Ash shrugged. "Hey, I know you get off on doing it in other people's bathrooms, but this is a hospital, man. Just saying."
"On that note," Dex grumbled, giving Sloane a quick kiss. "I'm gonna go. I'll call you when I'm done. Make sure he washes his hands."
"Fuck you," Ash growled at him from over his shoulder. "I always wash my hands. And I respect people's bathrooms, you turd."
"Well, you're in the right place for that." Dex laughed, running out of the bathroom to the sound of Ash's curses and threats. Outside, he let out a sigh of relief. That was more like it. He felt like himself again. Straightening his shoulders, he held his head high and strode toward his new future.
"All right. Let's do this."
Chapter 2
THE MOMENT Dex stepped into Tony's hospital room, his shiny new future collided with his past. The knowledge of what could have happened hit him harder than he expected. For fuck's sake, Tony had gotten shot in the chest. This morning he could have been visiting his second father's grave. He blinked away his tears and turned his gaze to the ceiling as he tried to keep it together.
How about you cut me a break, huh? Just for a little while?
Cael moaned, catching his attention. His brother rolled over on the small couch where he lay curled up asleep, his sweet face bringing a lump to Dex's throat. Cael hadn't left their dad's side since he'd been moved out of ICU.
"He's worn out."
Dex smiled at his dad as he made his way over to the bed. He took a seat in the armchair beside it. "Listen, Dad. I know you want to be cool like the rest of Destructive Delta, but this wasn't necessary."
"So getting shot isn't a prerequisite for your team?" Tony frowned. "Damn, must have missed the memo. Also, I was the king of cool when you kids were in diapers."
"I'm going to have to disagree with you. Ash was never a baby. He was spawned grown and grumpy. Also, we're going to have a discussion of your definition of cool, because your wardrobe choices in the eighties tell me your view on the topic might be a little skewed."
Tony chuckled, and Dex's chest tightened. He looked down at his hands. "Let's not do this again, okay?"
"Come 'ere." Tony held out his arms, and Dex stood and moved over to sit on the edge of the Therian-sized bed, then leaned in to hug his dad, his head coming to rest on Tony's shoulder.
Dex shut his eyes tight, refusing to think about what could have been. Every day his team dealt with the possibility of losing someone they cared about. He couldn't go down that path.
"You two are such dorks."
With a sniff, he wiped away a rogue tear before sitting up. He let out a laugh at his brother's bedhead. "The only dork here is the one I'm looking at. Nice do. Didn't know you joined A Flock of Seagulls."
Cael touched his hair and groaned, then ran his fingers through it. "They're releasing Dad in a couple of days."
"I don't know why they can't release me today," Tony grumbled. "I'm fine."
"I know, right?" Dex held back a smile. "I mean, I don't understand how that bullet didn't bounce off you, what with you being indestructible and all."
Tony huffed. "Smartass."
"I think the doctor just wants to keep him here so he can flirt with Dad some more." Cael wriggled his eyebrows, and Dex gasped. His lips curled into a wicked grin.
"Is that so?" Dex turned his attention to his dad. "Is he cute?"
Tony refused to answer, so Cael answered for him. "He's a tiger Therian. I've dubbed him Dr. Scotty the Hottie. He's Scottish, by the way. His hair is amazing."
"Ooh. A sexy ginge." Dex put his hand out and received a high-five from his brother. "Nice one, Chirpy." He winked at his dad. "Bet he looks great in a kilt. And he's a doctor. Wow. That's a nice profession, isn't it? Helping people, healing them." He paused and held his dad's gaze. "Bet he's the real honest type too."
Tony barely blinked, his gaze never wavering. Clearly he hadn't told Cael about Sparks. "Bet he is," Tony said pleasantly. "Speaking of secrets. There something you wanna tell us?"
Touche, Father Mine. Dex nodded. "You're right. There is."
Cael gasped. "You're pregnant."
Dex arched an eyebrow at him. "Really?"