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.They had talked about their lives together on Dorrington.They planned how they would reveal their relationship to Kevin, but only after swearing him to secrecy.They had even discussed a future marriage.Someday, it might be a possibility.Shortly after ten, they had left the eatery floating blissfully on a romantic cloud, feeling as though they were the world’s two luckiest men.And they were.But that had been earlier.Right now, it was almost eleven, and the world’s two luckiest gay men were naked in Cam’s bed.After an evening of unsurpassed dining and romance, they were now prepped for a night of unbridled lovemaking.And just like that, the romantic spell was broken when Grant whispered into Cam’s ear: “I don’t feel too well.”“What’s wrong?” Cam asked, concerned.“My stomach.”“Looks perfect to me, six-pack and all,” CC teased, surveying the wall of tanned muscle that was Grant Jackson’s stomach.“No,” Grant whispered.“There’s a pain.”“What kind of pain? What does it feel like?” Cam asked, concerned now.“It’s hot, burning pain,” Grant fairly croaked the words.Pulling back the comforter, Cam said, “Don’t worry.I’ll get something.”“Thanks,” Grant said gratefully.But Cam didn’t hear him.He had already disappeared into the bathroom.Becoming more uncomfortable by the second, Grant wrapped his arms tightly around his stomach, as if cradling the painful organ would effect a healing.Returning with two Pepcid AC tablets, Cam handed them to Grant, instructing, “Just chew these.”Grant did as he was told, hoping the pain in his stomach would dissolve as easily as the tablets disappeared in his mouth.After a patient moment, Cam asked, “How’s that?”“It’s getting worse – hotter, more painful.”Cam gently put his arms around Grant, pulling him closer, so that now Grant’s head was resting on his shoulder.“Let’s call your doctor.”“I don’t have one.”“Well, I do—and he’s family.I mean, he’s gay,” Cam said, reassuringly.He took the cordless phone from its dock, and punched in ten digits.When Cam’s call was electronically answered, Janet Dammann’s voice instructed, “You have reached the office of Dr.Charles Hutchings.The office is currently closed.If this is an emergency, then please hang up, and call nine-one-one.” Cam returned the handset to its hard plastic dock.“Do you want me to call nine-one-one?”“No,” Grant said with certainty.But he was thinking, I’ve got to do something.This pain’s unbearable.But what should I do?“I’m taking you to Emergency at Cedars,” CC said, deciding for him.“Let’s give the Pepcid a little more time,” Grant said, not wanting to cause a scene.A few minutes later, Grant’s pain had sharpened into a stabbing ache.“It’s worse, much worse,” he admitted reluctantly.“Get dressed,” Cam ordered.“You’re going to Cedars.”By the time they were dressed and out the door, Grant’s accelerating pain was causing him to moan involuntarily, uncontrollably.With his arm around Grant, Cam supported him to the car.“It’s a short drive,” Cam said, hoping to lessen Grant’s anxiety.By the time they reached the Emergency Room parking lot, Grant was doubled-over in pain, and the involuntary moans had evolved into periodic, uncontrollable screams.Cam parked in the drop-off zone, pulling right up to the curb in front of the ER entrance.Carefully, comfortingly, he assisted Grant inside.Entering, they were greeted by wall-to-wall patients – all of them waiting for treatment, even though few of them appeared to be experiencing a true emergency.With no seating available, Cam walked Grant directly over to the admittance desk.Periodically, involuntarily, and with embarrassment, Grant screamed out his pain.It was agonizing and humiliating.Right now, the last thing in the world he wanted was to put Cam, or himself, through this drama.But it was beyond his control.The admittance clerk, a heavy-set woman with attitude, identified by a name tag as Janohn Bunck, asked Cam question after question.Because Cam had scant knowledge of Grant’s medical history, he referred many of the questions back to the patient.Between blinding jolts of pain and unbidden screams, Grant answered to the best of his waning ability.“Can’t you skip the twenty questions? Cam pleaded.“He’s suffering so.”“I can’t do anything without this information,” Janohn replied.She lacked even a trace of empathy.Her demeanor reminded Grant of the uncaring, dismissive receptionist at CAA.Still he gave Janohn the benefit of the doubt.Maybe she sees so much suffering that she’s built up an immunity.Besides, rules are rules.Grant had just completed the thought when, from behind the admittance desk, a strikingly handsome young man, wearing purple scrubs, walked into view.Seeing Cam, the guy stopped in his tracks; his jaw dropped.Grant was about to say, “Take a picture.It’ll last longer.” But the man spoke first: “Cameron? Cameron Cody, is that you?” The question mark on his face reflected the uncertainty in his voice.“Do I know you?” Cam asked.“No.But I’m a fan - a big fan.I’m Dr.Dave Defren,” he said, introducing himself.Dr.Dave extended his hand, and Cameron gave it a firm shake.“Are you all right?”“I’m fine, but I can’t say the same for Mr.Jackson, here.”Despite the pain, Grant managed a weak smile for the great-looking doctor.But it didn’t escape him that Dr.Dave was eating CC with his big brown shoe-button eyes.Dr.Defren, or no, Janohn was hell-bent on completing the questionnaire.“Your relationship to the patient?” she asked Cam.“Spousal equivalent,” he shot back the answer as if from a sling.Rubbing his chin in thought, Dr.Defren said, “I see, Mr.Cody.” Playfully, he gave Cam’s ass a quick pinch.CC reacted to the “goose” as he always did, with a sly smile.Savoring that smile, Dr.Dave continued, “Back home, on Sunset Plaza, Michael, my own spousal equivalent, is waiting for me.”Janohn shot a poisonous glance in Defren’s direction.The loudness of Grant’s involuntary screams was disrupting the ER.Grant saw envy and lust in the doctor’s eyes.He could practically hear Defren ask himself What is so special about this twink?Even so, Grant’s heart silently sang.Cameron Cody publicly claimed me as his spousal equivalent!“Mr.Jackson’s a very lucky man,” Dr.Dave added, winking knowingly at Cam.He isn’t so lucky, right now, Doc,” Cam replied solemnly.Grant was doubled over in pain.“What seems to be the problem?” the doctor asked.He shot Janohn Bunck a warning glance, defying her to interrupt him, or to further pursue the questioning.Cam explained Grant’s symptoms and their progression.Dr.Dave said, “Come with me.” He indicated the door behind the admittance desk.Trumped by the doctor, Janohn sighed heavily and resignedly shrugged off her defeat.They followed him through the door.It led to a large room, lined on either side with hospital beds, most of them occupied.Grant’s next blood-curdling scream caused Dr.Dave to grab him under his arms and support his walk to an empty bed.After examining, and most probably admiring, Grant’s abdomen, Defren asked, “Are you allergic to any drugs?”“Not that I know.”Dr.Dave prepared a syringe.“Food poisoning?” Cam asked.“I’m pretty sure Mr.Jackson has a kidney stone [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]