Page 8 of Healing Daddy

Leary smiled at the idea, but he had another. “What if I pushed you on the swings?”

JJ laughed.

“I’m being serious.”

JJ glanced his way for a second, then shrugged. “Okay, but I might have a hard time holding on.”

He hadn’t thought of that. “Then go down the big slide with me. Ooh. Or the merry-go-round.”

“I can do that.”

Leary happy clapped. “Yay.”

The way JJ smiled had emotions stirring. Leary wanted this. Whatever this thing was that kept getting bigger between them caused so, so much longing inside him.

Thankfully, before Leary could say anything dumb, like how he thought he might be falling for JJ, JJ pulled into the parking lot of the park closest to his house. It was dark and no one else was there. JJ stepped out, and Leary followed. Hand in hand, they made their way to the slide. Leary went down first, and JJ followed. It was a little difficult for JJ to climb with one hand. Leary ran for the swings and sat. JJ immediately moved to push him. Leary got himself started and then JJ got him going higher. Once he was going fast enough, JJ stepped away.

He jogged to where he could watch Leary.

Leary laughed as tears gathered in the corners of his eyes from the wind whipping across his face.

“Jump.”

A thrill ran through him at the idea. He wanted to do that, but he was scared. “I can’t get hurt. I have to do your surgery on Thursday.”

JJ’s smile never dimmed. “What if I swear you won’t get hurt?”

He really wanted to do this just to see if he could. “Okay.” He kicked out and back another time. “Are you ready?”

JJ visibly braced himself. “Yep.”

“Okay. Here I come. One. Two. Three.” He jumped. The feeling of complete freedom only lasted a moment, but it was a rush. Then JJ’s arms were around him, keeping him from landing too hard. The impact rocked JJ on his feet, but he didn’t fall. As he had promised, Leary didn’t get hurt. They laughed like little kids. Then he realized how tightly and closely JJ held him. He became hyperaware of every place their bodies touched. JJ didn’t release him. They simply stared at each other.

“Will you let me walk you to the door tonight?”

At JJ’s question, Leary swallowed before he answered. “Maybe you can walk me inside.”

JJ kissed the tip of his nose. “There’s nothing I’d love more, but my shift starts at eleven.”

“Oh.” Leary hadn’t considered what hours JJ worked. Why did he never ask questions?

“Maybe I could kiss you right now.” JJ’s words stopped every thought Leary had.

“I’d like that.”

JJ’s lips touched his and things heated faster than expected. His body ached for JJ’s touch. Leary already knew he would fall asleep tonight and dream of JJ. He was everything Leary wanted and more.

Chapter Four

WearinessweighedonJJ.He had only grabbed quick naps before and after his appointment yesterday. Today would be the same. He had to go to the hospital to do some pre-op shit. It was sad that one reason JJ looked so forward to this surgery was so he could have some time off to sleep. He was so freaking tired. JJ never used his sick days or vacation time since he had nowhere to go. Now he wondered if Henry would let him tack some of that built-up time to the end of medical leave so he could rest. Unfortunately, he knew he would need those days for the long road ahead. Leary talked as if this whole process would be a lot. If JJ wanted to sleep again once they got started, he would need some nights off.

He couldn’t stop thinking about Leary offering to let him walk him inside last night. JJ wanted to cry over having to turn him down. Between dinner and the park, JJ had the best time he’dever had. While Leary worried about JJ’s age, Leary let JJ feel young for once. JJ couldn’t take it anymore. He knew Leary was busy, but he still texted him.

JJ:How is your day going?

There. Leary could answer that whenever he had a free moment.

Leary:It’s going fine. How about you?