"Thanks for coming."
"Anytime. Burger? Coffee?" The salt and pepper mustache covered the man's smile, but Drew knew it was there.
He'd been about to shake his head and say he wasn't hungry, but his stomach growled as the smell hit his nose and he nodded instead. "Yeah, that'd be great. There's a little sitting area just outside -- we won't wake him that way."
"Surely." Jesse held the door open, gimme cap bill pointing the way.
He led the way to the sitting room that was sort of across at an angle from Thaine’s room. It was just a little space, with a couple of couches and a few chairs, a single coffee table in the middle of the room. It was empty except for a blond lady dozing in the one couch, pink handbag clutched in her hand.
They sat, Jesse passing out the burgers, fries, a large cup of coffee.
"Oh wow, thanks, man. I didn't even know I was hungry."
He dug right in and once he started, he couldn't stop until he'd devoured the food. He sat back with a sigh, picking up his coffee and almost moaning at the taste. Damn, that hit the spot.
Jesse chuckled, nodded. "You forget that you're fixin' to starve and then bam, it hits you."
He nodded. He'd been so worried about Thaine, he hadn't given a thought to himself.
He finished off his coffee, feeling a whole lot better with the food and caffeine in him.
"So what am I going to do?" he asked Jesse. "You said you didn't think I should call Jerry? Was it bad? When they split up?"
"Bad? Sort of ugly, but it was a long time coming." Jesse shrugged, leaned back. "Jerry's a driven man, him and Thaine were just too strong to be together."
"So he's not likely to want to come." Drew was kind of happy about that. He knew that the doctor said it would be easier for Thaine if they went along with his belief that it was the year two thousand, but he didn't want to and if Jerry wouldn't come... well, then they'd have to tell Thain, wouldn't they?
"He'll come." Jesse gave him a sad little smile. "If Thaine asks for him, he'll come."
"Oh."
He met Jesse's smile with one of his own and if it was a little strained, well he knew Jesse wouldn't say anything. "Well, that's good, I guess, right? I mean the doctor wants us to play along and Thaine keeps asking for him. Told me to call him."
"Like I said, I know him. I'll call and explain." Jesse sighed, rubbed the back of his neck. "You sure we should play along?"
"No. I'm not. I just want to take him home and take care of him." He bit his lip, fingers twisting together. "But the doc was pretty clear that just outright telling him could do damage. Of course if I understood him right, that's most often the thinking because the patient's been in a coma and shocks to the system like that could put them back into a coma. And that's not the case with Thaine." He shook his head. "I don't know, Jesse, but I'd kick myself from here to the grave if I didn't go with what the doctor wanted and we wound up messing up something in his head."
"Okay. Okay, man. We'll cope with it. Hell, JJ can deal with the sponsors." Jesse winked. "Not only that, y'all can come recover at my ranch, huh? Have a place."
"That would be great. By then he should have his memory back, too. I can help with chores and stuff to earn our keep." He nodded. Yeah, that would work out really nice. Jesse was a good friend. Thaine was lucky. Hell, they both were.
"It's a good place to winter and Thaine'll need some time to get his feet under him. I thought that bull had him for a minute."
Drew nodded. "I damn near died when he came round for another go at Thaine." He didn't want to think about it, but at the same time he felt the urge to talk about it, to relive it knowing that Thaine was okay, wasn't dead. And Jesse had been by earlier, but they'd been waiting on Thaine to wake up and he'd been distracted and busy just holding onto Thaine's hand. "Are they replaying it a lot on the TV?"
"Some. It made news. Thaine's got that pretty-boy face made for the girls." Jesse shook his head. "It'll be gone in the morning."
"Well and everyone likes seeing the tragedies, don't they? It's like train wrecks and the rubbernecking when there's been an accident." He shivered a little. The bruises on Thaine's chest and belly had been something else.
"I don't know what I'm going to tell him if he still doesn't remember me in the morning, Jesse." They needed to have a reason of some sort for him to be there. He couldn't just walk away until Thaine remembered.
"Well, you'll have to get one of them brain doctors. A specialist."
He nodded, wondering if that piece of shit policy that called itself Thaine's insurance would cover that. It didn't matter though -- he needed Thaine back. It wasn't entirely selfish either -- Thaine couldn't go around living five years behind the rest of them. Hell, there was no guarantee Jerry would even go along with it. Man, it all just chased around in his head. He sighed. "I'm sorry, Jesse. I'm just tired."
"I bet you are. Come back to the trailer? You'll get better rest."
He bit his lip. "I don't know, Jesse. What if he wakes up and needs me?"
"We'll give the nurses my cell number."
"Oh, good idea." He nodded, feeling a little bit bad about the relief that went through him at not having to spend the night in the chair by Thaine's bed. But he was just so tired, and Thaine not knowing who he was... well he suspected he'd feel better about that after some sleep. And with any luck they'd come back tomorrow and Thaine would be back to normal. "Thanks, man."
"Anytime, bud. Come on." He got a smile, a pat on the shoulder.
"Let me just go give the nurse your cell number and check on him again. I won't be any time."
He went and found the nurse, giving her the number he could be reached at. Then he peeked in on Thaine again. Still asleep. Still bruised. Still so far away. He leaned in and pressed a careful kiss to the corner of Thaine's eye. "Remember me, stud," he whispered.
Then he went back out, looking for where Jesse'd gotten to.
Chapter Three
He fucking hated the phone.
Really.
Damn thing was always the bearer of bad fucking news.
Jesse sat on the trailer steps, drinking his coffee and watching the sun come up, listening to the phone ring and ring.
Come on JJ. I gotta talk to you.
The phone finally picked up, the voice at the other end just growling. "Wortmeyer."
"Jerry? Jerry, man. This is Jesse Lordes. You remember me?"
Jerry was quiet so long Jesse wondered if the man was just going to hang up. "T's friend?"
Jerry's voice was... cautious.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm... I was running my bulls in town, saw Thaine get hurt."
"Bulls? Yeah, Thaine. I saw that on TV. They said he was going to be okay though. He's not... dead, is he?"
"No. No, he's not. He's... Well, it's sorta complicated."
"Well you're the one who called me at fucking dawn -- either explain or I'm hanging up."
"Hey! Fuck you, JJ. I'm not the one who you fought with. The man's asking for you. He's real hurt. Really. He thinks it's five years ago, thinks y'all are still... y'all."
"What? Well, tell him it's not five years ago and we're not together anymore. He's a big boy last time I checked."
Jesse sighed and took another drink of his coffee. "The doctors say we can't and he can't figure out why you're not there. His new man's about to go bugnuts crazy."
"Jesus fuck, Jesse. You can't tell him? If it was me I'd be telling those doctors to go fuck themselves and I'd tell him he was with fucking me now."
"Look, you don't have to come, okay? Don't. But you might fucking call. The man doesn't know you don't give a fuck anymore. As far as he knows, you're going to come and take him home to Houston."
And Drew was going to fucking die.
There was a sigh on the line and silence for a moment longer. "Did he say that? Is he asking for me?"
Jesse sighed, rubbed his forehead. "It was the first thing he said. He just keeps asking for someone to call you."
"Fuck."
In the quiet that followed, Jesse heard the door of his trailer open up behind him and he turned to see Drew pad out, wearing a pair of his sweatpants, which had to be a foot too long and were stretched tight across a waist that was thicker with muscles than his own.
"That the hospital?" Drew asked softly.
"Nah. I was calling Jerry. There's coffee."
"Oh. Okay." Drew nodded and went back in.
"Who was that? You finally found yourself a man, Jesse?" Jerry sounded amused. Asshole.
"No. That's Thaine's beau. Has been for a couple years. Sweet boy."
Jerry snorted. "T's with someone sweet? You sure we're talking about my Thaine Russell here?"
He actually laughed, surprising himself when the sound was bitter. "Jerry, he ended up in some serious shit after things went south with y'all. He needed a little sweet."
"Well, I haven't changed any, Jesse. You sure you want me coming in there and pretending we're still a we?"
"I don't know. I said I'd call you. I called. This way when Thaine asks me, I can tell him you know he's hurt."
"Oh, you bastard. Put it all on me why don't you." Jerry sighed. "All right, where the fuck is he? And how long is this charade going to be going on for? I can work over the phone for a few days, but any longer than that isn't going to work for me."
"Mesquite Medical Center and how the fuck should I know? All I know it that we might have lost him."
"Don't get testy with me, Jesse. I'm doing you a favor here. I'm a busy man, you know. I could just tell you to go to hell and hang up -- Thaine washed his hands of me five years ago."
"Given how far into the bottle Thaine got, sure didn't look like he was the one doing the washing." Hell, the way Thaine went on, everybody knew it wasn't the cowboy's choice.
"I'm not discussing ancient history with you, Jesse. I'll be there as soon as I can -- you tell those doctors I want the best head shrinker -- or whatever the fuck he needs -- there is. Don't worry about the tab -- I'll pick it up. It'll be worth it to keep this short." With that the line went dead.
Well there you go. He reckoned he'd just avoid the hospital for a couple days until the big jackass left.
Poor Drew.
And speak of the Devil, here he was again, coffee mug in hand, coming to sit next to him. "Is he coming?"
"He says he will for a few hours. Long enough to tell Thaine the truth. Jerry, uh... Don't hold much with Thaine anymore."
"The truth? But the doctor said..." Drew sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Damn it, if he's just going to tell him, why's he's bothering to come?"
"He'll hire good doctors and pick up the tab."
Drew snorted. "Throw around his money and be the big important man." Drew gave him a wry smile. "I know, I know. I should be happy Thaine's gonna get good doctors. I just hate that it’s him that Thaine wants, him who's gonna do that for Thaine, you know?"
Well, shit. What did he say to that? Jerry and Thaine were like fire and timber. "Yeah, bud. I know."
Drew sighed and nodded. "And sitting here moaning about isn't helping anyone. I guess I should get back to the hospital. Hey, maybe Thaine's remembered and it'll all be a moot point anyway."
"Wouldn't that be a fine thing?" Thaine all put back to rights.
Of course, he'd like Jerry to have to rearrange his schedule and fly up and shit and then have to fly back with nothing, just because. Little fucker.
Drew grinned at him, eyes lit up at the thought. "It would be, Jesse. It surely would be."
"Yeah." Shit was never that easy, though. Never.
He let himself steal a long look at Drew, just admiring a sec.
Never that easy.
Chapter Four
Jerry been at the hospital nearly fifteen minutes now, but he hadn't gone in yet. He wrapped up his call with his secretary and checked the time. 10:12. He'd made fucking good time. Of course it helped that he'd been woken up at the crack of dawn and had plenty of time to get to JFK and get on the eight o'clock to Love Field.
He turned the phone off and headed in. He had a conference call at two, but he'd told Anna to handle everything and not leave him any messages unless it was an emergency. He shook his head at himself. It wasn't like him to just drop everything. It wasn't the kind of thing he did. And he and T hadn't been together for over five years.
So why had he come running when Thaine asked for him? Maybe it was because Thaine thought they were still together and just maybe there was enough of a romantic in him that he didn't want to disappoint Thaine yet again. Not when Thaine was expecting him to come through. He'd always come through for Thaine when it really mattered. Well, right up until the end, anyway.
He'd called Jesse to get Thaine's room number and let the man know when he was getting in, so he just headed right on up to the fourth floor and found room 412.
This was it.
He took a breath and walked in.
Oh, man. Thaine was bruised and swollen and torn up, but those chocolate brown eyes? Just lit up happy when they saw him, so bright, so focused. "Oh. JJ. Man. You're here."
It was like stepping into the past and he found himself responding to that look, smiling back. "Hey, T. Yeah. I had business, you know?"
He glanced over at the other occupant in the room. This had to be the current lover and Jesus, sweet boy was the right word. No way was the kid older than twenty five. Not that he and T were ancient, but they had some living on them that this kid didn't.
He gave the kid a nod. "Jerry Wortmeyer," he said, holding out his hand.
"Drew Zucker."
He nodded. Not sure what more to say, so he just turned his attention back to Thaine. "Well you sure got on the wrong end of that bull."
Thaine nodded, smiled at him. "I don't remember any of it, but they haven't let me up outta the bed or nothing. Shit, I just found out I was in Mesquite this morning. When can I come home?"
He shrugged, trying to keep it casual. Shit, this was weird, just acting like everything was fine. Like they were just hunky dory. "I just got here, T. Haven't spoken to the doctors or anything. Though I did ask Jesse to make sure they brought in the best for you. Money's no object."
Thaine nodded, hands moving on the sheets, reaching for him. "I just want to come home, JJ. Sleep in my own bed, you know?"
The kid -- Drew -- winced, his hands turning into fists. Jesus God, what the fuck was he supposed to say to that? And would he do it, if it came down to that? He shook his head; they were all hoping this amnesia thing wouldn't last long, he'd bet and they'd cross that bridge if they had to.
"I know, T. You always did appreciate getting back after being on the road. I never could understand why such a homebody took a job where he was wandering all the time." He gave Thaine a wink and sat in the chair next to the bed.
"You mind getting me some coffee?" he asked Drew, waiting 'til the kid had gone before taking hold of Thaine's hand and squeezing it gently.
"Oh, God. JJ. Everybody's being so fucking weird. I'm so glad you're here." Thaine held on tight, just squeezing his hand.
"Hey, it's a hospital -- they kind of weird everyone out, yeah?" And this situation right here had to be the weirdest going.
"Yeah. Kiss me hello right quick? The kid'll be back; he's a sweet one, but he's always here."
Jesus. He should have known T was gonna ask. They'd had a very healthy physical relationship. Lots of heat, lots of passion. He glanced back, hoping to God the kid didn't walk in on them, and leaned in, pressing his lips to Thaine's.
Thaine hummed, tongue sliding against his lips, eyes just as warm and happy as anything. "Missed you, JJ."
A jolt of sensation went through him at the touch of Thaine's tongue, his cock jerking and starting to fill. He wasn't much on kissing these days. He pressed their lips harder together and then pulled back slowly, fingers dragging through Thaine's thick dark hair, nodding. "Yeah, T. Me, too."
And it was no lie. He'd managed to push it all away and forg
et what it had been like, but there hadn't been anyone special since Thaine had walked out his door.
He got a smile, Thaine relaxing, easing back into the sheets and he just took a second to stare. There was a scar on Thaine's lip that was new, a few strands of silver in the dark hair, maybe a few new laugh lines. It looked good on the man. "Man, maybe I need to take a year off to just recoup."
Amnesia Page 2
