by BA Tortuga
What he got was a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Nachos!”
“Yep. We just ordered some boneless wings for you too.” Nate patted the seat of the chair next to him.
“Thanks. Good day, y’all?”
“It could have been way worse,” Lex admitted. “I mean, I’m out of a job.”
He would never tire of seeing someone’s face when he said it.
“On purpose or on accident?”
“Well, officially I’m on leave of absence. But voluntarily.”
“Congratulations, man.” Just like that. Congratulations. Damn.
“Thanks. I’m feeling like I need a life change.”
Dusty nodded, shrugged at him. “Happens to all of us.”
Nate stared at Dusty. “It does?”
“We got married, didn’t we? Bought a house? Built a shed? Life changes.”
“Yeah.” Lex grinned over. “I hear you want a dog, Doc.”
“Shiner, please,” Dusty told the server. “I do.”
Nate put on what everyone who knew him called stubborn face. “We’re not ready for a dog.”
“I’m not talking about adopting a baby, Nate.”
“Yeah, but you’re not home enough.” Nate stared, and Lex knew he’d hit a spot. Oops.
Eee-a-la. No getting in the middle of married folks.
“Lex’s man has cats,” Nate stated, ending the discussion. “Big ones.”
“Cats? That might work. Are they very smelly?”
“Uh, no. I mean, if you have ammonia issues, don’t be the one to clean the cat box.” Brant had a fancy-assed cat box deal and a cat door into the garage.
“Right. I can do cat boxes. We only ever had ones in the barn.”
Nate was glaring. At him.
“What?” Man, he needed to call Brantley.
“We’ll talk about it,” Nate finally said.
“I’ve just got a text to call. Be right back.” He stepped away and headed toward the patio, dialing Travis, who was at least off work.
“Hey, honey. You okay? Did something happen at work?”
“No, no. I’m okay. I was checking on you.” Travis made him grin. Everyone worried when the cop called.
“I’m… I’m glad to be back to work. The kids have been so nice.”
“Good. That’s good, man.” He leaned against the wall, soaking up the sunshine.
“What’s going on?”
“Nate and Dusty are spatting. I ran.”
“Oh?” Trav’s voice trailed off before the light bulb came on. “Your friends?”
He nodded, even though he knew full well Trav couldn’t see him. “Yeah. They’re having a bitch about dogs, cats, or kids.”
“Ah. Umbers, no?” Travis chuckled, and Lex cackled at the sound of the old cry. He wasn’t sure where the saying came from, but it fit here. Two kids just about to get themselves into trouble. “Don’t give them too long.”
“Right? I’m glad to hear you laugh, man.”
“Thank you. It’s been hard, but I’m feeling more… even-keeled.”
“It’ll come and go, I bet.” It had been that way for him, after he’d shot the bomber.
“Yep. What about you?”
“I started my leave of absence today.” If he kept saying it, it would get real.
“Oh? When are you coming home?” It felt nice, the excitement in Travis’s voice.
“I’m down here for the weekend, but then I’ll start bringing stuff up.”
Travis took a deep breath. “Let me know when to start emptying the guest room.”
Oh, he was sort of quietly hoping that wouldn’t be necessary. “I’ll see what’s what soon.”
“Fair enough. Just holler. You talked to Brant?”
“He’s coming down tomorrow.” He bit his lip, waiting for Trav’s reaction.
“Oh? Good deal. You do know he’s… he’s really looking for a long-term partner, right?”
“Uh-huh.” Did he know that? “I’m not a dog, Trav.”
“I know. I just thought I’d warn you. He has long-term relationships. Sort of.”
What the hell did that mean?
He didn’t want to ask Travis. He’d check it out with Brantley instead. “I know I’ve never really had one, but I think I want to try.” With Brant. Soon.
“Huh. Neat. I think you could do better, and I like Brant.”
“Wait. You like him, but I can do better?” He was confused as hell now.
“Well, you are my best friend. I want a wealthy Italian lord for you or something.”
“Oh.” He chuckled. “I thought Matt was perfect for you.”
“He was.” Travis chuckled. “Holler at me when you know what’s going on. You always have a place here.”
“Thanks, honey. I’ll call you later this weekend.”
“Bye!”
Okay, that was done, now…. Hey babe.
Hey. Miss u. Can’t wait for tomorrow.
Me too. Miss you. He peeked inside to see if Dusty and Nate were relaxed any. Yeah, that seemed to be over, the two men laughing together, head to head.
I’ll be there around 8. You need me to bring anything?
Just you and maybe something for dessert. He would provide supper.
K. Will do. Can I call tonite?
Yes. I’ll text when I get back from supper. He wanted to hear Brant’s voice.
Good deal.
He loved the goofy smile of Brant’s selfie.
Soon. Time to rejoin the guys.
“That was a hell of a text,” Dusty said.
“I called Travis too. Just because.” He slid into his seat, grinning. “All domestic action done?”
“Shut up,” Nate murmured.
“Shutting up.” The last thing he wanted was drama. Seriously.
Dusty chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. We ordered more food.”
“Yeah?”
“Uh-huh. More nachos, and you missed the wings, so….”
“Wow. You guys were fast, huh?”
“I was hungry,” Dusty admitted. “It was a long shift.”
“That sucks, man. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah. I won’t tell you.”
Lex frowned. “Yeah, you will. You hold too much in. I’ve been lounging around. I need my vicarious stress.”
Dusty hooted, and then they started swapping war stories—everything from traffic stops to hedge trimmer accidents to births in the bus. They ate and had some beers, and Lex felt better, trying to forget what Travis had said about Brant. He didn’t need to start asking stupid questions as soon as they set eyes on each other. Travis could really say the very worst things when he was trying to be helpful.
When Dusty started nodding off about nine, Lex slapped Nate on the shoulder, smiling. “Take him to bed, man.”
“Yeah. Yeah, that’s a plan. You going to call your guy? You got your car keys?”
“I do. I switched to Coke about an hour ago.” He was good to go. “And yeah, I’m ready to call.”
“See you Saturday for lunch. Three, right?”
“Yeah. Sounds good.” Somehow he’d gotten all scheduled up. Everyone wanted to meet his new squeeze.
He headed to his apartment, tromping up to the second floor and getting in and settled with a beer before he finally, blessedly, got to call Brant.
“Hey, honey. How was dinner with the couple?”
“Good. They made up. It was great.” He chuckled. “I swear, they’re amazing, but they’re fighting over dogs and cats.”
“Dogs and cats? Like literally?” He heard a can opening. “Mouse misses you, by the way. He ate one of your socks.”
“Oh, yay. Yeah, Dusty wants a dog, and Nate thinks Dusty works too much.” He popped open his beer.
“Ah. Cats are a good compromise. How was your day, honey?”
“Weird but good. I was having trouble focusing at work, so I just started my leave early.”
“Oh, honey. I’m sorry.” There was a long pause. “Do you still want
me to come?”
“Hell, yes! Uh, I ought to warn you. The guys all want to do lunch.” With his new guy. God, didn’t that make him smile.
“Yeah?” Brantley chuckled softly. “That sounds fun. Is it? I mean, is that bad?”
“No. I just thought I would warn you now. A bunch of cops, some EMTs, and a doc.”
“Sounds right up my alley. I happen to be stupidly fond of a cop, and I have met a doctor or three in my day.”
“Good deal.” He chuckled. “I just worry about everything we do that’s new.”
“Well, my shift ends at three tomorrow, so I’ll be there in the evening.” Brant sighed softly. “Have I mentioned that it’s already weird sleeping alone?”
“No, but you can say it all you want. Who’s watching Mouse and the girls?”
“My friend Lisa. She works internal medicine in my building. I watch her guys when she goes to Denver to visit her folks.”
“That’s cool. I worry about them, you know?” Mouse, especially.
“Mouse is still sleeping with what’s left of your sock.”
“Aw, that makes me happy.” It really did. He looked around his apartment, thinking about how different it was to Brant’s place. He was living like a bachelor, like a teenager. He had a couple of posters framed on the wall—Abbey Road, a Day of the Dead skull—a comfy couch, a collection of fancy beer glasses, his gun case.
This was just a place to stick his shit.
“Yeah, I’m thinking about making a cat jungle gym for him.”
“I can help with that. I’m pretty handy.” Was that too much? He always felt a little pushy.
“Yeah? Cool. I’d love that. I could just buy one, but making one sounds fun.”
“It does.” Doing anything with Brant sounded fun. “How was your day, baby?”
“Spate of impetigo. Stomach flu. One baby I had to send to the ER.”
“Oh, man. Respiratory?” His wince was purely instinctive. How many calls had he been on where he’d had to help with that? Babies were hard.
“Yeah, she needed immediate help. I hate when they’re really sick. Breaks my heart.”
“I bet. That sucks, huh? She’ll be all right, though.”
“Yeah. They end up okay, for the most part.” There was a pause, then a soft chuckle. “Tell me not to just get in the car and come see you.”
“Oh, baby, you need to rest, huh?” He didn’t want Brant falling asleep at the wheel. “Besides, you have work tomorrow. I’m going to….” Start packing. He was going to start packing his shit and hoping Brant or Travis wanted him.
“Yeah. Yeah, but I can get off at three and leave before the rush, and I’ll bring goodies.” Brant took a deep breath. “I feel a little like a teenager, you know?”
“I do too. Of course I was just thinking how I was living like a college guy. My place is clean but kind of… embarrassing.”
“Yeah, I’m curious to see it. See more of you.”
“I want that, baby. I’ll cook for you.”
“I can’t wait. Okay, I’m going to go before this dissolves into ‘you say goodbye.’”
“Okay, baby. I—love you.” He did, so he would say it.
“Yeah? I love you too. See you tomorrow.” Click.
Oh God. The L word. Or A word, if he was going in Spanish….
He’d said it, and Brant had accepted it and given it back.
Now what the hell did he do to top that?
Nachos. That would do it. Texas-style nachos. That was what he would cook tomorrow. Hell, yeah.
A plan. That was what a man needed.
A plan and some tortillas.
Chapter Fourteen
BRANTLEY HAD the Eagles on the radio, a Route 44 Cherry Dr Pepper in the cup holder, and a green chile apple pie ready to deliver to his lover.
The drive down had been nice, really. He’d left from Kaseman and missed the worst of the traffic in the Burque, and just headed south.
It was actually… fun. He was looking forward to seeing Lex, the desert was alive, and the Sirius was being damn good to him.
He hummed along with “Take It Easy,” tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.
Las Cruces loomed up in the late spring dusk, all the lights sparkling away. He drove into town, following the GPS. Lex lived up near a mall, which was kinda cool. Ooh, Ruby Tuesday. Uhn. Salad bar. Maybe tomorrow for supper….
He thought he was meeting everyone at a lunch. So maybe for lunch the next day if not supper. Something. He’d get Lex to take him.
He pulled into an apartment complex that looked like every other apartment complex on earth, and he started looking for number six. It was a first-floor apartment, and Lex’s truck sat outside. Boom.
Okay. Okay. Little duffel bag of stuff, Coke, keys, pie.
He hoisted his ass out of the SUV, his hip twinging. Lord.
He locked up and headed down the sidewalk to the little bright red door. Lex answered right after he knocked, beaming at him.
“Brant. Hey, baby. Come on in.”
“I found you.” He stepped in, the scent of hamburger and cumin and onion hitting him. “Oh yum. I brought pie.”
“Cool. I’m making nachos. Is that okay?” Lex took the outstretched pie and his drink and set them aside before kissing him.
Oh. Oh, he was stupid over this man. He stepped right in, wrapped his hands around Lex’s waist, and opened up, his tongue sliding in to taste his lover.
“Mmm.” Lex took the kiss deep and hard, which just made him moan. His bag dropped to the floor, and he reached up, his hands sliding into Lex’s heavy shock of hair. He did love that springy mass of curls, the way it twined around his fingers. The kiss went on and on, making him dizzy, weak at the knees.
They finally had to break to breathe, and he was impressed that Lex still stood there, on his own two feet, because he was considering just falling down. “Hey. I made it.”
“You did.” Lex chuckled. “Come, uh… well, do you want to sit? You’ve been on the road.”
“I want to see. It was a good drive. Not too long at all.” Not quite four hours. Doable.
“I like it okay. It’s got some pretty to it. Not as much as, say, the old road to Santa Fe or anything.”
“You were at the end of the drive, though.” That made it something to look forward to.
“I am. Was. Are.” Lex hooted. “Need the bathroom or a drink?”
“Yeah, I could totally pee. I have about half a drink left. Maybe.”
“Cool. I’ll meet you back at the couch. We have some necking to do while the beef finishes cooking.”
“Oh, I do love how you think.” He found the bathroom, did his business, and washed his face. Necking, huh? That sounded like a lovely way to wait for something to cook.
Whatever it was, it smelled amazing. Lex, cooking for him. He hoped there would be more cooking together soon.
He wandered into the front room, noting the posters on the wall, the huge television, the comfy couch. Lex was right—it was like a grad student’s place. Better that than an undergrad, he guessed, and it was meticulously clean.
Overall, he liked it. He smiled at Lex and went to sit. “Hey, you.”
“Hey. Come here.” Lex hauled him closer. “You’re okay? You have a better day?”
“It was a Friday. All the doctors disappeared, and I answered a thousand phone calls.” He leaned in, letting his hand slide around Lex’s knee. “What did you do today?”
“I slept a little. I cleaned the bathroom. The rest was clean. Uh, I got groceries.”
“Sounds nice and lazy. I love it.” He kissed the corner of Lex’s mouth.
“It was. I’m really not used to being so relaxed.” Lex kissed him back.
Brant wanted to ask so much. Seriously. He wanted to ask Lex if he wanted a place to stay. He wanted Lex there, even though it was fast, even though Travis probably needed him, even though Lex was obviously used to living alone. Honestly, he just dove into the kiss because that
was easy and hot and good. Lex loved on him, hands sliding up and down his back, and they were, indeed, making out. He thought Lex was keeping it sweet and easy because dinner was smelling so good. They didn’t say a word; they just shared long, gentle kisses that went on and on, dragging. Not in a bad way, not at all. And he got to touch, stroking that broad chest.
Lex chuckled at him, and the laugh went husky when Brant traced one nipple, making it hard.
“Such good hands.” Lex put a hand over his, pressing his palm over the hard bit of flesh.
“I try. I like making out with you, hmm?” He felt Lex’s strong, steady heartbeat under his palm.
“I do too. With you.” Lex laughed and shook his head. “You make me goofy. Come on and help me crisp up the tortillas so I can load them in the oven.”
“Sounds great. You’re making me flat nachos?” That was… hell, that made him want to suck Lex off and beg him to move in.
“Yep. And I made your salsa to go with them.” Lex winked. “I have high hopes for what that will get me.”
“I have a few ideas, honey. I surely do.”
“Yeah? Well, the nachos had better live up, huh?”
“I’m not worried.” The kitchen was clean, simple—just another galley, and Brant couldn’t help but think that it didn’t seem like Lex belonged here. He thought Lex needed Saltillo tile and a pizza oven. Hell, they could totally build a pizza oven. It would be amazing in the backyard. Something tiled and adobe. They’d have a ball building it….
“You’re grinning. It looks happy.” Lex slid a pan in the oven to heat it up.
“I am. I really am. It’s good to see you.”
“It is.” Lex came back to kiss him again. “So, halves?”
“Halves?” He didn’t follow.
“The tortillas. Want halves or quarters?”
“Oh. Quarters. I was thinking about asking you to move in with me and I lost track of things.”
“You were?” Lex paused, knife hovering over the defenseless tortillas. “For real?”
“I was. For real. Is it too soon?”
“No. I was about to ask how you felt about it. I mean, Trav will let me stay if need be, but I would love to give it a go.”
“Well, we can fit you in. I think you’ll be comfortable.” His heart was beating a million miles a minute.