Caroline arched her eyebrows. She poured herself more coffee. “And how do you feel about that?” She sat back in her chair, regarding him steadily.
Tommy shrugged. “Okay, I s’pose. Guess there’s a first time for everything, right?” It did excite him, the idea of spending time in a hotel with Mike.
“Hmm.” Caroline pursed her lips. “I’m gonna put on my substitute momma hat, in that case.”
Tommy stared at her, chest tight. Caroline drummed her beautifully manicured nails on the tabletop.
“I want to meet him.” She pressed her lips together.
“Meet Mike?” Tommy straightened, mouth open.
She nodded. “Bring him to lunch next Sunday.” Caroline stared at him intently. “And I willnottake no for an answer, y’hear? I’m the next best thing you’ve got to a momma right now, and I intend to take my responsibilities seriously. So if Mike wants to take you away, he has to meetmefirst.” She smiled sweetly. “Sunday, midday. I will expect to see both of you.” Her eyes glittered. “And now I’ll take my husband some more coffee, while there’s some left.” She got up and crossed the floor to the coffee machine.
Tommy watched her, his mind in a whirl. He had no way of knowing how Mike would feel about Caroline’s… invitation. All he knew was that it felt too much like introducing his lover to his prospective in-laws.
Talk about bein’ taken home to meet the parents….Damn, this was getting scary.
So why did he like the idea?
“Mike? You still there?” The silence at the end of the phone was beginning to worry him.
“Sorry. You sorta caught me off guard for a minute. Let me get this straight. Caroline, yourroomie’smom, wants me to come to Sunday lunch?ThisSunday? So she can basicallyvetme?”
“Uh, yeah.” Now that Tommy thought about it, he could understand how Mike might see it as kind of a weird setup. “You know how things are. She looks out for me. Hey, she was the one who took me shoppin’ for that outfit I wore, the leather jacket ’n’ pants? An’ she ’n’ her husband have been really good to me since….”
“Yeah, I know,” Mike came back quickly. “And now that I’ve had time to think, it’s not a bad thing. Like you said, she’s looking out for you. Hell, for allsheknows, I might be some old pervert who’s about to kidnap you and sell you into sexual slavery.”
The maniacal laughter that followed had Tommy giggling.
“Oh, man, you’re gonna be trouble, aren’t ya?”
Mike chuckled. “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll be on my best behavior on Sunday, okay?”
It took a moment for his words to register. Then Tommy smiled. “So you’re comin’?”
“Of course I’m coming. I’m gonna be charming, polite, funny, whatever it takes to show Caroline and the rest of her family that you’ll be safe with me.” He paused. “That I’ll take care of you.” His voice was soft.
It was Tommy’s turn to be quiet. A warm glow spread throughout his body. “Thank you,” he said quietly. He took a quick look at the clock. “Sorry, but I need to go. I’m working on a paper that’s due Friday, an’ I wanna make sure I’ve covered everything.”
“Sure, you go get your studying done, Mr. Future Veterinarian.”
Tommy chuckled. “I’ll call you later, okay? Before I go to sleep?” It was a recent habit they’d gotten into and one that Tommy loved. Lying in his bed, listening to Mike’s voice on the phone, feeling warm and cozy….
“Sounds good.” Mike’s voice grew husky. “Later, then.”
“See ya.” Tommy disconnected the call and placed the phone out of reach. He glanced at the pile of books to his left and sighed. Talking with Mike was a pleasant distraction, but there was work to be done. Time enough to chat with his lover when he’d finished his task.
Something Mike had said flashed through his mind, something about taking care of him, and just for a second the words got Tommy’s dander up.I don’tneedtakin’ care of. For goodness’ sake, he was nearly twenty. Then he got to thinking about it some more.Does Mike see me as vulnerable? Innocent?
The thought gave him pause.
Tommy liked how things were going with Mike. It was a good balance of sex and friendship, and he felt like it was moving in the right direction. He had no way of knowing if Mike felt thesame way, but if his words were anything to go by, maybe they weren’t on the same page—yet.
Then maybe I need to do something so he sees that I’m a man.
Tommy had been content to follow Mike’s lead when it came to sex. Despite Mike’s demand that he share his likes and dislikes, it still wasn’t something he felt comfortable doing.
Then maybe it’s time I did.
