The Brain vs The Heart - A Battle Royale
Chapter 24
Luke and Reid spent their morning researching leading nephrologists around the country. Luke was surprised just how exacting the process would be. There were very specific things Reid was looking for which Luke never would have even thought of. Every half hour or so Reid had to take a five minute break to fill a plate with some form of junk food. “Fuel for his brain” he said. For Luke, it meant he’d have to make yet another run to the grocery store once Reid went back to Dallas that night. Thank god I’m rich because otherwise I’d never afford to feed this guy.
Once they had the list narrowed down to six, it was Reid who made the calls. He knew his inquiries into their availability and request for a consultation would at least be considered, out of professional courtesy to him if nothing else. Reid enjoyed throwing his proverbial weight around, and this was so much better because it was for someone he really cared about. He made arrangements with four of the six doctors for them to expect copies of Luke’s medical records for evaluation. The other two actually wanted to see Luke in person, as soon as something could be scheduled.
As Reid spent his time on the phone berating hospital operators into putting his calls through, Luke used the time to reflect on the turn his life had taken. He found the entire morning overwhelming, and Reid kept saying that it was only the beginning. Luke had never considered being so proactive in his own health care. Before Reid, it never occurred to him that his transplanted kidney and the life he led because of it would affect the man he was with. Noah certainly hadn’t seemed to care. Just one more thing to add to the list of reasons Noah clearly wasn’t ‘the one’. Although overwhelmed, he knew he was lucky to have Reid come into his life.
Luke was used to being the one to worry about those around him, but he honestly took his own health for granted. Even with the scare he’d had a few years ago because of the drinking, he never considered the fact he might not stay alive long enough to grow old in this town he grew up in.
What Reid was making him face scared him a little. He preferred blissful ignorance to informed fear. Or, at least he used to. He hoped he was better equipped to handle this situation now than he would have been six months ago. He’d grown up a lot since then, and had given up on many of his boyish ideologies.
Luke knew it started with Holden being sent to prison. Having to watch Holden go through the extradition and incarceration made him start looking at his own life more critically. The drama that had always existed between his parents, he finally realized, wasn’t normal. And, he saw the same drama being played out in many ways in his own relationship. He and Noah returned to their normal pattern of fighting and Luke feeling guilty, giving in and Noah belittling his feelings. It was the same things he had seen from one or both of his parents off and on for years. It was Holden finally being sent to prison because of the unhealthy addiction his parents seemed to have for each other that made Luke realize he needed to make some changes or end up exactly the same way.
It took him over three months to find the courage and believe in himself enough to be on his own. But, looking back now, he was so thankful he had managed to find it. That decision, the first one he had every really made just for himself led him to Reid. The bold move to break up with Noah and make the life altering move out of his mother’s place had caused quite a chain reaction. He was sober, he was strong, and, he was dating a brilliant doctor who was now helping to ensure that he stay healthy enough for a very long life.
Reid hung up the phone for the last time and made more notes on the papers he had spread out in front of him. “Ok, I think I’m done for now. The next step is up to you Luke.”
“Got it. Four sets of medical records to send in the morning, and two appointments to make as soon as possible.”
“Everything ok? You look a bit… I don’t know what.”
Luke walked over to run his hand through Reid’s hair and leave it on the back of his neck. He kissed Reid with affection. “I’m a bit overwhelmed honestly, but I trust you, and I know this is important to you, so it’s important to me too.”
“I think maybe you deserve a special reward for, well, all of this.”
Luke smiled at Reid. When he saw the expression of pure lust on his face Luke began to get an idea of what his reward just might include. “You’re right. I definitely deserve something very special.”
“Oh, you have no idea.”
----
Luke and Reid lay sprawled out on the floor of the living room looking around, trying to find their underwear. Neither had the energy at the moment to physically get up to search so instead they just stayed there, naked, hoping not to get cold.
“Well, it wasn’t the kitchen table, but I guess it will have to do until my next visit” Reid chirped while looking longingly toward the other room.
“Reid, I’m over here you idiot. At least pretend to be interested in me for like five more minutes before raiding the refrigerator again.”
Reid could hear the laughter in Luke’s voice so he didn’t even bother to turn. Instead he whined “but I’m hungry.”
Luke smirked at the back of Reid’s head and rolled his eyes. “Of course you are. I’ve taken a back seat to many things in my life, but never food” he said with a sigh.
Reid did turn at that comment. “Luke Snyder, don’t be such a drama queen. I just fucked you three ways from Sunday and gave you what I know is the best blowjob you have ever received. Now, quit feeling sorry for yourself and go get your man some sustenance.”
Luke leaned over and kissed Reid. He was still so full of joy after what Reid didn’t know absolutely had been the best blowjob he had ever received. He felt like he practically glowed. “Fine your majesty, what do you want?” Luke finally made it to his feet and stepped over Reid to head toward the kitchen. Reid slapped his ass on the way by replying “surprise me.”
----
The two of them sat on the couch, fully clothed, Reid’s suitcase sitting by the door. They didn’t have too much longer before they had to go to the airport so Luke’s jet could return Reid to Dallas.
“I know you’re on until Sunday, maybe I could come down, just for the day?”
“It’s going to be a long week, add to it a double shift Thursday since it’s Thanksgiving and for some reason people want to be with their families or some such nonsense. I’ll be horrible company by Sunday I’m sure but yeah, I want you there if you want to come. Listen Luke, there is something else I need to talk to you about.” Reid debated the best way to broach the subject that had been festering in the back of his brain for the last thirty six hours or so. “So, being Richie Rich and everything, you don’t happen to have a seat on the hospital board do you?”
“Not exactly.”
“What exactly does not exactly mean?”
“Well, my grandmother Lucinda has one, but I’m holding her proxy because she is living in Baltimore at the moment.”
As much as he loath to get involved in any drama that would detract from his time with Luke, Reid knew he needed to. Reid didn’t give a rat’s ass about Doogie, but he knew Luke would. He trusted Luke to know what the right thing to do was, with the information he was about to provide. “I see. Ok, well as board member by proxy I think there is something you need to know.”
As he began to relay the story of what he initially saw with Chris Hughes when he’d been in the hospital for Ethan’s checkup Luke got agitated. He interrupted once to shout “and he wanted to be responsible for Ethan’s care after the accident? That complete ass.” Reid smirked at his heated response and waited as Luke let out a huge sigh. “Yeah, yeah, ok, I’m sorry. Finish what you were saying.”
He finished with that day and got to the more troubling stuff. It was when Reid told him about the encounter in the hospital room during Luke’s kidney appointment that Luke spoke again. “He was doing what?”
“Dosing himself with a high powered antibiotic.”
“Is that legal?”
“Gray area….but in my opinion completely unethical. I would expect the Illinois medical board would likely agree with me on that. At the very least he shouldn’t be practicing medicine if he’s really that sick.”
“I’ll sue him, him and Memorial.” Reid raised an eyebrow. He didn’t doubt for one second Luke could make the place crumble if he really wanted to. Luke sat silent for a couple of minutes then turned to Reid with a sheepish grin. “Knee jerk reaction….when my family is threatened or needs help I tend to let the Grimaldi side come out in full force.”
Reid let out a laugh at that. “I remember.”
Luke stammered. He suddenly felt very guilty. “I didn’t mean I consider Noah a member of the family….I was just…..”
“Luke, it’s ok. You have a past. I have a past. We can’t pretend we don’t. Besides, without him we never would have met so I really ought to be sending him a thank you card or something.”
Luke relaxed visibly. A small smile spread across his face. “Yeah, you do that. I’m sure that would go over big.”
Reid looked at Luke with growing humor. “You secretly mean that don’t you? You’d like him to know you’ve moved on with someone who’s clearly far more brilliant and better looking than he is.”
“Not to mention way, way better in bed right?” Luke said giggling.
“Of course. And just for the record, I think your Grimaldi side is hot, even when it’s directed at me.”
Luke leaned over and gave Reid a series of the sweetest kisses the older man had ever received. After he leaned back he shook his head as if trying to refocus. “Ok, back to the problem with Chris. If it were you, what would you do?”
“I’d tell my super rich, ultra powerful boyfriend and let him take care of it.”
“Seriously Reid.”
“I am being serious. Luke, I don’t want to get involved in this mess, honestly. First of all, I don’t live in Oakdale or work at Memorial so I’m not invested like you are. Second, knowing how panicked he looked when I left him if I bring attention to it he’s going to use all his energy trying to discredit me instead of getting the help he probably needs. Third, I honestly can’t stand the guy. I like you and you know how abrupt I can be with you sometimes. Can you imagine how much worse I would be with that idiot?”
“What if I have other questions or I need your help? I’ve had my own issues with Chris the last couple of months.”
“I trust you can handle him. I’m much more afraid of you than I am of him.”
“Awww, you say the sweetest things sometime.”
“I do, don’t I.”
“You know what I don’t understand?”
“What’s that?”
“How is it possible that all the people who are around Chris everyday have no idea what is going on with him but it took you no time at all to figure it out?
“Other than my brilliance you mean? I’m sure he’s doing whatever he can to hide it from his family. The people who work at that hospital are another story. Someone there definitely should have noticed something. The place is overflowing with morons I guess.”
“I’m beginning to believe you. Ok, we better get you out of here. You have a plane to catch.”
“Ride with me to the airport.”
“Of course. I fully intent to make out with you the entire ride.”
----
Luke’s already full lips were even more plump now for the assault Reid has put them through on the ride over. He licked them and noticed the low hmmm that came from Reid. “So, I’ll see you Sunday then?”
“This sucks.”
“Yep, it does. I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too Luke.”
Let’s split this chapter… Damn Doogie bringing it down again…. Brain 8 ½, Heart 15 ½