by Scotty Cade
Carter winked at him, and Dane’s heart melted. “You may have been a cowboy, but it’s not my first time at the rodeo. Now, before I administer the antinausea drug,” he added, “do you live far from here?”
“Downtown off of Church Street. Only a couple of miles. Why?”
“This will make you drowsy and will definitely affect your ability to drive. Is there anyone you can call to pick you up?”
“Not really,” Dane said. “I’ve only been in Greenville for a couple of weeks, and I work a lot. Haven’t really had time to make any friends.”
“Okay. We’ll figure something out. Where from?”
“Huh?”
“Where are you from?” Carter clarified.
“Oh. Dallas originally,” Dane said shaking his head. “I’m sorry. I’m a little slow this morning. But I just relocated from Boston.”
Carter nodded.
“I can call an Uber and come back for my car later,” Dane offered.
“That’ll be fine. Your car will be safe here.”
Carter injected a syringe into the IV line, and Dane’s nausea almost instantly faded. “That must be some miracle drug.”
“It’s called Phenergan, and it will make you a little light-headed and very relaxed, but better than that, it will decrease the nausea.”
Before Carter finished talking Dane was feeling the effects. Almost as if he were floating. “I see what you mean.”
Carter smiled and patted Dane’s thigh. “Just relax and enjoy it. It’ll take some time to get these liquids into you, but I’ll be back to check on you in a little while.”
“Promise?” Dane said without conscious thought.
Carter chuckled, patted Dane’s thigh again, and squeezed it. “I promise.”
Dane smiled, and Carter was gone.
Stupid! Why did you say that? Dane wanted to smack himself in the head for opening his mouth, but he knew it was probably the effects of the drug. Man, he could see how people got addicted to stuff like this and… hot doctors. Dr. Carter Baldridge was one handsome man, and he gave good drugs. Both the doctor and the drug felt like something he could easily get used to. He closed his eyes, and that was the last thought he had until he opened them again to find Carter looking down at him, blue eyes sparkling like Gulf Stream waters. “Hey there.”
Dane looked down. The IV needle was no longer there, having been replaced with a Mickey Mouse bandage.
“Cute, huh?” Carter asked.
Dane met his eyes. “Huh?”
“The bandage.”
“Oh. Yeah.” Dane smiled. “Very funny. I must have dozed off.”
“You dozed off all right,” Carter agreed. “You probably got no sleep last night, and the combination of that and the drugs knocked you out. You didn’t even move when I removed the IV. How do you feel?”
“A hundred times better. And you’re right. I didn’t get much sleep last night. I’m sorry I passed out like that,” Dane said. “Wow! It seems that all I’ve done since I got here was apologize to you for something.”
“Then stop apologizing, and let me do my job.”
“You’re right. Sorry. You’re the boss.”
“Thank you.” Carter nodded and offered Dane a hand. “Do you think you can stand?”
Dane nodded and took Carter’s hand. His grip was strong and warm. Carter pulled him to his feet, and he wobbled a little and fell right into Carter’s arms.
“I got you,” Carter said.
For a split second Dane considered staying there. Carter’s embrace felt warm and secure.
Then Dane came to his senses, steadied himself, and stood on his own. “Oh jeez,” he mumbled. “You must think I’m a—”
“Stop it, Dane. It’s okay. Just sit on the edge of the table for a few minutes while I get a wheelchair.”
“No!” Dane protested. “I’m fine. I just need to get my balance.”
Carter gave him a questioning glance.
“I promise.”
Carter gave him a few more minutes, and Dane eventually stabilized. “I’m good now.”
“Here,” Carter said. “Put your arm over my shoulder, and I’ll get you to my car.”
“Wait. Your car?”
“You said you only live a couple of miles from here, and I’m heading out to lunch, so I thought I’d drop you off instead of you having to call an Uber or a cab.”
“That’s very nice of you, but… is that allowed?”
“I dunno,” Carter said. “My boss can be a real asshole sometime, but who cares.”
Dane stopped. “I care. No way am I gonna let you get in trouble for me.”
Carter laughed. “I’m only teasing. I own this place. I am the boss. And said asshole.”
Dane smiled. “I doubt that very seriously, but in that case, I’ll take you up on your offer.”
A SHORT while later, Dane was settled in his bed with pillows behind him and some fresh Sprite on the bedside table.
Carter laid a business card on the nightstand. “My cell number is on the back. Just take it easy and call me if you start to feel poorly again. And only clear liquids until later tonight.”
“You sure nailed your profession,” Dane replied. “You seem to really care, and it shows in your work. I haven’t experienced that in a long time.”
“Thank you,” Carter said. “That means a lot. Okay. Get better fast, and call me if you need me.”
“Thank you again.”
“Hey,” Carter said. “I live over on Crescent Avenue in Alta Vista, not far at all, so if you want me to swing by here tomorrow morning and pick you up on my way to work, call me. You can get your car then and avoid the taxi or Uber all the way around.”
“Stop being so nice,” Dane said. “You’re gonna single-handedly make me start believing in mankind again.”
“Then my work here is done,” Carter said. “I’ll show myself out. Just feel better.”
BY EARLY evening, Dane was feeling much better. Whatever bug he’d picked up had indeed passed, and he was even a little hungry. He’d been able to keep down an entire glass of Sprite and a bowl of chicken noodle soup, but he debated on trying something a little more solid. He most definitely stayed away from eggs. He even tossed out the ones in his fridge, just in case. Instead he ate a piece of dry toast, and so far so good. That seemed to do the trick.
He couldn’t believe his good fortune. He was never sick, but just two weeks in Greenville and with the sudden need for a doc-in-a-box, he’d met a gorgeous doctor. But the question rang over and over in his head. Was Carter gay? Dane’s gaydar had gone off loud and clear, but it wasn’t foolproof.
Dane lay in bed going over every word spoken between them, but nothing provided confirmation or denial one way or the other. Carter hadn’t been wearing a wedding ring, so that was in his favor. But maybe the guy was a late bloomer or a noncommitter.
Carter hadn’t shrieked when he’d seen Dane’s growing erection, so that too was in his favor, but maybe he was used to that sort of thing.
What if I ask him out on a date and he’s not gay? Or even worse, what if he’s a homophobe. Dane wondered if Carter could make trouble for him. He’d heard things about the bigoted South, and although he’d seen no signs of it since he’d arrived, he hadn’t been out much. Dane was going to be here for at least a year and a half, and he certainly didn’t want any kind of reputation following him around. On the other hand, if Carter wasn’t gay, Dane would never have to see the man again. Greenville was a big enough little town. I guess there’s only one way to find out. Dane decided to make the call, but he would wait until eight o’clock, leaving himself some time to back out of it.
As it approached eight, Dane got some serious butterflies in his stomach, which surprised him. He was normally a cool and collected, confident type of guy, but Carter had literally thrown him for a loop.
Dane jumped when his cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID. An 864 number. He picked up Carter’s card and looked at the number an
d then back at his phone. It’s him.
Dane bit his bottom lip, then answered. “This is Dane.”
“Dane. Carter Baldridge,” a professional voice said into the phone.
“Oh! Dr. Baldridge?” Dane said.
“I was just calling to check on my patient.” Carter’s voice was suddenly friendly and relaxed. “And I thought I told you to call me Carter.”
“You did. Sorry.”
Carter chuckled. “I’m just teasing. You sound much better.”
“Feeling a lot better. Thank you.”
“I figured it was just a stomach virus,” Carter said.
“And you were right.”
Silence loomed between them for a few seconds, and Dane cursed under his breath. Say something, you fool.
But before he could, Carter beat him to it. “My offer is still on the table to pick you up in the morning.”
“If it’s not too much trouble?” Dane asked nervously.
“None at all,” Carter replied. “Like I said, I live just minutes from you.”
“What time?” Dane asked.
“Say… a little before eight?”
“I’ll be ready.” Dane hesitated for a couple of seconds.
“Okay. See you then. I’m glad you’re feeling better. Have a good night, Dane.”
“You too,” Dane said, knowing he’d missed his chance.
DANE GOT a pretty decent night’s rest, mostly from not sleeping well the night before, but he woke extra early and did what he could to look his best. Standing in front of the mirror, Dane brushed a piece of lint off his favorite navy blue suit. He studied his tall, thin frame and realized his green eyes still looked a little dull and lackluster. He spiked the front of his short blond hair one more time and then called it quits.
The doorbell rang as he was turning off the bathroom light, and he made a beeline for the foyer.
When Dane opened the door, he was again in awe of the man on the other side of it. Carter was smiling broadly, and that expression could have lit up all of Greenville in a blackout.
“Wow! Look at you,” Carter said. “Quite the difference from yesterday. You clean up very nicely.”
“You’re being way too kind,” Dane said, flattered.
“Not kind, just honest.”
Dane’s whole face heated. He ignored it and threw his leather bag over his shoulder. “I’m ready.”
“So. What do you do for a living?” Carter asked when they were in the car.
“I work for Omni Office Suites,” Dane explained. “I negotiate and lease commercial office space in high-rise buildings, reconfigure the space, decorate and furnish it, and hand it over to a facility manager to sublet the offices.”
“Ahh. I’ve heard of those,” Carter said. “Small offices for one- or two-person businesses?”
“Exactly. Or satellite offices for larger companies. We offer them conference rooms, secretarial services, the whole nine yards.”
“Sounds very interesting.”
“It is, and I enjoy it, mostly.”
“Mostly?” Carter asked.
Dane sighed. “There’s a lot of travel involved.”
“I see.”
When they got to the urgent care, Carter pulled around back to what appeared to be the employee parking lot.
Dane rubbed his sweaty palms on his knees and tried to settle the butterflies once again billowing around in his stomach.
“Hey, look.” Dane cursed his nerves silently when he heard the shakiness in his voice. “I owe you. You’ve gone above and beyond your duties, and I’d like to buy you a beer or uh… dinner?”
They locked eyes for a few seconds and amusement bloomed in Carter’s handsome face. “Sure. When you’re feeling up to it, give me a call.”
“Well, I’m feeling pretty good right now, and to be honest, I’ve haven’t had a night out since I got here. How about tonight?”
Carter’s lips curled at the edges, and Dane noticed the twinkle in his eyes. “You don’t let any grass grow under your feet. Do you?”
“Okay, I’m busted. You could say I’m desperate for a decent meal and some intelligent conversation. So… whaddya say?”
“Sure. I’ve got nothing on the agenda tonight.”
Dane sighed with relief. “Great. Wanna meet somewhere, or shall I pick you up?”
“Since you’re new in town, how about I pick you up. Say sevenish?”
“Sure. Can you recommend a good restaurant?”
Carter patted the top pocket of his scrubs, then his pants pockets, and then rummaged around in his console.
“Are you okay?”
“I was gonna go online and see if I could get us a table at one of my favorite restaurants, but I seem to have misplaced my cell again. I swear… it’s the third one this year.”
Dane laughed out loud. “That’s why I have mine clipped to my belt. It’s the only way I can find it.”
“I’m a little scatterbrained sometimes, but I swear I’m a good doctor.”
“You don’t have to convince me. I saw that firsthand.”
Carter smiled warmly. “Thanks. There’s more than one way to skin a cat. Can I borrow your phone?”
Dane passed it over, and Carter tapped the screen a few times and handed the phone back to Dane.
“We’re all set at the Lazy Goat for eight o’clock.”
“Okay. Until tonight, then.”
Dane shook Carter’s hand and grinned. “It’s a date.”
“EXCUSE ME, sir. Would you care for another drink?”
The voice of the flight attendant interrupted Dane’s reminiscences. He started and looked up at her then down at his empty tumbler.
“Uh, sure, thanks,” he managed. If she kept offering refills, he’d keep drinking them. But as she handed him the bourbon and moved on, he simply swirled the glass, stared down into the circling amber liquid, and allowed it to draw him back into his memories…
AT 11:00 p.m., they were still at their table in the Lazy Goat, laughing and finishing up dessert, when the server dropped their check. Dane wiped his mouth and reached for it, but Carter was quicker. Dane laid his hand on top of Carter’s, and at the mere touch of warm skin on warm skin, electricity ran up Dane’s arm and straight to his heart. He gazed into Carter’s eyes, and moments of silence hovered between them. Dane finally spoke. “Please allow me.”
Carter met Dane’s gaze unwavering and steady. Neither of them moved their hands, and then Carter whispered, “I’ve got this.”
Suddenly, Carter looked up and tilted his head like he was hearing something familiar. “Listen,” he said.
Dane listened to the faint sound of Adele’s voice in the background. After a moment, he recognized one of his favorite songs. He smiled. It was “Make You Feel my Love.”
“It’s one of my favorite songs,” Carter whispered.
“Mine too.” Dane glanced around quickly. They were the only ones still in the restaurant. Maybe it was the wine, Adele, the atmosphere or the subtle hints he thought he’d been getting from Carter all night, or all of the above, but Dane felt empowered. His stomach did little backflips, and his heart raced, but he was determined to make a move. He looked down at their hands, still resting solidly in place, and then back up to meet Carter’s stare. Dane leaned in and whispered, “You’ve got exactly five seconds to tell me you’re straight and I shouldn’t kiss you right now.”
Carter didn’t say a word, he simply beamed.
“Five,” Dane leaned in a little closer, a chill of excitement running up and down his spine. “Four.” Closer yet while goose bumps formed all over his skin. “Three.” Dane’s heart raced as their lips were now a little more than an inch away. “One,” Dane said, skipping two altogether as their lips touched.
Carter’s lips were warm and his kiss soft, sensual, and full of promise. Dane lingered a few seconds, enjoying the closeness before he pulled back.
“You forgot two,” Carter said.
Dane couldn’t hide h
is excitement. “Sorry. I couldn’t wait.”
LATER THAT night when Carter walked Dane to his door and they stepped inside, Dane took him in his arms, and their lips met for the second time. Carter’s grip was strong, but his lips were warm and soft, and his kiss was gentle, slow, and deep. When Carter ended the kiss and pulled back, their eyes met, and Dane found honesty, integrity, and a hell of a lot of potential behind those blue eyes.
When Carter finally spoke, his voice was low and growly. “I’ve wanted to do that since I walked into the examining room and saw you sitting there.”
Dane snorted a little. “Before or after I vomited.”
Carter smiled. “Definitely before. But I might have gone for it after if that was the only option. It might have been a bit nasty, but I do have a weird sense of adventure.”
“I’ll remember that,” Dane said.
Carter winked. “I hope so.”
Dane pressed his lips against Carter’s again, and the experience reinforced his earlier thought that Carter was an incredible kisser. So gentle, sensual, and full of promise. He hoped like hell this was going to go somewhere. But a nagging voice in the back of his head sounded a cautionary note. You travel. A lot.
“Good night,” Carter said when the kiss ended. “I had a great time.”
“Me too. How about letting me cook you dinner tomorrow night?”
“I’ll take a home-cooked meal anytime. It’s odd—I can heal the sick, but I’ve never been able to master the kitchen. If it weren’t for my rotisserie oven, I’d probably eat out every night.”
Dane laughed. “Anything you don’t eat?”
“I don’t care much for fish, but other than that I’m good.”
Dane grinned. “No worries there. I’m a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy myself.”
“That’s even more we have in common.”
Dane smiled again. “Sevenish?”
“See you then.”
Carter kissed his cheek and flashed those pearly whites again.
Dane felt both, down to his toes.
“Until tomorrow.” Carter turned and waved.
