Not Falling Apart

Chapter 16

Adam’s POV

Sunday passed by; Blake had come over for a little while. Now he was back in the hospital for another week. The fatigue and nausea set in again. It had almost gotten to the point where he was used to it, like he shouldn’t feel it, but he still did, just not in the same way. It took its toll on him, but he was stronger. He had the usual visitors drop by; Blake visited everyday day. The shared fun times on the weekends. Blake hadn’t said anything further about the situation with Miranda. Adam couldn’t tell if that was a good thing, or a bad thing, but he didn’t ask.

Finally, his last week in the hospital was nearly over. It was Friday afternoon, and Blake would be by soon to pick him up. He couldn’t wait to get out.

Dr. Barnes came into his room one last time.

“Looks like you’re good to go. Everything went well, and there’s no sign of anymore cancer. However, I do want to warn you that stomach problems in the future cannot be ruled out.”

“What kind of problems?”

“Mild bouts of nausea, stomach pain, indigestion. Probably what you’ve been feeling, but on a lesser scale. Don’t let this concern you. If, however, you begin noticing severe symptoms, let us know.”

Adam nodded. Not what he wanted to hear, but there was no way around it. At least if he ever felt bad again, he knew he’d have Blake there to comfort him.

“I’m glad everything turned out alright. You’re a fighter.” He winked at Adam.

Adam stood up and gave his doctor a hug. He had always been so helpful, not just this time, but all the other times in past years when Adam had needed him. This long journey of pain and sickness was coming to an end. He owed the man his life.

“Thank you.” Adam said. Dr. Barnes smiled.

A few seconds later, Blake stuck his head in the doorway. “I hope I’m not interrupting something.”

“No, you’re fine, and Adam’s all ready to go.” He patted Adam’s shoulder and headed for the door. On his way out he whispered to Blake, “He’s very lucky to have a friend like you.”

Once they were alone, Adam said, “I think what he meant to say was, you’re very lucky to have a friend like me.” He smiled. “You know I’m the cool one.”

“In yer dreams.”

Adam gathered his stuff and followed Blake out of the room. As they exited the building, Adam thought that Dr. Barnes was right—he sure was lucky to have Blake.

***

It was next Sunday afternoon, and Blake was at Adam’s house. They were trying to make the most of their alone time together, because yesterday Carson had called to tell them that they would resume the blind auditions on Monday.

“Hey, let’s go for a drive,” Adam said.

“You have anywhere in mind?”

“Nah, I just wanna drive again. It’s been a while.” It had been a long time since he’d driven. Blake was the one taking him back and forth from the hospital, picking him up, dropping him off.

“Ok, let’s go.”

They grabbed their stuff and headed outside.

“You need a truck,” Blake remarked as he climbed in Adam’s car.

“And why is that?”

“I dunno, I just think you’d look good in it. We could get ya some boots and a cowboy hat. Then you’d be really sexy.” Blake smirked.

“How else can I make myself really sexy for you?”

“Take off that shirt.”

Adam unbuttoned his shirt and threw it into the back seat. “Better?”

“Better.”

They both smiled and leaned in and kissed.

Adam started the car and drove away. Adam knew Blake would have preferred back roads, but he decided to stick with some of the major highways, where he could drive fast and feel the rush of the city.

Once they got on the interstate, Adam rolled down his window, turned on the radio, and blasted the volume. He changed the stations until he came across one of his own.

“Aww, I don’t want to listen to this crap,” Blake joked.

“Sure you do.” He turned it up louder and began singing the lyrics to Maps at the top of his lungs.

Blake began singing the parts he knew. They were both engaged in the song when Adam heard a cop car behind him.

“Shit. What’d I do?!” He glanced in the rearview mirror and pulled over.

“Yer drivin’ like a hundred miles an hour!”

“It’ll be a chick. I’ll get us out of this.” He ran his hands through his wind-blown hair and put his sunglasses on.

The officer got out of the car. Adam heard Blake laughing softly.

“What’s so damn funny?”

“It’s not a girl.”

Adam turned to see a male officer walking their way.

“Sir, do you know how fast you were driving?” the officer asked, peering through Adam’s window.

“Um, I…” he trailed off, distracted by his appearance and by Blake trying unsuccessfully to keep from laughing.

“Eighty-five. The speed limit here is seventy. Can I see your driver’s license please?”

Adam removed it from his wallet and handed it to the man. He wrote some things down.

“Officer, I never speed. I was just in a hurry today. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” Adam said, trying to sound innocent.

Blake was laughing harder now. The officer addressed him. “Excuse me sir, is there a problem?”

He tried to pull himself together. “No, no, everything’s fine.”

“Well then, I’ll let you off this time, but if I catch you again, you won’t get off lightly.”

“Thank you officer.”

The policeman nodded his head once and went back to his car. Blake burst into laughter.

When he was out of earshot, Adam spoke. “What the fuck is so funny? You should be ashamed of yourself, Shelton.”

“Me? You’re the one who’s half naked for a dude! You never speed, my ass!”

“Well, thanks to me we’re out of a ticket.”

“Maybe he’s gay too.” Blake snorted. Adam narrowed his eyes at him and shook his head.