High Heat

by Annabeth Albert

  “I know you, Nelson. Friend or friend?” Tucker laughed.

  “Um. Maybe both?” Garrick itched under his ear. It wasn’t really a coming out thing that had him antsy as much as not wanting to screw up a potential opportunity for Rain that he could really use, both as experience and to get some money in.

  “And no, you wouldn’t be the direct supervisor to anyone on the cleanup crew or anything like that. You being...social shouldn’t be an issue as long as it doesn’t affect the work. Fred’s not a huge fan of dating between crew members, but God knows that happens enough. And this isn’t even that. Just stay professional on the clock, and I don’t see a problem. I appreciate the heads-up.”

  “Thanks. I’ll mention the opportunity then, see if he can get you an application in quickly if there’s not already one in the queue. Rain’s been applying for a lot of seasonal stuff.”

  Tucker’s eyes went wide as Garrick got specific on gender, but if he was truly shocked, he didn’t offer any commentary on that either. Like most of Garrick’s friends, he undoubtedly had some idea that Garrick was pan, even if they’d never had a formal conversation about it. He wasn’t one of the party or bar scene friends, but he’d probably heard something over the years. “Sounds good.”

  And now he had another reason to look forward to seeing Rain and Cookie after work, especially once Rain texted that he was staying for dinner, and it wasn’t long after Tucker dropped him off that Rain appeared on the porch in a Bear Bait T-shirt under an unzipped hoodie and silver shorts.

  “I’m not sure that you should be wearing that shirt,” Garrick said between laughing. “At least not around here. The actual bears might get ideas. I imagine it makes you pretty damn popular in the Portland bars though.”

  “Oh I don’t wear it out. Just for you. Because I knew it would make you laugh, and I knew you were stressed about the doctor business. Heck, the shirt even made Grandma laugh.”

  Garrick had to cough at that, still not sure how he felt about Shirley knowing about his and Rain’s...flirtation. But he supposed it was indeed a good sign that she didn’t seem to have an issue with Rain’s sexuality.

  “Are you coming for Cookie’s exercise?” Rain glanced down at Garrick, who was in his chair, his work clothes and shoes still on. “It’s okay if you’re too tired after your long day. Doctor plus work. That’s a lot.”

  “I’m not tired,” Garrick lied. Actually, he was exhausted even though he’d mainly relied on his chair that day. He guessed his body was still getting used to the hours. “But I am hungry. How about I start the lentil recipe I mentioned?”

  “Sounds great.” Rain leaned down to brush a kiss across his cheek before hooking Cookie up to her leash. “I’ll be back soon. She’s all healed now, so we can run a little.”

  After switching out of his shirt into something more comfortable, Garrick made quick work of chopping vegetables at the table, then transferred them to a skillet with a can of lentils. He was just checking his taco seasoning to make sure it was vegetarian when Rain came back in with Cookie, breathing hard and looking sexy all flushed and wide-eyed with his hair falling out of its topknot.

  “Tell me about work,” Rain demanded as he undid his hair.

  “Uh.” Garrick blinked, momentarily mesmerized by Rain’s hair, unrestrained for the first time, curly and wild and longer than he’d thought. He wanted to feel it on his skin, and the rush of desire made him a little lightheaded. “Sorry. Work. Yes. That. Mainly boring. More workplace safety videos and insurance paperwork, but there’s actually something you might be interested in.”

  “Oh?” Rain bundled his hair back up, then washed his hands. He set the table while Garrick told him about the position Tucker had available. “Yeah, I could give that a try. Would you be my boss though? I don’t want to have to sneak around.”

  “No sneaking around. Just being professional. I...uh...kinda mentioned to Tucker that we were...social.” He figured Tucker’s word was as good as any for describing the weird limbo land he and Rain occupied of not dating but also not platonic either.

  “You did?” Rain’s small, pleased smile was all the confirmation Garrick needed that he’d done the right thing not trying to hide whatever they had going from Tucker. “Maybe we can be more social after dinner. Did you get anything...interesting from the doctor?”

  “No prescription yet. She wants me to see a urologist because apparently there’s a couple of different kinds of pills they usually try first, but there’s also some tests the urologist can do on function.” Somehow it was easier talking about this with Rain than the doctor herself.

  “That’s great news. That means there’s options for you.” Rain nodded enthusiastically as he retrieved the condiments Garrick had set on the counter for their tacos.

  “And the urologist’s office called already. They actually have an opening next week. But I need a favor.” Garrick took his plate and started drowning his share of the taco filling in cheese and salsa.

  “Sure. Anything.” Unlike Garrick’s ode to cheddar, Rain more sedately added a green salsa and extra cilantro to his portion.

  God. Asking anyone for a favor was hard but especially Rain, even knowing he’d agree. Garrick took and swallowed a bite before figuring out how best to word his request.

  “Can you give me a ride to it? I’d kinda rather not involve my dad and have to explain what the latest appointment is for. I told him today’s was for a neurologist follow-up, and he was cool. And he’d be fine with the other but...”

  “You’d rather not talk about your sex life with your dad. I get it. I love my parents, who were always super open with us about stuff like that, and I still wouldn’t want them knowing everything about my private time. Does he know you’re pan or should I be more careful around him?” Rain had seen Garrick’s dad on several occasions, and while Garrick was pretty sure his dad had no idea what to make of Rain, he was his usual affable self around him, lecturing Garrick but polite to Rain.

  “Just be yourself. I told him last year. Prior to the accident. A friend of mine on the crew was out, and a few more of the other rookies were various flavors of LGBTQ and I was just...tired of hiding it. Tired of it feeling like it was an open secret among most of my crowd, but not something I ever talked about outside it.”

  “I feel you. There comes a point where not talking about something becomes almost this deafening roar, and you just want to get it out there.”

  “Exactly. And anyway, there was Jacob, out and not getting hassled, and there was my other friend, stupid in love with Jacob but not really out, and it created...tension. I knew they had feelings, and I kinda tried to prod them in the right direction by making like I might go there with Jacob. And I wanted my other friend to stop being such a dumbass and just live his life already. Finally, they’re together now, and it all worked out, and somewhere in the whole thing, I ended up coming out as pan to more people, including Dad.”

  “You’re a good friend.” Rain leaned over and squeezed Garrick’s biceps. “And your dad? How’d he take it?”

  “Dad was okay. Tried to chalk it up to the fact that I love sex and have always made no bones about that fact, but I tried to explain that it wasn’t about being... I dunno...indiscriminate, but a legit way that attraction works for me. Like how I’m wired thing and not a ‘Garrick wants to double his dating pool’ thing. I’m not sure if he truly understood that part, but he wasn’t mean about it either.”

  “Good. I meant what I said about not wanting to be a secret, but I can also understand if you need to...tone it down around him, keep the peace.”

  “Nope.” Garrick leaned over and kissed Rain’s head. “I’m not sure exactly what the hell we’re doing, but hiding isn’t a part of it. I like you exactly how you are, no toning down required.”

  “Good.” Rain patted his hand. “I like that. And thanks for the job lead. You might not know what we’re d
oing, but I think what we’re doing is awesome. You’re a good guy.”

  And as they sat there at the dinner table, Garrick had to hope that he wasn’t going to be the one to let Rain down, the one to dampen his glittery free spirit or break his big, generous heart. He tried not to ask the universe for too much—a chance to do his job again mainly—but now he added a little, quiet request to get a chance to be what Rain needed.

  Chapter Eight

  “Are we at the point yet where I get to tell you that you look smoking hot in those work shirts of yours? And that compliment might get me a kiss hello?” Rain batted his eyes at Garrick, not trying to hide his admiration for what crisp cotton and a row of buttons did for Garrick’s buff chest and forearms, especially with the collar buttons open and the sleeves rolled back.

  “Someone’s in a good mood.” Garrick waved him into the house. Cookie was dancing around like an extra in a rap video, preventing Rain from leaning down and claiming that kiss.

  “I should be. Put my application in online last night and got a call this afternoon for an interview Monday. Your friend is fast.”

  “Good.” Garrick’s smile was genuine and wide, but his eyes were tired, shoulders more slumped than usual.

  “Did you overdo it again today? You had our morning exercise, PT with Stephanie, then work. You must be bushed.” Rain rubbed one of Garrick’s meaty shoulders.

  “Nah. I’m okay. But because it looks like it might sprinkle, I think I’ll stay in. I’d rather avoid needing to dry the chair if it gets wet.”

  “What? It’s not designed for underwater use?” Rain joked, but honestly, he wasn’t sure what it would take for Garrick to actually admit he was tired and sore. “And yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised if we got some weather before morning.”

  “Did you already eat? My dinner was a sandwich, and I was contemplating making some sort of dessert while you walk.”

  “Yeah, I ate with Grandma and now she’s off with her Friday night friends. As to dessert, I have ideas...” Rain grinned because he was more than happy to volunteer himself as dessert, but he could be good too. “Sorry. Not trying to tease—”

  “Liar.” Garrick laughed and shook his head.

  “Truth. I’ll walk Miss Impatient here, and you see what you can find, but seriously, dude, if you need rest—”

  “What I need is a way to make a brownie mix vegan so you can have some.” Garrick waved away Rain’s concerns.

  “Use flax seed to replace the eggs.” Rain liked how Garrick always tried to accommodate Rain despite his own omnivorous tastes. “And thanks for adapting the recipe.”

  “I try. Now get going before it rains.”

  A bitter wind greeted Rain and Cookie, and they’d barely reached the halfway point when the skies opened up in a way they seldom did this time of year, pelleting them with a harsh, driving rain.

  “Come on, Cookie. Let’s run!” But even racing back to Garrick’s place at top speed, they were both soaked by the time they reached the porch.

  “There you are.” Garrick was waiting for them in his chair, stack of fluffy gray towels in his lap. “I was worried.”

  “It’s just water.” Rain didn’t like him worried, didn’t like adding to the tightness around his eyes, but he’d be lying if he didn’t admit that Garrick’s caretaking felt damn good too. They worked together to dry Cookie enough to let her into the house.

  “You’re shivering,” Garrick pronounced as Rain straightened from toweling off the dog. “You need a hot shower. How about—” A torrent of more rain cut Garrick off. “Crap. You want to avoid the mad dash across the street and shower here? I’m not sure what I’ve got clotheswise that you’d like, but you left your robe here last week. I hung it up in the hall bath for you.”

  “That works.” Warmth spread across Rain’s chest. His robe. That Garrick had so easily assigned ownership of the elegant garment to him, that meant something.

  “If you need shampoo or whatever, there are toiletries from various guests under the sink.” Garrick all but herded Rain toward his guest bathroom. Apparently, worrying over Rain had given him a fresh jolt of energy because he didn’t seem anywhere near as tired now. His concern was super cute. Rain didn’t usually get fussed over like this and it was nice. “And I’m going to turn the fireplace on for you.”

  “You’re spoiling me.”

  “You deserve it.” On that warm note, Garrick left him to peel off his soggy clothes. Damn. Even the sexy purple underwear he’d worn hoping for a chance to tease Garrick had gotten soaked.

  Cranking the shower to hot, he rummaged under the sink to find a bodywash from the eclectic collection that was too big to simply be his mom and sister visiting. He picked a fun beachy scent, hoping it didn’t have a bad association with one of Garrick’s exes, and took his time in the shower. The warm water pounded his chilled skin until he was nice and warm and relaxed. When he exited the shower, the aroma of brownies greeted him.

  “Go ahead and crawl under the covers if you want,” Garrick called. “I’ll bring the snack and my laptop.”

  “Sure thing.” Rain scampered across to Garrick’s room, where he had to smile at how Garrick had readied the space for him. The fire was going, lights dimmed, and bed covers turned back. Grateful, he kept the robe on and slipped beneath the puffy mountain of covers, continuing to towel off his hair. He needed a comb, but his fingers would have to do.

  “I could get used to this,” he teased as Garrick placed his laptop and a plate with two brownies on the rolling tray table next to his side of the bed.

  “Good. But if you want milk, you’ll have to get it yourself. I’ve learned the hard way not to attempt uncovered liquids in the chair, but I did make sure Dad brought in some coconut milk with the rest of my groceries if you want it.”

  “Nah. I’m staying put. But thanks.”

  “Anytime.” Garrick transferred to sit on the edge of the bed.

  “Wait. You’re way overdressed.” Rain gestured at Garrick’s work clothes.

  “You just want me naked.”

  “Guilty. But don’t make me come over there and do it with my teeth. Or rather do exactly that. Please.”

  “Okay, okay. I’m on it.” Garrick used a nifty grabbing tool to pull off his shoes, then wiggled out of his pants and shirt, leaving him in blue boxer briefs.

  “Now that’s more like it. Although I can’t believe you turned down my kind offer of assistance...” Giving a flirty wink, he couldn’t help leering as Garrick climbed under the covers. Damn. Those muscles.

  “Trust me, I’m amazed at my restraint too.” Laughing, Garrick arranged himself as easily as if they planned a cuddle party like this every weekend. Rain scooted closer while Cookie found her way to her bed with a mighty harrumph.

  “I thought you’re not much on TV.” Rain gestured at the laptop.

  “I’m not. But every time we work out, you keep talking about all those reality shows I never watch. Pick one to educate me on all the pop culture I’m missing.”

  “Yes, Grandpa. I’ll show you what us youngsters are into these days.” Rain deliberately made his voice more country, earning another laugh from Garrick, who tossed an arm around him and hauled him closer so that Rain could scroll around the laptop. The warm weight of Garrick’s arm on his back made him tempted to suggest porn, but he didn’t want to ruin this cozy little cocoon by bringing up sex too soon either. He picked a show he thought Garrick would appreciate—ridiculously fit people attempting wacky obstacle courses. “Here. Maybe you’ll get more ideas for my workouts, but I draw the limit at dodging inflatable pylons.”

  “Hey, if you have your way, you’ll soon be dodging burning debris. Don’t make light of things that improve your reflexes. They might be the one thing keeping you alive.”

  “True that.” Maybe he should have gone for a lighter show, one with relationship drama or petty
squabbles, but before he could change the selection, Garrick pulled him in tighter, settling him against his chest, and Rain decided he could endure even the worst TV if it meant getting to stay right there as long as possible. Garrick smelled like the woodsy aftershave he favored on the days when he shaved, but he already had some sexy stubble going, and his body was warm and solid behind Rain. He started absently finger combing Rain’s still damp hair.

  “I love your hair down like this.”

  “It’s kind of a wet mess.” Rain’s face heated at the compliment. As much as he enjoyed dishing them out, getting them always felt weird.

  “Beautiful mess.” Garrick blessed him with a kiss on the top of his head, and yeah, he wasn’t moving, not even for brownies, but eventually partway through the second challenge Garrick stretched and retrieved the plate, feeding a bite to Rain.

  “If you keep taking such good care of me, you’re not getting rid of me anytime soon.”

  “Good.” Garrick kissed the side of his head. Him free with the kisses like this was worth any number of rainstorms. Hell, Rain would happily endure snow—

  Wait. He probably wouldn’t be here come winter, a sour thought that took a little shine off the present coziness.

  “Why the frown? Are the brownies that bad?”

  “They’re fine. You did good.” Returning the favor, he pressed a kiss to Garrick’s neck. Might as well enjoy it while he had it.

  “And no pressure, but you’re welcome to sleep over if you want to text Shirley.”

  “You’re blushing.” Rain had to laugh before he sobered. “You’re sweet enough to not want her to worry about where I am, but you’re...embarrassed?”

  He had been a walk on the wild side for enough people to not like feeling like a secret people were ashamed of, and some of that must have crept into his voice because Garrick gave him a kiss on the head.

  “Not in the way you’re thinking. More like I still feel like I’m too old for...whatever we’ve got going. I like your grandma a lot, and I don’t want her pissed at me or thinking I’m taking advantage.”