Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
All of a sudden, the apartment felt too big and the responsibility of taking care of himself too daunting.
Hop gritted his teeth and took several deep breaths. He wasn’t this pathetic. He could be by himself. He stayed with his mother because it was easier, but perhaps it was time to get his own place, if only to prove that he could be self-sufficient.
It wasn’t normal to feel so lost without people around. He shouldn’t ache to call Rafe just to hear his voice. He shouldn’t need his mother to make him chicken soup.
Too bad there wasn’t an instruction manual on how to be an adult.
He had a temperature. He was sweating through his wool pajamas and shivering at the same time. There was no way he’d be going to work for the next few days. He called to let Samantha know.
That done, he sent a text to Tam. If he got dizzy just standing, there was no way he’d be able to dance. Luckily, they had provisions for situations like this, so he didn’t feel too bad.
Hop made himself tea and plopped in front of the television with tissues, cold meds, and a bottle of water. His mother called to check in around noon. He didn’t tell her he’d gotten sick. There was nothing she could do about it and he wanted to handle it on his own.
To prove he could.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The first night Hop didn’t show up at Switch, Rafe figured Hop was avoiding him. But when he didn’t turn up for the Sassy Boyz’ performances again on Thursday night, Rafe couldn’t take it anymore. Space was one thing, but a complete shutdown of communication was another. They needed to talk. Hiding wouldn’t help either of them.
He found the Sassy Boyz in the dressing room between routines.
“Where’s Hop?”
Z glared at him. “Why do you care?”
“He’s been missing for two days, as his employer I have a right to know why he’s not at work.”
“What are you going to do, fire us again?”
“No.” Rafe scrubbed a hand over his face. It was rough with a beard he hadn’t bothered to shave. “Where is he?”
“He’s sick,” Ansel said. “He’s staying home so he doesn’t give it to us.”
“Yeah, so don’t go jumping to conclusions and being a dick.”
“You have balls,” Rafe said.
“Yep, two. Don’t let the heels and makeup fool you. I can still kick the shit out of any asshole that messes with my family.”
Rafe nodded, oddly pleased with Z’s protective behavior. “Good, that’s good.”
“Boss, something wrong?” Mark came in, eying Rafe with curiosity.
Rafe cleared his throat and straightened his tie. “No, just checking on Hop.”
Ansel squinted at him, his head tilted like he was considering something. “His mother is out of town.”
Hell, this was worse than he’d thought. “Okay, got it. Thanks.” On his way back to his office he pulled out his phone and sent the text he should have sent long ago.
Are you okay?
The reply came fast, which loosened the knots inside a bit.
Still trying to work things out.
Whatever needs to be worked out, we can do it together.
I have to do this myself.
Why?
Because I can’t depend on you all the time.
Yes, you can.
Rafe paced, waiting for Hop’s answer. It never came. Sucking in air became a struggle, as if he were standing in the middle of Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
Are you with your mother?
Yes.
Before he could think about what he was doing, he’d shut down his computer and grabbed his briefcase. Hop was sick. Hop was alone. And for some reason, he didn’t want Rafe to comfort him.
Rafe needed to know why.
Within twenty minutes, his knock echoed down the empty hall of Hop’s building.
“Who is it?” Hop asked.
“Open the door.”
Even through solid wood, he heard Hop’s curse. It took several long seconds before the chain slid from the lock. The door swung open to a bright living room. Hop wore fuzzy pj’s and was wrapped in a blanket, his nose red from blowing.
“What are you doing here?”
Rafe pushed his way into the apartment and locked the door. “We’ll deal with your lie later, first we’ll get you healthy.”
“Rafe, you can’t be here.”
“Where is your bedroom?” Rafe asked, walking down the hall before Hop could answer.
“Rafe.” Hop trailed after him. “Please leave.”
It wasn’t hard to find Hop’s room. He recognized it from their video chats. “Lie down. I’m going to take care of you and then we’re going to talk.”
Hop pulled his blanket tighter around him like a shield. “I can take care of myself.”
“Of course you can.”
“Then why won’t you let me?”
“Because you’re mine.” Rafe took his hand and guided him into bed. “Let me do this for you. It doesn’t mean you’re not capable of doing it on your own, just that you don’t have to.” He tucked Hop under the covers and pressed a chaste kiss to his forehead.