Three Part Harmony (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024)

27. Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Griffin

I woke up and started gasping for air. Looking around, I had no idea where I was except I couldn’t move much, due to being attached to several different wires and tubes. And where was that incessant beeping coming from? I tried to sit up and the beeping sound came faster. Then something metal clattered to the floor and I saw someone jackknife up in a recliner positioned about ten feet away.

Everything was slightly out of focus and seemed to spin around in circles. I shifted in the bed again, putting weight on my arms and a searing pain shot through my body. I screamed out as the agony fully registered in my head just as several people ran into the room at once. I tried to look at their faces but no one was familiar. Until…I heard his voice.

“Griffin, baby. You’re okay, just calm down.”

“We’re going to give him something for the pain,” someone said. “It’ll also help to relax him.”

The man’s voice was familiar. I turned my head on the stack of pillows behind my head to follow the sound and saw the most beautiful man I’d ever seen slip in and out of focus. He had thick dark hair that was lighter on the top and such perfectly plump, gorgeous lips. Who the fuck was this handsome creature?

“Griffin, I’m right here.”

There was that voice again. Was I hearing angels? How did he know my name? And why were my eyes so damn heavy? I couldn’t keep them open, but I desperately wanted to see the man again.

“Mike Emory,” a different and deeper voice rumbled from farther away.

“Yeah, I’m here,” the reply came from beside the bed.

I tried to smile at the voice but had no idea if my face was working correctly to make that happen.

“There are some people in the hall to see you.”

“I’ll be right there.”

I watched him walk away and thought about the name the nurse was calling. Mike Emory. I knew that name. Mike. Michael… I turned the name over in my head several times. Then it hit me.

“My Michael—mine. ”

Did I manage to say that out loud? I had no fucking idea. So much seemed to be going on around me but all I could do was lie here and drift away again to—sleep? This was the strangest feeling, like I was floating on clouds, or a magic carpet. That would be cool. Maybe the handsome guy would join me on the magic carpet ride? But where did he go? I wanted the man to come back but I was so, so tired.

I woke up a while later, unsure of how much time had passed. The room appeared to be empty at first but then I saw someone—a man, standing by the window looking at whatever was outside below us.

“Mike—Michael,” I tried to croak out but my throat was sore and so damn dry.

The man at the window spun around quickly and hurried over to my bed. “Nurse! He’s awake!” he shouted to an open door across the room.

Then he was sitting on the edge of the bed and taking my hand in his. I strained to get my vision to focus on his face and then suddenly he was there, right in front of me—“Michaellll,” I slurred to elongate his name. “You’re. Here.”

“I haven’t left your side since they brought you in,” Mike said and reached out to stroke the side of my face. “I can see the questions swirling in your eyes, so I’ll tell you what I know. You stopped a madman with a knife at the Rocktoberfest venue. I think the knife was meant for me, but you saved my ass from being stabbed. Unfortunately, you got cut pretty bad in the process of taking him down. ”

Just then an older man hurried into the room wearing surgical scrubs. “Looks like our patient is awake,” the man announced as he approached Griffin’s bed. “My name is Dr. Mason. I’m the surgeon who patched you back together.”

“Was I stabbed?” I asked.

“You have a four-inch laceration on the upper arm where the deltoid muscle meets the biceps brachii, which has two heads and attaches the biceps to the shoulder,” the surgeon explained to Griffin. “Unfortunately, the knife that cut you was a hunting knife with a serrated edge on the blade. The track the blade took shredded what it came in contact with. I had to repair a lot of damage done to the biceps muscle and then reattach everything to the shoulder muscle.”

“That sounds bad,” I said.

“It was bad enough,” Dr. Mason said. “Right now, I think nerve damage should be minimal, if any, but as you heal we’ll have a better understanding of that. Otherwise, your muscle and tendons are fixed and you should make a full recovery,” Dr. Mason said.

“How long to heal?” I asked.

“A couple of months recovery from the surgery and then several more months of physical therapy,” Dr. Mason detailed. “If you follow doctors’ orders and complete all the PT, I think you’ll do fine with no limitations. In six to eight months you should be good to go.”

“When can I go home?” I asked.

“We’re going to keep you at least another day, maybe two, to be sure there are no complications from the surgery,” the doctor said. “ You’ll be going home with a sling that you’ll need to wear all the time, even while sleeping, until your local orthopedic doctor says differently. Nothing physical and no working until you’re cleared by the physical therapist. You’re also going to need help around the house for the first few weeks. It could be a visiting nurse or—”

“I’ll stay with him,” Mike volunteered.

My gaze darted to Michael. I saw the sincerity in his expression but wondered if his suggestion was just a knee-jerk reaction to the situation. Michael and I had a lot to talk about and maybe after we had that conversation he wouldn’t want to stay with me to help. I had no idea.

“Okay, well you’ve got time to consider your options,” Dr. Mason answered. “I’ll leave you for now and check in on you when I do rounds later on.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” I said.

Once the door closed I looked back at Michael. “Are you in pain?” he asked.

“Not too bad, maybe a dull six on a scale of one to ten,” I answered and smiled softly. “I can’t believe you’re here, but I’m glad. It makes me feel a lot better seeing your face.”

He squeezed my thigh. “Did you really think I wouldn’t be here?” he asked. “You saved me from getting stabbed in the back—literally.”

Images began to flicker through my memory. They were details to what led up to me being cut. “I saw a guy wearing a shirt that didn’t match,” I explained. “He was holding a knife and it looked like you were his intended target. There wasn’t a chance in hell I was going to let him attack you.”

Michael bent forward and kissed my forehead. “A guy wearing a shirt that didn’t match and that tipped you off to a threat against me?” he asked incredulously. “What wasn’t he matching? Was he in jeopardy of the fashion police arresting him?”

I smiled at him because I knew he was trying to make light of a situation he fully understood the seriousness of. “Ventura guards wear distinctive polo shirts. Sometimes they’re florescent yellow or bright red like tonight, but the guards always match and are meant to stand out depending on the job we’re doing,” I explained. “This man’s shirt was dark red and I just knew he wasn’t supposed to be there. That’s why it threw up a flag for me. Our training teaches us to look for things that are out of place. He was definitely out of place.”

“It’s why you’re so good at your job,” Michael said. “Think of it this way. You’re the only security guard who caught the fact that man was out of place and wearing a different colored shirt. Even Fizzbo missed him.”

“It happens,” I replied. “We’re human and sometimes shit is overlooked because we’re busy or distracted.”

“Griffin,” Michael sighing my name was like music to my fucking ears. “You weren’t even on the job and you noticed a detail like an off-colored shirt. It proves how good you are, even while off-duty.”

I tried to shrug my shoulder and then grimaced from the pain that shot through my arm from that subtle movement. “I’m not sure security officers are ever off-duty,” I said. “Our training naturally kicks in whenever we’re in public. I’m constantly surveilling my surroundings looking for potential threats or the closest exit. It’s not something I can shut off. Kind of like the way you’re always tapping and drumming beats on any surface you can find.”

“That’s a good comparison because most of the time I don’t realize I’m jamming,” Mike said. “Did it annoy you?”

“Not in the least,” I answered honestly. “It’s who you are and asking you to stop would be like snuffing out your inner light. I love hearing you tapping. It reminds me of how creative your mind is.”

“Weren’t you scared when you saw the knife?” he asked.

“No, not fearful. What I felt in that moment had more to do with…urgency.” I took Michael’s hand and squeezed it. “I wasn’t going to let him hurt you—or anyone else. I didn’t care if I was stabbed, I just knew I had to stop him before that knife got anywhere close to you. That was my only goal.”

“I love you for saving me from what we both know would have happened if you weren’t there, but I hate that you’re in the hospital recovering from a serious surgery because of it,” Mike said solemnly.

I lifted his hand and kissed his fingers. “I would do anything for you, including taking a bullet,” I admitted, and I saw tears welling in Michael’s eyes.

“It sure as fuck better not get to that point,” he said sternly. “I’ll quit performing before I put you in a situation where bullets are flying. ”

“No need to quit, baby. This is why we endlessly train—to be prepared for any kind of situational threat. When shit like a knife being flashed happens, our training kicks in and we no longer think, we simply act instinctively.”

“You make it sound easy and I know it isn’t,” he said. “I see how hard you work and what you put on the line every time. I think some of your skills come from training and instincts but I also believe you just have an innate ability inside that makes you overly alert in situations.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Fizzbo said as he entered the room. He crossed the room to stand on the opposite side of the bed from Michael. “How are you feeling?”

“I’ve been better but the doctor said I’ll make a full recovery,” I informed him.

“That’s good to hear,” he answered. “I’m relieved because I want you back on the team.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Mike hit the nail on the head when he was telling you how skilled you are in the field,” Fizzbo stated. “He’s right about everything he said. You are a huge asset to our team and I want you back with Mike as soon as you’re cleared from your physical therapy—that is, if you’re still interested.”

“I, um…” I stammered.

“I don’t need a decision from you today,” Fizzbo said. “Your job at the moment is to rest and recover. That’s it. We can revisit this offer in a few weeks’ time and see how you feel then. ”

“My reason for being reassigned is still going to be there,” I reminded him.

“But your reaction to the threat at the venue tells me a different story, Griffin,” Fizzbo countered. “You were the only guard who saw the threat, plain as day, but the rest of us—including me—missed something that in hindsight was as obvious as a flashing neon light. You jumped into action without a second of hesitation. That’s the kind of guard I want protecting our principals.”

“He’s just like his name implies, a mythical creature with the body and tail of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle,” Michael added. “Griffins are also fiercely loyal and protective.”

“Sounds spot on to me,” Fizzbo said. “Well, I’m gonna let you rest and I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

“Thanks, Fizzbo,” Michael said.

“Thanks for stopping by,” I said.

Fizzbo gave us a smile and an up nod before he left the room.

Michael’s gaze swung back to me. “I’m glad he admitted you were the only one to see that guy with the knife,” he said, as he tried to stretch out on the bed beside me.

I shifted over on the narrow mattress as much as I could but we were both good-sized guys trying to lay in a bed far too small for us. He set his head on my good shoulder. “I love you so fucking much, Griffin,” he confessed. “I’ve been miserable without you. There’s no way I’m going to let you walk away again.”

“That’s good because I want to be with you for as long as you’ll have me,” I said.

“That’ll be a long-ass time,” Michael said .

“Promise?” I asked.

He lifted himself high enough to bring his face level with mine, then he brushed our lips together. “I promise, Griff. I don’t care that you’re a jealous fool. I’ll figure out ways to reassure you every day instead. And if you find yourself not able to trust that I’ll make good decisions, then we’ll talk it through until you feel confident it’s you I want to be with. You don’t get to make big decisions that involve both of us anymore. We’re either fully in this or we both decide right now to walk away.”

“I’m not walking away, Michael. I love you too much. I won’t risk losing you over something stupid like me being a jealous jackass.”

“I’m glad you can at least see it,” he teased and rolled his eyes.

“I knew the moment you ran down the hall to get away from me that I’d monumentally fucked things up. I wanted so badly to call you over the last month. I am so sorry for everything that happened and I feel horrible that my behavior put you into a tailspin. As much as I wanted to talk to you, it also felt like we both needed time to figure out exactly what we wanted. But I couldn’t keep waiting and decided to man-up and go to the Rocktoberfest show in the hopes we could talk it all through after I watched the show.”

“I’m sober now,” he said in a soft voice.

“I heard,” I said. “How do you feel about that?”

“Clear minded for the first time in maybe fifteen years,” Mike said and made a scoffing sound. “It just made sense to stop. The booze wasn’t helping my mood and I didn’t want to get so bad that it fucked up the band. I attend meetings now when I can and I feel a lot better, mentally and physically, without the alcohol.”

“I’m so proud of you for doing that,” I said. “I know it isn’t easy but I’m happy you’re back on track. And personally, you look hot as hell with the added muscle.”

“You like?” Mike teased me.

“I fucking lovvveee.”

Mike chuckled and then grew serious again. “For the most part, I’m back on track,” he said. “But I need you in my life. I don’t like the person I am without you. You make me feel whole, like I’m brimming with happiness and everyone loves me. Without you, I’m a fucking mess—a moody asshole prick to everyone around me.”

“So, what you’re saying is Fletcher and the guys really want you to take me back?” I asked.

“Hell yes, they do! But it feels like the other way around, that it’s you who is making the decision to take me back. Face it, Griff. We both made mistakes at The Asylum and even before that night we were fucking up. We’re equally to blame for this thing between us falling apart. I guess the real decision here is whether we want to do the work to try and rebuild it or not.”

“I’m all about saving this,” I said. “That’s my vote.”

Michael’s grin slowly grew until his entire face was soft with affection—even his eyes seemed to be smiling. “That’s what I want, too.”

“Then it looks like we both want the same thing,” I declared. “I know there’ll be challenges, like the recovery for my arm, our jobs, schedules, and so on, but I’m more than willing to do the work involved to take this way into the future.”

“Are you sure you love me enough for that?” Michael teased me.

“I took a rather serious knife wound for you! If that doesn’t scream love then I don’t know what does,” I admonished.

“Meh, that’s just a little cut, not much worse than a paper cut or maybe something from a pocket knife,” Mike said.

“Come here,” I instructed and waited for him to bring his face closer to mine. When he was within my reach, I curled my fingers around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. But at the last second I bit his bottom lip and tugged it away from his teeth. “My biceps muscle was almost completely severed. I think that’s a bit worse than a paper cut.”

“All right! You win,” he said as he tried to put more space between us but I wouldn’t let him move away.

“What do I win, rockstar?” I asked.

“Your prize is me . Think you can handle it?”

“I’ll die trying because that’s what you do when you truly and deeply love someone,” I said proudly.

“I love you, too, baby,” he whispered to me. “And I know it won’t always be easy, but I really am ready to have a relationship with you. I want everything and I want it with you.”

This time when our lips met, Michael licked across the seam until I parted them and then he dove inside my mouth for a searing kiss. It was so beautifully erotic that my cock began to tent the thin hospital sheet covering my legs up to my waist .

“I know the doctor said no physical activity for a while but maybe after I’m home you could straddle my lap and ride me,” I suggested. “It feels like it’s been years since I was inside you.”

“I’ve already been thinking of the many wicked things I could do to you without causing any exertion on your part,” Mike said, “and I have several really good ideas for us to try.”

“Mmm, I love the way your filthy brain works,” I replied with a devilish grin.

“You’re definitely going to love the things I have planned,” he promised. “I’m willing to bet you’re going to want to do some of them more than once.”

I was painfully hard now and had a serious circus tent situation going on under the bedding. “Baby, we’re gonna to have to change the subject before someone walks in and thinks I’m having a swelling reaction from the pain meds.”

Mike burst out laughing and adjusted himself in the front of his jeans to be more comfortable. “I have a feeling you and I are going to be in a near constant state of arousal from here on out.”

“Challenge accepted,” I said.