After the Fall

Mike’s already told you the story.”
    “Yeah, he did.” Jason chuckled. “But he didn’t tell me you were practically in a body cast.”
    “Oh, go f—” I glanced at Dylan, then back at Jason. “Bite me.”
    He just laughed.
    “Whatever, dude,” I said. “So what are you doing here?”
    “I’m taking Dylan to his dentist appointment, and Michael forgot to leave his insurance card at the house.”
    “Oh. Okay. I’ll go let him know you’re here.” I started to get up.
    “No, no.” Jason gestured for me to sit back down. “We’re going to be early for his appointment as it is. No sense jarring you to save me two minutes.”
    “I can get around.” I pushed myself up. “I’m stuck this way for another two months, so I’d better be able to move a little bit without help.”
    “Don’t worry about it,” he insisted. “Michael’s probably with a patient anyway, isn’t he?”
    I glanced down the hall. Mike actually had three patients back there right now, and I didn’t know which one he was with at the moment, so I sat back down. “You win this one, Davis.”
    Jason laughed. “Don’t I always?”
    “Ass,” I said just low enough so Dylan wouldn’t hear me.
    One of the doors opened at the end of the hall. Jason glanced that way, but no expression registered on his face. Then one of Mike’s longtime patients stepped into view and stopped in front of my desk to pay for her appointment.
    After she’d settled up and scheduled her next visit, I said, “We’ll see you on Friday. Have a good day, Mrs. Carson.”
    “You too, sweetie.” She smiled. “I hope your leg gets better quickly.”
    “Thanks.”
    As she headed out, more movement at the end of the hall drew Jason’s attention, and this time, his whole face lit up. I couldn’t see Mike, but I was pretty sure he had the same expression. Those two had been together for a while now—I’d lost track—and they still reacted like that whenever they saw each other. Certainly a far cry from when they’d started out and Mike had been afraid of anyone—himself included—realizing he was gay.
    At least someone had gotten this whole relationship business down. My jaded side worried they’d one day go down the same road as Brad and Jeff, but I hoped not. Like Brad and Jeff, they deserved that elusive happy ending, and I sincerely hoped they’d have it together.
    Oblivious to my inner pessimism, Mike gave Jason the insurance card he needed, and then they exchanged a quick kiss and a brief glance before Jason left with Dylan. Mike probably had no idea he still had that goofy grin on his face long after his man had left. All cynicism aside, I swore those two would be that hundred-year-old couple in the nursing home who were still so cuddly that all the other old people kept telling them to get a room.
    Mike was by my desk, jotting some notes in a chart, when the familiar beat-up black truck with Oregon plates pulled up in front of the clinic. The glare on the windshield obscured Ryan’s face, but my heart quickened even though I couldn’t see him. Then the driver’s side door opened, and my stomach fluttered as soon as I saw that familiar tattoo sticking out from beneath a white T-shirt sleeve.
    “ That’s the guy you’re dating?”
    “What?” I glanced at Mike. “Okay, first, I didn’t say a word, and second, we’re not dating. He’s riding Tsarina for me. That’s it.”
    Mike’s face had bullshit written all over it. Mine was probably getting red if the heat in my cheeks was anything to go by.
    “Whatever,” I said, but couldn’t help smiling.
    Mike just shook his head and laughed. As Ryan approached the door, Mike turned around, feigning interest in the chart in his hand and muttering under his breath, “Well done, Nathan. Well done.”
    I bit back another protest that we weren’t actually dating, but an odd feeling twisted in my stomach.
    The door opened, and Ryan smiled as he pulled off his sunglasses. “Ready to go?”
    “Almost.” I glanced at Mike. “You need anything else before I go?”
    “Nope. Have a good night.” His gaze slid toward Ryan, and then he winked at me. I glared back at him, but at least Ryan didn’t seem to notice the exchange. He didn’t comment, anyway.
    After I’d clocked out and gathered my things, I followed Ryan out and got into the truck. As I buckled my seatbelt, that odd feeling in my gut was still there. Especially after last night, there was no telling myself this was