Chapter 14

Nate stood there, switching between his left and right leg, and Zeke realized he’d been staring, big time. “Uh, sorry.” And he saw how Nate gazed at him and then the car keys in his hands. “Nate, it’s…I need to go out for a while. Sorry I never thought you’d have to eat much softer food. Perhaps I can find something, mashed potato or chicken soup.”

The stare Nate gave him next could only mean horror. “What? Is there something wrong?” Jesus. If only Nate would just tell him how he felt. “You’ll be okay. I’ll make sure no one can get to you.” Just different words that he would lock Nate in. But of course, he wouldn’t say that. “You can sleep here while I go. You need a lot of rest.”

Nate shook his head hard, saying how he didn’t agree with the arrangement in not so many words. Zeke frowned. “You don’t want…what? Sleep?”

He shook his head, and then nodded.

“Huh? You want to sleep?”

Nate nodded several times.

“So, what’s the problem?”