Read Online Ripped (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) by Anita Kinley - Free Book Online Page B

to Kyle on the bloody pavement, despite what he thought were gloved hands trying to urge him into a vehicle.
    “I won’t leave you, silly boy,” Roman said against Kyle’s ear.
    “I’m so cold, Roman!”
    The deafening roar of a Medflight drowned out Roman’s words, but he spoke them anyway, continuing to caress his partner’s hand in his own. No one tried to remove it, either. He guessed they didn’t want a beating.
    Hearing of a possible dislocated shoulder and a superficial facial wound placated Roman’s own health as he focused on the medical flight team working on Kyle. Still gripping his husband’s hand, Roman refused to move more than an inch from Kyle’s body, or to break eye contact.
    “I love you,” Roman whispered, oblivious to those around him. At this point he shrugged off the hand that was placed gently on his back. He shook his head at the voices swirling around him. When a set was offered to him nearby, he refused.
    Slowly processing the activity around Kyle’s body lying on a backboard, Roman recognized words, such as “ETA,” “five minutes,” and “crush injury,” followed by a string of medical terminology that meant nothing. Feeling the grip of Kyle’s hand in his was the only thing that was keeping him sane. He was quite sure that the validity of that had been questioned by those aboard.
    “I love Rebecca,” he heard a voice say, feeling the same hand return to his back. “She’s my partner. I’d do the same for her. No one on board is going to judge you. Say whatever you think he needs.”
    Staring back, Roman saw a young woman wearing surgical scrubs checking Kyle’s vitals. Almost as if she anticipated his question, she replied, “They’re okay. Better than what they should be, considering the nature of his injuries.”
    “Roman!” Kyle cried.
    “I’m right here, baby. It’s going to be okay. Focus on my voice.”
    “I can’t feel my legs!” Kyle said as tears dampened his cheeks. “Don’t leave me alone!”
    “Don’t cry. We’re almost at the hospital.”
    “He’s in shock,” the woman explained, “sort of the body’s own natural defense.”
    “His legs?” Roman questioned.
    “Let’s just get him to the hospital.”
    Kyle gripped his hand tighter as Roman focused his attention back to his partner’s face.
    “I’m scared, Roman! I can’t feel anything.”
    Shutting out the throbbing in his own head and shoulder, Roman brought Kyle’s hand to his lips. The panic in his partner’s voice tore at his emotions, as images from another day flooded through his mind. Lisa’s screams and desperate pleads for help invaded his thoughts. If he had to give his own life in the process, Roman was determined that Kyle would live. He had to. Roman’s life now flowed with his husband’s.
    “You’re not going to die. You can’t. We’re one, remember?”
    En route it was decided that Kyle would be taken to the medical center in Hot Springs, serving as one of the region’s few level two trauma centers. Upon arrival, the couple was immediately separated, as Kyle was taken into surgery. While Roman’s gash in his forehead was sutured in the emergency room, he could still feel the vise grip of Kyle’s hand as he had to pry it free. His husband had to be sedated to end the panic that their separation had caused. He could still hear Kyle’s pleading voice and the hands tugging at his shirt.
    I can’t go with you, sweet boy…I won’t leave until you can leave with me.
    Roman’s shoulder wasn’t dislocated, just badly bruised. Apart from that and the deep head wound, the attending physician said that he was in remarkably good shape considering the circumstances. Upon suggestion that he remain twenty-four hours for observation, Roman declined, signing his waiver. Grabbing his bloodstained T-shirt and discharge information, he ended up in a chair in the surgical waiting room.
    He must have appeared a madman as he later visited a restroom down the hall.