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“Hey, what happened to the puppy?” Tripp asked.
“Will is taking care of him until you get home.”
Tripp lifted his head from the pillow, his mouth gaping open. “You mean I get to keep him?”
“You literally died saving him, I think he’s yours.”
Tripp laid his head back down and smiled. “Are you okay with that?”
He nodded, and squeezed Tripp’s hand. “Yeah, I’m okay with that.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“How have you been holding up? You look tired.”
He nodded again. “I am. I’m doing better now that you’re awake. I think I’ve cried more in the past week, than I have in my entire life.”
Tripp frowned. “Aw, Love.”
“I’ve been having a lot of nightmares. Well, more like the same nightmare over and over. I’m hoping they’ll subside now that I know you’re going to be okay.”
Tripp nodded. After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Tripp said, “I’m sorry. I should have listened to you. If I hadn’t been such an arrogant asshole, we wouldn’t be sitting in this hospital right now.”
Jayme shook his head. “It’s over and done with. Let’s not dwell on it.”
Before Tripp could say anything else, an orderly brought the cot in; and set it up under the window. He gave Tripp’s hand one more squeeze, before letting him go; and going over to the cot, and sitting down heavily on it. Jayme took off his shoes and his shirt, then laid down. Tripp turned out the lights using the remote.
“Goodnight, Jayme.”
“Night, Tripp. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He didn’t know what time it was, but he really had to pee. He quietly walked to the bathroom and relieved himself. When he came out, Tripp was thrashing around and gasping for air. Jayme ran over and grabbed his shoulders. What was happening? Was he dreaming?
“Tripp,” he called, and gave his shoulders a shake.
Tripp came awake with a start and sat up. He sucked in a noisy breath and placed a hand to his chest. “Oh, holy fuck,” he panted. “I was drowning all over again.”
“You remember drowning?”
Tripp swallowed hard, his eyes flicking to Jayme’s. “Yeah. I remember everything. Throwing you the puppy, the car crashing into me, and getting stuck under it. I tried so fucking hard to get out. It got to the point where I just couldn’t hold my breath anymore and started sucking in water. Eventually everything went black.”
He raked a hand through his hair. “Christ.”
“All my naps have been dreamless, guess I never fell into a deep sleep.”
“Yeah.”
“Can you lay with me?”
“Sure, whatever you need,” Jayme replied softly.
Tripp scooted over and made room for him. He climbed into the bed, being careful of all the tubes and wires; and put his arm around Tripp’s shoulders. Tripp hummed, and rolled onto his side so he could cuddle Jayme. Tripp laid his head on Jayme’s shoulder and sighed.
“This is nice,” Tripp murmured.
“Mmm hmm. I’ve missed having you in my arms.” He kissed the top of Tripp’s head.
“Hopefully, I’ll be out of here soon.”
“Yeah, I’d really like to go home.”
Tripp ran his hand up and down Jayme’s bare stomach. He moved up to Jayme’s chest, before sliding up to his neck. Tripp glided his fingers along Jayme’s jaw, and turned his head so that when Tripp looked up at him; he could kiss him. Their lips met for a tender kiss. He brought his hand up to cup Tripp’s face, just under his ear; and deepened the kiss. Their tongues twined together, and Jayme moaned. Fuck, he missed Tripp. Missed holding him, kissing him, and being with him. It was a long, stressful week, and Jayme was elated to have his fiancé back.
A throat clearing had them wrenching apart and turning to see Hannah standing in the doorway with her arms crossed over her chest; and an eyebrow cocked. “Ya know, getting a hard on with a catheter in probably isn’t the best idea.”
Both Jayme and Tripp chuckled. Jayme slid off the bed to give Hannah room to do her check on Tripp. He went and sat on the cot while she did her thing.
“You got a shirt, Jayme?” she asked dryly.
“Yeah, why?”
“All those muscles can be distracting to a girl, ya know?”
Jayme barked out a laugh.
“What about me? Aren’t my muscles distracting?” Tripp pouted.
Hannah gave him a sweet smile and patted his cheek. “Of course, they are, Sweetie.”
Tripp narrowed his eyes at her. “Don’t patronize me, Lady.”
“Me? Never.”
Tripp hummed, and made a face that said he didn’t believe her.
Hannah finished doing what she had to do, told them to get some sleep; then left the room, shutting the door behind her. Tripp sighed, and dropped his head back to his pillow.
“I’m afraid to sleep,” he said.
“Believe me, I understand.”
“I know you do.”
Jayme laid down on the cot. “Let’s just hope we don’t dream.”
~~~
Tripp
A couple of days later, Tripp was well enough to be discharged. He was on strict orders to take it easy for a couple of weeks, because he was still recovering. He was just glad to be going home, he was tired of being in the hospital. So, him, Jayme, and his mom drove back to Austin in the borrowed truck from work. He thought Brendan and Will would have taken it, but apparently, they ended up driving back with Matt and Phil; and left them the truck.
