Duncan's World, page 7
Duncan yanked one of the chairs closer and sat, holding onto Kyle’s hand. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll drive you home.”
“You have one more event before the break. You shouldn’t miss it on my account.”
“I wasn’t planning on competing in that one. I usually follow the bulls home, but I’ll send them back to the ranch with my guys and take you home. I’ll let Pops know I’ll be a little late in getting to the ranch.”
Kyle swallowed hard. Duncan couldn’t guess what emotions the kid fought. He sat as close to the bed as he could without actually sitting on it.
“I’m not leaving until you’re ready to go, Kyle. Mason can get my stuff and make sure the truck’s in the parking lot for me.”
The nurse pushed through the curtain. “Mr. MacDonald, the doctor will be in to see you in a few minutes. He’s gotten the x-rays back.”
“Ma’am, do you know when Kyle will be ready to leave?” Duncan stood, ready to take Kyle away.
“You can ask the doctor when he gets here. Oh, your friend Mason said to call him when you need your truck back. He said he’d make sure your stuff from your hotel was in it as well.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Kyle nodded at her.
The doctor entered, and Duncan stepped to the side while the man explained what he found in the x-rays.
“Actually, from the severity of your bruises, Mr. MacDonald, I’d have thought you’d have more internal damage, but you were fortunate in that aspect. You’ll still feel like shit while your injuries heal. Do you have someone you can stay with tonight? I don’t want you alone.”
“He’ll be with me, Doc.” Duncan spoke up.
The older doctor glanced over at him and nodded. “Good. You didn’t have a head injury, so we don’t have to worry about that. I’d just like someone there in case something presents that we didn’t see on the x-rays or anything.”
“Yes, sir.”
The doctor tugged open the curtain and called for a nurse before leaving. “Make sure Mr. MacDonald has some scrubs or something to wear when he leaves. I’m afraid your clothes were a total loss. Blood and dirt, plus some rips.”
“What about my bag?” Kyle pushed his body up to sit up straighter in bed.
“The only thing you had with you besides the clothes you wore was a cell phone. Had you put your bag on the bus before the attack? Oh, and would you like copies of your records for the police?”
Kyle shook his head, and Duncan frowned, knowing what Kyle was about to say.
“I’m not pressing charges. I just want to get out of this town and go home.”
“But, sir, you shouldn’t let whoever did this to you get away with it,” the nurse protested.
“I know who did it and, trust me, he won’t be getting away with it, but I don’t want to go through the hassle of talking to the cops.”
Kyle’s smile was painful to look at and a little lop-sided, but it charmed her.
“I guess you know what you’re doing, Mr. MacDonald.” She shook her head and left the room.
“Are you sure about not punishing Rusty?” Duncan hesitated asking because he didn’t want Kyle to think he was questioning him, though that was exactly what he was doing.
“Yes.” Kyle fiddled with the sheets covering him. “He’s always tried so hard to prove himself to my father, who ordered him to do it, I’m pretty sure. It doesn’t matter to me. I just want to leave it all behind.”
“That’s what we’ll do then.”
Duncan took one of Kyle’s hands and lifted it to his mouth, kissing the scraped knuckles. Mason peeked in around the curtain.
“Hey there.”
“Come in, Mason. We’re just waiting for some clothes before Kyle can leave.” He waved his friend in.
Mason handed him the keys. “Your truck’s in the parking lot and your stuff’s in it. I checked you out of the hotel, so you can leave whenever you need to.”
“Thanks, Mason. I’m sorry you had to go to all this trouble for me.” Kyle offered Mason his hand to shake.
Duncan watched his friend shake Kyle’s hand. Maybe Mason could help with teaching Rusty a lesson. The nurse returned with a set of scrubs for Kyle, which was Duncan’s perfect chance to talk to Mason alone.
“Why don’t we step out while Kyle gets dressed? Unless you need some help?” He looked at Kyle.
“Go on. I’ll be all right, if I take it slow.”
“Good.”
He dragged Mason out and down the hall a little ways away from Kyle’s room. Mason stared at him in confusion.
“I assume you have a reason for dragging me out here and not helping your boyfriend get dressed.”
Duncan rubbed his palms on his jeans. “Rusty did this to him.”
“His own brother beat the shit out of him? That’s fucked up, man.”
“I know, but he won’t press charges against Rusty. Says there’s no point in punishing him when he’s just doing it because of MacDonald.”
“That’s true, though I do think Rusty has a vicious streak all his own, even without the alcohol. He picked on Abe until I came along and convinced him it wasn’t a good idea.” Mason’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s what you want me to do with Rusty. Put a little fear of God in him.”
“I can’t do it. I’ll be taking Kyle back to Texas before I head home for the break.” Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. “I don’t want Rusty to think he can get away with beating up his brother and stealing from him, though why he’d want Kyle’s bag is beyond me.”
“Because it had money in it. He knows where I hide my cash and he obviously needed it.”
They turned to see Kyle standing in the opening of the curtains around his bed. One of his arms was wrapped tight round his stomach, and anger surged through Duncan again at the thought Kyle’s brother did that to him.
“I’m sorry about all this, Kyle.” Mason’s sincerity showed in his voice.
“So am I, but hey, it’s over with now. I don’t plan on letting my father or brother get a chance to do this to me again.” Kyle sent a weak smile Duncan’s way. “Can we get out of here?”
“Sure.” He shook Mason’s hand. “I’ll call you later tonight or sometime tomorrow.”
“Good. Have a safe trip, guys.”
They took their time walking out to the truck since Kyle refused the wheelchair the nurse wanted him to take. Duncan helped Kyle into the passenger seat and got him buckled in. After climbing in behind the wheel, he started the truck and turned to meet Kyle’s gaze.
“I’m going to stop at the drug store on the way out of town to get those painkillers the doctor prescribed. While I’m in the store, call your mother and let her know what happened. Tell her you’re on your way home, but it’ll take a little longer. I’m not going to drive straight through. We’ll find a place to stop for the night, and I’ll get you home tomorrow.”
Stretching over the center console, Kyle gripped Duncan’s hand where it rested on the steering wheel. “Thank you, Duncan, for everything you’ve done. It’s a lot to ask when we’ve just started our relationship. You probably never thought it would be this messed up.”
Duncan raised Kyle’s hand to his face, pressing the man’s palm to his cheek. “I’m glad to help you out. Even if we weren’t sleeping together, I’d do anything to get you home. You deserve more than you’ve gotten so far. I have to admit, Kyle, I’m not happy with your mother at all. Why would she allow this to continue when she knew what your father and brother were capable of?”
Kyle inclined his head slightly, curling his fingers against Duncan’s skin. “That’s the first thing I’m going to ask her when I see her.”
“Good. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Duncan stayed true to his word, stopping at the drug store for Kyle’s medicine.
Chapter Nine
Duncan, the man Kyle was falling in love with, strolled into the pharmacy, and Kyle shook his head. How had he come to hook up with such an upstanding guy? No answer was forthcoming, so he dug out his phone and punched in his mother’s number.
“Hello, honey.”
“Hey, Momma.” His pain and sadness colored his words, alerting his mom to something being wrong.
“Are you okay, Kyle?”
“Define okay? I’m alive and, aside from one other bright spot, that’s the best I can say for today.”
His mother’s in-drawn breath spoke of her surprise. “What happened?”
“I went to the bus station this morning to get a ticket. I got delayed.”
“Why? Did your father do something?”
He snorted softly. “Father’s been doing something for most of my life, Momma. Last night was the final straw, and I decided it wasn’t worth staying. We’ll talk about what he did when I get there. It’s Rusty who screwed up my travel plans.”
“Oh, honey.” She sighed. “Your brother tries so hard to please your father, not realizing nothing will please that man.”
“True. Anyway, he caught up with me at the bus station and beat the shit out of me.”
A shocked gasp came over the phone. “Are you in the hospital? Tell me where, and I’ll catch the first flight up there.”
“No, it’s all right. I’ve already been to the hospital. I checked out, and my friend is driving me home. We’re taking it easy and will probably stop somewhere for the night.”
“Are you sure? I can send Jose up there to get you.” The sharp edge to his mother’s voice told him she was furious.
He watched Duncan stalk up to the truck and laughed silently. Duncan might not respect his mother for letting all of this happen, but they had one thing in common. They were both angry over what Rusty and his father had done. Duncan opened the door and tossed the bag of meds at him.
“I got you a bottle of water to take those with,” Duncan said as he climbed into the vehicle.
“Don’t worry about it. I told you, my friend’s going to take care of me and get me home safe,” Kyle reassured his mother.
“Is your friend the bright spot for the day?” Knowing sparked her tone.
“Yes.” He didn’t want to go into any more detail with Duncan sitting next to him.
“Good. Then you bring your friend home with you. I’d love to meet any man who can make you sound happy, even after getting the shit kicked out of you by Rusty.” She sighed again. “I love you, Kyle, and I’m sorry all this happened. We’ll talk about it when you get home.”
“I love you, too. I call you when we get settled for the night.”
He hung up and set his phone in one of the cup holders in the dash. Opening the bag, he searched for the painkillers. His bruises were starting to ache and all he really wanted to do was sleep.
“Here.”
Duncan held out the water to him, and he drank some to help swallow two of the pills. Duncan took it back from him and tightened the cap. Kyle rested against the seat and flashed Duncan a quick grin.
“I do appreciate you taking care of me,” he said softly, wanting nothing more than to lean over and show his appreciation with a kiss.
“I know you do. Just try and rest, honey. I’ll get us a little farther down the road before we stop for the night.”
He nodded and closed his eyes, trusting Duncan to keep him safe.
§ § § §
“Hey, Kyle, wake up.”
Blinking, he pried his eyes open to see Duncan leaning over him.
“Where are we?”
“About an hour out of Carlsbad. I figure we have about three more hours before we get to your ranch.”
He frowned, trying to clean the cobwebs out of his brain. “How did you know where I lived?”
“I called your mother, and she gave me directions.” Duncan gestured to the GPS on the dash. “Plus I plugged in your address and it’s got me this far without any problems.”
“Oh.” Kyle struggled to get the seatbelt undone, but his muscles protested every move.
Duncan reached over him to unhook the buckle. “Here, let me help you. I’ve already got us a room. We’re parked right outside it, so you don’t have far to walk.”
Climbing out of the truck was an adventure in aches and pain, but they managed to get him into the hotel room and sitting on one of the beds. He sat, shoulders slumped forward and head hanging. Duncan shut the door and crouched in front of him.
“Why don’t I fill the tub with hot water and you can have a good soak? It’ll help with the sore muscles. Trust me, I know all about that.”
Duncan’s smile was sympathetic, and Kyle didn’t think; he simply kissed the man, ignoring the argument his back and sides were having with his mind. They didn’t think moving even an inch was a good idea, but Kyle needed to feel Duncan’s mouth on his. It didn’t matter that nothing could come of it for the time being.
The kiss was soft and gentle, comforting in a way no words could ever be. Duncan told Kyle he’d be there for him, and Kyle said thank you through the touch of their lips together.
After a few minutes, Duncan eased away, keeping his hands on Kyle’s thighs to balance himself. They stared at each other in silence while their breathing calmed down and the desire backed off a little.
“As much as I’d love to take this farther, you aren’t in any shape for that,” Duncan commented, heat burning in his eyes. “Can you get undressed without help? I’ll go start the water running.”
Speaking still seemed beyond Kyle’s control, so he nodded, and Duncan pressed a quick kiss to his forehead as he straightened. Kyle closed his eyes and listened as Duncan went into the bathroom, the water starting shortly afterward. Kyle stripped slowly, biting his lip to stop the groans as he lifted his arms and stretched his stomach muscles.
Duncan came back, kneeling to remove Kyle’s shoes and socks. “Can you stand?”
“Yes.” He got to his feet without falling over, a major accomplishment in his book.
He stared at Duncan’s dark hair as the man pushed Kyle’s pants and underwear down, then helped him step out of them. Kyle shivered at the cool air in the room. Duncan stood, wrapped an arm around Kyle’s waist, and led him to the bathroom.
Kyle did moan as he sank into the hot water. His head fell back onto a towel Duncan had folded and set on the edge of the tub.
“I splurged and got us a whirlpool tub.”
Duncan spoke next to Kyle’s ear, but Kyle couldn’t summon the energy to look at the man. A whirling sound startled him along with the sudden appearance of bubbles around his body, pulsating against his back and legs.
“Thank God.” He groaned, and Duncan chuckled.
“I told you hot water and whirlpools will loosen those muscles. Riding in the truck didn’t help, even with the painkillers.”
He opened his eyes when Duncan swept a lock of hair off his forehead.
“I’m going out to get our stuff from the truck. I’m also going to order some room service. What would you like?”
“Shit, I’d love a steak,” he murmured.
“A steak it is.”
His lover slipped from the room before he could change his mind. He knew Duncan didn’t have the money to spend on this kind of room and a steak for dinner. He’d have to ask his mother to pay Duncan back for all the money he spent on this trip since Duncan hadn’t planned to do this. His family wasn’t rich, but they were better off than most ranchers. His mother had diversified their stock, selling beef cattle along with purebred Quarter Horses. In addition to the stock sales, she ran a dude ranch for people who wanted an “authentic Western experience”.”
Would Duncan accept the money or would his pride make him refuse it? Kyle wasn’t sure. He would have to come up with a different way to repay Duncan if the man didn’t take the money.
The warmth seeping into his body made him drowsy and he lost track of time as he soaked. He could sense Duncan coming in occasionally to check on him, but he never spoke. Finally, he heard a faint knock on the room door and figured that the food had arrived.
Kyle climbed out of the tub and dried off cautiously, not wanting to put pressure on any of his bruises. This beating had been far worse than the ones he’d gotten before from his father. He inspected his reflection and grimaced. Nothing pretty about being black and blue instead of his usual skin tone. He had hand and fist prints along his ribs and something had sliced his cheek open.
“Kyle, the food’s here.” Duncan peeked around the half-open door. “Do you need help?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”
He hung the towel on the rack and shuffled out, naked, into the other room. Dinner was set up on one bed. Duncan had ordered steaks, potatoes, and soft drinks for them.
They ate in silence, and Duncan kept a close eye on Kyle, getting him a drink when he wanted one or making sure he wasn’t in any pain as he ate. Soon their plates were empty, and Duncan cleaned up while Kyle got ready for bed.
Kyle slipped under the blankets of the bed they hadn’t used. He bunched the pillow up under his head and watched Duncan finish his nighttime routine. Duncan hesitated as he stood next to the bed.
“Aren’t you going to share the bed with me?” Kyle patted the mattress.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Duncan admitted, a frown marring his forehead.
“You’ll only hurt me if you make me sleep alone.”
They had slept in each other’s arms last night, and Kyle discovered he enjoyed being held all night long.
Duncan slid into bed and curled up behind Kyle, his cock nestled against Kyle’s ass. Kyle wiggled slightly, pushing back a little. Duncan tapped his hip in warning.
“Don’t tease, Kyle. I told you before you’re not in any condition for us to do anything.” Duncan nuzzled Kyle’s neck. “Just try to get some sleep.”
Kyle lay there, listening to Duncan’s breathing and loving the feel of it bathing his neck with each exhale. He fell asleep to that reassuring rhythm.
Chapter Ten
A petite red-haired woman jumped off the front porch as Duncan pulled to a stop. He barely got the truck turned off before she jerked open the passenger door and enveloped Kyle in a rib-crushing hug. Kyle went pale, and Duncan growled low in his throat. He knew she didn’t mean to hurt Kyle, but that didn’t stop Duncan from getting out and stomping around the truck to pull her gently away from Kyle.
