by D. B. Watson
“You should eat something; I’ll cook for you.”
Justin continued to stare at his ceiling and a thought came to him. He locked eyes with Ethan. “Research,” Justin said.
“That’s right.”
Justin paused, covering his eyes, trying to collect his thoughts. “Okay—right. Then we went to the party?”
“Right again,” said a growling voice.
Justin’s heart began pounding in his chest as an icy chill ran up his spine after hearing a voice that wasn’t Ethan’s.
Justin jumped up in the car, seated on the passenger side. He looked around and saw the town’s welcome sign at the county line. He looked beside him and saw Ethan sleeping soundly with a blanket covering him. Looking down, he saw a folder spilling over with articles. He turned on the ceiling light, adjusted his seat, and picked up the papers, waking Ethan. Justin listened to Ethan’s groans as he stretched and slowly sat up.
“Hey,” Ethan said.
Justin didn’t reply as he looked through the papers. Ethan fixed his seat and tossed his blanket into the backseat.
“Slept okay?” Ethan asked, stretching his stiff lower back.
“I guess,” said Justin, closing the folder. “I kept dreaming weird shit.”
“Not me.” Ethan saw his car keys were in the ignition. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah,” Justin said, closing the folder. He was about to ask Ethan how they got out here, but then it came to him it was his idea. “I need to get back to the office so I can scan and email this to Adam.”
“Isn’t he at a party?”
“Yeah, but he wanted this as soon as possible.”
“Okay, buckle up.”
They reached their destination without conversation. Questions developed in their minds, but neither Justin nor Ethan could ask them. The drive comprised awkward glances between them. The dashboard read 9:00 p.m.
Ethan shut the motor off and they remained in the Range Rover. Neither man moved to unbuckle their seat belts to get out. Their breathing increased as they stared out the windows.
Justin was aware of his surroundings. He tried to will his body to move but it proved impossible. It was like a bubble surrounding his cognizance.
The dashboard clock read 10 p.m.
They were prisoners in their own bodies when their cells rang. Their arms moved but weren’t moving. It was like their limbs had a will of their own. Justin’s hand removed his cell phone from his coat pocket. Ethan’s retrieved his phone from the cup holder beside him. They pressed the green touch screens and raised the phones to their ears.
No hello, they only sat and listened. A voice spoke in a whisper for what seemed like an eternity to both men. Their eyes flickered and they both passed out, their cells still held to their ears. The call disconnected and on cue, both men woke up.
Ethan lowered his arm and stretched his lower back in his seat. Justin lowered his arm as he sighed a sense of relief. They unfastened their seat belts and climbed out of the Rover. Justin still holding his cell phone, reached his arms above his head and stood on his toes to stretch. Ethan, holding his cell, walked around yawning.
“Wow, that was fun,” said Ethan. Justin turned to him and nodded. Ethan put his arms around Justin’s waist and pulled him close.
“Yeah, it was,” Justin agreed, pressing his hips forward as he rested his forehead against Ethan’s.
Unaware they were still holding their cell phones, they parted with a gasp just as Ethan cupped Justin’s head.
“We have things to do. Are you ready?” Ethan asked, more demanding than a question, as his action jerked Justin’s head slightly.
Justin glanced down, thinking about Ethan’s question before looking up at his skater boy.
“We have some time.”
Ethan’s palms slid down Justin’s hair, stopping at his neck, where he rubbed his thumbs along his throat.
“I want to fuck you,” Ethan said.
“The Rover has plenty of room,” Justin cooed.
They kissed one last time before Ethan released him and opened the back seat door. “Get in.”
Justin didn’t hesitate as he climbed inside the Rover. Ethan climbed in after and shut the door. Just a few feet away was an off-road path that led to the front gate of the Valdez estate.
CHAPTER 32
SUIT
Adam returned to the mansion and allowed the valet to park his car, his worries about Justin now subsided. He could now focus on being by Patrick’s side. Adam entered the house. He saw Patrick’s cousin Reyes standing by the grand staircase with another man.
“Welcome back, Adam,” Reyes said with a smile.
“Thanks, Reyes, it’s good to be back.” Adam cast his eyes to the other man who looked about the same age as Patrick. Well-groomed with long wavy hair neatly tied back. His light-hazel eyes stared back through black-framed glasses. His glowing complexion complemented his fit, muscular physique. Reyes took notice of Adam looking at his companion.
“Ah, Adam, you haven’t met our cousin Davet Livia. Davet, this is Adam Potter, Patrick’s boyfriend.”
Adam extended his hand and Davet accepted it.
“Hello, Adam, it’s nice to finally meet you,” Davet said, releasing his hand.
“So, you’ve heard of me?” asked Adam.
“My aunt Drusilla told me you are a private detective and have mentioned you saving Patrick’s life a few times. She sees you as Patrick’s guardian angel.”
“She flatters me too much. How is she?”
“The doctor gave her permission to leave her bed for the party.”
“After she ate something other than a salad,” said Reyes. “She and our uncle are getting ready for the party.”
“Patrick must be relieved. Where is he?”
“He’s in his room, resting.”
“Resting?” asked Adam.
“He came down with a headache when he discovered you’d gone,” Reyes said.
“I should go check on him,” Adam said, moving to the stairs. “It was nice meeting you Davet. I’ll see you later.”
“I look forward to it, Adam.”
Adam moved down the hallway when a soft voice called out to him.
“Excuse me, Detective Potter?”
Adam turned and eyed the maid who tended to Patrick’s room.
“Cora, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What can I do for you?”
“Your and Master Valdez’s suits arrived, and I put them in your room.”
“Is Patrick awake?”
“No, he’s still resting.”
“Thank you, Cora.”
“You’re welcome, sir.” She gave Adam a little curtsey and smiled as she turned on her heel and walked away. Adam thought he would never understand Patrick’s way of life as he continued to his room.
Adam walked in and found Patrick standing by his walk-in closet looking inside a garment bag. He walked up behind him and saw the outfit. “Is that one yours?”
Patrick turned, startled to see Adam behind him. “Adam, I thought you were Cora.”
Adam embraced him. “Sorry I left you suddenly.”
“It’s fine. Is everything all right at your office?”
“False alarm. I hear your mother is well.”
“The doctor cleared her. He said it was low blood sugar.”
“That’s good. I met a family member from your mother’s side.”
“Davet. He came down an hour after you left,” Patrick stated, turning back to the suit. He didn’t want Adam to see the irritation on his face after finding his note.
“He seemed nice,” Adam said, sensing Patrick’s impatience with him.
“He is. I never get to see him much. He’s always studying for another degree or working.”
Adam returned his focus to the suit. “You never said. Is that suit yours or mine?”
“Mine.”
“They said you came down with a headache when you found out I’d left.”
“I’m all right. Mother is fine—and you’re back.”
Adam turned Patrick around and kissed him, caressing his neck. “I’m sorry. I swear—”
“Should we get dressed?” Patrick interrupted, breaking Adam’s hold on him.
Adam backed down from his pleas for forgiveness. “Sure.”
“Your suit is behind mine. Do you want to shower first?”
“No, you go ahead.”
Patrick smiled meekly as he grabbed his suit and went into the bathroom.
Adam wanted to join him but decided to wait until that evening to avoid another disappointment.
****
Adam stared at himself in a full-length mirror, trying to fix his tie.
Patrick walked out of his dressing room wearing his designer suit.
Seeing Patrick’s reflection in the mirror caused Adam’s jaw to drop open. He turned and gawked at the astonishing man before him.
“Adam,” Patrick said, smiling, his mood calmer. “You look so amazing in that suit.”
“You look pretty special yourself.”
Patrick blushed as he approached Adam and took over fixing his tie.
“I enjoy doing things like this for you,” Patrick said, adjusting Adam’s collar.
“I like you this close,” Adam said, leaning in, kissing his earlobe, causing Patrick to slip his tie’s loop, needing for him to start again.
“Hold still so I can finish,” Patrick ordered with a smirk.
“As you wish.”
Patrick finished Adam’s tie and took a step back.
Adam turned and examined Patrick’s work in the mirror.
“Adam—I want you to give me your cell.”
“My cell, why?”
“You know why.”
Adam realized Patrick was still angry. “Pat—”
“Adam, I promise I’ll give it back to you if it’s an emergency.”
“Pat, I’m not giving up my cell. But I will put it on silent so it won’t disturb us.”
Patrick didn’t seem to sway and was about to protest when he heard a knock at his door. Patrick, incensed, sighed and went to the door. He swung it open, surprised to see his parents.
“Mother, Father. Is something wrong?”
“No, Patrick,” said his mother, wearing a flowing dress that came just above her knees trimmed in gold, with her hair flowing across her shoulders.
“Your mother thought it would be nice if you and Adam joined us when we go downstairs,” said Raoul.
Patrick started to tell them that he and Adam were having a discussion when Adam came up behind him with a grin on his face.
“Sounds like a brilliant idea,” Adam said, hurrying Patrick out of the room and shutting the door. Patrick knew very well the only reason Adam wanted to do this was to get out of their conversation.
Adam and Patrick took their places behind Raoul and Drusilla and headed for the stairs.
****
Yuri stood dressed and ready holding a drink as he waited for Jamie. Their plush room had all the comforts of home from a mini-bar, an entertainment cabinet displaying a flat-screen television, to a walk-in closet, a full-size bath with a stand-alone shower on one side, a large in-ground tub, a king-size bed, and a scenic view of the garden.
The dressing room door opened, and Jamie walked out, dressed and ready. Jamie smiled at Yuri as he grasped his hands behind his back. He tilted his head and posed for his lover. “How do I look?”
“Perfect,” Yuri said, swallowing his drink.
CHAPTER 33
AlOnE
The soothing sound of piano music awakened Penny, lying in a reclined position. She opened her eyes to a hospital room. She wore a dressing gown, was connected to a heart monitor, and an Intravenous tube was in the back of her right hand.
Penny blinked away her longing to go back to sleep. Instead, she wanted to know what happened to her. Was she sick, did she faint, was she in an accident? Penny checked for any injuries. She squeezed her toes, then shifted her legs. She took a deep breath and stretched her back, detecting no pain. She made a fist with both her hands and the only pain she felt was the needle that pierced her vein. A black-and-blue discoloration was along her forearm. She assumed she banged against something forming the mark.
Nothing broken, she judged. Was it internal? I don’t feel sick.
Penny looked for a call button to summon a nurse but found none.
“Hello!” she called out, hoping someone in the hall would hear her, only no reply came. She looked around again for a call button, locating a switch on the wall marked Help.
She reached over and carefully removed the IV and tossed it aside. Moving one leg at a time, she pulled herself to a sitting position. Penny rose off the bed feeling the cool surface of the tiled floor caress her feet. Her gown was the only article of clothing she wore. She believed someone had washed her body, because the scent she inhaled wasn’t the soap or lotion she used.
She walked to the button and pushed it, receiving no response. She pressed it again.
“Hello, is someone there?” Still no answer. That’s strange, she thought.
She backtracked her whereabouts and remembered she’d had a meeting with someone. Her mind drew a blank with who. She recalled driving home, then seeing headlights, then nothing. She walked to the wardrobe and found clothes that weren’t hers but had a paper tag with her name on them. She removed the hospital gown and dressed.
Penny moved to the door and glanced out the small window that showed a vacant lit hallway. She left the room and started down the corridor, seeing no one in any of the rooms or the nurses’ station.
She considered taking the elevator but used the stairs instead. Penny made it to the main floor, finding it deserted, with no security.
“What’s going on?” Her heart raced as she walked outside and to her horror, her car sat parked by the curb. The crushed—in fender turned the wheel sideways on the sedan’s left side, the driver’s side door—gone. The trunk of the car merged into the back seat. The passenger door was compacted, and all the windows were shattered.
Was I in there? she asked herself, hugging herself, unsure how she hadn’t suffered any injury. Another car sat nearby. A two-door compact with the driver’s-side door open. Penny had no clue where she was or how she was going to get home. She moved to the car and peered inside. It was empty except for the car keys resting in the ignition and a note taped to the steering wheel.
GO HOME! Penny looked around and saw no one, and as much as she didn’t want to get in, she couldn’t help herself. Climbing into the driver’s seat, she shut the door and fastened her seat belt. When she turned on the engine, a chime rang out, sounding like her cell phone. She looked around and spotted it glowing in the back seat on the floor. She picked it up and noticed the GPS was set for her route home.
Penny placed her cell on the passenger seat and drove off.
CHAPTER 34
CommIT
Applause from the guests greeted the two couples as they walked down the grand staircase. A few of Raoul and Drusilla’s friends swept them away to the library as Patrick and Adam followed. Champagne and appetizers circulated. Groups of conversations about the food, house, and money broke out.
Patrick held Adam’s arm as they walked over to his godfathers, Philip, whom Adam met, and his husband Michael.
“Patrick, Adam,” said Philip, smiling, holding a champagne flute half-empty.
“Hello Uncle Philip and Uncle Michael, I’m so glad you made it. I’ve missed you,” Patrick said, kissing Michael on the cheek. Adam noticed the other male was the opposite of his partner. Where Philip carried himself as a high-class lawyer, Michael looked more laid-back. His suit wasn’t of top-grade and his overlong hair was tied in a ponytail. Unlike Philip, Michael’s appearance was more rugged, reminding Adam of his father.
“Adam, it’s good to see you again,” said Philip.
“It’s good to see you, Philip,” said Adam.
/> “I’d like to introduce you to my husband, Michael Gomez.”