Page 12 of Healing Daddy

JJ slept like the dead until nearly four pm. The very first thing he did the moment he opened his eyes was fret over not having anyone to take him to his surgery. The second thing was text Leary. He didn’t know why he knew Leary would fix it, but he did. Then Leary had. While July was a complete stranger to him, JJ would take it. He was unhealthily excited about this surgery. Even knowing the entire process would be hard didn’t dull how much he looked forward to having some semblance of a working right hand. JJ had talked with his therapist twice about the ordeal. He had been told time and time again to manage his expectations. This would take time, determination, and a lot of frustration. He was ready.

After a quick shower, JJ packed for a few days and headed out. He hadn’t expected Leary to volunteer to care for him for the entire weekend. JJ appreciated the hell out of it, though. Therehad never been anyone to take care of him. JJ didn’t even know how to act. When he had lost his hand and come home PTSD-ridden, in pain, and feeling helpless, even then, no one had truly helped him. Austen had done surgery to fix the wound. He had stayed in the compound’s version of a mini-hospital. A hired nurse had come around to check on him quite a few times. But there had been no comfort other than being told to keep his chin up. This was different. Leary intended to stay by his side.

Halfway to Leary’s place, he decided to make a stop. Since Leary had a lot of live plants and flowers, JJ assumed he liked those things. He didn’t know anything about flowers, but he grabbed a vase of what he thought was pretty. JJ didn’t know shit about relationships either, but it seemed like he should be doing nice things.

By the time he got to Leary’s place, he was sick with the need to set eyes on Leary. He felt as if he were coming home. That realization caused his throat to swell. This would never be his life full-time. People didn’t leave the family. Not alive, anyhow. He had signed his life away when he went to live with Beau.

When Leary answered the door, his smile at the sight of JJ lifted a weight from JJ’s chest. He forgot to worry.

“Hey, beautiful.” JJ held out the vase to Leary. “For you.”

The pure joy in Leary’s expression made JJ feel ten feet tall. “Oh my gosh. These are gorgeous. Thank you.” He headed for the coffee table and set them on top.

JJ followed him inside and shut the door behind him. When Leary turned back his way, JJ kissed him. Like last night, JJ lost himself. There was just something about kissing Leary that brought him to life.

When he pulled away, Leary took a shaky-sounding breath. “Thank you. Kissing you is all I thought about all day.”

Now that was a confession JJ loved to hear. “I slept all day. But you’ve been the only thing on my mind since I woke up.”

Rather than looking happy about JJ’s words, Leary’s expression turned concerned. “Won’t you be awake all night now? You have surgery tomorrow.”

JJ made a dismissive gesture. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be sleeping all day again tomorrow. You’re who I’m worried about. You’re my surgeon.”

“About that.” Leary took his hand and led him to the couch. They sat side by side while JJ panicked internally. Was Leary not going to do his surgery? Had he canceled it after all?

Leary turned sideways and crossed his legs. “I think maybe I should ask Dr. Highman to do your surgery.”

“What?” JJ immediately apologized. “I didn’t mean for that to come out so snappish, but what? Why?”

Leary made a calming gesture. “I think I’m maybe too close to you. What if something goes wrong and I completely fall apart because it’s you?”

“That’s exactly why it should be you. I know if anything goes wrong, you’ll do everything it takes to save me. You’re who I trust. Do you think I want Dr. Highman touching me when I’m knocked out? Did you hear the way he spoke to me? He gave me the creeps just by being near him. No. It’s you or it’s no one.” Even JJ couldn’t believe he gave that ultimatum. He really, really wanted this surgery, but he also didn’t trust anyone else. JJ wasn’t playing about his PTSD. He would panic if Leary wasn’t there.

Leary’s shoulders dropped, but his smile was sweet. “Okay. Just don’t hate me if anything goes wrong. I’ll hate myself enough for the both of us.”

JJ snorted. “If I die, I’m haunting you, but only so I can be pervy.”

A loud snort-laugh burst from Leary.

The sound made him smile. JJ took Leary’s hand. “Seriously, angel. This isn’t just me trusting my boyfriend.”

Leary let out a small squeal; he obviously tried to suppress it.

JJ kept going. “When we talked about this that very first night, I went home and researched the whole bionic process. I looked up your reviews. Everyone had nothing but glowing stories aboutyou. Countless people said you’re the best. I trust you to do this. You won’t panic or fail me. I believe in you.”

“You called me your boyfriend.”

JJ shook his head. “You never actually listen to me, do you?”

Leary laughed. “I heard everything you said. You’re right. I won’t fail you, but boyfriend, huh? Does that mean you won’t be seeing other people?”

JJ nearly hurt himself trying not to roll his eyes. “I didn’t see other people before. Why in the hell would I do so now? You’re who I want. I thought you understood that already.”

“I never assume anything.” Leary’s smile kept JJ from being annoyed by the suggestion he might cheat.

“You better be glad you’re adorable.”

Leary’s smile didn’t dim even a hair. “I know I’m an overthinker. No one else has made me feel the way you do. That’s a little scary.”