According to Design

by Nicole Dennis

  “I need to go back to the studio and get my car. Crap, I need to change clothes.” Wyatt stood and plucked at the pale green top. “When I’m done, I’ll pick you up, take you to your place so you can pack and we’ll go home. I need to warn Collin we’re having company.”

  “Why are you wearing that?” Keegan checked Wyatt’s outfit. “Are those scrubs?”

  “I came straight from my studio, so I was filthy. Doc made me clean up. I want to get back into normal stuff before we run around town.”

  “Oh, I guess he doesn’t want filth in the ER.”

  “I can be a dirty boy.”

  Keegan blushed at the teasing and cleared his throat. “You’ll be back soon, right?”

  “Probably before you’re released. I’m not far. I promise.” Wyatt pressed a kiss to Keegan’s lips.

  Keegan returned the kiss with the same cherished touch. He nuzzled Wyatt’s bristled cheek with his smoother one, content with the gentle-rough sensation. “I’ll return soon.” Wyatt grabbed his things and left, but Keegan knew Wyatt would return to him.

  * * * *

  Keegan left the hospital under Wyatt’s care and packed a few things into a satchel to cover the weekend. He made sure to tuck in his diary to record everything that had happened. On a last minute decision, he added a stuffed portfolio of papers, quizzes and reports to grade.

  “It’s not a working weekend for you.” Wyatt picked up the satchel, not letting Keegan do much.

  “I had a PTSD episode, not a major injury. I can’t let down my students. Grading papers is new to me and I enjoy it.” Keegan locked up and they drove to Wyatt’s home. “It’s a little different this time.”

  “How’s that?”

  “I didn’t expect to be here again. Last time, I almost invited myself.”

  “It did turn out to be a great night, though.”

  “Yes, it was a wonderful night.” When he got out, Keegan left the garage and walked around to the opening between the houses. The grass gave way to the beach and the gentle sounds of waves breaking calmed him. He pulled in a deep breath of the soothing sea air. “I didn’t get to enjoy this the last time.”

  “I think we went right inside since it was late and I was out of it.” Wyatt followed him around the corner. “Sorry about that.”

  “With the day you had, I didn’t blame you for being in a one-track state of mind,” Keegan said and shrugged. He looked back toward the gorgeous natural view in front of them. “It’s beautiful here.”

  “I didn’t think I would be able to move into this neighborhood. This is one of the best because of the beach. Did I mention who else lived here?”

  Keegan shook his head.

  “The local IT fella, Beau Courtenay, lives down the street on the next cul-de-sac.” Wyatt he pointed in that direction. “I saw Robin’s official SUV in the drive multiple times. It’s been a permanent fixture the last couple of weeks.”

  “Ahh, it would explain why the sheriff is smiling more often.”

  “The landscaper, Reece, and contractor Sully both have homes down that way.” He pointed in the opposite direction. “A couple other shop owners also have places here. The other prominent neighborhood is north of us, by the schools.”

  “I wouldn’t blame anyone for wanting one of these houses. The only reason I chose to move into the apartment building facing the ocean instead of a larger villa was because of the view. Of course, it’s not the ocean, right?”

  “Technically, no, we’re on the Gulf of Mexico that leads to the Atlantic, but it’s all ocean water to me,” Wyatt said. “You had a similar view back home, right?”

  “Not really. Raleigh is well inland. We had to drive to the Outer Banks to really have a view. Rainbow Refuge was closer, though, and I enjoyed my time there.”

  “Sounds like Rainbow is a good healing place.”

  “It’s a special rehabilitation and recovery center for the LGBT spectrum. It was mostly designed to assist military, but they opened their doors to welcome anyone who needs their assistance. I got lucky to grab a bed.” Keegan stared down at the wispy grass. “Trying to become and stay sober is hard. Detox breaks you down to your shattered soul. Rehab helps you learn to put the pieces together.”

  “Are you still on the mend?”

  “Always.” Keegan lifted his gaze to find Wyatt watching him. “Even almost two years out, I crave the numbness of the drugs. It never goes away. My will to overcome the craving is stronger.” He licked his lower lip. “You don’t mind that I was an addict. I mean—”

  Wyatt laid a finger on Keegan’s lips. “It helped make you the man standing in front of me. Even if the pieces are mending, I much prefer this version to some perfect one I don’t know. I’m not a stuck up fool who cares about details like that. We all make mistakes.”

  “Some have bigger mistakes than others.”

  “We’re human. We suck.”

  Keegan laughed.

  “Are you hungry?” Wyatt asked.

  “Famished.”

  Wyatt held out his hand and Keegan took it as they walked back inside the garage and then into Wyatt’s home.

  Keegan looked around the split floorplan, which was popular in Florida houses. He tried to remember the quick tour he’d taken the last time. When he heard the loud noises of a video game, he remembered Collin ruled that side of the house. “What game is Collin playing?”

  “He has the new Halo 5: Guardians. It lets him hook up with players back at his old school to work through the latest episode of the saga,” Wyatt said. “If he’s not here playing Halo, he’s over with Lucas on his system.”

  “What do you prefer?”

  “Lego Marvel’s Avengers,” Wyatt said.

  “Didn’t peg you for a Lego man.”

  “What? I love those little characters. I’ve unlocked most of them and those extra capabilities. They have new enhanced powers,” Wyatt said. He had a cheesy grin on his face. “I can lose a few hours playing it. Especially if I can kick Collin’s ass at the same time. Hey, we’ll have a battle on the big screen this weekend.”

  Keegan shook his head, adding a chuckle at Wyatt’s enthusiasm. “Would you tease me endlessly if I said the last time I played a video game was the original Super Mario Bros.?”

  “What?”

  Keegan shrugged. “I often stumbled on the hidden passages but ended up killing myself more times than I finished a board.”

  “Oh, for shame. We must get you up to snuff. I’ll make it my personal mission. I believe it’ll take lots of hours of undivided attention with your teacher,” Wyatt said as he bumped their hips and wiggled his eyebrows.

  “You’re crazy.”

  “I know.”

  Laughing again, Keegan admired his favorite part of the house. It was in the main area with the French doors leading to the lanai and the water view. “Umm, since you invited me this time, I’m not going to assume anything. Where will I sleep?”

  “I have a California king bed and I’m pretty sure two grown men can sleep on it without touching. Unless you prefer cuddling—I did enjoy that part the best,” Wyatt said. “Or if you insist on being so noble, you can take the bed and I’ll crash on the chaise lounge out here.”

  “I couldn’t kick you out of your bed. I can sleep on the chaise.”

  “Oh screw it. We’re sleeping in my room. Again,” Wyatt said, ending the argument by walking back to the master bedroom and dropping Keegan’s satchel there. He returned to the man room and pointed toward the dining area. “Collin left your bag there.”

  Keegan located his messenger case lying on a chair. Inside would be his netbook and the innocuous email that had started everything. “I need to handle things with that email.”

  “Monday. You can wait to handle it on Monday when you’re stronger,” Wyatt said as he placed his hands on Keegan’s shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze.

  “You’re right. No one can do anything about it now.”

  “Hey, Mister Keegan, how are you?”


  They stepped away from one another when Collin called out.

  Keegan looked to see the teen walking out from his room and waved at him. “Hi, Collin, I’m better. Your uncle invited me to stay for the weekend. Doctor’s orders.”

  “No problem. That’s my side,” Collin said, pointing his thumb over his shoulder.

  “Yes, I learned that from Wyatt.”

  “Is there anything to eat? I’m starving,” Collin asked.

  “You’re a walking garbage bin that’s always empty,” Wyatt said.

  “I’m a growing kid. Gotta fuel up.”

  “Let’s see what I can make,” Wyatt said and went to the kitchen.

  Collin headed to the living room, plopped on the couch and turned on the flat screen television to flip channels. Instead of joining him, Keegan pulled out one of the barstools and parked himself there to watch or help Wyatt make dinner.

  “Want to help?” Wyatt asked when he saw him sitting there.

  “Sure. Put me to work. I’m not a lazy house guest. My fathers taught me better before they let me out from under their roof.”

  Something else seemed to melt deep inside him at Wyatt’s welcoming nature. Keegan relaxed within the comforting home, not feeling like a stranger.

  * * * *

  When it came time for bed, they both descended upon the expansive California king mattress. Keegan took the free side Wyatt hadn’t claimed. He showered then changed into sleep pants before he slipped under the covers.

  “Oh. You have the same type of sheets I do,” he said.

  “What’s that?”

  “The jersey cotton ones. I love them because it feels like my favorite T-shirt,” Keegan said. A flush warmed his cheeks at the silly admission.

  “Huh. I like them for the same reason,” Wyatt said as he punched a pillow and stretched out. He turned on his side to watch Keegan.

  Keegan wiggled to find a comfortable position, but inside him remained an uneasy feeling. The last time they’d shared a bed, Keegan had been there to comfort Wyatt through his grief. Now the situation was reversed. Keegan needed the attention and support. He didn’t like to admit his weakness. Old wounds reopened when he talked about what had happened with Dwayne. Memories he didn’t want to think about resurfaced.

  Why did he feel so uneasy? This was Wyatt. Wyatt wasn’t Dwayne.

  It had taken forever before he’d slept an entire night with Dwayne. Something inside him hadn’t let him jump right into a relationship with him. He wished he’d listened to his gut back then. He was never promiscuous. In a way, it was a good thing, but it added up to a whole lot of nothing in the experience department. Dwayne had controlled everything in the bedroom and Keegan had gone along with it. He wondered if Wyatt would do the same or be more open.

  Turning on his side, Keegan tucked one arm under the pillow to support his head. In the dim light, he made out Wyatt on the other side.

  “You’re lost in your head over there. Aren’t you?” Wyatt asked, his voice low to go with the darkness.

  “It happens a lot with me. Especially after having to talk about what happened to me.”

  “Can I ask what you’re thinking about?”

  “Right now?”

  Wyatt nodded.

  “The last time I shared a bed with someone.”

  “Was it your ex?”

  “He’s my only ex. Not a good record. One relationship and it turned out really bad.”

  Silence filled the room.

  “Are you saying you only had the one lover?”

  “I had a couple of boyfriends in college. None of them lasted more than a month or two. My ex was the only one I had something with long term.”

  “Oh.”

  Keegan sucked in his lower lip and nibbled on it.

  “I shouldn’t say anything. I can count the number of lovers on my fingers too. I’ve never been the promiscuous type,” Wyatt admitted in the same low tone. “I loved the clubs when I was younger and dancing with anyone on the floor. Beyond that, nope, I didn’t chance it until I knew the fella. Exchanging quick blow jobs or hand jobs in a nasty bathroom isn’t what I mean. Not even a quick exchange of names. I have to know more than the basics to feel anything or think about sex.”

  Keegan released his lip, a little shocked by Wyatt’s admission. He thought someone as gorgeous as Wyatt would have…well…more.

  “I know. It’s crazy, right? Guess we’re more alike than we thought,” Wyatt said, seeming to accept Keegan’s silence as an acceptance.

  Keegan smiled into the pillow, feeling too shy to say more. It seemed Wyatt didn’t mind, only whispering goodnight and turning off the last light. He burrowed deeper into the pillow, smelling Wyatt’s scent in the cover and letting it surround him as he slipped into a restless sleep.

  * * * *

  “I can’t fucking believe this. You’re such an idiot. Why the fuck would you go to work wasted? You know the fucking rules,” Dwayne shouted at him from the top of the staircase.

  Pain screamed from Keegan’s ribcage. He curled into a fetal heap on the landing, trying to keep his ribs together. He’d felt something give way when Dwayne had kicked him and sent him rolling down the stairs. Pills. He needed the numbness from the pills and everything would be fine.

  “You stupid fucking bastard. Do you know what they’re going to do tomorrow? They’ll pull you and others aside and call it a ’random drug test’,” Dwayne said as he flicked his fingers with the quotes. He stomped down the stairs. “It’s not fucking random since they know you’re on something. When they get your test, see you’re high as a fucking kite, they’ll ask. And ask. And ask. They know we’re sleeping together. They’ll look at me. Do you know how fucking long I worked to get to where I am?”

  Keegan looked under his arm. Dwayne kicked him again to send him flying backwards until Keegan hit the main floor. All breath left him. He coughed to drag air back into his starving lungs. His ribs continued screaming, adding to all the other injuries.

  One mistake. One little mistake of taking too many pills. Those perfect pills that removed all pain and emotions from him so he could concentrate on his work. He loved forensics. He loved them more than Dwayne.

  Dwayne kicked him again. Keegan wailed from the pain. Dwayne deliberately wore his heavy ass-kicker boots tonight. Those boots did a shitload more damage to his body than anything else. Keegan cried out and hollered. He hoped someone heard him. He wanted everyone to hear him. Either way, this abuse needed to end. End now.

  Dwayne continued to stomp and kick him, cursing at him with every hit and beyond. Keegan tried to protect himself, but Dwayne didn’t give him a chance.

  The screaming stopped when Dwayne kicked his head. Stars and darkness blurred Keegan’s vision.

  Until Dwayne stomped on his lower ribs and upper belly with a vicious motion. While spasms raced through Keegan’s body, he continued to scream for help in between pleas for Dwayne to stop hurting him.

  Dying… Dwayne was killing him.

  Killing him.

  Dying…

  Dads. He wanted his dads…

  Keegan turned and stretched his hands out toward the front door. He called for his fathers to help him…

  Darkness swirled around him as the kicking and threats continued.

  “Keegan… Hon. Kee, come back to me…”

  Keegan twisted, crying out in pain as he fought to get away.

  “Come on, hon, come back to me. It’s a nightmare. You’re having a nightmare. Wake up. Wake up for me,” someone said in a soothing tone. So unlike the harsh shouts, threats and curses from Dwayne.

  Something warm curled around his aching body and along his back. Strong arms tenderly embracing him, holding him in place, but not hurting him.

  The pain. It floated away. Dwayne’s voice disappeared.

  Only the soothing voice remained. It was so soothing and warm.

  Wyatt.

  Keegan opened his eyes and blinked at the bright glow of a light. H
e twisted to look over his shoulder and saw Wyatt’s face close to him. “Wyatt,” he whispered.

  “Oh, thank God, I was so damn scared I couldn’t get you back.” Wyatt released his tight grip and encouraged Keegan to turn on his back. He placed his fingers on Keegan’s face to keep their gazes together.

  “A nightmare from the past hit me.” Keegan concentrated on Wyatt’s face and touch to keep grounding him back to reality. The craving for the drug roared through his mind and body.

  “Brought up by what happened,” Wyatt surmised.

  “Yeah.”

  “I wish I could have stood with you back then,” Wyatt said. He rubbed one thumb in circles at Keegan’s temples.

  Keegan closed his eyes as Wyatt pushed the tension away. He opened his eyes to meet Wyatt’s gaze. “I needed to get through it on my own to come out the other side. I did. I got through that night. Scary as fuck, but I survived.”

  With a sigh, Wyatt touched their foreheads together. Only the sounds of their breathing filled the room.

  “You pulled me back. Your voice. Your touch. I heard you call to me,” Keegan said.

  “I was desperate to do whatever I could. I would have planted a hot kiss on your lips next.” A teasing grin appeared at the corners of Wyatt’s lips.

  A soundless laugh left Keegan at the teasing. He stretched his legs that had cramped during the nightmare. The pounding need of the craving continued, but he locked it back in its box. “What time is it?”

  Wyatt rolled and stretched out an arm to grab his phone. He squinted at the bright screen. “Either fucking late at night. Or too damn early in the morning. However you want to put it. It’s around two.”

  “Too damn early. Need sleep,” Keegan said.

  “Same here.” Wyatt put his phone down then flicked off the light. “Do you want me to hold you?” He rolled back toward Keegan at the offer.

  “Could you?”

  “Of course. Flip over and scoot back. I’ll spoon you,” Wyatt said as he stretched his long frame and got in his spot as the large spoon.

  Happy to cuddle, Keegan wiggled until their bodies came together. Wyatt’s cock responded to their closeness and he shifted his position to give it space.