Page 25 of Psycho
“Help me,” August begged. “What does somebody do or say or wear on a first date?”
There was a long silence punctuated with breathy sighs and muffled whispers, then Noah was back. “Um, full disclosure. I’ve never been on a date. Adam just sort of showed up at my trailer and never left.”
“God, that would make this so much easier,” August admitted, wishing he could just brand Lucas as his and let the world know he was protected.
Adam’s voice popped up. “Don’t get too dressed up. You’ll look like a dweeb. Jeans, a nice shirt.”
“Bring flowers. Oh, or wine,” Noah added.
“Do nottalkabout how much you like eviscerating people to pop music…or your weird obsession with Celine Dion. Or your knife collection. Or the swords. Or the array of medieval torture devices you have. Honestly, just steer clear of weaponry altogether.”
August nodded along as if they could see him. “Wine. Flowers. No evisceration. No Britney or Gaga. I think I can do that.”
Adam was suddenly right up on the phone. “Your five minutes are up.”
“Good luck,” Noah called, then moaned long and low.
August stabbed at the disconnect button. Noah and his brother fucking was not a soundtrack he wanted on a loop in his head for all eternity. He turned on the stereo and let Bach sooth his ragged edges, a wave of…something washing over him. Not panic or anxiety—August didn’t experience those things. But he did respond to rewards, and when Lucas kissed him and touched him, that had felt like the best possible reward. And he wanted more.
* * *
August arrived at Lucas’s apartment at exactly seven, a bag in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. He’d forgone the wine due to Lucas’s extensive med list, but the woman at the gourmet shop had assured him his replacement gift would be more than acceptable for a dinner.
After the shop, he’d stopped at the florist to pick up flowers, but that hadn’t exactly gone to plan either. When he’d explained they were for a date, she’d immediately taken to making a bouquet based on looks. Pink roses, red carnations, eucalyptus leaves, and daylilies. August had turned away. She’d clearly never learned there was a language to flowers and she was getting the message all wrong.
August had read a book on it once in first grade. Each flower meant something specific. He didn’t know if Lucas knew that, but he didn’t want him to get the wrong idea or think he hadn’t made an effort. But it was too late now. He was there with his expensive cheese and more expensive—yet grossly misleading—flowers.
He knocked, looking down at his jeans and zip front sweater. Was he casual enough? Too casual? He hated feeling like he was out of his element. He needed Lucas to like him. For both of their sakes.
When the door opened, August was not prepared for a wet haired, barefoot Lucas. He wore black jeans slung low on his hips and a hastily buttoned chambray shirt.
“I half expected you to just let yourself in,” he said, a rueful smile on his face. He was truly beautiful.
August held up his offerings. “My hands were full.”
Lucas grinned, like August had made a joke. “Of course. Makes perfect sense.”
“Here,” August thrust the gifts at him.
Lucas took the flowers and the bag, bringing the bouquet to his nose, sniffing them deeply. “Pretty.”
August preened. “They are. Even if the message is filled with contradictions.”
“Did you leave another message on my gifts?” Lucas asked, tilting his head.
“Not intentionally.”
Lucas looked at the bag, peeking inside. “Is this…cheese?”
“Yeah, the woman at the shop said it was just as good as wine. I didn’t think you drank given your medications.”
Lucas studied him for a long moment. “Thank you. That’s…weirdly thoughtful of you.”
“I feel like you’re making fun of me,” August said. “But I’m not sure.”
Lucas leaned forward and smacked a quick kiss on August’s lips. “Just a little.”
August found that he didn’t mind Lucas teasing him if it made him smile. He liked his smile. His whole face transformed. He didn’t look like a man whose life had been shredded. Lucas had a nice mouth, perfect teeth, and soft lips. August liked being the reason Lucas smiled, even if it was at his expense.
