Two hours and four stitches later we were out of the ER and headed back to my house. Thankfully, there was a doctor there that Luke trusts, so he didn’t have to be the one to stitch me up. They did give me some pretty heavy painkillers, so I’m currently sitting here trying my hardest not to say anything that’s gonna get me into huge trouble later. Especially since all I can think about now is how worried Luke was about my hand and how hot he looked taking charge at the hospital. He rushed me in, and I guess he had warned somebody there that we were on our way, because they were all waiting for me as soon as we walked through the door.
Luke took a sharp turn, knocking my head against the window and bringing me out of my musing. “Ow,” I sent him a sharp glare as I rubbed my forehead.
“Sorry, Manny. I keep forgetting that my normal road is closed. Didn’t wanna miss that one or I would have out of luck.” I wasn’t listening to his explanation as I watched the roads pass, realizing that we were not headed towards my house.
“This isn’t the way home, Mr. Richards.” I suddenly realized who’s home we were pulling into. I had, unfortunately, just woken up here a few days ago.
He parked the truck and looked at me. “Of course it’s not your house. Did you honestly think I would let you just go home alone with your injury?” He raised an eyebrow as I sputtered in disbelief.
“Yes! Of course I did! It’s a cut on my hand, barely a scratch! What could I possibly need monitoring for?” He opened his mouth to reply, but I cut him off. “No, that was rhetorical. Seriously, take me home. And all that food. There has to be such a mess.”
He pursed his lips. “The food will still be there tomorrow. I turned all the burners off, so it’s fine and it can wait. If I take you home, I’m staying there with you. So take your pick.”
Honestly, the nerve of this man! I ignored the butterflies that were in my stomach because of his insistence on taking care of me. It was outweighed by how indignant I felt that he thought I couldn’t take care of myself.
“I want to go home, please.” He raised his eyebrows but said nothing as he started the truck back up and backed out of the driveway.
“Have it your way, Manny.” I smiled in my seat as I started seeing the familiar houses. I tried to ignore the smug look on Luke’s face as we pulled into the driveway. I jumped from the truck and raced to the porch turning around to give him a small wave.
“Okay! Well I think I’ll be okay on my own tonight. Thanks so much for all the help, but I-oomph” I was cut off by two hands grabbing both of my biceps as I was lifted of the ground and set in front of the door.
He was very obviously unimpressed by my attempt at leaving him outside. “Unlock the door, I’m tired.” He yawned as if to prove his point.
I, however, was having a slight panic attack. “You can’t stay! I am a grown up! I’ll be fine on my own!” He completely ignored me as he plucked the keys from my hands and turned to unlock the door. He left me on the porch with my hands in the air and my mouth agape. I run after him waving my hands. “Seriously, Mr. Richards!” His foot hesitates in the air and he turns towards me. “I only have one bed! You cannot stay tonight!” I swear I see a wicked gleam in his eye and he leans down to get eye level with me. But as quick as it’s there, it’s gone and I shake my head. I have to be seeing things!
He’s much too close now and I turn my eyes towards the floor as I feel his breath fan across my face. Sweet Jesus this guy is going to kill me. I feel a tap on my chin and my head is lifted to meet his eyes. “I’m going to ask you to try very hard to call me Luke, okay? That Mr. Richards crap has got to go.” He leans back and removes his hand when he realizes I’m not going to look away. “As for the bed situation, I tried to get you to stay at my house. But this was your choice…” He shrugs his shoulders. “So let’s go to bed.”
He heads to the living room, kicking off his shoes by the bed and begins to undress.
This actually cannot be my life right now. “Woah woah woah! What are you doing?!”
He sends me a confused look as he walks past me to drape his button up over the barstool. “What?” He’s now left in jeans and a white wife beater. I can see the definition of his abs peeking through the slightly see through material. My face immediately goes thermonuclear as he takes his jeans off and is left in the tank top and boxers. Realization lights up his face as he takes in my expression. “Well I’m assuming you won’t have any clothes here to fit me, correct?” I give a small nod in agreement. “Well I can’t sleep in dress clothes, so this will have to do.” He walks back to the bed and takes a seat, the weight of his well built body almost flattening the air mattress completely. I can’t take my eyes off of him, no matter how much I know I should. He realizes I haven’t moved and looks back up. He studies my expression and for just a second I see a flash of guilt cross his face. He stands back up. “Listen Manny, if you’re really uncomfortable with this, I can go sleep out in the truck, if you want.”
My face impossibly reddens even more as I take in the fact he really cares whether or not I’m comfortable. Knowing he can see the look on my face and watched as my eyes practically devoured him whole earlier, I decide to hit the topic head on. I clear my throat and take a few steps forward. “No no, if you insist on staying tonight then that air mattress is plenty big for the both of us. It’s just uh…” I let out a small cough. “Well I’m a little gay boy and you’re…well…you’re just you and I just um..” The confidence I felt earlier has quickly disappeared as I began to stammer. “I’m gonna go put my pajamas on!” I finish as he throws his head back in laughter. I run from the room as quickly as I can to head to the bathroom.
Way to fucking go, moron. I thought morosely. If he couldn’t figure out my crush before, he sure as hell can now. I rolled my eyes at myself as I changed and brushed my teeth. Finally thinking past the original panic at his nakedness, I was now growing increasingly worried that my nightmares would make an appearance tonight.
What would I say? My eyes flickered over to the bathtub and I briefly contemplated sneaking in here after he was asleep. I shook the thought from my head as I headed back down the hallway. He was definitely not be happy if he woke up and found me in the bathroom.
I grabbed a few extra pillows and threw them at him as I walked back into the room, cheeks still slightly pink from my embarrassment.
I watched him watch me with a grin as I rounded the bed and set with my back to him. I turned the only lamp off so we would be left in darkness.
I feel his weight shift as he lays down. He waits a moment before he speaks up. “What are you doing?”
I roll my eyes at his smug tone. “Honestly? Trying not to die of embarrassment.”
He let out another loud laugh. It was loud enough I wanted to turn the light back on and see what he looks like when found something so funny.
“Don’t be embarrassed, little Manny. I’m flattered.”
I could feel my whole body deflate as he addressed me like some little kid with a crush. I laid down, my body on the edge of the bed with my back to him. I swear I could feel his stare burning holes in my back and I knew he could somehow tell I was pouting.
“You’re going to fall off the damn bed, Manny.” I said nothing as he huffed and rolled onto his back. “Just scoot closer so you don’t end up in the floor.” I kept my silence again as he hummed. “Either you move or I’m going to move you myself and you’ll end up a whole lot closer than you’re ready for. I know you’re sulking over there and I’m sorry if my comment offended you. I meant no offense, I promise.”
I would not make it past this night alive, honestly. My cheeks were practically burning a whole in the sheet they were so red. What did he mean, closer than I was ready for? My mind immediately went for the filthy fantasies I had saved up in the back of my brain, but I quickly tried to get rid of those before I ended up with a sticky situation.
He shifted in the bed and I quickly scooted towards him a bit and rolled over so I could be saved the embarrassment of being manhandled across the bed.
“That’s better.” My eyes had adjusted to the darkness and I watched as he reached his hand out and ruffled my hair. “Now get some sleep. I’m taking you out tomorrow to pick out some furniture.” I opened my mouth to argue and his hand moved down to cover my mouth. “No arguments. I don’t like the thought of you
sleeping on this air mattress.”
His hand went back to my hair and his fingers slowly started threading through my hair and my eyes began to droop. I gave a small smile at his comment, pleased again with how much he seemed to care.
With his body heat close by and his hand slowly moving through my hair, I finally fell asleep feeling more content than I had in months.
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