Always Attract (Chapter 81)
“Is that the last box?” Matt asked looking around the nearly empty room.
“Yep. Everything with the exception of what I need tonight and tomorrow.”
“Good. The sooner you get the hell out of here, the sooner I can move in,” he teased.
“I swear Katie’s starting a Boarding Home of Wayward Gays.”
Matt shrugged. “I’ve been in that hotel room for far too long and I hadn’t had any luck finding another place. Plus, I love Katie, so this just sort of works out perfectly.”
“It does make me feel better knowing that she’ll have you here with her. I didn’t feel good about leaving her on her own again.”
“She’ll be fine Reid. Her and Jacob will. I promise.”
Reid nodded. “Thanks for helping me, pack all this up,” he gestured around the room. “And for accepting my apology.”
“Like I said, I understand why you were upset.”
“Yeah….still though…..I want you to know that I appreciate it; saving his life.”
Matt smiled. “Anybody would’ve done the same, but…you’re welcome.”
Reid glanced at his watch and then checked his alarm to make sure the time was right. “Where the hell is your boyfriend? He was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago.”
“He probably just wanted to look extra pretty since he knew he’d be seeing me.”
Reid rolled his eyes. “Excuse me while I go puke.”
Matt started laughing when knocking came from the door. “That’s probably him now. I’ll get it,” he said standing up.
He made his way out of the bedroom to the front door, where Casey was standing on the other side. He grabbed his hand and tugged forward, kissing him in the process.
“Hi,” he said happily.
“Hey.”
Matt tilted his head. “What’s wrong?” he asked noticing that Casey’s smile didn’t seem to reach his eyes. He also looked nervous and slightly sick.
“Nothing,” he shook his head. “Where’s Reid?”
“He’s in the bedroom.”
“Do I have a reason to be jealous?” Casey joked.
Matt pretended to be thinking. “He is very, very good.”
Casey scoffed and punched him in the arm. Matt smiled and leaned forward to plant a kiss on Casey’s cheek. “Not as good as you,” he whispered in his ear earning a blush from the younger man. Matt stood back and addressed him seriously for a moment. “No more changing the direction of the conversation. I can tell something’s wrong.”
Casey sighed. “Let’s just….talk about it later okay? When we’re alone?”
“Okay,” Matt agreed.
*
Casey groaned. “I still can’t believe you’re leaving.”
Reid brought the bottle up and took a sip of beer. “You can always come and visit, you know.”
“It’s still not the same,” he sighed. “Everything was finally starting to settle down and now it’s all changing again. I hate it.”
“It’ll be fine Case. Just….don’t get all weepy on me.”
“I’m just going to miss you.”
“I know. I’ll miss you too.”
“Okay,” Casey said standing up. “Come on. I want a hug.”
“Ab-solutely not,” Reid shook his head vehemently.
“Dude.” Casey furrowed his brow looking hurt. “You know you’re going to give Katie one. I should at least get one too.”
Reid rolled his eyes and groaned. “Fine, just stop with the whiny petulant voice.” Reid stood up and smoothed down his shirt. He opened his arms up and beckoned Casey over. “Come here.”
Casey practically leapt into Reid’s arms causing him to stumble backwards and Matt to laugh.
“Jesus,” Reid murmured. He stood there rigid for a moment before trying to shake Casey off. “Okay! That’s good….good.”
Casey pulled back but not before smacking a kiss against Reid’s cheek.
“Eww!” He pushed Casey back and wiped his face. “You slobbered on me!”
“I gave you a kiss ba-by,” he teased swaying from side to side.
“A dog kiss maybe.” Reid turned his attention to Matt who was still sitting looking on in amusement. “I sure as heck hope he kisses you a little bit better than that.”
Matt shrugged. “Eh. He’s alright.”
“Fuck you,” Casey said plopping down next to him.
“I’m just kiddin’,” he leaned forward and kissed Casey soundly on the mouth. “I think I’ll keep ya around.”
Casey tensed a little at Matt’s words, unbeknownst to Reid who was to busy cringing at their public display of affection. Matt however, did notice.
“Okay,” Reid said cutting in. “That’s really all my stomach can handle for one evening, so I’m going to go. “You, I already hugged,” he pointed to Casey. “I guess I can spare one more.”
“Jeez Reid, don’t trouble yourself,” Matt replied sarcastically. He stood up and wrapped his arms around the older man. “Take good care of yourself over there. Don’t spend all your time working. Get out every once in awhile. And don’t be such a prick. Try to make some friends. You’re actually kind of a good one.”
Reid snorted, but still absorbed Matt’s words and let them wash over him. “I’ll try,” he said softly. Matt nodded and pulled away. Reid cradled his head in his hands and leaned forward to kiss Matt chastely on the lips. “You take care of yourself too.”
Matt smiled and stepped back so Reid could leave. He turned to walk back to Casey and sat next to him. “You know, if I didn’t know you two so well, I might’ve been a little jealous that someone else kissed you.”
The corner of Matt’s mouth quirked up. “You have nothing to worry about. Somehow I have a feeling the same can’t be said for me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“We’re alone now, so I want you to tell me what’s going on with you. There’s been something that’s been bugging you all night and I want to know what it is. Are you having doubts again?”
“What? No,” he said quickly. “I’m not….I swear. You’re…amazing. I was scared before, but…that was before our friends knew about us and my parents. I mean….Jesus, all it took was leaving you alone in a room with them for ten minutes before you had my dad completely enamored in topics of politics and the Supreme Court. He asked me the other day if I thought you might be interested in going to some history exhibit they’re putting on in Chicago this summer. Do you have any idea how weird that is? My dad has always stayed out of my relationships, except for when I was with Emily, and that was for a whole different reason. He genuinely likes you and my mom I think would be practically willing to adopt you if you wanted her to, which might be odd since then you’d be my brother, but…..this,” he gestured between himself and Matt, “me and you…here like this….out in public together….I’m perfectly fine Matt. It’s not….it’s not that.”
Matt took Casey’s hand. “Then what is it?”
“I got….I got a letter.”
“What kind of letter?”
Casey took a deep breath. “An acceptance letter.”
Matt tilted his head. “Law school?” Casey nodded. “Case, that’s great. Was it for Carbondale?”
He laughed disbelieving. “No actually. Vanderbilt.”
“Vanderbilt? I didn’t even know you applied there.”
“That’s cause I didn’t tell anyone. I mean….I’ve been working my ass off ever since I went back to school, taking extra classes, you name it. I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t think there would be a shot in hell I’d ever get in with my history and all. Being expelled from college before is bad enough, but being expelled and also serving time is a whole other ballgame. They said they liked my essay I mailed in. How much I overcame to get my life back blah, blah, blah. Maybe I’m this year’s charity case or something.”
“Charity case or not, which I don’t think you are, but Casey…..do you have any idea how amazing this is? You look like someone just shot your dog.”
“I don’t have a dog.”
“Are you sure you got in?” Matt teased.
Casey punched him in the arm and chuckled. “Matt, Carbondale was one thing, but…..you realize that Vanderbilt is in Tennessee, don’t you?”
Matt nodded. “I know,” he said sadly. “But Casey….this is the chance of a lifetime for you. You have to go.”
“But things are finally great,” he argued. “You know, I’m happy and life at home is good and Luke and I are friends again. Maybe it would be best if I went somewhere closer.”
“Casey….you have to go.”
“I’m scared,” he said truthfully.
“You’re gonna do great,” he assured him. Casey buried his head in Matt’s neck, breathing in his scent. ‘That’s not what I’m afraid of,’ he thought.
*
Next Day…
“Was that your last trip?” Katie asked holding a coffee mug.
“Yep. Car’s all packed.”
Reid leaned down to pick Jacob up, who was sitting on the couch. “I’ll miss you little man. You take good care of your mama for me, okay?” He tapped Jacob on his nose causing him to giggle. “You know you and the kid are welcomed any time, right? Day or night.”
“I know,” she smiled. “We’ll be fine though. Matt will be here if we need someone to protect us. Although, I highly doubt he can break out the Justin like you can. I’m not sure how well Jacob’s going to sleep without it.”
“He’s getting older Katie; babbling all sorts of nonsense all the time. He doesn’t need me as much as you think he does.”
“Still…..besides me, you’re his most recognizable face. I think he’ll miss you more than you know.”
Reid kissed her on her cheek. “I’ll miss you too,” he smiled knowingly.
“Yeah well……” Katie wiped her face. “You should probably get going then. You said you have somewhere to be, right?”
Reid nodded. “I’ll call you when I get there.”
“You better.”
*
Matt stood under the spray of the shower letting the hot water sooth his aching muscles. After getting back from Yo’s the night before, he and Casey couldn’t seem to keep their hands off of each other. They were like two men starving for food. He knew that Casey was doubting whether to leave or not. He had been through so much though; he deserved to have a normal college experience and at a school like this, there was no possible way that he would let Casey not go. He should have that opportunity, but he also didn’t want Casey to ever feel guilty for taking it. His arms were braced in front of him against the shower wall when he felt Casey’s arms wrap around his stomach from behind. Casey kissed the back of his shoulder, then turned his head and rested his cheek against the smooth skin. Matt brought his right hand off the wall and placed it on top of Casey’s forearm, rubbing it soothingly.
“You’re going to break up with me, aren’t you?” Casey murmured.
*
“Luke!”
Luke turned around to see Reid standing there leaning against his car. He shuffled forward nervously. He could see the boxes packed up in the backseat, something which made his stomach churn.
“Hi,” he cleared his throat. “Getting ready to leave?”
Reid nodded. “How have you been? Haven’t seen you around town much.”
“Been busy,” he said simply. “There’s been a lot going on.”
“But you’re okay?” Reid said worriedly.
“Yeah. I umm….I got sponsor.”
“That’s good.”
“It’s umm….Susan Stewart, from the hospital.”
“I like her. She seems tough; and she’s not incompetent.”
Luke chuckled. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to know that.”
“I…..I have something for you.”
“For me?” Luke asked looking around Reid who produced a box from his car.
“Happy Birthday Luke.”
Luke smiled as his eyes began to water. “You’re the first person to wish me that today, so, thank you. How did you even know I’d be here?”
“Casey. He said you’re usually in Old Towne around this time every morning. It looked like you were getting ready to leave though so I’m glad I caught you. Are you going to open it?”
“Oh. Yeah.” He looked around and sat his cup on the hood of the car behind him. He ripped off the wrapping paper and popped the tape off the lid of the box. He opened it and pulled out a shirt; a jersey.
“The Celtics? I played basketball in high school. I didn’t have a favorite team, although I was partial to the Bulls. Do you like them?”
“Growing up I was never really a fan of our hockey team or baseball team. I mean, let’s face it, the Red Sox couldn’t win shit at the time, even though now the curse has been broken. The Celtics though. They were pretty awesome. They won three championships before I was even ten.”
He’s from Boston.
Oh.
“Oh,” Luke smiled.
“I grew up around Cambridge. One of my earliest memories is sitting on my Grandfather’s lap watching the Celtics win the NBA championship. I was four.”
He nodded. “I love it,” he said clinging to the jersey. “I mean it….thank you.”
Luke took a deep breath in an attempt to steady his emotions. “Reid….” Luke said quietly. “If I was different…..if I changed and if I kept changing; not all of me, but the parts that I needed to and you…..if you were more open, do you think we could…..that we would work?”
“I don’t know,” Reid answered honestly. “We never really did things properly, did we? Maybe…..someday……I just don’t know Luke.”
Luke nodded his head silently.
“I do know one thing though.”
“Yeah?” he said raising his head.
Reid came forward and wrapped Luke up in his arms. He kissed the shell of his ear and whispered. “I love you. Despite everything, I do. Always will, okay? I don’t know where we’ll each wind up, but, that’s something you can never forget.”
Luke cried softly and nodded. He backed away while attempting to smile. “Be good to yourself.”
Reid acknowledged the request with a shake of his head and turned to step into his car.
“Bye Luke.”
“Goodbye Reid.”