Chasing the Horizon

by Scotty Cade

  “That’s it,” Garner said, still holding Justin’s hand. “Come out of it slow and easy. Take your time. No rush at all. We have all the time in the world.”

  Garner felt Justin squeeze his hand ever so slightly.

  “I’m right here, Justin,” Garner said softly. “It’s Garner.”

  “Water,” Justin said.

  Garner raised the head of the bed just a little and poured a cup of water from the pitcher on the bedside table. He peeled the paper wrapper off a straw lying next to it and put the straw and cup up to Justin’s lips. “Just one sip and very slowly, Li’l Man,” Garner instructed.

  Justin took one draw off the straw as instructed, and Garner pulled it away. “That’s it,” Garner said. “Good job.”

  “Hawk?” Justin murmured.

  “No, Justin, it’s Garner,” Garner explained slowly. “Hawk had to leave, but he’ll be back shortly.”

  “No,” Justin said. “Hawk. He. Needs. You,” he choked out. “Don’t go.”

  What the fuck? Garner was amazed at how quickly Justin was coming down off the medication. The little shit was listening the entire time.

  “Okay, Li’l Man,” Garner said. “I hear ya. Now you just rest and let us take care of everything.”

  Justin settled down again and drifted off into slumber.

  “I’ll be damned,” Garner said out loud.

  When his time was up, he went back to the waiting room and decided to freshen up. He took a sink bath in the public restroom, changed clothes, and brushed his teeth. He sat back down in his and Hawk’s corner and waited for Hawk to return—or his next opportunity to see Justin, whichever came first.

  HAWK WAS in the front seat of a silver Honda Accord, speeding back to the Lower Keys Medical Center. He looked down at his watch. Eight twenty.

  He and Jeremy had talked for about two hours before he was convinced Jeremy was not an ax murderer and truly had sincere feelings for Justin. Hawk had taken his time explaining everything to Jeremy in great detail, trying to make him understand where Justin’s head was and why he did some of the things he did.

  During their conversation, Jeremy’s emotions seemed to have run the gambit. One minute he was surprised and very angry with Justin for lying to him. The next he was sad for Justin but foaming at the mouth to get revenge for what Andrew Kincaid had done to him. But in the end, although he wasn’t happy about it, he seemed to understand Justin’s actions and why he was so cautious with his heart.

  It was eight forty-five when Jeremy parked the car and the two men raced up to the fourth floor, trying to make the eight-thirty visitation, which lasted until nine o’clock. Hawk figured they would at least get to see Justin for ten minutes or so before they got thrown out, but when they reached the waiting room, Garner was still sitting in their spot and the double doors were closed.

  Garner stood and walked in their direction. “Eight-thirty visitation was cancelled due to a code blue.”

  Hawk’s heart dropped to his feet. “Not—”

  “Oh no, sorry,” Garner clarified. “Not Justin. In fact, Justin is starting to come out of the medication. He squeezed my hand, had a sip of water, and even mumbled a few words.”

  “That’s great news,” Hawk said as a broad smile spread across his face.

  Garner looked at Jeremy and back to Hawk.

  “Oh, sorry!” Hawk said. “Garner Holt, meet Jeremy Stanton.”

  The two men shook hands. “Good to meet you,” Garner said.

  “So there are no more visitations tonight?” Jeremy asked.

  “Unfortunately not,” Garner said. “Not until six o’clock tomorrow morning.”

  “Damn,” Jeremy said, looking around. “I can’t believe we missed it. Can one of you guys tell me where I can find a bathroom?”

  Both Hawk and Garner pointed simultaneously, and Jeremy nodded. “Thanks.”

  As soon as Jeremy was out of earshot, Garner turned to Hawk. “He’s here, so I guess he passed the test.”

  “And then some,” Hawk said. “I think he’s a good guy.”

  “So what did Justin say when you saw him last?” Hawk asked.

  “He said your name and some other mumble jumble,” Garner said, stretching the truth a little bit. “He’s still pretty heavily sedated.”

  “But that’s a good sign, right?” Hawk asked with concern in his voice.

  “Absolutely,” Garner said. His hands were in his pockets, and he was looking everywhere but at Hawk.

  Hawk sensed Garner was about to make his break, and he wanted to make it as easy on him as he could. “Hey, why don’t you go ahead and get out of here. I know you didn’t get much sleep last night and you still have to provision the boat before you leave in the morning.”

  Wow! I guess he’s pretty anxious to get rid of me, Garner thought. “Okay. You’re probably right. I have a lot to do.”

  “Look,” Hawk said. “The Publix is open twenty-four hours, and it’s on the way back to the marina.”

  “Appreciate that,” Garner said. “Do you have the cab company’s number you used earlier?”

  “Oh, yeah. I’ll call one for you right now.” Hawk searched his phone, hit recall, and walked away as he put the phone to his ear. “As soon as possible” was all Garner heard before Hawk ended the call.

  “They should be downstairs in minutes,” Hawk said. “The guy said they had a cab in the area.”

  “Great, thanks.” Garner walked over, took Hawk’s dirty clothes out of his backpack, folded them neatly and put them on a chair, and slung the backpack over his shoulder.

  “I guess this is it.”

  Before Hawk could reply, Jeremy returned from the bathroom.

  “I’ll walk you down,” Hawk said.

  “That’s okay,” Garner replied, turning to Jeremy. “It was good to meet you, Jeremy. Listen I don’t know what’s going to happen with you and Justin, but if you hurt the Li’l Man you’re gonna have me to deal with. You got it?”

  Jeremy shook his hand and said, “Yes, sir.”

  “I insist on walking you down,” Hawk said.

  Garner nodded.

  Once in the elevator, Hawk opened his arms and Garner stepped into them, resting his head on Hawk’s chest. “You be careful out there,” he said, his voice cracking.

  “I will,” Garner said. “And I’ll never forget you, Hawken Bristol.”

  Hawk felt the tears sliding down his cheeks and knew if he didn’t break this up, the sobs were coming next. He thanked the heavens when the elevator doors opened and Garner backed out of his arms.

  “Likewise, Holt. Thank you for everything. Keeping me together and what you did for Justin. You are a true friend, and I’ll always remember that.”

  “Please say goodbye to Justin,” Garner said. “I mean, I did when I was with him, but who knows if he heard me or not.”

  “I promise.”

  Garner looked toward the glass doors and when Hawk followed his gaze, he saw the cab just pulling into the porte-cochere. “Your chariot has arrived,” Hawk said with tears still running down his cheeks.

  Garner took Hawk’s face in his hands and brushed the tears away with his thumbs. “You’re a good man, Hawk, and you deserve all the happiness in the world. Don’t you ever forget that.” Garner kissed him gently on the lips, turned, and walked away.

  When the cab drove away, Hawk unknowingly sat on the same bench Garner had sat on earlier and cried like a baby.

  Chapter 12

  GARNER HAD the cab pull into Publix, and he stocked up on provisions for his journey. When he got back to the marina, he paid the cab driver, loaded one of the carts with his groceries, and pushed it down the dock. He reached his boat and looked the three slips over to see ReelCrazy swaying back and forth in the gentle current. He smiled fondly. He realized that he truly would never forget the scary, funny, handsome, and unpredictable Hawken Bristol. What an impression that man had made on his life in just under a week. Crazy!

  Garner put his groce
ries away and secured the cabins. He went up to the helm and checked his fuel, programmed the waypoints to Andros into his GPS unit, pulled out the appropriate charts and charted the same course as a backup, and finally checked all of his safety gear.

  Exhausted, Garner kicked off his shoes, poured himself a glass of wine, turned on the weather radio, and sat on the couch listening to the pre-recorded loop one more time to make sure everything was still a go for first light.

  When the loop finished and he was satisfied that the weather was holding, he turned the radio off, downed the last of his wine, and decided there was nothing more he could do until the morning.

  He walked into his stateroom and stopped short when he saw Hawk’s ball cap, a T-shirt, a pair of his gym shorts, and his flip-flops on the floor in a neat pile next to the bed. He lifted the small pile of clothing and held them to his nose. He could smell Hawk’s scent all over them, and the aroma sent a jolt to his groin like no other. Unwilling to give in to his desires, he put the cap, shorts, and flip-flops in a plastic bag. Garner kept Hawk’s T-shirt, folded it, and laid it on his pillow.

  Closing the plastic bag, he took it over to ReelCrazy and put it just inside Hawk’s door, then returned to his cabin.

  He undressed, sat on the edge of his bed, and unfolded Hawk’s shirt. He pulled the T-shirt close to his chest and finally climbed into bed. The last thing he remembered was inhaling Hawk’s wonderful scent over and over again until he fell asleep.

  Sometime later, Garner was awakened by a familiar dip on the opposite side of the bed. He opened his eyes and saw Hawk’s beautiful, steel-gray eyes looking back at him.

  Garner opened his arms without saying a word, and Hawk fell into them, crushing their lips together in a warm, desperate kiss.

  “Need you” was all Garner could say through their kiss as he laid back and allowed Hawk to straddle him, never breaking contact. Garner whimpered when Hawk slowly moved over and buried his head in the crook of Garner’s neck and nibbled at the sensitive areas Hawk seemed to remember each time they made love.

  “I need you now,” Hawk said as he slid down even farther, brushing his lips over Garner’s nipples and then taking Garner into his warm mouth. Garner was instantly hard, throwing his head back and arching his back from the sensation. Hawk moved up and down on him slowly and deliberately, causing goose bumps to appear all over his body. Hawk stopped long enough to retrieve a condom, opened it with his teeth, and started to slide it onto Garner’s length.

  “No,” Garner said, stopping him. “You. I need to feel you inside me. Please.”

  Hawk rose up on his knees, his erection staring Garner in the face, and slowly rolled the condom on. He reached for the lube, coated his finger, and slid it slowly inside Garner. Garner again arched his back and hissed. “More,” he said. “I need more.”

  Hawk eased another finger inside, and Garner brought his knees up and lifted his ass off the bed using his feet, giving Hawk more access. “Move!” Garner said. “Please move.”

  Hawk started slowly working his fingers in and out of Garner’s opening, searching for that magical spot Hawk himself knew so well.

  Garner let out a loud moan, letting Hawk know he’d hit his mark. Behind the lids of his closed eyes, Garner saw the biggest fireworks show of his life. One with a finale that repeated every time Hawk rubbed his target.

  “You now!” Garner heard himself beg breathlessly. “Please, Hawk, I want to feel you inside me. I have to.”

  Lifting Garner’s legs and resting them over his own shoulders, Hawk positioned himself at Garner’s opening and slowly pushed in. Garner pushed against him and Hawk stopped. “No, please don’t stop,” Garner pleaded.

  Hawk pushed again, working himself in a little at a time until he was in all the way. He slowly withdrew and pushed in again.

  “Yes!” Garner said. “Hawk, please.”

  Hawk picked up his speed and force as Garner thrashed his head from side to side and pumped his own length vigorously. “Harder!” Garner said. “Please, Hawk! I need to feel… need to remember. Want to always remember you! Remember this!” He knew he was begging but didn’t care. Didn’t care either that tears were streaming down his face.

  Garner opened his eyes and saw sweat mixed with tears staining Hawk’s cheeks, once again solidifying their connection in every way. Hawk was beautiful as he breathlessly drove in and out, giving Garner exactly what he needed.

  Garner felt his orgasm building and pumped himself harder, screaming when the first spasm landed on his neck, the second and third spasms hitting his chest and stomach, continuing until he was utterly spent.

  Hawk pulled out of him, peeled the condom off, and stroked himself feverishly until he too screamed and came in streams on Garner’s stomach, mixing their release.

  Hawk hung his head and Garner knew not whether it was from exhaustion or shame, but he lifted his head up by the chin and smiled. “Thank you.”

  Hawk fell to his side, breathing heavily as Garner reached over and used Hawk’s T-shirt to clean their combined seed. He rolled onto his side with Hawk pushed back against him, and they both gave way to the exhaustion.

  WHEN GARNER opened his eyes, his first thought was of Hawk. He felt the other side of the bed and raised his head to look around, but he soon realized he was once again alone. Out of desperation, he sniffed the air to see if he picked up any scent of breakfast being prepared or even fresh coffee being brewed, but he smelled nothing of the sort. Was it all a dream?

  He rolled to the edge of the bed and winced when he felt the stinging and burning at his opening. I guess that answers my question.

  Garner pulled himself out of bed, made coffee, and showered, all in the early morning darkness. Each time he moved a certain way and felt the sting, he was thankful to be reminded of the events of the previous night. He dressed and stepped through the companionway door just in time to see the sun peeking above the horizon. He started his engine, disconnected his shore power and water, released his lines, and pulled out of the marina. He stared closely at ReelCrazy as he passed by, but there were no signs of Hawk. He waved anyway, just in case Hawk was onboard, and smiled weakly, remembering it all. Garner made the turn out of the breakwater into the open ocean and looked back one last time, not sure what he was looking for, but happy to cast one last glance over Key West and the home of Hawken Bristol.

  Chapter 13

  HAWK AND Jeremy were standing in front of the double doors at five minutes before six waiting for the first visitation. “Thanks for covering for me last night while I went to say good-bye to Garner,” Hawk said. “I would have never left Justin alone if you hadn’t been here.”

  “I know,” Jeremy said. “It’s the least I could do. You guys have been here around the clock.”

  The double doors suddenly opened, and Hawk and Jeremy made their way down the corridor to the NICU. “I think it might be a good idea if you stay outside for a few minutes until I can tell him that you’re here,” Hawk suggested.

  “You’re probably right,” Jeremy agreed. “But please hurry.”

  Hawk chuckled. “I will.”

  Hawk rounded the corner and stepped inside Justin’s door. To his surprise, Justin was awake, sitting up, and the nurse was helping him with a cup of water.

  “Good morning, sunshine,” Hawk said. “Look who’s awake?”

  “If you must know, I’ve been up since three o’clock this morning, trying to figure out what in the hell is going on here,” Justin said in a raspy voice. “I’m still a little groggy from the meds, but I understand I was in an accident.”

  “So Nurse Ratchet here filled you in, then?” Hawk asked, smiling at the nurse.

  Justin smirked, but also smiled at the nurse. “What little she knew,” he said. “Which wasn’t very much.”

  “Sorry,” the nurse said.

  Justin waved her off with his good hand. “Not your fault.”

  Justin looked around Hawk and out into the hall. “Where’s Garner?” Hawk
felt his smile fade, and he lowered his eyes. “Hawken Bristol, please tell me you didn’t let him leave?”

  “It’s complicated,” Hawk said.

  “Oh, Hawk,” Justin said. “You finally found a man who liked you for who you are and one you liked just as much, whether you’d admit it or not, and you let him get away.”

  “Like I said, Justin, it’s complicated.”

  “Complicated my ass,” Justin said, leaning forward.

  “Now, Mr. Morrison, you can’t get too excited,” the nurse said, pushing Justin back down on the bed.

  “Hawk, somewhere around five o’clock this morning I panicked because I remembered bits and pieces of conversations you and Garner both had with me when I was knocked out. It took a while to piece it all together, but the gist of what I remember is you wanted him to say he wanted to stay, and he wanted you to ask him to stay. How could two adult men fuck this up?”

  “What are you talking about, Justin?” Hawk said. “You must have been hallucinating.”

  “Hawk!” Justin said very slowly, looking over at the nurse. “Did you and Garner not have a conversation in this very room about fucking up and developing feelings for one another?”

  “Yeah, but—”

  “But nothing, Hawk,” Justin said. “You both agreed to no attachments and you both got attached. How is that bad?”

  “Because we both suck at relationships.”

  “Most people do, Hawk, but that’s doesn’t keep them from trying, especially when you find someone you click with so well.”

  “He’s right,” Nurse Ratchet said.

  “So now you’re gonna gang up on me?” Hawk asked. He turned back to Justin. “He never said he wanted to stay.”

  “And you never asked him to.”

  Hawk threw his hands up in the air and started pacing and rubbing his head. “I told him I fucked up too, and that I was feeling something, and he shot me down.”