Slade prepared to defend them both, but Julio scrambled to his feet then launched himself out of the bathroom. There was a loud scuffle in the hallway, then a gunshot and some screams. Parker moaned and Slade crawled over to him, pulling the dazed man to him, cradling him against his chest. It had been such a close call. The idea that anything bad could’ve happened to Parker because of him was agonizing.
Parker still seemed slightly out of it, but he wrapped an arm around Slade, holding him in return. Slade rested his chin on Parker’s head, caressing his back. He’d never been so close to him. A strong masculine scent tinged with sweat rose from Parker. Slade closed his eyes and inhaled.
“Please be okay, Parker.”
“I’m fine, honey. Just got the wind knocked out of me.”
Parker struggled to get himself to a sitting position and Slade was sorry for the loss of their closeness. Parker locked his eyes with Slade’s. He placed his hands on either side of Slade’s face, cradling it.
“Thank God. I was so terrified for you.” Parker’s voice hitched. “Did he hurt you?”
Slade was so mesmerized by the moment occurring between them that he almost didn’t answer. “Uh, no. I mean, I might have a few more bruises, but, Jesus, Parker. You saved my life again.”
“As long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters.”
They were near enough to one another that Slade could inhale Parker’s sweet breath every time Parker exhaled. He wanted to breathe more of him in, wanted to taste him. They both angled forward simultaneously as a frantic voice cried out, “Slade? Where are you?”
It was the white-haired nurse and she sounded upset. The moment was broken and Parker let Slade go. He moved to get up then held his hand out to help Slade stand. His gown fell open and he grabbed for it before it completely uncovered him. Parker reached behind him and retied the unwieldy piece of clothing without ever turning him around, sparing his modesty.
“Thanks.” Slade’s cheeks heated.
“Of course. Let’s get you in bed.”
Wouldn’t it be awesome if he said that to me someday for an entirely different reason?
The nurse wedged her way into the bathroom, her face flushed, her ample bosom rising and falling.
“Oh my God, come on, Slade.”
She reached for him, but Parker blocked her.
“It’s okay, Nancy. I’ve got him.”
She pursed her lips and frowned, but stepped aside to let them through. Slade could tell that she disapproved of him and Parker, but he didn’t give a shit. In a startling moment of clarity, it hit him that he was no longer anyone’s slave. He was free to make his own decisions about what he wanted and what he didn’t want. In which case, he wanted Parker if the man would have him. He grinned.
Nancy harrumphed. “What are you so happy about?”
Slade scowled at her. “That’s none of your business.”
Parker let out a barely repressed snort of laughter. A tense silence followed as she went about the business of getting his IV pole reattached and checking his vitals. All the while, chaotic activity continued in the hallway outside his room as more and more police personnel arrived. He noted that there was a different officer outside his room from the one who was supposed to have been there. The cop completely blocked the doorway keeping everyone out.
“Ahem.”
Slade’s cranky nurse stood behind Slade’s guard with her hands on her hips. He glanced over his shoulder in mild disinterest then stepped aside, allowing her just enough room to squeeze through. She would be a pain the rest of the day. Slade only hoped that Frankenurse would stay out of his room as much as possible for the remainder of her shift.
Parker clutched at Slade’s hand, his worry evident in his grip. Slade looked at their fingers joined together and smiled. Even after such a traumatic event, having Parker there with him was such a comfort that it had helped him to quickly calm down.
“How are you, honey?” Parker’s tone was so concerned.
“I’m actually okay.” He raised his eyes to meet Parker’s. “Thanks to you. And I mean that in more ways than one.”
He watched as a host of emotions seemed to pass over Parker’s face.
“Knock, knock.”
The guard stepped aside to let Beau through. Parker made a move to rise as if allowing Beau to take the chair. Slade wouldn’t loosen his grip and Beau patted Parker on the back.
“Don’t get up. I’ll only be a moment.”
“What the hell happened, Beau?” Parker’s voice had an edge of anger to it. “How did that ass wipe get past the guard?”
Beau sighed. “After questioning him, he admitted that he’d been talking with a nurse who he’s become rather friendly with. She’d just finished her shift and he’d been walking her to her car. It seems as if in his mind Slade’s protection was a joke.”
“A joke?” Parker’s voice rose. “How could he think such a thing after Slade was so brutally attacked?”
“I know how.”
They both turned to him. Slade had almost forgotten how disposable he was to the majority of society. Parker had begun to change those thoughts within him. The guard had brought them back. Beau stared at him intently as if to guarantee that Slade would really listen to him.
“Slade, one person’s opinion about you or anything you’ve done doesn’t make it true.”
Parker held onto him with both hands and shook them. “Exactly. You can’t let heartless jerks dictate who you are. I think you’re an incredibly strong and brave man.”
Slade smirked at him. “That’s only because you like me.”
The words had flown out of his mouth before he’d even realized what he was about to say. Parker’s eyes went wide and Beau cleared his throat.
“I only have a couple questions, then I’ll leave you two alone.”
Parked lowered his gaze but didn’t let go of Slade. He wanted to kick himself for opening up his big trap. The sentiment was true but he couldn’t believe he’d blabbed it with Beau standing right there.
Maybe it’ll be the thing that finally gets Parker to actually talk to me about what’s going on between us.
Beau piped back up. “Did Julio say anything to you that would give us a clue as to why he came after you? Did he let anything slip about where he’s been?”
Slade shook his head. “He didn’t say a word. All he did was come after me all out of control and acting like a lunatic. I was so surprised. I mean, it’s not that I haven’t always been afraid of him or worried that he might want to kill me, but I was more concerned about those Russian dudes. Now I don’t know what to think.”
Beau rubbed his chin. “Hmm. Julio’s behaving erratically, almost as if he doesn’t have a definite plan. He’s always been exceedingly wily in the past, but from what you’ve told me and from what we’ve heard from other sources, his meth use has increased dramatically in the last year. I don’t think he has any clear idea as to what he’s doing anymore.”
“I take it that it won’t be an issue then for Slade to have protection when he gets out of here?”
Beau’s cheeks reddened. Parker’s hands tightened around Slade, his distress clear.
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Parker, you have to understand. The resources just aren’t there.”
“What about witness protection?”
“He’s not an official witness to anything yet. Julio isn’t even in custody, let alone about to go on trial.” Beau had a pained expression on his face. “I’m so sorry. We can always try to get him out of the area entirely. Find a program for him in another state if we have to. He’s from California originally. If we use his real name—”
“Excuse me. I’m sitting right here you know. I’d like to have a fucking say in what happens to me.”
Parker stroked Slade’s head with one hand, but Slade refused to let go of Parker’s other one.
“Jesus, you’re right. I’m so sorry. I’m not trying to tell you what to do.
It only comes from a place of concern.”
“I know, Parker. But I’m not leaving.” Slade turned to Beau. “Did you have any other questions? Because if not, I’d like to talk with Parker alone.”
Beau smiled. “Of course. I’ll catch up with you later if I think of anything else.”
“Thanks.”
Parker nodded. “Yes, thank you, Beau. I didn’t mean to yell at you. I know you don’t have any control over any of this.”
“No worries. I’m grateful you’re here for him.”
Beau left, shutting the door behind him. Slade knew that the detective was on their side and he was happy to at least have one person in their camp. Facing Parker, he was met with his intense gaze. His nerves almost derailed him from what he wanted to say, but they’d been dancing around each other for over a week and Slade couldn’t take it anymore.
“I want to talk to you about something and I’d like it if you’d let me get it all out before you say anything back.” He swallowed. “Okay?”
“Okay, honey.”
Slade stroked Parker’s hand with his thumb, refusing to allow his fears to steal from him what might be his chance at real happiness. He kept his eyes locked with Parker’s.
“I really like you. I mean, more than I like a friend. It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way about me, but I needed you to know that. I’m pretty sure you do like me that way too, but just in case, it’s like, okay and stuff.”
Parker didn’t avert his gaze and Slade held his breath.
“Can I say something now?”
“Um, sure.”
“I like you more than a friend too.”
Once again, Parker cradled Slade’s face, but this time when he leaned in, there weren’t any interruptions. Their lips met and Slade sighed, opening himself to Parker’s kiss. As Parker slid his tongue into Slade’s mouth, seeking every part of him, he pulled them closer. The more Parker deepened their connection, the more Slade answered back with his own passionate swipes.
Parker pulled back enough to draw in air then took Slade’s mouth again. There was an intensity to their shared kiss. Slade could sense a door opening to a new life for him—one that he could realistically picture Parker being a part of.
Slade had placed his good hand on Parker’s shoulder to keep them close. Parker caressed Slade’s cheek, while also holding him tightly at his waist. Ending the kiss, Parker licked at Slade’s lips then leaned his forehead against Slade’s. They both breathed heavily, Slade’s length hardening. He wished that they were away from the hospital, somewhere private where it wouldn’t have been necessary to stop.
“Slade, honey. So beautiful.”
Slade’s stomach twisted. If his life was going to change for the better, he needed to start right away.
“Lonnie.”
Parker leaned back enough so that Slade could see his furrowed brow.
“My real name. It’s Lonnie Henderson.”
The corners of Parker’s mouth lifted into a smile. “Hi, Lonnie Henderson. I’m Parker McLean. Nice to meet you.”
Lonnie burst into laughter. It really was as if he was free.
* * * *
Parker waited for the elevator that would take him back to Lonnie’s floor. The doctor had interrupted their first kiss to come by and check him out. He was there to determine whether or not Lonnie was ready to leave the hospital yet. The powers that be had suddenly seemed to be rather anxious for his departure. Another less hostile nurse had also said that she needed to do a blood panel, so Parker had decided to go grab them some food. He hadn’t left without first having a stern talk with the officer outside Lonnie’s door.
He was giddy. It wasn’t an emotion he’d had more than a passing relationship with. Since it seemed as though Lonnie’s departure was imminent and there’d been such a heated discussion about his living arrangements, it had sparked something in Parker. It was a bit impulsive, but it felt right. He only hoped that Lonnie would agree to it, even if it was only temporary. Parker still refused to place any expectations on Lonnie as to what they were or might become to one another.
The door dinged then slid open. He stepped in along with a few other passengers. On the ride up that involved stops to discharge passengers and pick up others, Parker continued his musings about Lonnie.
Lonnie Henderson.
Did his parents have any idea at all how their actions had affected their son? Did they even care? Perhaps they believed that he deserved whatever happened to him for choosing to be gay. For choosing to sin. Parker shifted from one foot to another, his aggravation building.
Choosing. Right.
It was like saying that someone had chosen to be born so that someday they’d grow up with blue eyes or size ten feet. Parker appreciated more than ever that despite some minor awkwardness when he’d come out to his family, no one had rejected him. His parents and siblings had always reassured him when he was younger that their feelings hadn’t changed toward him, that they would always love him no matter what.
At last he arrived at Lonnie’s floor. Nervousness built as he approached the room of the young man who’d captured his heart. Since he’d already reconciled himself to potential heartbreak if things didn’t work out, he’d determined that he would enjoy each moment as it occurred and not overthink. At least that was his plan.
He snorted. It was next to impossible not to hope for more when he was already so taken with him.
“Hey, still awake?”
Lonnie’s grin lit up his face. “Of course. We only have a couple hours left until you go to work, right? I don’t wanna miss a second.”
He attempted to ignore the fluttering of his heart at Lonnie’s words. “Me neither.”
After pulling the chair closer and adjusting Lonnie’s tray, he laid out their meal. Lonnie had wanted to know what some of Parker’s favorite foods were and he’d mentioned Thai. Since Lonnie had never tried it, Parker had picked some up one day. He’d been surprised and pleased that Lonnie had loved it too. It was what he’d requested from Parker for their meal.
They ate in silence for a while. Parker noticed that something appeared to be troubling Lonnie, so he laid down his plastic fork. He hoped that the incident with Julio hadn’t set Lonnie back into the state of constant fear that had crippled him from before when he’d still been in the pimp’s clutches.
“Something’s bothering you. Are you still upset about what happened with Julio today? I mean, obviously, but are you worried that he can still get to you any time he wants? Because I’m going to do everything in my power to protect you. I’ll make sure that whoever’s guarding you knows that they can’t fuck around when it comes to your safety.”
Lonnie kept his head down, picking at his food. “Sure, it’s bugging me, but not as bad as I’d thought it would.” He raised his eyes to Parker. “I feel safe with you.” He bit his bottom lip. “But I don’t want you to think that’s all it is.”
“All what is?”
“My feelings for you. You were like the opposite of safe to me when we first met.”
“Yeah. I figured that out when your knee connected with my nuts.”
Lonnie grimaced. “I really am sorry about that. I didn’t think I had any other option.”
Parker laid a hand on Lonnie’s arm. “I’m teasing you. You’ve already apologized over and over.”
“Okay.”
He considered Lonnie. There was more that he wasn’t saying.
“You can talk to me about anything. Even if you think it isn’t something I want to hear, I want you to say it. My biggest concern is that you’re no longer held back by someone else. If that someone else is me, then that’s okay too.”
It made his heart sink into his stomach to say it out loud, but he still held firmly to his belief that it was the right thing. If they had any sort of a chance together it would have to be built on honesty—not false promises.
“Then I need to say that when I told you I like you, I also meant that I want to be a part
of your life.” He cleared his throat. “If you’ll let me. I don’t want to go to another county or state. I want to stay here so we can be together somehow.”
Parker pushed the tray aside and took Lonnie’s hand. “I want that too, honey.”
Lonnie dropped his gaze again. “I don’t want to be, like, asking you for favors right away and stuff, but do you think you could maybe help me get settled at one of the shelters or whatever programs you were talking about before? The doctor’s releasing me tomorrow morning and I have no idea where to go.”
It was the exact opening he’d been hoping for. “It’s funny you should mention it. I wanted to talk to you about that anyway. I know of the perfect place where you can stay for as long as you’d like.”
That had gotten Lonnie’s attention. “Really? Where?”
“At my apartment.”
Lonnie’s eyes widened and he gasped.
“It doesn’t have to be a…romantic situation. I have an extra room that you’re welcome to use. I’m offering it to you with no strings attached, in whatever way makes you feel comfortable.”
Parker couldn’t interpret the emotions that played across Lonnie’s face. He was concerned that Lonnie might have taken Parker’s offer the wrong way. His recent history of only being valued for his sexuality was something that Parker knew could be an obstacle to them developing a relationship as a couple.
“Do you mean it?”
Lonnie’s voice had been so quiet, so unbelieving. A surge of joy swept through him.
“Very much.”
“Oh. Oh, Parker.”
Lonnie reached for him and Parker met him halfway, still mindful of his physical state. They kissed, Parker tasting the spices of the Thai food mixed with Lonnie’s essence. He’d been plagued by recurring erections since their first kiss earlier in the day. It would be difficult to be in the same home without wanting to touch Lonnie, but he’d promised to do what was best for him.
Copping an Attitude Page 9
