Wedding Ring - 4. Chapter 4

It was around 2:00 AM when Jacob dragged himself home. As he headed up the stairs of the apartment complex he saw the lights were on and shadows could be seen moving behind the curtains. He hovered behind the door for several minutes not sure what he could say to his sister. Finally deciding he would have to wing it like he had done everything else this long day, he put his key into the lock only to have the door jolted open.

"Where have you been? I tried to call you all afternoon." Tara berated her brother.

"Sorry, it was so loud in the ER I must not of heard my phone." Jacob tried to explain.

"Well I left you a message." Tara continued.

"Sorry sis but I've had a lot on my mind lately and didn't think to check." He said harsher then he intended.

"Sorry Jacob... I was just worried is all. I woke up not finding you home and when I called our parents they said you never went back to the church."

"Sorry Tara." Jacob apologized. "It's been a hard day." Jacob said as he flopped into an oversized chair

"I saw the accident on the news. They said over 30 people were hurt."

"That's not the worse of it." Jacob replied nervously.

"What is it then. What is bugging you so much?"

"Darren and Will were in the accident." Jacob said as gently as he could.

"No."

"You were asleep but we passed the accident on the way back here. I saw what turned out to be Will's jeep. It was completely smashed between two vehicles. As soon as I got you home I went out looking for them. I found Darren but Will was sent to another hospital."

"Are they alight? Why didn't you call me?"

"I had to take care of the other victims. There was no time for me to call. By the time I had a break, the fact that I needed to call anyone slipped my mind. All I wanted to do was make sure Darren was ok." Jacob said with the stress of the day showing in his voice.

"Is he alright?"

"Physically he's going to be ok. He might need a cane but the real problem is how he's going to cope emotionally. Will is in a coma."

"No."

"Yes. I told Darren tonight. I shouldn't of... it sent him into shock."

"It makes him breaking off the wedding seem pretty small... doesn't it."

"Yes. I think only Will's death or the death of his child would of shocked him more." Jacob agreed.

"Well I think there is only one thing we can do then." Tara said as if she had reached an important decision.

"What's that?"

"He'll have to move in with us."

"Tara... he just broke up with you... on your wedding day. How can you think of having him move in here?"

"The marriage was a mistake. I see that now but I still care for him and I know you feel the same way if not more so. What else is Darren going to do... go back to his apartment where everything he sees will remind him of Will. He doesn't need that right now. What he needs is our love and understanding. And no... I'm not doing this to try to win him back."

"Sis... you can be pretty amazing and you're right Darren should not go back to his place. But where are we going to put him?"

"In your room of course. You're the doctor so if he needs anything you'll be right there to help him."

"Tara.. do you really think that's a good idea knowing how I feel about him?"

"Hey... if I can let go of him for the sake of his and Will's love, so can you."

"Sure" Jacob gulped. Boy was his sister clever. This way she could appear kind but also get her revenge against her brother for being right about Darren. Darn it... she got the better of him again.

The next day Darren was awash with visitors. His parents came by; his father looked like he was holding back something he was angry about while his mother looked worried. Darren was sure it had to do with Will and the cancellation of the wedding. His fears seemed proven when his father announced they still planned on taking the next flight home now that he saw for himself his son wasn't going to die.

The next set of visitors were Tara and Jacob. Tara told Darren she forgave him and told him the plans she had made for him to move in with them. Darren tried to protest but Tara trumped his complaints by saying it was the only way he could make up for leaving her at the alter.

The last visitor was the hardest for Darren because it was Will's mother. She came in with a stern expression that immediately warned Darren that she blamed him for what happened to her son.

"What a mess you have made of things." She started in with a tired voice. "You just had to pick that exact moment to finally decided you loved my son after all the years my son wasted pining after you."

"I'm sorry..." Darren tried to apologize.

"Yes you're sorry." Will's mother agreed. "And I'm sorry my son ever met you. For years I watched my son treat you like a god and what has it gotten him? Only when you realized you would lose him in marrying that woman did you come to see how much he was a part of your life."

"What can I do to get your forgiveness?"

"You can't." she replied flatly. "But there is something you can do for me that would help fix what you did."

"What?"

"My son trusted you. He trusted you so much he gave you power of attorney, something he didn't give me."

"I didn't know... what would you have me do."

"I thought as much. Knowing Will, he didn't want to worry you about such details until it was necessary. The doctors want... the doctors want to cut off his feeding tube and let him die if he doesn't awake soon. I want your word that you will never let them do that... hear me."

"Yes... but what of his suffering?"

"Do you think he won't suffer as they starve him to death."

"But the possible brain damage..."

"That will be your problem. I also want your word that regardless of how my son comes out, you will always take care of him. You're his legal guardian now so I expect you to act the part." She said while shaking a finger at Darren.

"I will." Darren said solemnly.

"Well that's all I can ask for. You might have been blind to how my son felt about you but I never knew you for breaking your word. If you do these things I might one day forgive you but don't hold your breath." She said as she began heading out.

"I'll do my best."

"I know you will boy. I just hope it will be enough." She replied sadly before making the corner.

For the rest of his stay in the hospital the only constant visitors Darren had were Tara and Jacob. Tara, while friendly was more emotionally distant then she was before. This was understandable, as she was no longer seeking a romantic relationship with him. Jacob though... Darren's relationship with Jacob became closer. Whenever Jacob had a break he would stop by and see Darren. Even when Jacob didn't have the time, he would bring his paperwork with him and set up office in Darren's room. He would keep Darren entertained with memories of his childhood... they mostly focused on stunts his sister talked him into. Darren also would talk about his childhood up to high school when Will first entered his life. When those memories came up, Darren would become real quiet. Jacob would then have to take over. The more Jacob learned about Darren the more he felt himself falling in love. It made him nervous. The last thing Jacob thought Darren needed to know was that he had feelings for him.

"How you doing Darren." Jacob smiled as he made one of his regular visits.

"Bored out of my mind." Darren complained form his bed.

"Well I hope I can keep you entertained for a while."

"Thanks Jacob."

"Hey... no problem." Jacob waved it off.

"No Jacob I need to thank you. You've been real great about everything."

"That's what friends are for." Jacob blushed.

"Yes... I just wished I had a way of paying you back."

Jacob could think of a lot of ways Darren could pay him back but most of them would be inappropriate in a hospital setting. Instead he went over to Darren and gave him a hug. It was just at that time that the nurse came in with a plastic tub and a sponge.

"Time for your bath Mr. Garner." The nurse smiled. Those words gave Jacob a wonderful idea. He went up to the nurse, whispered in his ear to which the nurse smiled, handed his things off to Jacob and left the room.

"What was all that about." Darren asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I just told him that I'll be giving you your sponge bath."

"Really?" Darren asked in a cynical tone.

"Yes... you said you wanted a way to thank me well... this is it. You're going to let me give you a sponge bath."

"I'm going to let you?"

"YES, and you're going to like it!" Jacob insisted. This was his fantasy and he wasn't going to let Darren ruin it for him.

"All right, it's fine with me." Darren said still nervous. It was easy not to feel anything erotic with a complete stranger was washing you but Jacob was someone Darren knew... and recognized as a person who had feelings for him. What could be taken as an innocent touch, now took on deeper meaning.

Jacob seemed to feel the same thing. After helping Darren out of his robe he lowered him back down on the bed. He then wet one of the washcloths with warm water, folded it, and put it over Darren's eyes. The purpose of that was two fold. First he hoped it would relax Darren. Second, with Darren's eyes covered he couldn't see what Jacob was doing.

Jacob moved to the foot of the bed and pulled the sheets down revealing the body he had dreamed about touching. The skin was well tanned and only had a small amount of hair between his pecs and a small trail that led from his belly button into his white briefs. There were still a few dark bruises around his right ribs that made Jacob cringe when he saw them.

Jacob now went and turned off the lights before he undressed himself. He knew this was unprofessional but this might be his only chance he told himself. Once he was down to his boxers he went to the table and soaked the sponge in the water. He squeezed the water out moved toward Darren's face. Jacob washed the oil from Darren's skin, wetting it down so he could give him a shave.

In the process of the washing, Jacob rested his left arm on Darren's chest as his fingers played with the few hair that grew there. Darren took in a sharp breath but didn't move to uncover his eyes or to push away Jacob's arm. Jacob took that as acceptance and let his hand dig deeper into the muscles, massaging Darren's pecs. Jacob, now done with washing Darren's face and neck left to get the shaving cream and razor. As his arm left Darren's chest, Jacob felt Darren reach for it, Grabbing near the top and letting his finger run down to Jacob's hand.

"You're cloths are off." Darren whispered as Jacob returned with his things.

"Yes." Jacob replied as he shook the can of foam up.

"I first thought you just rolled up your sleeves."

"No." Jacob returned as he shot some foam into his hand.

"Why?" Darren asked.

"You can't guess?" Jacob said a little offended. He released a little of his frustration by putting a dab of foam on Darren's nose, causing him to sneeze. Jacob sighed and as soon as Darren had settled down he put the cloth back over Darren's eyes.

"You look nice." Darren said as Jacob began to spread the foam over his face.

"Thanks... so tell me."

"Tell you what?" Darren asked confused.

"Why do you think I'm standing here in my boxers giving you a shave when I should be busy doing paperwork." Jacob sighed. He was amazed in how dense sexually confused people could be.

"You like me..." Darren replied circumspectly.

"Darren... I think I've moved far past just liking you."

"Oh," was all Darren was able to reply.

"So how do you feel about me?" Jacob asked. He also chose that moment to make his first swipe with the razor.

Feeling very nervous now, Darren took a deep swallow before answering. "I...I... " Darren stuttered knowing it would be a death sentence if he just said the work "like". "I love you Jacob." Darren finally settled on.

Jacob responded by giving Darren a kiss on the forehead. "I always knew you did."

In the end that was the only word Jacob gave him the choice of. Darren was more the just fond of Jacob and his feelings were more then just caring. When he just went for his root feeling for Jacob he found that he loved the guy. Jacob was loving while irreverent and bashful but stubborn when he needed to be. Darren love for the guy only made his feelings for Will more complex. How could he be in love with two people at the same time? For Darren the thought was almost sinful. A man was supposed to be in love with one person and that was supposed to be it. A man was also supposed to only fall in love with women but he now found himself in love with two men, Darren hated when things got complex. It was what he liked about his relationship with Will, nice and simple. He took care of Will and in return Will took care of him. Darren might have deluded himself that both of their feelings went beyond just caring and he might be now paying the price for that delusion but if anything was going to change, he needed to be honest with himself.

Jacob finished giving Darren his shave and then he gave Darren a proper kiss to which Darren responded to with an exhale, opening his mouth for Jacob's tongue. Jacob made love to that mouth, taking in the taste inside. He then made his way down Darren's neck working on the adam's apple.

Darren fumbled around blindly until he found Jacob's head. He ran his fingers through Jacob's fine blond hair before he moved Jacob's head up to try to kiss him. His aim was off and he only got the corner of Jacob's lips. Jacob chuckled but got the message and gave Darren another mouth sucking kiss. Jacob then put a finger to Darren's mouth wanting him to wait. He then went to the middle of the bed and put his hungry mouth against the hard on pushed against Darren's white briefs before he pulled them down.

Seeing the mass of black hair Jacob sighed. He was used to a neat trimmed bush. So to move the hair, he soaked the sponge and used it to mat down the hair. Once that was done, Jacob eagerly put Darren' good-sized meat into his mouth, swirling his tongue as he went down to the root. He then removed his mouth and began licking like the dick was a long popsicle.

Darren for his part wanted to hold Jacob in his arms even though his weight would cause him a great deal of pain. He didn't like not being able to give as he was receiving pleasure; not that he wasn't enjoying himself. Oral sex was something new and Darren found he really enjoyed the idea that Jacob was making love to his body. He just wished he could take a more active role...darn it.

It did not take long for Darren to shoot his wad. He tried to warn Jacob but Jacob responded to the news with more eager sucking. Darren let out a deep groan as he felt himself pour into Jacob's mouth. Darren then thought Jacob would remove him mouth but Jacob kept on going, this time concentrating on the now sensitive head, triggering more moans from Darren.

When Jacob was finally sure he had given Darren enough of an education into man on man sex he went up to Darren and gave him one final lesson. He kisses Darren and let his cum covered tongue cover Darren's; letting Darren taste himself. Darren then removed the cloth from his eyes and looked at the grinning Jacob.

"I guess it's my turn." Darren said as he made a reach for Jacob's erect dick.

"Oh no you don't. You're in no condition to do what I want you to do."

"Well I think you need to get off." Darren said as he darted his eyes to Jacob's stretched boxers."

"I'll take care of it later... lets just say you own me one."

"Alright... if you're sure."

"I am but remember I'm going to keep you to you're promise. You own me and one day I'm going to collect."

"Sure thing.. any time you want." Darren relented.

"Good." Now that was out of the way, Jacob ended the conversation with a kiss before putting his cloths back on and leaving. He was going to keep Darren to his promise... he felt he needed to. By the time Darren was released to Tara and his care, Jacob planned to have Darren deep in sex debt. He knew he was using Darren in that way but he felt he had to. He just couldn't tell Darren the truth about Will.

Tara could see that Jacob had been sexually active. He always had the same shit face grin after he had gotten someone off. The only question for her was with whom. As far as she was aware Jacob had not been seeing anyone and she knew her brother didn't get involved in one night stands very often. Jacob tended to avoid those type a situations, partly because his sister would nag him about it for days but mostly because Jacob learned he sometimes took a relationship to be more then the other party felt it was. This mistake had led to heartache several times in Jacob life. Tara just hoped that this was not another of those situations.

"Sooooo Jacob... whom did you sleep with?" She said, going right to the issue on her mind.

"I don't know what you are talking about." Jacob said, trying to look innocent.

"Jacob... I can always tell when you're lying. You've been with someone and I want to know who he is."

"Its no one... I swear."

"Good, then you won't mind going on a blind date tomorrow." Tara said, using her secret weapon. One thing her brother was picky about was bedding only one person at a time. If Jacob was seeing someone, the last thing he would want to do is go on another of his sister's blind dates.

"Sis, its been a long day and tomorrow is going to be just as good....err bad. I have no time to go on a date." Jacob replied as he got himself a glass of water.

"Alright." Tara accepted taking his small slip as a victory. "So, did you tell Darren about Will?"

"gurgle." Jacob replied as he tried to cover his answer with a sip.

"What was that?" Tara said as she moved in closer, looking up at her taller brother with a menacing look.

"Yes." Jacob squeaked.

"You didn't tell him." Tara said flatly.

"Sis... I just couldn't. Darren has a lot on his mind. He doesn't need to know right now about Will."

"Jacob, he has every right to know!" She shouted at him, causing Jacob to take a few steps back. "Darren loves Will more then anyone on Earth, he has every right to know that Will is now awake."

"But awake to what sis!" Jacob threw back. "He can't talk. He can't control his muscles. Good grief... they have him in a diaper. How would you feel if I was in the same situation alive but basically a vegetable, being alive but not really."

"He needs to know." Tara insisted.

"I know sis. I wish I could just tell him that Will was dead but not even I could live with such a lie. I'm scared sis. I've gotten to know Darren a lot over the past few months and I fear that Darren would waste his life taking care of Will... a man who might never be able to respond to such love."

"You want Darren to love you." Tara suddenly realized.

"Yes sis, I'm a selfish prick who want Darrenfor myself!" Jacob yelled. It was not what his sister thought but it was the guilty feelings Jacob was feeling in trying to seduce Darren. Jacob tired to justify what he was doing as an attempt to give Darren some one to love who could return it. He also knew that by not telling Darren the truth he was trying to take away Darren's choice... to love him or to love a crippled Will. "I'm going." Jacob finally said.

"Where?" Tara asked with concern.

"Back to the hospital. I need to tell Darren the truth."

"Alright. Want me to stay up so we can talk later?"

"No sis, I think I'm going to be too tired to talk by the time I come back."

"Ok, I'm sorry Jacob."

"No, it's my own fault. I guess I became too attached." Jacob sighed as he left the apartment.

One thing about being in bed for a long time, one's sleeping pattern tends to get messed up. It was 11:30 PM and Darren wanted to be asleep but with his legs in casts, he couldn't find a comfortable position. It was while he was watching his seventh loop of CNN Headline News that Jacob came in.

"Hey Jacob." Darren called out in seeing Jacob.

"Hi Darren." Jacob replied glumly.

"What's wrong." Darren said as he used the remote to turn the TV off.

"I've been lying to you is what's wrong."

"What about. If it's that you've been trying to hide liking me you failed miserably."

Jacob smiled on hearing that but he had to continue. "It's about Will."

"Oh." Darren said, not sure how to take it. "Is Will ok."

"He's awake. He's been awake for three days."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Darren asked concerned.

"Oh why is he not yelling at me? It would make me feel so much better" Jacob thought to himself. "I was afraid." Jacob finally told Darren.

"Afraid of what?"

"Afraid of what you might do."

"And what is that?"

"Darren... Will is awake but he suffered server brain damage. He has no muscle control and so far he can't speak. Darren I know you love Will. I was afraid that you would blame yourself for what happened and not let yourself love anyone else. I was afraid you would cripple yourself by taking care of Will."

It was then that Darren said a solemn truth, a truth that Jacob had buried deep within himself and never let anyone see. "Like between you and your sister." Darren replied

Jacob broke down and began crying. No one had ever noticed. In his relationship between him and Tara, Jacob had let others and his sister see him as the weaker person. By acting weak he had given his sister a purpose in life. By acting weak, he let his sister work out her guilt. In truth Jacob was stronger then he appeared but that truth he kept as a secret. He felt his sister needed him to be needy so he acted the part. He had not fooled Darren though which meant that Darren knew him better then any other person alive.

"Jacob... I'll never tell your sister that you don't need her as much as you pretend to."

"Thanks." Jacob sniffled.

"Want me to give you a hug?"

"Yes please." Jacob said as he walked up to Darren a let him but his arms around him.

"It's going to be alright... but you know no matter what condition Will is in I am going to take care of him."

"I know."

"But that does not mean I won't need some help."

"Really."

"Jacob. As soon as you told me about Will's injuries I knew that if Will ever woke up he would not be the same person. It's been hard but all I've had for the past couple of weeks is time to think about what I'm going to do with Will. I'm going to take care of him... Do you understand?"

Jacob nodded his head. He understood. He and Darren could have a relationship but it would have to be understood that Will would have to be part of any life they made with each other. "So where does that put us?"

"Well since it seemed that every time I went on a date with your sister you came along I think we're past the initial dating phase."

"Good, cause I would hate to have my sister come along with us now that I'm the one that has you."

"So I think we can look into you becoming my roommate and see how things move from there."

"Take Will's old room?"

"Yes. Its either that or move out. I don't think I could stand having an empty room."

"Well I was hoping to share your bed." Jacob said a little disappointed.

"One day we might but I want to take things slow."

"All right... just as long as you fuck me every now and then I'll be a happy camper."

"If I do that it will be loving you not fucking." Darren corrected.

"Even better. Wish I could slip into bed with you right now." Jacob frowned as he looked at the small bed. "Remember when I told you not to make any promises you couldn't keep."

"Yep." Darren nodded.

"Well I hope you can keep this one cause I fell in love with you that first night we met." Jacob confessed.

"It took a little longer with me... but I got there eventually."

"You know what I think... I think you fell in love with me that first night also. That's why you kissed me then." Jacob said with a knowing smile.

"Ok... you caught me." Darren confessed. "But I would not have called it love... I just found you adorable."

"And now." Jacob said as he climbed on top, causing Darren to grunt in pain.

"I find you infectious."

"Hey... you make me sound like a disease."

"Well if it's love you are." Darren explained

"Then I don't mind." Jacob forgave as he nuzzled against Darren. "But I would like a more romantic term."

"You are my friend." Darren said as he kissed the side of Jacob's face.

"Like Will." Jacob asked, knowing the friendship they had.

"Yes..." Darren wanted to say more but Jacob took that moment to kiss Darren on the lips, not wanting to let this man go.