Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

jeans hugging that tight, round butt. Stone looked away because he was getting excited, and the sheets were so thin you could see everything through them. And to top it off, they had him in one of those gowns that didn't hide anything. Maybe someone would bring him something decent to wear if he asked.
    The food arrived, and Stone took a few bites while Preston finished up. His stomach wasn't so sure how it wanted to react until he started eating, and then it seemed to remember that it was empty and his appetite kicked in. Preston came out of the bathroom and sat back in the chair. "You want some? I'll share."
    Stone ate what he could and Preston finished off the rest. It wasn't half bad, and with his stomach full, Stone's eyes began to get heavy again and he dozed off, only to be awakened by the doctor, who pulled the curtain and lowered the blankets before feeling around. "Looks like you were really lucky. There's lots of bruising, but no broken ribs. You have a concussion, though, so we'll keep you around for a day or two just to be sure." His cold hands pressed at Stone's side, making him jump. "Does that hurt?"
    "No. Just cold hands."

    The doctor nodded and pulled the blankets back up before pushing back the curtain. "I'll see you tomorrow. Just rest, and you ring for the nurse if your vision gets blurry or your ears ring."

    He made some notes and left the room.

    Stone yawned and let his eyes drift closed again. This time when he woke, Joey and Robbie were sitting on the sofa thing under the window, talking softly. "Your lunch should be here soon," Joey informed him. "We're going to take Preston down to the cafeteria for a while, but we'll be back." "I'll be here." Stone watched as Preston got up and slowly left the room, using the walker.
    His lunch arrived awhile later, and he ate while he watched television. The guys returned, and they spent the afternoon talking softly and playing a few games of cards until Stone felt himself tire again. The guys all said their good-nights, and to Stone's surprise, Preston kissed him gently on the lips.
    "We'll be back tomorrow," Geoff said as he and Eli squeezed his hand before leaving the room.
    "Do you have to go too?" Stone didn't want Preston to leave. He could hardly believe he was here, and quite frankly, he was afraid that if Preston left, he wouldn't come back. Not that he'd blame him after the way Stone had sent him away.
"I promised I'd be here and I will." Preston sat in the chair, and Stone closed his eyes, taking Preston's hand and allowing himself to sleep. He knew they had to talk and that he had a lot of explaining to do, but that could wait for now. Preston was here, and he'd take what he could get.
    Stone woke a few times and always looked over toward the chair, seeing Preston's form curled up, asleep. He had to get him to stay. His heart didn't want him to leave, and this time he was going to follow it. Preston's head turned toward him, his eyes opening. "You should be asleep." "I can't, Pres," he whispered very softly. The room and hallways were dim so everyone could sleep. "Are you gonna go back?" He swallowed, afraid of the answer.
    "I talked to Robbie while you were asleep. He told me why you said I should take the job."
Stone suddenly felt cold. "He did?"
Preston moved the chair closer, his hand taking Stone's, his head resting against his arm.
"Yeah. But I want to hear it from you."
    "It's so hard. I was scared. You're a smart man, educated and brilliant. I'm just some hick from a pig farm. I was scared you'd get bored with me. And then I heard you taking to that farmer, working through all that financial mumbo-jumbo, and you sounded so excited. I couldn't ask you to stay and be a bank teller, not when you could be happy doing what you loved."
    "So you pushed me away. Instead of asking me, you decided what I wanted." The heat in Preston's eyes scared Stone a little, and he tightened his grip on Preston's hand, hoping he wouldn't pull it away.
    "I thought I had to let you go for your own good." Stone felt tears run down his cheek. "I know I was wrong, and I was miserable too, the entire time." Stone sniffed and wiped his eyes. "I thought it would get easier and that I would get over it, but I couldn't. Every night I'd think about you and wish you were with me." He heaved a breath between his tears. "I'm sorry I was so stupid." Stone buried his head in the pillow, unable to look Preston in the eyes anymore. He didn't want to see the anger and