Forever (Always & Forever 2)

“Hey, Doc, I got surprised with orders today. Know anything about that?” Landon asked, when he spotted Dr. Adams in the hallway just outside his hospital room. He allowed the physical therapist to help him back into bed and adjust his pillows before he leaned back. Like normal, nothing else mattered when the doctor strolled the rest of the way into the room, a big grin sliding easily across his face. Dr. Adams’s shift in mood since their heart to heart the other night seemed to have a domino effect by easing Landon’s heart too.

“Orders? I might know a little something,” Dr. Adams answered, nodding at the physical therapist as he left the room.

“You know, now that I’m getting all this special treatment, they’re calling me a kiss ass.” The grin spreading across Landon’s face matched Dr. Adams’s and hopefully spoke volumes over the hard-ass tone he’d used when saying those words.

“And what does that matter?” Dr. Adams crossed his arms over the package at his chest.

“Not a damn thing. Thanks for pulling those strings.” He winked and extended his fist for a fist bump. One easily complied with.

“It’s not a problem.” Dr. Adams straddled the small stool and rolled closer to the bed.

“You live in DC, right?” Landon asked.

“I have a townhome in the Georgetown area. It’s really nice there. You need a place to stay after you’re released from the hospital?” The offer completely caught Landon off guard.

Only if you’re going to be there.

The words were so clear in his head he prayed he hadn’t let them slip out on accident. The desire accompanying the thought was such a startling and overwhelming emotion Landon paused, tamping down his racing heart at the sudden yearning that stirred in his belly. Oh shit, had the doctor noticed his reaction? Landon wasn’t sure, but the best way to cover his possible mistake was to tease the man.

“Already askin’ me to move in with you, Doc?” Landon asked cockily.

“No, I’m not that smooth.” The doctor immediately shook his head, chuckling at such an absurd suggestion. Landon enjoyed the instant blush staining the doctor’s cheeks. “Actually, I’m not going home. I have to go to Minnesota and take care of a few things. You would have the whole place to yourself, which you should consider yourself lucky that I won’t be around to bother you. I imagine I’d be a horrible roommate. I like my space to be orderly and I don’t like wild parties.” Dr. Adams’s grin grew into the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. “My place will be empty for as long as you need it.”

Lost to Dr. Adams’s handsome good looks, he almost missed that the man had truly just offered him his home to stay in while in DC. What a seriously thoughtful guy.

“What if I have wild parties?” Landon asked, sticking with the theme of teasing. It was so much easier than trying to sort out what in the hell was happening to him right then. Dr. Adams let out a big sigh, making Landon wonder exactly where the doctor’s generosity ended.

“Well, if you must, then please keep the bands in the house not in the yard,” Dr. Adams quipped. “It’s a quiet neighborhood. The HOA will have a problem with it. You’ll most likely get a noise violation fine but do what you must. Party on.” The old school Wayne’s World reference kept the smiles on both their faces.

“I’ll think about it. The offer, not the parties.” Having a place to lay his head when he got back to the states was something to consider. Light from the overhead fluorescents caught the shiny paper sticking out the top of the bundle pressed against Dr. Adams’s chest, drawing Landon’s attention there. “What’s that?”

“I wanted you to have something to help you continue to read the series. I had my sister track something down for you.” Dr. Adams held out the package. When Landon didn’t readily take it, the doctor removed a gift sack from the large mailer and began pulling the tissue paper from the top like a kid on Christmas morning.

“You didn’t have to get me anything,” Landon said, politely rejecting the gift, but loving how Dr. Adams couldn’t wait to show him what was inside. He almost felt guilty for saying those words when he caught the flash of uncertainty in the doc’s gaze when he looked up from ripping the paper from the gift.

“I wanted to do this,” Dr. Adams said plainly as if that settled it.

“Is this because of what I told you about the honor guard?” He didn’t mean to come across so bluntly. He was shit at receiving gifts; he just hadn’t confided in Dr. Adams for any other reason than to show his respect and admiration to a man who encouraged him to set life’s bar higher.