Chapter 21
Chapter twenty-one
Gavin
First thing in the morning, Gavin got up and went out.
Johnny would sleep a bit later, but Gavin wouldn’t let him sleep too long.
He needed to get up to go to the hospital.
Gavin picked up coffee and pancakes at the McDonalds around the corner.
It was shit food, but Johnny would at least eat the pancakes.
Then they could get ready and go to the hospital.
He put breakfast on the little table in the nook.
There was enough room for two or three people at most. Johnny’s house was small but cozy.
Gavin felt comfortable there—at home. It filled some basic internal need for Gavin.
That need for homey belonging he’d never had as a kid.
Sure, his family loved him, but they weren’t overly affectionate and hadn’t lived what Gavin considered a warm life.
Their house had been modern. Cold. A lot like their personalities.
Except for his sister. She had been his warmth.
Johnny walked out without having to be wakened. Gavin counted that as a plus. Johnny rubbed his eyes and joined Gavin at the table, then he pulled his glasses on and stared at the pancakes in front of him. “Why are you doing all this? Why are you here?”
“Damn it, didn’t we already go through this?”
Johnny huffed. “I’m not complaining. I get it, the boyfriend thing. But why? Why me?”
Anger boiled in Gavin’s chest. “Don’t you get it by now? I love you, Johnny, and I’m going to take care of you.”
“Okay.” He took a deep breath. “I love you too.”
Gavin exhaled long and slow, taking in what they’d both said. People said shit they didn’t mean when they fought all the time, and this felt very much like a fight. At the same time, Gavin meant every word. “You mean that? No lie?”
“Yeah.” Johnny stuffed pancakes in his mouth, ending the conversation.
Gavin spent the rest of the morning getting Johnny up and ready to go the hospital.
Gavin worried about his uncle and worried about Johnny, but something warm glowed in his chest. They hadn’t made any kind of vow, but they’d still said those words.
They loved each other. He didn’t know if that love resonated as a deep friendship, being in love, or what, but he’d hang on to it anyway.
He’d help Johnny and get him through the shit with his uncle first. They could explore the love-stuff later.
Gavin held Johnny’s hand throughout the long, boring day.
Finally, late afternoon, the doctor came out and let Johnny go back to visit his uncle.
Gavin watched him walk down the hall, somewhat tired and defeated but still hopeful.
Then he took his tablet out to check on things.
He hated missing Craige’s race day, but it had gone well.
He’d transferred out of his heat in the fifth spot and had come in sixth in the Main Event.
He’d missed the podium but still finished well.
Not bad for his first time in the 450s. He blasted off some texts congratulating him and Reagan.
Then one to Jack Wolfe. They’d made great progress.
He needed to get some PR in place, so he shot off a message to his friend Jason.
Not long after that, Pilot showed up with Tate and Bryce in tow.
When Johnny came back, Pilot went to see Johnny’s uncle.
Gavin understood how close they were. Tate and Bryce did too.
As soon as Pilot left the room, they offered their comfort to Johnny.
Automatically. Naturally. It warmed his heart.
He was happy to know that regardless of whether Johnny was interested in it, he had two supportive friends there.
Even the younger Bryce had compassion and friendship.
He put his arm around Johnny’s shoulder and whispered something in his ear.
Gavin didn’t know what he’d said, but it made Johnny smile and embrace the younger man.
Visiting hours ended soon enough, and Tate invited Johnny and Gavin to go eat dinner with them, but Johnny declined. He wanted some quiet time.
Gavin took over for him. “I’ve got this. Don’t worry.” He clapped Tate on the shoulder.
On the way back to Johnny’s house, he stopped at Sweet Station, the little ice cream joint Johnny loved so much. He bought Johnny a mocha almond fudge milkshake. That earned him his second I love you from Johnny. Nothing sounded better.