FAMILY BOND

Chapter 21

"You feeling better?" Avi asks as he walks into Tim and Adam's bedroom.

Tim was standing at the window looking out at the snow-covered property.

"Yeah. You?" Tim asks glances over his shoulder at his longtime friend.

"Yeah, a lot better." Avi answers before looking around the room. "Where's Adam?"

"Taking a shower." Tim answers before turning his attention back to the scenery outside. "Tell me something, Avi."

"If I can." Avi replies as he walks up beside the hitman to look out the window.

"Why in the hell would someone born and raised in Texas not far from the gulf end up buying a mountain lodge with asshole deep snow?" Tim asks as he stares out the window in a hypnotic state.

"It's not always like this, Timbo." Avi laughs. "But you have to admit it's beautiful. The snow in the pines and around the lake."

"Yeah, I guess. It's just too d*mn cold though." Tim says with a heavy sigh.

"Oh, hey, Avi." Adam says as he comes out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. 

"Hi, Blondie. How ya feeling?" Avi asks, turning away from the window.

"Better. Still a little weak though." Adam answers as he grabs a pair of boxers from the dresser.

"Same. But we've been living off chicken noodle soup for the past couple of days. Nothing that a good few meals won't take care of." Avi smiles as he walks toward the door. "Speaking of which, I think I smell bacon."

"You okay?" Adam asks as he walks up behind his husband and gently begins to massage his shoulder.

"Yeah, it's just this weather is a bit depressing." Tim answers as he closes his eyes. Adam's massages always relaxed him and ease the pain in his shoulder. "You know, I've been thinking."

"About what?" Adam asks, leaving soft kisses on his husband's shoulder.

"Maybe Nate would know of someone who would take a look at my shoulder and wouldn't ask any questions." Tim says. "I mean, the pot eases the pain but I don't want to get dependent on it like I did the pills."

"True. Maybe he does know someone. There's gotta be a reason why it's still hurting you so bad." Adam says as he moves to stand beside the brunette. "Kevin wasn't a qualified doctor. Yeah, he was able to remove the bullet but that's all he did. He didn't look for any other type of damage."

"I'll talk to Nate about it." Tim nods. "But right now, I need a shower and food."

~~

For the first time in several days, the whole gang was able to gather at the table and eat breakfast.

One by one they had begun to get over their sickness with Tim, Adam, Avi, and Austin being the last to recover. Nate refused to rest until everyone was feeling well enough to leave their rooms. With the final four joining them for breakfast meant that he would finally get some well-deserved rest. 

After breakfast, Nate retired to his and Chris's room while the others cleaned up the kitchen.

Afterward, Tim excused himself and headed to his office to get caught up on phone calls, paying bills and other business. He had several missed calls from Rob that sounded urgent.

The others were trying to find things to do. They had been laid up for a few days and was going stir crazy. Eddie, Avi, Chance, and Adam made their way to the game room. Chris and Austin headed to the exercise room. Esther and Kirstie decided to go swimming in the inside pool.