The Happiest Place On Earth (Pays Ride Operators Shit), Chapter Five
Title: The Happiest Place On Earth (Pays Ride Operators Shit), Chapter Five
Fandom: Adam Lambert/Glam Nation
Pairing: Adam/Tommy, past Adam/Brad, past Tommy/Isaac
Author: i_amthecosmos
Rating: R
Word Count: 4,398
Summary: Adam wonders what’s wrong with Brad, while Tommy opens up more to his friends, and family.
Disclaimer: None of this is true, and I make no profit from this fan fiction. This is fic made with love, but don’t share the love with any of the portrayed real people by Tweeting it to them. Also, try not to show it to any high ranking Disney execs, even though their park is barely in it anymore. Thank you!
Tommy woke the next morning when he felt his leg flare in pain as the bed moved. “Uh,” he said, and he blinked bleary eyes open in time to see Adam slide out of bed and look around for his pants. “Hey,” he said, trying to sit up.
“Hey,” Adam said and smiled softly. Tommy relaxed-it was okay, Adam wasn’t sneaking out on him. “I’ve got rehearsal,” Adam said, voice a little guilty. “I wish I could stay, but I can’t miss it, we get in a lot of trouble.” Tommy nodded-he knew what vicious bastards Disney could be about performers who didn’t show for practice. “I’m working tonight and tomorrow,” Adam said, voiced muffled from the shirt he was pulling over his head. “And I wish I could stay for breakfast, but it’s almost too late. I’ll put the coffee on for you.”
“You don’t have time for a shower?” Tommy said as Adam leaned over the bed. Adam kissed him long and sweet, and nipped at his lip. Tommy wanted to make a joke about Adam’s breath, anything to distance himself from how warm it made him feel. But he didn’t, he didn’t want to hurt Adam. Tommy looked up at him, and thought about how the way people talked about Adam at the park, and how it had nothing to do with man standing in front of him, hair uncombed.
“No, I don’t really have time. God, I’d love to though. I should leave.” Adam pressed his lips against Tommy’s for another kiss and then grinned. “You wanna hold on to this?” he said, giving Tommy the vibrator, and jumped out of the way when Tommy tried to whack him on the leg with it. They were both still laughing when Adam left the room.
Tommy got out of bed about thirty minutes after Adam left, sleeping until the ache in his leg forced him to get up. He got dressed in his pajama bottoms and grabbed the latex band he used for his ankle exercises. The smell hit him as soon as he opened the door-Adam had put the coffee on.
After he’d stretched his leg out (it was better than yesterday, he thought), he went for some coffee and breakfast. When he opened his refrigerator, he saw all the stuff Adam had bought him yesterday. Shit. It’s too much, I can’t even decide what to have for breakfast. Tommy smiled-it was still a really nice thing for him to do. He grabbed the milk and went to sit down.
After he had gotten his breakfast, a shower, and gotten dressed (down to the boot), Tommy took some of his medication and tried to figure out what to do. He needed to do laundry, but it was a long walk down narrow stairs and a hallway to the duplex’s tiny laundry room. He spent ten minutes picking his clothes off the floor and getting them into a hamper and that was enough to make him have to sit down for a fucking few minutes. Damn, I’m a wreck, he thought. He missed Adam then, and Dave, who had left sometime before Adam did, he guessed.
Tommy went to find his phone, and stared at it. His mom was at work and he didn’t really want to call to ask her just to do his laundry. Tom was out of town, Jim was at work…Isaac-Isaac?
Tommy growled as he erased that fucking number from his fucking phone right the fuck then. He had no idea what had taken him so long, but now he was ready to throw it across the goddamn room. As soon a he thought that, it rang and Tommy nearly fucking dropped it. He looked at the number. No, not Isaac, not that he would call. Carla.
“Hey,” she said. “Are you still out of work? Shit. Can’t believe you got you got that fucked up. You’re okay though right? Workman’s comp come through?”
“Yeah, I’m alright, I just can’t fuckin’ do anything. I know I need to walk more in the boot, but it fucking hurts. That doctor wanted to send me to physical therapy, but how the fuck would I get there?” Tommy rubbed his face. “I’m okay now. I’m gonna wait a little and then do my laundry.”
“Damn babe, that sounds like an all-day job. You want me to come over? I can at least make it better.” Tommy started then-Carla wasn’t trying to sound flirty or seductive, she was just being Carla. There were friends who liked music, movies, and to fuck. That was pretty much their relationship. “Hey Tommy, you still there?”
“Yeah,” he said. “Um Carla, I gotta tell you something. I know you’re not my girlfriend, but I’m kinda seeing someone now. So if you come over, we’re just gonna hang out, okay? I’m sorry, but it was pretty sudden.” He heard the line go silent for a minute, and he held his breath. He knew Carla was smart enough to put the pieces together.
“So..you’re fucking Adam,” she said, and Tommy winced. She just had to put it that way, didn’t she? Tommy wondered if he’d misjudged their relationship and if she was jealous or something. “Wow,” she said then, and it didn’t sound angry or jealous at all. It was worse, she sounded like she felt sorry for him. “Huh. Another one bites the dust.”
“What does that supposed to-“ and Tommy cut off when Carla sighed. “Look, I know, okay? I know what you told me. But he’s not-I don’t feel like I’m in a line, like I’m just waiting for the next guy to take my place. I haven’t asked him about what’s happened in his past, and he hasn’t asked me about mine. And we’re okay, at least for now.”
“So…you’ve got stuff too. It’s not just him,” she said. Tommy closed his eyes and he listened as she took a deep breath. “So…did he bring you out, or did you like guys too? I mean, I’m not jealous, just curious. Tell me to fuck off if that’s something you don’t want to talk about.”
Tommy hesitated, but Carla could take the truth.“I’m bi, I knew it before Adam. But…yeah, it wasn’t something I opened with. You’re not mad, are you? You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. You’re a good friend. Hey, if you want to come over, you can. That part doesn’t have to change.”
“I’m not mad, I mean, I got no reason to be right?” Tommy reassured her and then she kept going. “Yeah I thought so. I’m glad you told me. We’re friends, and I’ll come over. But…” Tommy bit his lip, waiting for the rest. “I worry about you.” Tommy didn’t say anything for a few seconds, so she chattered about bringing her Romero collection and some extra ice packs over and said goodbye.
Tommy clicked off the phone, and then sat down slowly. He guessed he would just wait for her to show.
Adam wasn’t late to practice, but that was because he didn’t stop for a shower. Brad spent most of the day mocking him and holding his nose when he got close. Taylor giggled. “It’s not that bad, really,” he said. “I mean, okay, it’s kinda bad…”
“He stinks,” Brad said merrily. “Adam, did you have trick at your place?” Adam laughed and Taylor did too, but Adam could see the shadow of something else in Brad’s face.
“More like I was at his place and he wasn’t a trick,” Adam said, and Brad looked at him, eyebrow raised. “What?”
“Come over here, walk with me. We need to get something to eat.” They went over to where Brad kept his lunch and Adam took a sandwich, Brad getting himself a bag of fat-free chips. “So, he’s cute, huh?” Brad smiled a minute. “You having a good time? I mean, I know with him being new to gay sex and all..”
“He’s not,” Adam said, smiling at the memory of last night. “He’s good, I mean, we haven’t been able to fuck yet, but…”
“Wait,” Brad said, cutting his hand through the air. “We work at Disneyland, we’re basically the young gay recruitment office. Why didn’t everybody know?” Brad glared at him and Adam had just enough time to think What the fuck is his problem? when Brad said “Never mind. You can keep the closeted boy.”
Adam stood up. “You know what, you can keep the sandwich.” Brad looked stunned as he pushed himself up and walked away, grabbing a bottle of water. He thought about what his mom had said, about him working with Brad to keep him close. This works both ways, mom, he thought. He was sure that it was true, that Brad was somehow trying to keep him without actually dating him. He just didn’t know why. He didn’t talk much for the rest of rehearsal, until Taylor caught up to him. “Hey,” Adam really didn’t want to talk about it anymore, even though he liked Taylor. “I’ve only got a little while before we have to get in costume…”
“I know,” Taylor said, and then he paused. “Is he nice?” he said, and Adam’s eyes widened. “I mean, you should have someone nice, you really bend over backwards for people, and…shit.” Taylor sighed. “I don’t even know what I’m saying.”
Adam sort of got it then-Taylor thought the fact that they’d only lasted two weeks was his fault. It wasn’t, but Adam couldn’t really explain why. He just smiled at him and said “He’s nice.” Taylor had been nice too, and Drake, and a few other people. But for some reason, Taylor and Brad were acting differently about Tommy. Am I acting differently? Is that it? Adam had no answers, so instead he just went to shower and get ready for the parade.
Tommy’s day wasn’t so bad after all-Carla came over and basically did Tommy’s laundry for him. He did carry one load up and down by himself, but it hurt like a bitch. Carla wanted to get high, but Tommy lied and said they were out of weed. He didn’t distrust Carla, but they’d just broken it off and he would hate to forget himself and make out with her just because he was stoned. They watched the Romero’s non-zombie movies she had brought (“Jack’s Wife is so fucking underrated, Tommy”) until Dave got home.
The first think the motherfucker did was raise an eyebrow at Tommy like he’d done something wrong, and Carla glared at him. “Tommy told me, I helped him with his clothes, I haven’t sucked his dick. Okay?” That made Dave laugh hard enough to rattle the walls, pat Tommy on the shoulder and then went in the kitchen to fix them all dinner.
When Tommy was in bed that night, it felt too big and too empty, and he debated playing with the vibrator. Instead, he just took some Lortab and went to sleep. His dreams were supremely fucked up, but he thought Adam was in there somewhere.
The next morning, Adam did it all over again. Brad avoided him, and that stung. So Adam just ignored him back. Adam was grateful for the actual performance. He still loved it, seeing people wave and kids look amazed by them being there. He never had to fake a smile to be Prince Charming.
When he finally got home, he called Tommy. He wasn’t going to the club tonight, because the person he wanted to dance with probably had an icepack over his ankle right then. He wanted to come over, but…maybe it was too soon. Tommy’s cell didn’t pick up. Adam rang the land line, and after three rings, someone picked up.
“Hey,” said a voice Adam recognized as Dave’s. “Adam? Yeah, Tommy’s out like a light. But I can wake him up if you want me too. You want to talk to him?” Dave sounded like he always did, easygoing and mellow, and Adam knew that if Tommy was just asleep and not avoiding him, then it was the truth.
“No, don’t wake him up. But I thought he wasn’t that tired. Has it been a bad day?” He could almost hear Dave’s shrug.
“Naw, but he did have a long one. He went back to the doctor and he’s being forced to go to physical therapy by workman’s comp, and he needs a ride. And I can take him tomorrow, and his mom and Carla can pick up the slack-“
“Wait, Carla?” Adam interrupted. “She’s still-“
“Dude,” Dave said like he was being stupid. “They’re over that, okay? Hell, Tommy told her about you and him. So relax brother, Carla’s a good chick. They’re still friends.” Adam couldn’t help the sigh of relief and Dave laughed. “You worry nearly as much as this motherfucker-oh shit, here he is.”
“Fuck you Dave,” Adam heard Tommy say, and then “Adam? That you?”
“Yeah, it’s me. How are you baby? Do you need a ride to PT? ‘Cause I can help a couple of days.”
“I think so,” Tommy said, and his voice sounded a little hoarse. Adam hoped he wasn’t getting a cold. “I’d like it if you did. I’m gonna have to go three times a week, so we’ll work it out. Dave can take me probably when he has a day off. But yeah, definitely.” Adam frowned, Tommy was rambling and he didn’t know if it was the medication of if he didn’t really want him too. “Hey,” Tommy said, snapping him back to the present, “I’m gonna pay you for half of the groceries, okay? And thanks, Dave’s sorry ass actually cooked for us last night.”
“Well…okay,” Adam said. “Yeah, that’s probably the best thing.” He had to sit on the part him that wanted to do everything for Tommy, to get him everything he needed. Drake hadn’t liked it, and told him he was possessive and didn’t trust him to tie his shoes. That wasn’t true. Adam had just wanted it to work.
“Oh. Um, I don’t know if you’re gonna be mad at me,” Tommy was saying, But…I talked to Carla and..”
“Dave told me, it’s okay,” Adam said. He believed them, he really did. He had no reason not to, yet.”I mean, she’s your friend. I’m not going to tell you who to be friends with.” Adam had tried that before.
“Oh,” Tommy said, and he sounded surprised. “Oh. Good. I swear, I won’t…”
“I believe you,” Adam said, firmer this time. Why was Tommy so relieved? He said he’d never been with anyone seriously. I wonder how true that is-no stop. You have to trust him if this is going to last more than a month. That’s what you want, right? “Honey, can I come over or are you too tired?”
“Come over,” Tommy said immediately. “If I fall asleep, I’d still like you to be there.” Adam grinned and told him yes he’d be right over, and got off the phone. He ran out his door, then came back a minute later, grabbed something out of his room, and ran back.
He was smiling as he drove over, and pushed his doubts to the back of his mind.
Dave got Tommy a cup of coffee to wake him up a little. “See? Paying half is a good idea. Now you can feel like he’s not taking you over like someone I could mention. He doesn’t even care about Carla. I think you got a good one.”
Tommy sipped his coffee. “I don’t have him, we’re just dating okay? I mean, I know it’s not just sex, but you’re acting like he’s gonna fuckin’ propose, and he’s not.” Dave sat next to him as Tommy tried to gather his thoughts. “I like him, and he says he’s okay about Carla. That’s what…yeah. I hope he is.”
“I don’t think he lies much dude,” is all Dave said, and they sat in silence for a while. When the doorbell rang, Dave got up and got it before Tommy could stand. He was still moving pretty slow. “Hey man,” Dave said when Adam came in. He was carrying something with him, and Tommy frowned. Didn’t telling him that he was paying half of the food kind of a hint?
“Hey,” Adam said. “I brought this from home.” Tommy was at first relieved, and then wondered if it was something he should bring out in front of Dave when Adam pulled out a combination heat and cool pack that would wrap around his ankle. “I don’t know why I didn’t think to bring this earlier.”
“Oh awesome,” Tommy said. He wrapped his arms around Adam’s neck and nuzzled him, flipping off Dave behind Adam’s back. That fucker always laughed at them, what the hell? Adam was warm and comforting, holding him close, and he forgot all about Dave. When he finally let go, Dave had gone back to his room. “Hey,” he finally said to Adam. “Are you hungry? We’ve got spaghetti left over,”
“God, yes please, I didn’t eat much today and I was there all day.” Adam went into the kitchen with Tommy. “Do you want any toast? I want toast.” Tommy grinned, because Adam wasn’t even stoned-he was just that goofy. “Sit down baby, I’ll fix it.” Tommy didn’t argue, and sat down at the kitchen table they barely used. When Adam fixed them both plates of spaghetti with cheese, toast and microwaved broccoli, Tommy thought that his mom would love him. If I tell her-I haven’t told her about me liking guys yet. Tommy shoved that thought back and just enjoyed dinner with Adam.
Later, Tommy undid his boot and moved his ankle in slow circles while Adam rinsed the dishes. “Hey,” Adam said when he came back. “Time for bed?” Tommy looked up at Adam and the hand held out to help him up. “Come on. Can I stay with you? I’ll have to leave early again.”
Tommy took Adam’s hand and said “Of course you can stay.”
It was the third time he’d gone to Tommy’s bed, had helped him undress and lie down. Adam felt more at home now, and he hugged Tommy, spooned against his back.”You’ve got PT starting tomorrow,” Adam whispered, kissing Tommy’s ear. “You should rest.”
“I know, mom’s coming over tomorrow,” Tommy whispered. “You’re okay with sleeping?” Adam rubbed over his stomach and Tommy laughed. “If you keep doing that, I’m not going to be okay with it!” Adam wanted to laugh out of pure joy, and then Tommy took the hand Adam had on his stomach and laced their fingers. He kissed Tommy’s ear again, just over the edge of it, and he heard a little murmur of a sigh just before Tommy fell asleep.
Tommy woke up the next morning to someone banging on the door to the apartment. His eyes snapped open, and he saw that Adam was still in bed with him. “Adam?” He said, and nudged him. “Adam, my mom’s here, let me up.” Adam opened an eye and looked at him, face sleepy and curious, and Tommy heard his mom give up and use her key. That really got Tommy’s fear response in gear. “Shit Adam, help me. I gotta get dressed before she comes in here!” That got Adam moving, scrambling off the bed.
Tommy let Adam help him into his clothes while his mom’s footstep came down the hall. “Tommy? Are you still asleep? Tom-oh.” Tommy looked at his mom in the doorway, as he sat on the bed with his shirt off and pants halfway up. Adam was still naked and had Tommy’s shirt draped over his arm. “I-“ she said, and left the room, shutting the door behind her.
“Oh shit,” Adam said. “She didn’t know, did she? Shit.” He dropped to his knees and hugged Tommy hard. Tommy curled his arms around Adam then, because he wasn’t mad. In fact, he didn’t want Adam to go. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Adam whispered.
“Don’t be”, he whispered back. “It’s my fault for not telling you she was coming at seven.” Adam looked up at him, incredulous, and Tommy kissed his cheek. “It’s okay, I think I can do this. I should’ve done this months ago.” Tommy stood, and wobbled, Adam holding him still. “Give me my shirt and help me get my boot on. I’m gonna talk to her. You can get ready for your rehearsal or whatever you need to do.” Tommy wanted to give him an out, let him know he didn’t have to stay if he didn’t want to. Him and Adam weren’t official, so he could go if he wanted to.
“I’ll stay back here and you can call me if you need me, or I can go up with you,” Adam said. “I don’t know, whichever will be easier for both of you. I’m going to get dressed, you go out and see her.” Adam lifted his head after he’d gotten Tommy’s boot on, Tommy pulling on his shirt. “Hey, she put on the coffee. That’s good right?”
“Either that, or she’s on automatic right now,” Tommy said, and he started for the door. “You can come out after you’re dressed, but I’ll be okay,” he said. I hope that’s true, he thought as he limped toward the smell of coffee.
When he got to the kitchen his mom was standing in front of the stove, coffee maker on, and staring at an egg she had taken out of its carton. Tommy checked the stove to make sure she wasn’t about to burn down the house, and then he said “Hey mom,” as gently as he could.
His mom started, but she didn’t break the egg in her hand. “Oh! Hi honey, I was just fixing the coffee, um, how do you want your eggs?” She gripped the counter for a long minute, eyes down, and Tommy almost didn’t catch it when she said “And how does…your friend want his eggs?”
Tommy breathed out then. He could work with this, he knew he could. “Just sit down mom. We can make breakfast in a minute.” His mom sat down at the kitchen table while Tommy put the egg back and went to sit next to her. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before mom. I didn’t know how to tell you.”
His mom was quiet for a long minute, and then she breathed out. “I didn’t mean to surprise you,” she said. “I’m sorry about that.” She looked at him for a minute. “So you’re gay?” Tommy almost went with it, but he decided he’d go for the truth even if it confused her more.
“Not exactly, mom. I’m bi, but right now I’m seeing Adam. That’s the guy in my bedroom.” He dared a smile at her. “He’s the guy who ran me over at Haunted Mansion and messed up my leg.” His mom stared at him then, then suddenly looked over his shoulder. Adam was standing there with a ‘why did you tell her that’ expression. Then his mom shook her head.
“If Workman’s comp had a co-pay, I’d make you pay it,” she said to Adam. “See what you did to his leg?” Then she smiled, and any threat in it went away. “Hey there,” she said. “Sorry about that.” Tommy looked over and he could see his mom would have more questions later, but for now she was holding it together like a champ. “I’m Dia, Tommy says you’re Adam and Prince Charming.”
Adam laughed then, pushing his hair out of his face. “Yeah, true on both counts. I’m really sorry about Tommy’s leg, I’ll take him to PT some days. Are you okay?” His mom patted Adam’s hand and then got up.
“I’ll live, kids. Let me make you both breakfast.”
“So you’ve only known him two weeks.” Tommy groaned. They had a nice breakfast, then Adam left and Tommy got a shower before his mom would take him anywhere. “And you don’t have a problem with this?” He knew there would be more to his mom’s reaction, but it was too early for him to try to explain his relationship with Adam right then. “When did you two start going out? And by the way, it’s too early now but I will smack you for waiting so long to tell me that you liked men too. Just wait for it.”
“Last week,” he said. “I hadn’t met him until he nearly took my ankle off. He’s a nice guy, mom. I know it’s too soon to really tell you anything. I haven’t met his mom.” Tommy paused then, and thought I haven’t met his friends either. Huh. Tommy did not say that out loud-fuck if he needed his mom to worry about that. “And goddammit, threaten me with battery why don’t you.”
“Don’t say that word in my car, I don’t like it. And you deserve it for hiding that from me. But it’s okay if you hadn’t met his mom. You said it hasn’t been long enough. But…I can’t really say anything. Just tell him I was really surprised.” His mom kept driving. “So you like him.”
“I do,” Tommy said, looking out the window. “I hope he likes me too.” The voice in his head chanted too soon to tell, too soon to tell and he sighed. “My leg hurts.”
“I bet it does,” his mom said as she pulled into the physical therapy office, the morning light reflecting off the windows. “He seems like a nice boy,” she said as she killed the engine. “Prince Charming.” Tommy watched as she got out and came around his side of the car to open the door, and though Yeah, so far.
Fandom: Adam Lambert/Glam Nation
Pairing: Adam/Tommy, past Adam/Brad, past Tommy/Isaac
Author: i_amthecosmos
Rating: R
Word Count: 4,398
Summary: Adam wonders what’s wrong with Brad, while Tommy opens up more to his friends, and family.
Disclaimer: None of this is true, and I make no profit from this fan fiction. This is fic made with love, but don’t share the love with any of the portrayed real people by Tweeting it to them. Also, try not to show it to any high ranking Disney execs, even though their park is barely in it anymore. Thank you!
Tommy woke the next morning when he felt his leg flare in pain as the bed moved. “Uh,” he said, and he blinked bleary eyes open in time to see Adam slide out of bed and look around for his pants. “Hey,” he said, trying to sit up.
“Hey,” Adam said and smiled softly. Tommy relaxed-it was okay, Adam wasn’t sneaking out on him. “I’ve got rehearsal,” Adam said, voice a little guilty. “I wish I could stay, but I can’t miss it, we get in a lot of trouble.” Tommy nodded-he knew what vicious bastards Disney could be about performers who didn’t show for practice. “I’m working tonight and tomorrow,” Adam said, voiced muffled from the shirt he was pulling over his head. “And I wish I could stay for breakfast, but it’s almost too late. I’ll put the coffee on for you.”
“You don’t have time for a shower?” Tommy said as Adam leaned over the bed. Adam kissed him long and sweet, and nipped at his lip. Tommy wanted to make a joke about Adam’s breath, anything to distance himself from how warm it made him feel. But he didn’t, he didn’t want to hurt Adam. Tommy looked up at him, and thought about how the way people talked about Adam at the park, and how it had nothing to do with man standing in front of him, hair uncombed.
“No, I don’t really have time. God, I’d love to though. I should leave.” Adam pressed his lips against Tommy’s for another kiss and then grinned. “You wanna hold on to this?” he said, giving Tommy the vibrator, and jumped out of the way when Tommy tried to whack him on the leg with it. They were both still laughing when Adam left the room.
Tommy got out of bed about thirty minutes after Adam left, sleeping until the ache in his leg forced him to get up. He got dressed in his pajama bottoms and grabbed the latex band he used for his ankle exercises. The smell hit him as soon as he opened the door-Adam had put the coffee on.
After he’d stretched his leg out (it was better than yesterday, he thought), he went for some coffee and breakfast. When he opened his refrigerator, he saw all the stuff Adam had bought him yesterday. Shit. It’s too much, I can’t even decide what to have for breakfast. Tommy smiled-it was still a really nice thing for him to do. He grabbed the milk and went to sit down.
After he had gotten his breakfast, a shower, and gotten dressed (down to the boot), Tommy took some of his medication and tried to figure out what to do. He needed to do laundry, but it was a long walk down narrow stairs and a hallway to the duplex’s tiny laundry room. He spent ten minutes picking his clothes off the floor and getting them into a hamper and that was enough to make him have to sit down for a fucking few minutes. Damn, I’m a wreck, he thought. He missed Adam then, and Dave, who had left sometime before Adam did, he guessed.
Tommy went to find his phone, and stared at it. His mom was at work and he didn’t really want to call to ask her just to do his laundry. Tom was out of town, Jim was at work…Isaac-Isaac?
Tommy growled as he erased that fucking number from his fucking phone right the fuck then. He had no idea what had taken him so long, but now he was ready to throw it across the goddamn room. As soon a he thought that, it rang and Tommy nearly fucking dropped it. He looked at the number. No, not Isaac, not that he would call. Carla.
“Hey,” she said. “Are you still out of work? Shit. Can’t believe you got you got that fucked up. You’re okay though right? Workman’s comp come through?”
“Yeah, I’m alright, I just can’t fuckin’ do anything. I know I need to walk more in the boot, but it fucking hurts. That doctor wanted to send me to physical therapy, but how the fuck would I get there?” Tommy rubbed his face. “I’m okay now. I’m gonna wait a little and then do my laundry.”
“Damn babe, that sounds like an all-day job. You want me to come over? I can at least make it better.” Tommy started then-Carla wasn’t trying to sound flirty or seductive, she was just being Carla. There were friends who liked music, movies, and to fuck. That was pretty much their relationship. “Hey Tommy, you still there?”
“Yeah,” he said. “Um Carla, I gotta tell you something. I know you’re not my girlfriend, but I’m kinda seeing someone now. So if you come over, we’re just gonna hang out, okay? I’m sorry, but it was pretty sudden.” He heard the line go silent for a minute, and he held his breath. He knew Carla was smart enough to put the pieces together.
“So..you’re fucking Adam,” she said, and Tommy winced. She just had to put it that way, didn’t she? Tommy wondered if he’d misjudged their relationship and if she was jealous or something. “Wow,” she said then, and it didn’t sound angry or jealous at all. It was worse, she sounded like she felt sorry for him. “Huh. Another one bites the dust.”
“What does that supposed to-“ and Tommy cut off when Carla sighed. “Look, I know, okay? I know what you told me. But he’s not-I don’t feel like I’m in a line, like I’m just waiting for the next guy to take my place. I haven’t asked him about what’s happened in his past, and he hasn’t asked me about mine. And we’re okay, at least for now.”
“So…you’ve got stuff too. It’s not just him,” she said. Tommy closed his eyes and he listened as she took a deep breath. “So…did he bring you out, or did you like guys too? I mean, I’m not jealous, just curious. Tell me to fuck off if that’s something you don’t want to talk about.”
Tommy hesitated, but Carla could take the truth.“I’m bi, I knew it before Adam. But…yeah, it wasn’t something I opened with. You’re not mad, are you? You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. You’re a good friend. Hey, if you want to come over, you can. That part doesn’t have to change.”
“I’m not mad, I mean, I got no reason to be right?” Tommy reassured her and then she kept going. “Yeah I thought so. I’m glad you told me. We’re friends, and I’ll come over. But…” Tommy bit his lip, waiting for the rest. “I worry about you.” Tommy didn’t say anything for a few seconds, so she chattered about bringing her Romero collection and some extra ice packs over and said goodbye.
Tommy clicked off the phone, and then sat down slowly. He guessed he would just wait for her to show.
Adam wasn’t late to practice, but that was because he didn’t stop for a shower. Brad spent most of the day mocking him and holding his nose when he got close. Taylor giggled. “It’s not that bad, really,” he said. “I mean, okay, it’s kinda bad…”
“He stinks,” Brad said merrily. “Adam, did you have trick at your place?” Adam laughed and Taylor did too, but Adam could see the shadow of something else in Brad’s face.
“More like I was at his place and he wasn’t a trick,” Adam said, and Brad looked at him, eyebrow raised. “What?”
“Come over here, walk with me. We need to get something to eat.” They went over to where Brad kept his lunch and Adam took a sandwich, Brad getting himself a bag of fat-free chips. “So, he’s cute, huh?” Brad smiled a minute. “You having a good time? I mean, I know with him being new to gay sex and all..”
“He’s not,” Adam said, smiling at the memory of last night. “He’s good, I mean, we haven’t been able to fuck yet, but…”
“Wait,” Brad said, cutting his hand through the air. “We work at Disneyland, we’re basically the young gay recruitment office. Why didn’t everybody know?” Brad glared at him and Adam had just enough time to think What the fuck is his problem? when Brad said “Never mind. You can keep the closeted boy.”
Adam stood up. “You know what, you can keep the sandwich.” Brad looked stunned as he pushed himself up and walked away, grabbing a bottle of water. He thought about what his mom had said, about him working with Brad to keep him close. This works both ways, mom, he thought. He was sure that it was true, that Brad was somehow trying to keep him without actually dating him. He just didn’t know why. He didn’t talk much for the rest of rehearsal, until Taylor caught up to him. “Hey,” Adam really didn’t want to talk about it anymore, even though he liked Taylor. “I’ve only got a little while before we have to get in costume…”
“I know,” Taylor said, and then he paused. “Is he nice?” he said, and Adam’s eyes widened. “I mean, you should have someone nice, you really bend over backwards for people, and…shit.” Taylor sighed. “I don’t even know what I’m saying.”
Adam sort of got it then-Taylor thought the fact that they’d only lasted two weeks was his fault. It wasn’t, but Adam couldn’t really explain why. He just smiled at him and said “He’s nice.” Taylor had been nice too, and Drake, and a few other people. But for some reason, Taylor and Brad were acting differently about Tommy. Am I acting differently? Is that it? Adam had no answers, so instead he just went to shower and get ready for the parade.
Tommy’s day wasn’t so bad after all-Carla came over and basically did Tommy’s laundry for him. He did carry one load up and down by himself, but it hurt like a bitch. Carla wanted to get high, but Tommy lied and said they were out of weed. He didn’t distrust Carla, but they’d just broken it off and he would hate to forget himself and make out with her just because he was stoned. They watched the Romero’s non-zombie movies she had brought (“Jack’s Wife is so fucking underrated, Tommy”) until Dave got home.
The first think the motherfucker did was raise an eyebrow at Tommy like he’d done something wrong, and Carla glared at him. “Tommy told me, I helped him with his clothes, I haven’t sucked his dick. Okay?” That made Dave laugh hard enough to rattle the walls, pat Tommy on the shoulder and then went in the kitchen to fix them all dinner.
When Tommy was in bed that night, it felt too big and too empty, and he debated playing with the vibrator. Instead, he just took some Lortab and went to sleep. His dreams were supremely fucked up, but he thought Adam was in there somewhere.
The next morning, Adam did it all over again. Brad avoided him, and that stung. So Adam just ignored him back. Adam was grateful for the actual performance. He still loved it, seeing people wave and kids look amazed by them being there. He never had to fake a smile to be Prince Charming.
When he finally got home, he called Tommy. He wasn’t going to the club tonight, because the person he wanted to dance with probably had an icepack over his ankle right then. He wanted to come over, but…maybe it was too soon. Tommy’s cell didn’t pick up. Adam rang the land line, and after three rings, someone picked up.
“Hey,” said a voice Adam recognized as Dave’s. “Adam? Yeah, Tommy’s out like a light. But I can wake him up if you want me too. You want to talk to him?” Dave sounded like he always did, easygoing and mellow, and Adam knew that if Tommy was just asleep and not avoiding him, then it was the truth.
“No, don’t wake him up. But I thought he wasn’t that tired. Has it been a bad day?” He could almost hear Dave’s shrug.
“Naw, but he did have a long one. He went back to the doctor and he’s being forced to go to physical therapy by workman’s comp, and he needs a ride. And I can take him tomorrow, and his mom and Carla can pick up the slack-“
“Wait, Carla?” Adam interrupted. “She’s still-“
“Dude,” Dave said like he was being stupid. “They’re over that, okay? Hell, Tommy told her about you and him. So relax brother, Carla’s a good chick. They’re still friends.” Adam couldn’t help the sigh of relief and Dave laughed. “You worry nearly as much as this motherfucker-oh shit, here he is.”
“Fuck you Dave,” Adam heard Tommy say, and then “Adam? That you?”
“Yeah, it’s me. How are you baby? Do you need a ride to PT? ‘Cause I can help a couple of days.”
“I think so,” Tommy said, and his voice sounded a little hoarse. Adam hoped he wasn’t getting a cold. “I’d like it if you did. I’m gonna have to go three times a week, so we’ll work it out. Dave can take me probably when he has a day off. But yeah, definitely.” Adam frowned, Tommy was rambling and he didn’t know if it was the medication of if he didn’t really want him too. “Hey,” Tommy said, snapping him back to the present, “I’m gonna pay you for half of the groceries, okay? And thanks, Dave’s sorry ass actually cooked for us last night.”
“Well…okay,” Adam said. “Yeah, that’s probably the best thing.” He had to sit on the part him that wanted to do everything for Tommy, to get him everything he needed. Drake hadn’t liked it, and told him he was possessive and didn’t trust him to tie his shoes. That wasn’t true. Adam had just wanted it to work.
“Oh. Um, I don’t know if you’re gonna be mad at me,” Tommy was saying, But…I talked to Carla and..”
“Dave told me, it’s okay,” Adam said. He believed them, he really did. He had no reason not to, yet.”I mean, she’s your friend. I’m not going to tell you who to be friends with.” Adam had tried that before.
“Oh,” Tommy said, and he sounded surprised. “Oh. Good. I swear, I won’t…”
“I believe you,” Adam said, firmer this time. Why was Tommy so relieved? He said he’d never been with anyone seriously. I wonder how true that is-no stop. You have to trust him if this is going to last more than a month. That’s what you want, right? “Honey, can I come over or are you too tired?”
“Come over,” Tommy said immediately. “If I fall asleep, I’d still like you to be there.” Adam grinned and told him yes he’d be right over, and got off the phone. He ran out his door, then came back a minute later, grabbed something out of his room, and ran back.
He was smiling as he drove over, and pushed his doubts to the back of his mind.
Dave got Tommy a cup of coffee to wake him up a little. “See? Paying half is a good idea. Now you can feel like he’s not taking you over like someone I could mention. He doesn’t even care about Carla. I think you got a good one.”
Tommy sipped his coffee. “I don’t have him, we’re just dating okay? I mean, I know it’s not just sex, but you’re acting like he’s gonna fuckin’ propose, and he’s not.” Dave sat next to him as Tommy tried to gather his thoughts. “I like him, and he says he’s okay about Carla. That’s what…yeah. I hope he is.”
“I don’t think he lies much dude,” is all Dave said, and they sat in silence for a while. When the doorbell rang, Dave got up and got it before Tommy could stand. He was still moving pretty slow. “Hey man,” Dave said when Adam came in. He was carrying something with him, and Tommy frowned. Didn’t telling him that he was paying half of the food kind of a hint?
“Hey,” Adam said. “I brought this from home.” Tommy was at first relieved, and then wondered if it was something he should bring out in front of Dave when Adam pulled out a combination heat and cool pack that would wrap around his ankle. “I don’t know why I didn’t think to bring this earlier.”
“Oh awesome,” Tommy said. He wrapped his arms around Adam’s neck and nuzzled him, flipping off Dave behind Adam’s back. That fucker always laughed at them, what the hell? Adam was warm and comforting, holding him close, and he forgot all about Dave. When he finally let go, Dave had gone back to his room. “Hey,” he finally said to Adam. “Are you hungry? We’ve got spaghetti left over,”
“God, yes please, I didn’t eat much today and I was there all day.” Adam went into the kitchen with Tommy. “Do you want any toast? I want toast.” Tommy grinned, because Adam wasn’t even stoned-he was just that goofy. “Sit down baby, I’ll fix it.” Tommy didn’t argue, and sat down at the kitchen table they barely used. When Adam fixed them both plates of spaghetti with cheese, toast and microwaved broccoli, Tommy thought that his mom would love him. If I tell her-I haven’t told her about me liking guys yet. Tommy shoved that thought back and just enjoyed dinner with Adam.
Later, Tommy undid his boot and moved his ankle in slow circles while Adam rinsed the dishes. “Hey,” Adam said when he came back. “Time for bed?” Tommy looked up at Adam and the hand held out to help him up. “Come on. Can I stay with you? I’ll have to leave early again.”
Tommy took Adam’s hand and said “Of course you can stay.”
It was the third time he’d gone to Tommy’s bed, had helped him undress and lie down. Adam felt more at home now, and he hugged Tommy, spooned against his back.”You’ve got PT starting tomorrow,” Adam whispered, kissing Tommy’s ear. “You should rest.”
“I know, mom’s coming over tomorrow,” Tommy whispered. “You’re okay with sleeping?” Adam rubbed over his stomach and Tommy laughed. “If you keep doing that, I’m not going to be okay with it!” Adam wanted to laugh out of pure joy, and then Tommy took the hand Adam had on his stomach and laced their fingers. He kissed Tommy’s ear again, just over the edge of it, and he heard a little murmur of a sigh just before Tommy fell asleep.
Tommy woke up the next morning to someone banging on the door to the apartment. His eyes snapped open, and he saw that Adam was still in bed with him. “Adam?” He said, and nudged him. “Adam, my mom’s here, let me up.” Adam opened an eye and looked at him, face sleepy and curious, and Tommy heard his mom give up and use her key. That really got Tommy’s fear response in gear. “Shit Adam, help me. I gotta get dressed before she comes in here!” That got Adam moving, scrambling off the bed.
Tommy let Adam help him into his clothes while his mom’s footstep came down the hall. “Tommy? Are you still asleep? Tom-oh.” Tommy looked at his mom in the doorway, as he sat on the bed with his shirt off and pants halfway up. Adam was still naked and had Tommy’s shirt draped over his arm. “I-“ she said, and left the room, shutting the door behind her.
“Oh shit,” Adam said. “She didn’t know, did she? Shit.” He dropped to his knees and hugged Tommy hard. Tommy curled his arms around Adam then, because he wasn’t mad. In fact, he didn’t want Adam to go. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Adam whispered.
“Don’t be”, he whispered back. “It’s my fault for not telling you she was coming at seven.” Adam looked up at him, incredulous, and Tommy kissed his cheek. “It’s okay, I think I can do this. I should’ve done this months ago.” Tommy stood, and wobbled, Adam holding him still. “Give me my shirt and help me get my boot on. I’m gonna talk to her. You can get ready for your rehearsal or whatever you need to do.” Tommy wanted to give him an out, let him know he didn’t have to stay if he didn’t want to. Him and Adam weren’t official, so he could go if he wanted to.
“I’ll stay back here and you can call me if you need me, or I can go up with you,” Adam said. “I don’t know, whichever will be easier for both of you. I’m going to get dressed, you go out and see her.” Adam lifted his head after he’d gotten Tommy’s boot on, Tommy pulling on his shirt. “Hey, she put on the coffee. That’s good right?”
“Either that, or she’s on automatic right now,” Tommy said, and he started for the door. “You can come out after you’re dressed, but I’ll be okay,” he said. I hope that’s true, he thought as he limped toward the smell of coffee.
When he got to the kitchen his mom was standing in front of the stove, coffee maker on, and staring at an egg she had taken out of its carton. Tommy checked the stove to make sure she wasn’t about to burn down the house, and then he said “Hey mom,” as gently as he could.
His mom started, but she didn’t break the egg in her hand. “Oh! Hi honey, I was just fixing the coffee, um, how do you want your eggs?” She gripped the counter for a long minute, eyes down, and Tommy almost didn’t catch it when she said “And how does…your friend want his eggs?”
Tommy breathed out then. He could work with this, he knew he could. “Just sit down mom. We can make breakfast in a minute.” His mom sat down at the kitchen table while Tommy put the egg back and went to sit next to her. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before mom. I didn’t know how to tell you.”
His mom was quiet for a long minute, and then she breathed out. “I didn’t mean to surprise you,” she said. “I’m sorry about that.” She looked at him for a minute. “So you’re gay?” Tommy almost went with it, but he decided he’d go for the truth even if it confused her more.
“Not exactly, mom. I’m bi, but right now I’m seeing Adam. That’s the guy in my bedroom.” He dared a smile at her. “He’s the guy who ran me over at Haunted Mansion and messed up my leg.” His mom stared at him then, then suddenly looked over his shoulder. Adam was standing there with a ‘why did you tell her that’ expression. Then his mom shook her head.
“If Workman’s comp had a co-pay, I’d make you pay it,” she said to Adam. “See what you did to his leg?” Then she smiled, and any threat in it went away. “Hey there,” she said. “Sorry about that.” Tommy looked over and he could see his mom would have more questions later, but for now she was holding it together like a champ. “I’m Dia, Tommy says you’re Adam and Prince Charming.”
Adam laughed then, pushing his hair out of his face. “Yeah, true on both counts. I’m really sorry about Tommy’s leg, I’ll take him to PT some days. Are you okay?” His mom patted Adam’s hand and then got up.
“I’ll live, kids. Let me make you both breakfast.”
“So you’ve only known him two weeks.” Tommy groaned. They had a nice breakfast, then Adam left and Tommy got a shower before his mom would take him anywhere. “And you don’t have a problem with this?” He knew there would be more to his mom’s reaction, but it was too early for him to try to explain his relationship with Adam right then. “When did you two start going out? And by the way, it’s too early now but I will smack you for waiting so long to tell me that you liked men too. Just wait for it.”
“Last week,” he said. “I hadn’t met him until he nearly took my ankle off. He’s a nice guy, mom. I know it’s too soon to really tell you anything. I haven’t met his mom.” Tommy paused then, and thought I haven’t met his friends either. Huh. Tommy did not say that out loud-fuck if he needed his mom to worry about that. “And goddammit, threaten me with battery why don’t you.”
“Don’t say that word in my car, I don’t like it. And you deserve it for hiding that from me. But it’s okay if you hadn’t met his mom. You said it hasn’t been long enough. But…I can’t really say anything. Just tell him I was really surprised.” His mom kept driving. “So you like him.”
“I do,” Tommy said, looking out the window. “I hope he likes me too.” The voice in his head chanted too soon to tell, too soon to tell and he sighed. “My leg hurts.”
“I bet it does,” his mom said as she pulled into the physical therapy office, the morning light reflecting off the windows. “He seems like a nice boy,” she said as she killed the engine. “Prince Charming.” Tommy watched as she got out and came around his side of the car to open the door, and though Yeah, so far.