRA

  It’s good to have Ferris back home. The house was way too quiet without him. I get a text from him just as I’m shutting down my office for the night. He wants me to call him when I leave, which is weird. I usually just shoot him a text letting him know that I’m on my way home.

  I’m the last one in the office, so I hit Ferris’ cell number and put the phone to my ear as I’m turning out all the lights and making sure all of the equipment is off. He picks up as I’m walking out the door.

  “Hey, babe,” he answers.

  “Hey. Is everything okay?” I ask in concern.

  “Yeah, everything is fine. I just wanted to let you know that Spencer got into a bit of a scuffle today. Got himself a black eye and some abrasions on his cheek and chin.”

  “What?!” I exclaim. “He got into a fight?!”

  I lock the door and walk to my SUV where it’s parked right out front at the curb.

  “Calm down, Ez. He was sticking up for us. Apparently, some senior from his school started saying shit to him about us and he got pissed off, gave the other kid a bloody nose and lip.”

  “You sound awfully proud,” I mutter dryly, getting into my SUV. “There is no reason for him to be fighting because some kid was talking shit and he got pissed off.”

  “Yeah, I know, but cut him some slack, okay? I think he’s still upset about the attack and needed to let off a little steam,” Ferris says softly.

  I sigh. He’s probably right. “Yeah, alright. Fine, I won’t give him a hard time about it. But I will make it known that he can’t keep doing this. Fighting isn’t always the answer.”

  “True. Sometimes it is, though. Especially when it comes to boys.”

  “Oh, are you a parenting expert now?” I tease.

  “As a matter of fact, I did read an article…”

  I bark out a laugh. “You’re hanging out with Spencer too much.”

  He snickers. “Possibly.”

  “I’ll be home in a few. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  I hang up and check to make sure no one is coming before I pull out of my parking spot. It only takes me a couple of minutes to get home. I park in the driveway and make my way for the front door. I walk in to find Ferris relaxing on the couch, watching Maury. I shake my head. This guy and the horrible shows he likes to watch. He glances over his shoulder at me and gives me a sexy smile.

  “Hello, Doctor,” he drawls, his eyes raking over me from head to toe.

  And of course, my traitorous cock reacts to the blatant appraisal. I shift it around in my scrub pants so I’m not sporting a tent. Ferris laughs at me.

  “Shut up,” I grunt.

  “I swear, every time I see you in your scrubs it gets me all hot and bothered,” Ferris purrs.

  “You see me in my scrubs every day.” I snort.

  “Riiiight, no wonder I’ve had a perpetual hard-on since moving in here.”

  “You’ve lived here for almost a year now.” I laugh.

  His eyes sparkle with amusement. “I know.”

  I huff out a laugh before going to the bottom of the steps and calling up to Spencer. “Hey, Spence? Can you come down here please?”

  The sounds of scuffling and thumping, along with hushed voices go on above our heads. I look at Ferris, who is looking slightly annoyed. “Is he not alone?” I ask, my eyebrow cocked in question.

  “No. Jesse is with him, but I told them to leave the door open. I was expecting them to keep their hands to themselves,” he sneers.

  “Really? You expected a couple of fifteen year old boys to keep their hands to themselves, while in a room alone, with a gimp sitting downstairs, who can’t get anywhere fast?” I chuff.

  Ferris rolls his lips in to fight off a laugh. “Well, when you put it like that…”

  “Jesus,” I breathe and start up the stairs.

  “Be gentle!” Ferris calls after me.

  Right, gentle. My ass. It’s one thing for them to be fooling around when they are completely alone - I’m not stupid, I know it’s going to happen - it’s quite another to do it right under our noses. Or right above our heads, I should say.

  When I get to Spencer’s door, I find that it’s mostly shut but just hasn’t been latched. Probably so Ferris wouldn’t hear it. I shove open the door just as both boys are finishing pulling on their shirts. They are both sitting on the floor at the foot of Spencer’s bed, and when they see me, they both try to look completely innocent.

  I give them a bored look. “Spare me the lies and excuses, and don’t disrespect me by thinking I’m dumb and don’t know what you two were doing up here.”

  “Dad…” Spencer tries, but I shut him down with a look.

  “Here is how things are going to work around here. If this happens again, you will no longer be allowed to have Jesse in your room, understand?”

  They both nod.

  “I get that you two are curious and whatnot, but for the love of God, don’t do it when someone is home. Seriously, that is not something I want to walk in on, ever.” I give them both pointed looks to try and emphasize how serious I am.

  “Sorry,” Jesse murmurs.

  “Yeah, sorry, Dad.”

  “Apology accepted. Now, about this fight you were in…”

  “That kid is a serious tool, Dad. If you had heard what he was saying, you would have…” Spencer starts, trying to defend his actions.

  I cut him off. “I would have what?” I ask with a frown. “I would have fought them, too?”

  “Well, yeah…probably,” he grumbles with a shrug.

  “Don’t be so sure. Listen, I understand that they made you mad and that you felt the need to protect our honor, but if you keep this up, there is going to come a day when you’re going to get in over your head. You got lucky this time. I’m giving you a pass on this one, but the next time you get into a fight, and it’s got nothing to do with defending yourself, you’re going to be grounded for a long time.”

  “Okay.” He sighs, looking down at his hands in his lap.

  “You can’t let people get to you like that, Spencer. Is there something else going on that you’re upset about?”

  Spencer shakes his head. “No.”

  I’m not sure if he’s being completely truthful about that, but I’m not going to push him right now. “Okay. You know where to find me if you need to talk.”

  “Mmm hmm,” he hums.

  I make my exit, leaving the door wide open. I go to my room and take a quick shower so I can get out of my scrubs. After putting on a pair of gym shorts and a T-shirt, I head back downstairs where Ferris is now watching Jerry Springer.

  “Isn’t there anything better on to watch?” I groan.

  “Not really. Come sit with me for a second?”

  I skirt the couch and have a seat next to Ferris. He leans in and puckers his lips. I smirk and give him the kiss he’s asking for.

  “You did good up there,” he murmurs softly, patting my thigh. No doubt, he could hear everything being said.

  “Thanks.” I sigh. “I tried.”

  “I want to marry you,” Ferris says, matter-o-factly.

  I jerk my chin back, giving him an incredulous look. “What?”

  He nods like he’s already made up his mind. “Yep. We need to get married.”

  “Is this your idea of a proposal?” I mutter dryly.

  “Who needs a proposal when I know you’re going to say yes anyway?” He snorts.

  I sigh. “You are the most unromantic person I’ve ever been with.”

  “You love me.” He snickers, nudging me with his elbow.

  “That I do.” I smirk. “Okay, so when should this marriage take place?”

/>   Ferris purses his lips and taps his chin with his finger to think about it. “How about when I can walk without these crutches?”

  I smile wide. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

  EPILOGUE+

  TWO YEARS LATER+

  SPENCER

  My dad, Jesse, and I walk down to the beach. The sun is shining, the breeze is warm, and it’s just an overall great day; for many reasons, not all of them having to do with the weather. We make our way down to the lifeguard stand where, my dad’s husband - and my step-dad - Ferris, just started back to work after two years of recovering from a shark attack.

  The doctors said he’d never again be able to run or jump or any of the other things that are required of a lifeguard. Well, Ferris pretty much told them to shove it and completely proved them wrong. Yeah, it took time, but he’s here, back on his perch.

  We all stop next to the lifeguard stand. Ferris’ face lights up when he sees us. “Hey! What are you guys doing here? I thought you all had to work?” Ferris leans down and gives my dad a peck on the lips.

  “We all took the day so we could be here for your first day back.” My dad grins.

  Man, he always looks so much younger when he smiles at Ferris like that. It’s crazy.

  “Aww, you guys are the best!” Ferris chirps.

  Ferris reaches out and ruffles Jesse’s blond hair. Jesse growls and slaps his hands away. “Come on, man, quit messing up my hair.”

  Ferris chuckles then looks at me. “Oh look, I’m taller than you.”

  “How about you hop down?” I smirk.

  Yeah, I kinda shot up the past couple of years. I’m practically as tall as my dad now, which means I’ve become taller than Ferris. It’s pretty funny, and I like to tease him about it.

  “Nope, I’m good.”

  A few things have changed over the past couple of years. Obviously, I’m now seventeen, so I’ve gotten my license and a car. I also have a summer job making pizza at one of the places on the boardwalk. I’m going into my senior year of high school, and I’m planning on going away to college. I want to be a trauma surgeon. What happened to Ferris had a huge impact on me, and the way the doctors saved his leg really got me thinking that’s what I want to do with my life. I want to be the one doing everything they can to save people.

  Jesse doesn’t know exactly what he wants to do yet, so he has decided to go wherever I go, so we can stay together. God, I love him. He’s the best boyfriend and best friend a guy could ever ask for. We still haven’t come out to anyone other than my family. Jesse isn’t ready. He hasn’t even told his parents. I’m trying to be patient, but it’s getting harder and harder when all I want to do is tell everyone how much I love him.

  “Hey, babe! If I go in the ocean and pretend to drown, will you come save me?” My dad’s hearty chuckle brings me out of my thoughts.

  “I’ll do more than just save you,” Ferris purrs, his eyebrows wagging behind his black Ray Ban sunglasses.

  “Can you guys keep the sexual innuendos down to a minimum in front of the children? ‘Kay? Thanks,” Jesse drawls, top lip curled in disgust.

  Ferris barks out a laugh. “Children? What children? I see The Jolly Green Giant over here…” He motions to me then at Jesse. “…And Neil Patrick Harris right here.”

  I don’t think I’ve ever seen my dad laugh this hard. He’s literally bent over, holding his stomach, gasping for air.

  “You’re such a dick, Mr. W.,” Jesse says, fighting off a smile. Yeah, Ferris changed his last name to Whitmore so we could all have the same last name. “Come on, Spence, let’s go for a walk.”

  “Okay. We’ll be back,” I tell them.

  “Yeah, yeah, get outta here.” Ferris grins and shoos us with his hands.

  As Jesse and I walk down the beach, I can’t help but think what our future will be like. Will we get married right out of college? Will we adopt or go with a surrogate? Will we come back to New Jersey to live or decide to settle down somewhere else? The possibilities are endless, especially with Jesse by my side.

  THE END+

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading How To Save A Life by Andria Large!

  I would be honored, given that you have the time, if you would please consider posting a review – good or bad. If you enjoyed this story, please let your friends and family know about this book and other books that I have written.

  For more information on upcoming projects, interviews, blog tours, giveaways, and much more, please visit my Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/AndriaLargeAuthor

  You can also follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_ALarge

  Want to know what books I’m reading? Come check me out on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7032815.Andria_Large

  Check out my website and sign up for my monthly newsletter! You will get lots of glimpses into the life of yours truly, along with some special extras that can only be found in the newsletter. http://www.authorandrialarge.com

  About the Author

  I'm a self-published M/F and M/M Contemporary Romance Author. I don't like to follow the rules, so you will find both M/F and M/M books mixed into some of my series. I like to think that I’m in charge of what books I write, but it never happens; my characters tend to tell me what to do. Yeah, I know, I sound crazy. Aren't we all a little crazy, though?

  I'm a stay-at-home mom of two girls, and I have a wonderfully supportive husband. I grew up in Philly, but now live in Jersey. If you ever get the chance to talk to me in person, you'd find out that the Philly in me will never die! I use a lot of slang and pronounce things the wrong way - it's really the right way. ;)

  I enjoy reading as much as writing, even though I don't do nearly as much reading as I used to. Writing books was not something I set out to make as my career. I actually wrote stories for myself, as a hobby. I started in high school, writing Backstreet Boy fan-fiction (staring me, of course) in notebooks. Then later, I came up with my own characters and wrote stories about them. No one but my husband knew about them, so you could imagine my family's surprise when I told them I published a romance novel.

  I consider myself open and friendly, so feel free to send me a message if you have a question or just want to chat.