Page 12 of Jack Frosting

“Your last name is Boner?” Clayton asked.

“It’s not! It’s Bonner!”

“Sorry about that. My eyes aren’t what they used to be.”

“And you’re the one reading my CAT scan?”

“Rest assured, Mr. Bonner, my assessment is trustworthy. Nothing of note, but your boyfriend was right to bring you here. Better safe than sorry.”

“We’re not boyfriends,” we both said in unison before laughing together.

“We’re roommates,” I added.

“Suuuure. My brother has a roommate…it’s been fifteen years, I think.”

“It’s not like that,” Clayton protested as well.

“Okay, okay. I shouldn’t have said anything. I don’t need extra paperwork. Anyway, your roommate should keep an eye on you and you should take it easy for the next few days. No exertion whatsoever and if you have any headaches or dizziness, come back immediately.”

“I’m a personal trainer, doc. I can’t workout?”

“Absolutely not. You can talk your clients through their workouts, but you shouldn’t lift, you shouldn’t run, you shouldn’t…whatever else you do, until Sunday at the earliest.”

“Okay. I can do that.”

“Good.”

“I’ll make sure he does what you’re telling him,” Clayton said.

“Great. I’ll send someone in shortly with your discharge instructions.”

Clayton’s comment raised my eyebrows and I saw the doctor smirk before he left. I swore I heard him say something about roommates, but I couldn’t quite make it out.

“You’re going to make sure I do what he says?” I asked.

“Yes.”

The tone said it all. Clayton meant it and there was a part of me that liked that. Probably the same part that liked that he had a secret sex dungeon.

“What happened?”

Clayton was inside with Eli, likely waiting for Henry to stop whatever video game he and Trey had lost themselves in over the last few hours. I was on the porch with Gareth.

“I hit my head.”

“How? You’re so coordinated.”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Well now you have to tell me. Spill it.” He leaned against the railing. “It’s embarrassing, isn’t it?”

“Not for me.”

“What does that mean?” Gareth asked.

I knew I’d have to tell somebody, and it was always going to be Gareth. I just wish we could be on our old couch with our White Claws in one hand and Rice Krispie treats in the other.

“You’re kidding.”