Heart on the Run (29 page)

“
Oh, I’m pretty fucking sure I do, but am I positive? Can I say that in two or three years, we’ll still feel the same? Hell, I don’t know. We are young, Chaz. Sure, you’re more mature than me. Hell, I think you might be more mature than most people in this town, including the old timers…” He cracked a smile, trying to lighten his words a little for Chaz. “And you already know what you’re working for. The idea of you having your own restaurant is amazing. I can see you doing it…and yeah, I want to be next to you when you do.” Sprocket slinked down to the bed next to Chaz. “But I don’t want to chain you up to get us there. Not physically or metaphorically.”

“
So you’ll take me back but you won’t marry me?”

Did Sprocket hear a note of bitterness in Chaz’s voice? He sighed. If he did, it was bound to get worse. “We need to talk about Mason.”

“
I’d prefer not to.” Chaz met his gaze, his words saying one thing but the determination in his eyes screaming another.

“
Complete disclosure, you deserve that. Hell, Mason deserves that too. He’s not a dirty little secret hidden in my closet.”

Chaz jumped off the bed and paced the carpeted floor. “Dirty little secret? What does that mean?”

“
Calm down and let me talk for a second. It isn’t what you think…well, it probably is, but not completely.”

Chaz finally stopped and propped his perfect ass against the short bureau. “Okay, tell me.”

“
So glad you aren’t melodramatic.” Sprocket chuckled. When his joke didn’t even get a grin, he rolled his eyes and continued. “Well, as I already told you, Mason and I lost our virginities to each other. I was barely fifteen, and we were horny guys who spent all our time together and neither of us had an eye for the female population. It was normal for us to experiment with each other. And we did…a lot. Actually, exclusively until we hit college. Not because we loved each other, but because we were easily accessible ass. We didn’t feel the need to explore other options until we graduated. I won’t lie. I like sex and have had lots of it. Am I a man whore? Probably, but I really hate all kinds of labels.”

Chaz grunted. “Yeah, no one likes being called a whore.”

Smirking, Sprocket nodded. When the cook was right, he was right. “Whatever, but some things are concrete for me. If I’m with someone—or if Mason is—we don’t screw each other; that isn’t cool. We aren’t like that. Sure, between guys we might keep each other entertained, but not otherwise. The walking around naked, that’s got nothing to do with anything sexual. We’re like brothers,” Sprocket insisted, then shrugged, “with benefits.”

“
Brothers with benefits?” Chaz blinked. He could try to hide it, but Sprocket saw the corner of his mouth twitch.

“
Stepbrothers with benefits?” He winked at Chaz, and sure enough, that pushed him over the edge, and he did smile, with a small chuckle to go with it.

“
That’s sick, you know.”

“
Nah, it’s hot, and you know that,” Sprocket countered.

Chaz took a deep breath. Sprocket watched as his chest expanded and his arms lowered from their defensive position across his chest. “So that’s it? The complete story behind you and Mason?”

“
If you want the complete story, that will take a while. Like maybe a dozen or so years…but I’m willing to tell you if you’re willing to invest that kind of time…in us.” Sprocket gestured between them, holding his breath. Would Chaz be willing to see this relationship grow naturally?

“
Without marriage?”

Sprocket nodded his head. “No marriage, no moving in together, no joint bank accounts. None of that…yet. I’m not ruling any of those things out in the future, but we don’t need to rush it. I don’t want to rush it. I want us to enjoy every day without the added pressure life can put on us.”

Sprocket stood and walked over to Chaz, cradling his face and nipping the corner of his mouth.

“
I don’t want you to run, and I don’t want me to hide.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

This time, when the bedroom door clicked open just after dawn, Chaz was awake, wearing a pair of sweats he’d swiped from his sleeping boyfriend’s dresser, and feeling mellow and good from a night of great sex and even more important, that feeling of being settled, of belonging.

It helped that Mason was also wearing pants when he crept into the room.

“
Shh,” Chaz warned. “He’s still sleeping.” He’d been awake for nearly fifteen minutes, just watching Sprocket’s chest rise and fall and alternating between amazement and gratitude that nothing worse had happened to him, that he was still alive and well and angry at the bastard who’d done this. Parkerburg had never been a haven for criminals. They had their share of drunk and disorderlies, kids busted smoking pot, and DUIs, but addicts hyped up on the hard stuff? That was a big city problem. Parkerburg was small town. That was one of the reasons Chaz loved it. Unlike his own city background, Parkerburg was full of people who knew your name, like the doctor at the hospital.

“
Thought that was your car out front.” Mason grinned. “I cleaned the kitchen and put away the leftovers from dinner, and I’m even wearing pants. So…” Wherever Mason had been the night before, he’d clearly just returned home. His clothes were rumpled, like they’d been slept in and there were tired circles under his eyes.

“
So? You want a cookie?” Chaz raised an eyebrow. “You still just barged in without knocking. And this time, you apparently knew I was here.”

“
I never claimed to be perfect. But I am hungry.” Mason’s lips drooped in a pathetic pout and his eyes took on a hangdog aspect. “Not for a cookie, though those pecan pie things were awesome. I’m in need of bacon and your French toast is the stuff of legends.”

Bacon did sound like a good idea. Chaz’s stomach growled, protesting the hours since he and Sprocket had eaten. “You think I’m here to cook for you?”

“
How about if I apologize for walking in on you last time?”

Sighing, Chaz gave in. “Okay. I’ll fix breakfast, but only because Sprocket’s in need of proper nutrition to heal right. And because you’re wearing pants. I appreciate that gesture.”

“
I could make a real doozy of a comeback for that, but my mouth is watering.”

Pushing the colorful quilt to the side, Chaz slid off the bed, trying not to disturb Sprocket, but his hand was caught in a gentle grip. He glanced over his shoulder to see Sprocket grinning sleepily at him. “Hey. Sorry, I tried not to wake you.”

“
Wasn’t sleeping,” Sprocket mumbled, looking sleepy, warm, and cuddly despite the tats and piercings. “And you don’t have to leave the bed to cook for Mason. Despite what he might want you to believe, he is proficient in the kitchen.”

“
I’m not leaving the bed to cook for Mason. I’m leaving it to cook for my boyfriend, and because I really, really need some coffee.”

“
Don’t be sharing all my secrets, Sprocks,” Mason fake grumbled from the doorway. “Besides, I am much, much more proficient with a dishrag than a spatula.”

“
If that’s an offer to clean up after I cook, I accept.” Chaz tugged, reminding Sprocket that he had a grip on his wrist still.

Sprocket didn’t take the hint, though; instead, he tugged back, harder, toppling Chaz onto the bed. Chaz tipped, tried to control his fall so he didn’t end up hurting his lover. “Hey!”

“
Hey, yourself.” Sprocket lifted up and adjusted a pillow before pouting. “You can’t just leave the bed in the morning.”

“
Even if it’s just to get coffee and breakfast?”

“
Even then.”

“
Well, uh…”

“
A kiss is the cost.”

“
Isn’t this cute?” Mason teased. “I’m starving. Kiss him and let’s get cooking.”

Chaz laughed. “Okay. So rule number one in our relationship is kisses before getting out of bed. Got it.”

He angled his head to run his lips over Sprocket’s bristled cheek to his mouth then gave him a fleeting kiss. Too much contact and breakfast could go to hell. “There,” he said, pushing away again. “One kiss. I’ll be back in five minutes with coffee.”

“
Okay.” Sprocket nodded, sounding a bit tired. “And Mason…”

“
Yes, dear?”

“
In case you hadn’t noticed…”

“
You don’t have to do this,” Chaz interjected. It made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside, though, that Sprocket even thought to say something. “I understand, and I’m not going to run.”

“
It’s always been an unspoken rule between us, but maybe, for you, it’s time I said something.” Sprocket met his gaze squarely, even though his next words were addressed to his life-long best friend. “We’re together. Officially. That means you’re going to have to start wearing pants all the time and knocking on doors.”

“
All the time?” Mason groaned. “But I like the fresh air.”

“
You can be naked in your room.” Sprocket laughed.

“
What about I take the hall but give up the kitchen?”

“
With caution.” Sprocket warned.

“
Ew!” Chaz joined in the teasing. “Please tell me he hasn’t been hanging out in the kitchen, uh…hanging out. That is so against health codes.”

“
You two are no fun. And I’m still starving,” Mason pointed out, grinning widely. “I knew I should have gone with plan A.”

Sprocket eyed his friend, a suspicious tilt to his lips. “And what exactly was plan A?”

“
Plan A? I found an elf in the kitchen. I was going to hold him for ransom.”

“
That’s mine,” Sprocket said flatly, eyes narrowing. “You put him in the living room on the console table with the rest of them, or I’ll personally—”

“
Do absolutely nothing that will rupture your stitches.” Chaz ended the argument. “It’s good you went with plan B. Put the elf in the living room. I’m cooking.”

***

“
I still don’t like him.” Mason winked at Sprocket as he sat back in his chair and rubbed his stomach.

Sprocket raised his eyebrow, smirking at his best friend. “I don’t imagine you do. Not to worry, I doubt he’ll be coming around here all that often.”

“
Oh goodie, so I can still make breakfast in the buff?”

“
I’m standing right here,” Chaz put his hands on his hips, spatula sticking out pointing at Mason. “And why won’t I be here all that often?”

Mason gestured to the kitchen utensil. “You kinky bastard, point that somewhere else.”

Sprocket chuckled, snaking his arm around Chaz’s waist and dragging him closer. When he tried to pull Chaz down on his lap the man shook his head and stepped back. “Not until you’re fully healed. Now, why won’t—”

“
Because, we’ll never get alone time with this ass trying to bare his assets.” Sprocket tongued the hoops in his viper bites, looking up at Chaz from behind his long lashes. “And I really want to try out the whirlpool tub you have…I’ve always wanted…”

“
You’ve always wanted what?” Chaz’s voice hitched, showing Sprocket he indeed knew what he wanted and that it really appealed to him, also.

“
More please.” Mason held his plate up between them. “I’m sure Chaz was just about to tell you no tubby time until your stitches are out. Even though I’m sure your rubber ducky makes bath time lots of fun, you’ll have to refrain for the moment…and have some more French toast with me.”

“
Isn’t that from
Sesame Street
? On PBS?” Chaz left Mason’s plate hanging there as he turned back to the stove and brought over a platter with plenty more French toast on it.