Wild Horses, Part Six
“Good morning.” The soft sing-song voice was accompanied with gentle kisses over Reid’s eyes and nose.
Cracking his lid, Reid scanned the room. “Still dark. Go to sleep.”
“Can’t.” Mo rolled Reid to his back and positioned himself on top. He ground his hips in a slow circle, their morning erections resting side by side between their stomachs. “Part of you started stirring half an hour ago. It’s been digging in my thigh and keeping me awake ever since.”
“Ah.” Reid nodded, eyes still closed. “A more ambitious student would go for extra credit and take care of that.”
Mo smiled as he rested his head against Reid’s chest. Actually, he woke up smiling and hadn’t stopped. “No time. We need to get up to the main house. Patty’s making breakfast.”
Reid ran his hand down Mo’s back, dipping a finger into the cleft of his ass. “I have something to eat right here.”
Wiggling against Reid, Mo groaned. “Later. I need energy and homemade biscuits and gravy is just the ticket. Then, we can run into town before we start in the barn.”
Stretching his arms above his head and stifling a yawn, Reid sat up. “You lost me after going into town.”
“One thing at a time, doctor.” Mo yanked back the covers, admiring Reid’s naked form. “Breakfast first. We can negotiate the rest.”
The entire ranch was seated around the table as the sun cracked the horizon. Patty had the food set out and all her boys dug in. Pete discussed the purchase of a new lawn tractor with Tim and Johnny while Mo and Reid snickered quietly between heated glances.
Patty had heard all about the night before from Johnny. That kid loved to talk. Pleased with herself, she sat back and watched as the two men poured each other coffee or piled bacon on the other’s plate.
She shook her head, wondering if either knew how smitten they looked. Patty was sure that, if cornered, they would deny, deny, deny. But as Reid snatched a biscuit from Mo’s hand and the blond tapped the doctor on the back of the head and scolded him for being ‘cute’, she didn’t need their confirmation. These two men were falling in love.
+++++
Lily hadn’t slept much in the last two days. Make-up no longer helped in covering the large, dark bags under her eyes. She ran on caffeine and hope. The loss of either and she would crash.
Faith refilled her mother’s cup and fell back on the couch beside her. “What time is Damian supposed to be here?”
Before Lily could answer, Lucinda knocked on the door and let herself in. “Damian’s plane has landed. Where’s Holden?”
“He took the kids to the farm.” Lily took a sip of coffee, then another trying to wake her unfocused brain. “Until we hear what Damian has to say, I don’t want them to know what’s going on.”
“Understandable, dear.” Lucinda’s bracelets jangled as she patted her daughter on the back. “I’ve had my investigators take a look at all the photos we’ve received. Margo was correct in thinking that the young man in them is at least six foot three.”
“So, it’s definitely not Luke.” Lily’s eyes began to burn with fresh tears. She knew it was a long shot, but she had held out hope that Margo was wrong.
Lucinda took Lily’s hands and squeezed them tightly. “This is no time for tears, darling. Damian will be here shortly and you must be strong enough to see through his lies. Do you remember what we discussed?”
Lily nodded, grateful for her mother’s strength at a time like this. “We don’t stop until he puts us in contact with Luke.”
“No excuses.”
Faith cleared her throat and motioned toward the door. “Here’s our chance.”
Holden opened the door and stood aside as Damian stepped over the threshold. He looked around, feeling all eyes on him, but not letting it affect him. His gaze fell upon Lily. “Hello, cara.”
“Don’t Damian.” Lily shook her head slowly. “Just tell me. Where is my son?”
+++++
Mo crept silently down to the stall where Reid was spreading new hay. He gripped the hose tightly and pulled the trigger. Mo was laughing as Reid arched his back and tried to regain the breath that the cold water had stolen from him.
“You” Reid panted. “are going to pay for that.”
“That was payback.” Mo jumped back as Reid grabbed for him. “Don’t you remember the first time you washed the horses?”
Reid said nothing. He continued his pursuit of the young man, stalking his prey. Reid pulled his wet shirt over his head. Opportunity presented itself when Mo stumbled over his feet. Lunging forward with lightning speed, Reid shoved Mo into an empty stall and pinned him against the wall.
“Paybacks have a very short window.” Reid sucked on Mo’s neck, darkening the hickey he had given the night before. “What you did was a whole new offense. You must be punished.”
Mo’s eyes closed when Reid’s lips brushed his own. He chased the warm breath and velvet tongue as Reid teased, licking and nipping but never seizing Mo’s mouth as the blond so enjoyed. “I have been a very bad boy.”
Reid’s hands slid in the back pockets of Mo’s jeans. He pulled the young man close, his tongue matching the motions of his swiveling hips. Reid pulled away, his eyes dark with desire. “Let’s take this to the hay loft.”
“Later.” Mo ducked out of Reid’s arms. “We need to finish the stalls before lunch.”
“Are you trying to be my boss right now?”
“I am your boss.” Mo had never felt that way, but the words backed up his stern face nicely.
Reid smiled, seeing through Mo’s act. “The power has gone to your head.”
“I can’t be letting you slack off with less than two weeks to go. What example would that set for Tim and Johnny? I’m no different than any other supervisor, Dr. Oliver. Work first, then play.” Mo winked and waggled his eyebrows. Reid sighed deeply, but mucked the next stall that much faster.
+++++
“I can’t believe this is happening.” Lily swallowed down the bile that climbed her esophagus. Her fingers brushed lightly over the photo of Luke that sat on her mantle.
Damian rushed to her side. He kneaded her shoulders as he pleaded. “Haven’t you been listening, Lily? Our son is no longer captive. My people are looking for him now.”
“Why haven’t they found him? He could be out there alone, scared. Oh, god.” Her hand covered her mouth. “He could be hurt, Damian.”
“You must trust me, cara.”
Lily struck Damian across the face. The slap shocked everyone, including Lily. She drew her hand back quickly, but didn’t hesitate with her verbal assault. “How can I trust you? All these elaborate lies you’ve told to keep me in the dark. You hired someone who looked enough like Luke to be spotted in Malta. When the kidnappers sent you his phone with a picture of my baby tied up in the back of a van, did you go to the police? No, you used it to send us texts. All you’ve done is lie. You’ve lost your mind if you think I’ll ever trust you again.”
“Everything I did was for Luciano’s safety.” Damian rubbed at this reddened jaw. “To involve the police would only put him in more danger.”
“Enough.” Lucinda had been uncharacteristically quiet. Had she been a meek woman, they may have forgotten she was there all together. “You say that Luke is not a prisoner any longer. This rival family, you’ve dealt with them?”
Damian nodded. They all knew what Lucinda was asking, but nobody wanted further details.
“Then, our efforts should be focused on finding our young Luke.” She pulled her phone from her purse. It paid to have connections in this town. “Take a shower, Lily. You can’t go on TV looking like that.”
“TV?” Lily ran her hands over her limp hair. “Mother, what are you talking about?”
“A press conference, dear. Preferably before the evening news.” Lucinda said a quick thank you to Kim, who agreed to put them on air as soon as they could make it to the station. “Damian has tried his way. Now, it’s my turn.”
Holden stopped Lucinda at the door. “Do you really think this will work?”
“With the reward I’m offering, we’ll have to sift through a mass of false leads, but I feel it in my bones, Holden.” Lucinda’s manicured finger tapped him in the chest twice. “This is how we find Luke.”
+++++
Reid finished bringing the horses in from the pasture and decided he had enough time to shower before dinner. Mo had disappeared and Tim and Johnny were still unloading the delivery of hay. He shed his clothes, tossing them in the corner. His muscles ached from exertion and lack of sleep and he could think of nothing better than letting the warm spray pummel his back.
He was bent over in only his boxer shorts testing the temperature when the door slammed behind him. Reid turned to find Mo, grinning from ear to ear, in the tiny bathroom. “That was brilliant. How are we supposed to get out of here?”
“I had Tim fix the door.”
Reid cocked an eyebrow. “Why would you do that?”
“Because ever since the first time I saw you after a shower, your skin flushed and your hair in curls,” Mo shook the image from his head and adjusted himself in his jeans. “I’ve been wanting to do this.”
Mo yanked Reid’s boxers down his thighs, the thin cotton pooling at his feet. He flicked Reid’s nipple with his tongue, the salty taste spreading through his mouth. “I know it’s not the hay loft, but we have time. We’ll get there eventually.”
Reid removed Mo’s shirt and pressed his chest to Mo’s furry pecs. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
A smile crept up the young man’s face. “Please do.”
Mo had been thinking about this. Planning, even. The first thing that caught Reid’s eye was the condom in the soap dish. “How long has this been here?”
Leaning his head back, Mo let the water soak his hair. “Five minutes before you showed up.”
“What was that you said about work before play, boss man?”
They laughed and wrestled for position. Mo, being the stronger of the two, used his weight to push Reid face first into the tile. Already hard, Mo’s cock nestled between Reid’s cheeks. “Did you mean what you said? About letting me…” Mo was too embarrassed to elaborate further, choosing to rock his hips upward instead.
Reid craned his neck, seeing the blush on Mo’s face. He pulled Mo by the hair, bringing him in to an off-center kiss. His voice was low, but he knew Mo would hear. “Every word.”
He worked himself open as Mo rolled the condom down his hard shaft. “Take it easy on me. It’s been a while.”
Mo pushed the thick head of his cock against the resistance of Reid’s hole. He bit his lip, concentration and concern etched on his face. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Reid looked over his shoulder into Mo’s eyes. “I know you’d never hurt me.”
Mo took a deep breath and slid into Reid with one steady push. His eyes rolled back. He may never be able to bring himself off with his hand again after feeling Reid’s tight heat. “Are you okay?”
The redhead nodded, his fists knocking on the wall. He reached around and grabbed Mo’s hip, coaxing him into a slow, torturous rhythm. “Fuck.” Reid moaned. “Like that.”
As he felt Reid relax, Mo’s hips snapped frantically. He couldn’t stop himself. Nothing could ever feel as good as being deep inside Reid. Mo knew that, already chasing the high before it was over. He jerked on Reid’s dick, whispering a string of words even he couldn’t discern in Reid’s ear.
Reid was shaking, his knees threatening to give way as Mo pounded into him. He shifted his hips back, trying to meet Mo’s thrusts. When he did, Mo bumped his prostate and Reid couldn’t hold back anymore. He came in great splashes on the wall, a yell ripped from his throat.
“Oh my god.” Mo rested his chest on Reid’s back, sucking gulps of air into his lungs. “Is it always like that?”
Reid didn’t answer. How could he? It was hard enough for Reid to admit to himself that he had never had sex like this before.
“Mo!” Johnny pounded on the door only after finding it locked. “You gotta see this.”
Pulling out slowly, Mo tied off the condom and tossed it around the curtain. “In a minute, Johnny.”
“Now, Mo. Bring Reid with you.” Johnny pounded on the door again.
“Alright!” Mo hurriedly ran a towel through his hair and handed Reid his boxers. “What could be so damned important?”
“You.” Twisting his foot on the floor, Johnny summoned the news he didn’t know how to break. “Your picture is on TV.”
+++++
Dreya, the make-up artist at WOAK, dabbed more concealer under Lily’s eyes. She did her best to paste down the cowlick at the back of Ethan’s head. Surveying her work, she nodded proudly at the Snyder’s. “You look like a family anyone would wish to be a part of.”
“Okay, guys.” Kim clapped her hands. “We go on air in two minutes. Lily, I’d like you to do the talking. If you get choked up, Lucinda, you need to step in with the hotline number and mention the reward. There will be a picture of Luke in the corner of the screen the whole time.”
“What if I…” Lily waved her hand in front of her face, trying to ward off a new batch of tears. “What if I can’t find the words?”
Kim smiled encouragingly. The mother in her was sympathetic and she knew the viewers would feel the same. “Hey, kiddo. The words will come. If you’re overwhelmed, we have all the vital information on cue cards.”
Lily exhaled slowly and smoothed her skirt. “Thank you, Kim. Truly.”
Kim winked and motioned to her crew to begin the countdown. “We go live in five, four, three, two…”
Knowing Lily needed the support, Holden placed a hand on her shoulder which she covered with her own. She closed her eyes for a brief moment before speaking. “My name is Lily Walsh. My son, Luke Snyder, is missing. As a family, we are asking for your help in locating him. For months now, we’ve believed that he was out of the country. Recent information has led investigators to think that, not only is he in the United States, he is likely still in Illinois.
“Please, I’m begging you. If you have children of your own or a brother, you can imagine how distraught we are not knowing if…” Lily swallowed around the sobs that ached in her chest. “if he’s safe. If you have any information, call the hotline. Even if you think it’s nothing, pick up the phone anyway. We’re offering a reward for any information that leads us to Luke. I don’t care about the money. I only want to see my son again.”
Mo leaned heavily into Reid’s side, staring unblinkingly at the faces on the screen. He bent forward, hoping for a tug, a flash, something that would help him remember. “She has my eyes.” Then, he stood up straight and rushed to his room.
Mo was shoving socks into a duffle bag when Reid entered. “Mo?”
“That’s not my name.” The blond shook his head excitedly. “I’m Luke. Luke Snyder. I have a family and they miss me.”
Reid’s fingers tapped on his thigh. He hated being the voice of reason if it meant squashing Mo’s hope. “They say they’re your family.”
Mo zipped his bag and looked up at Reid. “Meaning?”
“Meaning” Reid sighed heavily. “I don’t trust them.”
Cocking his head, Mo’s nostrils flared as he tried to remain calm. “What?”
“Look.” Reid sat on the bed and pulled Mo down beside him. “I hope that those people are who they say they are. I do, but where have they been all this time? Why are they looking for you now?”
Mo sputtered. Didn’t Reid watch the same TV? “Weren’t you listening? They thought I was out of the country.”
Reid cupped Mo’s cheek and gazed into his optimistic face. “Or they’re liars who were behind your kidnapping in the first place.”
“Oh my god.” Mo smacked Reid’s hand away, jumped up and paced the floor. “Why are you saying this to me? Are you really that cold?”
“I’m trying to look at this objectively. You’re not thinking clearly.”
Mo’s face burned with a rage he had never experienced before. He glared at Reid, jabbing his finger into the air between them. “You know what I think? I think you’re so miserable that you don’t want anyone else to be happy. I think you don’t have a family and you liked it better when I didn’t either.”
Reid sat still, expressionless. Mo knew the pain that Reid was so good at masking lay beneath the surface. He opened his mouth to apologize, but Reid stomped from the room, brushing Mo’s shoulder on his way out the door.
Mo was stunned. No more than twenty minutes ago, he had told Reid he didn’t want to hurt him. Not only had he hurt the older man, that had been his intention. Mo needed to find Reid. He would have never started this journey without Reid’s help and Mo would be damned if he’d finish it alone.
“Reid?”
“He left.”
Mo found Johnny standing in the kitchen, a spoonful of peanut butter shoved in his mouth. “He left? Like, where left?”
Johnny shrugged. He worked the thick goop with his tongue until he freed his jaws to speak. “Mumbled something about going to see Pete. That he needed to get out of this hell hole.”
Knocked off-kilter by the news, Mo leaned on the counter. “Oh, no. I have to stop him.”
“No, you don’t.” Tim called over his shoulder from the living room. “He ain’t going nowhere without that doctor bag of his. Know what you should spend some time doing?”
Mo plodded over to where Tim sat looking at the computer. “What?”
Tim let Mo take his seat. He clicked on a tab and waited for the site to open. “I never thought I’d say this to another man, but you should Google yourself, Mr. Luke Snyder.”
+++++
Reid flung open the door to Pete’s office, startling the old man behind his desk. “I’m leaving. Tonight. Charge me with whatever, but I’m not spending anymore time in the god-forsaken town than it takes me to pack.”
Pete smirked, irritating the doctor further. “Have a seat, Reid.”
“Didn’t you hear what I said?”
“I did.” Pete nodded and pointed to the chair across from him. “Now, you’re going to hear me.”
Reid flopped down on the soft leather and crossed his arms over his chest. “Make it snappy.”
“You are leaving tonight. For Oakdale.” Pete held up his hand, stopping Reid’s rant before it began. “You will deliver Mo to his family. What you do after that is your own business.”
“Haven’t you heard? It’s not Mo. It’s Luke. Luke Snyder.” Reid scraped his tongue against the roof of his mouth. The words left a bitter taste behind.
Pete chuckled. Reid was in touch with his inner child and it was about five years old, pouting over the loss of his favorite toy. “You can call him Sue for all I care. It doesn’t change the fact that he’s the man you’re trying hard not to fall for.”
Reid rolled his eyes. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I do.” Pete lingered on the memory of the young man he once was, prepared to leave a home where everything reminded him of Patty when he couldn’t have her. “I’ve been where you are and I know you’d like nothing more than to forget that you ever met Mo. Sorry. Luke.”
“Well,” Reid pinched the bridge of his nose. “you got that right.”
Pete shook his head sadly. “You can’t, though. His memory will creep up on you from time to time, whether you want it to or not.”
“Great.” Reid tossed his head back and sighed. “Something to look forward to.”
“And I know that if you don’t drive him to Oakdale and see with your own eyes that he’s safe and happy, you’ll make yourself crazy with worry.”
“Oh, close but no cigar, Petey.” Reid brushed his hands over his knees and stood. “See, he and I aren’t you and Patty. This isn’t some great love story. It’s a fling.”
Pete rocked back in his chair. “The sooner you stop trying to convince yourself of that, the better off you’ll be.”
Reid stared at Pete pointedly. “You need to let this go.”
“For the sake of argument, let’s say you don’t love him.” Pete spread his hands flat on the desk. “You care about him, don’t you?”
Remaining silent, Reid gave a small nod.
“Luke is scared and excited and confused as hell. He’ll want you there and, even if you don’t believe me, you want that, too. Let him lean on you. Give him someone to hold his hand.”
“I’m not the man for the job. I don’t do” Reid produced an exaggerated shudder. “supportive.”
Pete rested his head in his hand. “He’s softened you so much you don’t even make a good smartass anymore. Now, do as I ask and we’ll call this deal complete.”
Reid narrowed his eyes. “You’re not going to try and strong-arm me into staying for Patty?”
“You’ve consulted with her neurologist?”
“Briefly.”
“That’s all I wanted.” Pete leaned over the desk and extended his hand. “You use the drive to Oakdale to think about what I said.”
“Don’t need to.” Reid begrudgingly shook Pete’s hand. “I’d say thank you for springing me early, but seeing as you lured and trapped me here under false pretenses, it’s the least you could do.”
“Someday, Reid, you’ll want to thank me for making you do this.” He gripped the doctor’s fingers tightly. “I’ll be waiting.”
+++++
Reid didn’t see Luke when he entered the bunk house. Tim and Johnny had him surrounded, yammering excitedly about all the new information they had discovered. “Holy cow!” Tim exclaimed. “With money like that, you’ll never have to muck another stall as long as you live.”
“Congratulations, Mr. Snyder.”
All of them turned, finally noticing Reid’s presence. “Reid!” Luke pushed past Tim and stretched his hand out. The doctor remained out of reach, but stepped close enough to see the computer. “You’ll never believe all the stuff we found on the internet. And I have good news. Some of it actually looks familiar.”
“Really?” Reid asked with professional curiosity only.
“Uh-huh. Like this.” Luke opened the site for his foundation. There was a picture of Luke in what appeared to be his office, the older woman from the television at his side. “This is my grandmother. I don’t remember much about her, but I do remember the desk. On the left, it doesn’t have drawers but a cubby. I used to hide in there as a kid.”
Reid scratched at the back of his neck. He didn’t want to see any more. He and Mo had been happy in their little bubble. The emergence of Luke Snyder changed all that and Reid didn’t know how to deal with the anxiety that caused. “Fascinating. Are you packed?”
Luke’s smile faltered. He had expected more interest from Reid. “I still have some things in the bathroom.”
“Well, get them.” Reid walked down the hall towards his room, calling back over his shoulder. “The rental company will be dropping off a car soon. If we’re going to make it to Oakdale tonight, we need to get moving.”
“We?” Luke leaned against Reid’s open door. His eyes were bulging with disbelief. “You mean you’re coming?”
Reid dropped his tuxedo pants in his bag. “I’ll be playing the part of the chauffer. After that, you’re on your own.”
“Pete’s making you come back tonight?” Luke’s brow crinkled. “Wait. Then, why are you packing?”
“I’ve served my time.” Reid sat on the bed to change his shoes. He’d leave the work boots for the next stray Patty took in. “After you’ve been delivered to your family, I’m free to go.”
Luke’s face broke out into a huge grin. “That means you can stay in Oakdale. You don’t need to be back to the Mayo Clinic for a couple of weeks still.”
Reid lifted his cold eyes to Luke’s. “I’m not expected back. There’s a difference.”
“But-“
“Listen. We have a two hour drive. Get the rest of your stuff packed and say your goodbyes so we can leave.”
“Oh.” Luke bit his lip and nodded. “Okay.”
+++++
Luke walked quickly through the barn. He had told Reid he was saying goodbye to Patty, but failed to mention his detour. Luke was pretty sure Reid hadn’t allotted the time needed to say so long to the horses.
He found himself slowing as he neared the house. Home. Luke didn’t know he could feel so torn between this place and the life he once knew. He knocked softly on the screen door.
Patty answered the door with a broad smile and red, puffy eyes. “Well, Luke Snyder! It’s so nice to meet you.”
Luke wrapped his arms around her petite frame. He tried not to crush her, but from the ‘oomph’ that escaped her, he knew he was squeezing pretty hard. “Sorry.”
“This old broad is tougher than she looks.” Patty folded the tissue in her hand over her finger and dabbed at the corner of her eye. “Come on in to the sitting room. I have something for you.”
Folded neatly on the couch was a patchwork quilt. Formerly brilliant blues and greens had faded over time. The seams had begun to give way, fraying material poking out from the corners. “I know it doesn’t look like much. It’s not really.” Patty exhaled a shaky breath. “My mother made it for me when I left for college. She said that no matter how cold the world became, I would always have the warmth of home. Now, I’m giving it to you.”
Tears sprang to Luke’s eyes. “Patty, I can’t accept this.”
“You can and you will.” She rubbed her hand up and down the young man’s back. “Momma intended this to be passed down. Pete and I weren’t blessed with children of our own, but…”
Luke heard the crunching gravel before he saw the car. He looked over Patty’s shoulder and almost ran out onto the porch to wave them on. He didn’t have the strength to leave and start his life all over again.
Patty turned toward the window and watched as the rental car bounced up the drive. “The time has come, Luke. I will miss you.”
Luke tried to laugh, but the sound was clipped short, his throat cramping with unreleased cries. “You make it sound like I’ll never see you again.”
“No one knows what tomorrow brings, son.” Patty stood on her toes so that her thin lips brushed his cheek. “I really am happy for you. You have so much to learn about yourself, but don’t forget who you are.”
Pulling her into one last hug, Luke inhaled deeply, memorizing her scent. “Patty, I’m scared.”
Her bony hand cradled his head. “You’re going to be just fine. When it’s more than you can handle, lean on Reid. He’s a strong man. A good man.”
“I don’t think he wants anything to do with me now.”
“Oh, hush. That boy loves you in a way he’s not ready to deal with yet. Be patient. He’ll come around.”
As a tear rolled down his cheek, Luke finally let go. “How do I even begin to say thank you?”
Patty threaded her arm through his and led him to the door. “You think about that while you’re in Oakdale. When you figure it out, come see me.”
+++++
The signal for the radio station that droned softly in the quiet car was losing strength. Reid reached up to find something, anything to break up the heavy silence. He bumped into Luke’s wrist, the young man having his own ideas about the noise and choosing to shut the damn thing off.
Luke let his hand fall back to his knee. He jammed his right thumb between his lips and continued chewing on the nail as he stared at the blur of trees along the road. “Watch the speed limit.”
Reid eased up on the accelerator and glanced at Luke. “I didn’t think you’d mind a minor traffic violation if it meant you’d get home faster.”
“Yeah.” Running his fingers through his hair, Luke sighed. “Well, I do.”
Drumming his palms on the steering wheel, Reid caught sight of an approaching VW Bug. He made a soft, repetitive popping sound with his lips. Reid wanted to create enough racket to gain Luke’s attention. Mo would never pass up an opportunity to play “Slug Bug”. Yes, Reid would take a hit to the arm if it meant seeing that Luke hadn’t erased Mo completely.
The Bug passed without mention. Reid checked the clock. They had at least an hour on the road still. Normally unfazed by silence, Reid was unnerved by Luke’s stillness. This was more than quiet. This was being so deep within yourself that you may never be reached again.
“I figured you’d be talking my ear off. Bragging about how wonderful you’ve discovered you are, Mr. Snyder.”
Luke continued staring out the window. “You didn’t seem all that interested back at the ranch.”
Reid felt bad about that now. At the time, it felt like the Reid thing to do. He didn’t want Luke to have all these wonderful things, be all these wonderful things and realize that Reid didn’t meet his standards any longer. Mo had liked Reid, but Mo hadn’t known any better. Luke Snyder appeared to know only the best, and while he had earned the right to say that in the OR, Reid was nowhere close to making that claim as a partner, boyfriend type. “When has that ever stopped you from forcing yourself on me?”
“You know what, Reid?” Luke turned in his seat so that his whole body was directed at Reid. “I don’t know what the hell your problem is, but if you expect me to give a damn, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. See, I have enough going on without trying to correct your pissy attitude.”
“I don’t get you, Mr. Snyder.” Reid grinned and shook his head. “This is exactly what you wanted.”
“I wanted to remember them before I met them.” Luke squirmed in the seat until Reid could no longer see his face.
The sniffles from the passenger side were driving Reid insane. If he had been looking for a similarity between Luke and Mo, Reid had found it. By whatever name, that blond could rip his innards to shreds with the leaking.
“Luke?” Reid whispered softly. Despite trying not to let them, Pete’s words had infiltrated Reid’s thoughts. Seeds of support had been planted and bloomed just in time. “What can I do?”
Luke’s head swiveled. He appraised Reid’s sincerity before his face softened. “You could do one thing.”
“Name it.”
“Could you come to the door with me? I think it would be better if you were there to explain why I’m not…” Luke’s chin hit his chest. He breathed in slowly through his nose.
“Hey. Why you’re not what?” Reid’s fingers brushed lightly down Luke’s jaw. He lifted the young man’s head until their eyes met. “Why you’re not what, Luke?”
Cherry lips parted. A shaky breath rushed past them. “I can’t give them what they’re expecting. I’m not who I was when they last saw me. Can you imagine the hurt on their faces when they find out I’m nothing more than a stranger in a Luke suit?”
Reid wanted to comfort Luke, to speak the words that would ease his worried mind. However, what he had observed of the human race wouldn’t allow him. He didn’t know how these people would react. Would they immediately bombard Luke with pressure to remember? Or worse, would they reject him completely, accuse him a fraud after their precious money? Reid couldn’t allow that either. Without a word, he reached over the center console and tentatively took Luke’s hand.
“Can you do that for me, Reid?” Luke encased Reid, felt the soft skin of the doctor’s fingers with his palms. “I am absolutely terrified and I need you to stay with me awhile.”
It hit Reid like a ton of bricks. Mo was Luke. Maybe it was truer to say Luke was Mo, but in that moment, it didn’t matter. The man that Reid cared for more than any other tangible thing in his life still wanted to hold his hand, keep him close. He didn’t know how long he had enlisted. He didn’t care. Reid would be there. “As long as you need.”
http://magicbus77.livejournal.com/6442.html - Part Seven