Gabe kissed him lightly. “Take care, both of you.”
“Sure. Mind your ass.”
Gabe patted it and left, grinning.
Taking a taxi straight to the airport, Gabe went to the crew lounge, waiting for the others. To the plane then, trying to gauge who he had to work with. Preparing the plane, checking the seats. He went to put the food away, working there with another guy and a young woman.
The guy looked at him with a small smile. “You’re Gabe Langston, right? The miracle survivor. I saw your face in the papers and the company memo.”
Gabe nodded, stashing the trays away. “Yes.”
“I’m Hugh. I am amazed you survived, but then again, one gets lucky sometimes.” He grinned. “You can’t say your luck ran out.”
Gabe almost asked why, but then the pilots arrived, and the rest of the crew. They shook hands, the pilot obviously knowing Hugh, his eyes going to Gabe, but he was talking to Hugh. “New guy?”
“Yeah… he’s the miracle survivor…”
“Oh! You’re that guy? Damian Bourne’s boy toy?” He laughed, winking.
Gabe stood straighter and faced them. “I’m not his boy toy.”
Hugh grinned. “Riiight… Like we’re going to believe this. But for that kind of money, I would suck any cock, let alone Damian Bourne’s. He still looks fine, despite his age.”
The pilot leant against the cupboard, crossing his arms with a smile. “Must not be too difficult for you, knowing your taste in mature men.” They laughed lightly.
Gabe blanched. “I’m sorry?”
“Well… let’s just say your reputation has preceded you. I mean, Raphael pretty much told everybody what kind of guy you are.” He spread his hands, a small light in his eyes. “There’s no shame, ok?” Stepping close to Gabe who just stood, frozen. He ran his hand down his face, that touch barely there, but Gabe acted out of instinct and swatted his hand away. His eyes lit up as he clutched his wrist. “Fuck! Picky, aren’t you? Raphael said you didn’t mind a one-night stand in hotels… we’ll see… you might change your mind.” He laughed and left them.
Hugh winked at Gabe. “He’s good.”
Gabe looked at him, that mad white anger bubbling in his chest. “Fuck off.” He left before he would hit him, letting him laugh. Busying himself packing, preparing the seats, and tidying.
One of the girls walked to him. “Hey… don’t mind those assholes.”
He looked at her, clenching his jaw. “Yeah… thanks.”
She put her hand on his arm. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through… and those articles don’t help, right?”
“What articles?”
She raised her eyebrows, but then fished a pink phone out and did a quick search. Showing him the phone. Tabloids recounting their story, some photos taken of them going to the hotel, or leaving, those rare moments when he had just held his hand for a moment pictured like they were walking hand in hand. He glanced at the titles. Damian Bourne throws away family business. His fortune. His life’s work. Madness on the island. What happened? What does Gabe Langston want?
He pushed her phone away, dizzy a bit. “Thanks…”
“I’m sorry.”
Hugh’s voice reached them. “Get to work. We don’t have all day.”
Gabe worked mindlessly, his heart a block of ice.
Watching the ground sink when they took off, a mild fear there when it had been nothing before. A soft nausea when he thought of Damian’s choice. That mad move of giving everything up.For whom? Me…He closed his eyes, almost sick. Sick at his own thoughts, at what was churning in his mind.
Chapter 24
Gabewasbackthenext day in the evening, dead tired, that trip a mild nightmare with Hugh and that pilot teasing him all the way. Knocking on his hotel door, but he had kept it shut with the lights off.
Armando ran to him, wearing his pajamas. “Gabe!” Hugging him tight.
