Fabrication (16/27)
Luke’s head was bowed as he walked into the hotel. It had been something like 38 hours since he left Reid’s bedroom, and he was starting to feel a little crazy. His conversation with Casey last night hadn’t helped. When he told Casey that what had happened between Reid and him was casual, and that they weren’t in a relationship or anything, Casey had laughed. For five solid minutes. Luke had stood up and walked out of the living room, slamming his bedroom door shut. He could still hear Casey laughing even then, though.
He was kind of getting sick of his friends treating him like a child just because he wasn’t as experienced as the rest of them. Maybe they all had had relationships and lots of sex, but Luke had traveled the world and ran a business and a foundation. So there.
Luke sighed, looking up as he entered the lounge. He stumbled as his eyes immediately connected with Reid’s. Luke paused for a moment and then continued walking, approaching the table.
“Ah, Luke,” Bob said, and Luke plastered a smile on his face. “This is Mona Cross, with the Chicago Tribune.”
Luke engaged in pleasantries as he shook hands with Mona and sat down next to Bob. He risked a glance at Reid. “Dr. Oliver,” he added.
Reid nodded, not quite meeting his eyes. “Mr. Snyder.”
The conversation continued, and Luke was actually quite proud of himself. He slipped into his businessman/philanthropist persona almost effortlessly, giving supportive quotes whenever he was called upon for them. And then he started having to pitch in more, as every attempt by Reid to participate ended in awkward smiles and hopefully-inadvertent insults against Oakdale, Memorial, and the doctors employed there. After one particularly bad comment, Luke glared at Reid, who immediately shut up and drummed his fingers against the table.
Mona turned to Luke. “Why do you think Memorial is the right place for this wing, Mr. Snyder?”
“Memorial is a fine institution, Ms. Cross, and the doctors who work there are extraordinarily passionate and committed to the patients and the community,” Luke said, forcing a smile. “It’s more than a business, and medicine is more than a science. I’m speaking from personal experience, of course, because I grew up here and ended up in the hospital more than once! I can’t imagine a better place for such a facility.”
After that, the meeting went relatively smoothly, if only because Reid stopped even trying to talk and just focused on the food in front of him. Luke only kept half his attention on the conversation though. The other half was furiously thinking about Reid’s comments. He was starting to acknowledge something: Reid didn’t like Oakdale. He didn’t like Memorial. He would be going back to Dallas, a real city with a real hospital, as soon as possible. He would operate on Noah and then he would be gone, just like before. Whatever happened between them wasn’t just casual. It was also temporary. Luke had to remember that, no matter what.
Eventually, the interview wrapped up. All four of them stood as they said goodbye, and then Bob started to lead them away from the table.
“I think I’ll stay here for one more drink,” Reid said, pointedly not looking at Luke. “Ms. Cross, it was nice to meet you.”
They shook hands, and Luke watched them carefully. Bob and Mona started walking, but Luke could not make his feet move. The other two turned to him, somewhat confused, and Luke smiled awkwardly.
“There’s actually something I wanted to…discuss with Dr. Oliver, so - ”
Reid gave him a small and knowing smile, nodding as he sat back down, and Luke faced Bob and Mona again. Luke reached out, shaking the woman’s hand. He said goodbye to Bob, not even noticing the twinkle in the older man’s eye. Once they were out of the lounge, Luke exhaled slowly, resting one hand on his stomach. Then he turned, and took his seat across the table from Reid. He glanced up, and Reid smirked at him. Luke looked back at the table again, blushing.
“So how are you?” Reid asked softly.
Luke sighed. “I wish you would stop asking me that. I’m fine,” he said, perhaps sounding more exasperated than he intended. He just was really starting to hate feeling like he needed to be treated with kid gloves here.
Reid didn’t say anything for a moment. “OK.” He breathed in, leaning back in his seat and glancing around for the bartender. When he caught the man’s eyes, he held up one finger, then pointed between him and Luke. The bartender nodded.
They were silent for a few moments, Luke looking everywhere but at Reid and starting to regret the rash decision to stay here alone with him. He was completely startled when a fresh Coke appeared in front of him. He glanced at it, then looked up at Reid. Reid was taking a sip of his drink, but he hadn’t taken his eyes off Luke. Luke gulped.
“You’re good at that, Mr. Snyder,” Reid commented.
Luke furrowed his brow. “Good at what?”
Reid gestured. “You know…social networking and things.”
“You mean having a civil conversation?” Luke asked, smirking.
“Mm,” Reid agreed, lifting his eyebrows as he took another sip.
“You’re really not,” Luke observed sarcastically. Reid nodded in self-deprecating acknowledgement.
“Good thing you were here to cover for me then, Mr. Snyder.”
“Oh my God,” Luke said, dropping his head forward. “Are you serious?”
“What?”
“Mr. Snyder.”
Reid grinned. “What would you prefer? Luciano?”
Luke swallowed and looked away. “I’ve asked you not to call me that.”
“Why not? It’s who you are.”
“No. It’s not.”
“Denial doesn’t make it go away. Why not accept that part of you and twist it to your advantage?”
“Because I don’t want to. Because I’m not like you. I don’t like being mean to people. I don’t like being cold and - and friendless.”
“Oh, come on. Everyone in this town loves you, despite your unfortunate parentage.”
Luke laughed bitterly, shaking his head. “Do you know how hard it is in this town to find anyone - teachers, friends, potential partners, whatever - who looks past the Grimaldi name? Or for that matter, the Snyder or Walsh name? Life in a small town can be extraordinarily frustrating.”
“I’ve noticed. But you choose to stay.”
Luke looked up. “It is my home,” he said emphatically. “I’ve told you that before.”
“Then you’re a masochist.”
“Yeah, well. You watch the Cubs.”
Reid leaned forward. “What you don’t seem to realize is that you, tonight, here…that was the Grimaldi in you too. Using charm and a position of money, power and influence to accomplish what you want, to get people to do what you want, whether it’s that woman going to print a story about your fantastic new wing or just getting me to stop talking. You have done so many amazing things with your foundation and your company and your life just because you’re so damn stubborn and goal-oriented. Tell me that isn’t even slightly a Grimaldi trait.”
“Snyders are stubborn too. And if you think a Walsh can’t get things done, you haven’t met my grandmother.”
Reid laughed exasperatedly, looking down as he shook his head. Then he lifted his eyes again, staring at Luke hungrily. Luke felt his heart rate pick up.
“I bet I could make you like it.”
“What?” Luke asked, barely above a whisper.
“I bet I could make you beg me to call you it,” Reid elaborated, his voice low and gravelly.
Luke pursed his lips and swallowed thickly. A half-smile appeared at the edges of Reid’s mouth. He lifted his glass and took one more drink. Then he reached in his back pocket, took out his wallet and threw a few bills on the table. He stood and walked over to Luke’s side of the table, but Luke was still staring at the money, unable to process what was happening. Reid held his hand out invitingly.
Luke stood abruptly. He grabbed Reid’s hand and led him quickly out of the lounge.
**
OK, Reid thought to himself. Technically, he had planned to wait until Luke made the next move. But it was like his mouth was working without his brain’s permission, and Luke certainly seemed amenable to the idea, so...
Luke was walking quickly, and as soon as they entered the lobby, he turned toward the front door. Reid stopped, tugging back on Luke’s hand. Luke spun, slightly losing his balance. Then he stared questioningly at Reid.
“Where are you going?” Reid asked.
Luke looked confused. “My car?”
Reid grinned, pulling Luke until their chests were almost touching. “We’re in a hotel,” he reminded Luke softly.
Luke didn’t say anything out loud, but his eyes were more than expressive as Reid’s implication set in. “Oh. Right,” he finally replied.
Luke glanced at the host behind the counter, a blush forming high on his cheeks. Reid watched him for a moment, remembering that Luke’s mother co-owned this hotel and this was a small town and Luke probably knew all the employees, their spouses and their kids. Reid smiled.
“Wait here,” he requested.
Luke looked at him, his expression equal parts desire and gratitude. Reid dropped his hand, stepping away from him. He walked up to the desk and quickly completed the transaction. He didn’t want to give Luke too much time to reconsider or second-guess what was happening here. When he made it back to Luke, though, he realized his worries were probably unfounded. Luke’s eyes were wide, and his breathing was rapid, and Reid had a sneaking suspicion that if his pants weren’t quite so loosely-tailored…
Reid licked his lips, smiling at the way Luke’s eyes focused on the action. He took Luke’s hand again and led him to the elevator.
Continued