The Big Gamble (Part Six)
Part Six:
“Nurse Taylor?”
“Yes Dr. Oliver?”
“The patient in room 425 needs a new IV. He apparently didn’t like his and decided to pull it out. I already called housekeeping to clean up the blood. You might want to get a couple orderlies to go in there with you though and restrain the patient before you start.”
“Yes sir,” she said before scampering.
“Well look at you being all doctorly,” Katie said grinning. He was about to say something insulting when he saw her approaching with what looked to be two coffees, one of which his verbal backlashing would take a backseat to if it happened to be for him. “Caramel Latte extra shot and whip,” she said knowingly. “You’re welcome.”
He took the cup and raised it to her in thanks before taking a long, drawn out drink. “You came all this way just to bring me coffee,” said Reid, while knowing that there must be another reason for the unexpected visit.
“You have time to talk for a bit?”
“I guess. I just have to check on another patient first. Take this,” he handed her the coffee, “and meet me in my office. Here are my keys, my secretary isn’t here today and don’t go through any of my files. You do and I’ll have you arrested.”
“Yes sir!” she saluted before marching away.
Reid rolled his eyes and whispered a little prayer while walking in the other direction.
“Okay, so what is this about?” he inquired when he returned fifteen minutes later.
“Luke,” she replied as she drawled out the ‘L’.
“What about him?” he asked over the lid of his cup.
“I heard you two were at the Hospital Fundraiser together two nights ago.”
“This town is way too small,” he huffed in annoyance.
“My sister’s the Chief of Police. She had some of her men working it, so she was also in attendance. Big events in Oakdale usually never go smoothly and from what she told me nothing caught fire and no one was shot or came back from the dead, so all in all a great night.”
“Wonderful,” Reid said sarcastically.
“Imagine my shock though when she mentioned that she saw Luke Snyder walking around, hand in hand with the doctor that took over the hospital for Bob.”
Reid shrugged and continued to sip on his coffee. “I already told you that we’d be ‘dating’,” he said using the quote on quote hand gesture on the actual word. “None of this should come as a surprise to you.”
“Yeah, but I thought that the two of you would only act like a couple whenever Noah was going to be somewhere, but you took him to a function at your job? Your job that is like….the most important thing in the world to you. And…” she said loudly, “you two were holding hands; in front of other people. Colleagues of yours and donors and other important townspeople. I mean for god’s sake, they’re all going to assume you’re dating a board member’s grandson for like….perks or something. Especially when he’s half your age.”
“Hold on,” Reid said quickly. “What board member? And half my age? Are you kidding me? I’m only ten years older than him.”
“Semantics. And I’m going to assume you’ve met Lucinda Walsh?”
“THAT’s Luke’s grandmother? Jesus Christ, she has bigger balls than most men I’ve slept with.”
“Can you see now why I was shocked when Margo told me that you two were there together? Since when does Luke trying to make Noah jealous equate to you bringing him to one of your work functions?”
“We’re trying to make this whole dating thing look real to everybody that way it’s more convincing to the brain dead oaf. Luke never mentioned his grandmother being on the board to the hospital. Oh my God, it’s going to look like I’m stooping her grandson for my own personal gain to other hospital personnel.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Shit.”
“Lucinda’s out of town right now on business, at least according to Lily. I wonder how she’ll react when she hears the news.”
“You know what. It’s fine.”
“It is?” she said disbelievingly.
“Yes. It is. Who cares what other people think anyway. I’ve never given a crap about other’s people’s opinions. They can think what they want to. At the end of the day, I’m their boss and as for the board, what are they going to do about it? They’re not going to fire me, not when they don’t have any legitimate replacement and also the fact that Memorial has had a rise in patient’s seen and revenue since I’ve started. My name is worth more than petty hospital gossip. And as for Lucinda Walsh, she’s a formidable opponent, but I can take whatever she throws me. So, fuck ‘em.”
Katie looked slightly impressed. “You’re sure going through a lot of trouble for someone you barely know.”
Reid shrugged looking non-committal. “I’m a man of my word. I told him I’d go along with it, so I am. Besides…..he’s easy to look at. Like I told you before, who am I to pass on a little free side action.”
Katie laughed. “You’re delusional if you think Luke is actually going to do anything with you.”
“We’ll see.”
“You’re not playing him, are you Reid because really, he doesn’t deserve that.”
“I’ve already told him I want him Katie. He laughs along with it like it’s some joke, but I know he can tell I’m serious.”
She took a deep breath. “Okay then. When’s the next time you’re seeing each other?”
“We’re having dinner tonight at Al’s.”
“Romantic,” she dead-panned.
“Who needs romance when you have cornbread and chili?”
“You look nice tonight,” Luke said. He was looking over at Reid as they walked through Old Towne. Reid had on a pair of simple dark jeans and a black V-neck sweater.
“Thank you.”
He looked over at Luke, who was dressed rather similarly in his own pair of jeans; his a little lighter and a not-quite-as-white sand crew neck sweater. “You’re not so bad either.”
“Rather fuckable?” Luke said bluntly.
Reid stopped and stared intently at Luke, feeling slightly unaware as to how to proceed.
“Sorry,” Luke shook his head quickly. “It’s just you’re always saying……it was supposed to be a joke. I’m….I’m sorry.” He moved to start walking forward without Reid before the older man, grabbed onto his arm, stopping him.
“Don’t apologize,” Reid replied seriously. “I’ve just never heard you speak so bluntly. Just surprised me….and also turned me on.”
“Oh,” Luke said suddenly feeling shy.
“And for the record, very fuckable. Always actually.”
“Right,” Luke licked his lips unable to look away. Reid found himself drawn to the movement before moving his eyes back to Luke’s. Neither of them moved for a moment until Reid decided to break their little staring contest and grabbed Luke’s hand, pulling him along to continue their walk. When they got to the door at Al’s, Reid opened it and ushered Luke inside. They wound up sitting in the corner; Luke booth side and Reid, table side, quickly ordering when the waitress came over to ask what they wanted.
“How was work?” Luke asked breaking the silence.
“It was typical. Whining patients and incompetent nurses. You know, the usual.”
“Your people skills are considerably lacking. I hope you’re aware of that fact.”
“I am,” he said unaffected.
“We should probably work on those sometimes. If you want to keep your job that is. The board tends to like a happy staff.”
Reid raised his eyebrows in amusement. “You want to play doctor with me?”
Luke blushed. Something he found himself doing constantly around the older man. “Shut up,” he murmured. Reid smiled and suddenly before he knew what was happening, Luke found him pressed against his side and Reid’s fingers tickling the base of his neck. “What are you doing?” he asked breathing heavily.
“Shhhh…..” Reid tilted Luke’s head just enough to where he could plant a kiss right below his jaw. Luke, unable to stop the shocked, yet desperate sound coming from the back of his throat. “Noah just came out of the bathroom,” Reid whispered against his skin. At that, Luke’s eyes snapped open and out of the corner of his eye he could see the familiar dark haired figure, but before he was really able to come into focus, Luke’s eyes rolled back as he felt Reid’s tongue lap against his neck and his teeth sink down, teasing and nibbling the sensitive flesh. In that moment, Noah’s presence became a blur and all he felt or sensed was Reid. Reid, Reid, Reid.
It wasn’t until Reid pulled away and looked at him when he realized that he had been saying Reid’s name out loud. He looked down to find his own hand clutching Reid’s shirt. His sweater rumpled below his squeezing fist. He pulled his eyes away from his hand to look at Reid, whose own eyes were filled with lust, but before Luke could question anything he noticed that Reid was no longer staring at him, but looking in front of their table. At Noah. Noah, whose hands were clenched around the top of what was now Reid’s vacant seat. The skin was pulled tight around his extra white knuckles and he looked like the grip on the chair was the only thing keeping him from punching someone.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” he hissed.
“Noah,” Luke said carefully.
“I can’t believe you would cheat on me….with him!”
“You don’t even know him. And I’m not cheating on you,” Luke snapped. “You lost me, remember? That was your choice.”
“For God’s sake Luke, you were supposed to go out with him a couple of times just to get the stupid thing over with, not hop in his bed.”
“Hey!” Reid said forcefully. “What he does or what we do for that matter is none of your business.”
“It is when you’re stealing my boyfriend!”
“Have you lost your hearing Noah? I’m not your boyfriend anymore.”
“Please. It’s only a matter of time before we get back together. How many times have we done this already Luke? Is it because I’m not giving you enough attention so you’ve decided to be someone’s boy toy for awhile because that’s all it is. He’ll just use you and as soon as he’s had enough, he’ll toss you aside and you’ll come running back….”
“And let me guess,” Reid interrupted, “you’ll forgive him.”
“Yes. I will. Because that’s what you do when you love someone Dr. Oliver.”
“Except for the fact that he has nothing to apologize for,” Reid shot back. “Maybe if you weren’t such a moron and decided to gamble away the “person you love” then you would still have a boyfriend right now instead of just having to watch me with mine,” he smirked.
Noah’s jaw clenched and the fire in his eyes was unlike something Luke had ever seen from him. Before he could even react, Noah had grabbed at Reid, holding him in a standing position by the front of his shirt and swung his fist. The fist, coming in contact with Reid’s left eye, sent him stumbling back against the booth, nearly landing on top of Luke.
“Reid,” Luke whimpered. His voice was shaky, emotions mixed with between being terrified that Reid was really hurt and shocked that Noah could actually hit someone.
Luke vaguely heard the chair across the table scraping the tiled floor of the diner while Noah pushed it away and made his exit, but he was too distracted by the sight of Reid holding his hand against the side of his face.
“Reid.”
“I’m okay.”
“No you’re not. He punched you.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time something like that has happened, believe it or not.”
“I don’t care,” he shook his head. “It’s the first time I’ve seen it. We need to get you some ice. Just hold still and I’ll be right back.”
“You didn’t have to invite me in.”
“Of course I did. Besides, the ice we got from Al’s is all melted.”
“I have ice at my apartment you know.”
“I’m sorry,” he said ashamed. “I’m probably being completely overbearing and of course you’d rather just go home.”
“Hey.” Reid walked the short distance from Luke’s living room into his open kitchen. “You don’t have anything to apologize for. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to take care of me because you feel guilty.”
“But it is my fault. If I hadn’t come up with this stupid plan, then you wouldn’t have a giant bruise covering your face right now. And it didn’t even work. He’s still just waiting to take me back. He doesn’t even care.”
Reid pointed to his face. “I think he cares a little more than he lets on.”
Luke shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about him anymore.” He grabbed an ice pack out of the freezer. “Come on,” he motioned to the next room. Once they were settled on the couch, Luke held the pack to Reid’s eye, earning a wince in return. “And I like to take care of people. Sometimes I just don’t know how to stop. Not a very good quality.”
“I don’t know. I kind of like it.”
“Yeah?” he looked at Reid not really sure if the man was serious or not.
“Yeah. I’ve never had anyone really take care of me before. At least not like this. Professionally, yes. But, never personally.”
Luke slowly lowered the ice pack. He had a strange feeling in the pit of stomach at the thought of Reid never having someone to care for him. How could no one ever…? He bit his lip in contemplation, then glanced at Reid again.
“What’s up?” he asked tucking a strand of hair behind Luke’s ear. “I can practically see the wheels spinning in there.”
“Nothing. Just……” He leaned forward, gently placing his hands on either side of Reid’s face. He brought his mouth closer and Reid’s breathing hitched as he felt Luke’s pillowy soft lips brush against the bruise that swept from his eye across his cheek. His lips lingered as he kissed away the pain. Reid, sat there completely frozen. The idea of someone being so gentle and caring with him. It was a tad overwhelming.
When Luke detached himself, he didn’t completely move away. His warm breath flitted across Reid’s cheek. He used his hand to turn Reid’s head, to where they were just inches apart. Luke looked lustfully between Reid’s lips and eyes, giving silent permission for him to do something Reid had been asking for since nearly the beginning, but instead, the older man just shook his head. “I should go.”
Luke looking almost panicked, grabbed at Reid’s hand. “Stay.”
“I can’t. I’m sorry, but I have an early surgery scheduled tomorrow.”
Luke, not quite wanting the night to end yet, scooted a little closer to Reid, brushing his nose against Reid’s cheek, waiting for him to connect their lips, but instead of Reid’s lips connecting with his own, they did something unexpected and kissed Luke’s cheek instead. He let his lips linger the same way as Luke’s had, but then he pulled away and made to stand up. Before he could walk but five feet, Luke called his name. Turning around he could see Luke take a deep breath, before he asked a question Reid would have normally otherwise called him an idiot for. You know. If it hadn’t been for Luke nearly melting his brain and making him feel things with something other than his dick.
“Would you like to go on a date with me?”
“That’s…..what we’ve been doing.” He looked confused and Luke silently berated himself for not being specific enough the first time.
“No, I meant. Umm…..” he tugged on his ear and Reid’s growing heart still couldn’t stop him from rolling his eyes at Luke’s embarrassment.
“For the love of God Snyder, don’t get all shy and cute on me now.”
“You think I’m cute?”
“Luke!”
“Right. Umm….what I meant to say was. Would you like to go out on a date with me….for real. A real date.”
“But……..”
“Look. I’m…..God I’m crap at this okay? I’ve only ever had one boyfriend and as we’ve discussed before it wasn’t exactly the most healthiest relationship of all time and I know that. I knew that actually……even before you. I just didn’t…when you love someone you’re supposed to fight for them and…..what Noah did tonight was not okay. That’s not how I wanted him to fight for me. I just wanted him to finally think ‘Hey. I love Luke. He matters to me and we’ll be fine as long as we’re always there for each other and work together’ but…..that’s just….not him.”
“You love him,” Reid said simply.
“Yes. I do. I always will. With everything we’ve been through….I will always love him, but we’re not together. And I don’t want to have to try and make him love me the way I want to be loved. I don’t want to try and make him jealous because then it’s still all about him. I want to live my life for me….for once and….” He took another deep breath and stepped forward. “I like you, Reid. I really do. And I know you’re attracted to me. You’ve never kept that secret and I know this was just supposed to be some short term thing and you only wanted to get some action out of it, which kind of throws me off because I was practically just throwing myself at you, at least that was the Luke Snyder version of throwing themselves at someone and you didn’t even kiss me. You haven’t yet despite having multiple opportunities to so I’m not actually sure where your head is at when it comes to all of this….”
“Luke. Luke, you’re babbling.”
“M’not really sure what else to do,” he murmured.
“Just ask me,” Reid said simply.
“Do you like me? As in more than just something pretty for you to look at because if you do, I’m asking you out on a date. You’re officially relieved of any duties from here on out, but I’d like to spend more time with you. But only if you want to.”
Reid hesitated just slightly before speaking. “Are you doing anything Saturday?”
“Saturday? No. No, I’m free. After breakfast.”
“I have a consultation that morning. You can pick me up from the hospital at noon. I’ll leave the planning to you.”
Luke looked surprised and tried to keep the grin off his face….unsuccessfully of course. “Okay. It’s a date.”
“Yes. It is.”
NEXT
“Nurse Taylor?”
“Yes Dr. Oliver?”
“The patient in room 425 needs a new IV. He apparently didn’t like his and decided to pull it out. I already called housekeeping to clean up the blood. You might want to get a couple orderlies to go in there with you though and restrain the patient before you start.”
“Yes sir,” she said before scampering.
“Well look at you being all doctorly,” Katie said grinning. He was about to say something insulting when he saw her approaching with what looked to be two coffees, one of which his verbal backlashing would take a backseat to if it happened to be for him. “Caramel Latte extra shot and whip,” she said knowingly. “You’re welcome.”
He took the cup and raised it to her in thanks before taking a long, drawn out drink. “You came all this way just to bring me coffee,” said Reid, while knowing that there must be another reason for the unexpected visit.
“You have time to talk for a bit?”
“I guess. I just have to check on another patient first. Take this,” he handed her the coffee, “and meet me in my office. Here are my keys, my secretary isn’t here today and don’t go through any of my files. You do and I’ll have you arrested.”
“Yes sir!” she saluted before marching away.
Reid rolled his eyes and whispered a little prayer while walking in the other direction.
“Okay, so what is this about?” he inquired when he returned fifteen minutes later.
“Luke,” she replied as she drawled out the ‘L’.
“What about him?” he asked over the lid of his cup.
“I heard you two were at the Hospital Fundraiser together two nights ago.”
“This town is way too small,” he huffed in annoyance.
“My sister’s the Chief of Police. She had some of her men working it, so she was also in attendance. Big events in Oakdale usually never go smoothly and from what she told me nothing caught fire and no one was shot or came back from the dead, so all in all a great night.”
“Wonderful,” Reid said sarcastically.
“Imagine my shock though when she mentioned that she saw Luke Snyder walking around, hand in hand with the doctor that took over the hospital for Bob.”
Reid shrugged and continued to sip on his coffee. “I already told you that we’d be ‘dating’,” he said using the quote on quote hand gesture on the actual word. “None of this should come as a surprise to you.”
“Yeah, but I thought that the two of you would only act like a couple whenever Noah was going to be somewhere, but you took him to a function at your job? Your job that is like….the most important thing in the world to you. And…” she said loudly, “you two were holding hands; in front of other people. Colleagues of yours and donors and other important townspeople. I mean for god’s sake, they’re all going to assume you’re dating a board member’s grandson for like….perks or something. Especially when he’s half your age.”
“Hold on,” Reid said quickly. “What board member? And half my age? Are you kidding me? I’m only ten years older than him.”
“Semantics. And I’m going to assume you’ve met Lucinda Walsh?”
“THAT’s Luke’s grandmother? Jesus Christ, she has bigger balls than most men I’ve slept with.”
“Can you see now why I was shocked when Margo told me that you two were there together? Since when does Luke trying to make Noah jealous equate to you bringing him to one of your work functions?”
“We’re trying to make this whole dating thing look real to everybody that way it’s more convincing to the brain dead oaf. Luke never mentioned his grandmother being on the board to the hospital. Oh my God, it’s going to look like I’m stooping her grandson for my own personal gain to other hospital personnel.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Shit.”
“Lucinda’s out of town right now on business, at least according to Lily. I wonder how she’ll react when she hears the news.”
“You know what. It’s fine.”
“It is?” she said disbelievingly.
“Yes. It is. Who cares what other people think anyway. I’ve never given a crap about other’s people’s opinions. They can think what they want to. At the end of the day, I’m their boss and as for the board, what are they going to do about it? They’re not going to fire me, not when they don’t have any legitimate replacement and also the fact that Memorial has had a rise in patient’s seen and revenue since I’ve started. My name is worth more than petty hospital gossip. And as for Lucinda Walsh, she’s a formidable opponent, but I can take whatever she throws me. So, fuck ‘em.”
Katie looked slightly impressed. “You’re sure going through a lot of trouble for someone you barely know.”
Reid shrugged looking non-committal. “I’m a man of my word. I told him I’d go along with it, so I am. Besides…..he’s easy to look at. Like I told you before, who am I to pass on a little free side action.”
Katie laughed. “You’re delusional if you think Luke is actually going to do anything with you.”
“We’ll see.”
“You’re not playing him, are you Reid because really, he doesn’t deserve that.”
“I’ve already told him I want him Katie. He laughs along with it like it’s some joke, but I know he can tell I’m serious.”
She took a deep breath. “Okay then. When’s the next time you’re seeing each other?”
“We’re having dinner tonight at Al’s.”
“Romantic,” she dead-panned.
“Who needs romance when you have cornbread and chili?”
“You look nice tonight,” Luke said. He was looking over at Reid as they walked through Old Towne. Reid had on a pair of simple dark jeans and a black V-neck sweater.
“Thank you.”
He looked over at Luke, who was dressed rather similarly in his own pair of jeans; his a little lighter and a not-quite-as-white sand crew neck sweater. “You’re not so bad either.”
“Rather fuckable?” Luke said bluntly.
Reid stopped and stared intently at Luke, feeling slightly unaware as to how to proceed.
“Sorry,” Luke shook his head quickly. “It’s just you’re always saying……it was supposed to be a joke. I’m….I’m sorry.” He moved to start walking forward without Reid before the older man, grabbed onto his arm, stopping him.
“Don’t apologize,” Reid replied seriously. “I’ve just never heard you speak so bluntly. Just surprised me….and also turned me on.”
“Oh,” Luke said suddenly feeling shy.
“And for the record, very fuckable. Always actually.”
“Right,” Luke licked his lips unable to look away. Reid found himself drawn to the movement before moving his eyes back to Luke’s. Neither of them moved for a moment until Reid decided to break their little staring contest and grabbed Luke’s hand, pulling him along to continue their walk. When they got to the door at Al’s, Reid opened it and ushered Luke inside. They wound up sitting in the corner; Luke booth side and Reid, table side, quickly ordering when the waitress came over to ask what they wanted.
“How was work?” Luke asked breaking the silence.
“It was typical. Whining patients and incompetent nurses. You know, the usual.”
“Your people skills are considerably lacking. I hope you’re aware of that fact.”
“I am,” he said unaffected.
“We should probably work on those sometimes. If you want to keep your job that is. The board tends to like a happy staff.”
Reid raised his eyebrows in amusement. “You want to play doctor with me?”
Luke blushed. Something he found himself doing constantly around the older man. “Shut up,” he murmured. Reid smiled and suddenly before he knew what was happening, Luke found him pressed against his side and Reid’s fingers tickling the base of his neck. “What are you doing?” he asked breathing heavily.
“Shhhh…..” Reid tilted Luke’s head just enough to where he could plant a kiss right below his jaw. Luke, unable to stop the shocked, yet desperate sound coming from the back of his throat. “Noah just came out of the bathroom,” Reid whispered against his skin. At that, Luke’s eyes snapped open and out of the corner of his eye he could see the familiar dark haired figure, but before he was really able to come into focus, Luke’s eyes rolled back as he felt Reid’s tongue lap against his neck and his teeth sink down, teasing and nibbling the sensitive flesh. In that moment, Noah’s presence became a blur and all he felt or sensed was Reid. Reid, Reid, Reid.
It wasn’t until Reid pulled away and looked at him when he realized that he had been saying Reid’s name out loud. He looked down to find his own hand clutching Reid’s shirt. His sweater rumpled below his squeezing fist. He pulled his eyes away from his hand to look at Reid, whose own eyes were filled with lust, but before Luke could question anything he noticed that Reid was no longer staring at him, but looking in front of their table. At Noah. Noah, whose hands were clenched around the top of what was now Reid’s vacant seat. The skin was pulled tight around his extra white knuckles and he looked like the grip on the chair was the only thing keeping him from punching someone.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” he hissed.
“Noah,” Luke said carefully.
“I can’t believe you would cheat on me….with him!”
“You don’t even know him. And I’m not cheating on you,” Luke snapped. “You lost me, remember? That was your choice.”
“For God’s sake Luke, you were supposed to go out with him a couple of times just to get the stupid thing over with, not hop in his bed.”
“Hey!” Reid said forcefully. “What he does or what we do for that matter is none of your business.”
“It is when you’re stealing my boyfriend!”
“Have you lost your hearing Noah? I’m not your boyfriend anymore.”
“Please. It’s only a matter of time before we get back together. How many times have we done this already Luke? Is it because I’m not giving you enough attention so you’ve decided to be someone’s boy toy for awhile because that’s all it is. He’ll just use you and as soon as he’s had enough, he’ll toss you aside and you’ll come running back….”
“And let me guess,” Reid interrupted, “you’ll forgive him.”
“Yes. I will. Because that’s what you do when you love someone Dr. Oliver.”
“Except for the fact that he has nothing to apologize for,” Reid shot back. “Maybe if you weren’t such a moron and decided to gamble away the “person you love” then you would still have a boyfriend right now instead of just having to watch me with mine,” he smirked.
Noah’s jaw clenched and the fire in his eyes was unlike something Luke had ever seen from him. Before he could even react, Noah had grabbed at Reid, holding him in a standing position by the front of his shirt and swung his fist. The fist, coming in contact with Reid’s left eye, sent him stumbling back against the booth, nearly landing on top of Luke.
“Reid,” Luke whimpered. His voice was shaky, emotions mixed with between being terrified that Reid was really hurt and shocked that Noah could actually hit someone.
Luke vaguely heard the chair across the table scraping the tiled floor of the diner while Noah pushed it away and made his exit, but he was too distracted by the sight of Reid holding his hand against the side of his face.
“Reid.”
“I’m okay.”
“No you’re not. He punched you.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time something like that has happened, believe it or not.”
“I don’t care,” he shook his head. “It’s the first time I’ve seen it. We need to get you some ice. Just hold still and I’ll be right back.”
“You didn’t have to invite me in.”
“Of course I did. Besides, the ice we got from Al’s is all melted.”
“I have ice at my apartment you know.”
“I’m sorry,” he said ashamed. “I’m probably being completely overbearing and of course you’d rather just go home.”
“Hey.” Reid walked the short distance from Luke’s living room into his open kitchen. “You don’t have anything to apologize for. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to take care of me because you feel guilty.”
“But it is my fault. If I hadn’t come up with this stupid plan, then you wouldn’t have a giant bruise covering your face right now. And it didn’t even work. He’s still just waiting to take me back. He doesn’t even care.”
Reid pointed to his face. “I think he cares a little more than he lets on.”
Luke shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about him anymore.” He grabbed an ice pack out of the freezer. “Come on,” he motioned to the next room. Once they were settled on the couch, Luke held the pack to Reid’s eye, earning a wince in return. “And I like to take care of people. Sometimes I just don’t know how to stop. Not a very good quality.”
“I don’t know. I kind of like it.”
“Yeah?” he looked at Reid not really sure if the man was serious or not.
“Yeah. I’ve never had anyone really take care of me before. At least not like this. Professionally, yes. But, never personally.”
Luke slowly lowered the ice pack. He had a strange feeling in the pit of stomach at the thought of Reid never having someone to care for him. How could no one ever…? He bit his lip in contemplation, then glanced at Reid again.
“What’s up?” he asked tucking a strand of hair behind Luke’s ear. “I can practically see the wheels spinning in there.”
“Nothing. Just……” He leaned forward, gently placing his hands on either side of Reid’s face. He brought his mouth closer and Reid’s breathing hitched as he felt Luke’s pillowy soft lips brush against the bruise that swept from his eye across his cheek. His lips lingered as he kissed away the pain. Reid, sat there completely frozen. The idea of someone being so gentle and caring with him. It was a tad overwhelming.
When Luke detached himself, he didn’t completely move away. His warm breath flitted across Reid’s cheek. He used his hand to turn Reid’s head, to where they were just inches apart. Luke looked lustfully between Reid’s lips and eyes, giving silent permission for him to do something Reid had been asking for since nearly the beginning, but instead, the older man just shook his head. “I should go.”
Luke looking almost panicked, grabbed at Reid’s hand. “Stay.”
“I can’t. I’m sorry, but I have an early surgery scheduled tomorrow.”
Luke, not quite wanting the night to end yet, scooted a little closer to Reid, brushing his nose against Reid’s cheek, waiting for him to connect their lips, but instead of Reid’s lips connecting with his own, they did something unexpected and kissed Luke’s cheek instead. He let his lips linger the same way as Luke’s had, but then he pulled away and made to stand up. Before he could walk but five feet, Luke called his name. Turning around he could see Luke take a deep breath, before he asked a question Reid would have normally otherwise called him an idiot for. You know. If it hadn’t been for Luke nearly melting his brain and making him feel things with something other than his dick.
“Would you like to go on a date with me?”
“That’s…..what we’ve been doing.” He looked confused and Luke silently berated himself for not being specific enough the first time.
“No, I meant. Umm…..” he tugged on his ear and Reid’s growing heart still couldn’t stop him from rolling his eyes at Luke’s embarrassment.
“For the love of God Snyder, don’t get all shy and cute on me now.”
“You think I’m cute?”
“Luke!”
“Right. Umm….what I meant to say was. Would you like to go out on a date with me….for real. A real date.”
“But……..”
“Look. I’m…..God I’m crap at this okay? I’ve only ever had one boyfriend and as we’ve discussed before it wasn’t exactly the most healthiest relationship of all time and I know that. I knew that actually……even before you. I just didn’t…when you love someone you’re supposed to fight for them and…..what Noah did tonight was not okay. That’s not how I wanted him to fight for me. I just wanted him to finally think ‘Hey. I love Luke. He matters to me and we’ll be fine as long as we’re always there for each other and work together’ but…..that’s just….not him.”
“You love him,” Reid said simply.
“Yes. I do. I always will. With everything we’ve been through….I will always love him, but we’re not together. And I don’t want to have to try and make him love me the way I want to be loved. I don’t want to try and make him jealous because then it’s still all about him. I want to live my life for me….for once and….” He took another deep breath and stepped forward. “I like you, Reid. I really do. And I know you’re attracted to me. You’ve never kept that secret and I know this was just supposed to be some short term thing and you only wanted to get some action out of it, which kind of throws me off because I was practically just throwing myself at you, at least that was the Luke Snyder version of throwing themselves at someone and you didn’t even kiss me. You haven’t yet despite having multiple opportunities to so I’m not actually sure where your head is at when it comes to all of this….”
“Luke. Luke, you’re babbling.”
“M’not really sure what else to do,” he murmured.
“Just ask me,” Reid said simply.
“Do you like me? As in more than just something pretty for you to look at because if you do, I’m asking you out on a date. You’re officially relieved of any duties from here on out, but I’d like to spend more time with you. But only if you want to.”
Reid hesitated just slightly before speaking. “Are you doing anything Saturday?”
“Saturday? No. No, I’m free. After breakfast.”
“I have a consultation that morning. You can pick me up from the hospital at noon. I’ll leave the planning to you.”
Luke looked surprised and tried to keep the grin off his face….unsuccessfully of course. “Okay. It’s a date.”
“Yes. It is.”
NEXT