by BA Tortuga
“Bed. Come to bed. I got an electric blanket.”
“I can get into that!” Curtis grabbed his robe off the hook, and they hopped into bed, sliding under the covers. Curtis wrapped them both in the robe, holding him tight.
He turned the blanket on high, then pushed close, sharing warmth.
“Woo. This part of the house is like ice.”
“Yeah. Come snuggle. I’ll grab more blankets in a few.”
“You got it.” Curtis blew a raspberry on his neck.
That meant war.
Chapter Sixteen
CURTIS WOKE up late. He knew it because the sun slanted across the floor and not the end of the bed. Damn. Damn it all.
Stetson was careworn and skinny, and he needed food and rest. Trouble was, Curtis would bet anything the man had been up and working for a few hours. Maybe he’d even gone to the damned store, and Curtis wanted to buy the groceries.
He looked out the window, shaking his head at the sight of his lover hauling wood in a wheelbarrow, up from God knew where. He knew the regular woodpile was long gone. Stubborn ass.
He dressed for warmth and made a mental note to get some damn longies in Taos.
There was a piece of paper on the counter, along with a wrapped-up peanut butter sandwich and a bag of Fritos.
Coffee’s in the thermos. Found bread in the freezer. I’m trading for some wood.
Huh. Well, looked like the trade was done, so Curtis tugged on his coat and headed outside.
There was most of a half cord in the back of Stetson’s truck. God knew what the man had traded off. A kidney? His soul?
Curtis didn’t ask any of the questions ready to leap off the tip of his tongue. He just found a pair of gloves in the console of his truck and got to work unloading.
“You want to take the wheelbarrow? I wanted to be able to have a fire tonight after groceries.”
“Sure.” He was stiff and sore enough not to argue. He could help more this way, anyway.
“Did you eat? I left you a sandwich.”
“Not yet. I’ll grab it when we go in. Then I’m taking you into town and buying us something decadent.”
“Yeah?” Stetson grinned at him, the look going all the way to his eyes. “You were sleeping good.”
“I feel amazing.” He really did. Working was stretching stuff the long day in the truck had bent.
“You look good in my bed.”
“You think so?” That tickled the shit out of him. “It’s warmer with you in it.”
“The fire tonight will help warm everything up, and I promise to snuggle.”
“I’m better now than I was last night. I just need to hit the nearest store where I can get some long undies.” Snuggling was one of his superpowers and a great joy.
“You can borrow mine if you want. I’ll take you in a bit.”
“No problem, babe.” He huffed and puffed by the end, but they got the wood stacked in no time. Curtis felt pretty accomplished.
“You need that sandwich, cowboy, and a bottle of water.” He loved how Stetson said “sangwich.”
“Huh?” He wiped the sweat off his face, trying to make sense of what Stetson was saying.
“Cowboy. Move. Now.” Stetson muscled his ass into the house and sat him down. Then a PB and J appeared in his hand, along with a glass of water.
“Thanks.” He stared at it until Stetson took the water away, then brought him apple juice, sticking the little straw right between his lips. Curtis sucked, the cold juice shocking him.
“There you go. Drink some more.”
“Oh.” That hit bottom, and he rolled his eyes. “Altitude. Shit, Roper, sorry.”
“I know, cowboy. Eat your food now.”
“Yeah.” He took a bite of the sandwich, feeling better right off the bat. “Oh, that’s good jelly.”
“Rose hip from Mrs. Javes.”
“What did you trade for the wood?” He popped the question out, hoping to surprise Stetson into answering.
“My motorcycle. I don’t ride much no more. He gave me the wood and a couple hundred for feed.”
“Oh.” Oh, damn. “Well, I hope he gets some use out of it, huh?”
“Yeah. Someone ought to.” Stetson took off his coat and poured himself a cup of coffee.
“Did you eat?” Curtis asked. “I really do want to take you to the diner or the pizza joint or something.”
“I’m in.” Stetson turned and leaned back against the counter, offering him a smile.
“Good deal.” Curtis drank his water before a headache set in. He forgot how high Taos was. He didn’t have altitude problems, but it did take a few days to adjust.
“You feeling better now?”
“Mmm. Yeah. I just got stupid.” He didn’t have any damned body fat, and he should have eaten that sandwich before he went out to work.
“You need some more to eat, honey?”
Hell, he wasn’t sure what else there was in the house to feed him. Stetson’s place was worn to the nub, cupboard to floor.
“Nah. I’m good. Will you come over here and kiss me good morning?” He held out one hand, not wanting to feel like strangers.
Stetson cackled, came right to him. “More like good evening, but I’ll take it.”
“Hey! It’s not that late. Is it?” Shit, he didn’t even know where his phone had ended up.
“It’s four thirty, give or take.”
“Christ, baby. Why didn’t you get me up?” They would lose daylight in what? Half an hour? “Sorry.”
He pulled Stetson down for the kiss he wanted so bad.
“For what? I can drive in the dark. I know how.”
“I do too, you dork.” Curtis laughed. “I just feel like you had to do twice as much without me helping.”
“You deserved your rest.” Stetson kissed him again, and again, and then again.
That was far better than food or sleep or even long underwear. The weight of Stetson on his thighs was pure magic; their bellies pressing together made him ache.
He hugged Stetson around the waist, hanging on tight so he could keep this moment. Right here.
“You’re okay, cowboy. You can rest awhile.”
“You want to share my Fritos?”
“I’ll take one or two, sure.”
Curtis opened the little bag of chips so they could share. They really did need to get groceries, but Stetson was in no hurry, so he could sit. The Smith’s was open until eleven.
They could eat and then get their groceries on.
“You okay?” Stetson asked finally, stroking his hair.
“I am. Much better. You about ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Let’s do this, then.”
Stetson stood, giving him a hand up, and they both put on their coats to head back outside. Stetson paused to give all the dogs a giant bowl of kibble.
He handed Stetson his keys. “We’ll take mine if you want, but I’ll let you drive since I was so wonky.”
“Sure. Come on, I’ll show you off.”
“Hey, now. I ain’t no trophy cowboy.” He laughed right out loud, though, pleased as punch.
“You’re mine.”
That he was, sure as shit.
Chapter Seventeen
THEY ENDED up at the pizza place, where they could carb load. Curtis needed the illusion of something healthy, and they had salads he could have with his monster calzone.
Stetson wanted to tease, but he figured it was still too soon for that. Curtis had that whole love-hate thing with food. Making a big thing of it would make Curtis shut down and eat nothing but poached chicken and egg whites. Maybe frozen grapes.
Him? He ate food when there was some around. Didn’t when there wasn’t. Watching Curtis eat was still on the top of his wish list, though.
That lean pocket cowboy could flat-out moan and lick his fork.
Thank God for sitting down and jeans that were holding everything back.
“You okay?” Curtis asked, nibblin
g at cheese he pulled off Stetson’s pizza.
“Just admiring the view, is all.”
“The view—oh.” Curtis flushed. “It’s good shit.”
“It is. I used to come a lot, just to hang out.” Then he’d gotten old, right along with Momma.
“It seems like a happening place.” The little dining room was packed, the noise and scent of garlic almost overwhelming.
“Yeah, it was, once upon a time. Still, I guess.”
“I like the calzone. And the pizza.”
“Hey, Stetson.” Angela Hollis stopped by the table then. She worked back in the kitchen.
“Hey, Angie honey. How’ve you been?” He stood, held out one hand.
“Good. Good. Lula said you were here and, well, I wanted to say….” She took his hand. “I’m sorry about your mom.”
“Thank you. It was time, I think.” Hell, he knew.
“I know it must be hard, though.” She patted his hand, her expression all sympathy.
He nodded, trying to remember how to breathe. He didn’t want to do this, stand here and try to understand what the fuck he felt. If he started thinking about how Momma was gone, then he had to think about bills and taxes and how he was so fucking happy not to go back to the fucking hospital and be able to sleep with Curtis in his bed, and that made him a bad man, and he knew it.
“Hi, I’m Curtis.” Curtis stood as well and held out a hand to Angie.
“Hey there. You don’t remember me, but we met a long time ago. It was four kids ago.”
“Well, heck, I’m sorry.” Curtis beamed. “I’ll remember from now on, I reckon.”
“You staying out to the ranch?”
“Yes, ma’am. Stetson needs me.” Curtis didn’t bat an eye.
“I bet he does. That place is big, and it needs about four more hands.”
“It’s not that bad, Angie.” Stetson waved off that concern. It was his place. He knew every inch of that land and what it needed.
“Uh-huh. I’ll come by tomorrow with food, huh?”
“That would be a kindness.” Stetson hugged her, smelling basil and tomatoes and bread.
“You have a good night.” She kissed his cheek before leaving them.
“I don’t remember her, babe. Who is she?”
“You remember that girl that worked at the diner? The one that used to wait on us early?”
“No shit?” Curtis glanced back to the kitchen. “Huh.”
“I know. She’s changed. We all have.”
“Sure we have. We’re all old as fuck.” Curtis winked.
“Yeah, damn near what? Thirty for you?”
“Yep. Long in the tooth for the rodeo game.” Something pained crossed Curtis’s face, so fast he hardly had time to see it.
“Stop it. You’re the best in the world.” Surely Curtis got that, believed it, knew it.
“I am this year.” Curtis shook it off visibly, reaching for the last bite of his calzone and drenching it in sauce.
What was he supposed to say about that? Nothing, he guessed, so he didn’t. He just picked at a bit of pizza until Curtis took it away from him and ate that too.
“You okay?” Maybe the better question was, was he fucking okay? He wasn’t sure. Not at all.
“I’m fine, baby. I am.” Curtis nudged his foot under the table.
“Stetson? We just wanted to say how sorry we were to hear about your momma.” Mr. and Mrs. Apodaca stood there, Ralph’s hat in hand. “Can we stop by tomorrow? Bring food?”
He stood again, feeling like he was in church. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you. She’s at peace now.”
“Finally with your papa again, hmm?” She was such a dear lady, but he wasn’t sure he could hack this.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m sure he came to get her.” Please. Please, he just wanted to scream. He didn’t want to think right now.
“Well, I’ll bring Flora by with food tomorrow,” Ralph said, clearly more in tune with the cowboy way.
“Yes, sir. Thank you. I appreciate it.” He sat, his hands fisted in his lap. These were good people. His people. They just wanted to mourn with him.
“You want to get a box for the rest, Roper?” Curtis asked quietly.
“Yeah. I’m done, and it’s too good to waste.”
“It is.” Curtis rubbed his belly and winked, then simply turned to look at their waitress, which brought her running.
“You guys ready?” When Curtis nodded, she leaned and whispered, “It’s on the house. We’re so glad to have you back, and so sorry for the reason.”
“Thank you.” His throat closed up. Stetson wanted to go get groceries and never leave the house again.
“Hey, this is for you, then.” Curtis tugged out his wallet and handed her a five. Good man. “Can we get a box?”
“Of course.”
As soon as she left, he stood. “I need a….” Shit, he was supposed to have stopped smoking. “I’ll be outside.”
Then he took off and headed to the parking lot to light up. It was a crutch, one he couldn’t afford, and a poor one at that, but it calmed his nerves.
Curtis joined him just a few minutes later. “That’s nasty, Roper.”
He guessed the grace period was over. Curtis had been good about the smoking when Momma was in the hospital.
“Uh-huh.” Didn’t mean he wasn’t gonna finish this one.
“I mean it, baby.” Curtis took the smoke and crushed it out. “So not good for you.”
He didn’t know whether to snarl or be pleased that someone cared enough to notice. Stetson settled on pleased and just nodded, then handed Curtis the half pack he had left.
“I can’t promise not to hunt them when I’m desperate,” Stetson murmured.
“You won’t find them. As high as we are here, you don’t need them.”
“Butthead.” He sighed, rolling his head on his neck. “Let’s hit the Smith’s, huh?”
“Yeah. We need snacks and things we can eat around all the enchilada casseroles and tamales we’re fixin’ to get.”
Stetson smiled faintly. “We ought to get a ton of tortillas too. We should grab some of that grilled chicken and a bag of beans.”
“What do you want that’s decadent, baby? Seriously, something you want bad?”
“Swiss Cake Rolls.” He said it immediately, no thought necessary.
Curtis stared a moment, then laughed softly. “You remember that weekend we spent snowed in over in Cedaredge in Colorado? We survived on dry roasted peanuts and Doritos and Swiss Cake Rolls.”
“And those weird olives. God, those were so good. Salty.” He’d had so much fun. They’d made love over and over, keeping each other warm.
“Yeah.” Curtis got them going, driving to the Smith’s. “We’ll definitely get those, then.”
“Maybe a little container….” They cost a damn fortune.
“Don’t worry about it, babe. I got this trip. You know I’m picky about my coffee and creamer.”
Oh, didn’t that make him laugh. “You and your fancy-assed coffee!” For whatever reason, that made Stetson happy as a pig in shit.
“All that time spent on the road. I swear, they put crack in Starbucks.” Curtis grinned across the cab at Stetson, and his heart clenched. Fuck, there’d never been anyone so beautiful in his eyes. No one.
Curtis hummed with the radio, something on the new country station on Sirius that Stetson had never even heard. They got parked at the grocery store and headed in, and he wondered if he should tell the pharmacy folks Momma was gone. Too late tonight, anyway, and she hadn’t filled anything there in a long while, not since she’d been down in Santa Fe.
“Come on, baby. It’s late and no one’s about. Let’s goof off a little.”
“Pretend that we’re kids again?” Pretend that everything was okay?
“That’s it.” Curtis hit the produce first, zooming the cart across the floor.
“Don’t forget to grab grapes!”
“Whoops!” Curtis spun in a tigh
t circle, the cart wheels squealing.
“Ride ’em, cowboy!” Oh sweet Jesus! He held his belly and laughed so hard, he damn near choked.
Curtis squealed to a stop, then bowed for him, dramatic as hell.
“That—you.” Stetson wheezed. “Old Mrs. Ramirez will call the cops.”
“What fun is that?” Curtis chuckled. “I’m not hurting nothin’.”
“She’s just a fan of orderliness.” He winked. “Grapes?”
“And a couple of bananas.” Curtis started putting fruit in the basket.
“Perv,” he whispered.
“I am.” Curtis nodded easily. “You are what you eat, after all.”
Stetson blinked, and then he started laughing, the sound tearing out of him.
Curtis pushed to the veggies next, adding bagged salad, radishes, and avocados.
It was more fun to follow, watch in fascination as Curtis shopped. They moved on to meat, and he noticed Curtis mostly trolled the outer ring of the store where most of the health stuff lived. They did get ice cream. And Swiss Cake Rolls. Nuts. Doritos. Lord.
Then Curtis stopped by the pharmacy and picked up lube—the warming kind.
“Curtis Traynor!”
“What? Trust me. It’s amazing. Do you want me to get condoms?”
“Do we need them?”
“Not unless you been doing skanky things, baby.” Curtis went serious. “I haven’t been active. In a while.”
“I—you were the last, that I’d let in.” The only.
“Well, there you go.” Curtis left the rubbers on the shelf. “We got toilet paper and stuff?”
“I’ll grab some. Folks will be coming.”
“I bet. There’s lots of folks who want to pay respects. I’ll make some calls tomorrow about a service like I said.” Curtis was so willing to help. That really made him feel better.
“Yeah. You’re good to me.” He went to grab a thing of Charmin.
Curtis started singing, some silly Chris LeDoux thing that suited the man to the ground.
God, when was the last time he’d been here? A year? More? Christ.
Suddenly he felt like he was going to scream.
“You okay?” Curtis took the toilet paper out of his hands. “You look all froze up.”
“Sorry. Woolgathering.” Considering a total breakdown.
