5. Diesel
5
DIESEL
One week later
“ J esus,” a voice gasped from somewhere off in the distance.
The world around him shifted as he suddenly felt light as a feather.
Ahh, he loved that feeling. Floating on a cloud. So peaceful. So light.
His body was jogged, and the joyous, floaty feeling suddenly didn’t feel so light. Now he felt sick.
Fuck.
Diesel felt his body shift and bump and fall for just a moment before quickly coming to a level height once again.
Around him, someone gasped, then cursed, then said something that Diesel couldn’t quite make out.
Where the fuck was he? What the heck was going on?
“Pass me that cloth,” someone said. Matteo?
All around him, the sound was soft, then loud, then muffled once again.
How was it that sound could suddenly hurt your body? Was that even a thing?
Diesel felt something move across his face. The feeling was soft, gentle. Done with almost care and concern.
“Grab the door.”
“Who the fuck stays in a place like this?”
“No judgment. You’re here to help. This is our boy. Diesel is our family.” That was Matteo’s voice. Always the sweet, caring guy.
Where was he? And why couldn’t he open his eyes?
He felt cool air against his body. Once again, he was feeling all floaty as someone—Matteo perhaps?—carried him off somewhere.
“Hospital or home?” someone asked.
“Home. I’ll have the doctor come by the house.”
“He looks like he needs a hospital.”
“I’m not having him arrested. He needs a doctor, then his family. Now drive, dammit!” That was definitely Matteo. Only a man like him could command so much attention.
All around him, Diesel felt warmth. Loved. Safe…
That was when the sound and world around him went silent, and darkness took him once again.
Diesel wasn’t quite sure how long he’d been out for. When he finally opened his eyes, the room was dark, and the light from the moon was streaming in.
Head throbbing, he looked around the room and cursed his life.
Fuck.
He had gone on another bender again. He barely remembered the events of the last few days. Glimpses, voices, and feelings all seemed to come rushing back as he struggled to remain conscious and not… pukey.
Diesel raised a hand to his head and noticed the tube stuck to his arm. He looked over at his nightstand and saw the IV bag set up next to his bed.
Damn. He must have been in rough shape. Matteo was going to kill him.
At least he wasn’t in a rehab facility. That had to be a good sign. The last time he’d gone on one of these benders, he woke up in a private facility and held against his will. Apparently, Matteo had some powerful friends.
A noise at the door caught his attention.
Slowly, the door crept open, and voices were heard whispering.
“I’m just going to sit with him for tonight and make sure that everything’s okay.” Jared.
“The guy needs his rest. Leave him alone, and let him recover in peace,” Isaac responded.
“I’m not going to bug him, just watch him sleep and make sure that the machines are working and stuff.”
Diesel’s heart was touched. It wasn’t very often that people cared so much about him.
“Okay, Dr. Jare. Have a good night, and I’ll see you in the morning.” There was the sound of wet kissing.
Blah. Get a room, boys . Preferably not his.
Diesel watched as Jared slid his massive body through the tiny crevice between the door and the wall.
Why wasn’t he opening it wider?
Because he’s trying to keep out the light so it doesn’t disturb you.
Oh, okay, that makes sense.
Tiptoeing like a creeper in the night, the muscled brunette grabbed the comfy armchair from the far side of the room and carried it over to the right side of Diesel’s bed.
Was he…?
Yup. Diesel watched as Jared plopped his massive frame into the chair and checked the IV bag still hanging from its spot by the bed.
He must not have noticed Diesel’s eyes open. This was too much fun to ignore. He closed his eyes, leaving them open just enough to spy on Jared and his secret dealings.
His best friend leaned forward and adjusted the sheet that was wrapped around Diesel’s torso, pulling it up higher to keep his friend warm.
That was… sweet.
“You know, watching me sleep is psychopathic behavior,” Diesel whispered, scaring the daylights out of his best friend.
“You’re awake!” Jared’s face lit up as he leaned forward against the bed once again. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’m made of sandpaper.” The IV would help with his dehydration, but it would take some time.
“Here, have a sip.” Jared picked up the glass of water on the nightstand and brought it close to Diesel’s lips.
Diesel lifted his head and took a few short sips. He still wasn’t feeling right. Knowing him, he had probably spent the last few days mixing party drugs and drinking God knows what.
Fuck. He hated himself sometimes. Why did he do such stupid shit?
Because you’re trash, and that’s how people like you behave .
He hated that voice deep inside him.
Jared placed the glass back down before leaning back in his chair. He was dressed in a tight white shirt that clung to his massive chest—no doubt for Isaac’s benefit—and light-gray joggers that, no doubt, were probably also for Isaac’s benefit.
“You gave us all a scare,” Jared noted, his voice calm and non-judgmental.
Diesel lowered his gaze.
“Yeah, sorry about that. Where did you guys find me?”
Giving Diesel one of the coldest stares he had ever seen, Jared’s jaw tightened.
“Some drug den in Paris.” Diesel cringed. “Judging by the state of some of the people lying passed out around you, I’m guessing they’d been there for a while.”
“Was Matteo pissed?”
Jared just stared. “We wanted to take you to a hospital to get checked out, but M insisted on bringing you home. He was worried they would arrest you or throw you into another rehab clinic or something.”
Shit. Now Diesel felt even more like a complete asshole. Why did the man insist on taking care of him? He would have dumped his own pathetic ass ages ago. But for some fucked-up reason, Matteo insisted on trying to take care of him.
Looking back over at his best friend, he realized what a selfish thing it was that he’d just done. The guys didn’t deserve to be put through all this bullshit, especially because of him. They deserved to live their happy lives with their perfect partners and not give a second thought about the dark cloud that was Diesel.
“Look. If you’re gonna creep me while I sleep, at least make yourself comfortable in this massive bed. Don’t worry, we don’t have to cuddle.”
Eying the big open space next to Diesel, Jared smiled.
“You better not let any rip while you sleep,” Jared said as he jogged around to the other side of the bed.
And that, right there, is why Diesel did not find Jared sexy in the least. Call him old-fashioned, but any sex partners he had did not make sounds with any part of their lower body.
Turning to face the window, Diesel felt the bed sink as Jared’s massive body slid into the space next to him.
His eyes opened once again when he felt Jared’s arms wrap themselves around him. Jared pulled him up against his body and snuggled his chin into the crook of his neck.
“Don’t ever do that to us again,” Jared whispered into his ear.
For the second time in his life, Diesel felt loved and cared for.
“I won’t,” Diesel promised, closing his eyes and falling asleep in his best friend’s arms.