Without Borders 7
Title: Without Borders - 7
Author: Marsabi
Summary: Noah remains blind, and he abandons Oakdale and Luke. Luke is left feeling guilty and lost, so he decides to focus on the foundation and PR work. Luke moves the foundation to Rome and avoids America. However, two years later, his family in Oakdale has been pressuring him to visit, and when an old friend calls him with a problem with her medical organization’s image, Luke agrees to fly to Miami. But can he turn their best doctor into a media star? As the cameras roll, Luke soon finds himself in a “pretend” relationship with Dr. Oliver …
Warning: Sexually explicit content (some parts)
Rating: PG- NC-17 (depends)
First of all, a big shout of thanks to the amazing rhiannonhero! Thanks also to traciamc
Chapter Seven
In the morning, they woke up tangled in each other’s arms. The sunlight was just creeping in.
“Food, coffee,” Luke said, raising his hand over his eyes to block out the light.
“I see somebody isn’t an early riser,” Reid said. He bent over Luke. “Come on! Where’s that goofy glow you always have? Where’s the chipper morning kiss?”
Luke socked him with a pillow.
Reid got up laughing and tugged on his briefs. Then he went to the kitchen and made some coffee.
“I don’t have much in the fridge,” Reid called out cheerfully.
Luke just grunted.
Reid came back and they drank the coffee and ate the fresh fruit he’d found and sliced up.
“We should discuss our next bit of work,” Luke said finally, starting to wake up at last. He sucked on an orange. Then he licked his fingers.
“Yeah and I should call the hospital too. Check in there. “
Reid’s gaze was on Luke’s mouth and fingers.
“I have interviews I should line up for us,” Luke said reluctantly. “A press release to write.”
“I have files of patients to read.”
They looked at each other.
“Or,” Reid said slowly, “we could enjoy the day. Just for once?”
Luke felt a shot of happiness fill him. He gave Reid a wide smile.
“You’re right, “ Luke grinned, “My father is always telling me to lighten up. Work less. We should enjoy the day instead.”
“I work all the time too,” Reid admitted, “but nobody is there to tell me to stop.”
He climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom. Luke felt his heart flip over at Reid’s casual words.
He wanted to be there. He wanted to be the one to tell Reid to stop, take a break, have fun. He wanted to be with him period.
I’m falling in love with him. The thought came instantly into Luke’s mind. He closed his eyes, trying to push it away.
Luke swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. He had no idea what this magical night had meant to Reid. Maybe he’d had lots of lovers. Maybe it meant nothing to him but sex.
Luke bit his lip. He forced a smile as Reid came out of his bathroom. Reid was holding two swim suits.
“I thought we’d enjoy some of the Sunshine State, “ he said. “I have a pool and hot tub on the roof of this building. “ He made a face. “I never go.” He smiled at Luke. “Want to?”
“I guess you know how to separate your professional and personal life usually, “ Luke said lightly, trying to feel Reid out. He got up and took one of the trunks from him.
Reid was finishing his coffee. He shrugged.
“I mean do you normally mix your relationships at work with personal ones like this?” Luke tried to glance at him from the corner of his eyes.
“It’s not much of a problem for me,” Reid said, putting on the swimming suit.
Luke felt deflated. Did that mean that Reid had many romances at work? Did it mean he kept things casual a lot? He probably did. Luke tried to blink back the emotions gathering in his eyes. He couldn’t let Reid see how uncertain and ridiculous he felt.
“I mean, up until now I haven’t had much a personal life,” Reid was saying. He took two beach towels out. “So no conflicts either.”
Luke’s heart began to hammer hopefully.
“Oh,” was all he managed to say in return.
Then he swallowed again. “A swim sounds like so much fun!” He tried to put a lot of enthusiasm into his voice. What he really felt like doing was hugging Reid and never letting him go.
***
They headed to his condo’s pool, and Reid immediately found them two lounge chairs and spread out a towel for Luke. The pool was empty. The sun was hot on Luke’s skin. Luke turned to thank Reid for the great idea, but Reid was sleeping . He had his sunglasses on his head and mouth slightly open. Luke studied him. His gaze took in Reid’s every feature in a way a night of passion didn’t allow. First he looked at the curly hair, the sensual curve of Reid’s neck, the flawless skin, and flat, muscled stomach. Then Luke’s gaze lingered on Reid’s trunks. He had felt that Reid was impressive last night, but now it was clear. Even relaxed, Luke could see the outline of Reid’s large cock. He swallowed hard and licked his lips. He wanted that in his mouth right now. He wanted to make Reid wake up gasping and moaning. A thin film of perspiration started at Luke’s forehead. He forced his eyes to go lower down Reid’s body. His legs were lean and long. Even his feet looked perfectly shaped. Luke felt a tender sensation taking over his emotions. He didn’t just want to sex Reid up, he wanted to own him. How could he feel like that so soon? But he did. He felt possessive of Reid.
Luke got up, semi-erect, and dove into the pool. He swam lap after vigorous lap to cool off.
***
When Luke returned, Reid was still on the lounge chair, but awake and watching him.
Luke smiled widely and toweled off.
“You’re awake! I can’t believe you slept already!”
Reid stretched his arms out in front of him. “Somebody kept me up all night.”
He gave a pretend yawn and Luke laughed. Reid tossed him a towel.
Luke dried off self-consciously, aware of Reid’s eyes darkening as he watched him.
“Come here,” he said. He patted the space on the lounge chair between his legs.
“Why?” Luke gulped. “I’m dry.”
“You’ve heard of melanoma, right? “ Reid said impatiently . “Just get your butt over here.”
Luke sat down with his back to Reid. He could hear Reid rummaging around in his beach bag.
“You’re too fair to be out here without protection,” Reid said.
“I was going to put some on-“ Luke protested. Then he caught his lip. He’d been too busy lusting at Reid to remember any sunscreen.
“Uh-huh.” Reid had squirted out some lotion. He began to rub some on Luke’s shoulders. He massaged it into his skin.
Reid’s hands were warm as they slid up and down his back. He rubbed small circles near Luke’s spine. He eased his fingers into the skin harder, kneading at the muscles there,making Luke’s whole body feel good.
“You should have been a massage therapist and not a neurosurgeon,” Luke sighed.
“Strangely enough,” Reid said smartly, “that was how I put myself through med school.”
Luke laughed and he could feel Reid laughing too.
“Be serious,” Luke told him.
Reid’s fingers trailed over his shoulder blades. Then he moved them down and began to rub more lotion on Luke’s lower back. Luke caught his breath and moved uneasily in the lounge chair. He could feel himself getting hard again.
Luke tried to concentrate on something else. “Did you put yourself through school? “ He asked.
“Hmm,” Reid’s fingers were getting near the waistband of his swim trunks. He felt them press firmly against the skin there. Reid leaned forward, his head near Luke’s .
“I’m not trying to be nosy,” Luke said in a strangled voice.
“Just comes to you naturally, does it?”
Gliding his hand up and down Luke’s spine, Reid’s words were betrayed by his soft touch.
He finally rested his hands on Luke’s shoulders again.
“There is still so much I don’t know about you,” Luke said insistently. “Tell me one thing.”
“I thought you learned the important parts last night.”
“Reid!” Luke reached back and poked him with his elbow.
Reid didn’t reply. He pressed his chest into Luke’s back, and then he kissed the nape of
Luke’s neck.
His tongue skimmed over Luke’s ear and he sucked there gently.
“What is it you want to know again? “ Reid asked.
“Mmm,” Luke could only manage to get out, “Guh.” His whole body was throbbing.
Reid nuzzled him. His fingers circled around and began to massage Luke’s chest now. Reid’s thumbs played with his nipples. His hands slid lower and massaged more.
“I’m getting hungry, “ Reid said.
“Oh? “ Luke asked in a thick voice. “ Can we stay a little longer? It’s really great here.
Then we can eat.”
“What makes you think I was talking about food?”, Reid murmured.
Luke turned and looked at him.
Their eyes met. Luke felt a pull of heat inside his body, instantly responding to the look Reid was giving him. Luke glanced away and then back. Reid’s eyes were still on him. This time Luke did not look away either. They faced each other.
Then Luke’s phone buzzed with a text. “Sorry,” he said.
Reid snapped his fingers. “And here I was just about to tell you all my dark secrets.”
Luke’s lips twisted wryly. “Yeah, I’m sure you were about to spill your guts to me.”
They smiled at each other.
Luke climbed off of Reid’s lounge chair and took out his phone. He flopped down on the other chair, reading the text.
It was from Damian. He wanted to know how things were going. Reid, meanwhile, took out his computer and began to surf the web.
Luke texted his father a quick, revealing message:
Things are great! I’m helping WMB. I sent U those plans for the foundation and the Neuro wing, right? And the doctor in charge of that new wing is also becoming my - Luke paused a moment and then just decided to be honest. Damian always wanted him to have fun. - new love interest. I’m with him right now and he’s amazing, Dad. I can’t say enough about him! Luke added a few more details about Reid, gushing. He couldn’t help it. He said the things to Damian that he wished he had the courage to say to Reid. He’s smart and handsome and funny. Aren’t U happy for me? I’ve really met somebody special!
Luke quickly sent the text and closed his phone. His heart pounded at the thought of Reid seeing it. He knew it was way too soon for telling Reid anything half that sappy. Not yet.
Luke looked over at him. Reid was not paying him any attention just then, which was a relief. Luke grinned at the way Reid was acting like a kid in a candy store as he practically drooled over the latest medical gadgets in neuroscience.
***
At lunch, they strolled along Ocean Avenue hand in hand. There were many outdoor restaurants, and the beach was just across the street. People and cars and bikers and skaters all coexisted together. Luke and Reid paused outside of Versace’s mansion. Versace had lived right in the middle of all the action.
“Where should we eat?” Reid asked him.
“Anywhere,” Luke shrugged, “How about barbeque or burgers?”
Reid’s eyes lit up. “Thanks! I was worried you’d say you wanted French food or something fancy.”
“Not my style,” Luke laughed.
To his surprise, Reid leaned into him and gave him a thorough kiss. Their lips made a loud smacking noise as they parted, and Reid’s hands were on either side of Luke’s face.
“Not that I’m complaining, “ Luke said with a big grin, “but what was that for?”
“Just an impulse, “ Reid shrugged, “I have them from time to time.”
“I approve,” Luke said with delight.
“What? Why the glow?” Reid asked. Then his eyes narrowed, “Don’t tell me the asshole ex never
kissed you in public.”
Luke bit his lip self-consciously. He really did not want to discuss Noah. He simply shook his head at Reid.
“What did you guys do with each other?” Reid said, taking Luke’s hand again as they began to walk.
“Mostly?” Luke answered, “We went over my many flaws.”
Reid looked at him, his gaze penetrating.
Luke glanced away, “And we broke up. A lot. “
“Sounds like fun times,” Reid said dryly.
“I know,” Luke said, deciding to change the subject, “Why don’t we really do something special today? Anything you want. I mean, neither of us has had too many days off from work, right? We don’t have another interview until tomorrow…What do you think?”
Reid stopped walking and looked at him. He gently touched a lock of Luke’s hair.
“Tell me something we could do down here. Something different, “ Luke urged.
“Okay,” Reid nodded slowly, “but we need to go and get your fancy car.”
“My car? Why?”
“We’re headed to Key Largo,” Reid answered.
***
Key Largo was a short drive, but a romantic one. They had to go over the famous Overseas Highway to reach Dolphins Plus. Luke loved the drive. The ocean sparkled on either side of the road. They had the windows down and the breeze was warm and gentle.
Swimming with the dolphins was something Reid had always wanted to do, and Luke was excited by that. Reid was easy about allowing Luke to treat, although he’d insisted on buying lunch. Luke was glad that Reid didn’t seem hung up on balancing their money and who paid for what equally. Noah had always criticized him for being too generous, too extravagant. Although, Noah had never objected to living with Luke’s parents rent-free for years, he’d always objected to Luke’s treating him to small gifts of affection.
Luke recalled the last gift he tried to give Noah. It was on Noah’s birthday. He wanted to throw Noah a party. He wanted to make him happy for once. Luke spent all his days back then trying and failing to please Noah.
Luke always loved celebrating birthdays, and Noah knew that. But that year, the year of his accident, he quickly told Luke not to have a party, so he’d canceled his big surprise. He kept it simple. Luke just frosted an angel food cake. Bought some balloons.
But Noah’s annoyance was palpable. He complained about the cake being too rich and he couldn’t see the balloons. Luke sat there, determined to celebrate with him, a forced smile on his lips like some frozen, grinning fool.
“I told you not to bother.”
“I know, but I just wanted to do something for you. Something nice.”
“I told you.” Noah said in a wounded voice, as if he were being injured.
“Well,” Luke said, “happy birthday.” Luke tried to peck at his cheek. He wrenched away from
his small kiss and stood up.
Even though he couldn’t see him, Luke lowered his eyes to the floor. He felt like Noah hated everything in him that was human. Luke remembered that it was then that he finally began to sob.
At the sound of Luke’s crying, Noah hesitated from leaving, and Luke had looked at him with just the smallest flicker of hope.
“I’m sorry, Luke, “ Noah said. “I just don’t feel like I have anything in my life worth celebrating right now.”
Noah continued to the bedroom and Luke just sat there, his whole body limp.
***
“Earth to Snyder?” Reid said. Luke jumped. He had been so lost in the memory, he hadn’t
realized that they were at Dolphins Plus.
Luke glanced at the rather large building. As they walked in, he spotted an outside arena and large gate. Beyond the gate was the ocean.
“Everything good?” Reid asked.
Luke swallowed and nodded. He shook off the awful thoughts about Noah and gave Reid a big smile.
“Let’s go, Luke said.
Author: Marsabi
Summary: Noah remains blind, and he abandons Oakdale and Luke. Luke is left feeling guilty and lost, so he decides to focus on the foundation and PR work. Luke moves the foundation to Rome and avoids America. However, two years later, his family in Oakdale has been pressuring him to visit, and when an old friend calls him with a problem with her medical organization’s image, Luke agrees to fly to Miami. But can he turn their best doctor into a media star? As the cameras roll, Luke soon finds himself in a “pretend” relationship with Dr. Oliver …
Warning: Sexually explicit content (some parts)
Rating: PG- NC-17 (depends)
First of all, a big shout of thanks to the amazing rhiannonhero! Thanks also to traciamc
Chapter Seven
In the morning, they woke up tangled in each other’s arms. The sunlight was just creeping in.
“Food, coffee,” Luke said, raising his hand over his eyes to block out the light.
“I see somebody isn’t an early riser,” Reid said. He bent over Luke. “Come on! Where’s that goofy glow you always have? Where’s the chipper morning kiss?”
Luke socked him with a pillow.
Reid got up laughing and tugged on his briefs. Then he went to the kitchen and made some coffee.
“I don’t have much in the fridge,” Reid called out cheerfully.
Luke just grunted.
Reid came back and they drank the coffee and ate the fresh fruit he’d found and sliced up.
“We should discuss our next bit of work,” Luke said finally, starting to wake up at last. He sucked on an orange. Then he licked his fingers.
“Yeah and I should call the hospital too. Check in there. “
Reid’s gaze was on Luke’s mouth and fingers.
“I have interviews I should line up for us,” Luke said reluctantly. “A press release to write.”
“I have files of patients to read.”
They looked at each other.
“Or,” Reid said slowly, “we could enjoy the day. Just for once?”
Luke felt a shot of happiness fill him. He gave Reid a wide smile.
“You’re right, “ Luke grinned, “My father is always telling me to lighten up. Work less. We should enjoy the day instead.”
“I work all the time too,” Reid admitted, “but nobody is there to tell me to stop.”
He climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom. Luke felt his heart flip over at Reid’s casual words.
He wanted to be there. He wanted to be the one to tell Reid to stop, take a break, have fun. He wanted to be with him period.
I’m falling in love with him. The thought came instantly into Luke’s mind. He closed his eyes, trying to push it away.
Luke swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. He had no idea what this magical night had meant to Reid. Maybe he’d had lots of lovers. Maybe it meant nothing to him but sex.
Luke bit his lip. He forced a smile as Reid came out of his bathroom. Reid was holding two swim suits.
“I thought we’d enjoy some of the Sunshine State, “ he said. “I have a pool and hot tub on the roof of this building. “ He made a face. “I never go.” He smiled at Luke. “Want to?”
“I guess you know how to separate your professional and personal life usually, “ Luke said lightly, trying to feel Reid out. He got up and took one of the trunks from him.
Reid was finishing his coffee. He shrugged.
“I mean do you normally mix your relationships at work with personal ones like this?” Luke tried to glance at him from the corner of his eyes.
“It’s not much of a problem for me,” Reid said, putting on the swimming suit.
Luke felt deflated. Did that mean that Reid had many romances at work? Did it mean he kept things casual a lot? He probably did. Luke tried to blink back the emotions gathering in his eyes. He couldn’t let Reid see how uncertain and ridiculous he felt.
“I mean, up until now I haven’t had much a personal life,” Reid was saying. He took two beach towels out. “So no conflicts either.”
Luke’s heart began to hammer hopefully.
“Oh,” was all he managed to say in return.
Then he swallowed again. “A swim sounds like so much fun!” He tried to put a lot of enthusiasm into his voice. What he really felt like doing was hugging Reid and never letting him go.
***
They headed to his condo’s pool, and Reid immediately found them two lounge chairs and spread out a towel for Luke. The pool was empty. The sun was hot on Luke’s skin. Luke turned to thank Reid for the great idea, but Reid was sleeping . He had his sunglasses on his head and mouth slightly open. Luke studied him. His gaze took in Reid’s every feature in a way a night of passion didn’t allow. First he looked at the curly hair, the sensual curve of Reid’s neck, the flawless skin, and flat, muscled stomach. Then Luke’s gaze lingered on Reid’s trunks. He had felt that Reid was impressive last night, but now it was clear. Even relaxed, Luke could see the outline of Reid’s large cock. He swallowed hard and licked his lips. He wanted that in his mouth right now. He wanted to make Reid wake up gasping and moaning. A thin film of perspiration started at Luke’s forehead. He forced his eyes to go lower down Reid’s body. His legs were lean and long. Even his feet looked perfectly shaped. Luke felt a tender sensation taking over his emotions. He didn’t just want to sex Reid up, he wanted to own him. How could he feel like that so soon? But he did. He felt possessive of Reid.
Luke got up, semi-erect, and dove into the pool. He swam lap after vigorous lap to cool off.
***
When Luke returned, Reid was still on the lounge chair, but awake and watching him.
Luke smiled widely and toweled off.
“You’re awake! I can’t believe you slept already!”
Reid stretched his arms out in front of him. “Somebody kept me up all night.”
He gave a pretend yawn and Luke laughed. Reid tossed him a towel.
Luke dried off self-consciously, aware of Reid’s eyes darkening as he watched him.
“Come here,” he said. He patted the space on the lounge chair between his legs.
“Why?” Luke gulped. “I’m dry.”
“You’ve heard of melanoma, right? “ Reid said impatiently . “Just get your butt over here.”
Luke sat down with his back to Reid. He could hear Reid rummaging around in his beach bag.
“You’re too fair to be out here without protection,” Reid said.
“I was going to put some on-“ Luke protested. Then he caught his lip. He’d been too busy lusting at Reid to remember any sunscreen.
“Uh-huh.” Reid had squirted out some lotion. He began to rub some on Luke’s shoulders. He massaged it into his skin.
Reid’s hands were warm as they slid up and down his back. He rubbed small circles near Luke’s spine. He eased his fingers into the skin harder, kneading at the muscles there,making Luke’s whole body feel good.
“You should have been a massage therapist and not a neurosurgeon,” Luke sighed.
“Strangely enough,” Reid said smartly, “that was how I put myself through med school.”
Luke laughed and he could feel Reid laughing too.
“Be serious,” Luke told him.
Reid’s fingers trailed over his shoulder blades. Then he moved them down and began to rub more lotion on Luke’s lower back. Luke caught his breath and moved uneasily in the lounge chair. He could feel himself getting hard again.
Luke tried to concentrate on something else. “Did you put yourself through school? “ He asked.
“Hmm,” Reid’s fingers were getting near the waistband of his swim trunks. He felt them press firmly against the skin there. Reid leaned forward, his head near Luke’s .
“I’m not trying to be nosy,” Luke said in a strangled voice.
“Just comes to you naturally, does it?”
Gliding his hand up and down Luke’s spine, Reid’s words were betrayed by his soft touch.
He finally rested his hands on Luke’s shoulders again.
“There is still so much I don’t know about you,” Luke said insistently. “Tell me one thing.”
“I thought you learned the important parts last night.”
“Reid!” Luke reached back and poked him with his elbow.
Reid didn’t reply. He pressed his chest into Luke’s back, and then he kissed the nape of
Luke’s neck.
His tongue skimmed over Luke’s ear and he sucked there gently.
“What is it you want to know again? “ Reid asked.
“Mmm,” Luke could only manage to get out, “Guh.” His whole body was throbbing.
Reid nuzzled him. His fingers circled around and began to massage Luke’s chest now. Reid’s thumbs played with his nipples. His hands slid lower and massaged more.
“I’m getting hungry, “ Reid said.
“Oh? “ Luke asked in a thick voice. “ Can we stay a little longer? It’s really great here.
Then we can eat.”
“What makes you think I was talking about food?”, Reid murmured.
Luke turned and looked at him.
Their eyes met. Luke felt a pull of heat inside his body, instantly responding to the look Reid was giving him. Luke glanced away and then back. Reid’s eyes were still on him. This time Luke did not look away either. They faced each other.
Then Luke’s phone buzzed with a text. “Sorry,” he said.
Reid snapped his fingers. “And here I was just about to tell you all my dark secrets.”
Luke’s lips twisted wryly. “Yeah, I’m sure you were about to spill your guts to me.”
They smiled at each other.
Luke climbed off of Reid’s lounge chair and took out his phone. He flopped down on the other chair, reading the text.
It was from Damian. He wanted to know how things were going. Reid, meanwhile, took out his computer and began to surf the web.
Luke texted his father a quick, revealing message:
Things are great! I’m helping WMB. I sent U those plans for the foundation and the Neuro wing, right? And the doctor in charge of that new wing is also becoming my - Luke paused a moment and then just decided to be honest. Damian always wanted him to have fun. - new love interest. I’m with him right now and he’s amazing, Dad. I can’t say enough about him! Luke added a few more details about Reid, gushing. He couldn’t help it. He said the things to Damian that he wished he had the courage to say to Reid. He’s smart and handsome and funny. Aren’t U happy for me? I’ve really met somebody special!
Luke quickly sent the text and closed his phone. His heart pounded at the thought of Reid seeing it. He knew it was way too soon for telling Reid anything half that sappy. Not yet.
Luke looked over at him. Reid was not paying him any attention just then, which was a relief. Luke grinned at the way Reid was acting like a kid in a candy store as he practically drooled over the latest medical gadgets in neuroscience.
***
At lunch, they strolled along Ocean Avenue hand in hand. There were many outdoor restaurants, and the beach was just across the street. People and cars and bikers and skaters all coexisted together. Luke and Reid paused outside of Versace’s mansion. Versace had lived right in the middle of all the action.
“Where should we eat?” Reid asked him.
“Anywhere,” Luke shrugged, “How about barbeque or burgers?”
Reid’s eyes lit up. “Thanks! I was worried you’d say you wanted French food or something fancy.”
“Not my style,” Luke laughed.
To his surprise, Reid leaned into him and gave him a thorough kiss. Their lips made a loud smacking noise as they parted, and Reid’s hands were on either side of Luke’s face.
“Not that I’m complaining, “ Luke said with a big grin, “but what was that for?”
“Just an impulse, “ Reid shrugged, “I have them from time to time.”
“I approve,” Luke said with delight.
“What? Why the glow?” Reid asked. Then his eyes narrowed, “Don’t tell me the asshole ex never
kissed you in public.”
Luke bit his lip self-consciously. He really did not want to discuss Noah. He simply shook his head at Reid.
“What did you guys do with each other?” Reid said, taking Luke’s hand again as they began to walk.
“Mostly?” Luke answered, “We went over my many flaws.”
Reid looked at him, his gaze penetrating.
Luke glanced away, “And we broke up. A lot. “
“Sounds like fun times,” Reid said dryly.
“I know,” Luke said, deciding to change the subject, “Why don’t we really do something special today? Anything you want. I mean, neither of us has had too many days off from work, right? We don’t have another interview until tomorrow…What do you think?”
Reid stopped walking and looked at him. He gently touched a lock of Luke’s hair.
“Tell me something we could do down here. Something different, “ Luke urged.
“Okay,” Reid nodded slowly, “but we need to go and get your fancy car.”
“My car? Why?”
“We’re headed to Key Largo,” Reid answered.
***
Key Largo was a short drive, but a romantic one. They had to go over the famous Overseas Highway to reach Dolphins Plus. Luke loved the drive. The ocean sparkled on either side of the road. They had the windows down and the breeze was warm and gentle.
Swimming with the dolphins was something Reid had always wanted to do, and Luke was excited by that. Reid was easy about allowing Luke to treat, although he’d insisted on buying lunch. Luke was glad that Reid didn’t seem hung up on balancing their money and who paid for what equally. Noah had always criticized him for being too generous, too extravagant. Although, Noah had never objected to living with Luke’s parents rent-free for years, he’d always objected to Luke’s treating him to small gifts of affection.
Luke recalled the last gift he tried to give Noah. It was on Noah’s birthday. He wanted to throw Noah a party. He wanted to make him happy for once. Luke spent all his days back then trying and failing to please Noah.
Luke always loved celebrating birthdays, and Noah knew that. But that year, the year of his accident, he quickly told Luke not to have a party, so he’d canceled his big surprise. He kept it simple. Luke just frosted an angel food cake. Bought some balloons.
But Noah’s annoyance was palpable. He complained about the cake being too rich and he couldn’t see the balloons. Luke sat there, determined to celebrate with him, a forced smile on his lips like some frozen, grinning fool.
“I told you not to bother.”
“I know, but I just wanted to do something for you. Something nice.”
“I told you.” Noah said in a wounded voice, as if he were being injured.
“Well,” Luke said, “happy birthday.” Luke tried to peck at his cheek. He wrenched away from
his small kiss and stood up.
Even though he couldn’t see him, Luke lowered his eyes to the floor. He felt like Noah hated everything in him that was human. Luke remembered that it was then that he finally began to sob.
At the sound of Luke’s crying, Noah hesitated from leaving, and Luke had looked at him with just the smallest flicker of hope.
“I’m sorry, Luke, “ Noah said. “I just don’t feel like I have anything in my life worth celebrating right now.”
Noah continued to the bedroom and Luke just sat there, his whole body limp.
***
“Earth to Snyder?” Reid said. Luke jumped. He had been so lost in the memory, he hadn’t
realized that they were at Dolphins Plus.
Luke glanced at the rather large building. As they walked in, he spotted an outside arena and large gate. Beyond the gate was the ocean.
“Everything good?” Reid asked.
Luke swallowed and nodded. He shook off the awful thoughts about Noah and gave Reid a big smile.
“Let’s go, Luke said.