by Megan Slayer
Steve wasn’t helping, but then Len hadn’t given his friend the full story. Did he want to tell Steve everything? Not really. He prided himself on keeping his business private. Except now when he needed help or at least someone else’s advice.
Steve shrugged. “Do what you want, but I have the feeling you’ve already got your eye on someone. I say get out there and try. It might work, and if it doesn’t, hopefully he’s a good lay and it’ll be hot.”
“Are you supposed to be talking like that? Here?” Len shrank down in the water as if someone would see them.
“There isn’t anyone else here,” Steve said. “You’re the only one using the pool. If the swim team were practicing, then no. I wouldn’t.” He waved his hand. “Now tell me the truth. What’s this all about?”
“What if the guy is the ex of someone you know?” Len asked.
“I know you. Is that a problem?” Steve paused. “What are you getting at?”
“Would you be willing to date someone you’re close to?” He still wasn’t explaining himself well, but tough.
“Maybe if you’d just spit it out, I’d have an answer.” Steve grinned again, then sighed. “I’d have to think about it.”
Jesus. He wasn’t getting anywhere. “This guy is friends with Aiden. He told me he liked me.” Saying the words out loud made them finally seem real. His heart lodged in his throat. Why did making the potential of a relationship real seem so scary but kind of exciting too? Because he liked Isaac.
Steve laughed. He rocked in his seat and kicked the water. “Likes you?”
“You’re not doing me any favors,” Len bit out. “Not at all.”
“I’m sorry. Now you’re acting archaic. No one says likes any longer. There are a hundred terms for it, and I can’t remember any of them.” Steve suppressed his chuckles. “If the guy likes you, then feel him out.”
“What about Aiden?”
“What about him? He’s with Matt.” Steve folded his legs beneath him. “They’re happy and married. I doubt something like this would faze him. He’s got lots of friends, and who cares if one of them wants to date you?”
“Wouldn’t it be strange? The guy is a few years older than Aiden.” If he were Aiden and saw his father with one of his friends, he’d feel odd about it. But his father wasn’t gay and hadn’t been thrilled when he’d found out Len was homosexual. His father only had guy friends and they drank together. No dating…ever.
“I don’t know how Aiden will take it, and neither will you if you don’t ask him. Talk to him. What if he says ride that stallion? Then what will you do?” Steve asked. “Ride the stallion?”
“He wouldn’t.” Aiden wasn’t the type to tell anyone to ride a stallion. Christ.
“Oh?”
“He doesn’t say things like that.” Aiden was too reserved sometimes for his own good. Len wrestled with the idea of asking Isaac out. He’d already kind of turned the guy down. The look of pain in Isaac’s eyes stuck in his memory.
“Oh, well, you knew what I meant.” Steve shrugged. “Give the guy a chance. He might be good for you.”
“Steve.” Len groaned. He shouldn’t be irritated with Steve. The guy had given him permission and encouragement. All Len wanted was to hear Aiden do the same.
“You asked and I gave you my two cents.” Steve stood and shook his hair. He sprayed Len with water droplets again. “Do what you think is best, but don’t push the guy away and not talk to Aiden because you think Aiden will be upset.” He walked away, leaving Len to himself.
Len dunked his head under the water. The chill shocked his system but didn’t help him decide what to do. Maybe Steve was right. He’d never know if he didn’t give Isaac a chance. He liked Isaac, and he just might be worth the shot.
* * * *
Monday afternoon, Len parked outside Isaac’s office. He needed to set things straight. What did he want? A date. With? Isaac. He sat in his car and stared at the building. If Isaac wanted to be with him, then he’d make the first move. Why not? A thought occurred to him. Should he talk to Aiden first? Ross was only a year younger than Len, but he’d treated Aiden horribly. The ill will between Ross and Aiden had been mutual, and he hadn’t asked Aiden’s permission before dating Ross. Maybe he should’ve.
Jesus. Dating hadn’t been this hard when he’d met Keye. Back then, the process had been easy. He’d seen Keye, wanted him and made a move. They’d met up at the nightclub until they’d decided they belonged together, then fucked whenever they had a chance. Easy. And now he was in front of Isaac’s office, acting on impulse. Oh fuck.
His phone rang, jolting him out of his thoughts. He read the ID screen. Aiden. Of course. He fortified his nerves and answered. “Son.”
“Hey, Dad.”
Aiden always cheered him up, but not today. “It’s not Saturday, and I’m not due for an exam.” He didn’t mind his new doctor, Dr. Gates, but he’d rather see Isaac again.
“I know. I saw your car at the swim complex when I ran to the sandwich shop to get lunch for the nurses today. When I went back, you were gone,” Aiden said. “I’m off today and Matt’s working. Thought I’d catch you and we could spend the afternoon together.”
“What’d you have in mind?” He stared at the building, a normal doctor’s office type of place with a gray stone facade and white trim around the windows. He went there when he needed to see Dr. Gates.
“I didn’t.” Aiden laughed. “I’m not on-call and I don’t have to be anywhere. I have no idea what to do with myself.”
“Sounds like.” Did he sound distracted? “Cool.”
“Are you okay? Dad?” Aiden’s voice rose. “Where are you? How are you feeling? Where are your meds?”
“Aiden.” He’d screwed this all up. “I’m fine. I’m parked and the engine is off.” He wasn’t sure why he’d mentioned that. “I’m current on my meds, and I’m not overheated. I feel fine enough.” Boy, he needed to stop talking.
“Enough? I’m coming to the house,” Aiden said. “Let me call Matt and I’ll meet you.”
“Aiden, stop.” He had to explain the situation to Aiden. “I’m at the doctor’s office.”
“For? You weren’t showing symptoms of anything when I visited you last.”
“Because I’m not sick.” He winced. “I’m here for a date.”
“Wait. What?” Aiden asked. “One more time. I could swear you said you were there for a date.”
“I hit it off with a doctor, sort of, and I’m here to see him—not as a patient. I’m fine and healthy.” He paused. “It’s okay.”
“Do I know this doctor?”
He’d lied, sort of, about hitting it off, but he couldn’t fib about the who. If he went out with Isaac and they decided to take things to the next level, Isaac would want to come around to family gatherings. He’d be expected at them and Aiden deserved to know. “You do.” He winced again. “You’re friends with him.” Christ, he was putting the cart before the damn horse.
“Doctor Raji? You’re dating a dentist?” Aiden asked. “If that’s who makes you happy, then great, but I never thought you were interested in dentists.” He paused. “It’s a joke because I know how you hate to visit the dentist. Go for who you want.”
“No.” Dr. Raji had a wife and three kids. He wasn’t dating material. “Not him.”
“Dr. Soules? The clown from the outpatient clinic? Dad, he’s a lousy doctor and he’s not my friend.”
Aiden was so defensive. At least it was nice that Len had someone in his corner. “Not him either,” Len said. “He and I had a falling out when he tried to tell me I needed a pacemaker. I had a TIA, not a heart problem, and he’s not my regular doctor. That’s Dr. Gates.”
“Then who? Not Dr. Gates. He’s married.”
He massaged his forehead. Either Aiden would be pissed beyond belief or mildly okay with the situation, but he had no clue as to how his son felt. “Dr. McLean.”
“As in Isaac?” Aiden’s tone was flat. “Isaac McLean?”
“Yeah.” He still couldn’t gauge Aiden’s reaction. He groaned. He should’ve done this in person.
“Isaac?” Aiden repeated. “My friend and almost coworker, Isaac?”
“What? You’re angry, aren’t you?” Len groaned again. He sagged in his seat and closed his eyes. “I know. It’s irresponsible. He’s not in my league, and plus, he’s your age.”
“No.”
“But you’re hurt.” Fuck. An answer that wasn’t cryptic would be nice. “I should’ve thought this through before I even considered what I was doing. I’m sorry. You’re right. Forget I said anything. I don’t think through my actions sometimes and this has repercussions beyond me having a date.”
“I can’t exactly forget, Dad. You just told me you wanted to see a guy I know.”
Len sighed. “What are you thinking?”
Aiden didn’t speak for a long moment. His end of the line was so silent, Len could’ve sworn the call had been dropped. He checked the screen to ensure he still had Aiden on the line. When he heard Aiden sigh, he blew out a ragged breath. At least his son hadn’t hung up on him.
“Dad, I love you,” Aiden said. “I do.”
“But?” There had to be a catch.
“I have no buts.”
“Right.” He wasn’t sure what was happening. No catch? Really? “What’s the rest?”
“That’s all of the story,” Aiden said. “I’m happy. Isaac is a stand-up guy.”
“Who is too young? Right? And too handsome for me? He’s your age, which is worse. I’m… I should have my head examined.” He closed his eyes. Yep, he’d made a big mistake by even thinking he might want to date Isaac.
“Who says you’re not good enough or hot enough? So he’s younger. Be a proud silver fox. If he’s who you want, then go for him. He’s better than that clingy guy from your housing development.”
“Brandon? He’s harmless.” For the most part. He stared at the fabric on the inner roof of his car. “Aiden.” He wanted to say so many things, but couldn’t form the words. He needed Aiden’s approval.
“What? I want you to be happy. He might be nearer to my age than yours, but if I were picking people for you to date, he’d be on the list,” Aiden said.
Len couldn’t speak and wasn’t sure what to say. Was Aiden being honest?
“If that’s the earth-shattering news Steve told me to ask you about, then it wasn’t that big of a deal. We’re cool. Tell Isaac I said hi and to be good to you. He might be my friend, but you’re my dad. No one breaks my dad’s heart and gets away with it.”
“Thanks, Aiden.” He’d raised a good son. One with a big heart and lots of compassion.
“Welcome. See you Saturday? Dinner? Matt’s cooking,” Aiden said. “Bring Isaac and Cissy. It’ll be weird at first, but that happens. Cissy wants to visit the pups.”
“Pencil me in because she does. I don’t know about Isaac, but I’ll be there.” He paused. “Love you, kid.”
“Love you, Dad.”
Len hung up and tapped the phone against his lips. Aiden would’ve had a fit and chewed him out about the million germs on the phone touching his mouth. He didn’t care. He had his son’s blessing. The germs couldn’t harm him now.
He left the car and headed into the building. Len wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but the waiting room full of elderly people caught him off guard. He wondered if this was how Isaac saw him…as a geriatric individual? He hoped not.
Len marched up to the receptionist’s window.
“Name and appointment time,” she said and didn’t look up from her computer.
“I don’t have one.” He should’ve thought this plan through a little better. When he’d visited Aiden at the hospital, he’d been able to stroll in and see him. Isaac being at an office proved a little more difficult. He could pretend he was there for Dr. Gates, but the lie wasn’t good.
“What time do you need?” she asked.
“I don’t.” Yep, should’ve planned ahead.
She froze, then glanced up from her computer. She shook her head and resumed typing. “Picking up a script? You can call that in now or use the Internet. It’s faster, especially for refills.”
“I don’t need any refills.”
“Are you here for Dr. Gates? This isn’t your normal time, Mr. Connor.” She frowned. “I’m missing something.”
“I want to leave a message for Dr. McLean. I’m a friend.” Len gripped the small counter. He’d made the wrong choice by visiting the office on a day when he didn’t need to be there.
She frowned, then rolled away from her desk. Another girl, a nurse if Len had to guess, smiled at him. She didn’t speak but also didn’t stop staring. The first girl returned to the counter. He tensed. Where was Elise? She’d understand. Hell, she might put him with Isaac without a second thought.
“Doc will see you, but make it quick. We’re behind.” She slammed the glass window shut, effectively ending the discussion.
The door to the left opened, and the smiling nurse waved. “This way.” She directed him past the scales and two exam rooms to what Len suspected was Isaac’s office. “I’m really excited you’re here. He needs a friend. He’s stressed,” she whispered. She nodded once, then shut the door.
Len hooked his fingers into his belt loops. He’d acted on impulse. His mind filled with questions and doubt. If he abandoned the plan now, he’d really screw himself over.
The door opened. “I’ll be there in a moment.” Isaac caught Len’s gaze and held on to the knob. “Hi.” He pushed the door shut. “What brings you by? Are you okay? Can’t you get in to see Dr. Gates?”
“That’s a very popular question today.” He rocked on his feet. “But no, I don’t need to see Dr. Gates.”
“Oh?” Isaac flipped through the paperwork on his desk. He didn’t seem excited to see Len. Annoyed was more like it.
Christ, he’d acted like a lovesick teenager by coming to the office.
Isaac settled on his chair. “Then what brings you by?”
“You.” Saying the words out loud settled him. It felt right to admit he liked Isaac.
“Me? If you need to make an appointment, I’ll have the girls work you in.” Isaac opened his laptop. “How about seven tonight? We’re closed, but I’ll help a friend.”
“Friend?” A glimmer of hope flickered in his brain. If they were platonic, then a romance could happen.
“You’re here to check on my adoption of Stan? He’s doing great,” Isaac said. “Dorian was a little drunk the other night at the gentlemen’s club, but black coffee and sleep sorted him out.”
“I wasn’t worried about him. He had you as a nurse.” He’d been jealous, but he understood helping a friend when he was down.
“Oh.” Isaac paused. “Okay, I’ll bite. What’s going on? Did the nurses put you up to this? They’re pranking me, aren’t they?” He hopped up from his seat. “They would. They think I need a date or a freaking stripper or something. I’m not in a funk.” He started around his desk. “I’m not in the mood for a joke.”
Len caught Isaac in his arms. Being this close to the doctor was so inappropriate, but he couldn’t help himself. Holding Isaac felt right. He tried to speak, but the words came out in a jumble. “I’m here to ask you if you’d like to go out with me.”
Isaac’s eyes widened. “What?”
He forced himself to calm down. For all he knew, one of the nurses could barge in at any second. “You asked me if I wanted to go on a date and I didn’t answer. Now, it’s my turn to do the asking. Do you want to try a date—whenever it ends up being? I acted on impulse and looked you up online. I should’ve called, but showing up in person seemed like a better idea at the time.” He didn’t let go of Isaac. Up close, he noticed the flecks of sapphire in Isaac’s blue eyes. He longed to run his fingers over the bit of scruff on Isaac’s cheeks and the fullness of his lips. What would it feel like to kiss him?
“I…” Isaac shrugged away. “This is so wrong.”
“I’m too old. I get it.” He should’ve guessed, but he wasn’t irritated. Following his heart, rather than keeping to himself, was a good first step. Besides, Isaac and Dorian might be closer than friends now.
“No. You’re here.”
He frowned. “I’m embarrassing you?” He wasn’t going to change himself for anyone, but he’d leave if that made Isaac happy.
“No. Here. I—” Isaac locked the door. “I’m thrilled you’re here. Thrilled you want to go out.”
“But?” Len sounded like Aiden.
“I so want you to do me on my desk.” Isaac blushed and pressed his lips together. The muscle in his jaw twitched.
“Do you?” If Len had thought the situation through, he’d have changed his mind, but he wanted to spread Isaac out on the desk and fuck him senseless too.
“That’s very wrong and inappropriate. I have patients,” Isaac said. “I won’t lie, though. I’d rather see you.” He threaded his hands into his hair. “That’s the problem. I feel like a hornball when I look at you and I can’t do that right now. I have to be a professional. I can’t walk in on poor little Esther and her head cold with a damn hard-on. When I saw you at the club, I wanted to run into that lounge and talk to you.”
“Why didn’t you?” He’d have loved to have been wanted, especially in front of his friends.
“Dorian got drunk trying to impress a man.”
“It happens.”
Isaac rolled his eyes, then focused on Len. “I’m not dreaming, right? My blurted statements and Dorian aren’t putting you off? You’re really here?”
“I am.” If he wanted to be with Isaac, he had to invite him over and on a date. “Come over tonight. Bring Stan. I’ll make mocktails, and we’ll try a date. Nothing fancy, but if it goes well, then we can try something in public.” Besides, if he had some private time with Isaac, maybe they could explore the desire to fuck like rabbits.
“I won’t get out of here until after seven-forty-five,” Isaac said. “Plus, I’ll need to get cleaned up and change.”