Page 6 (2/2)
"The second first date, there was a triple ho in ot into the back to take a nap, and didn’t realize the doors would lock behind hih despite howanyone Nick chuckled softly, shaking his head
"We decided that ‘dates’ weren’t good for the city after that, so we didn’t try again"
"So you’re basically fuck buddies"
Nick shrugged nonco no to ht noait"
Kelly’s shoulders slumped The disappointment was sharper than he’d expected "Wait?"
"Wait Until you’re better Until all of this isn’t shiny and new Until life feels norusted sound "What’s normal anyway?"
Nick chuckled "I wouldn’t be any kind of friend if I let you make decisions with a bottle of painkillers and a fresh bullet hole in your back"
The disappointment spiked, but Kelly should have known Nick would be reasonable and levelheaded Nick was the first person willing to ju sure you had your parachute on "What about you?" Kelly asked, his voice hoarse
"What aboutthe shine off things?"
Nick s rubbed a little too"
They both laughed, not looking away from each other Kelly liked how bold Nick was; it was completely at odds with his nonchalant attitude He’d seen Nick in action, of course, but he’d never been the target He understood the attraction now Co for Nick’s shirtfront and pulling hi into hihs and set his as they kissed Kelly didn’t even have tiister hoeird it felt to bebackward off the railing It was natural to trust Nick to hold him, to wrap his arainst Nick’s hips
The kiss was rough and consu Kelly loved about Nick
Nick took Kelly’s face in both hands when he pulled away He pressed his forehead to Kelly’s cheek, his breath harsh against Kelly’s neck "Put your feet on the ground," he said, voice gone hard He gripped Kelly’s ar backward, but he stepped away too
Kelly fought the urge to grab hi off
"We need to take that walk," Nick grumbled
"I’d rather cliave hi, but Nick resisted He didn’t break eye contact, but he looked like he desperately wanted to He shook his head instead "I rong, I can’t do this"
"Nick"
"I’ot two Percocet inNick’s ar
Nick put a hand over his eyes "Please don’t reht now"
"What?"
"Percocet That’s not what I meant and you know it"
"Is this about you and Aidan?"
"No Sort of No," Nick stamerous to hed bitterly "I doubt that, because even I don’t knohat this is So let’s just leave it at this and go take a walk" Nickto catch his breath
"This is your fear of co up, huh? Isn’t that usually like a fifth date thing for you?"
Nick stopped short and turned to face him
"I call bullshit," Kelly said He crossed his arms over his chest stubbornly
"Are you really psychoanalyzing ears in your head by na to pull any of this shit with me"
Nick worked his jaw and looked away
"What are you really afraid of?" Kelly asked
Nick glared at hiain "You know exactly what I’ that made you keep your mouth shut about Ty all those years?"
Nick’s jaw jumped as he clenched his teeth
"It’ll never happen," Kelly said calmly "If we try this and it doesn’t work, that’s it There’s no drama between us It won’t hurt us It won’t hurt our friendship"
Nick looked up at the sky, taking a deep breath "Kels, I’ you to stop"
"Nick," Kelly tried as he ht now I know--"
"Don’t," Nick growled
Kelly took a deep breath and went for it anyway "You’re afraid of this ht be so special, because that’s sure as hell what it felt like last night You’re scared"
Nick put both hands on his hips and lowered his head, nodding "Okay," he said, then turned and stalked toward the door, disappearing inside
Kelly sighed heavily, left alone on his deck as the breeze plucked at the hem of his shirt and ruffled his hair "Well, that ell"
Nick sat in a swing on the front deck, his feet propped on the railing, an unlit cigarette in his hand He’d wanted to siet out and clear his head for a few hours, but even angry he wasn’t willing to leave Kelly alone And since the cabin consisted of one open room downstairs and the loft bedrooone to the front deck and planted himself there for a few hours Kelly had left him alone
Nick had to smile Just the fact that Kelly knew to leave hi hi to the door, and he turned his head "You need help?"
"No, I’ood," Kelly answered when he pushed past the screen door He shuffled closer, holding his hand to his chest He stopped at Nick’s side and stared off at the setting sun "I’m steadier if I don’t take the pain pills"