The Geek and His Artist (28 page)

“Thank
you
,” Simon said, running his fingers through Jimmy’s hair. “We should probably get out of here, though.”

“Yeah, we should.” Jimmy dropped another kiss on Simon’s stomach, then one over the bruise on his left side, then one each on his arms before standing. He tucked himself away as he retrieved the clothes. Then he helped Simon dry off and get into the too-large T-shirt before carefully working the clean pajama pants over the brace and Simon’s butt. “We’ll get you some underwear and stuff your size tomorrow.”

Simon paused, then forced a smile. “I thought you didn’t want me in underwear? Wouldn’t I be more accessible that way?”

Jimmy nearly choked. “Are you trying to kill me?” he asked, making Simon laugh. He was glad he continued the joke instead of his initial thought to comfort over the lost clothes.

“I can’t have you if I kill you,” Simon pointed out.

Jimmy laughed. “No, no, that’s true.” He shook his head as he scooped Simon up into his arms.

“I am going to gain weight just so you can’t do this anymore,” Simon grumbled.

Jimmy grinned. “Note to self: tell Mom not to give Simon too much food.”

Simon snorted but wrapped one arm around Jimmy’s neck. With the other he grabbed his hearing aid, then unlocked and opened the door, flipping off the switch as they went through. Once in Jimmy’s room, Jimmy set him on the bed, noting his mom had pulled back the blankets. He couldn’t decide if he should be grateful or embarrassed. He decided both were appropriate, and grabbed the extra pillows she’d left at the end of the bed to prop Simon’s leg up.

When he finally got Simon settled, he snapped off the light and went around to the other side. He slipped under the covers, reaching out for Simon and scooting close, but hesitated just shy of touching Simon. “I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”

“You won’t. My leg’s on the other side.”

After another brief hesitation, he settled in against Simon, putting his arm around his boyfriend and burying his face in Simon’s neck. “You smell so good,” he whispered.

“You feel good. I’ve… I’ve never slept next to anyone before.”

“Me either. But… I think I’m going to like it a lot.” Jimmy kissed Simon’s cheek.

“If I get more of those, I’ll
definitely
like it.”

“Oh God, my boyfriend’s insatiable!”

Simon laughed. “Hardly.”

Jimmy loved hearing that, knowing he was the one to make Simon laugh. He leaned up over Simon and found Simon’s lips. He forced himself to keep it light. “Good night, baby. Sleep well.”

“I’m sure I will. Good night.”

Jimmy didn’t think there was any way he’d manage to sleep with Simon right there. Not to mention all that was still in his head. But before he could even try to think through it, he was out.

S
IMON
WASN
’
T
surprised he woke up with morning wood. In fact, sleeping next to his boyfriend, he’d have been
more
surprised if he hadn’t. With Jimmy lying half on him, the scent filling his nostrils, his arms tight around the strong back, the heat making him warmer than he’d been in years… well, he’d put up with a slightly uncomfortable boner to have this every morning.

He wondered if Jimmy would want that too. He’d said he wanted to share a bed for a long time, but Simon wasn’t sure how far that would go. Jimmy hadn’t exactly said he
didn’t
want to get married. And though he’d been embarrassed by his family’s pointed comments about marriage, he’d never denied it either. But that was a long way from a proposal.

Simon sucked in a breath, his eyes dropping to his left hand where it rested on Jimmy’s shoulder, staring at the ring finger in the soft early morning light. He imagined what it would be like to wear a ring there, a ring Jimmy put on him. He had trouble with it, but he figured part of that had to do with the fact that he had no real frame of reference.

But the thought certainly didn’t feel bad. In fact, if he had to put any word to it, that word would be
right
.

He buried his face in Jimmy’s hair, inhaling the scent of the shampoo. He didn’t know if it was one Jimmy picked out or something his mom did, but Simon liked the citrus scent. He found something else too, something under the citrus. He couldn’t name it, until he realized it was just Jimmy.

Jimmy chose that moment to shift, and Simon gasped when Jimmy’s morning wood brushed his own. Jimmy stilled, then Simon felt a kiss on his chest. Jimmy looked up, and Simon saw flecks of gold mixed in with the brown eyes fixed on him. He waited and Simon realized he was giving Simon the chance to stop it.

He pondered things for a moment, and though his leg hurt some, he didn’t want to turn down a chance to make Jimmy feel good. So he rocked a little against Jimmy, pulling a moan in reaction. Jimmy shifted, taking the permission for what it was and moving up over Simon. Jimmy held himself up, keeping their groins in contact, and Simon guessed it was to keep from putting too much weight on him.

Simon ran both hands up Jimmy’s back to thread through his hair, pulling him in. Their lips met, the kiss exploded, and Jimmy’s hips moved, grinding them together. Simon moaned into the kiss, matching Jimmy’s movements and thrilling in the freedom to do so.

A short time later, as they panted, trying to catch their breath in the aftermath, Jimmy chuckled. “You really
are
insatiable,” he murmured, kissing Simon’s neck.

Simon laughed. “Well, uh, I mean….” He blushed. “It’s…
you
. How can I not want you?”

Jimmy leaned up, his beautiful gaze moving over Simon’s face. He shook his head. “I am so lucky,” he whispered, before kissing Simon again.

When he pulled back, Simon’s T-shirt shifted, reminding him of the mess they’d made on his chest. “I’m going to need another bath.”

Jimmy laughed and shook his head. “Nah, I’ll get a washcloth. Stay here.”

Simon hoped Jimmy’s parents weren’t in the hallway. Simon’s cheeks heated fast over the thought of Jimmy getting something to clean them up after sex… and his parents seeing it.

But a few seconds later, Jimmy was back, wet washcloth in hand. “I heard Mom downstairs,” he said, running the cloth over Simon’s stomach to wash the evidence of their loving away. “She’ll probably want to go early to get the stuff done.”

Simon bit his lip. “Should I go along?”

Jimmy thought it over. “I don’t know? We’ll ask Mom. I’m just worried about messing up your leg. You’d have to use the crutches….”

“I can practice here a little bit, right?”

Jimmy nodded. “Yeah. But, well, let’s see what Mom says, hmm?”

T
HEY
MADE
their way downstairs, Jimmy once more insisting on carrying him. Simon was going to be
so
glad to get the permanent cast so he could move around more by himself and not risk his leg. He thought Jimmy was going a little overboard, but he understood, at least to a point, how much Jimmy needed to take care of him. It didn’t lessen the frustration by much, though.

He did insist on sitting at the table for breakfast. He had to put his foot up on another of the chairs, but he felt a lot more normal sitting up to eat.

They kept him busy, discussing the pros and cons of taking him along, as well as what they needed to do, and Simon was glad for it. He still hadn’t completely processed the last—had it only been thirty-six hours? But he wasn’t quite sure he was ready to yet either.

They finally decided they’d need him to go shopping, and rather than go to school and come back to get him, he agreed to take it easy and slow if they let him go into the school like he wanted. Jimmy texted Ronnie and Kip to let them know they’d be there and when, so they could possibly see them.

“What do you want to tell them?” Jimmy asked.

Simon sighed. “Uh… shit. I’m pretty sure Kip knew what was going on, but I don’t know if Deck or Tony did. I guess, though… I guess they should just know what happened? And, well, we’ll tell Ronnie and Sean too. I mean, Kip’s going to talk to Sean anyway, so….”

“Are you sure? I mean, I don’t think they’re going to care—other than being glad you’re out of there—but….”

Simon chewed on his lip as he thought about it, but he didn’t want to lie to his friends, the first friends it looked like he might be able to hold on to. He nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Okay.” Jimmy kissed his forehead, then headed up to get dressed. He helped Simon change into a pair of Jimmy’s sweats in the little half bath they had downstairs—he had to pull the drawstring really tight—and, to his surprise, his own Green Lantern T-shirt. Apparently Jimmy’s mom had washed it for him. Then Jimmy hovered as Simon worked to use the crutches. It took some doing, and he discovered quickly that the part his armpits rested on hurt like hell. Jimmy’s mom wrapped them in kitchen towels and medical tape, and that helped a bit.

Finally, when they thought he had a handle on it, they headed out. Jimmy still insisted on carrying him down the stairs.

Simon scowled. “I could have walked.”

Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Yes, you could. You said you’d let me take care of you. I won’t get in the way at the bottom of the stairs, okay? In fact, I’ll leave you alone on whatever floor you’re on. Just let me handle the steps for you, okay?”

Simon sighed, realizing how ungrateful he was sounding. “I’m sorry,” he muttered, cheeks reddening.

“It’s okay, baby. I know it’s frustrating to not be able to move around. I broke my leg once playing soccer. So… yeah, I get it.”

Simon leaned up and kissed Jimmy’s cheek. “Thank you. I don’t… I don’t deserve you.”

Jimmy shook his head. “None of that. We love each other. There is no deserve anywhere in there.” Jimmy kissed his temple. “Thank you for letting me help.” He set Simon down on the sidewalk and stood back once Simon had the crutches under him. Simon managed to move over to the car on his own and felt ridiculously proud of himself. It must have shown on his face because Jimmy grinned. “You’re adorable.”

Simon blushed but stuck his tongue out, making Jimmy laugh. “I’m glad I’m amusing.”

“And gorgeous and hot and smart and talented.”

Simon rolled his eyes and opened the car door to hide his discomfort. He still wasn’t used to being complimented like that. He needed a little help to get his leg in, but finally he was settled. Mrs. Bennet got in and started the car right after Jimmy stored Simon’s crutches and took his place behind Simon.

“All right, then. School first, then… shopping!” She grinned, Simon blushed, and Jimmy laughed.

J
IMMY
FIDGETED
the whole way to the school. He rarely took time off and wasn’t quite sure what to expect when they went to talk to the principal. As it turned out, they didn’t have to. He didn’t hear the excuse his mom gave the secretary, but she just signed something, then turned to him. “Do you know Simon’s schedule?”

“Uh, sh—err crap. No.”

Simon put a hand on him from his seat by the door. “I have one in my locker, if you’ll go with me so I can get my books and stuff.”

Jimmy pursed his lips, not wanting Simon to have to go far. He’d wanted to leave Simon in the car, but the look of fear that passed over Simon’s face had stopped that thought. He knew what caused it—The Bastard still hadn’t been caught—so he didn’t push. Still, he didn’t like the idea of Simon being on his foot any more than he had to. That damned cast couldn’t happen soon enough. “Just there and back, though, right?”

Simon rolled his eyes and sighed. “I’m not broken.”

“Well, you kind of are,” Jimmy said, and relaxed a little when Simon snickered.

“Yeah, yeah. Look, just the lockers. I won’t carry anything, okay?”

Jimmy sighed. “Fine,” he said, drawing out the word, and Simon laughed. Jimmy forced himself to step back as Simon struggled to his feet, but Simon managed it pretty well.

As they turned to the door, his mom stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Get your assignments for this week, if you can.”

Jimmy raised his eyebrows but nodded. “Oh, uh, what do I tell them?”

“Your great-grandmother died,” she said, smirking.

Jimmy blinked, glancing at the secretary, then back to his mom. “Again?” he mouthed and she snorted. He barely contained his own as he and Simon left the office.

They went slowly, with Simon still learning the crutches. Jimmy was relieved to see all but one of Simon’s books in his locker. Simon said he’d ask at the office for another one, with the hopes that, since it wasn’t his fault, they’d give him a new one and just send the bill to The Bastard. Jimmy filled his backpack, then took Simon back to the office, where his mom was waiting. “You want to go out to the car with Mom?”

Simon pursed his lips. “I guess. I was hoping to see the guys.”

“I’ll bring them out. Go sit.”

Simon nodded. “Okay.” He glanced around and leaned in, face coloring. “I love you,” he whispered.

Jimmy kissed one red cheek. “I love you,” he said, louder. “And I don’t care if the whole school knows it.”

Simon looked up at him, green eyes bright. “Really?”

Jimmy nodded. “Yes, really.” With another kiss to Simon’s forehead, he stepped back and waited until Simon was out the door with his mom before he went to his classes.

Most of the teachers were sympathetic, offering condolences. Simon’s teachers—again, most of them—offered concern. The science teacher they shared grumbled about missed lab time, but gave Jimmy the assignments anyway. And Simon’s art teacher was downright alarmed, until Jimmy explained Simon was living with Jimmy’s family now.

“He’s safe, then?”

Jimmy blinked. “You knew?” He found himself getting angry, and he tamped down on it. This
was
a teacher, and the one Jimmy knew was on Simon’s side the most.

“Not exactly. I suspected, but I couldn’t really be sure, and I didn’t want to upset Simon.”