Fire Balls Page 9

  “Yeah.”

  “I thought you were seeing a surfer? Jerry?”

  “I am. Was. Why?”

  “Looking at this, I’d say this guy was your boyfriend, ya know?”

  He stared at the painting. “Why?”

  “Because that’s not just a work of art. It’s a work of love.”

  Chapter Nine

  THE WHOLE fucking world smelled like smoke. Rod glared at the institutional white ceiling. They’d tried to wash the reek out of his hair and off his body, but it was in his lungs, inside his nose. What the hell had he been thinking? Nothing. He hadn’t been. He’d heard about the fire, jumped in his car, sped along the few blocks in record time, leaped out, and run into that studio like he was in the Olympics.

  He hadn’t even seen the damned fire. He wanted the portrait. Losing it would be more than he could bear. The building? He didn’t own it. The thousands of dollars of art supplies? He’d buy more. But he couldn’t repaint the portrait. It had been created out of sweat, semen, and love pouring from him. To recreate it? He couldn’t spill that much blood again. It would kill him. Of course, rescuing the painting nearly had killed him.

  Where was the painting? Had he given it to Hunter? Had he seen Hunter? I think so. He vaguely remembered thinking he’d died and his angel had come to take him home. He should be so lucky.

  “Hey, buddy.” Jerry’s shaggy golden head appeared around the door.

  “Hi, Jerry.”

  He ambled in. “Man, I hate hospitals.”

  “You didn’t have to come. They’re going to let me out soon. But I appreciate that you did.”

  “I brought you some stuff to read.” He held out a book to Rod.

  Rod looked at the thick hardbound volume. Best of World Poetry. “Thank you, darling. You’re the sweetest.”

  “I saw it had that poem in it you taught me about the ocean.” He sat in the nondescript modern chair beside the bed.

  “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage?”

  “Yeah. I learned that ocean part, but I guess it didn’t work, huh?”

  He flipped through the book. “Work?”

  “With Hunter. He never thought I was any big poetry buff or anything.”

  Rod tried to smile. He’d be happy for them. Jerry was great, and so was Hunter. He just didn’t want to see them too much for a while. “And he liked you anyway.”

  “Yeah. I’m going to pick his brain like crazy even if he does quit firefighting.”

  “What? What the hell are you talking about?”

  He looked surprised. “Oh, I guess he didn’t have time to tell you. Bill told Hunter there’s a chance he could get a teaching job at one of the smaller colleges. He’s pretty excited.”

  What the hell?

  “Hey, french fry. What exactly did you do to yourself?” David came in the door balancing flowers and a balloon. “Hi, Jerry.” He waggled fingers at Jerry, who waved back.

  Rod accepted the vase of flowers and squeezed them onto the small table beside the hospital bed. “I’ll be out soon. I just have to see the doctor, and who knows where he is?”

  “When you said I could burn the painting, darling, I certainly didn’t take you seriously.”

  “LOL, my dear.”

  Jerry straightened up in his seat. “Hey. Where’s Hunter, by the way?”

  “How should I know?” Rod asked.

  Jerry looked a little offended. “I just thought he’d be here.”

  “Why, may I ask?”

  David perched on the end of the bed. “After all, darling, he did save you.”

  “What?” He remembered waking up and seeing Hunter’s face. Giving him the painting, but…. “How did he save me?”

  Jerry laughed. “Man, you were out of it! Jeez, he broke about a million rules and ran into a burning building to grab you from the fucking jaws of death, and you don’t even remember.”

  David put a hand on his hip. “Obviously, Jerry, the superhero business is not what it used to be.”

  Rod couldn’t make the words come out so he whispered, “Why, uh, why would he do that?”

  Jerry threw himself against the back of the chair. “Because he’s fucking gone on you, man! Hell, I’m not that bright and even I know that.”

  “You are very smart, you idiot, but why would you think a ridiculous thing like that?”

  “He told me. Well, not in so many words, but that’s what they meant.”

  “I’m so sure. And when, pray tell, were you and Hunter discussing me?”

  “At brunch with his whole family. We talked about how him and me, we were really just friends, and how he had a big thing for you. Or at least that’s what his sister said. And he didn’t disagree, man.”

  Jerry must have misunderstood. Hunter would never have admitted to any relationship with Rod to his family. Especially not to his father. “No, I—”

  “Anybody home?” Heidi and two other festival buddies came in, filling the little room. Everyone chatted and munched on the candy Heidi had brought.

  Still, what could the whole Jerry thing mean? How could he be so confused? What happened at that brunch? Too damned much champagne seemed likely.

  “You’re deep in thought.” David sat beside him on the bed.

  Hell, he didn’t need to be in this bed. “Darling, could you go out in the hall and see if you can find the doc—”

  His heart stopped, and he didn’t need a doctor to tell him why.

  Hunter stood inside the half-open door. He had to take delicious pills because he was edible. Today he wore jeans that molded to his hard thighs. His blue polo shirt made those eyes look glacial. Rod’s cock twitched. Down, boy. No need to stand at attention for the nice firefighter. “Hi,” Rod managed.

  “Hi.” Hunter smiled at everyone. Patted Jerry’s shoulder. Shook hands with David and finally arrived beside the bed. “You ready to go home?”

  Rod scooted so he was sitting upright. “Yeah. Uh, thanks. I’m more than ready to go home. If I could find the damned doctor, I’d get my marching orders.”

  “I saw him, and he said he’s releasing you in a few minutes. I’m taking you home.”

  “What? First, no doctor says anything to anyone who’s not a family member.”

  He grinned, and the dimples popped. Lord save us. “We firefighters have our privileges.”

  “You’re serious?”

  “Yep. He said since I res… carried you out of the building and was taking you home, he could tell me.”

  Rod looked down at his hands. “Uh, about that carrying-out business. I don’t remember it. But thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Here are your clothes.” He stacked them on the bed. David got up to make room.

  “And just why are you taking me home? Jerry or David can do it.”

  Hunter came even closer, his gaze flashing over everyone in the room. His chest rose with a deep breath. “I’d like to take you home and stay and take care of you.”

  Couldn’t breathe. He forced the words out. “It’s not likely I’m going to need much taking care of.”

  Hunter picked up Rod’s hand from the edge of the bed. Funny, he was usually so graceful and coordinated, but now he looked awkward. “Your studio burned down.”

  Rod frowned. “Yeah, and maybe if I’d listened to Smokey, it wouldn’t have. I think I left the damned heater on.”

  Hunter shrugged. “Like I said, your studio burned down. You’re going to need a new one and help setting it up and someone to make sure you eat all the best stuff and… someone to, uh, watch you go to sleep. PTSD and shit. You’ve had a shock.” He rubbed his fingers along the length of Rod’s. Anatomy lesson. Who knew that the nerves in your fingers connected directly to your cock?

  David was beaming. “He can’t speak right now, but he says yes, darling. He says yes.”

  Rod shook his head. “Wait. Wait a damned minute.”

  No one in the room was even trying to pretend they weren’t listening.

  “Why are you d
oing this?” Rod asked. “You hate gay men like me.”

  Hunter shrugged. “There are no men like you, gay or otherwise.”

  Aww, sweet. “I won’t change. Suddenly start wearing Brooks Brothers and shit.”

  “I’d hate it if you did.”

  “You don’t change that fast either.”

  The sigh was audible this time. Hunter glanced around the room. “This is hard for me, but I’m trying.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “I knew before I met you that I was living someone else’s life. But it didn’t seem so bad. Hell, I am… was good at it. I’m a decent firefighter. I was a good athlete, even though the only part of football I really loved was my dad’s reaction. But that can keep a kid going. I only wanted to see him happy.”

  “I understand that. He’s a great guy.”

  Jerry pumped a fist. “Hell, yeah!”

  Hunter grinned. “He really likes you too, Jerry.” He looked back at Rod. “But then I met you. Well, not exactly met. Posed for, fell under the spell of….” His voice dropped. Rod could still hear but he guessed no one else in the room could. “Got fucked by… you. You showed me that I was not happy living someone else’s life, even if it was a person I loved a lot. And my dad doesn’t want me to live for him. I guess my mother and sister ganged up on him and made him see that I wasn’t quite who he thought. He says he loves me anyway.”

  “Who wouldn’t?” Rod wanted to grab Hunter and hold him close, but he had to hear the end. “So here you are. Quitting firefighting, maybe?”

  “Yeah. Definitely. Even if I can’t get a teaching job right away, I’ll go back and get my PhD. I live cheap anyway, so I should be able to get by on savings for a while. I can wait tables. Maybe volunteer to teach at the rec center. I’ve got a friend who’ll rent me a room.”

  “This is a happy and crowded scene.” A tall Asian man in a doctor’s white coat wriggled into the room. “Rodney, time to go home.”

  His friends gathered up the remains of the candy. He hadn’t gotten a single piece.

  “Call you later, dear.” Heidi waved and dragged a couple of others with her.

  David leaned over and kissed Rod’s cheek. He whispered, “Don’t fight too hard, darling. Heidi, wait up.”

  Jerry stood and glanced at Hunter. In all the commotion, Rod had barely thought about Jerry’s feelings. He claimed he and Hunter were just friends, but that was easy to say. Rod knew.

  “Take good care of him, man,” Jerry said. “He doesn’t give himself enough credit. You make sure he rests and shit, okay?”

  Hunter smiled. “I plan on it, even if he bites and scratches.”

  Rod waggled his fingers. “Yoo-hoo, boys. I’m here too. I get to say what happens, remember?”

  Jerry grinned. “Yeah, I know you’re here, but black belt or not, Hunter and I together can take you, so behave.”

  Rod put a hand on his hip. “Aren’t we sassy?”

  The doctor approached the bed. “If you gentlemen will take the discussion outside, I’ll check over Rodney and release him in about ten minutes.”

  FIFTEEN MINUTES later he got wheeled out. He patted the male nurse’s hand. Antonio had been great to him over the last twenty-four hours. “Really, darling, I’m fully capable of walking under my own steam.”

  “Sorry, Rod, hospital regs. You know that.”

  Embarrassing much? A lap full of flowers, a book of poetry, and a balloon. Not designed to maintain a guy’s dignity. He looked up. Breath-holding time. Who would be there? Jerry or—

  Hunter leaped out of a chair as they came out of Rod’s room. “Here, let me take him.”

  Antonio’s eyes widened. “Uh, not allowed. I have to push him.”

  Hunter raised a hand and gave the poor guy that smile guaranteed to melt steel. “Certified emergency medical technician here.”

  Rod said nothing. Wasn’t getting into this whole thing. The future was in larger hands than his. He watched Hunter stand to replace Antonio at the back of the wheelchair.

  Rod leaned his head back and looked up. “Hi.”

  He got dimples and clear blue eyes in return. “Hi. Taking you home.” Hunter started to push down the hall.

  “I should check on my booth at the festival.”

  “Your friends have got it staffed round the clock, as far as I can tell. All you have to do is get better.”

  Rod struck a pose, which probably looked damned funny in the wheelchair. “I don’t get any better than this, darling.”

  The corners of Hunter’s eyes crinkled. “I know.”

  Hunter helped Rod into an aged sports coupe like he was made of glass. They rode up the Pacific Coast Highway in an uneasy silence.

  “Okay, tell me what’s—”

  “Rod, I want to tell you—”

  They both laughed, then quieted. Rod took a deep breath. “You’re changing your life a lot at one time. Leaving the department, going to school, breaking up with Jerry… though he seems okay about that. How do I fit into this?”

  “I’m taking you home and am going to see that you get rest and good food.”

  “Why?”

  Hunter glanced at him. “You know why.”

  “No. I actually don’t. I’m not interested in being some stopgap on your road to newness. At one time I thought I would do anything to be with you, but I’m finding that I can’t feel casual about you. I’d rather go back to my one-night stands and short-term fucks with other men than be that for you.”

  No answer. Well, shit, that was his answer. Moisture and heat started to gather in his eyes. No way. Wasn’t gonna cry like the fairy boy he was. He turned his head toward the window and pressed the heel of his hand into an eye socket.

  Hunter jerked the steering wheel. The car swerved off the highway down a side street and stopped.

  Rod grabbed the console. “What the hell?”

  Hunter rested his forehead on the wheel.

  Rod peeked at Hunter’s down-turned face. “I’m feeling a little bit lost here.”

  Hunter sat up and let out a big exhale, then looked at Rod with a smile that would have lit up June gloom for a hundred years.

  What the fuck? “Did I say something to please you?”

  “Everything you said pleases me. I was thinking I have to tread lightly and not come on too strong so you wouldn’t run. But you care for me.”

  “Hold on, bucko, I never said the C-word. And why the fuck would you care if I did?”

  “Because I love you.”

  Okay, heart. Down, boy. “Just like that?”

  “Yep. Actually since the day I first laid eyes on you but, yeah, just like that.”

  “I seem to recall spending a lot of my time trying to help Jerry land you.”

  Hunter wiped a hand across his face. “I figured you were doing that. That’s why I thought you didn’t want me.”

  Might as well say it. “And I thought you were embarrassed by me.”

  “I thought so too. But I was embarrassed by me.”

  “Because of your dad?”

  “Yeah. Not fair to him at all. He always loved my alpha-male side, and I just kept feeding it to him. I thought that’s all he loved about me.” Hunter closed his eyes for a second and puffed out some air. “I thought it would make up for me being gay.”

  “Most dads don’t want their sons to be gay. They figure it will make life harder.”

  “It does.”

  “You think your life is harder than your father’s?”

  “Hell, no!”

  “Let him know that. Show him the reality.”

  “Like you having to beat up a bully for me?”

  “Hey, that guy insulted me too. And it’s not bad to have your family know that you have friends who care enough to stand up for you.”

  He grinned. “Yeah. That’s what they said. I’m not an alpha male, and you know that.” He sighed.

  “Darling, you raced into a burning building to save me. How the fuck much more alpha can you get?”

  “I wan
ted to save you. It wasn’t courage.”

  “Worked for me.”

  Hunter just shook his head.

  Rod reached out and touched his cheek. “I know you’re Ferdinand the bull.”

  Hunter smiled. “Smelling the flowers instead of charging the matador?”

  “Yes. Reading your poetry. Letting me hammer your gorgeous ass into oblivion.”

  “Oh shit, Rod, that’s what I want you to do right now.”

  Rod looked around at the traffic passing and tourists strolling. “I can try it, darling, but they probably won’t let us come to downtown Laguna again.”

  Hunter turned on the car and defied the Laguna traffic laws all the way to Rod’s house.

  Chapter Ten

  THEY JERKED to a stop in front of his cottage with a screech of tires. Rod asked, “How do you know where I live?”

  “Jerry told me.”

  Forget the “made of glass” shit. Rod hauled ass out of the car, leaving the flowers and balloon behind. He got all the way to the door. Uh, locked. He automatically searched his pants pockets. Nothing.

  Something jingled. Hunter leaned over the top of his old coupe and grinned. Keys dangled from his hand.

  “How the hell did you get those?”

  “When I came to the hospital after they took you in the ambulance, I asked if I could have your keys. I said I needed to feed your cat.”

  “Meeeow. And they gave them to you, just like that?”

  The dimples flashed. “I’m very trustworthy-looking.”

  “You could have had wicked, lewd intentions.”

  “I do.” Hunter took the flowers from the car and looped the balloon around his hand, juggling the burdens while he locked the car and came toward Rod. Geee-or-ge-ous. Rod’s cock ached to get back in that beautiful ass. Maybe he could worry about the details of the relationship later.

  He got the keys from Hunter, unlocked the door, and pushed inside. Everything in order. No marauders.

  Hunter bumped the door closed with his butt. Rod knew better uses for those lovely globes.

  Hunter looked around. “I love your place, by the way.”

  Rod smiled. He loved it when people admired his place—and this wasn’t people. This was Hunter. “Put the flowers in the kitchen for now, please.” He watched Hunter walk unerringly to the left toward the big, sunny kitchen. Yep, he’d sure been here before.