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Reluctantly, Ashok nodded. It was for the best, but it didn’t mean he liked it.
Chapter Eleven
Hayden
Aftertwohoursofsitting in the hospital, they finally arrived home, exhausted.
Hayden had called Seb, explaining that Ashok wouldn’t be able to dance for a while, that he’d been instructed to stay off his ankle. Seb said it was no problem, that they would be breaking for Christmas soon anyway and only really had a few parties for the kids, but that Ashok was welcome to join them. He could just sit there and look pretty.
Hayden agreed wholeheartedly with that comment but didn’t voice it. Jesus, he couldn’t let him or Dom know that since the night out, he’d done nothing but think about Ashok. How his long hair would look spread across his pillow, his darker skin in contrast to his own. He’d fantasised what it’d be like to kiss him, imagined how soft his lips would be, how he’d taste.
This wasn’t the way he wanted to get to spend more time with him, though. Ashok had been in pain. He could see it etched on his beautiful face. His skin had paled, and he’d looked tired and drawn.
It’d been a tough decision for Ashok to allow Hayden to look after him. From the short time he’d spent with him, he knew Ashok had an independent streak and didn’t like to accept help, even when it was offered freely.
Hayden had already decided Ashok could take his bed. A single bed wasn’t big enough, and what if he knocked his ankle on the wall in the night? He couldn’t have that but knew that Ashok would argue the point with him, and he wasn’t wrong.
“Look, Ashok,” Hayden said as he stood in the doorway of his room. “This will be more comfortable for you. I’ll take the single bed, or I can even bunk in with Jerome.” He snorted. Like a snake was going to care.
“I can’t take your bed.” Ashok was exhausted, Hayden could tell, and arguing like this wasn’t helping matters.
“Just for tonight, then. Please. Ashok.” Hayden knew he’d won this round, the resignation clear on Ashok’s face.
“Only tonight, I’ll move back to the single bed tomorrow,” Ashok said wearily
“You need to be resting. Now, let’s get you settled.” Hayden was grateful that it was sorted at least, and he helped him into bed, careful not to knock his foot. “Do you need anything before I leave you?”
Ashok sighed and struggled to sit up. “I need the bathroom.”
Ah, that could be tricky.
“Oh, erm. Right. I’ll help you.” Hayden wondered how this was going to work. He’d supported him as he walked to the house from the car and had carried him up the stairs, much to Ashok’s disgust. He definitely wouldn’t want help peeing, but there was no other way.
“I can manage.” Ashok grimaced as he tried to stand, and Hayden rushed to his side.
“Seriously, Ashok. Let me…”
“No, just leave me the fuck alone,” Ashok shouted, falling back onto the bed.
Woah, Hayden had never seen him react like that, but he wasn’t surprised. He’d had a day and a half—the show, the hospital and then having to be helped to even go anywhere. From the little he knew of Ashok, this would not sit well with him.
“Do you need to piss or not? How will you manage on your own? I’ll help you to the bathroom and stand outside the door. I don’t need to come in, Ashok.”
Taking a chance, he reached down and gently pulled him to standing. “I’m helping whether you like it or not.”
Ashok collapsed into his side as he slid his arm around his waist, supporting his weight.
“That’s it,” he said softly, guiding him down the landing. “One step at a time.”
He opened the door, and they both squeezed inside the bathroom.
“I can take it from here. You can go.” Ashok leaned on the sink, glaring at Hayden.
He backed out and closed the door behind him, waiting patiently.
A few moments later, he heard the toilet flush and the tap turn on. Thinking it was safe to go back in, he opened the door. Ashok was standing by the sink, his hands still dry.
“Ashok. Are you OK?” It was a stupid question, and Ashok huffed out a small laugh.
