“Maybe later. Books would be great for now.” Lucas smiled and wondered how welcome he would be if Mrs. Kramer ever discovered the truth.
* * * * *
A buzzing noise woke Lucas from his nap. After a moment he realized it was his cell phone vibrating across the bedside table, moving closer and closer to the edge. Lucas snatched it up and flipped it open.
“Hello?”
“Hey, fellow Zefron fan.”
“Huh?” Lucas tried to shake away the vestiges of sleep.
There was a moment of silence. “Lucas?”
“Yeah. Oh, Kelly?”
“Wow, how quickly they forget.” She laughed.
“Shit, sorry. I’m kind of out of it. I got hit by a taxi on my way home the other night after the movie.”
“Ohmygod!” Kelly had a habit of speaking quickly and blurring her words together. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Bump on the head, some bruised ribs, and a twisted knee. But I’ll live.”
“Are you okay by yourself? Do you need me to bring you anything?”
Lucas was touched that she would offer. “I’m actually on Staten Island at a…friend’s place. Well, his parents’ place.”
“Okay, cool. Anyone I know?”
“Um, no. Nate. He’s…my ex.” Lucas hated saying it aloud.
“Ohh. So is it awkward, or what?”
“Definitely. His parents have been really good to me, and I’m so lucky. But being here with Nate, it’s…it’s hard. You know?”
“Bad breakup?”
“Is there any other kind?” Lucas honestly didn’t know. He supposed he’d broken up with Casey, but it wasn’t much of a real relationship in the first place.
“Not usually. Do you still love him?” Kelly had a refreshing quality of saying what most people would simply think.
“Yeah. I do.” Lucas swallowed over the sudden lump in his throat.
“Hey, maybe you’ll get him back. Proximity has been known to work wonders.”
“Yeah. Maybe.” Lucas wished it would be the case, but he doubted it.
“Well, I guess I’m seeing Zac at the multiplex alone tonight. Well, as alone as one can be surrounded by hundreds of teenage girls.”
“Sorry, Kel. Next time, I promise!”
“Getting hit by a car is a relatively good excuse, so I’ll let you off the hook just this once.” She laughed. “Hey, let me know when you’re back in the city and I’ll bring over some junk food and a few DVDs. Sound like a plan?”
“Absolutely. Thanks, Kelly.” Before he could lose his nerve, Lucas added, “I’m really glad we met.” He hoped he didn’t sound too needy and lame.
“Hey, me too. Now you have fun with your ex. And his parents.”
Laughing, Lucas said good-bye. He realized he had to call Gabriel to tell him he wouldn’t be able to make the play. Lucas left him a message, assuring Gabriel he’d pay for his ticket if no one else could go.
A few minutes later, Gabriel returned his call, and they promised to get together once Lucas was better. After Lucas hung up, he smiled to himself, pleased that he’d found two good friends in the city. At least he didn’t feel so alone now.
He glanced at the time and his smile faded. Nate would probably be heading out to meet his date. Lucas tried not to think about it, but failed miserably.
* * * * *
Squirming, Lucas gingerly adjusted himself on his pillows. He’d been so out of it after the accident that he’d been able to sleep, but now that his head had cleared, he found his knee ached and because of his ribs it hurt to breathe no matter which position he tried.
Wincing, he eased himself down. Sitting up on his pillows wasn’t working, and he needed to sleep. At least if he was sleeping, he wouldn’t be thinking about Nate out on a date with whatshisname. Okay, he knew his name.
Reed
. Lucas tried not to imagine how hot wannabe soap star Reed was, but it was no use. He knew he had no right to be jealous, but he hated the thought of Nate with someone else.
Glancing at the clock once more, Lucas sighed. It was past midnight, and Nate wasn’t home yet. Probably because he was having such a wonderful time with
Reed
. Perhaps he wouldn’t even come home.
“God, shut up.” Lucas spoke aloud to the empty room.
Closing his eyes, he attempted in vain to clear his head. A few minutes later, headlights swept across the ceiling as a car pulled into the driveway. Lucas froze, listening. A car door closed, and a moment later the front door opened downstairs.
When Nate quietly opened his bedroom door, Lucas closed his eyes and pretended to be sleeping. After a few long moments, the desk light snapped on.
Blinking, Lucas opened his eyes. “Hey.”
Nate’s back was turned. “Give me a break. You weren’t sleeping.”
“What? Yes I was.”
Nate turned, rolling his eyes. “Lucas, I know when you’re sleeping and when you’re not.”
Lucas conceded defeat. “I can’t get comfortable. I need stronger painkillers.”
Frowning, Nate picked up the pill bottle from the bedside table. “These are pretty strong already.”
“It hurts to breathe. Sitting up, lying down -- doesn’t matter. It hurts.” Lucas knew that whining wasn’t particularly becoming, but right now he didn’t care.
“Well, I can’t really do anything about it.”
“I know! I’m just saying.” Lucas took a sip of water from the bottle Mrs. Kramer had left. “Sorry, I know I’m being a baby.”
Nate unbuttoned his shirt. “It’s okay. I’d probably be the same way.” He took the shirt off and dropped it over the back of his desk chair. Lucas swallowed hard at the sight of Nate’s bare chest and quickly gulped down some more water.
God, he missed him
.
Despite the pain in his body, desire flared. Lucas stared at the muscles in Nate’s arms as he stretched languidly overhead and yawned. Lucas spoke before he could stop himself. “How was your date?”
Nate shrugged as he unzipped his jeans. “Not bad.” His jeans fell to the carpet, and he stepped out of them. He stood in his tight briefs, slowly folding his pants. Lucas fidgeted, his dick getting hard despite himself.
He had to look away, so he rolled onto his right side, toward the door. Pain ricocheted across his ribcage, and he bit back a cry. A moment later, Nate’s hand closed gently around Lucas’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”
Lucas told himself not to cry, but his eyes filled. “No,” he choked out. It wasn’t just his body. The pain of being so close to Nate, yet so very far away, was overwhelming.
Slowly, Nate eased Lucas onto his back and up onto the pillows in a half-sitting position. “Is that any better?”
Lucas nodded, since he didn’t trust his voice not to crack. Nate went to the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. Lucas listened to the water running in the sink and imagined Nate washing his face and brushing his teeth.
When he came back out, Nate flipped off the desk lamp. In the darkness, Lucas could see him changing into one of the pairs of faded boxers that he liked to sleep in. In the streetlight coming through the window, Lucas could see Nate’s firm ass as he bent over, and again he felt a stab of desire.
As Nate settled into the other twin bed a few feet away, Lucas closed his eyes and again attempted to will himself to sleep.
It was going to be a long night.
* * * * *
Sunday afternoon dragged on, and Lucas zoned out during the football game Mr. Kramer and Sam were glued to. Lucas was ensconced in the La-Z-Boy recliner, his knee elevated. Mrs. Kramer kept him fed and watered, and he really couldn’t have asked for more.
The only problem was that Nate was up in his room and hadn’t been downstairs since just after breakfast. His parents thought he was studying, but Lucas just knew he was locked away in his makeshift darkroom. Memories awash in red light flickered through Lucas’s mind, and he drifted to sleep.
A few minutes later he jerked awake as Sam shouted for joy and high-fived his father. Lucas feigned interest and nodded and smiled. His mind returned to Nate upstairs, and after another half an hour of football, he reached for his crutches.
“You need a hand getting up?” Mr. Kramer glanced over.
With a grunt, Lucas managed to get to his feet. “No, I’m okay. I’m going to go lie down for a while. Enjoy the rest of the game. I hope the” -- he realized he had no idea who was playing -- “team wins.”
After getting by the kitchen without Mrs. Kramer noticing, Lucas hobbled up the stairs to the second floor. As he’d guessed, the door to the darkroom was closed, red light emanating from the cracks. Lucas sat on his bed for a moment, painfully catching his breath.
It had been days since he’d had a shower, and he felt like a big ball of grease and sweat. With newfound resolve, he made his way into the bathroom and shut the door. Getting his clothes off proved easier than he’d thought it would, but standing in the shower was a challenge.
His bandages were getting wet and he couldn’t let go of the crutches long enough to pick up the shampoo, but Lucas revelled in the hot water beating down on him. After a minute, he tried again for the shampoo.
With a clatter, one of the crutches fell to the bottom of the tub, and Lucas followed. Throwing his arms out, he tried to break his fall as wrenching pain shot from his left hand and his ribs felt as if they might burst. He landed on his ass in a heap.
The fallen crutch jammed painfully between the side of the tub and his leg. Water poured down over him, and Lucas fought back tears as he tried to breathe without expanding his lungs more than an inch.
Suddenly a figure appeared to his left through the shower curtain, and Nate pulled the curtain back sharply. “What are you doing?”
Lucas blinked the water out of his eyes and tried to say something, but nothing came.
“Lucas!” Nate was on his knees, leaning into the shower, getting wet. He cupped Lucas’s face in his hand. “Did you hit your head? Are you hurt?” He peered closely. “Answer me!”
“I fell.”
Nate exhaled slowly. “Yeah, I can see that. Are you okay?”
“I think so.” As the shock wore off, Lucas’s whole body ached.
“What the hell are you doing, getting in the shower?”
“I was stinky.”
“Well, you could have killed yourself.” Nate stood and turned the water off. Stepping one foot into the tub, he lifted Lucas to his feet. For a few moments, Lucas leaned his whole body against Nate’s, and Nate held him close. In the steamy silence, the only sound Lucas could hear was their breathing.
“Come on.” Nate stepped back, helping Lucas out of the bathtub.
Lucas was suddenly aware that he was naked, and he blushed furiously. He took his crutches from Nate. “I’m fine now, you can go.”
“Did you even get a chance to wash your hair?”
“No, but it doesn’t matter.”
“Sit down.” Nate pointed to the side of the tub.
“No, I’m okay.” Actually, he was in a ton of pain.
“Lucas, would you just sit?”
Since he really felt as if he might topple over at any moment, Lucas obeyed. He gingerly settled on the side of the tub, his back to the shower, as Nate closed the door, flicking the lock. Without another word, Nate peeled his clothes off.
“No sense in getting my new shirt any wetter than it already is.”
Lucas nodded, forcing his eyes down to the floor. He examined the blue and white bathmat, determined not to stare at Nate’s long, lean body.
Nate moved behind him, stepping into the tub and turning the water back on. A few moments later, his fingers gently worked shampoo through Lucas’s hair. Lucas leaned back into his touch, his eyes closing as Nate massaged his scalp.
The seconds stretched out as Nate touched him, working the shampoo through the ends of Lucas’s hair. Lucas leaned back on Nate’s thighs, closing his eyes and relaxing for what felt like the first time in a long time.
Pulling him back with soft hands, Nate tipped Lucas’s head under the spray of water. Then he worked the conditioner in, languidly rubbing Lucas’s scalp. Lucas’s whole body tingled as his dick grew hard. He thought he felt Nate stirring against him, and after rinsing his hair again, he glanced over his shoulder to find Nate’s cock indeed rising.
Lucas stared hungrily, longing to lean back and open his mouth. He looked up and met Nate’s eyes for a long moment. His heart beat double time in his chest, and he was sure Nate could hear it above the rush of water. Lucas twisted toward Nate’s cock, but grimaced at the stab of pain in his side. With a quick shake of his head, Nate reached over and snapped the water off, and the spell was broken.
He stepped out of the shower and handed Lucas the crutches. “You need any more help?”
“No, I’m good. Thanks.” Lucas tried to smile, but failed.
Grabbing his clothes, Nate fled.
* * * * *
The next two days passed slowly. Nate spent all his time in Manhattan, only coming home to Staten Island late at night. He and Lucas spoke little, and Lucas made sure to knock himself out with pain pills so he’d be sleeping by the time Nate came in. He knew he was probably taking too many meds, but it needed to be done.
After a few mangled attempts, Lucas had become adept at rewrapping his ribs and knee. The pain from his injuries was lessening by the day, which was a relief. He’d gotten used to the crutches and didn’t need as much help as before, although that didn’t stop Nate’s mother from doting on him. Lucas hated to admit it, but he enjoyed it.