When the Dead Speak

by Bailey Bradford

  “Yeah.” Matt rested his hands on the bedrail. “But I’m sorry he’s being a prick.”

  Sev tapped Laine’s hip and Laine took it for the signal it was. He touched Matt’s shoulder then let Sev lead him out of the room. They left the hospital and, after a short debate, decided to have lunch at Virginia’s café.

  Laine parked his truck in front of the café and fingered the keys as he considered what he wanted to say. He could feel Sev watching him, and it made him more nervous, terrified he would bumble the words that were so important to him.

  “Laine, you’re making me nervous,” Sev teased, trailing a hand up Laine’s thigh. “Just spit it out already.”

  That’s my romantic little lover. All poetry and flowers. And he was stalling. Laine raised his eyes to Sev’s and held his hand where it pressed against Laine’s thigh.

  “Okay. I’m not good with words, but there’s some things I need to say.” He felt the tips of his ears burning and wondered if he couldn’t have found a card to say it for him. A distinctive thump to the back of his head knocked the idea away. Guess that would be Conner’s version of ‘no’.

  Sev looked worried now, his eyebrows knitting together, and Laine knew then that he’d been quiet too long. He was fucking this up.

  “I… You haven’t said if you’re planning on staying, and—” Sev didn’t look worried anymore. He looked pissed, and Laine hurried to finish before that frown on his lover turned more severe. “We’ve been staying with Zeke and Brendon. I can’t go back to that house, can’t live where Rich almost died, I just can’t.” A quick check told Laine Sev had softened somewhat, but the man still wasn’t happy. “If I… We could, maybe, we could get a different place? If you want to stay here, stay with me?” Say the words, you idiot! Laine would have sworn that wasn’t his voice he heard rattling between his ears. And Sev still didn’t look happy.

  “Laine, why do you think I’m not planning to stay around, as you put it? Do you think I’m not capable of being serious, of loving one person, loving you?” Sev’s voice hitched with hurt. “I thought… I thought you—”

  Laine was stuck on the ‘loving you’ part of Sev’s speech. He smacked the seatbelt release and jerked Sev into his lap, grunting at the pain in his shoulder, and not giving a damn who was watching or if he made a fool of himself any more.

  “Because I love you, and I’m scared. I haven’t ever felt like this, Sev, and you didn’t say anything… Ah, what you said when I was shot, well, you were emotional and— Ow!” Laine didn’t know if the second thump to the back of his head or Sev’s strong fingers pinching his thigh hurt more. “Christ, Sev!”

  “I was emotional? You were the one trying to say it first!” Sev’s chin tipped up at a stubborn angle that had Laine’s cock growing hard in a heartbeat.

  “Yeah, but—”

  “But what? You didn’t mean it?”

  Shit! “I meant it, Sev. I did, I do, but I wouldn’t hold you to it under the circumstances, that’s all I was trying to say.”

  And it still wasn’t the right time, Laine thought, until Sev’s glower turned into the smile Laine loved so much.

  “Now I know why Brendon calls you a dumbass, Laine. I meant it then, I mean it now. Quit doubting me—and yourself, okay?” Sev brushed the tips of his fingers over Laine’s lips. “I’d love to kiss you, strip you naked and show you just how much I love you, but—”

  Laine was pushing Sev from his lap, back over into his own seat before Sev finished. “But nothing. You love me, I love you, we’re out of here. Lunch can wait.”

  Sev’s laughter warmed Laine’s heart as his hand started warming other parts of Laine’s body. For the first time in days, Laine knew everything was going to be better than okay. He had the man he loved, and the freedom to be himself, and if there was the occasional spinning star or head thumping, that was fine, too. He’d take it all, and love every minute of it.

  * * * *

  Some years later

  Getting Laine to agree to take a vacation had been akin to moving a mountain. Sev had packed their suitcases the day before while Laine had been working. He’d expected some last minute arguments from Laine about why they shouldn’t leave—perhaps some paranoia on Sev’s part, he was willing to admit to himself—but none had been forthcoming.

  Instead Laine had spent hours making love with Sev then slept more soundly than ever.

  Sev, however, was too excited to sleep well and already had breakfast made before Laine even woke up the morning they were going to leave for New Mexico. Sev wanted to go to lots of places, eventually, but had figured New Mexico would be close enough that Laine shouldn’t freak out too much about being away from McKinton. The flight to Albuquerque was only an hour and a half, and if there was some kind of emergency that interrupted the vacation and sent them running for home, they could drive back in under ten hours.

  Maybe not ideal, but Sev had been persuasive, and Laine loved him, so they were taking the first of what Sev hoped would be many vacations together.

  And some day, when Laine retired, hopefully Sev would convince him to buy a fifth-wheel so they could travel all over the US. Canada and South America too, if Sev had his way. He also wanted to see Hawaii and the islands around it—no, he wanted to see Laine there, on sandy beaches, in water so crystal clear it seemed unreal, or staring in wonder at a lava field. Every daydream Sev had included Laine.

  Sev made a second pot of coffee, having fixed himself half a pot earlier. He was watching the carafe fill when he heard the sheets rustling in the bedroom.

  A moment later, he felt a slight pinch to his right butt cheek. “Cut it out, Conner. Twerp.” Sev’s hair was tugged and something almost like a cool kiss was brushed over his cheek. He snorted. “Yeah, yeah. Go harass Laine. He’s not nearly excited enough for this vacation.”

  A whirlwind of papers spun down the hall. Sev shook his head. His life was bizarre and wonderful, and he wouldn’t change anything about it.

  Which made him feel bad as soon as he thought that. Conner was dead—what kind of person was Sev that he wouldn’t change that?

  Okay I’d change that, but no way would Conner get to have Laine still. Nope. I’d match him up with someone, hmm, someone younger and sexy enough that Conner wouldn’t be able to want anyone else. It’d have to be someone here, too, because Conner has to be here. He has to be a part of our lives. I really like that goofball. Maybe even loved him in a way that was friendly and familial at the same time.

  “Goddamn it!” Laine shouted. “Conner, I swear to God, if you don’t give me my toothbrush, I’m gonna find someone to exorcise you into a bottle! You’ll be like that genie on TV— Ow!”

  Sev chuckled and fixed Laine a cup of coffee. He listened to Laine gripe for another minute, then Laine’s toothbrush came flying down the hall, through the kitchen, and out of the open window. “Shit.”

  Laine thundered into the kitchen, wearing a pair of boxer briefs. He was so damned handsome that Sev’s mouth watered when he looked at Laine, and his heart raced with palpitations.

  “What’d he do with my toothbrush?” Laine asked.

  Sev aimed his thumb at the window. “It went thataway.”

  Laine huffed and grumbled, but after three cups of coffee and breakfast, he was amenable to retrieving the toothbrush Sev had packed for him.

  “And get dressed,” Sev said as Laine headed for the bathroom. “Our flight leaves in three hours. By the time we get to the airport, we’ll have less than two hours to get checked in and all that crap.”

  “We’ll get there, honey,” Laine called back over his shoulder. “I’m not backing out because Conner decided to run off with my toothbrush.”

  A small ball of tension Sev hadn’t been aware of loosened and his chest warmed with the sensation of it. He smiled and washed up the dishes then cleaned the coffee pot. By the time Laine was dressed and bringing the suitcases with him to the living room, Sev had called Zeke and Brendon to let them know everything was good
to go—and nothing was impeding the trip.

  “Brendon said they’d check on the house every day.” Sev took a suitcase from Laine. “We’re all set. Are you excited? I’m excited.”

  Laine’s laugh was more of a rough exhalation, but the way his expression softened as he gazed at Sev did wonderful, funny things to him. Sev hadn’t known how much love could change a person inside, and he couldn’t even put into words what, in him, had changed. He was different, that was all, and it was a good thing.

  * * * *

  Planes weren’t Laine’s favorite thing, not at all. He might have been a little tense, and maybe he’d clung too tightly to Sev’s hand, but once they were on the ground again and could disembark, he felt like an elephant had been lifted off his chest.

  “You’re getting your color back,” Sev told him as they waited for their luggage at the carousel. “The gray was kind of scary.”

  “Thought I was gonna keel over?” Laine asked, smiling slightly at his lover.

  Sev narrowed his eyes at Laine. “You’d damn well better not. We’re going to have decades together. Decades. Then eternity after that.”

  Sev sounded so sure about the eternity part that Laine had to believe it, too. “Good thing I’m so crazy about you then, ain’t it?”

  “Damn right, and even better that it’s mutual. There’s your bag!” Sev dove between two men hogging space at the conveyor belt.

  When one of the men glared at the back of Sev’s head and opened his mouth, Laine tapped that guy on the shoulder.

  “I wouldn’t,” Laine said, voice low, protectiveness surging to the surface.

  The man scampered sideways like some freaky human-crab mix.

  Sev hooted and grabbed the suitcase. “Yes! Here ya go, Laine.” He handed the bag to Laine.

  The second suitcase wasn’t far behind, and in short order they had it, and their rental car. Laine drove and let Sev read the directions off to him. The cabin they’d rented was close to the Sandia Mountains, and secluded enough that they shouldn’t be disturbed. Laine was glad Sev had chosen such a place for them. He knew Sev would want to go into Albuquerque and probably Santa Fe and explore the cities. Laine kind of did, too, though he’d grumble about it just to keep up appearances. Plus, Laine suspected that it made Sev feel like he’d accomplished something if he got a grumpy Laine to agree to do what he wanted.

  But Laine had done some research while he’d been at work, and he knew of a few places he wanted to take Sev. He bit back a grin when he thought of the naughty candy store in Old Town Albuquerque he’d read up on. Laine planned to buy Sev a box of chocolates he’d never forget.

  He just hoped he didn’t blush like a virgin the whole time he was in the store with Sev.

  Come to think of it, he could just imagine Sev holding up chocolate and rainbow candy penises, some drizzled with white icing for that authentic look. Sev wouldn’t be embarrassed at all. He’d laugh and giggle and probably suck on one of those penis pops right there in the candy store, and Laine would spring a boner in front of everyone.

  Maybe I’ll order him some of those online once we’re back home.

  “You’re being awfully quiet,” Sev observed.

  Laine sent him a quick smile. “Just listening to you singing along with the radio.”

  “You poor man,” Sev said, patting his hand.

  Laine laughed. “You don’t have a bad voice, honey.”

  “Right,” Sev drawled. “You’re going to take the next exit, then a right at the first dirt road. Should only be about six miles after that.”

  “Should we get something to eat first? Breakfast is wearing off.” Laine’s stomach rumbled right on time to emphasize his claim.

  “Supposed to be stocked with groceries,” Sev informed him. “I sent a list of what we wanted, and Anna, the lady we’re renting the place from, said she’d get everything for us. She emailed yesterday telling me she had the cabinets and fridge full for us.”

  “That’s a nice service for her to provide.”

  Sev shook his head. “It wasn’t free, but I figured it’d beat us having to go to the store our first day here.”

  “Thoughtful of you, Sev.” Laine winked then focused on not running off the road.

  The cabin itself was fancier than Laine had expected. It was adobe, with a nice porch and gorgeous landscaping. A small yard was fenced off, again with adobe, and the yard contained a pool and a hot tub, as well as a telescope.

  “Anna said the stars are a sight not to be missed,” Sev said, peering over the fence. “God, it’s hot. I think we should put our clothes up, have a quick lunch, then skinny dip.”

  “Skinny dip?” Laine felt his cheeks grow warm. “You think the people before us did that? You know, did—had sex in the pool?” He was pretty sure that was where Sev was going with the whole skinny dipping thing.

  Sev shrugged. “That’s what pool chemicals are for.”

  Laine wondered just how much chlorine was needed to clean the water.

  “Stop worrying about it,” Sev said, tugging at his arm. “Seriously, Laine. We’re here to relax, and have fun, and enjoy each other. We don’t have to skinny dip if you’re going to freak out about it.”

  Well, now Laine felt like an old fuddy duddy. And surely, only an old fuddy duddy would even think of that term.

  “If you scowl any harder, you might hurt yourself,” Sev teased. “Come on. Let’s get out of the heat.”

  “It is hot. Not Texas hot, either.” Laine was used to high temperatures and humidity. “It’s just hot as hell here.”

  “Dry heat. A different kind of hell than humid heat, but still hot.” Sev ran a hand over the door, which was wooden and beautifully carved. A wolf ran along a mountaintop with the moon overhead. Trees and stars had been carved, too, and the whole thing painted. “God, this is so pretty.” Sev punched in a code on some fancy lock, then he opened the door.

  “It is. Matches the bench out front,” Laine pointed at it.

  “Wow. I wonder if we can buy this furniture somewhere?” Sev stopped inside and looked around. “Oh, man. I want a place like this. It has a kiva fireplace! And look at the bed!”

  Laine was trying to look at everything at once. The cabin was truly built in what he thought of as the Southwestern style, with wooden beams overhead and colored cement floors. Native American pottery decorated the shelves. There were small, framed documents by each vouching for their authenticity from a local tribe.

  And the bed was majestic. Sev sat on it and fell back. “I want this. I want the headboard, the door, the bench, the—all of it. I want it somewhere it isn’t a hundred and fourteen very dry degrees, though.”

  Laine laughed and set his suitcase down by Sev’s. “Well, maybe you’ll find another place you want, and another. We’ve got lots of places to go together, don’t we?”

  Sev sat up, clearly surprised at Laine’s statements.

  “You told me you want to travel, Sev. Just because I love being at home with you doesn’t mean I can’t love being somewhere else with you, too.” He walked over and sat on the bed beside Sev. “I love you, so yeah, wherever you want to go, we’ll go. Got to work with my vacation time, though.”

  “And…and when you retire?” Sev asked. “Not that I’m saying you’re old or anything. You know what I mean.”

  Laine did. “I like that you plan for our future together,” he said. “That makes me feel good. When I retire, I would like to keep our home base in McKinton, but we could travel around. See what you want to see.”

  Sev sat up. “I know you’re hungry, but can you kiss me?”

  “Never too hungry to miss out on that.” Laine turned and tugged.

  Sev straddled his lap and linked his arms around Laine. “Well, I don’t want you to starve.”

  Laine cupped Sev’s butt with one hand and his jaw with the other.

  Sev closed his eyes and sighed as Laine touched his lips to Sev’s.

  The taste of Sev, the feel of him, ignited ever
y flame of desire in Laine’s body. He forgot about being hungry for food and gave in to the carnal hunger that Sev brought out in him.

  Laine held Sev’s head still and plundered his mouth. He laid claim to every part of Sev he could touch. Sev whimpered and rocked against him. Laine kissed him harder, then stood up, holding Sev until he could turn around and take Sev down onto the bed.

  Then it was as if the need exploded onto a whole new level of intensity. Laine and Sev pulled and shoved at their clothes and stripped down in record time.

  And Laine reached for the lube under the pillows only to realize they weren’t at home. “Shit! Lube—”

  “I’ll get it.” Sev scampered out from under him. “I know where I put it.”

  Laine turned and watched Sev jog over to his suitcase. Sev’s body was perfect, his ass round and toned, his skin a succulent feast for Laine’s senses.

  “Woot!” Sev shouted, turning around and holding up the tube he’d packed.

  Laine’s heart twisted with love all over again as he looked at Sev’s joyous expression, his eyes shining, lips curled up in a mischievous grin.

  Then Sev ran and leaped on him, and Laine huffed as he was pinned down.

  “I’m going for a ride,” Sev told him. He opened the lube then poured some first in Laine’s hand. “You do you, and I’ll do me, then we’ll do each other the fun way.”

  Laine couldn’t help but laugh at that. He slicked up his cock while Sev prepped his hole. Laine finished first and decided to jack Sev off while he was fingering his pucker.

  Sev’s eyes rolled back and he sucked on his bottom lip while he hummed. He looked luscious, like every grand thing a man could want, wrapped up in one sexy as fuck package.

  “Umm, ready,” Sev said breathlessly. He wiped his hand on something—one of their shirts, Laine thought—then tugged on Laine’s wrist. “Stop, or I’ll come and I want to have your cock in me when that happens.”