Page 82 of Ring Rust

The rest of Ryan’s day took shape inside his mind—some simple, harmless fun that just might get Jasper to stay the whole day.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Oh, thank God you’re here,”Ryan said, flat on his back in Beni’s garden. He reached his good arm up for Jasper, who hadn’t replied to Ryan’s text, but still showed up. It filled him with all sorts of effervescent happiness thinking maybe Jasper was so worried, he dropped everything to rush over.

“Ryan,” Jasper said, breathing unsteadily. “God, are you okay? Retirement was supposed to mean fewer injuries, not more.”

“I’m not hurt, possum. I’m just stuck.”

Jasper stroked Ryan’s cheek and gave him a sweet smile. “Okay. Let’s get you to your feet then.”

Ryan reached out again and bent his knees, planting his feet against the ground. Jasper pulled him into a sitting position but was tugging too gently to lift Ryan from the ground.

“Why on earth were you trying to garden in your c—ugh!—condition? And in the middle of winter?” Jasper asked, grunting with every tug on Ryan’s good arm.

“I wasn’t,” Ryan said. “I was just coming to admire the work Beni has done, and I tripped. I was trying to sit on the bench.”

“This isn’t working.” Jasper crouched down and wrapped his hands around Ryan’s waist. “Stand up on the count of three. Your legs work, right?”

“Yes, my legs work. You try standing up when you can’t move your upper body!”

“If I had a broken clavicle I wouldn’t be hanging out in the garden.”

“You don’t know that. You’ve never broken your clavicle.”

“Would you just stand up?” Jasper said. “Ready? This time, push with your legs. One… two…”

On three, Jasper stood up and dragged Ryan along with him. The press of Jasper’s body felt so heavenly, Ryan faked a weak knee to get a few extra seconds of being hugged. Jasper was hugging him.On purpose.

“Okay. You’re on your feet,” Jasper said.

“I am,” Ryan said, still leaning into him.

“And… up you go,” Jasper said, peeling his body away and pushing Ryan’s good shoulder to make him stand upright. He looked up and down Ryan’s body and shook his head. “You are filthy.”

Ryan shrugged. “I’ve been on the ground.”

Jasper snorted, then brushed some dirt off Ryan’s clothes. “How do you shower with that thing?”

“So far, it’s been sponge baths I give myself, but I got a shower sling today, so now I can stand under flowing water. Not that it’ll help with scrubbing certain areas, but small wins.”

Jasper raised one eyebrow at him.

“I meant my left armpit, sicko.” Ryan smirked at him and lowered his voice. “But other pits, too, if you’re interested in help?—”

“Okay. Let’s get you inside.” Jasper looped his arm around Ryan’s good elbow and led him towards the house. “You go shower, and I’ll try to find something for lunch.”

“You’re staying?”

“I just got here. Of course I’m staying.”

Jasper kept his arm wrapped around Ryan’s, tight but not too tight, and guided him up the steps to the back door. Ryan leaned into him more than he really needed to, savoring the warmth and familiar weight of Jasper’s body. He wondered how much Jasper saw through his behavior but ignored any words of caution fluttering through his mind, too happy and relaxed to care.

Jasper thrust his hand out to stop Ryan from bumping his shoulder against the door frame. “Easy, Mr. Winter Gardener.”

“I’m trying. Just, you know, a little dizzy.”

“I bet. It’s hard work sitting in the cold, isn’t it?”