Page 4 of Healing Daddy

Finally, Leary’s gorgeous eyes focused on him. “Are you ready for this?”

Everything inside JJ calmed. “Yes.”

A kind smile touched Leary’s lips. “I’ll need to take a look at your arm.”

“Oh.” JJ chuckled. “Yeah.” He held his arm out for Leary’s inspection.

Leary held his arm and felt around.

JJ couldn’t look away from the way his lashes framed the sweetest eyes he had ever seen. Leary didn’t understand. JJ didn’t know kindness. His entire life, he had been forced to behard. Leary was an anomaly. Being with him was the only place JJ felt warmth.

Leary rolled backward a few feet. “I think he’s ready for that second try.”

Katie jumped right in and started the machine again. This time, it went quicker, but it felt like it took centuries. Leary had moved too far away. JJ’s gaze never left Leary. This time, when the cuff released, no alarm sounded.

“Much better.” She made a note and then took the cuff off. “You’re in good hands.” She grabbed the machine and rolled out, closing the door behind her.

Leary immediately rolled close again. He looked amazing in a white coat. His name was embroidered and everything. It really hit JJ that Leary was a full-fledged doctor. Like a really genius guy. JJ’s chest warmed with pride. He was proud as fuck of Leary.

“Now we can speak freely. I hate asking questions, but I kind of have to. It looks to me as if you had a competent doctor care for this. I know you told me a little the other night, but I need to know the details—like exactly how your hand was removed and who your surgeon was afterward.”

It somewhat took JJ aback that Leary didn’t know he could ask JJ anything he wanted. “We’re friends. You’re always allowed to ask me anything. Obviously, there’ll be things I can’t answer due to who I work for, but I know you won’t disclose anything. So, it’sokay. My hand was taken off with a meat cleaver.” He paused for half a second and clarified. “Actually, my fingers were taken off one by one with a cigar cutter. Then they cut off my hand.”

Leary’s eyebrows were raised, and he looked as if JJ had slapped him.

JJ remembered he hadn’t answered the whole question. “Oh, and it was repaired by Dr. Austen Flowers.”

Leary rallied. “I know Dr. Flowers. He’s an amazing surgeon.”

JJ nodded.

To his surprise, Leary touched him again, setting his hand on JJ’s handless arm. His gaze never budged from holding JJ’s stare. “Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m so sorry you had to go through something so horrific. I can’t even imagine. You’re an incredible person. You didn’t deserve that.”

The urge to cry slammed into him. Leary was the only person who had tried to comfort him. Unfortunately, he had been taught men didn’t cry and they couldn’t keep discussing this. “I read online I’ll need surgery first.”

Obviously understanding JJ’s need to move on, Leary rolled back to the open laptop where the nurse had left it. “We’ve got two options here. Surgical and non-surgical. First, we’ll test your muscle strength and to see if the nerves are still sending signals. You’ll have to undergo an EMG. They’ll use a device to check your responses. We can get that done before you leave. If yourmuscles aren’t sending the proper responses, then you’ll need surgery to reroute things and a titanium bar will be implanted to affix the hand as part of the body. That process, due to healing and whatnot, would take about six to nine months.” He sounded so confident, and JJ was blown away. JJ couldn’t even put the two very different sides of Leary together while watching him now. Leary kept going. “If you’d prefer to go the non-surgical route, it’ll be more like three to six weeks. In this option, we use electromyography sensors worn against the skin to move the hand. With either option, you’ll have to go into this with determination and dedication. You’ll have to go through training and physical therapy. We ask you also see a therapist for your mental health.”

“I already am.”

Leary smiled. “See. There you go. You’re already on your way. So do you want to do the testing today, or do you want to take some time to think about it?”

“I’m highly motivated. Let’s do it and figure it out from there.”

Leary stood and opened the door. He poked his head out. “Katie, can you grab the EMG?”

“Sure.”

JJ smiled. He didn’t even know why. It just kind of felt like he hadn’t had hope in a really long time. Now, thanks to Leary, he did.

Leary saw another patient while JJ went through testing. He kept working until Katie handed him the results. Leary read them as he headed back to room four.

He started talking as soon as he walked through the door. “It looks like you’re a candidate to go the non-surgical route, if you’d prefer.” He had kept his gaze on the results until he sat and focused on JJ.

JJ chewed his bottom lip. Longing swept over Leary. No one could ever know how badly he wanted to kiss those lips.

“Which do you feel is the best option for me?”

He loved that JJ was trusting him like this. “If it were me, I’d do the surgery. It’s much better for longevity, range of motion, and bearing weight. It would be a lot more natural feeling by the end.”