Earth and Sky
didn’t take into account the fact that Grant was used to fending for himself, and no lover could ever break that habit.
Even Hunter’s concerned look before he started the truck’s engine was almost met with a growl. Hunter knew it was going to be a long ride home.
Hunter had barely driven off the hospital grounds when Grant asked him to stop.
“Everything all right? Do you need something for the pain?”
Grant shook his head. “Can I ask you a favor?”
Hunter smiled. “Of course. Anything you want.”
“Can we agree that I’m fine unless I tell you I’m not?”
Hunter nodded. “On one condition.”
Grant raised his eyebrows.
“That you actually tell me and not try to keep a brave face. This is me, Grant—the man you’ve fucked on as regular a basis as we can manage. I don’t need your brave face. You didn’t keep a brave face when I had my dick up your ass, and I certainly don’t need it when you’re hurting.”
Grant’s eyebrows rose almost into his hairline, which Hunter found funny, given the fact Grant’s face had a multitude of colors that would make an Indian brave jealous.
“If you promise that you’ll tell me when you need something, then I promise I won’t ask you if you’re okay every five miles.”
“Deal,” Grant answered, amusement in his face. Then it turned serious. “I have another favor to ask.”
“Shoot,” Hunter said, looking over his shoulder to see whether he could pull into traffic again.
Grant put his hand on Hunter’s arm. “Stay here for a second.”
Hunter relaxed, turning to look at Grant.
“I was on my way somewhere, and I’d still like to go there, if you’ll drive me.”
Hunter felt the anxiety rise inside him, but he didn’t know whether it was because he was afraid of what Grant was going to show him or because he was finally going to become privy to Grant’s big, bad secret.
“It’s probably another five-hour drive, so we’ll have to stay there overnight and not return to the ranch before tomorrow.”
Hunter took Grant’s hand. “I’ll have to phone Izzie and tell her our plans have changed, but yeah, let’s do it.”
Chapter 27
Asking Hunter about driving him to Portland hadn’t been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Grant had been fretting about what to do for days. He’d called ahead when Hunter had gone for a walk, and his window of opportunity hadn’t closed completely, so he knew it was now or never. It had taken a lot of gritting teeth to persuade his doctor that he’d be able to cope with going home, although the doctor had told him he wasn’t ready. He’d had a prescription filled at the pharmacy for more pain medication, so he figured he was all set to go. He’d been through worse. The last time he’d been in this state was after being beaten up, and he hadn’t had anyone to take care of him afterward. He’d coped then too.
“So what’s in Portland?”
Grant shrugged, then realized that wasn’t a painless gesture. “You’ll see. It’s hard to explain but much easier to show.” He hoped Hunter would understand. Very few people knew what was in Portland for him, and he thought he was ready to tell Hunter about it, only he had no idea how exactly to go about it. He wasn’t kidding that it was easier to show him.
The truck ran over a pothole, and Grant grunted when pain shot through his body.
Hunter glanced at him sideways, and Grant was grateful it was only a concerned look. “I’m okay. I can just feel every bump in the road. I can’t take another painkiller until lunchtime, so take it easy, okay?”
Hunter nodded and gave him a loving smile, which made Grant blush. He was suddenly grateful for the war stripes on his face masking his true feelings.
“What happened to the truck anyway?” Grant asked to change the subject. “You look like you were in an accident too.”
Hunter looked straight at the road and didn’t immediately answer.
“I was,” Hunter eventually said. He took a deep breath and only continued after letting it out very slowly. “I was driving next to you when the truck hit you. You were looking at me, and the next moment you were catapulted into my truck and over it before you hit the dirt at the side of the road.”
Grant could see the tears filling Hunter’s eyes. “Pull over.”
Hunter continued driving.
“Pull over this instant!”
With screeching tires, Hunter brought the truck to a stop by the side of the road. A few
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