“I’m not ready to get up,” Ethan grumbled next to Blayne’s chest.
“My class is in two hours. Besides, I’ve already missed a lot this semester.”
“You were shot.”
“I still missed class. One of the other graduate students covered for me last time. I can’t do that again unless they can all come see the bullet wound this time.”
Ethan groaned but rolled off Blayne onto the side of the bed. He stood up to find Blayne on his feet, trying to keep the cum from running onto the carpet.
“Geez! I didn’t realize I’d come this much.”
“You didn’t feel it because half of it was on my back,” Ethan joked, and turned his back so Blayne could see his handiwork.
They made their way into the shower. Despite everything that had happened over the last twelve hours, both men had smiles on their faces.
* * * *
Blayne
Blayne ran his hand through his hair, adding enough product to tame the blond locks on his head. He had opted for a wool blue check tweed vest with gold lining over a plain rust twill button-down shirt with a dark pair of jeans. His walnut-colored wingtip Oxfords completed the look. With one last look in the mirror, he shrugged. It was another one of Ethan’s attempts at modernizing his wardrobe. Blayne was more comfortable with the ill-fitting clothing he picked up at big box stores and the mall, but his new wardrobe was growing on him. Even his students noticed and started complimenting him on his style choices.
He left the bedroom. At some point in the night, the woman had been moved to the couch. Ethan sat at the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee and conversing with Arnold.
“How’s our patient?” Blayne asked.
“She’s stable,” Arnold said, turning his head to look at Blayne. “Damn.” He drew out the word. “God, you look gorgeous.”
“Don’t get any ideas there, Doc,” Ethan said with a smile. “That’s my boyfriend you’re ogling.”
“Maybe so, but I had him before you knew him.”
“Eww,” Blayne said. “I’m not a piece of meat, you two.”
“Where are you off to?” Arnold asked.
“I have to teach.”
“What about…her?” he asked, cocking his head toward the woman.
“If I don’t show up to class, I think that will cause more problems. I need to keep up the pretenses.”
“And what about Ethan? Doesn’t he have to keep up the pretenses?”
“As for me,” Ethan replied, “the band is kind of in a holding pattern. I got a text from my producer earlier. As the investigation continues, the arena is still off-limits, so we have the day off. Our concert tonight was canceled. They haven’t said it yet, but I’m guessing the other four nights will also be canceled. Then we’ll pack it up and head to our next stop on the tour.”
“Where’s the tour heading next?” Arnold asked before taking a sip of coffee.
“Washington, DC.”
Blayne walked into the kitchen, grabbed a mug and poured a cup of coffee. He turned to the fridge and took out the milk. “Almost out of milk. I’ll buy some on my way home.” He poured just a dab of milk into the cup. It wasn’t enough to change the black color to tan, but enough to take the biting edge off the dark roast. He sat at the table with the other two men.
“So, will you two tell me what this is about?” Arnold asked.
“We told you last—” Blayne started.
“You told me some of it. I know you left out details. If you want me to keep this silent, you must give me one damn good reason.”
Blayne took a breath and looked at his watch. He had an hour before he had to be in class. This would have to be quick. He spent the next fifteen minutes diving into everything. Periodically, Ethan would jump in to fill in some blanks to get Arnold caught up.
