Love Me 5
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None of the characters are based on real people nor are they meant to resemble any living or dead people.
This story contains some adult language as well as sex, or some hints of sex. I cannot promise that there will be sex in each chapter, but if you find my writing to be offensive or distasteful in any way, you're visiting the wrong website and need to move on.
Copyright © 2013
Love Me
Chapter 5
Caden is just having a rough time figuring things out right now. To help him out, he decides to call a friend. There is one friend who is always willing to listen. He is the type of guy who is there any time, even at 4:30 in the morning. He is also very brutality honest. Caden grabs his phone and calls Jared Gunther. He met Jared back in college while they were in biology. They've been friends ever since.
"Hey Caden, what's up man?"
"I have no idea where to even begin."
"Well start at the beginning."
"Okay, so four days ago my brother, Riley, came out to my parents, and my dad punched Riley on the side of his face, and Riley went crashing to the floor. The end result is that Riley is now in the hospital. He is laying here in a coma and the doctors are sure he'll wake up a very different person than the one who came out to my parents. He could end up having to relearn how to talk, walk, read and write, and he may not even remember me. He could also wake up with memory issues, and I just feel lost. Now, I have to be his advocate, and when he comes out of this hospital, I will be his guardian. In the meantime, I am also dealing with an upset boyfriend."
"What's wrong with the boyfriend?"
"Let's see, he's openly flirting with one of Riley's nurses, and he's been fighting with me about Riley coming home and the time that I'm spending at the hospital."
"Wow, he sounds like real jerk."
Caden can't agree more with Jared. He is so happy to actually have someone who's listening to him and not ragging on him at the same time. He is not lying either; Ethan is a jerk.
"Hey what if I come out to see you at the hospital?"
"It would be nice to have company."
`It's going to be nice to just kick back and relax for a bit with a friend.'
Caden wants nothing more than to see a happy face, someone who will not make him feel guilty for standing up for his brother. Jared had a way of making sense out of anything, and that is what Caden wants right now.
Ethan is many things, but he has never been the perfect boyfriend. He's come home drunk and started arguments. The jealousy is so bad that he cannot stand it when a guy talks to Caden. He has threatened to leave Caden because he does not have enough sex. In the end, it always comes down to Caden's feelings for Ethan. Caden is a nice guy and Ethan knows it, and he knows that if he fucks up and shows up with flowers or a simple "I love you!" Caden will let him back inside his heart. The problem is Caden is beginning to see Ethan for what he really is, a walking, talking anus. Ethan is lucky that Caden does love him; otherwise, he would have been sent packing two days into their short relationship. Ethan's temper and attitude have been eating at Caden. It will not take much more for Caden to walk away and never look back.
"Which hospital are you at?"
"I'm at St. Mark's; you need to come to Riley Bishop's room."
"See ya in a few, buddy."
Caden can't wait to see him.
When Jared gets to the hospital, he is quickly cleared to go up to Riley's room. Caden is resting his head on the counter in Riley's room.
"You didn't get enough sleep last night?"
"Nah, I'm just resting my head."
Jared has been friends with Caden long enough to know when he's lying. He also knows something is wrong. He put his hands on Caden's back.
"You aren't alone. Ethan is an ass, I get that, but honestly, he's not doing you any favors. I guess the question is do you love him?"
Caden looks up at Jared in shock.
"Of course I love him, but to be honest, he is starting to really piss me off."
"Hungry?"
"Actually, yeah, I am. What did you have in mind?"
"How about we eat some cafeteria food?"
Jared didn't want to take Caden away from his brother. The cafeteria serves decent food at decent prices. They leave the room and head down to grab some food. Caden stays behind for just a few seconds.
"Riley, I'll be right back. I'm going to grab an early dinner. Love you!"
Caden joins his friend out in the hallway.
"Ready?"
"Yeah, I just had something I had to do."
"It's cool!"
Jared likes what he saw in the room when Caden thought he wasn't being watched. He thinks it's cute the way Caden was talking to his brother.
"So do they have good food here?"
Caden chuckled a bit.
"It's not gourmet, but to be honest, it's not too bad. The soups have actually been pretty good."
"Well then I guess I'm having soup."
Caden gave Jared a quick glance. He wants Ethan to quit playing his selfish little games and he needs Jared to quit holding back. They entered the cafeteria and looked at the specials listed on the white board. They ended up ordering potato soup, breadsticks, and a tossed salad. They found their seats and sat down with their meals.
They gently stirred their soups, and things went on from there.
"Jared what do you think of my situation?"
"I think you need to talk to him and set him straight."
Caden isn't sure that he wants to set him straight; that will come later.
"You need to be here for Riley and that may mean having to make sacrifices. What sacrifices is Ethan willing to make in order for Riley to come home?"
He sits down staring at his water as he ponders Jared's question.
`Jared is right. My place is here with my brother.'
Ethan doesn't seem like he has any interest in Riley's recovery, and he doesn't want him coming home. It's about as clear as the bulge in his speedos.
"Well Caden, what do you think?"
"I think Ethan needs to start showing that he cares about me and my brother... and he needs to quit paying attention to that male nurse."
Jared hopes that having Caden say what he wants from Ethan will lead to some action. In the meantime, Caden is trying to dump all this drama from his mind.
"Are we good, guy?"
"We'll see what happens when I speak with him later today."
"You're actually going to talk to him?"
"How am I supposed to get this problem taken care of if I don't talk to him?"
"Good point."
Jared feels somewhat stupid after asking if Caden was really going to talk with his boyfriend.
"So how is Riley; any news?"
"No, but according to the doctors, he could wake up from his coma at any time."
"Very cool dude!"
Jared smiles at the news. The smile on Jared's face almost makes up for Ethan's lack of caring.
"Thanks, Jared. I really needed to know that someone cares about Riley and me."
"You're welcome. Well, I need to get back home and get ready for work."
Jared is going home to get back to work on his writing for the news site where he writes editorial blogs. They both stood up and then exchanged hugs. Caden and Jared walked back to the lobby and went their separate ways. Jared went home to work on his writing and Caden went back upstairs.
As he walks back to his brother's room, he manages to block out everyone around him. Jared gave him a lot to think about today. Most of it has to do with Ethan, but Caden also is thinking about Riley. He loves being here with his brother, but he also loves the fact that he's able to get his work done at the hospital. As he approaches Riley's room, he notices there seems to be some excitement coming from the room. The action outside and inside Riley's hospital room could be a good sign or a bad sign. Only one way to know for sure, and that is to get there as quickly as possible. He started walking just a little bit faster. Reaching the door, Caden couldn't believe his eyes.
Much to his surprise, Riley is laying his bed wide-awake. Fear is stamped across his face. Riley doesn't seem to have any idea what is going on around him. Caden can understand his brother being afraid. It would be scary to wake up in a hospital and have all those tubes attached to you and in you, not to mention all those machines around you. It also would be a little scary having all these strangers around you. Caden could barely contain his excitement. He smiled at Riley hoping for some recognition from him. Riley seems to have no idea who Caden is, but then a slight smile comes across the teens face. His brother's smile has to be a sign that Riley remembers him. Now that Riley is awake, the real work can begin. Doctor Nichols calls Caden out the room and they disappear into one of the empty rooms.
"Congratulations are in order." Doctor Nichols smiles at Caden.
"I didn't do anything."
He doesn't think he did anything, but his time spent talking to Riley may have paid off. Doctor Nichols knows it wasn't just the talking that brought Riley out of his coma, but he cannot deny that it might have played a part.
"Mr. Bishop, I know you're aware of some of what might happen as a result of his injury, but it's my job to determine exactly what his loses are and how to gain them back, if possible. Once we determine what areas need to be retaught, we will line up Riley's physical and occupational therapy. We'll start therapy as soon as he is a little bit more stable."
Caden feels lost. He wants to have a role in Riley's rehab. As he thinks about his brother, teardrops begin to well up in his eyes. He also knows that Riley is strong and if possible, he will bounce back as much as possible.
"Doctor is there anything you need from me?"
Doctor Nichols gave him a pat on the back.
`I don't have to worry about Riley ending up hurt. His brother will give him anything he needs.'
"At this point there is nothing you can do other than to be here and visit. We will let you know more as your brother progresses."
Ethan needs to know that Riley is awake, but Caden isn't sure that Ethan will care. Caden pulls out his phone.
He speed dials Ethan's cell and waits. Caden wonders if he's wasting his time making this call.
"Hello Babe, what's up?"
Hearing Ethan call him "Babe" is enough to make him forget that he is mad at him. One bad comment from him will make Caden flip out and scream.
"You will not believe what happened today!"
As usual, Ethan lives up to the jock stereotype.
"Riley is awake!" Caden's voice was filled with excitement. Ethan's emotions are mixed right now. He wants Riley to come out of his coma, but at the same time, he didn't want him to wake up. Riley being awake means that he'll come home and take up even more of Caden's time, and his presence in the house will upset their fun times.
"Babe we need to talk face to face at some point."
"Cool." Ethan didn't want to talk about Riley. In fact, he would rather not talk at all, what he wants he hasn't had for almost a week.
`Caden has no one to blame for me wanting that nurse but himself.'
Ethan really believes this bullshit too.
"See ya Sweetie!" Caden said, hoping for some sort of response. His boyfriend was quiet, so quiet that Caden decided to end the call. "Bye!" As soon as the words left, his mouth Caden pushed the end button on his phone. He's unsure if the silence was directed at him or the subject matter. Caden returns into Riley's room.
As Caden enters his hospital room, Doctor Nichols is standing over Riley. Caden sees his brother's eyes. Fear seems to be bleeding through them.
"Riley, your brother is here to see you."
Riley's smile eases Caden's soul. His heart is a little lighter at the moment. Caden walks up to his brother's bed. All the tubes and machines are making Caden feel uneasy too.
"Hey sport, how are you?"
Riley didn't say anything. He just couldn't get the words out, and yet Caden knew Riley could hear him.
`I... I know... I know he's my brother... but I don't know him.'
"At least I know that you can hear me. Do you know what happened to you, buddy?"
"Please tell me!"
Riley face changed.
`Do I tell him the truth; the whole truth, or do I give him just enough truth and leave out the fact that Dad did this to him?'
Common sense won. Caden looks down into his brother's eyes. Caden can feel his tears wanting to fall from his eyes, but he doesn't want to scare his brother. Riley needs his strength for the upcoming recovery.
"Riley, you fell... and... hit your head really hard, and it hurt your brain. You're in the hospital so that the doctors can make you better."
Caden reaches down and grabs his brother's hand. Riley's fingers wrap around Caden's hand.
"You get better, okay?"
`I... I... will.'
Riley seemed to know what Caden was saying. Caden looked around the room for a doctor or a nurse, but no one was around. Doctor Nichols must have left to give Caden and Riley some time alone.
"I love you so much Riley! When you leave the hospital, you're going to come live with me."
`Why do you know me but I don't know you? I'm tired!'
Riley's eyes begin to close. Caden can tell that Riley's body needs to rest, so he sits and quietly watches from the chair that has been his bed and desk for past few days. He wonders how his brother will handle what's to come. As he sits, his thoughts bounce between Ethan and Jared. The tears that Caden was holding back finally started to come down his face.
Ethan is sitting on the couch, staring off into space. He's contemplating the life that they'll have once Riley comes home... or as it will be through Ethan's eyes. His eyes aren't always focused on reality. Sex will be a thing of the past because Caden won't want to have any sex once Riley moves into the apartment. They won't be able to go around the apartment in their briefs or go naked and no more leaving porno in the DVD player or up on the laptops. They also will lose their guest bedroom or the office. He does not feel obligated to take on Caden's brother. Things might be different if Caden and he had been together a year already, but it's just too much to ask of him now. He's willing to hear what his boyfriend has to say, but that is it. His heart just isn't into being a caregiver. Caden shouldn't even assume that he wants anything to do with his brother. To put it mildly, Ethan is pissed that Caden is pushing the issue. He feels like it's been "My brother is hurt and is going to need us, so you have to support me, love me, and love my brother." Ethan did not sign up for any of this when he became Caden's boyfriend.
Ethan and Caden met each other through a mutual friend during Caden's senior year in college. Things were great back then, mostly because Ethan was really laying on the charm so he could win Caden over. They understood from the start that things were crazy, but would settle down once Caden graduated and Ethan found himself an agent. Physically, they were a great match and they still are. The sex at the start was great. They could be intimate without ever undressing. One of the best things was their ability to simply go and do things whenever it pleased them They were focused on school and work, and outside of those areas, life was perfect. Even after Caden's graduation and the end of the agent hunt things were good, until Riley got hurt and Caden turned into a nurse.
At the end of visiting hours, Caden walks to the nurse's station. He starts talking with the nurse.
"I know this is asking a lot, Teresa, but if my brother wakes up and seems upset, can you call me?"
"Sure anything for the cutie!"
Teresa has been awesome. She treats Riley as if he was her own son. Caden has even caught her praying in the room on occasion.
Riley has become a favorite on the floor, at least among some of the nurses. He turns to the elevators and gives Riley's room one last glance before he heads out. Walking out to the car, Caden almost runs back to the hospital, but he stays strong and gets into the car and heads home.
As Caden is driving home, he contemplates everything that Ethan has said and done. Riley, or the thought of Riley, is what is keeping him calm. He pulls up to the apartment building and gets out of the car, knowing that he's going to have a chat with his boyfriend. As he enters the apartment, Ethan is sitting in the living room. He feels very uncomfortable. Caden sits down and looks Ethan in the eyes.
Ethan is unhappy, and his partner is pretty mixed emotionally now as well. You can almost touch the tension in the room.
"So Riley is awake, huh?"
Caden is stunned by the question.
"Yeah, he's awake."
Caden couldn't believe that Ethan would ask him if Riley was awake. Another well placed sting that Ethan has been throwing at his boyfriend lately. Caden could see the unhappiness written all over his boyfriend's face. His partner just isn't ready for this; Ethan doesn't like sharing Caden.
"Ethan, why are you so unhappy?"
"You really don't have a clue, do you?"
Caden knows it has to do with Riley and his eventual homecoming.
"I know you're upset about Riley."
"You're right, but I'm even more upset at you for being away so much. You are a douche."
Caden is steaming mad. Ethan has no clue as to why Caden spent so much time at the hospital. He's an ass.
"Look Caden, I understand he's your brother but come on, you can't expect me to sit back and not want anything. I'm a guy and I have needs."
More garbage coming out of Ethan's mouth, it isn't as if Caden isn't a male, and he definitely has needs too.
"This is shit, and you know it. I have the exact same needs as you, but the difference is that I know what's important."
Ethan is about to fall over laughing. He can't see that Caden has needs and all he cares about are his needs.
"We are what's important, and if your brother moves in here, then we aren't important to you."
Caden is dying; at the moment, parts of what Ethan is saying make sense and other parts make no sense. Ethan doesn't want Caden's brother moving into the apartment – period. Things are becoming very clear to Caden.
"First off, who is this `we' you're talking about and just who do you think you are to even suggest that my brother isn't welcome here?"
"We, as in you and me, and I thought I was your boyfriend."
"You are my boyfriend, and I am your boyfriend."
Things were not looking really good for Ethan's argument and he knew it.
"Caden, this apartment is way too fucking small for three people, and as hard as it may be for you to accept this, I do love you."
Ethan gets up and leaves the room; as far as he is concerned, this conversation is over. Something just doesn't feel right to Caden and he knows his time with Ethan is almost over.
Caden gets up and grabs a blanket and a pillow. He has no intentions of sleeping with Ethan tonight. Ethan has been the one to keep things fresh in the sex department, but it was Caden who insisted that they never go to bed angry. Now it would appear that Ethan no longer cares to put their disagreement to rest. There is a quiet voice whispering into Caden's ear. "Do not trust him!" For a second that voice seemed to be his Grandma Bishop talking to him. If Caden can't trust the man in his life, then why stick around? The answer is simple, Caden loves Ethan despite his flaws, and yet his heart is telling him that Ethan is slipping away from him. He knows it's only a matter of time. Caden can no longer keep the tears at bay. One by one, they start to fall. Caden cries himself to sleep.
Sometime in the middle of the night, Ethan becomes aware that Caden didn't come to bed. Ethan grabs a pen and notebook. He starts to write a note to his lover.
"Dear Caden,
Maybe this is all happening too fast for me. Honestly, I do love you. I just need to sort things out in my head. Missed you last night, babe.
Love,
Ethan"
He went to the living room, and placed his note on the coffee table. In the morning, Caden found the note and read it. Again the voice echoed in his head – "Do not trust him!" Caden dropped his guard. He wants to trust Ethan, and he wants to be able to love him too. Still, he can't deny the feelings in his heart.
= = =
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