Page 109 of Daily Grind
“I think you’ll enjoy this,” Rob murmured against his forehead. He started the movie and his warmth seeped into Brian’s bones
In the end, Rob was right. The movie was gripping. Long, but that didn’t seem to matter. And yes, surprisingly queer. “How the hell did they manage that?”
A gentle shrug from Rob. “We’ve always been here.” He picked up the remote and turned the movie off. “Pulps and movies, even with the not-so-great endings, they were places we could find ourselves, even for a while.”
Brian chewed on that. “I never really see myself anywhere.”
“Mmm, and it had an effect, yes?” Sadness in Rob’s voice.
“Of course.” Still did in a way, though he was fed up—and old enough—not to care.
Rob pressed a kiss to his temple. “Steak?”
As if on cue, Brian’s stomach rumbled and he laughed. “Guess there’s your answer.”
While Rob grilled, Brian meandered out into the small garden and took a closer look at his father’s handiwork. Peppers and tomatoes in their little cages. Parsley. Basil. None of these plants were leftovers. This was a gift to Rob… oneneveroffered to any other person he’d brought home. He stared up at the fence that circled Rob’s yard. He’d played out here as a child. Even buried a few Matchbox cars in the earth for safekeeping. Treasures. He wondered if Rob had found them, or if Mrs. Kaminski had years ago.
The day was as warm as his heart. Life wasextraordinarilystrange.
Footfalls behind him and arms circling his waist. Rob’s breath played along his neck. “You’re thinking again.”
He’d never grow tired of the little shivers that spun down his body when Rob held him. “Smoke from my ears?”
A chuckle. “Something like that.”
“Ever since I met you, I keep thinking I should feel like a new person, a different person, because I’ve changed who I am.”
“Have you? Changed?” Honest curiosity there, tinged with confusion.
That was the thing. He hadn’t. “No.”
“Didn’t think so.” Rob loosened his grip. “So what’s on your mind?”
“Just… that. Here—right here—I’m more myself than I’ve ever been.”
A kiss on the back of his neck. “You’ve been staring at the tomatoes too long, love.”
He chuckled and turned around in Rob’s arms. “I’m serious.”
Rob nodded. “I know. Honestly, today you look better than you have in weeks.”
He wasn’t at the shop. Outside of his panic this morning, he wasn’t even stressed about the shop. How long had it been since that were true? Tomorrow, he’d go back to work and none of the problems he’d escaped today would be solved. “I wish—” He shook his head. “Never mind.” He couldn’t have this moment forever, but at least he had it for today.
Rob stepped back and took his hand. Sympathy there, and love. How the latter had happened, Brian couldn’t fathom. “Come have dinner.”
He followed Rob onto the porch.
They ate and drank and laughed. Later, they took another walk, admiring the neighborhood and counting the rabbits in yards.
That night, Rob drew him upstairs, laid him down with kisses and touches and mutual moans, and made love to him until he couldn’t breathe or speak or think.
As he drifted off to sleep, he clung hard to the day, desperate to etch every moment into his mind and heart. This was the life he wanted… craved. Needed more than air.
In the end though, sleep dragged him down into darkness and his thoughts slipped away.
Chapter Twenty
Rob stoodat the window near the kitchen at CirroBot and nursed his cup of tea. He had a break between meetings, so he’d taken the time to walk and stretch. Sitting too much.Thinkingtoo much.
