BETWEEN FRIENDS

by Em Woods (c)2011

as part of the Hot Summer Days collection

for the M/M Group on GoodReads

Click here to see post on GR

Letter from Kelly, member:

These two have been friends for a long time, but nothing more. Now after a near life threatening experience one has just started to feel more than he was execting for the other and is unsure about himself and his feelings for his blonde friend.

 

And the story it inspired:

 

“Put your fucking hands up, bitch!”

The desperate ring to the teenager’s voice sent a chill down David Sawyer’s spine. He stayed motionless, crouched by his flats of Pepsi cases as he watched the robber’s jerky movements in the reflection of the window.

Damn it. David reached slowly into his pocket, pulling out his work cell. The best part of the phones with the two-way radios was how quickly he could reach dispatch. He keyed in the emergency number, hit send and tucked it back in his pants.

The kid tugged his frayed hoodie closer to his face, trying to hide the greasy brown hair and pimpled face. Couldn’t have been more than nineteen. Skinny, jeans riding an inch above the tops of his sneakers, and angry at the world. Great. 

David clenched his teeth when the clerk, Brina, flicked a glance in his direction. Dear God, don’t say anything. She was a smart girl; going to college, working her way through with this crappy ass job in the convenience store nearest her campus dorm. But smart people usually did stupid shit when they were scared.

She raised her hands, and even from his spot in the rear of the store, David could see she was shaking badly.

“Open the drawer!” The punk stretched across the counter and pressed the gun to her forehead.

David stopped breathing altogether. He knew for a fact the safety was off. The cold, hard click as the kid had shuffled into the store was what had kept David frozen near the ground.

Brina was obviously aware of that detail as well. What little color she had left in her pale face drained away, leaving her pasty and wobbly on her feet. David shifted slightly and she blinked.

He nodded, watching her in the glass.

She blinked again, slowly, intentionally. She sees me. Perfect.

Taking a small step away from the unforgiving weapon in her face, Brina reached one hand carefully toward the cash register. “I haven’t done much business tonight, Donnie. I wish you’d have come tomorrow night or something. Fridays are always better.”

“Who you fucking kidding? I been watching this place.” Donnie slapped his free hand on the counter, and an ugly grin crept onto his face. “I been watching you, Bri.”

Oh shit. David’s stomach rolled. The kid was just a beginner, testing the waters, but David had seen that look on very dangerous men and knew what it meant.

“You don’t have to do this.” Brina pushed a button on the register and the bottom drawer popped open with a loud ding.

The teen opened his mouth to reply but, at that moment, the wail of the sirens reached the store. His nasty grin faded, replaced by a guttural snarl as he raced around the counter. He grabbed Brina by the hair, pulled her with him as he stalked toward the back room. “How’d you call the police, bitch? Where’s your fucking button?”

David moved swiftly, five years of military training guiding his actions. As he moved up the long shelving unit, red and blue flashing lights lit the store from outside. Donnie spit in Brina’s face. “Think I won’t hurt you? Kill you?”

The terrified whimper from Brina whipped though David, pushing him closer to the pair faster than he would normally have gone.  Almost there. The crush of plastic echoed loud in the small store and David looked down in time to see the bag of chips hit the floor. Before David could swear, the barrel of a gun appeared under his nose.

“Who the fuck are you?”

David sucked in a deep breath. “Pepsi guy.”

Donnie turned the gun away from David, aimed the wobbling muzzle at Brina’s temple. “Pepsi guy, huh? Sure you weren’t gonna be a hero?”

David shrugged. Denying it would piss the kid off more, and David wasn’t about to say he was aiming to kick Donnie’s ass. That shit only happened in Die Hard movies. And David sure as hell wasn’t Bruce Willis.

Didn’t want to be either. That’s why he’d gotten out of the Navy.

“Hey!” The kid hissed just before cracking David across the cheek with the butt of his gun. “Get in the fucking back room.”

David shook his head, the sting of the cut on his face clearing his mind enough to focus on what the kid was saying. Back room. He swiped a hand across his skin, satisfied when only a minimal amount of blood smeared across his palm. “Yeah. Yeah, man. I’m going.” He stepped around Donnie, briefly touched Brina’s hand as he passed.

The phone rang as they skirted the large counter dodging cigarette cartons and lottery ticket rolls. David flicked his thumb in its direction. “Better answer that. It’s the boys in blue outside, I’m guessing.”

“What the fuck would they want to talk to me for?” There was a tremor to Donnie’s voice that hadn’t been there before. He tightened his grip on Brina. David could see the indentation where the barrel of the gun pressed into her skin.

“See what your demands are.” David shrugged and kept walking.

“Why would I have demands?” Donnie sneered, his lip curling again, anger taking over for fear in the gleam of his dark eyes.

David barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes. The effort to control his features brought a sharp sting and he grunted low in his throat. Donnie’s eyes narrowed as he pulled Brina closer still. David lifted his hand, pointing at Brina then himself. “What you have here is a hostage situation. They want to talk to you.”

“A hostage—“ David saw the light blink on behind the kid’s eyes as he realized the pile of shit he’d gotten himself into with this robbery. Then his dark brown eyes hardened into deep, bottomless pits of black. “Hell yeah, this is a hostage situation. Now answer the damn phone.”

Slowly, not wanting to tip Donnie over the edge with a sudden movement, David reached for the cordless phone on the counter. “Hello?”

“What the bloody hell are you doing?”

A shot of adrenaline punched through David’s body as he snapped out an answer. “Not a damn thing. Taking a break, thinking of making it a vacation.”

Silence met David’s reply.

“Who the fuck are you talking to like that?” Donnie nudged at David with his foot. “Don’t piss off the damn cops before they gimme what I want!”

“Dave.” Jake Holden’s voice was solid, calm.

It helped more than David would ever be able to tell him. Because they worked together. Because they were friends. Because Jake was straight. Keeping his eyes trained on the gun to Brina’s head, David hummed in acknowledgement.

“The lead officer, Anders I think he said his name was, would like to talk to the robber.”

“Then how’d you get on the phone?” And what the hell is he doing here anyway?

Jake sighed. “I’m the first person emergency dispatch calls after the police. I needed to know if my guy was safe.”

Well, if that’s not a cold stab of reality. “I’m good. Put him on.” David held the phone out to Donnie.

Donnie stared at the phone, greed and anger burning in his gaze. “Put it on speaker, dumbass.”

“This thing’s a piece of shit. No speaker button.” David thrust it closer, taking a step with it. Just a little distraction was all David needed. He met Brina’s eyes, flicked his eyes to the floor then back to meet her gaze. She blinked once.

“Hold it up to my fucking ear then.” Donnie grew more and more agitated, fidgeting in place. He pushed Brina’s head to the side with the pistol. “Do it.”

David lifted the phone toward Donnie’s ear, only stopping short of touching by an inch or so. Donnie shifted to press his ear to the receiver at the same time Brina went boneless and crumpled to the floor. His eyes went wide as he bore her weight, pulling him off balance. “What the-”

Instinct kicked in and David rapped Donnie on the temple with the phone. Brina scrambled out of the way as Donnie’s limp body hit the ground beside her. The gun clattered across the dirty tiles, sliding under the counter. David held the phone back to his ear. “Still there?”

“This is Officer Anders.”

“You can come inside. Your man is out cold on the floor.”

“Coming now.”

David pushed the disconnect then put the phone on the counter. He held a hand out to Brina and helped her up from the floor, just as the police came in the front door, guns raised. David nudged Brina, and they held their hands in the air until cleared by the officer in point to lower them.

“David Sawyer?”

The smooth voice was the same one he’d just heard over the line. “Anders?”

“Yes.” The officer smiled, held out his hand to David. “Thanks for keeping your cool. That was a slick move. Where’d you learn it?”

“Navy. Learned a lot of things there.” David shook Anders’ hand, noting that the officer lingered a hair’s breadth longer than normal. “Where’s my boss?”

Only a flicker of disappointment on Anders’ face said he got the point. “Over by the medics. Waiting for you.”

David nodded. “Am I okay to go for now? I need to finish my route.”

“We can take your statement later. Just give me your number and I’ll call tomorrow.”

David recited his cell number, then waved at Brina. “You’ll be good?”

“I’ll be fine.” She gave him a wobbly smile. “Right after I give my notice to quit.”

Chuckling, David stepped out into the cool evening air. He only needed one person, one man. And it didn’t matter if Jake yelled, cursed or gave him the silent treatment for whatever he thought David had done wrong. He just needed to see his friend.

As if conjured, Jake appeared within inches of David. “Done causing trouble?”

“Yeah, I can check it off my to-do list for the day.”

Jake stared at him, his golden brown eyes serious, concerned. “You okay?”

David nodded. He was sure this scene would come back to bite him in the ass, but for now he was fine. He had to be.

“I’ll give you a lift home.”

“Gotta finish my route.” David jerked his thumb in the direction of his truck. “Just ‘cause that guy got stupid, doesn’t make my job any more done.”

Jake shook his head, wrapped a warm hand around David’s arm. “I’ve already called a relief driver. Tom will be here in five.”

“I said I was okay.”

“Well, I’m not. So I’m taking you home.” Jake’s hold on David tightened.

David tried to pull away, a half-hearted attempt, but enough to make Jake aware he was protesting. “I’ll get Anders to drop me off at my house.” He couldn’t quite call his latest apartment home.

Jake opened the passenger door of his F150. “Get in.”

That’s it. David yanked his arm away. “I said-”

Jake’s eyes narrowed and his gaze darted to the convenience store. “I know what you said.” He clamped his mouth shut, sucked in a deep breath through his nose, and took a step closer to David. “But no one but <i>me</i> is going to take you anywhere tonight.”

Alarm bells went off in David’s head. “It’s a good thing we’re friends.” Keep that thought in your mind. He doesn’t mean this like it looks.

“Get in. Buckle up.”

David didn’t fight him this time. As David snapped the seat belt in place, Jake closed the door and rounded the front of the truck. Without saying another word, Jake fired up the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.

It took a full five minutes for David to realize they weren’t headed to his apartment. “Going the wrong way, man.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Apartment’s the other way.”

Jake gave him a sideways look. “How astute.”

“Fuck you.”

Snorting, Jake shook his head and focused on the road ahead. “I said I was taking you home. <i>My</i> home.”

David stared at Jake. “What the hell is wrong with you? You act like you’re the one who was trapped in that store.”

Jake took the turn into his driveway faster than normal. “Might as well’ve been.” He jammed on the brakes just short of the garage door, flicked off the ignition and left the truck.

David watched him go. As Jake shoved his way through his front door, David set his jaw. He hadn’t done anything wrong. In fact, he’d just knocked out a robber and saved Brina’s life. But if Jake’s attitude was any indication, David had kicked his puppy.

The door still stood open, both welcoming and ominous at the same time.

Sighing, David opened his own door and climbed out of the truck. Whatever happened next would change their friendship. He trudged up the walkway to the porch. The only thing he didn’t know was if it would be for the better or worse. David paused at the door, his hand hovering at the screen handle.

“Planning on sleeping outside?” Jake asked as he walked toward the door.

“Considering it.”

Jake pushed open the screen, standing to one side so that David could enter. It looked like most of his snit had evaporated but a gleam still lingered in his pretty brown eyes. “C’mon. I’ll make you a sandwich.”

David nodded and followed Jake through the living room and into the kitchen at the rear of the house. He moved on autopilot, the smell of brewing coffee drawing him like a moth to flame.

“Have a seat.” Jake waved his hand at the barstools clustered around the island as he snagged a pair of coffee mugs from the cabinet and fixed them both a drink.

“You don’t have to wait on me, you know.” David couldn’t get a grip on Jake’s mood. He was flashing hot and cold, worse than David’s sister when she had hit menopause.

“Sit.”

David circled the bar and slid onto the stool in the corner, propping his elbows on the countertop. He leaned forward, watching Jake’s jerky movements as he put together a turkey and cheese sandwich for David. “Wanna tell me what’s got your tail in a knot?”

Jake’s shoulders tensed, and he remained frozen there a moment before slamming a jar of mayo down on the table. “No, I don’t.”

“Do it anyway.”

“You scared the shit out of me, Dave.”

David noticed the butter knife in Jake’s hand shook as he laid it next to the sandwich. He braced his hands in front of him and hung his head.

Jake looked so damn vulnerable. David was off his seat and wrapping his arms around Jake before he realized he was even moving. “Shush. Calm down.”

“You could have been killed.”

Jake’s voice was muffled by David’s shirt, but he heard Jake clear enough. It was the same thought he’d been pushing away since Donnie had cocked that fucking pistol on his way into the store just a few short hours ago.

“Yeah, I could’ve been. But I wasn’t.” David sucked in a breath, took a step back from Jake’s warmth, told his cock this wasn’t a snuggle session. David shrugged and tried for humor. “At least you won’t have to fill out that paperwork on Monday, huh?”

Jake grunted. “Screw the paperwork. What would I have done if something happened to you?”

“What?”

“Did you even think of that before you decided to play hero?”

“Think of what?” David glared at Jake. “You made it clear on the phone that you were just checking on an employee, so why the exaggerated concern now?”

Jake’s eyes widened, his nostrils flared. “What should I have done? Aired our laundry in front of everyone?”

David threw his hands up. “That’s just it. There is no laundry. We’re just friends.”

“Fuck being friends!” Jake walked up to David, not stopping until they stood nose to nose. “I’m tired of being Goddamn friends.”

David’s heart raced. This had the potential to blow up, and fast. But if it doesn’t… “Do something about it then.”

It felt to David like they both stopped breathing in that second before Jake’s mouth crashed to his, all lips and tongue and teeth. Jake’s hands gripped David’s face, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. David’s eyes drifted shut and he parted his lips, sucking Jake’s tongue as he bucked his hips against Jake.

Jake moaned low in his chest as he broke the kiss, his hands skimming down David’s chest to settle at his waist. “Tell me you’re okay with this.”

“More than. Stop talking.” Oh God, I need this. David’s whole body trembled as the weight of the day lifted and the realization that he stood there in Jake’s arms sank in. Jake would probably regret this in the morning, but damn it, David wasn’t saying no just to save them some awkwardness. “Got someplace more comfortable?”

Jake nodded, grabbed David’s hand and pulled him into the living room. One plush suede couch and a chair made from the leather they used for those old bomber jackets sat on an area rug facing the fireplace in the corner. No television, no pictures on the wall. A lone radio sat on a small end table situated between the couch and chair.

The place was sparse, but that was because of Jake’s nature. He’d explained once that he didn’t bring anything home he didn’t want to keep forever. David could remember their conversation like it was yesterday instead of six months ago.

Jake had stood staring out his front bay window; talking low enough David had had to strain to hear him. And when Jake had turned to face David, there had been a sadness in his eyes that made David want to wrap him in his arms and promise anything to make it go away. But with a blink, it was gone and David had thought he’d imagined it.

Shaking off the memory, David eyed the couch, his cock thickening with each new thought of what they could do there. “Here?”

“No.” Jake kept moving toward the only door in the house David had never been through. And when he finally got a look at Jake’s bedroom, it was nirvana. A king-size four-poster oak bed stood in the middle of the room. Its muted tan sheets were slightly rumpled and the navy blue comforter lay in a heap on the floor at the foot of the bed.

Rustic oak dressers lined one wall, and an open archway on the opposite wall revealed a decadent bathroom that anyone would die for. David didn’t know what to stare at first. His apartment was a shithole compared to this. “You don’t make your bed?”

*****

A ghost of the earlier panic whirled through Jake’s stomach. “I was in bed when that call came.”

David grinned at him. “We should get you back there then.”

“Only if I have company.” A slight tremor in Jake’s voice hitched his words.

David stared at Jake. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” It was bad enough he’d freaked out in the kitchen. No way in hell was he doing it again when he was moments from finally getting David into his bed.

“Bullshit.”

David’s tone was soft, but firm, and Jake knew he wasn’t getting out of this. He motioned to the bed. “Can we lay down while we talk about this?”

“Can we be naked?”

Jake huffed out a laugh. “You bet.”

David stepped close to Jake, his fingers trailing over the dress shirt, opening buttons as he went. Jake closed his eyes. The brush of David’s hand, a touch here and there, sent heat straight to Jake’s cock. When David leaned in to swipe his tongue over the skin exposed in the V of Jake’s shirt, he moaned.

“I’ve waited so long.” David’s voice was rough with desire. “Didn’t think it’d happen.”

“Waited?” Jake couldn’t get his mind to wrap around what David was saying. He cupped David’s chin, turning his face up to see into his pale green eyes. “What?”

David held his gaze, but finished unbuttoning Jake’s shirt in haste, flicking Jake’s jeans open with a twist of his wrist. “Fuck first then talk. Promise.”

When David’s fingers curled around his cock, Jake couldn’t remember what he’d even wanted to talk about anyway. “Fuck. Fuck first. Good idea.” He pumped his hips into the tight grip around him.

Swiping his thumb over the head of Jake’s cock, David smirked. “Thought you’d see it my way.”

“Fair’s fair.” Jake grabbed the bottom of David’s work shirt and inched it up, regretting that David had to release him to get the thing over his head. “Pants off.” Jake shoved his jeans down his legs, kicking his shoes and socks off along with the pants. By the time he looked up again, David stood nude, his thick cock arching toward his belly. “Oh holy God.”

“Mmm. C’mere.”

Jake stepped into David’s waiting arms, tilting his face for a kiss. He’d always pictured himself as the more dominant of the two, but now he knew that was only because David kept a piece of himself tucked away. The way David had handled that robber, not panicking, but instead saving himself and that cashier from a terrible fate, told Jake more than David would probably have done in a lifetime.

When David’s lips met his again, Jake put everything he had into that kiss. All of the fear he’d felt when the police officer called about a hostage situation on David’s route. All the anger at himself that he’d waited too long to do anything about how he felt. All the love that had grown over the last several months.

Jake backed David to the bed and tumbled down on top of him when they fell onto the soft mattress. “You waited. I’ve waited. We so stupid.”

“You talk too much.”

“I’m a talker. Get used to it.” Jake felt David’s muscles tense under his hands. Maybe he’s not as serious as I am. Shit. “Want you.”

David wrapped his fingers into Jake’s hair and tugged him down for another kiss. His free hand found Jake’s cock, stroking him, smoothing the pre-cum leaking from Jake’s prick along his shaft. “Got the stuff?”

Jake pulled away long enough to grab lube and a condom from one of the dresser drawers. He climbed back on the bed, straddling David’s thighs. He dropped the condom on David’s chest. “Want you inside me. Wanna feel this tomorrow.”

David blinked up at him and Jake got an awful burn in the pit of his stomach. “Unless…” He couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“You’re going to let me fuck you?”

“I mean, if you, um. If you want.” Jesus. Jake felt like it was his first time again. Fuck, he hated this.

“I want. Damn, do I want.” David lunged up, latched onto Jake’s mouth, and thrust his tongue between Jake’s lips.

He plundered. That’s all Jake could call it when he could actually think again. David, plain and simple, took over.

David rocked his hips, sliding his cock alongside Jake’s balls. The friction was delicious and had Jake mewling for more.

Flopping back onto the bed, David grinned up at Jake. “Suit me up, lover.”

Jake’s hands trembled as he tore open the condom packet and slid the latex over David’s throbbing cock. With every little touch, their breathing ratcheted higher. Jake’s cock tightened, grew impossibly thicker, at the thought of having David’s prick sliding into his hole, fucking him senseless.

And he had no doubt this first time would be fury fuck. Neither of them had the patience anymore.

David flicked the cap to the lube open, squeezing a generous amount onto his fingers, rubbing them in circles to spread the slick as Jake watched. Then David’s hand disappeared from sight.

Jake felt the soft touch behind his balls first, almost shyly, then more aggressive as David found his pucker. One or two brushes there then David’s finger pushed inside, drawing a whimper from deep in Jake’s chest. It didn’t take long before one finger became two, then three, and he was riding David’s hand hard.

“C’mon, c’mon. You’re ready.”

Jake felt as desperate as David sounded. He stilled, his thighs quivering with the effort to let David withdraw his fingers and align his cock with Jake’s ass. As soon as he felt the tip press against his hole, Jake sank down, taking David’s full length in one stroke.

The burn hurt like hell, they’d rushed, but he didn’t care. It felt good. He needed this. To know that David really was okay, really was here.

David grunted. His way of asking if Jake was good to move.

Was he ever.

He flexed his legs, pulling off the thick cock impaling him. As Jake pushed down again, David thrust up. They set a harsh rhythm, pounding at each other. Panting, Jake braced himself on David’s chest. He could feel his balls drawing tight to his cock, saw David’s beautiful green eyes glaze over as he grit his teeth.

Jake leaned forward, still plunging himself on David’s thick cock, and trapped David in a searing kiss. He wanted David to know, to feel, how good this was.

David wrapped a hand around Jake’s cock, squeezed, and then let their motions drive Jake’s prick into his fist. “Come for me. Fucking come.” He bit at Jake’s mouth, his chin. “Now!”

The demand sailed through Jake’s body, ripping from the end of his cock in thick white strips of cum. He cried David’s name as his back bowed with the orgasm. David tensed under him, the pulse of his release teasing Jake’s sensitized ass.

Jake gasped for air as he collapsed on David’s chest. Better. Way better than I imagined. David wrapped his arm around Jake, rolling them to their sides. Jake felt a soft brush of lips across his before David gently pulled out of his body and climbed off the bed.

Seconds later the tap water turned on. “This bathroom is bigger than my whole apartment, I think.”

Jake shifted his head to look at David as he stood at the sink, staring at himself in the mirror. He smiled. “Preen much?”

David flipped him off, grabbed a washcloth from the counter basket, wet it, and brought it to the bed. He stood over Jake and cocked his head, one eyebrow lifted. “I was going to do the whole clean up my partner thing, but…” David trailed off as he dropped the cloth on Jake’s face. “I think you can handle it.”

Jake’s breath rushed out of his chest and he was eternally grateful for the scrap of fabric over his face. Partner. Jesus. David didn’t mean it that way, but Jake’s heart kicked into overdrive anyway. He wished like hell David did mean it that way.

He snatched the washcloth from his face, scrambled off the bed and headed for the bathroom himself. “Yeah, I got it.” When he returned, David was sprawled on one side of the bed, all five-foot-ten inches of his tanned skin on perfect display. And he was watching Jake like a hawk stalking prey.

“What?”

David shifted slightly and patted the mattress next to him.

Jake took the invitation and curled into David’s side with his head resting on David’s chest. He looped one arm over David’s waist and prayed David would go to sleep.

“I haven’t forgotten, so get that out of your head.”

Jake sagged against David. “I didn’t think you’d forget.” Just hoped like hell.

David curved his fingers under Jake’s chin, tipping his face up to meet David’s gaze. “Tell me what had you all twisted up.”

Jake shook himself free, or rather David released his face. He curled again onto David’s chest, trailing his gaze over the sleek muscles and soft hair of David’s stomach and legs. Even his feet were sexy. Jake closed his eyes, knowing it would be better to just get it over with than to dilly dally, pissing David off further.

“When that officer woke me up with a hostage situation, I was prepared to let them handle it and call me back. I know that sounds callous, and I wouldn’t have gone back to sleep until they called back with more information, but I would have just been another onlooker, you know?”

“But you didn’t.”

Jake shook his head, his stubbled cheek rubbing across David’s chest. It helped to touch him. That old saying of a person’s true love grounding you, keeping you steady, stuck in Jake’s head. He trailed his hand over David’s hip, the soft skin raising with goose bumps as he went. “No. I asked what location, and I swear it was like my heart was ripped out through my gut when they told me it was on your route.”

One hand settled on the back of Jake’s head, petting his hair, soothing him. The other tangled with his on David’s hip. “Why’s that?”

David’s question was just a whisper, but Jake felt its weight like a ten-pound sack around his neck. He squeezed his eyes shut. “I think I’ve loved you from the moment we met. But I didn’t think you’d want me. It took someone else inviting you to one of my parties before you showed up, and then after that you’d only come if others would be here.” He was babbling, but he couldn’t help it. “I didn’t think I stood a chance. But then tonight…tonight, I couldn’t <i>not</i> be there. I had to see for myself that you were breathing.”

“You said you were checking on an employee.”

“What could I say in front of a bunch of cops?” Jake leaned back to look at David. “If you don’t feel the same, that’s okay. I just want to see where this will go.”

David brushed at Jake’s face. “I feel the same.”

Jake’s heart pounded in his chest. “We can date?”

“Date?” David gripped Jake’s arms and pulled him up flush against him, so that they were staring eye to eye. “Only if by date you mean an exclusive relationship where we share every spare moment together. I don’t do casual dating, Jake.”

“That’s what I meant.” Jake licked his lips, smiling as David’s gaze followed the small action. “Our first date could be picking up your things from that piece of crap apartment.”

David smiled back at him. Then the look in his eyes intensified, turning them from pale green to a deep emerald, and his grin faded. He cupped Jake’s cheek, brushed a thumb across his lips. “I love you too. Thank you for coming for me.”

Jake leaned in for a kiss. “Hey, what’s a little panic attack between friends?”

~End~