Love is Always Write Anthology Bonus Volume

Delawares.
    Sebastian pulled on a fresh pair of gloves and helped Daren sit up. He had decided physical therapy would happen after lunch since Daren was usually exhausted by the time his shower was done. They'd start with Daren's shoulder first since Sebastian actually knew a little about that. He'd briefly harbored dreams of getting a baseball scholarship in high school until he screwed up his shoulder trying to throw a fastball. By the time he could pitch again, he'd accepted the fact that he hadn't been that good to begin with.
    "Okay, grip my hand first." Daren's grip was weak, but he gave as much as he could. "Good, that's good. We'll start with range of motion. I'll do the work."
    Sebastian carefully lifted Daren's arm while Daren gritted his teeth. The muscles of his arm were well-sculpted without being bulging. They twitched under Sebastian's fingers as he worked the joint as carefully as possible. Sebastian was sure it was probably at least partially dislocated, but there was still too much swelling to be sure. He manipulated it carefully for another few minutes before lowering it back to Daren's side.
    "So how bad did that hurt?"
    "It hurt." Daren's voice squeaked.
    "Thought it might. Next drug store run I'll pick up some topical creams. See if we can't get the swelling down a bit more. Now, let's see how much movement you've got in your knee."
    Sebastian folded back the blankets and unwrapped Daren's knee. It was still quite red and a bit swollen, but it looked like a knee should, and the muscles were as carefully sculpted as the rest of him. Daren's face was blank, and he was taking slow controlled breaths.
    Sebastian slid his hand onto Daren's thigh just above the knee. "We're going to test range of movement again. Just let me do the work."
    Daren nodded, the muscles in his jaw tensing. Sebastian tried to go through it with as little touching as possible. Daren could bend it reasonably okay, but if Sebastian pushed on the bottom of his foot, he winced and began to go pale. A few more minutes of work, and he was breaking out into a sweat.
    He set Daren's leg back down and flicked the sheets back up.
    Daren took several deep breaths. "Prognosis, doc?"
    "Your leg's fucked up."
    "Thank you for that news flash."
    "I think it's like your shoulder, and it'll be a matter of getting the inflammation down. I'll also see if I can find you a proper knee brace."
    Daren pulled the sheet up a little higher. "You should take some of the money."
    "No. You might need it if things get hot."
    "If I can't walk, getting hot is going to be the least of my problems."
    "I'll think about it. But just so you know, for getting through that, you get a special treat for dinner."
    "Really, what?"
    "It's a surprise."
    Daren pinched his lips, and Sebastian had an urge to just poke him in the side. Instead, he fluffed up the pillows and helped him lay back down. "Don't worry." He peeled off the gloves he'd been wearing. "You'll be doing laps around the living room in no time."
    ****
    Sebastian spoon-fed Daren his special dinner, chicken broth with some well-boiled rice. It was his hope that Daren was healed up enough to handle having some solids in his diet, but he wasn't about to shock Daren's system with a steak dinner. As it was, Daren was savoring each bite.
    "I never thought rice would taste this good."
    "If your stomach doesn't give you problems overnight, we'll try some liquid breakfast shake in the morning."
    "That sounds so amazingly good."
    Sebastian put the last spoonful to Daren's lips when his phone rang. They both jumped, spilling the bit of soup down Daren's front.
    "Shit." Sebastian put the cup aside and tried to sop up the spreading wet patch while his phone kept ringing.
    "I'm fine. Answer that."
    Sebastian snapped up his phone. "What?"
    "Seriously, mate, we need to work on your manners."
    Sebastian thought about hanging up, but Jimmy would just call back. "What do you want?"
    "What makes you think I want anything? I am calling to find out what was so important that you blew off the chance for an epic road trip and, I have heard, been blowing off your friends as well."
    Sebastian marched down to the utility closet to grab a fresh T-shirt for Daren out of the dryer. "Is it a crime to be a little antisocial?"
    "Might be."
    "I've got some stuff going on right now. It's none of your business or anyone else's for that matter. I am fine, but if you don't mind, I have some things I need to do."
    Jimmy didn't answer right away.