Page 10 of Operation Daddy

“Why aren’t you two on your honeymoon? You should get on that. You shouldn’t be here with me, joining my pity party. That private bungalow is calling your names.”

“The bungalow will still be there in a few days. Right now, we need to be with you.”

At JJ’s words, Leary nodded. “What happened?”

A humorless laugh burst from July. What hadn’t happened? Thankfully, Leary had a beautiful heart and had already dragged all of July’s secrets from him. He was the only person who loved July.

“Rex, as always.”

Leary sat up and crossed his legs. He absently petted the dog across July’s legs as he focused on July and shook his head. “I don’t understand. You had gotten away.”

July’s gaze slid away. More tears blurred his vision. “I only told you that so you’d stop worrying. There’s never been a chance I could get out. I sold my soul to the devil a long time ago. He had given me more freedom to spend time with you. That was only because my time with you worked in his favor.”

JJ looked confused. “I don’t understand. You always have stories about dates you’ve been on.”

July swallowed. “I’ve never willingly been on a date with anyone without getting paid, either by Rex or back in the day to survive.” He paused. “I suppose those dates were still survival. Just in a different way. Rex set me up with people he wanted dirt on. They were mostly married men in positions of power. Rex got the means to blackmail them. I got to keep my pretty home and nice car, but more than that. I got to keep breathing.”

“Oh, July.” Leary sounded distraught. “You could’ve said all of those things to me.”

A sad smile tugged at July’s cut lips. “It’s humiliating. You have this great job and life. Now an amazing husband. My life has never looked anything like yours. The closest I’ve come is the lifestyle Rex provided. You can’t know what it's like for me to be in your life when we’re so different. Here you are, my best friend, and you shouldn’t even know someone like me exists.” He linked fingers with Leary. Even their hands gave away their differences. Leary had the hands of a well-respected surgeon. July’s nails were broken into jagged lines. One was totally missing. The price he had paid to watch Leary get married. He would pay it again.

“I love you.” A single tear fell from July’s eye as he made the confession. “Both of you. But Rex and Beau made a deal.”

“Say less,” JJ said, sounding disheartened. “Beau’s former wife and the mother of his children was driven to the grave by drugs. He wouldn’t want you near his family.”

July nodded. “Pretty much.”

A look of pure horror touched Leary’s features. “Oh no. Does that mean all this is because you watched our wedding?”

July couldn’t let Leary believe that. Going to that wedding had been the excuse Rex needed to do exactly what he wanted. He thrived on July’s pain. “No. Don’t get that in your head. I ended up here by my decisions.”

Leary didn’t look appeased. “Don’t say things like that. The only person responsible for where you are now is Rex. That… that… doodie head.”

A laugh burst from July. He winced when the move pulled at the stitches in his midsection and tore at his throat. “Don’t make me laugh. My insides might fall out.”

Leary didn’t even ask. He jerked the covers down and yanked July’s hospital gown up.

“Hey, hey. Let’s chill a little on taking my clothes off.”

“Oh, please, we all have the same equipment.” Despite his claim, Leary kept July’s lower body covered as he eyed July’s wound. He gently prodded around his stitches, making July suck in a breath at the pain. Leary didn’t let up. He wore his doctor face. “Was this two stab wounds or one jagged slash? Or do you know?”

“Oh, I know,” July said with all his feelings. “I had to stitch myself up so I wouldn’t bleed to death. It’s two stab wounds.”

“You stitched yourself?” Leary’s voice rose to a screech.

“Don’t worry. It’s not the first time. I mean, it never hurts less, but I can’t go to the hospital. They’ll have questions, and then the real hell would begin. It’s best if I just handle it, except maybe this time I shouldn’t have. That Doctor Austen guy said something about internal bleeding and slowly bleeding to death. How was I supposed to know? I’m not a doctor. I was just trying to keep my insides in.” The longer July spoke, the better he felt. It was as if nothing happened to separate them. With the exception of the physical pain, it felt as though the three of them were having a slumber party.

“Thank you guys so much for being my friends. I love you both so much. You have no idea how it broke me to not stand with you two at your wedding. I was so over the moon when JJ proposed. In my head, I was already planning outfits.” Pain filled his chest. He swallowed past a lump. Of course, that could’ve just been whatever the fuck was up with his throat. Another sad smile came and went. He had to stop talking. With every word, he was reminded of how much Rex always stole from him.

Leary stroked his arm. “You never have to thank us for being your friends. Don’t think about the wedding. The three of us can go to Vegas and have a fun little wedding with you as our witness. I’d marry JJ a million times if I could.”

Damn, they were so stinking cute. July wondered if he had ever experienced any of the feelings they had for each other. It was obvious Leary felt safe enough to be himself. July couldn’t recall ever feeling safe at all.

The door opened, and Fletch poked his head inside. “I thought I heard talking. Is it safe for me to come in?”

Fletch. Sigh. Maybe he had felt safe once in his life.

Chapter Five