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The bedroom door swung open, and for the first time Jeremy noticed how Adam was dressed. Shorts, T-shirt, sneakers and sunglasses. He d also put on a baseball cap. We re running. Adam looked him up and down. Jeremy had the urge to cover up, unsure of what the man thought of him. Since Peter, he hadn t cared much about how he looked. Now, faced with Adam, that little part of him was waking up and taking notice wanted to look good for a good-looking man. Um& Adam took a bite of the apple he was holding. You look like death warmed over. You ve got a nice spare tire forming around your stomach. He stepped closer to Jeremy, invading his space. We re going running. You re gonna hate it, but you re gonna do it. Jeremy swallowed and nodded. Big man, in his space. Is this how you deal with all the guys you sponsor? Adam looked him straight in the eyes. I ve never sponsored anyone before you. Didn t want to. And I think we re a bit beyond a sponsor/alcoholic relationship. We re friends. You can say it. And friends kick each other s asses when it s needed. Jeremy took a step back. And I need it? Adam followed him, pushing into his space, running him up against the bedside table. Damn straight you do. Oh. Well, okay then. A run it was going to be. Chapter Seven Jeremy had turned back three times before Adam virtually carried him up the stairs and deposited him at the door. When the big man turned away, Jeremy snatched his hand. You can t leave me. You can do this, Jeremy. Hell, you wanted to do this, remember? I shouldn t be here. I ll wait in the truck for you, just like we talked about. Adam tried to tug his hand away but Jeremy refused to let go. You re my sponsor, right? Then sponsor me and stay. I bet& I bet he s got lots and lots of beer. And scotch! And I just got back on the wagon and he ll offer and I ll accept and then I ll have to start all over again with the tokens and talking and shit. I only just got my one month back. He pleaded with his eyes. A forty-year-old man scared of a little twink. God, grow a pair already. Adam sighed. Fine. You re a manipulative son-of-a-bitch, you know that? Yeah, he kinda sorta did, but couldn t find one iota of remorse at the moment. Jeremy dropped Adam s hand and rapped on the door, and for the first time heard the music playing inside the condo. Fifties rock blared, muffled only by the steel door and insulation. Elvis telling the listener not to be cruel & to a heart that s true. And Jeremy prayed that the man on the other side of the door would take the song to heart. A muffled Coming sounded from inside the condo moments before the door swung open, revealing the owner. Craig. Rich green eyes, angular face, full lips. Dirty blond hair that just brushed his shoulders. He was shirtless, and Jeremy took notice of the thin body a little too thin in his opinion ribs showing right along with Craig s muscles. The same, but different. So close to Peter, but not. Tears built in Jeremy s eyes. Adam s hand slid into his and he squeezed the big paw. Rough calluses scratched his fingers, reminding him that his rock was nearby. Jerr. Jerr, always Jerr, never Jeremy. Craig swallowed, and Jeremy followed the movement of his Adam s apple with his eyes. Elvis warbled in the background, singing about a hound dog, about not being friends. Jeremy wanted to rush to the stereo, turn it off destroy it. Can I come in? His voice cracked, his throat ached, swelled shut. Craig s knuckles turned white where he held the door, almost as if he feared Jeremy would bum rush his way into the condo. Why? I told you Just to talk, Craig. Five minutes, he was begging. Little bitch. That s all I m asking for. Five minutes and then I ll disappear if that s what you want. He prayed that Craig wouldn t disown him entirely. Craig nodded, a quick, sharp jerk of his head, and took a step back to open the door. It was then that he seemed to realize Adam was with him. He stopped short, attention darting from Jeremy to Adam, to their joined hands and back again. Now it was Craig s turn to become teary-eyed. Jeremy opened his mouth to say & what? He had a lot to say about the things they d left unsaid. A lot to say about a lot of shit. Craig turned on his heel, bare feet padding with the softest hint of a sound. Craig brought his hands up to wipe at his face and then rubbed them on his paint-covered scrubs. Jeremy released Adam s hand and took two steps to follow Craig before turning back to Adam. You ll be okay? he whispered, and Adam nodded. Know my way around, just go. The big man nudged him down the hall toward the kitchen where Jeremy could hear Craig puttering around. Craig liked to cook when he was stressed. And happy. And everything in between. The kitchen was his haven. By the time he got his feet, moving enough for it to be called walking, and shuffled into the kitchen, Craig had set coffee out on the table in the nook. He was loading his cup up with cream and sugar, and Jeremy almost made his usual crack about coffee flavored milk, but he bit his tongue. Jeremy slipped into the chair and cradled the coffee cup, letting the warmth seep into his hands while he tried to figure out what to say. Why are you here, Jerr? So much for figuring things out first. He should have probably brought his note cards. Adam, the bastard, made him leave them at home. It d been eleven months since they d lost Peter, five since he d last seen Craig. Now, sitting across from him, he didn t know how to begin. If you re just here to fuck with me, you can leave. Take your new toy Adam with you. Wait. You know Adam? He & he didn t mention that. Jeremy raised his voice, knowing Adam couldn t help but eavesdrop. Ever! Wasn t important, Jeremy! Adam called back. Now get to it, Craig s living room is giving me a headache. Close your eyes, asshole! Craig joined in, a smile lurking near the corners of his lips. He s a shit, isn t he? Says that every time he s been over. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |