The Happiest Place On Earth (Pays Ride Operators Shit), Chapter Seventeen
Title: The Happiest Place on Earth (Pays Ride Operators Shit), Chapter Seventeen
Fandom: Adam Lambert
Pairing: Adam/Tommy, past Adam/Brad, past Tommy/Isaac
Author: i_amthecosmos
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 3,444
Summary: Tommy is confused by a conversation with Brad. But soon he forgets about it.
Warnings: Casual drug use.
Disclaimer: I made this up, and I make no profit from this fan fiction. I do not wish is to be Tweeted to anyone portrayed in the story. Thanks.
Thank you to qafaddiction for helping me with this story. I was stuck in a rut and she helped me out of it. Thank you!
When Tommy woke up, he checked his phone messages. There was one from Adam. Sorry, can’t pick you up today. See u tonite? Tommy sent an Okay back and started getting ready for work.
When he got there he went through the motions, only perking up when Anoop mentioned that his ankle seemed almost healed. “You’re not limping as badly. Are you still wrapping it?” Tommy shook his head. “Well, do it if you need to, but I’m glad you’re feeling better.” Tommy smiled and went on his break.
While he was eating his sandwich, his phone rang. He saw it was Adam’s number, and frowned. Wasn’t Adam here and working? “Hey honey,” he said.
“Hey. Um, I got a call-back today for this theater job I applied to and I had to call out of work. And I’m supposed to have dinner with the producer and…I won’t be able to pick you up.” Adam sounded so guilty that Tommy swallowed his disappointment at not seeing him that night.
“That’s okay. I mean, you have to get a role. It’ll get you out of here. So go for it. They should love you.” Tommy played with his Coke can. “I mean, break a leg. I’m totally rooting for you. Don’t worry, I can get home.”
“Thanks baby. I’m glad you understand. I gotta go now. I might not be able to see you tonight. I’m sorry about that.”
“Don’t be,” Tommy said, as if he didn’t miss Adam already, as if he didn’t to tell him that his leaving the night before left him feeling empty. “Don’t worry about me,” he said instead. “Love you. Go kill it.”
“Love you too,” Adam said, and then the call disconnected and Tommy stared down the rest of his sandwich. He pushed it away. Fuck it, I’m taking the bus again. He sighed and limped slightly on his way back to work. His ankle must have decided to swell up a little anyway. He needed to start wrapping it again. He stumbled through the rest of the day, on autopilot.
When he got out he looked for Adam immediately, in case he came to get him anyway. But of course Adam wasn’t there. He limped through the employee exits and heard a barely familiar “Hi” behind him. He turned and stared at Terrance’s smiling face.
“Hey honey.” Terrance was always a sweetheart, and Tommy couldn’t help but smile back. “Adam gonna pick you up?” Tommy shook his head and told him about the callback, and Terrance frowned. “You shouldn’t have to take the bus-it’s too long a trip. Maybe we can give you a ride.” Taylor appeared by his side then.
“I don’t know. We have to go by my old apartment tonight and move some of the boxes. I’m still not moved in. I can’t do it too late because of the neighbors.” Just then Brad passed by, and Taylor looked over at him, nervous. “Brad, do you know anyone who can take Tommy home?” Tommy was just thinking that Taylor was wise not to ask Brad to take him, when Brad looked at him and nodded once.
“Yeah, I can take you if you want. You’re not far from Adam are you? Get in the car. It won’t be that long.” Tommy was too shocked to argue and instead just followed Brad to his car, waving at Taylor and Terrance. “You’ll have to tell me where you live, of course.”
“Yeah,” Tommy said. “I’ll show you, it’s not hard.” They got in the car and didn’t say anything for a while, until Brad started to his LA and Tommy had to navigate for them. “Yeah, that’s the right exit,” he said, and tried not to feel uncomfortable as hell.
Brad put in some slow, quiet music and just drove for a while. “So your house, not Adam’s,” he said, voice matter of fact. “I still know where that is. I could drop you there if you have a key.” Tommy shook his head, and wondered why in the hell he didn’t have a key yet.
Brad let that go without comment, and most of the drive was silent except for Tommy giving directions. Then a song came on and Tommy started humming it, making Brad smile. “Goldfrapp”, he said. “They’re pretty amazing. I liked your performance, by the way. You were really good. I didn’t think I would have said this a few weeks ago, but I’d love to hear you play with Adam.”
“I’d love to, yeah,” Tommy said, but it made him think about the fight. “I need to see that crowd more, I guess. I didn’t have gigs for a long time.” He mentally kicked himself, he didn’t want to so much as hint at his problems with Isaac to Brad. It would just be too much information. Brad said nothing though, and Tommy relaxed. He fiddled with his phone while Brad drove. “I don’t know if I should text Adam,” he said. “I mean, he’s got that thing, and I don’t know if he’s home yet.”
“I guess call him when you get home,” Brad said. “He’s shit at driving and texting.” Brad turned down another street, getting closer to his place. “How’s your ankle now?” Tommy started a bit at the sudden subject change.
“It’s kind of sore, but thanks for asking. It comes and goes.” Tommy wondered if Brad just didn’t want to hear about Adam and him much at all. He wouldn’t blame him. “Hey, thanks for giving me a ride. I wasn’t expecting…well…”
“You were expecting Adam,” Brad said. “You know, I understand what an asshole I’ve been but really, it’s okay. You can talk about him.” Tommy shrugged because he really couldn’t. It was hard to talk to Adam, much less about him to his most prominent ex-boyfriend. Not to mention that he still wasn’t sure he trusted Brad at all. He didn’t say anything for a few minutes, and Brad didn’t comment.
“My place is the fourth on the left,” he said, and Brad slowed down. “Thanks a lot, really. Now I gotta call Adam.” The next thing out of his mouth was unplanned. “I hope he answers it.” He looked over at Brad. “Shit, I-he just-Um.“ He had no idea how to cover that one. “Sorry,” he said, although Brad didn’t look like he’d taken offense.
“He’s being a little hard to understand? It sounds like him.” Brad reached over and patted his arm. “I’m not in a position to give much advice. But call him anyway.” Then Tommy stumbled out of Brad’s car and waved as he pulled away. What the fuck was that about? He decided not to think about it and limped up the stairs. He had to call Adam.
He didn’t mean to, but he put off the call. First he iced his leg, then he got a beer and nuked some spaghetti left in the back of the fridge. With a handful of Cheddar melted on top, it was pretty good. He sat on the couch for a while, thinking things over. Then he got out his phone.
Adam was lying back on his couch smoking a joint when his phone rang. He fumbled with it a minute, then answered. “Hi,” he said. “Tommy? Hi. I think it went really great. I wish I could come and get you, but I’m high now.” Adam felt warm from the wine and the pot, and just wished his boy was here so he could hold him. “I wish you were here. I wanna hold you.” Okay, so his filter was shot.
“I didn’t know if I should ask for a ride to your place. Brad wound up taking me home.” That flat statement from Tommy made Adam’s mouth drop open, but then he continued. “Do you think you have the part? They took you out to dinner, right?”
“I…yeah. They did and we had a lot of wine and I’m on their shortlist to consider. And wait, Brad brought you home? Why?” That might’ve been a rude question to ask, since he didn’t actually know how well they were getting along. “I mean…”
“He was just being polite,” Tommy said. “Terrance saw me limping and was trying to get a ride for me, and Brad happened to be right there. So he was good enough to take me. We didn’t talk much.” Adam listened to Tommy’s tone, and he knew that Brad must have said something. Either that, or the pot was making him paranoid.
“So…everything’s okay? You guys didn’t fight or anything?” Adam tried to sit up and flopped back down on the couch, stoned and exhausted. “I mean, you are okay right?”
“I’m limping a little, but I’m okay,” Tommy said, and Adam could hear the tiredness in his voice. “Why haven’t we gotten keys to each other’s places yet?” Adam blinked-that was unexpected.
“Um. I don’t know. But we’ll do that. Are you…is there something you need to tell me?” Adam paused. “Are you mad at me for not picking you up?” Then Adam started to get annoyed. “And why haven’t you congratulated me yet? I might have a real part!” He felt his head throb-he was too fucked up for this.
“I’m sorry,” Tommy said. “I’m fucking up. I just wish I was with you now, so we could celebrate together. But instead we have to talk on the phone. I’m proud of you baby, I really am.” Adam felt himself relax just a little.
“I’d come get you if I wasn’t stoned,” Adam said, and he could hear how pathetic he sounded. No wonder Tommy seemed distant-he wasn’t being a good boyfriend. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m being a jerk.” Adam heard Tommy yawn. “I don’t work tomorrow, do you? If you come over, I promise I’ll have a key ready for you. Okay?” Adam could hear how tired Tommy was, but there was still some affection mixed in. Tommy didn’t sound as distant as he had before. “And I really am proud of you.”
“Get some sleep baby,” Adam said. “I’ll be there after work. Love you.” Adam stayed on the line to hear Tommy say it back and then he clicked off the phone. He stared at the ceiling, then went to the freezer and grabbed the ice cream, sticking a spoon right into the tub. When he was done with it, he went to bed, wishing his boyfriend was with him.
When Tommy woke up in the morning, he remembered last night’s conversation and groaned. His ankle had swollen overnight as well, so he generally felt like shit. He seemed to have good and bad days with that fucking injury. He got up and iced his ankle as he drank his coffee, and called his Mom. “Hey,” he said. “If you’re not busy, can we go out today? I have to run some errands.”
“Well…”his mother said, “I agreed to go to lunch with a friend, but I can come get you after. I want to see you anyway. How are you feeling?” Tommy shrugged, even though she couldn’t see it. “Are you all right? Are you and Adam-“
“We’re okay, it’s just my ankle.” Tommy struggled to sit up, leaning against the pillows. “I want to go get him a key for my apartment, mom. That’s one of the things I need to do. And, I need groceries.”
“Oh honey,” she said, and Tommy could hear the happiness in her voice. “I’m glad to hear that. Okay, I’ll pick you up at two, all right? And take care of your ankle.” Tommy said his goodbyes and then flopped back down. After a minute he got up, moving slowly, and grabbed his band to stretch his leg out.
His mom showed up when she said she would, and kissed him on the cheek. “Good, you’re ready to go You look nice today.” Tommy had to fight not to roll his eyes-he had skipped the products and his hair was flat instead of spiked up. Of course she thought he looked nice. “Now, should we get that key made?”
“Yes,” Tommy said. It’s past time, he thought. His mom held his hand as they went to the car, and he didn’t stop her. He was feeling better already. His mom started the car, and Tommy didn’t even complain once about her music. They were going to have a good day.
When they got back with a brand new key and a lot of bags of groceries, Tommy tried to get his mom to stay and have dinner. “Thank you honey, but no,” she said, kissing him again. “I have to go home-I have work early. You have a good night. And fix yourself something good to eat and not all those pizzas.” Tommy just laughed, because yeah, good luck with that.
After that, it was just a matter of waiting for Adam to come. He messaged him once, but he didn’t get a reply back. That wasn’t unusual for Adam on a work day, so he didn’t worry about it much. He stayed up as Dave went to bed early, and drank a couple of beers, waiting on his boyfriend.
About forty minutes later, he got a text. I’m coming baby. Stuck in traffic. Tommy smiled and punched in his reply.
It’s okay. I’ll see you when you get here. Tommy didn’t want to admit he was relieved, but that was how they were now-a couple of days of separation hurt. So he just finished his beer and stayed where he was. He could wait.
Tommy woke up when he heard the knocking, and stumbled to the door. He was a little drunker than he thought. When Adam was there, he hugged him immediately and Adam opened his arms to it. “I’m glad to see you,” Adam said. “There was a big wreck, and I’m glad one of those cars didn’t hit mine. I’m just glad to get here.”
“Whoa. Are you okay? What happened?” Tommy took Adam’s hand and guided him to the couch, barely remembering to shut the door behind them. “Fuck, that’s crazy. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was fine, and I didn’t want to worry you. But there was a pileup. Then there was a big traffic snarl. It sucked. I just wanted to see you. I’ve got something to tell you!” Adam kissed him then, and Tommy put a hand on the back of his neck. “I hope you didn’t worry.”
“No, you texted me and then I was fine.” Tommy smiled at him. “I got your key. But I’m really drunk so I can’t remember where I left it.” Adam laughed, and Tommy buried his face in Adam’s neck.
“We’ll find it tomorrow. Let me tell you. I got another call about the part!” Tommy felt Adam’s hand in his hair, pulling just a little.
“Yeah?” Tommy looked up at him. “Good news?”
“Yes, I got it.” Adam pulled back and Tommy smiled back and the huge grin on his boyfriend’s face. “I’m just-I’ve been waiting for something like this. I might be able to quit the park. I’m taking time away from it-I have a lot of saved vacation, just in case.” Adam hugged him again, and Tommy hugged him back.
“Baby, he said after a minute. “Baby, I’m so proud.” Tommy started crying then, just a little bit, and Adam tipped his face up. “You needed this,” Tommy said. “You need-we needed this.” He hugged Adam again. “I can’t believe it, you should have told me first!”
“I know!” Adam laughed then. “I’m gonna take you out soon. We need to celebrate. But right now I just want to take you to bed. And yeah, I should have, but I wanted you to know why I was late. Fuck baby…” Adam kissed him again, and then he got up, picking Tommy up from the couch. “Let’s go. I wanna fuck you before we both pass out.” Tommy held on as Adam carried him to the bed.
Tommy moaned when Adam has him naked on the bed, biting at his nipples. “It feels so good,” he says, and all the worries of the past couple of days leave him as Adam slid down and sucked his cock. “I wanna keep you,” he muttered and Adam had to pull off to laugh.
“You can keep me,” he said. “I’d like that. I’d like to keep you. It can be mutual.” Tommy moaned and put a hand on Adam’s shoulder, wanting his mouth back. Adam kissed his thigh, and in a soft voice said “You know I would.” Tommy sat up, wanting to answer that, but Adam’s mouth was on him again and he couldn’t think.
After both of them had come and Tommy was panting, held in Adam’s arms, he thought about the difference between the other night’s distance and how Adam was acting now. Maybe he just needed something good to happen, he thought, and then he wondered why he was thinking about this now. Adam rubbed at the crease between his eyes and said “Hey. Don’t worry. Everything’s good now. It’s a good night, okay?”
“Yeah,” Tommy said, looking up and smiling. “I’m so happy for you. I really am. I love you so much.” Adam’s eyes widened a little when he said it and Tommy wondered why. He’d said it so many times before, but Adam still needed to know. Tommy just put his head back on Adam’s chest and said “Stay tonight.”
“Okay,” Adam said, not pausing, and Tommy felt too much relief. “I love you too.” Adam curled around him. “I can’t wait for you to see the part I got. I think it’ll be really good. Do you need a ride to work tomorrow? I’m off.”
“Yes, and I can’t wait to see it too.” Tommy yawned. “I think I need to sleep. Goodnight.” He turned on his side and Adam spooned behind him. Tommy sighed, content and happy, and went to sleep.
When he woke up that morning, his bed was empty and he could smell coffee. He turned over, moaning, and started to get up. “Hey,” Adam said, and Tommy saw him coming with a coffee cup in one hand and a glass of water in the other. Tommy drained the water glass first, then started on the coffee. “Here you go, I’m going to get myself fixed up and take you to work. Oh, and I found that key you got for me. I’ll come over later and put some of my clothes here.” Tommy took the coffee and sipped it. This Adam was like night and day from the one who had left his apartment after they had talked. He wondered if he’d just imagined the distance.
But Brad had mentioned something about it, and he didn’t think that Brad had lied to him. He decided not to bring it up for now. “Thank you for the coffee,” he said. “But you just got a big part. Shouldn’t I be getting you things? I want to make you feel good.” Adam turned around and looked at him, seeming a little confused.
“But that does make me feel good,” he said. “And tomorrow, I’m taking you out before I’m too busy with rehearsals. We’re gonna have such a good time.” He picked his jeans off the floor and started to walk out the bedroom door. “Let’s take a shower when you’re done. And I’ll come get you tonight, don’t worry.”
Tommy watched him leave, and drank his coffee. He wondered if Adam was pulling away again by making it about him, or maybe he was just in a hurry. It might just be his version of how he got Adam up and moving when he was hungover. It had to be.
He finished his coffee and met Adam in the shower. Adam touched him the whole time, never taking a hand off his body, and Tommy relaxed. Adam might be a little strange, but it was okay. They were both okay. Tommy knew he’d have to talk to Adam again, but it could wait. Things were good.
Fandom: Adam Lambert
Pairing: Adam/Tommy, past Adam/Brad, past Tommy/Isaac
Author: i_amthecosmos
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 3,444
Summary: Tommy is confused by a conversation with Brad. But soon he forgets about it.
Warnings: Casual drug use.
Disclaimer: I made this up, and I make no profit from this fan fiction. I do not wish is to be Tweeted to anyone portrayed in the story. Thanks.
Thank you to qafaddiction for helping me with this story. I was stuck in a rut and she helped me out of it. Thank you!
When Tommy woke up, he checked his phone messages. There was one from Adam. Sorry, can’t pick you up today. See u tonite? Tommy sent an Okay back and started getting ready for work.
When he got there he went through the motions, only perking up when Anoop mentioned that his ankle seemed almost healed. “You’re not limping as badly. Are you still wrapping it?” Tommy shook his head. “Well, do it if you need to, but I’m glad you’re feeling better.” Tommy smiled and went on his break.
While he was eating his sandwich, his phone rang. He saw it was Adam’s number, and frowned. Wasn’t Adam here and working? “Hey honey,” he said.
“Hey. Um, I got a call-back today for this theater job I applied to and I had to call out of work. And I’m supposed to have dinner with the producer and…I won’t be able to pick you up.” Adam sounded so guilty that Tommy swallowed his disappointment at not seeing him that night.
“That’s okay. I mean, you have to get a role. It’ll get you out of here. So go for it. They should love you.” Tommy played with his Coke can. “I mean, break a leg. I’m totally rooting for you. Don’t worry, I can get home.”
“Thanks baby. I’m glad you understand. I gotta go now. I might not be able to see you tonight. I’m sorry about that.”
“Don’t be,” Tommy said, as if he didn’t miss Adam already, as if he didn’t to tell him that his leaving the night before left him feeling empty. “Don’t worry about me,” he said instead. “Love you. Go kill it.”
“Love you too,” Adam said, and then the call disconnected and Tommy stared down the rest of his sandwich. He pushed it away. Fuck it, I’m taking the bus again. He sighed and limped slightly on his way back to work. His ankle must have decided to swell up a little anyway. He needed to start wrapping it again. He stumbled through the rest of the day, on autopilot.
When he got out he looked for Adam immediately, in case he came to get him anyway. But of course Adam wasn’t there. He limped through the employee exits and heard a barely familiar “Hi” behind him. He turned and stared at Terrance’s smiling face.
“Hey honey.” Terrance was always a sweetheart, and Tommy couldn’t help but smile back. “Adam gonna pick you up?” Tommy shook his head and told him about the callback, and Terrance frowned. “You shouldn’t have to take the bus-it’s too long a trip. Maybe we can give you a ride.” Taylor appeared by his side then.
“I don’t know. We have to go by my old apartment tonight and move some of the boxes. I’m still not moved in. I can’t do it too late because of the neighbors.” Just then Brad passed by, and Taylor looked over at him, nervous. “Brad, do you know anyone who can take Tommy home?” Tommy was just thinking that Taylor was wise not to ask Brad to take him, when Brad looked at him and nodded once.
“Yeah, I can take you if you want. You’re not far from Adam are you? Get in the car. It won’t be that long.” Tommy was too shocked to argue and instead just followed Brad to his car, waving at Taylor and Terrance. “You’ll have to tell me where you live, of course.”
“Yeah,” Tommy said. “I’ll show you, it’s not hard.” They got in the car and didn’t say anything for a while, until Brad started to his LA and Tommy had to navigate for them. “Yeah, that’s the right exit,” he said, and tried not to feel uncomfortable as hell.
Brad put in some slow, quiet music and just drove for a while. “So your house, not Adam’s,” he said, voice matter of fact. “I still know where that is. I could drop you there if you have a key.” Tommy shook his head, and wondered why in the hell he didn’t have a key yet.
Brad let that go without comment, and most of the drive was silent except for Tommy giving directions. Then a song came on and Tommy started humming it, making Brad smile. “Goldfrapp”, he said. “They’re pretty amazing. I liked your performance, by the way. You were really good. I didn’t think I would have said this a few weeks ago, but I’d love to hear you play with Adam.”
“I’d love to, yeah,” Tommy said, but it made him think about the fight. “I need to see that crowd more, I guess. I didn’t have gigs for a long time.” He mentally kicked himself, he didn’t want to so much as hint at his problems with Isaac to Brad. It would just be too much information. Brad said nothing though, and Tommy relaxed. He fiddled with his phone while Brad drove. “I don’t know if I should text Adam,” he said. “I mean, he’s got that thing, and I don’t know if he’s home yet.”
“I guess call him when you get home,” Brad said. “He’s shit at driving and texting.” Brad turned down another street, getting closer to his place. “How’s your ankle now?” Tommy started a bit at the sudden subject change.
“It’s kind of sore, but thanks for asking. It comes and goes.” Tommy wondered if Brad just didn’t want to hear about Adam and him much at all. He wouldn’t blame him. “Hey, thanks for giving me a ride. I wasn’t expecting…well…”
“You were expecting Adam,” Brad said. “You know, I understand what an asshole I’ve been but really, it’s okay. You can talk about him.” Tommy shrugged because he really couldn’t. It was hard to talk to Adam, much less about him to his most prominent ex-boyfriend. Not to mention that he still wasn’t sure he trusted Brad at all. He didn’t say anything for a few minutes, and Brad didn’t comment.
“My place is the fourth on the left,” he said, and Brad slowed down. “Thanks a lot, really. Now I gotta call Adam.” The next thing out of his mouth was unplanned. “I hope he answers it.” He looked over at Brad. “Shit, I-he just-Um.“ He had no idea how to cover that one. “Sorry,” he said, although Brad didn’t look like he’d taken offense.
“He’s being a little hard to understand? It sounds like him.” Brad reached over and patted his arm. “I’m not in a position to give much advice. But call him anyway.” Then Tommy stumbled out of Brad’s car and waved as he pulled away. What the fuck was that about? He decided not to think about it and limped up the stairs. He had to call Adam.
He didn’t mean to, but he put off the call. First he iced his leg, then he got a beer and nuked some spaghetti left in the back of the fridge. With a handful of Cheddar melted on top, it was pretty good. He sat on the couch for a while, thinking things over. Then he got out his phone.
Adam was lying back on his couch smoking a joint when his phone rang. He fumbled with it a minute, then answered. “Hi,” he said. “Tommy? Hi. I think it went really great. I wish I could come and get you, but I’m high now.” Adam felt warm from the wine and the pot, and just wished his boy was here so he could hold him. “I wish you were here. I wanna hold you.” Okay, so his filter was shot.
“I didn’t know if I should ask for a ride to your place. Brad wound up taking me home.” That flat statement from Tommy made Adam’s mouth drop open, but then he continued. “Do you think you have the part? They took you out to dinner, right?”
“I…yeah. They did and we had a lot of wine and I’m on their shortlist to consider. And wait, Brad brought you home? Why?” That might’ve been a rude question to ask, since he didn’t actually know how well they were getting along. “I mean…”
“He was just being polite,” Tommy said. “Terrance saw me limping and was trying to get a ride for me, and Brad happened to be right there. So he was good enough to take me. We didn’t talk much.” Adam listened to Tommy’s tone, and he knew that Brad must have said something. Either that, or the pot was making him paranoid.
“So…everything’s okay? You guys didn’t fight or anything?” Adam tried to sit up and flopped back down on the couch, stoned and exhausted. “I mean, you are okay right?”
“I’m limping a little, but I’m okay,” Tommy said, and Adam could hear the tiredness in his voice. “Why haven’t we gotten keys to each other’s places yet?” Adam blinked-that was unexpected.
“Um. I don’t know. But we’ll do that. Are you…is there something you need to tell me?” Adam paused. “Are you mad at me for not picking you up?” Then Adam started to get annoyed. “And why haven’t you congratulated me yet? I might have a real part!” He felt his head throb-he was too fucked up for this.
“I’m sorry,” Tommy said. “I’m fucking up. I just wish I was with you now, so we could celebrate together. But instead we have to talk on the phone. I’m proud of you baby, I really am.” Adam felt himself relax just a little.
“I’d come get you if I wasn’t stoned,” Adam said, and he could hear how pathetic he sounded. No wonder Tommy seemed distant-he wasn’t being a good boyfriend. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m being a jerk.” Adam heard Tommy yawn. “I don’t work tomorrow, do you? If you come over, I promise I’ll have a key ready for you. Okay?” Adam could hear how tired Tommy was, but there was still some affection mixed in. Tommy didn’t sound as distant as he had before. “And I really am proud of you.”
“Get some sleep baby,” Adam said. “I’ll be there after work. Love you.” Adam stayed on the line to hear Tommy say it back and then he clicked off the phone. He stared at the ceiling, then went to the freezer and grabbed the ice cream, sticking a spoon right into the tub. When he was done with it, he went to bed, wishing his boyfriend was with him.
When Tommy woke up in the morning, he remembered last night’s conversation and groaned. His ankle had swollen overnight as well, so he generally felt like shit. He seemed to have good and bad days with that fucking injury. He got up and iced his ankle as he drank his coffee, and called his Mom. “Hey,” he said. “If you’re not busy, can we go out today? I have to run some errands.”
“Well…”his mother said, “I agreed to go to lunch with a friend, but I can come get you after. I want to see you anyway. How are you feeling?” Tommy shrugged, even though she couldn’t see it. “Are you all right? Are you and Adam-“
“We’re okay, it’s just my ankle.” Tommy struggled to sit up, leaning against the pillows. “I want to go get him a key for my apartment, mom. That’s one of the things I need to do. And, I need groceries.”
“Oh honey,” she said, and Tommy could hear the happiness in her voice. “I’m glad to hear that. Okay, I’ll pick you up at two, all right? And take care of your ankle.” Tommy said his goodbyes and then flopped back down. After a minute he got up, moving slowly, and grabbed his band to stretch his leg out.
His mom showed up when she said she would, and kissed him on the cheek. “Good, you’re ready to go You look nice today.” Tommy had to fight not to roll his eyes-he had skipped the products and his hair was flat instead of spiked up. Of course she thought he looked nice. “Now, should we get that key made?”
“Yes,” Tommy said. It’s past time, he thought. His mom held his hand as they went to the car, and he didn’t stop her. He was feeling better already. His mom started the car, and Tommy didn’t even complain once about her music. They were going to have a good day.
When they got back with a brand new key and a lot of bags of groceries, Tommy tried to get his mom to stay and have dinner. “Thank you honey, but no,” she said, kissing him again. “I have to go home-I have work early. You have a good night. And fix yourself something good to eat and not all those pizzas.” Tommy just laughed, because yeah, good luck with that.
After that, it was just a matter of waiting for Adam to come. He messaged him once, but he didn’t get a reply back. That wasn’t unusual for Adam on a work day, so he didn’t worry about it much. He stayed up as Dave went to bed early, and drank a couple of beers, waiting on his boyfriend.
About forty minutes later, he got a text. I’m coming baby. Stuck in traffic. Tommy smiled and punched in his reply.
It’s okay. I’ll see you when you get here. Tommy didn’t want to admit he was relieved, but that was how they were now-a couple of days of separation hurt. So he just finished his beer and stayed where he was. He could wait.
Tommy woke up when he heard the knocking, and stumbled to the door. He was a little drunker than he thought. When Adam was there, he hugged him immediately and Adam opened his arms to it. “I’m glad to see you,” Adam said. “There was a big wreck, and I’m glad one of those cars didn’t hit mine. I’m just glad to get here.”
“Whoa. Are you okay? What happened?” Tommy took Adam’s hand and guided him to the couch, barely remembering to shut the door behind them. “Fuck, that’s crazy. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was fine, and I didn’t want to worry you. But there was a pileup. Then there was a big traffic snarl. It sucked. I just wanted to see you. I’ve got something to tell you!” Adam kissed him then, and Tommy put a hand on the back of his neck. “I hope you didn’t worry.”
“No, you texted me and then I was fine.” Tommy smiled at him. “I got your key. But I’m really drunk so I can’t remember where I left it.” Adam laughed, and Tommy buried his face in Adam’s neck.
“We’ll find it tomorrow. Let me tell you. I got another call about the part!” Tommy felt Adam’s hand in his hair, pulling just a little.
“Yeah?” Tommy looked up at him. “Good news?”
“Yes, I got it.” Adam pulled back and Tommy smiled back and the huge grin on his boyfriend’s face. “I’m just-I’ve been waiting for something like this. I might be able to quit the park. I’m taking time away from it-I have a lot of saved vacation, just in case.” Adam hugged him again, and Tommy hugged him back.
“Baby, he said after a minute. “Baby, I’m so proud.” Tommy started crying then, just a little bit, and Adam tipped his face up. “You needed this,” Tommy said. “You need-we needed this.” He hugged Adam again. “I can’t believe it, you should have told me first!”
“I know!” Adam laughed then. “I’m gonna take you out soon. We need to celebrate. But right now I just want to take you to bed. And yeah, I should have, but I wanted you to know why I was late. Fuck baby…” Adam kissed him again, and then he got up, picking Tommy up from the couch. “Let’s go. I wanna fuck you before we both pass out.” Tommy held on as Adam carried him to the bed.
Tommy moaned when Adam has him naked on the bed, biting at his nipples. “It feels so good,” he says, and all the worries of the past couple of days leave him as Adam slid down and sucked his cock. “I wanna keep you,” he muttered and Adam had to pull off to laugh.
“You can keep me,” he said. “I’d like that. I’d like to keep you. It can be mutual.” Tommy moaned and put a hand on Adam’s shoulder, wanting his mouth back. Adam kissed his thigh, and in a soft voice said “You know I would.” Tommy sat up, wanting to answer that, but Adam’s mouth was on him again and he couldn’t think.
After both of them had come and Tommy was panting, held in Adam’s arms, he thought about the difference between the other night’s distance and how Adam was acting now. Maybe he just needed something good to happen, he thought, and then he wondered why he was thinking about this now. Adam rubbed at the crease between his eyes and said “Hey. Don’t worry. Everything’s good now. It’s a good night, okay?”
“Yeah,” Tommy said, looking up and smiling. “I’m so happy for you. I really am. I love you so much.” Adam’s eyes widened a little when he said it and Tommy wondered why. He’d said it so many times before, but Adam still needed to know. Tommy just put his head back on Adam’s chest and said “Stay tonight.”
“Okay,” Adam said, not pausing, and Tommy felt too much relief. “I love you too.” Adam curled around him. “I can’t wait for you to see the part I got. I think it’ll be really good. Do you need a ride to work tomorrow? I’m off.”
“Yes, and I can’t wait to see it too.” Tommy yawned. “I think I need to sleep. Goodnight.” He turned on his side and Adam spooned behind him. Tommy sighed, content and happy, and went to sleep.
When he woke up that morning, his bed was empty and he could smell coffee. He turned over, moaning, and started to get up. “Hey,” Adam said, and Tommy saw him coming with a coffee cup in one hand and a glass of water in the other. Tommy drained the water glass first, then started on the coffee. “Here you go, I’m going to get myself fixed up and take you to work. Oh, and I found that key you got for me. I’ll come over later and put some of my clothes here.” Tommy took the coffee and sipped it. This Adam was like night and day from the one who had left his apartment after they had talked. He wondered if he’d just imagined the distance.
But Brad had mentioned something about it, and he didn’t think that Brad had lied to him. He decided not to bring it up for now. “Thank you for the coffee,” he said. “But you just got a big part. Shouldn’t I be getting you things? I want to make you feel good.” Adam turned around and looked at him, seeming a little confused.
“But that does make me feel good,” he said. “And tomorrow, I’m taking you out before I’m too busy with rehearsals. We’re gonna have such a good time.” He picked his jeans off the floor and started to walk out the bedroom door. “Let’s take a shower when you’re done. And I’ll come get you tonight, don’t worry.”
Tommy watched him leave, and drank his coffee. He wondered if Adam was pulling away again by making it about him, or maybe he was just in a hurry. It might just be his version of how he got Adam up and moving when he was hungover. It had to be.
He finished his coffee and met Adam in the shower. Adam touched him the whole time, never taking a hand off his body, and Tommy relaxed. Adam might be a little strange, but it was okay. They were both okay. Tommy knew he’d have to talk to Adam again, but it could wait. Things were good.