"You said he was exhausted, that he's been burning the candle at both ends. He's probably just catching up on missed sleep but if it makes you feel better, I'll come check him out."
"I'd appreciate it. Thanks, man."
After he disconnected the call, Rocky paced the living room and resisted the urge to go stand watch over his boy. He was grateful for Collin being willing to come by. He'd met Collin Hayes a while back after Spike’s Little girl, Arabella, had been kidnapped and seriously injured. It hadn't taken long to realize the man in charge of Arabella's care was a Daddy as well. They'd formed a friendship based on the grief they shared. Collin had lost his wife and Little as well. It was a tragedy that had led the good doctor to seek life in a smaller, quieter community.
When the knock sounded, Rocky wrenched himself from his thoughts and rushed for the door. When he saw the dark-haired man on his doorstep, a half smile lifting one corner of his mouth, Rocky sighed in relief. He let Collin in and led him to the bedroom. He noticed Collin's raised eyebrow and the shock in his eyes at finding Aiden in Rocky's bed instead of the guestroom. Collin didn't say anything, just approached the bed and tried to wake Aiden much as Rocky had done.
"You said he hit his head? How long ago?" Collin asked over his shoulder.
"A couple of days ago."
"Has he shown any signs of a concussion?' Collin asked as he checked Aiden's pulse with his fingers and dug out a stethoscope from his bag. "Any nausea, dizziness, passing out?"
"No, he seemed fine. You almost wouldn't even know he'd hit his head."
Collin shined a light into Aiden's eyes and Aiden grumbled again, but still didn't stir otherwise, and Rocky felt his concern growing to full-on alarm. Why didn’t he wake up? This couldn't possibly be normal. Rocky paced and grumbled while Collin did whatever it was he did.
"You're acting like an overprotective Daddy over there," Collin said with a twinkle in his eye that Rocky would have sworn meant he knew. How could he though, since the entire community still saw Aiden as, not only a Daddy, but a straight one?
"Ha, ha," Rocky deadpanned. He hated having to keep their relationship a secret, but Rocky had promised Aiden he'd wait until Aiden was ready. "Just tell me what's wrong."
Collin stood and approached cautiously like he was scared Rocky would explode, but when Rocky looked closer, he realized Collin was studying him like a science experiment, waiting to find out how Rocky would react. He did his best to hide his feelings. Really, he did. Apparently, he hadn't done a very good job of it.
"Your boy is sleeping it off, Rocky. My guess is that he's been working too hard for too long and now, for whatever reason, he finally gave out yesterday." Rocky's eyes closed despite his best efforts, his relief was impossible to hide. "He isn't sick, he's just tired."
"Thanks." It was the only word Rocky could choke out. He'd allowed his mind to explore so many terrifying scenarios, so many ways this could be a sign he was about to lose his boy, like he'd lost Seth. Relief was coursing through him, and he was barely holding himself together.
Collin clapped Rocky on the back and said, "I'm happy for you, my friend. If anyone deserves a second chance, it's you." Rocky could only nod his head at the sentiment. "Go sit with your boy, I can show myself out."
Collin had almost made it to the bedroom door when Rocky finally found his voice, "Collin?" When the other man turned his unnaturally blue eyes Rocky’s way, Rocky said, "You deserve a second chance, too."
Guilt and grief flashed over Collin's face as he shook his head and replied, "I don't deserve anything." Then he was gone, and Rocky found himself seated beside Aiden and brushing the hair back from his forehead.
Rocky didn't notice the tears tracking down his cheeks or the quiet sobs as his body released the tension of the last couple of hours. This was all his fault. He should have been keeping a closer eye. He should have clued in to how Aiden had been wearing himself out the last few days. How long had he been working so hard before he'd found the listening device the day before? He was going to have to pay much closer attention to how much Aiden worked and to being sure his boy got enough rest.
Rocky sent a text to Blade, letting him know they wouldn't be in to deal with the contractors again. Rocky was sure that Blade would be rethinking his decision to put him and Aiden in charge of the remodel, but he couldn't bring himself to care much about that. Rocky could only worry about his boy and what was best for him.
When a reply came in from Blade telling him to take care of Pup first and worry about anything else later, the tone of the text had Rocky wondering if Blade might have an idea of his feelings for Aiden. He just didn't have the energy to worry about that either. He set his phone aside, crawled into the bed behind Aiden, wrapped an arm around his waist and just held him close as he continued to sleep.
Chapter Eighteen
Aiden
He woke up starving. Not just hungry, the hungriest he'd been since his days in foster care. Some families didn't worry so much about making sure there was enough to eat, so he'd felt this level of hunger before, but it had been so long he'd almost forgotten what it felt like.
He'd been so lost in his thoughts about his stomach that it took him a few moments to realize he was also cold. Why was he cold? Complete horror took over as he realized the chill was because he was wet. Not the kind of damp that came from sweating under covers, he was soaked. Aiden squeezed his eyes shut tighter as he hoped against hope the liquid covering him wasn't what he knew it was.
The hand that he'd just noticed had been rubbing up and down his back gripped his shoulder in a comforting gesture as Rocky spoke softly and gently to him, "It's nothing to be ashamed of. You were out cold and too deep under to realize you had to potty. As long as you've been sleeping, I'm surprised it isn't more."
Oh, god. Aiden was going to die of embarrassment. Not only had he wet the bed, he'd wet Rocky's bed and the man of his dreams was here to witness his shame. Aiden wanted to bury his head under the pillows and never come out. Unfortunately, before he had a chance to move, his tummy let out a loud rumble. Rocky chuckled at the sound because, really, it was loud enough Aiden wondered if they could hear it all the way in Houston.
"Come on, baby. Let's get you cleaned up then get some food in you." Rocky reached out a hand and waited patiently for Aiden to take it. Aiden fought with his embarrassment while he studied the offer. Part of him wanted so badly to go with his Daddy and let the other man take care of him, but part of him wanted to run for the hills. What kind of grown man wet the bed?
Finally, Aiden's desire to be cared for won out and he accepted the hand before him, climbing out of the bed and letting Rocky lead him to the bathroom. Rocky started the water running in the shower before facing Aiden and helping him to get out of his soiled clothes. Rocky set them aside to be washed and faced Aiden.
"Do you need to potty?" Aiden realized in that moment that despite having apparently used the bed for this need, he did need to pee. He nodded his head and headed for the toilet. "Do you need help, baby?" Aiden turned to Rocky watching him speculatively. Was that the kind of boy Rocky wanted? One who would wear training pants and needed help to pee? Could he be that?
Aiden shook his head, refusing the offer, and turned back to his task. Rocky didn't say anything more about it and never indicated he was disappointed in having his offer turned down, but Aiden still wondered. He wanted to give Rocky what he needed as much as Rocky wanted to give Aiden what he needed. But could he see himself in a diaper or training pants? He really couldn't and that made his heart hurt.
