Zach
Zach sat there, not sure whether to shit or go blind.
He wasn’t sure that this whole thing—from the second he set eyes on Colton to right now—wasn’t just some weird-assed fever dream. Had it only been a week?
Even one fucking week?
Maybe a lifetime.
He sat there watching Colton sleep. Every so often Colton would wake up, mutter something to him and then crash again. It was kind of funny; stoned Colton was utterly adorable.
He brushed Colton’s hand. It was so dark against the white sheets. Dark and scarred, there were so many stories in that hand, and he wanted Colton to make more, ones that involved touching him.
The question was, would Colton want that when he came to and realized it was Zach’s fault he’d been shot? Sheriff Ted could say what he wanted about “serve and protect,” but Zach had picked Colton to ask for help. He’d also gone about getting Colton on his side by flirting and teasing with the promise of more. Sure, he’d planned to make good on those hints, if Colton had wanted, but it was still a shitty thing he’d done.
No matter what he told himself, Zach could’ve skedaddled when Grandpa died. After the funeral, he could have packed his bags and left. Steven probably wouldn’t have known enough to stop him. He’d have figured he could find what he needed in Grandpa’s stuff.
Then Colton wouldn’t have been shot.
“No, you’re not.” Colton’s voice whispered.
Zach opened his eyes. Colton looked at him like he’d hung the moon.
“I’m not what?” He rubbed Colton’s hand.
“Not to blame. Not going to get rid of me this easily. Or going to be with anyone else but my stunning self.”
Zach laughed for a second before the tears came. He used his free hand to pinch his eyelids shut, but it didn’t stop the stream flowing down his cheek.
“Whoa. Hey, honey. It’s going to be okay.” He rubbed his thumb over Zach’s, but it didn’t help.
“No…. It’s…. I did this to you. How can it ever be okay?”
Colton snorted, eyes rolling like thrown dice. “Because I know you didn’t, dork. I’ve never been as alive as when I’m with you. You try to leave me, they’re gonna need to shoot me again to keep me from finding you.” Colton wiggled a little, grunting with the motion. “I gotta admit, I’m not loving this whole bullet thing.”
Zach laughed through the tears. “You gonna chase me down the hall with your ass hanging out of that gown?”
“Won’t have to.” Colton smiled, and it burned away the fear in Zach's heart. “Not if you don’t leave me.”
Zach heaved in a lungful of antiseptic-flavored hospital air. “I can’t stay here much longer. Your momma told me she has dibs next time you wake up.”
“That sounds like her.”
Colton scowled, lines drawn deep beside his mouth, and Zach touched his cheek. “Be nice to her, Colton. She’s scared too. And she’s been real good to me. Even after you kicked her out, she hugged me when I was by myself.”
“She’s got a good heart. It’s just been beaten up a bit.” Colton relaxed and winked at him. “We get along way better when we aren’t in each other’s pockets.”
Zach grew up seeing how that could hurt a person. “Get some rest. Franny snuck me in between visiting hours. The others will be back soon.”
“Uh-huh. Listen to me now.” Colton grabbed his hand and squeezed it tight. “I’m serious, Zach. Don’t you leave town on me. We've got some living to do when I get my happy ass out of here.”
He froze because it was as if Colton had read every thought the moment Zach had them. “Did that bullet make you psychic? How do you know what I’m thinking?”
“Because your heart’s been hurt too.” The grin he got was pure sunshine. “Let me love you like you deserve. And you can love me back. If we do that, it’ll be all good.”
The sterile hallway felt familiar after five days. Zach had lived there since Colton was shot. He’d dozed off in the molded plastic chairs several times waiting for a chance to see Colton. Last night, Nanette had threatened to have him handcuffed and thrown in a cruiser if he didn’t go to the big house to eat, shower, and sleep.
She wasn’t wrong. He needed all three, but he hated leaving. Not that they needed him at the hospital. Most of the time he was in the room, Colton slept.Which was right.
