*****PG13*****
As he listened to the running water in the shower, Dave took out his phone. His conversation with Waylon had startled him in more than one way. He had mentioned Luke’s name in his sleep! He didn’t even want to think about the consequences if Waylon felt a sudden need to share that piece of information with Luke! He needed to take precautionary measures. He needed to talk to Luke.
For a few seconds he was speechless, then he coughed.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t expect a female voice,” he said truthfully and the woman laughed.
“I understand completely. This is Mrs. Graves. The housekeeper.”
Why was the housekeeper answering Luke’s phone? Before Dave could ask, she already answered.
“Luke and the doctor left their phones with me…they’re not able to come to the phone.”
Dave frowned. Immediately he felt worried.
“Is everything okay?”
Again the woman laughed. “More than okay. Can I leave a message?”
Dave realized he hadn’t even introduced himself, so he did. “So there’s no way I can speak to him?”
“Not now, I’m afraid. They don’t want to be disturbed. I have very strict orders.”
Suddenly Dave understood and he felt himself blush. So Luke was having some time alone with his partner. It didn’t come as a surprise. He knew Luke and Reid had a solid thing going on. And he was happy for Luke. He honestly was. He just wished…
He told Mrs. Graves he would talk to Luke tomorrow and then disconnected. He stayed seated, staring at his phone. Yeah, he wished his marriage had been that strong. They’d started out so good. So in love. He had to admit, Waylon had been right about a lot of things. He had been blaming Waylon too, but he’d never voiced it. He had been equally destructive to this relationship. He never even thought about planning days together. He just somehow assumed they would make it and when all the love seemingly shifted into resentment, he hadn’t make any effort to fix it.
Again he listened to the falling water. Waylon was sure taking his time. Washing off…what? Him? The marriage? He pictured Waylon’s naked body and was surprised by the physical reaction. Where was that coming from?
Then he made a decision. He didn’t want to think it through. He needed to vent too and he didn’t feel like picking up a stranger. He was taking a risk, he realized that. Waylon could turn him down.
Dave shrugged, as he made his way to the bathroom. Waylon had declared their marriage to be over and a large part of him agreed. But some little corner of his heart felt remorse. For the things unsaid. For the things not done. For the love not given. And that little sparkle made him undress and step into the shower.
Waylon was leaning with his head against the wall. Was he crying? He didn’t make a sound, but his whole being shouted ‘I’m hurt!’. His muscles stiffened when Dave put his arms around Waylon from behind, but then he relaxed again.
“Why are you here, Dave?”
The question was valid, the tone was soft.
“I don’t know.”
The answer was honest, the whisper vulnerable.
“You still feel so damn good,” Waylon growled and it made Dave more confident.
“So do you.”
“You need to vent?”
Dave just leaned against Waylon’s back for a moment. Was he ready to go there? Was he ready to do this? He did have one huge concern.
“Were you safe?”
This question made Waylon turn, so he could look Dave in the eye.
“It was only this one time and yes, of course I was safe.” He decided not to mention the fact that the guy had been the one with the condoms, not him.
“Then yes, I need to vent.”
Waylon surprised them both by tilting Dave’s face and pressing his lips softly on Dave’s.
“I’m all yours.”
It made Dave shiver. How could he suddenly feel so close to this man? This guy who hurt him. Belittled him. Had treated him with contempt. But for some reason he felt safe, right now. Was it the realization that he had hurt Waylon too? Belittled him too? Treated him with contempt too?
He carefully touched Waylon’s lips and then replaced his finger with his lips. He moaned. This felt so good. Waylon was moaning too. It had been so long, Dave felt like his was exploring new territory. And maybe it was. With everything that had happened. Everything that he now knew. It felt new.
“God, I’ve missed you so much,” Waylon whispered, without showing any intention of taking the lead. He just collected what Dave was willing to contribute. For the first time in months he remembered why he married this man. Why he’d felt so connected with this human being.
Dave felt something softening in his heart and it scared him, so he turned Waylon around, pressing himself against his back again.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“I am,” Waylon sounded hoarse, “but please take it slow. It’s been a long time.”
“He didn’t…”
“Of course not,” Waylon interrupted. He didn’t want to think about that Nigel or whatever his name was, let alone talk about him. “That’s yours, Dave. Only yours.”
That was all Dave needed to hear.
***
“Look who decided to come to the surface again,” Mrs. Graves smiled, as she waved her wooden spoon in Reid’s direction to keep him away from the stove.
Luke laughed, giving her a spontaneous kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you so much for holding the fort, Mrs. Graves.”
“It was my pleasure,” the woman blushed a little.
“Mine too,” Reid grinned and quickly turned away before Luke could slap him.
“You both look very relaxed and happy,” she smiled, “and that makes me happy.”
“You’re a gem,” Luke said, pouring himself some coffee. “No news?”
“Not much. Gaia has been her usual sweet self, the pups are fine….Oh, someone did call for you.” She pointed at a small note on the counter. “The contractor. Dave something.”
As Reid rolled his eyes, accepting a mug of coffee from Luke, the blond focused on his housekeeper.
“Did he leave any message?”
“Not really. He said he would talk to you tomorrow.”
“Hmm, wonder what that’s about,” Luke muttered and Reid grinned.
“Maybe he just wanted to hear your voice,” Reid teased.
“Our contractor has a crush on Luke,” he explained to Mrs. Graves as he accepted the soft slap on his arm.
“Reid, don’t be stupid. He lost his son, yesterday.”
“Ah…that little boy that was killed? That’s his boy?” Mrs. Graves sat down too.
“Yeah. His husband let him out of his sight and for some reason the boy ran up the street and was hit by a car.”
“That’s so sad,” the housekeeper nodded. “He must be devastated. And his husband! The guilt! Can you ever move on with that guilt on your shoulders?”
