“Yes, he’s got a huge guy in there with him,” Doc assured me. “Get some sleep, Harley.”
As much as I tried to fight it, whatever the doc had given me knocked me the fuck out.
I woke up and felt a presence next to me. I turned my head to see Gareth fast asleep next to me. His long, black lashes touched his skin and his breathing was soft and even. I sat up a bit and realized Gareth and I weren’t alone. Axel was sitting in the corner chair with a cup of coffee and a magazine. He looked up when he noticed I was awake, and smiled.
“Well, how was your 12 hour nap?” he asked.
“Wait. What? I’ve been asleep that long? Where’s Achilles? Is he okay?”
“Whoa, one thing at a time. Calm down, Achilles is fine. I just looked in on him. He’s still asleep.”
“What the hell happened?” I rubbed my head.
“Doc seems to think it was food poisoning. I took out your IV a bit ago, so you can take a shower if you’re up to it. I’ve also made food for you and Achilles.”
“How long have you and Gareth been here?”
“Since Achilles called me. He got three words out and I was on my way. Gareth insisted on coming and when Doc told him you were sick, he crawled in bed with you and held you while you cried.”
“I cried?” I furrowed my brows.
“Oh yeah. Cried, threw up, shit, you name it, you did it.”
“Oh God,” I whispered.
“I don’t suppose you remember Gareth and I washing you up in the tub, huh?”
“No.” I closed my eyes and sighed. They flew open and I stared at Axel. “I was naked?”
“Well, we tried to clean the shit off you fully clothed, but it wasn’t working out too well.”
I scowled and Axel grinned. Gareth snickered next to me and I pushed his shoulder. He sat up and hugged me so tightly, I thought he’d break a rib on me.
“Hey, now. I’m okay,” I murmured in his ear.
“I was so worried about you!” Gareth practically screamed in my ear.
“Ow, head still hurts a bit.”
“Sorry,” Gareth apologized. “You had us worried.”
I climbed out of the bed and held onto the nightstand to steady myself. I was still a bit woozy and my eyesight was a tad blurry. Axel moved to my side and wrapped an arm around my waist.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I need to see Achilles.”
Axel helped me into the living room and there, wrapped in a blanket, was Achilles. His face was pale, but he looked okay. I sat down next to him and ran my fingers through his hair. His eyelashes fluttered and then his gray eyes were fixed on me.
“Hey,” he croaked. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. How do you feel?” I asked, palming his cheek.
Achilles took my hand and held it. His eyes searched mine and I lowered mine at the intensity of his gaze.
“I was worried about you,” he whispered.
“Um, both of you should shower. I can smell you from here.” Gareth pinched his nose.
I had to smile at the slight flush of color on Achilles’ cheeks. Neither one of us was going to win any awards for our stench. I got up and headed back to my room on much more stable feet.
“Fine. I’ll go shower.”
“Then you’ll eat,” Axel called after me.
Ugh. Food did not sound good right now, and my stomach seconded that with a slight rumble. I stood under the hot spray and just let it wash over me. I washed up, making sure I cleaned my ass crack thoroughly. I felt slightly better as I got out and toweled off. I threw on some clothes and found Gareth waiting for me in my room.
“Hey, Munchkin.”
“You scared me.” Gareth searched my features.
“I’m okay, I swear. Was anyone else sick?”
“No, just you and Achilles.”
“That’s odd.” My brows scrunched in thought. “Is he in the shower?”
“Yes. Axel had to help him there, and I don’t think he wanted you to see him like that anyway.”
I sat down on the bed and rubbed my face with my hands. I was seriously worried about Achilles. He didn’t look good. I looked a ton better, but Achilles? Not so much. Gareth took my hand and I looked up at him.
“He’ll be okay,” Gareth assured me. “Now, come eat.”
I followed Gareth into my kitchen where food awaited me, courtesy of Axel. I stared at it and sat down, grabbing a biscuit first. Hopefully, the bread would stay down and then I could move onto something else. I sipped my juice and took a bite, waiting for the urge to puke to rise again. Axel came into the kitchen and kissed Gareth’s head on his way to the coffee maker. Never in a million years would I have thought I’d see Munchkin married to a former SEAL, but there they were. I grinned as Gareth smiled at his husband adoringly.