Chasing the Horizon

by Scotty Cade

  “Yes, Garner,” Thompson said. “We’re not stupid. Hank and I watched you guys all night, and neither of you can seem to keep your hands off the other.”

  Garner looked down at Hawk and then back up to Hank. “The short answer is absolutely nothing.”

  “Really?” Hank asked. “And the long answer?”

  “Come on, both of you know my track record and how I feel about relationships. It just so happens that Hawk feels the same way. Right now we’re simply enjoying each other’s company and having a good time. When that’s no longer the case, we’ll go our separate ways.”

  “Hawk?’ Thompson asked, apparently looking for confirmation.

  “He’s totally right,” Hawk agreed. “Except for our first encounter, there was some spark between us almost immediately.”

  Hank tossed a questioning look over at the both of them. “Don’t worry,” Hawk said. “I’ll fill you in on that later.”

  Garner threw his head back and rolled his eyes. “They can hardly wait, I’m sure.”

  Thompson looked up at Hank. “Sounds like there’s a story there.”

  “Oh yeah,” Hawk confirmed.

  He continued by telling Thompson and Hank about Garner on stage at the drag show, which neither of them could believe, then seeing him later at the dance bar, where they had sort of played cat and mouse. And then eventually about the next day docking the boat and what ultimately followed.

  “Anyway, we acted on our attraction big time, and it was good,” Hawk said before pausing and looking up at Garner. “It was real good. And as I just told you, we did it again. But over the course of that one day and our two sexual encounters, we shared our experiences with dating, relationships, and fear of commitment and discovered that we had almost the exact same issues.”

  Hawk paused and then added, “For starters, I no longer felt like I was the only turd in the punchbowl. But more importantly, knowing someone else felt like I did and had similar issues took all the pressure or obligation away, and that was really liberating for me.”

  Garner smiled. “And for me as well,” he said, playing with the loop in Hawk’s eyebrow.

  “Guys,” Hawk said. “I haven’t even had as much as a date in over ten years. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I have sex—a lot of it—but up until Garner, never with the same guy twice. It feels really good to spend time with someone and not feel guilty when I’m done.”

  “Same here,” Garner said, then dipped his head and kissed the top of Hawk’s head. “So, gentlemen, what we have here works for us right now. Maybe not tomorrow or the next day, but for right now I’m very content.”

  “Me too,” Hawk agreed.

  Thompson shrugged. “Hey, man, with my past, I’m the last one to judge. If you’re both happy, I’m happy for you.”

  “Me too,” Hank said. “Besides, Gar, I really like knowing you’re not alone all the time.”

  Thompson nodded and looked up at Hank, who was attempting to stifle a yawn. “That’s my cue, gentlemen,” he said. “It was a long drive, and we have a big day tomorrow. I think we’re gonna turn in.”

  Hawk looked up at Garner. “I think we’re right behind you,” he said, hopping to his feet. “It was great to meet you both, and I look forward to a fun day tomorrow. Weather looks good, and hopefully, we’ll catch some fish.”

  Thompson stood and offered his hands to Hank to pull him to his feet. “Come on, baby, time to put you to bed.”

  The men exchanged hugs, and just before they went their separate ways, Garner said, “It’s really good to have you here. I miss you boys a lot.”

  Thompson smiled, nodded, and took a step toward their stateroom.

  “Ditto,” Hank said, joining him.

  “Oh, and Thompson?” Garner said.

  Thompson stopped and turned.

  “Please don’t wear that god-awful shirt tomorrow. You’ll squash any chance we have of catching a fish.”

  Thompson looked at Hawk, who was standing behind Garner and shaking his head mouthing, “Not true.”

  “Fuck you, Garner,” Thompson said. “I’m wearing it now just to piss you off.”

  And with that Thompson turned and disappeared into his stateroom.

  THE NEXT morning Garner was awakened by the smell of freshly brewed coffee. He rolled over, stretched, and glanced at the clock. Fuck! It’s five forty-five. I set the alarm on my phone for four forty-five.

  Garner sat up, swung his feet over the side of the bed, and reached for his phone. It wasn’t where he’d left it last night when they went to bed.

  “Looking for this?” Hawk asked, waving a cell phone in the air and carrying what Garner hoped was a cup of hot coffee.

  “As a matter of fact, I was,” Garner replied in a sleepy voice. “The phone for sure, but right now, I want the coffee way more.”

  Garner reached for the coffee, but Hawk pulled it away just before he could wrap his fingers around the cup. He puckered his lips and leaned in.

  “Bribery, huh?” Garner said. “I can assure you it is not needed.” He gave Hawk a good morning kiss and gladly accepted the steaming cup of java. He took his first sip and looked up at Hawk. “I don’t understand.”

  “Simple,” Hawk said. “I woke up at four o’clock and couldn’t go back to sleep, so I got up, took your phone with me so the alarm wouldn’t wake you, and headed to my boat to get everything ready. After the ice delivery, I came back and started the coffee. And here we are.”

  Garner shook his head. “What a nice way to wake up.”

  “Good morning, ladies!” Hank said, banging on the wall right outside Garner’s cabin. “Please tell me you’re dressed and not doing the nasty. I don’t think my eyes could handle that this early in the morning. Or any other time of the day, for that matter.”

  Garner smiled at Hawk. “Watch this,” he whispered before raising his voice to answer. “One of us is dressed and one of us is naked, but feel free to come in and watch.”

  “Kinky,” Hank said. “But no thanks. If I wanted to play that game, I have a naked man in my own bed. I think I’ll just stand right here and listen instead.”

  “You’re one fucked-up dude,” Hawk yelled.

  “Thank you,” Hank replied.

  Garner laughed. “No seriously, we’re dressed, sort of. You can come in.”

  Hank peeked around the door. “I’m a little concerned about the sort of part of that statement, but I guess I’m man enough to take my chances.”

  Hank joined Garner and plopped down cross-legged on the bed, leaned against the headboard, and sipped his coffee.

  “Is Tommy boy awake?” Garner asked.

  “I brought him his coffee,” Hank shared. “But that man is getting harder and harder to get up in the morning. I guess he’s playing catch up for all those years he was up before sunrise.”

  Garner smiled weakly. “Good for him. How’s he doing?”

  Hank looked down into his coffee cup. “Really well, I think. I mean… he has his moments. But hell, we all do.” Hank looked up and met Garner’s eyes. “But I think after all these years, he’s finally at peace and seems truly happy.”

  Garner nodded. “And you?”

  “The happiest I’ve ever been,” Hank admitted. “Seriously, Gar, I don’t think I can ever say thank you enough. From the minute you walked into our lives, everything changed.”

  Garner waved his hand in the air. “Seeing you boys happy is more than thanks enough. And really, all I did was show you the way. You did the work.”

  “Yeah, but it still amazes me how it all worked out. Who would have dreamed when I towed you back to the marina, it would have had such a lasting effect on our lives?”

  Garner rested his hand on Hank’s leg and squeezed. “I’m a firm believer that things always work out the way they are supposed to.”

  “What in the hell is going on in here?”

  It was Thompson’s voice, and the others looked up to see him leaning on the doorjamb. “A bunch of old hens cack
ling and having a coffee klatch?” he continued.

  “Says the mean old rooster?” Garner teased.

  Hank uncrossed his legs and patted the bed in front of him. “Get over here, Foghorn Leghorn.”

  Thompson walked over to the bed. “I say, I say, boy… I think I just might take you up on that offer,” he mocked and then kissed Hank on the forehead and settled between his legs, leaning back and resting his head against Hank’s chest.

  “You know,” Garner said, “sooner or later everyone is going to have to get out of my bed if we’re actually going to try and go fishing.”

  Hawk was still standing at the side of the bed up until this point. He suddenly kicked off his flip-flops and threw himself across the foot of the bed. “Well, until then, you ladies make some room for me.”

  They all looked toward the door again when they heard someone call, “Anybody home?”

  “We’re back here, Butt-rah,” Hawk called out.

  Justin appeared in the doorway looking like the Gorton’s Fisherman with a scowl on his face and his arms crossed over his chest. “Already with the names, Hawken?” Justin looked back and forth at all the bodies sprawled out on the bed without giving Hawk time to respond. “Good morning, all,” he said. “Ah, sorry to break up your little love fest, but no one was on ReelCrazy, so I came over here. The companionway door was open and I heard voices, so I came down.”

  “Not at all,” Garner said. “The coffee’s in the galley, and if you can find a spot on the bed, you’re welcome to join in.”

  Garner pointed at Thompson and Hank. “Justin, meet Thompson Gray and Hank Charming. Guys, this is Justin Morrison, Hawk’s best friend.”

  Thompson waved and Hank said, “Good to meet you, Justin,” as he tried to push Thompson, who wasn’t budging, off him so he could stand.

  “Oh no. Please don’t get up,” Justin said. “It’s nice to meet you guys as well.”

  Hank settled back against the headboard, smacked Thompson on the back of the head, and took another sip of his coffee.

  “Ouch,” Thompson said, rubbing his head and looking over his shoulder, apparently knowing why he got smacked.

  “Thanks for the offer, but I’ve had enough coffee and Dramamine to send my system into a tailspin,” Justin admitted. “So I think I’ll pass. And as far as the bed, I don’t know what you people are into, but whatever it is, leave me out of it.”

  “Yeah,” Hawk said. “He’s saving himself for his cyber boyfriend.”

  Justin narrowed his eyes. “Very funny, Hawk. At least I can count the number of men I’ve been with on one hand. If we tried to add up your conquests, we’d have to enlist the fingers and toes of the entire US Navy.”

  “Ouch,” Garner said.

  Hawk looked at Justin. “Cut a guy some slack, would ya? I’ve only been at it for fifteen or so years. I promise my numbers will increase.”

  Everyone laughed but Garner. He didn’t know why, but Hawk’s sex life with other guys didn’t strike him as funny. He knew the guy wasn’t a saint by any means and had slept around a lot; hell, Hawk had told him as much. But suddenly the thought of Hawk with another guy left a sour taste in Garner’s mouth and was not something he wanted to think about.

  Everyone was laughing and focusing on the back and forth banter between Hawk and Justin, so luckily Garner’s change in mood went unnoticed. He quietly got up, went to the head, and dressed. One by one, the other guys followed Garner’s lead, and eventually they all made their way to ReelCrazy.

  DESPITE NOT being able to shake off the odd sensation settling in his chest, Garner made sure everyone had a great time, and the fishing trip was a huge success. Hawk had proven to be an excellent charter captain and all-around great fisherman. He’d taken them to his favorite fishing spots, and none of the spots had disappointed. Throughout the trip they’d caught Amberjack and Blue marlin in a variety of sizes, with Justin landing the last and largest catch of the day: a ninety-pound Yellowfin tuna, or Ahi as it was referred to by some.

  When they arrived back at the marina, Garner watched Hawk skillfully clean the large fish, which provided more than enough steaks for dinner with plenty left over for everyone to have some to take home. They all pitched in and washed down the boat, then showered and changed and relaxed with a cocktail while Hawk prepared a gourmet meal featuring fresh seared tuna.

  Later that night they hit the town, Hawk and Justin taking them to all of their favorite hangouts, ending up at La Te Da’s for the late show. When they arrived, they had a drink in the lounge, and Garner discreetly slipped Austin a fifty-dollar bill to make sure Jack picked either Thompson or Hank to sing her duet with during the show.

  As luck would have it, Jack was dressed as Dolly Parton and she picked Thompson, who, to his credit, hammed it up big-time while he sang “Islands in the Stream” with the blonde-haired drag queen.

  After the show, Thompson and Hank got into one pedicab and Hawk, Garner, and Justin piled into another and whooped and hollered as they raced back to Justin’s apartment, each promising their driver an extra twenty bucks for whoever got there first.

  After saying goodnight to Justin, Garner, who had stopped drinking when they reached La Te Da, realizing one of them should be reasonably sober, watched over the guys as they stumbled the three and a half blocks to the marina in the tepid Key West air. When they arrived back at the boat, Thompson, Hank, and Hawk were well past tipsy, and Garner struggled to get them aboard AquaTherapy without anyone ending up in the drink. Hank came the closest, saved only by the fact that Thompson’s hand was already down the back of his pants and Garner was holding on to Thompson.

  Garner sighed when, by some miracle, they all made it back on board safely. Once down below, Thompson and Hank headed directly to their stateroom, offering slurred good nights without even bothering to stop for a hug. Garner helped Hawk back to his stateroom, and they barely made it to the bed before Hawk collapsed, fully clothed, and fell fast asleep, snoring lightly.

  Garner peeled Hawk’s clothes off and emptied his pockets, laying his phone and wallet on the bedside table. He quietly folded Hawk’s jeans and Henley and laid them on the floor on top of his shoes and socks and then turned to gaze down at the handsome man lying in front of him. Sleeping as soundly as a newborn baby, Hawk was mesmerizing, his beautifully tattooed and pierced body practically still except for the rise and fall of his breathing.

  In the quiet of the cabin, with his walls down and defenses almost nonexistent from the effects of the liquor, it took Garner only moments to realize why he’d begun to experience such odd feelings this morning. Tears stung the backs of his eyes and quickly ran down his cheeks as he admitted to himself for the first time that he was starting to develop feelings for this wounded walking contradiction of a man.

  How could this have happened in less than a week? he asked himself. Because you let your guard down knowing Hawk wanted no part of a relationship. You have no one to blame except yourself.

  Garner’s tears flowed freely while he stripped, folded his clothes neatly, and then crawled into bed. He choked back a whimper when Hawk instinctively scooted his back against Garner’s chest. Garner fought the urge to wrap his arm tightly around Hawk’s waist and draw him close, but in the end he lost the battle and held on to Hawk as if his life depended on it.

  Garner’s heart nearly broke in two, and he couldn’t hold back the whimper any longer as he admitted to himself what was coming next.

  Do what you always do, Garner. Run!

  Chapter 10

  HAWK WOKE to the sound of his cell phone ringing. He turned over and winced from the headache pounding at his temples. He glanced at the clock and groaned. Seven fifteen.

  He picked up his phone and looked at the caller ID. Justin.

  He slid his finger across the bottom of the screen and lifted the phone to his ear as he rolled over onto his back. “This better be important, Butt-rah, or you’re a dead man,” he whispered, trying not to wake Garner.

  �
��Hawk?” a gruff voice said.

  Confused, Hawk looked at the caller ID again. It still said Justin.

  “Uh yeah, this is Hawken,” he replied. “Who is this?”

  “My name is Sergeant White with the KWPD.”

  A cold chill ran down Hawk’s spine and the haze of his hangover cleared as he put two and two together. A police officer calling from Justin’s phone. This can’t be good.

  He sat bolt upright in bed. “What happened to Justin?”

  “I’m sorry to have to call you so early on a Sunday morning,” Sergeant White said. “But your name was the first one in his favorites list on his phone.”

  “I don’t care how early it is,” Hawk retorted. “What happened to Justin?”

  “He’s been in an accident,” the officer said.

  “What kind of accident?”

  “He was struck by a vehicle on Duval while crossing the street in front of a coffee shop.”

  “What? Hit by car?” Hawk said, no longer able to keep his voice down. “How bad is it? Please tell me he’s not….”

  “Oh no,” Sargent White interrupted. “He’s alive, but he suffered a pretty serious head trauma. He’s about to be transported to the Lower Keys Medical Center.”

  “Please tell me he’s okay?” Hawk asked.

  “He was unresponsive for a while, but he’s conscious now, and that’s about all I can tell you, son,” Sergeant White said. “I suggest you get over to the hospital as soon as you can.”

  “I’m on my way,” Hawk said before ending the call.

  Hawk jumped out of bed and scanned the room for his clothes. When he turned, he saw Garner already up and putting his pants on.

  “Over there.” He pointed to Hawk’s neatly folded clothes. “How bad is it?”

  “I don’t know,” Hawk said, his voice cracking. He was shaking so hard he couldn’t button his pants. “They won’t tell me anything other than he has a serious head trauma and he’s on his way to the Lower Keys Medical Center.”

  “Look at me,” Garner said, grabbing Hawk by the shoulders. “Let’s not jump to any conclusions. He’s still alive, and we have to believe that he’ll be okay.”