Hot at Last Read Free

“Squeeze my finger.”
    “It’s a pinched nerve or swollen joint. It’ll go down with some icing overnight,” Ken argued.
    “We’re going. Want me to get Bev in here? File it as workman’s comp?” Avery threatened as he held Ken’s pants open.
    “You’re such a jerk sometimes.” Ken stepped into the jeans.
    Avery pulled them up and closed the fly. It’d been a long time since he’d been this close to Ken. The smell of his old lover, the perfect muscles and the good memories flooded Avery’s mind. No one else made him feel this way, but they didn’t need to reignite anything. It’d taken so long to find balance and friendship.
    “Want to try a shirt?” Avery asked.
    Ken tried to move his arm and winced. “No, I don’t know what the hell I did.”
    “Come on.” Avery threw a hoody around Ken’s shoulders and led him out the back way to his car. Seeing Ken hurting was hard. That was why Avery was having those longings and weaknesses. He hated seeing his old lover in pain. What could be more normal? He was human, after all.

 
    Chapter Two
     
     
     
    Familiar snoring woke Ken from a deep sleep. His body felt heavy, and there was an ache deep in his right shoulder. Looking down, he saw he was in nothing but glitter briefs and a sling for his arm.
    The berry smell of Avery’s favorite lotion took Ken back about twenty years. The guy always had dry elbows.
    “What the hell?” Ken said to himself.
    Avery yawned. “Morning.”
    Ken turned his head. Sure enough, he was in Avery’s bed. “What happened?”
    Smiling, Avery sat up. “Relax. They gave you a powerful muscle relaxer and pain pills at the ER. Your shoulder was dislocated so you have to wear that sling for a week or so. You can’t use that arm for a bit. I brought you back here, and you went straight to sleep. Want some breakfast?”
    When Avery climbed out of the bed in nothing but boxers, Ken looked straight ahead. “Why did you bring me here? I have a home. I had my keys.”
    “Do you remember anything?” Avery asked.
    “Why? We didn’t…?” Ken’s body would tell him if he’d slept with Avery.
    “No. But you could barely get in and out of a car. I was worried you’d wake up and try to use your arm. There was no way to know how long those drugs would mess you up. Apparently, you’re sensitive.” Avery flipped on the TV to the morning news.
    “I see. I don’t remember any of it. Thanks. I feel clearer now.” Ken sat on the edge of the bed.
    Avery smiled. “Good. The first couple days will be the worst. Trying to dress with just one hand… It seemed logical to bring you here. I’ll make some breakfast. You need to eat before you take another dose of pain meds.”
    “I’m not in pain.” Ken lied as he stood up and headed to the bathroom.
    “We’ll see,” Avery said.
    Ken used the washroom awkwardly with his left hand. Any twinge of effort in his right shoulder triggered an ache that went deep. He tried to assess his limits. Driving, no problem. Dancing…not for a while. Feeding himself, sure, if a bit awkward. Dressing himself… Avery was right there. It wouldn’t happen today. He exited the bathroom and found his jeans slung over the footboard. When he tried to step in and pull them up one handed, he got tangled. “Damn! It had to be my right arm.”
    “Hey.” Avery popped back into the bedroom. “You okay?”
    “I’ll figure it out,” Ken insisted.
    “The doctor said you might need some help getting dressed and bathing for a few days. It’ll heal. You’ll be fine.” Avery shrugged. “I don’t care if you’re in glitter briefs.”
    “I know. I just want to be out of your hair fast. Food, drugs and you can take me home. Thanks for the help, but I don’t want to be a burden.” Ken stubbornly kept on with the jeans until he succeeded.
    “Stop it. You’re staying here. Bev ran by your places, packed a bag and brought it over last night.” Avery pulled Ken by his good shoulder toward the