Page 18 of Escape into the Night

“Remind me to cash that in for a reward later.” Elias dipped forward to press his lips to Caleb’s temple. “Want to get out of here? I've choked on enough hairspray and ambition for one day.”

“God, please. I think I need oxygen and a detox.”

“We’ll stop at the vegan place. Best I can do.” Elias lifted his hand, palm up, and smiled as Caleb laced their fingers together with a squeeze.

“Yes. We need milkshakes before I share the details of my lovely conversation with dear ole Evans.”

“Milkshakes and a Valium or two.”

“Fuck it—hard liquor.”

The laughter they shared was thin, but genuine enough to make their smiles believable as they made their slow departure from the scene. Everything about DC was like walking a tightrope in a stiff breeze while three sheets to the wind. Thank God for the high school drama club and a lifetime of impossibly high expectations. His acting chops were most definitely going to be put to the test. At least the hand in his remained a steadfast tether to reality. Small mercies were sometimes all he needed to make it through days like this. If only he could rid himself of the residual taint of Aaron’s ominous words. As if conjured by mere thought alone, the aforementioned Senator called across the room, just as they were about to make a break for it.

“Cohen! Williams!” His hand caught their gazes as they turned toward the voice, waving jovially overhead as if they were old college buddies who recently reconnected. “Great to see you both. Get home safe.”

Elias returned the gesture with a flash of his palm. Caleb marveled at how genuine the smile on his face looked. The crush of his grip around Cay’s hand betrayed how much it took for him to play the role.

“God bless, Evans. Send our love.”

Only once they were safely secured in the BMW did Caleb finally speak. “God bless? Really?”

“Four of the attendees today were from the FRC.”

Caleb balked and shuddered. The Family Research Council was an evangelical organization hellbent on lobbying against same-sex marriage, among other things. “Oh, ew. Thank goodness I missed those introductions.”

“Intentionally, on their part.” Elias stole a glance with a sad smile. “I won't pretend to like it, not even a little bit. But I can toss them a scrap and pretend I have a holy-roller streak. Besides, it was a little fun to throw Aaron for a loop.”

Caleb snickered under his breath and shook his head. “I love you.”

“Love you too, babe.” Elias linked their hands together, lifting Caleb's to his lips to dust a kiss over his knuckles. “More than I could ever put into words.”

“Gosh, stop. I'll cry and my eyes will be all puffy. I'm wearing contacts. Behave!” Despite his playful words, Caleb clung tighter and shifted closer to rest his head on Elias’ shoulder. These were the moments that would get them through any potential storm. These moments, paired with their love, would always be more than enough.

Chapter Ten

Elias

CalebfilledEliasinon the details of his conversation with Aaron during the ride home. By the time he was pulling the car into the garage, he regretted it. It was exceptionally hard to pretend everything was fine as they picked up Parker from Birdie—especially since Theo was still actively avoiding them. Elias tried, but unfortunately, Theo wasn't ready. He couldn't blame him. It was a huge blow. The fact that the risks were piling higher every day made Theo’s reaction even more understandable and he didn't even know the half of it.

The afternoon dragged on for ages. Sweet Parker, oblivious to Elias’ inner turmoil, chatted them up about anything and everything. It was exhausting and left him conflicted and confused. And yes, more than a little angry. There wasn't much they could do about it all except hope for the best and plan for the worst. The first step in that planning was to bring their friend group on board. He only felt somewhat assuaged of his worries as confirmation texts began hitting his phone around dinner time. They’d have a full house the next day. Theo’s response was absent, but Connor privately assured them that the surly manwould be there—Elias said a prayer and kept his fingers crossed. Maybe he did have a smidgen of faith after all.

At long last, the marathon of a day was over. Elias collapsed face-first into the mattress with a groan. His heart ached, his chest ached, his head ached. Pressure like this was not sustainable. Caleb’s grunt of disapproval was barely audible as he entered the room and shut the harsh overhead lighting off.

“Make the damn appointment, El.” The mattress dipped right before a firm hand landed between his shoulder blades. “It's not just indigestion. You're starting to worry me.”

Elias rolled onto his back with a beleaguered sigh. “Fine. I'll call on Monday.”

“Tell me what is going on.” Caleb leveled him with a stern expression. “Honestly, this time.”

“I think it might be anxiety. You'd think after all these years of helping Theo and Parker manage their anxiety, I'd be a little more self-aware.” Elias exhaled and pressed his fingertips to his sternum. “I guess it's easy to say the right things in practice, but experiencing it firsthand is a mind fuck.”

“Talk me through it.” Caleb shifted his weight, throwing a leg over Elias’ body to settle on his lap. Button by button, he worked the shirt open before slowly spreading his palms over Elias’ bare chest.

Elias’ eyelids fluttered closed as he basked in the gentle sweeping motions. “My chest feels like a vice sometimes. My heart rate increases. Breathing gets hard. Headaches, body aches, dizziness. And then I’m just exhausted.”

“What does the Health app say?” Caleb continued to massage the planes of Elias’ chest with deft, firm movements.

“Nothing alarming. No arrhythmia, nothing too high or too low. I write it off as indigestion because the burning sensation is like a bad case of heartburn.”

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