Pranked

  I opened my eyes and took in Sheriff King as he looked toward the nurses coming my way with a wheelchair and a lady in jeans and a thick sweater. As if sensing my gaze he turned toward me and lifted an eyebrow. “It’s Christmas Day.”

  He looked at me and slowly nodded. “Yes, it is.”

  “Jasper said you never work on Christmas. That you made a promise to your wife that it was a family day.”

  A sort of sad smile flickered quickly across his face before he let out a sigh. “I did promise. But it seems it hasn’t gotten through your thick skull yet.” He poked my forehead lightly. “You are family.”

  The tears from earlier came back in full force. “I’m not with Jasper anymore.”

  “That doesn’t change you being family. You aren’t family because of dating Jasper, you’re family because you’re you, Ezra.” After a moment he dryly added, “As for not being together, you might want to talk to my son about that little detail.”

  Before I could really process what he said a nurse opened the door and helped me out of the truck into the wheelchair while another grabbed my bag from the floorboard.

  “We got him from here, Sheriff. Thank you.”

  He nodded and the door shut, but I didn’t look away from him until they turned my chair around to go inside. Once there I saw the lady from before, she wasn’t in scrubs or a doctor’s white coat, but she came up to me as soon as I came in. She had light brown skin that still managed to look warm under the harsh fluorescent lights, warm brown eyes, and long curly hair that surrounded her face that would seem overwhelming on most, but seemed to suit her perfectly.

  “Hello, Ezra,” she addressed me in a naturally soft voice. “I’m Dr. Cox. I’ll be taking care of you here. The plan is to stay for a few nights and see what we should do from there. Does that sound good to you?”

  I nodded and gave a sad smile. “Yeah, yeah that sounds perfect.”

  Jasper

  As long as I live, I’ll never forget the look in Ezra’s eyes as they found mine. I wanted to run forward and hold him, protect him from the demons he was fighting. I knew his past was shit, but I never would have thought it could be this bad. Levi reached out, grabbing my arm to stop me.

  “He can’t handle that, let him go for now,” he cautioned, as if he knew from experience. From the shadows that lingered in his eyes as he filled me in on his and Ezra’s history, he likely did. “I need to talk to him too; we can visit in a day or two. Give him some time to get stable.”

  “Fuck,” I growled, punching the side of the dumpster and cursing as pain exploded over my hand.

  “You idiot,” Levi said quietly, grabbing my wrist and pulling me through the side door. I let him lead me, my head too full of emotions and worry that I didn’t bother to protest. I didn’t even register what he was doing until I felt an awful sting, blinking and frowning down at him as he poured peroxide over my hand. “Suck it up you big baby, you’re the one who punched a nasty ass dumpster.”

  “Do you think he’ll change his mind about me?” I asked quietly as he finished cleaning and bandaging my hand. He was quiet for a moment and I was almost sure I didn’t speak out loud.

  “He might. I honestly don't know. Something you need to know about guys like Ezra and me, is that it takes us a really long time to trust people. It’s so much easier with friends, but relationships aren’t our norm. Look at me, the longest I’ve been with someone was a month or two. It’s a twisted game of looking for signs the other isn’t as serious as you are. It has nothing to do with the depth of his feelings for you. He’s just fucking scared. He was young when I met him, broken, and he wasn’t done getting shoved further into the dark reality that was our life there. Just don’t give up on him yet. I saw the way he looked at you and how you talk about him. It’s worth the fight, man,” he said, his voice rough as he re-lived some of his own demons. The difference was he didn’t lock his down as soon as they surfaced.

  “I’m not. I refuse to let him break up with me when he’s not in the right headspace. I’ll give him space and let him heal, but it’s not over,” I vowed, leaning over the bar to grab the whiskey. “But until then, I’m not staying sober.”

  “That’s the healthy way to deal with life,” he snorted, pulling out his phone and tapping away before grabbing a piece of paper from my office and writing a note, walking out front to unlock the door and tape it there. “You’re now closed for the next few days. Food is on its way and so are your friends. It’s going to be alright.” The promise in his voice had tears burning behind my eyes, but I blinked them away and nodded.

  The first to walk in was my dad. He didn’t say anything, instead striding forward and pulling me off the stool so he could wrap me up in a hug. I couldn’t remember the last time he’d hugged me like this, and that worried me more. But something about his familiar warmth and strength calmed me, just like it did when I was a kid.

  “Look at me,” he ordered, pulling back and forcing me to look at him before he continued. “He’s going to be alright. That boy is strong. He’s just been strong for far too long, I’d wager. Let them give him the ability to cope, then you can go get your man back. He’s going to come home to you soon. Until then, we’re going to relax tonight. Tomorrow is a new day and we can figure out what needs to be done. All right? You aren’t alone and neither is he.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” I whispered, taking a deep breath. He studied me for a second before releasing me into Claire’s arms. I was surprised she’d found a babysitter, but if she knew I needed her, she wouldn’t have hesitated.

  “Enough of this sappy shit, tonight is about distracting our boy, Jasper,” Levi said, walking behind the bar and sliding glasses to each of us. Over the next twenty minutes, our friends joined us slowly. Eventually the bar was full of familiar faces that made me feel a lot less alone. Jax was the only one to approach me, running forward and hugging me fiercely, before letting go and scurrying behind the bar. He doled out drinks with confidence, not bothering to sit until everyone had a drink in hand.

  “Don’t forget yourself,” my dad reminded Jax, always looking to make sure everyone was included.

  “All right, food has arrived!” Leo called, his voice trying to be enthusiastic, but I could tell it was off. If anything, he was likely more broken up about it than I was. Fuck, it felt selfish even thinking that when Ezra was the one dealing with everything. He handed over some cash to the delivery guy, before bringing in more Mexican food than our group could eat, Talon right behind him helping to carry it all. Something about my best friend warming up to Ezra’s made me happy, a bit of the worry slipping away as the atmosphere and alcohol warmed me from the inside.

  I let myself give into the feel of it, but the emptiness without having Ezra here wouldn’t go away. The emptiness lessened with each shot of whiskey until I didn’t feel much of anything but the buzz of alcohol in my veins and the light feeling it brought on.

  Levi and Dad are right, tomorrow is a new day, tonight I would let myself be numb.

  The next day and a half were pure torture. I wanted to be with Ezra every day, but there wasn’t much I could do. I also couldn't bake for shit so it wasn’t like I could help at his bakery, instead Levi kept me busy doing the small things around the bar that I’d put off normally. Visiting hours started in two hours and they were about to be the longest two hours of my life, so the small tasks were a welcome distraction.

  I dragged Levi out of the bar way sooner than we needed to be, but I couldn’t wait any longer. By the time we pulled up out front, I was fidgeting in my seat. He didn't call me out on it, simply asking if I was ready and waiting to get out until I nodded, leading me inside with enough confidence for the both of us.

  The stark clean smell of rubbing alcohol made me think of the last time I was here in this hospital, when my mom passed away. I still remember how frail her body looked lying in the hospital bed, but her sure voice still held her usual steel and her eyes still sparkled when she looked up at us. Her p
assing made me happy she was finally not in pain anymore, that she was at peace, even as I was torn apart at her passing. If not for my dad keeping it together I didn’t know how we would have gotten through everything.

  Thinking of my dad, I looked around the waiting room and took in everyone who came to check on Ezra. Dad was listening to Jax and Leo talking while trying to keep a grin off his face; Talon, Micah, and Hudson were all talking about a recent football game, while my sister and nieces played with some toys she had brought with her. Levi was sitting next to me silent like I was and seemed lost in thought. I looked at my friend and tried to imagine the past he had glossed over that night. The foster care system and the abuse. It was mind boggling that the man beside me had lived through it and that Ezra had too.

  A throat clearing had everyone going quiet immediately and we turned to see Dr. Cox standing there taking our large group in.

  “Ezra Davis’s family?”

  “That’s us,” my dad confirmed without hesitation.

  She nodded and considered for a moment. “Ezra isn’t going to be up to seeing everyone today. But a few of you can go in.”

  “I’m his boyfriend, I’ll go in first then if—” I started to stand up but Dr. Cox shook her head sadly.

  “I’m sorry, Jasper. Ezra said he isn’t ready to see you yet. As his doctor, I have to honor his wishes.”

  I fell back into my chair as if all the air had been knocked out of me. He doesn’t want to see me?

  “That doesn’t mean he won’t see you, he just isn’t up for that today,” Dr. Cox tried to reassure me, but it didn’t really register as I attempted to get my emotions under control.

  Levi’s soft voice spoke up, “I’ll talk to him. I think it will help him, if he will let me.”

  She focused on him. “Who are you?”

  He paused. “Levi. Levi Ward.”

  I looked up to see her face, but if she recognized his name she didn’t let on.

  “Ten minutes, Levi. After that we will see what he is up for.”

  Levi nodded as he stood up to his full height and gave me a determined smile before following the doctor to Ezra’s room. Please say the right things, Levi, to help him deal with his past. Let him come back to me.

  Ezra

  I was tired of lying in the hospital bed, so while Dr. Cox talked with Leo, since I was sure he was the only one out there, I decided I would settle into the chair by the window. The world outside was covered in the soft white of snow instead of the sterile beige of the hospital.

  Coming here had been the right decision, though I longed for the comfort of my own bed and apartment. Not to mention my Hallmark movies and the bakery. I heard the door open softly behind me and I didn’t bother to turn around before calling out.

  “What did you do with the bakery while I’ve been in here?”

  His steps stopped as he paused. “Leo put out the news that it was closed for a few days until he could talk you into sharing a family recipe, I believe that’s what I heard him say.”

  My breathing stopped then kicked into hyperdrive at the sound of that voice, and I turned slowly to face the guy who had made my life hell for the few years we had been in the same home. Levi Ward.

  Trying to take deep breaths, I took in the man before me, noting the differences. Levi was still a big guy, at least bigger than me, with lean muscles that his clothes seemed to highlight. He had on a pair of black boots, ripped jeans, and a black t-shirt. His tan skin was contrasted by all the tattoos I saw on his hands, arms, and neck, though I bet he had more that were covered up just from the sheer amount he had from what I could see.

  As I looked him over and tried to calm down I could feel Levi doing the same, though he didn’t try to step any closer.

  “What are you doing here?” My voice was thick from anxiety.

  Levi slid his hands in his pocket and seemed to fold into himself, something I’d never seen before. “I was hoping we could talk. Or I could talk and you listen. There are some things I think you deserve to know.”

  I didn’t say anything, but when I didn’t throw him out Levi slowly walked over and sat on the chair beside mine turning so it looked out the window. I closely watched him as he took a deep breath and rubbed his face.

  “I want to say from the get go that I don’t expect you to forgive me or anything after hearing this. But I am sorry for what happened to you and what I did.”

  I stayed quiet as he seemed to prepare himself to speak. I sat back putting as much distance between us as I could and waited. If it weren’t from the raw vulnerability in his voice, I don’t think I’d have given in so quickly.

  “Living with the Fergusons was Hell on Earth. I remember when I first got there Mrs. Ferguson locked the fridge after feeding everyone but me that first night and smirked when telling me I’d have to wait until they got paid for keeping me to get food every day. Even then it wasn’t a guarantee.

  “Mr. Ferguson liked to teach lessons other ways.” He gulped as he lost all color in his face. “And after being on the receiving end of it the first two years there I was determined that if I could prevent it, I would try to keep him from doing that to the others. I knew they liked to pit us kids against each other so I picked. I bullied. I was a fucking asshole to as many younger kids as I could be.

  “It made my punishments worse, but I hoped it kept his focus on me and not turn on the other kids in the house.”

  I stared at him in disbelief, forgetting for a moment that I didn’t want to speak with him. “You bullied me and the other kids so he wouldn’t knock us around?”

  Levi turned to face me with solemn eyes. “Yes. I was a stupid teenager and it made sense at the time. What’s the saying—the way to hell is paved with the best of intentions?”

  He let out a dark laugh and I nodded in agreement.

  “Did he?”

  “Did he hit me?”

  Levi nodded hesitantly and I considered him closely, the answer really seemed to matter to him.

  “No. He didn’t. Others did, in other homes, but not him.” My voice was small when I answered. He nodded jerkily and rubbed his hands on his jeans.

  “Like I said before, it’s dumb teenager reasoning and I’ve been through plenty of therapy myself to know that what I did was wrong. I can’t fix what I did to you or any of the others, but maybe knowing this will help you.”

  A deep breath and then he slowly stood up and moved towards the door. I watched him, unsure what I was feeling at the moment. I still didn’t like him even as I could see from his view how he made his decisions back then. What am I going to do now?

  He paused his hand on the knob. “And Ezra? Jasper didn’t know any of this until a few nights ago after you ran out. I didn’t give him all the details, but he knows the gist of it.” He paused. “He isn’t going anywhere, none of them are. You have an entire waiting room full of people waiting to see you.”

  “And you were there, too?” I focused on him and he nodded without looking back at me.

  “Yeah, I was.”

  Then he was gone.

  I’m not sure how long I stared at the door, but eventually Dr. Cox came in and took the seat Levi had occupied moments before. I blinked up at her, not sure what to say or do now that he’d dropped that bomb on me.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked, her tone as even and calming as ever. I took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to explain it. At this point, she knew everything, including who Levi was.

  “He said he did it on purpose. The foster dad we were living with was violent, and he thought if he caused enough fighting with us smaller kids, he’d take the brunt of it,” I said, the words sounding so foreign, battering against all the previous truths I thought I knew.

  “And how do you feel about that?”

  “Terrible. I hated him so much for picking on me. I’d just lost my mom and I was lost and broken. Living there I was hungry and terrified. Though, now that I think about it, he didn’t hit or push us en
ough to actually hurt us.” The realization slowly seeped in and I let out a choked sob.

  “Everyone has their own story, their own demons, Ezra. You don’t know what he lived through before you met and he didn’t know the same about you. It makes situations like that so much harder to navigate. Regardless, you were a child. It’s okay to look back on those things that hurt you and use them to add to your inner strength. Remember when you feel that darkness, as you call it, tugging on you, use the exercises we talked about to keep it from growing into a panic.

  “He took hits for me. And I sat here hating him for so many years,” I said, my voice cracking as it finally processed.

  “You can’t blame yourself for that. How do you feel now, moving forward?”

  “With him? I guess it’s time to let the past finally rest. Or try. Maybe with time my body won’t instinctively react around him.”

  “What about with your family?”

  “I don’t have a family.”

  “I’d beg to differ. Hang on,” she said, a grin tugging at the corner of her lips. She pulled out her cell phone and stalked out of the room, returning a few minutes later. She walked over and handed me her phone. My jaw dropped open as I took them in, Sheriff King’s words echoing in my head as I saw everyone that was here for me. They didn’t care that they couldn’t come see me, they were here. Claire and the girls, Liam, Leo, Jax, Jasper, Levi, even Talon was here. For me. “Family isn’t always blood, Ezra. If you love them, they support you and care for you, and they make you feel safe. Then they’re family.”

  “Sheriff King told me that… more than once,” I admitted sheepishly and she chuckled. And Levi did too, when he was in here minutes ago, now that I think about it.

  “And do you believe it now?”

  “I think I finally do,” I admitted, then I remembered the words I said to Jasper. “How is Jasper even here? How does he not hate me?”