Five weeks had passed since the "accident". His ankle was healing nicely and they were hoping that the cast could come off at his next appointment in a week. Chance had told him that even though the cast may be taken off, he would probably have to wear an ankle brace until his ankle is stronger.

Adam was bored and Tim was suffering from what people called 'cabin fever'.

Adam tried to convince his husband to go with Austin and Bob gator hunting but Tim was afraid that Adam would need help with something that Olena and Sami would not be able to help him with.

But truthfully? Adam was bathing in all the attention that his lover was showing him. Austin argued that Tim was spoiling him and he was probably correct. 

Adam sits on the front porch, sipping a glass of sweet tea, as he watches Tim do a little yard work.

Austin was out somewhere checking the gator traps with Bob. Olena and Sami had gone to the grocery store to get groceries.

Tim was doing anything he could find to do to keep busy. Whether it was pulling weeds around the house or filling in the potholes in the graveled driveway.

Adam reaches for his crutches and stands up, catching his husband's eye.

"Where're you going?" The brunette asks, looking up from his work.

"To pee. This tea is running straight through." Adam says as he heads for the screen door. "And, no, I don't need any help." He adds with a laugh.

"You sure? I can hold your dick for you." Tim says with a smirk.

"It's my ankle that's broken, Sweetie, not my hands." Adam chuckles as he goes inside.

As he's leaving the bathroom, the phone begins to ring. Adam figured it was Hattie, Kelsey, or Jenika calling again to check up on him.

"Hello?" Adam answers.

"Hey, Bro. I'm glad you finally answered instead of that dickhead Austin." Chris laughs. "Are you not allowed to answer the phone?"

"What the hell do you want?" Adam says with a roll of his eyes.

"Can't I call to check up on you? After all, you are my brother." Chris answers.

"Huh, that's a laugh. State your business." Adam says in a stern voice.

"So, how are you doing?" Chris asks.

"I'm doing great now that I'm home with my husband. Thanks for calling. Bye." Adam says as he starts to hang up.

"No! Wait! Adam, we need to talk." Chris says.

"I truly don't think we have anything to talk about, Chris." Adam replies.

"Don't let that son of a b*tch come between us, Adam. We were doing fine until we met that slimebag that crawled out of that mud hole swamp." Chris pleads.

"Seriously? I really can't believe you are blaming your stupidity on Tim." Adam argues. "YOU are to blame for all of this. Not Tim. Not Jenika. Just you."

"That's not how I see it." Chris says.

"No, of course not. You are completely innocent." Adam growls. "That's BULLS*T!!! I am done talking and don't EVER call again you ASSHOLE!!"

Adam slams down the receiver not hearing Chris's final comment. He turns around to see Tim standing in the doorway.

"I'm so sorry." Tim says softly.

"Babe, you have absolutely nothing to be sorry for." Adam smiles as he walks over to his husband and slides his arms around his waist, kissing him tenderly on the lips.

"Maybe. But it doesn't make me feel any better." Tim says with a sigh.

"Listen, we've been cooped up in this house for weeks. Let's go do something." Adam says as they slowly sway back and forth.

"Okay? Like what?" Tim says with a smile.

"Maybe go to Hattie's and grab a bite to eat and then go shopping." Adam grins. "I'm buying."

"Shopping?" Tim's smile fades.

"Uh huh, shopping. If you remember correctly, a lot of my clothes are being held hostage in Mankato." Adam says with a fake smile.

"Okay, but just don't make it too torturous for me, alright? You know I'm not a huge fan of shopping." Tim smiles as he brushes a strand of Adam's hair back behind his ear. "But I need to go shower first."

"God, I love you." Adam grins and kisses his lover on the cheek. "I promise not to torture you too badly."

~~

"Oh, my goodness!" Hattie smiles as the couple walks into the restaurant. "It's so good to see you both out and about."

"I was going stir crazy sitting around the house." Adam smiles as Hattie gives them both a hug.

"So how are you feeling, Sweetheart?" Hattie asks.

"I'm good. Hopefully, I'll get this thing off next week." Adam says as Tim pulls out a chair for him. "Tim has been taking really good care of me."

"Did you expect any different?" Hattie giggles as she goes to grab a couple of menus. "Do you boys need a beer?" She calls out from behind the counter.

"No, we've quit drinking. Sweet tea will be fine." Tim answers.

"Oh, my Lord. It's the end of the world." Hattie gasp with her hand on her chest.

"It's true. We have." Adam nods. "We had kind of a bad experience last time we got drunk. So we both vowed to quit drinking."

"Oh, no. What happened?" The old lady asks as she serves them their tea.

"That's the problem. We don't remember." Tim shrugs. "If we did it probably would have been one of the most unforgettable nights of my life."

"Okay?" She giggles as she notices the loving look the couple gives one another. "I'm going to bow out of this conversation. I don't think I want to know the details."

"Probably not." Tim chuckles as he looks down at the menu, his cheeks reddening.

"Order anything you want." Adam says. He knows Tim usually tries to go cheap because of being low in cash. But this time, he was buying. 

Tim really doesn't like Adam using his share of the money that his parents left him and Chris. He always says that they may need it for more important things.

Adam also had the insurance money from the wreck that they had had years ago. But he had been saving it for a car that he recently discovered they needed badly.

The couple had started refusing free meals from Hattie whenever they came in to eat. The boys were like her own sons but she respected their decision. Even though she would slip in free desserts, claiming it came with the meal.

"Aww, man." Adam groans as he leans back and rubs his full stomach. "Hattie, you outdid yourself."

"Would you guys like your dessert?" Hattie asks.

"I think I'll pass." Tim smiles. "I couldn't eat another bite."

"Me either." Adam says as he lays his head over on his husband's shoulder. "I'm ready for a nap."

"I thought that you were wanting to go shopping?" Tim asks as he places a kiss on top of his lover's head.

"We'll go some other time." Adam yawns.

Tim tries to keep from grinning. He was quite happy with Adam postponing the shopping trip.

"I don't even have to look at you to know that you're smiling." Adam chuckles as he digs his bank card from his wallet and hands it to Hattie.

"Who me? I'm not smiling." Tim says as he quickly turns his head to look out the window.

"Whatever." Adam laughs, laying his head back on Tim's shoulder.

"Adam? Honey? I seem to be having trouble with your card." Hattie says as she walks back to the table.

"What do you mean?" Adam asks.

"It keeps saying 'denied'. I've tried several times." Hattie replies.

"You sure it's not the machine?" Tim asks.

"Positive. Jenika just came in to order lunch for the clinic and she used her card. It worked fine." Hattie answers.

"It shouldn't be denied. That's the joint account that Chris and I have from our parents' inheritance." Adam says, shaking his head in disbelief of what he was hearing.

Realization hit the couple at the same time. They slowly turn their heads to look at one another.

"Do you think...." Tim says, hopeful that Adam was thinking the same thing.

"Oh, Hell, no!" Adam growls. His eyes flashing anger.

Yep. He was thinking the same thing. 

CHRIS!!

******

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