“I talked to Trent, Charlie. They are going through all the evidence at the parking garage and your grandfather is up his ass, so to speak. We will get this guy, honey.”
Charlie tried to put the pencil in her right hand and her fingers wouldn’t move, it slid to the floor. She felt the tears coming. Something was wrong with her arm. She couldn’t move her fingers and now she was panicking.
Stefan came to hold her. “Don’t think the worst. Wait until the cast comes off, okay?”
“Mic.” Charlie looked at Michael.
“Yes, what is it?” Michael took her by the hand.
“Go.”
“What?”
Charlie wrote on the piece of paper and walked out.
Michael read the note and threw it on the table. He went to her room and found her on the bed.
“Don’t you dare!” Michael crouched down beside her. “You think I’m with you because you’re a surgeon? Shit, if I was smart I’d date an unemployed woman. God knows the hours you’ll work and the hours I’ll be alone, Charlie, but this is what I want. You don’t have the right to kick me out of your life because you feel it’s the right thing to do. You’re stuck with me!”
Charlie’s frustration swelled. She wanted to tell him he was a stubborn ass, but right now he looked angry and she couldn’t tell him to leave again. Whether she liked it, Michael would never leave. Even if she could never talk or operate again, she knew he’d never go.
“Love you.” Charlie smiled and palmed his face.
Michael hugged her hard. “I will never leave you, you hear me?”
Charlie nodded and Michael wiped her tears. He pulled her up and smacked her ass. “Now get in the shower, you stink.”
As she headed to the bathroom, she threw a glance over her shoulder at the man she loved.
“You’re welcome, Charlie.” Michael smiled and blew her a kiss.
*~~~*
Tanner had just left class when he ran into Damon and Tyler. They walked over to the corner café for lunch and Tanner told them Josh was in New York for the week. Tyler could tell Tanner missed Josh already. They had just gotten their food when Tyler heard a familiar voice.
“Mmm, the Youngbloods! My day just got SO much better!”
“Hey, Matt.” Tyler fist-bumped him.
Matt sat with them and Tanner eyed him. For someone as athletically built and macho as hell, he was so damn flamboyantly gay. It made Tanner laugh.
“Matt, this is our friend Tanner. Tanner, Matt.”
Tanner shook his hand and Matt’s lingered as he eyed Tanner closely.
Tanner was feeling very scrutinized at that moment, and he blushed as Matt licked his lips.
“Oh, you are a tasty little thing, aren’t you?”
Tyler smiled. “He’s also taken, Matt. Very taken. The name Josh Reynolds ring any bells?”
“You and Josh? Oh I would LOVE to get my hands on him! He’s just damned delicious!”
“I’ll tell him you said so.” Tanner grinned.
“Not that you’re not hotter than hell — hot damn. Look at those thighs. I’d love to have them wrapped —”
Tyler coughed loudly. “Um, Matt?”
“Yes, darling?” Matt winked at Tyler.
Damon spit out his coffee and laughed. Matt was checking out Tyler. He made no apologies whatsoever for eyeing any man he fond attractive.
“Haven’t you found any guy here who makes you … Oh hell, what’s the word I’m looking for?”
“Hard?” Matt provided.
“Well, I wasn’t going to say that,” Tyler laughed.
“All the guys I like are taken, present company included.” Matt leered at Tanner.
“What about the guy at the counter?” Tanner waved toward the barista.
“Kyle is in the closet,” Matt informed them.
“I don’t know. He’s checking you out right now.” Tyler had turned around to see the guy behind the counter; he was definitely checking out their table.
“Trust me, he’s in the closet. He was at the first party I went to here. We talked for most of the night and I was actually behaving.”
Damon coughed and arched a brow. “Oh, really?”
“Yes, Damon, I’m not always so out there. Anyway,” Matt continued. “We hit it off and then when it came time to say goodnight, he walked me to my room, and then freaked out when I kissed him.”
“Well was it an all-out make out kiss?” Tanner was eyeing the barista.
“Nope, just a light kiss on the lips. But some people came down the hall right as I was pulling away and he freaked. He’s tried to talk to me since then, but when other people are around, he avoids me like the plague.”
“Didn’t Greg say he had an older brother?” Tanner asked slowly, eyes intent on the man behind the counter. The barista was the spitting image of Greg.
They all turned to look at the guy behind the counter; the resemblance was certainly there.
“Oh, we have to ask him.” Tyler pulled out his cell and texted Greg.
Tyler smiled. “Well, one way to find out.” Tyler got up and walked to the counter. Three pairs of eyes watched as he engaged the other man in conversation. They shook hands and Tyler returned to the table.
“Yep, that’s Kyle. Greg’s older brother.”
“What did you say?” Damon demanded.
“That we have friends in common, and maybe we should all hang out tonight at the club.” Tyler was busy texting.
“What are you up to?” Damon watched his husband’s fingers fly.
“Sending mass text to the group. It’s the warehouse club tonight.”
“Well, I have to go. It was nice meeting you, Tanner. If only you were single.” Matt sighed dramatically.
They watched him leave and Kyle made a beeline out the door to catch up with him. They watched the two of them through the window.
“Dammit, I can’t hear a thing!” Tyler laughed.
Kyle had been watching the table for a while now. When Matt walked in, his pulse sped up. He’d been an ass to Matt. Matt had put himself out there only for Kyle to get cold feet when people saw them together. Hell, everyone knew Matt was gay. He made no apologies for it. When Kyle saw his chance, he followed Matt out.
“Matt, wait!” Kyle caught up.
“Be careful, someone might see us together and get the wrong idea,” Matt drawled.
“Look, I agreed to go to the club tonight. I haven’t seen Greg in a while. And I want to tell you I’m sorry.”
“Oh, you’re progressing by leaps and bounds, Kyle. So proud of you.” Matt turned to walk away and Kyle grabbed his arm.
“Just wait — please.”
“For what? What happens when one of your straight friends sees you with me, Kyle? God forbid you should be hanging out with a fag, right?”
“Look, I’m sorry I freaked out. I just …”
“Didn’t want people to know, right?”
“When you kissed me, I felt something and I freaked out, okay? I’ve dated girls my whole life. This thing, whatever it is — I don’t know. I’m confused.”
Matt eyed Kyle Farrelli. His short, blond hair was tapered on the sides and his beautiful, big blue eyes searched Matt’s features, pleading for understanding.
“I don’t have the time nor the inclination to let someone make me feel like shit, Kyle. I kissed you, you ran. End of story. I’ve been out for a long time and I’ve taken my beatings. Which is why I have no desire to hang out with someone who is ashamed of how he feels. Go redec
orate your closet. I have to go.”
Kyle went back to the coffee shop and watched Matt’s three friends talk. It must be nice to know who you are and what you want and not be afraid to go after it. He hadn’t meant to hurt Matt, but after dealing with his parents’ divorce and how their mother treated Greg — he had no desire to be in that position. The other blond, Tyler, was approaching him again.
“I hope we see you tonight. Paul is coming; guess you guys haven’t seen each other in a long time?”
“Greystone?”
“Yep, he’s married to our friend, Mark.”
“Paul’s married?” Kyle asked in astonishment.
“Surprises all around, huh? I hope you make it. Nice meeting you, Kyle.”
Tyler returned to the table and Kyle watched as the dark haired man got up, took Tyler’s hand and kissed him lightly. The third guy in the group looked familiar. He watched as they left.
“Hey, Kyle?”
“Yes?”
“You have plans tonight?” A pretty coed inched her way closer and put her hand on his chest.
“Yeah,” Kyle nodded. “I do.”
When his last class finished, Greg walked to his car to find his brother sitting on the hood. He opened the door and threw his backpack in.
“Kyle.”
“Greg.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Met some friends of yours today. Tyler Youngblood ring any bells?” Kyle checked over his brother. He had gotten a lot taller and much bigger since he saw him last.
“Yeah, considering he and his husband are really good friends of mine.”
“Husband?”
“Yeah, they got married a while back.”
“The dark-haired one.” Kyle nodded his head.
“Yeah, Damon. So, to what do I owe this visit?”
“Guess I’m going to the club tonight.”
“You’re going to a gay club? Wow. Have you seen mom?”
“Nope. Don’t want to, either. How have you been?”
“Very happy, especially since I moved out. I live with Jay Reynolds now.”
“Josh’s tiny brother?”
Greg watched Jay exit the school and smiled. He motioned with his head toward Jay, who was now walking towards them.
“Yep, tiny Jay.”
Kyle’s jaw dropped. Holy hell. Jay Reynolds had grown.
“Well shit, Jay!” Kyle guffawed.
“Kyle? What are you doing here? How are you?”
“Met some of your mutual friends and they invited me to the warehouse club tonight.”
“Well why don’t you come home with us? Greg can fill you in on all the gossip,” Jay suggested.
“Well, let’s head out then.”
Chapter Fifteen
When they arrived at the club, Kyle noticed Paul right away. His face hadn’t changed too much, but the rest of him had. He eyed the man smiling beside him. That must be his husband. Jason McKinley was behind the bar, deep in conversation with a good-looking guy who busted out laughing. Kyle felt as if he was in the Twilight Zone. All these gay happy couples, out in the open. He looked around for Matt, but didn’t see him.
“Holy shit, Kyle! How the fuck have you been?” Paul walked over and shook his hand.
“Look at you, married man!” Kyle checked out Paul’s husband up close. Good God. Were they all male models?
“Mark, this is Kyle, Greg’s big brother. Kyle, this is my husband, Mark.”
Kyle shook his hand. “Well, it’s very good to meet you. You must be one hell of a special guy to have tamed the wild beast.”
“Nope. Just a vulnerable virgin who told the truth.” Mark winked at Paul.
“Hey, Kyle! How the hell are you?” Jason joined the group. “I thought that was you coming through the door.”
“Jesus, Jason, what the hell have you been up to?”
“Working.” Jason tossed a sly glance over his shoulder. “And playing.”
Kyle finally met everyone. He found out the third guy at the coffee shop was Tanner McKinley, Jason’s younger brother. They gathered around the bar and played catch up. Kyle had been living with his father in New York, but he decided to come back and go to school at the university. Working at the coffee shop fit his schedule.
Matt walked in with another guy and jealousy immediately flashed through Kyle.
“Matt, you made it.” Tyler greeted him with a smile.
“I never miss a party! This is Travis.” Matt introduced his date.
Soon everyone was talking and laughing. Kyle watched Matt for a while. Now and again their eyes would meet and Matt would look away. When Travis took Matt’s hand, Kyle had to excuse himself to the bathroom. He may have been an asshole, but it hurt to see Matt with someone else. He was leaning over the sink when the bathroom door opened. Matt entered and walked into a stall.
“You going to ignore me all night?”
“Nothing to say.” Matt came back out and washed his hands. Kyle looked incredible in his jeans, but it didn’t matter. He wasn’t going to get sucked in again.
“Your date is kind of quiet.”
“He doesn’t talk much. I like it that way,” Matt dried his hands off. “Well, see you out there.”
“Matt, please …” Kyle grabbed his arm.
Matt stopped and looked at the hand on his arm. “Please don’t, Kyle. We’ve gone down this road.”
“Do you like that guy?”
“What difference does it make? You’ll never be with me. You’re terrified of what people will think about you if they find out you’re —” Matt paused and tilted his head. “Confused.”
“Can’t we at least be friends?” Kyle still had him by the arm. He was confused right now. Part of him wanted to kiss Matt, the other part wanted to run.
Matt moved closer. “No. We can’t. Because I’ll want more, and you can’t give it to me.”
“What if I could?” Kyle was desperate to keep Matt in the bathroom with him so he wouldn’t have to watch Travis put his hands on him.
“Where, Kyle? In some closed off room in the dark? You wouldn’t kiss me in public. You wouldn’t hold my hand. People would call you gay and you would haul ass. I can’t live like that.”
“I don’t believe that one day you just woke up and said ‘fuck it,’ I’m coming out — loud and proud. There had to have been a time when you were scared.”
“Of course I was scared. But I admitted I was gay. You can’t even do that.”
“Look, I don’t know exactly what this is I feel, but I like you, Matt. I like you a lot. Can’t you just try to understand?”
“I can’t, Kyle. I’m sorry.”
Kyle stayed in the bathroom for a few minutes to regain his footing. Just as he was about to leave, Greg entered. He searched his brother’s face.
“I just saw Matt. What happened?”
“Nothing.” Kyle turned and looked in the mirror.
“You like him, don’t you?”
“Don’t be stupid, Greg. I’m not gay.”
“So Mom’s bullshit got to you, huh? Well, let me tell you something, Kyle. I dealt with her shit after I came out. It sucked, but the fact that it made me angry actually reinforced for me that I’m gay. Otherwise, I could have ignored her. You can stand here and pretend you’re not feeling something for Matt, but it’s only going to get worse. I love you, but you can be such an ass.”
Kyle sighed as Greg left. This was getting to be too much for him. He had to get out of here. Now. He walked back out and talked to Paul for a minute. Travis was rubbing his hand on Matt’s thigh and that was it for him. He said his goodnights and practically ran to his car.
Paul hurried to catch up and caught Kyle at the car door.
“What’s going on with you?” Paul demanded.
“Nothing’s going on with me.”
“I’ve seen that look before, Kyle. I saw it that night at the party.”
“I don’t want to talk about it, Paul.”
“You’re still in denial.” Paul palmed his face, searching his eyes.
“Please don’t do that,” Kyle whispered. “You’ve changed. You’re married now.”
“And you have feelings for Matt. I’m not blind, Kyle.”
“I don’t! Please just leave me alone.”
“Don’t do this again, Kyle. If you care for Matt, don’t hurt him.”
“Like I hurt you? Is that what you’re going to say?”
“That was a long time ago. Why are you back, Kyle? Why now?”
“I needed a change of scenery. I’m sorry if that puts a crimp in your lifestyle.”
“Stop being an ass!” Paul cornered him in front of the car; he put his hands on each side of Kyle’s head and forced him to meet his eyes. “Stop denying who you are.”
“Please move.” Kyle pushed Paul back. It was like they were fourteen again.
“Fine.” Paul backed away.
“Your husband is outside, Paul. I think you should explain some things to him.”
Paul shot a look at Mark, who had obvious confusion written all over his face. “Shit.”
Kyle jumped in his car and took off. Paul turned to face his husband.
“Paul?”
“It’s not what it looked like.”
“What was it then? It looked like something. Did you two…?”
“No, we never slept together.” Paul ran his hands through his hair.
“But you wanted to, didn’t you?”
“It was a long time ago, Mark.”
“Answer me, Paul.”
Paul sighed. “Yes, I wanted to, Mark.”
“What — what happened between you two?” Mark didn’t know if he wanted to hear the answer.
“Look, Mark, it was a long time ago and it doesn’t matter. I love you. I’m married to you.”
“Well, what I just walked in on left me with the impression you care about Kyle.”
“Mark, can we please not do this?”
“Sure.” Mark turned and went back in the club.
“Fuck.”
~*~
Over the next few weeks, Kyle suddenly saw Matt all over the place. He was always with Travis, holding hands. He ended up breaking down and calling Paul for comfort and he always got the same lecture about hiding in the closet.
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