The Trouble with Rock Stars: Jackson's Story (Access All Areas 3)

I nibbled at the edges of my sandwich. It wasn’t very tasty. The bread was stale. But the nurse had told me to eat, so I’d eat. I sipped on my coffee to wash it down.

I could only finish half of it, so I packed up the rest and put it in my bag, then went back to the room.

It was a pretty decent room as far as hospitals go. I had no idea what Jackson did for money but he must have a bit if he could afford a private room like this. It was more like a hotel room than a hospital ward, with a comfy looking bed and views over the city. I sat in the chair and waited, wishing I’d brought a book with me. I must’ve dozed off though because, next thing I knew, they were wheeling Jackson back in.

He was still groggy and not really aware of anything around him. The nurse told me he’d be like that for a while.

I decided to stay. The chair was comfortable and, if he woke up during the night, he might want someone with him.

“Hello,” Jackson said, looking at me, although I wasn’t sure how focused his eyes were.

I walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. He had the beginnings of a smile on his face and seemed pleased to see me. I took hold of his hand, his good hand, and squeezed it between both of mine. He didn’t say anything but he didn’t pull it away. I held it like it was a fragile and precious thing. He had the drip in that arm and I didn’t want to do anything to disturb that.

Soon, he drifted off to sleep. I watched him. The worry lines and fierceness of his face disappeared. He became that younger guy I’d seen in the YouTube clip.

Since he was sleeping, I reached out and stroked his face, running my fingers softly over the outline of his lips.

He stirred in his sleep and I jolted. I hadn’t meant to wake him.

“Give us a drink, will you?”

I poured some water into the pape

r cup on the bedside table.

“No, not that. A real drink.”

“I don’t have anything,” I replied. I wasn’t sure if he realized he was talking to me or if he was just talking in general.

He groaned and rolled to face me. “Why would you visit a man in hospital and not bring him booze? That’s not how it goes.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s not allowed. I’ll ring the nurse and find out.”

His hand reached out to stop me as I went to press the buzzer.

“The nurse doesn’t have to know,” he said. “I say it’s allowed.”

He kept his hand on my mine and I wanted to answer him but the talking part of me got disconnected. All I could focus on was the touching between us. I lowered his hand but didn’t let go.

He smiled, a proper smile that made my insides mushy. Jackson was a difficult man and he sure never smiled much but, when he did, it was amazing. A rare thing that was only for me.

Chapter 24 Jackson

WHEN I WOKE UP FROM the operation and saw Gina in my room, I knew I needed her. I’d been in denial but I couldn’t do that any longer. She was the one that made this all worthwhile. I had to stop pissing around and make myself worthy of her. She smiled and that made everything alright.

The operation was just stage one of the plan. There’d be months of tedious rehabilitation and hospital visits and the works.

I drifted off to sleep and woke with her beside me, holding my hand. It was comforting but I had a mighty thirst. I’d always thought I could live without booze but I had never wanted to try it. Why would you?

There was no booze in this hospital, that’s for sure. And I found it harder than I ever believed.

Maybe Gina would bring me some, although she seemed pretty stern about following the hospital rules. I could ring the nurse for some meds to quell the need for booze but I wanted to stay awake so Gina wouldn’t leave me. That might’ve been selfish of me, she probably had a bunch of stuff to do that was more interesting than watching me lay about in a hospital bed but I’d be lost without her.

In the days after the operation, Gina was at the hospital the whole time.

“You didn’t need to take time off to be with me,” I said.

“I don’t mind. You might need something.”