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As they began to rush around in preparation for the ambulance, Zac tried to slow his
breathing. Although from the sound of it, Jakob wasn t seriously injured, he d still taken a
deadly chance in entering the building.
When the emergency doors opened and Luke and Aaron rushed Eli into the clinic, Isaac
and Sam took over. We ve got him. Get Jakob masked and have some Albuterol handy in
case he goes into bronchial spasms, Isaac instructed as they wheeled Eli into a private
treatment room.
Zac turned back to the emergency doors and spotted Jakob sitting up inside the
ambulance. What the hell? He ran outside and stepped up into the truck. You should be
lying down.
Jakob shook his head and lowered the oxygen mask. I m okay. Just need to suck down
some quality air for a few more minutes.
Bullshit. Lie down! Jakob shook his head again and Zac looked towards the entrance
to find Luke standing there. Help me get him inside.
He won t go. We ve already tried.
Zac returned his attention to Jakob. He put his hands on either side of Jakob s face and
leant forward. Now you listen to me, you stubborn sonofabitch. You brought me here when
I didn t want to come because you knew it was the best thing for me. Well, dammit, I deserve
the same authority. Now lie down and let me take you inside.
Jakob once again shook his head. It s harder for me to breathe if I m lying down. Just
help me out, and I ll walk.
Get a wheelchair, Zac told Luke. He wrapped his arms around Jakob and half-lifted
him to his feet. As big and strong as Jakob was, he appeared to be as fragile as a kitten at that
moment.
Luke stepped up into the back of the ambulance to help. Zac shot the gorgeous man a
dirty look. Where s Aaron?
Luke s eyes narrowed. He s giving the docs Eli s vitals. Now, are we going to get into a
pissing contest or are you going to let me help you get him inside?
Zac bit his tongue and nodded. He would have time to deal with Luke after he made
sure Jakob was going to be okay.
* * * *
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Where is he? Where s Eli? Kenny Trenton asked, pushing through the door.
Zac, who was filling out the paperwork on Jakob, pointed to the closed door. Dr.
Singer and Dr. Browning are in with him. If you ll take a seat I ll see what I can find out.
I ll wait right here if it s all the same, Kenny answered, running his fingers through
his short blond hair.
Zac didn t know what the relationship was between Kenny and Eli, but the younger
man was definitely worried. He knocked lightly on the door before stepping inside. Eli was
flat on his back with an intubation tube down his throat.
Kenny Trenton s outside. He s asking for word on Eli s condition.
We found soot in his oral cavity, but we haven t determined the extent of damage to
his larynx or lungs, Dr. Browning answered. A few second-degree burns, but those ll heal
quickly.
Zac nodded and stepped back out, shutting the door quietly. He relayed the message to
Kenny. You might as well go on home. They ve given Eli a sedative to help him deal with
the tube down his throat. If all goes well, it should be removed by morning.
I ll stay. Kenny turned in the direction of the waiting room. I ll be out here if
anything happens.
After Kenny left, Zac went and finished his report before looking in on Jakob. Sound
asleep, Jakob looked like a giant in the small emergency room bed. Zac sat in the chair next to
the bed and reached for Jakob s hand. Any doubt he had about his capacity to really love
someone had been resolved when he d seen Jakob sitting in the back of the ambulance with
the oxygen mask over his face. He might not always say or do the right things, but he was
finally confident in his feelings. You were lucky, he whispered.
I know, Jakob answered in a scratchy voice.
Zac leaned forward and gave Jakob a brief kiss. I didn t mean to wake you.
How s Eli?
I m not sure. We should know by morning.
And the fire?
Under control. I believe they re just watching for hotspots. Sam said I could take you
home once you feel like it.
Then why didn t you wake me up? Jakob asked.
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Because I didn t think you were ready yet.
And now?
Zac smiled. You re ready.
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76
Chapter Seven
Come on, sweetheart, I m starving, Jakob called from his position on the couch.
Zac rushed through the room with a stack of folded towels in his hands. Hang on. Just
need to get these put away.
When Zac came back into the room, Jakob reached out his hand and pulled Zac into his
lap. Do you mind sitting with the guys tonight?
Why would I mind? I think sometimes you forget they were my friends first.
It wasn t that Jakob had forgotten, but lately Zac had acted uneasy about visiting him at
the station. Jakob figured it was hard for Zac to be so close to a job he d done for so long,
knowing he was no longer doing it.
Just checking, Jakob said squeezing the globes of Zac s ass. It had been over a week
since his forced trip to the emergency room, and Jakob still couldn t be prouder of Zac for
insisting he get treatment.
Zac melted against Jakob s chest. Did you ask Leo for time off work for that joint
therapy thing tomorrow?
Yeah. I told you Leo wouldn t have a problem with it. It would only be their second
shared session with Dr. Pritchard although Zac had been going three times a week. Jakob
hadn t felt the need to talk to Dr. Pritchard more than a handful of times since Zac was
released from the hospital.
Things had been going well between them. Jakob wasn t exactly sure why he needed to
take time off from work, but if it was important to Zac, it was important to him. Little by
little Zac was breaking out of his shell. Jakob still worried of course, but he figured he d do
that until the day he died. Zac was too damned important to him not to worry.
Are we ready? Jakob asked.
Yeah, in a second. Just let me sit here for a few more minutes.
Jakob rested his chin on top of Zac s head and continued to hold him. It wasn t like they
needed to get to the park at any certain time. The fundraiser for the school would probably
be going on well into the evening. He only hated that Zac had to go in early so Sam, Isaac
and Matt could celebrate Matt s birthday.
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That reminded him. I might go to O Brien s after the game to have a few beers with the
guys.
Okay. Just don t drive if you have too much to drink.
Jakob snorted. Do I look stupid?
Zac sat up and stared into Jakob s eyes. No, you look hot.
Jakob swatted Zac on the ass. Keep talking like that and those kids might have to take
classes in the gym for another year.
With a groan, Zac climbed off Jakob s lap. You re right. We d better go if we re going.
Jakob s gaze zeroed in on Zac s ass as he walked towards the door. He couldn t resist
reaching out to squeeze Zac s buns once more. Actually, I ve never been that fond of kids.
Zac started laughing and pushed back into Jakob s touch. You re terrible.
And horny, Jakob added.
* * * *
Zac sat under a shade tree, with a still-recovering Eli, watching the macho men of the
town play a game of football. I never understood this game.
Eli s chuckle resulted in a coughing fit. Zac reached down and handed the older man a
bottle of water. Okay?
Eli nodded and pulled a nebulizer out of his pocket. Two quick puffs later, the colour
started to return to his bronzed skin. Damn, I feel old.
Zac reached over and squeezed Eli s forearm. Hopefully it ll get better all the time.
From your lips to God s ears.
Zac returned his attention to the game just in time to see Luke jump on Jakob s back in
an attempt to tackle him. Jakob easily carried Luke, piggyback-style across the goal line. Zac
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