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difference." In Patrick? What do you mean?" "You saw him when he first got here. Jack, he was so I don't know. Tense. Miserable. And yeah, part of that was a through-and-through to the shoulder, and part of it was enforced exile until he recovered, and God knows we didn't help matters much, at least not at first. But now?" Jack understood, even if Julian didn't quite yet. You haven't seen him like this in a while, huh?" "Maybe, Julian said very quietly, maybe never." Patrick lit up like a damn Christmas tree at the slightest mention of Brad's name. And Brad God, Jack didn't know who it would be harder on when Patrick eventually had to leave. Jack had known Brad far longer than he'd known Patrick, and he'd never even known him to have a serious relationship with a woman, let alone with a man. They were both in for a world of hurting. He pressed a kiss to the top of Julian's head, not having any words of comfort to give, and stared into the night. Jack knew the exact moment Julian's eyes drifted closed. Gradually, his head slumped down further against Jack's chest. Jack pulled the blanket up tighter and dropped another kiss to the top of Julian's head. They had a lot to talk about, but it could wait a few minutes. He raised his coffee to his lips and took the last sip, and then he set the empty mug down on the porch. Closing his eyes, Jack tipped back his head and waited for the stars to come out. * * * * The slight rustle of bedsheets let Patrick know that Brad was on the verge of waking up, and he cursed inwardly. He had been hoping for a few more minutes of quiet contemplation at least. So much was going on in his head, it felt like the world was spinning out of control. Patrick wondered if he could manage to climb back into the bed without waking Brad. He doubted it, but it was worth a try. He knew they had limited time left, and he wanted it all to be perfect. "Patrick?" Shit.The best-laid plans. Shh, he said, sliding back under the covers. Go back to sleep." "The bed is cold, Brad rejoined sleepily. Patrick could imagine the pout and resisted the urge to smile wistfully as something twisted inside his chest. Sorry. He curled his arm around Brad's waist again, hating himself a little for needing the contact, and stroked the firm belly a few times for comfort. That better?" Brad made a barely conscious noise of assent, leaning into the touch. Why'd you get up?" "Bathroom, Patrick lied, cringing. It was a good thing Brad was still mostly asleep. Even Patrick could tell the lie was unconvincing. The tone was too light, too casual, too forced. Any second now Brad would call him on it. Brad was quiet for a minute, his breathing deep, and Patrick dared to hope that he'd gone back to Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html sleep, that they could have one more night with a specter hanging over their heads instead of an elephant in the room. Then Brad inhaled deeply and turned over, blue eyes fixing on Patrick's in the darkness. Okay, what's up?" Patrick froze, swallowing hard. Nothing." "Bullshit. I know how much you like to cuddle. Brad's normally sweet, gentle tone was overlaid with something that sounded a lot like anger. The hair on the back of Patrick's neck prickled. And I know you well enough to know when you're lying. You can either tell me what's going on so we can fix it and go back to sleep, or " He couldn't help himself. Or what?" Brad's eyes narrowed. Or you can let me go to bed angry." Great. So he could have Brad either asleep and angry or awake and hurt. Patrick wasn't liking his options much. He knewhe wasn't going to be sleeping either way. Ignoring the sinking sensation in his stomach, Patrick took a deep breath and practically begged, Can it wait until morning? At least then, even if he couldn't sleep, he could have the night to himself to watch Brad's chest rise and fall with every breath. At least then there was a chance, however small, that he would be ready to do what he had to when the morning came. Sitting up in bed, Brad leaned against the headboard. Judging by how uncomfortable you are, I'm thinking not. You're starting to worry me, Patrick. What's going on?" [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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