Chapter Twenty-Two
Harper stood at the grill and watched Colson give David apple juice and engage him in conversation about the zoo. The day had gone smoothly, and Colson had exceeded his ideal of the perfect boyfriend.
So why couldn’t he relax and enjoy it?
Maybe because he was waiting for the second shoe to drop.
The smile that didn’t reach the eyes.
The hand on the doorknob and theclickof the lock as they walked out forever.
The left hook out of nowhere, landing square on his chin, upending him.
Colson’s laughter rose in the air, snapping him out of his brain fog. “Hey, Harper. David and I are hungry. Are you going to put the food on the grill, or are you getting a facial over there? I called your name about five or six times.”
“I’m fine. Just thinking.” He busied himself with the food, and soon the smell of the burgers and hot dogs teased their noses. Out of nowhere, he remembered that the day of David’s accident, they were supposed to have a barbecue. His motherhad set up the grill and asked him to go to the store because she’d discovered there was no ketchup. Walking home, he’d heard the sirens, and when he’d turned the corner, he’d seen the wreckage.
They’d never had that barbecue.
“Are you all right?” Colson’s hand rested on his shoulder. “Harper? What’s wrong?”
He ducked his head and took the food off the fire. “Nothing.”
“Nothing that’s a whole lot of something terrible, I’m assuming, from how pale you are.” His hand massaged Harper’s neck, easing the tension gathered there. Gentle, concerned eyes met his. “Are you worried about David?”
“I’m always worried about him,” he answered honestly, and Colson’s gaze grew tender but with a hint of fierceness.
“I know. But who worries about you?”
“I can take care of myself.” He tried a cocky grin. “I’ve got a gun.”
Colson frowned. “That’s not what I mean, and you know it. Everyone needs someone to care about them.”
He nudged Colson’s cheek with his nose. “I care about you.”
“And I worry that you don’t know how to accept love because you’ve always been the one to give and not receive.”
“That’s not true. David loves me.”
“I know he does. I hope you know it’s okay to admit that sometimes it can be overwhelming to take care of him. And it doesn’t mean you love him any less.”
He peered over Colson’s shoulder to see David sitting under the canopy out of the sun. His face wore the same serene expression it had for years. What went on in his mind? It wasa question Harper would never know the answer to, and it haunted him.
“I can’t ask you to do what I do.”
“And I’m not saying I can. All I want you to know is that you’re not alone anymore. Let me help ease the weight off your shoulders. Use me.” Colson’s eyes twinkled, and the thoughts that sprang to his mind sent a sizzle straight to his balls.
“I intend to. Tonight.”
“So this will have to hold you…” Colson hesitated only a second before kissing him, and Harper fell into the sweetness of his soft lips and velvety, hot tongue. The taste of apple and a hint of bitter from the beer and something unmistakably Colson. He smoothed his hands over the colorful tattoos on Colson’s biceps.
“That was nice.”
Colson stood flushed and panting, his eyes hazy, his lips red. “Nice?” He pretended outrage until a wicked, teasing grin curved that tempting mouth. “That’s not what I intended. I’d better up my game for later.”
“You’d better because I play to win.” With a wink, he passed by him, holding the tray of cooked food. “Here we are. All ready.” David’s eyes brightened, and he watched avidly as Harper cut his burger into small pieces and dipped it in the ketchup. “Do you want to try using the fork? Like you do in therapy?” He put the utensil in David’s right hand and watched him make the attempt several times and fail. He could sense the frustration and was about to tell him to forget it, but then Colson sat on David’s opposite side and urged him on. Something Harper had never done.
“Wow, David. I didn’t know you were so advanced.”
