The Big Gamble (Part Seven)
Part Seven:
When Saturday came Luke walked through the halls of Memorial happily swinging his arms back and forth. He had a date with Reid. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so excited for something. Lately the thought of Reid made his insides flip. It was even more present every time he looked in a mirror because there on his neck (which he discovered while getting ready for bed the night of the punch) was a hickie. Left by Reid. Luke never really thought before that he’d be the type to actually like having a hickie, but he was wrong. He’d never actually had one before. Maybe it was a bit of nostalgia since it’s the first time it’s ever happened, but there was something else that told him it was because it was from Reid. Reid had marked him and with that one line, a slew of fantastically dirty images popped into Luke’s brain and continued to stay there and play over and over again; only going stagnant when he was in the company of others.
Such as now as he noticed his grandmother quickly approaching and looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
“Grandmother!” Luke hoped he sounded enthusiastic. “It’s good to see you. How was your trip?”
“Just dreadful darling. I was in Italy, surrounded by young hot men; the smoldering and brooding types. Or at least I thought they were, but I couldn’t even convince one of them to marry me with a pre-nup in the three weeks that I was there. Either I’m losing my touch or men are getting smarter. I’m not sure which one is worse.” Luke shook his head fondly, while he noticed his grandmother’s gaze zoom onto his neck. “Now what, pray tell is this?” she said fascinated. “I’ve never seen one of these on you before.”
“Grandmother,” Luke blushed.
Lucinda chuckled that laugh that was distinctly hers. As a child, Luke always thought it sounded a mixture of amusement and something demonic, but that was just grandmother and he loved her.
“Just what have I missed?” she said slowly. “You and your young fellow have never had….what are the kids calling it these days? ‘Love Bites?’ Don’t be ashamed darling. There’s nothing wrong with spicing up the bedroom. In all honesty, you’ve been a little wound tight for awhile. There’s nothing wrong with a good f---.”
“Grandmother!” Luke scolded as someone behind Lucinda cleared their throat. Luke looked behind her to see Reid standing there having clearly heard what Lucinda was about to say. “Oh my God, this is so embarrassing,” he muttered.
“Dr. Oliver,” Lucinda acknowledged noticing the new arrival as the reason for her grandson covering his face with his hands and rubbing profusely at it. “Darling,” she said reaching up and lowering Luke’s hands. “Don’t do that, you’ll get wrinkles,” she chided.
Reid snorted and caused Lucinda to turn back around. “Did you need something Dr. Oliver or are you just continuing to stare at my backside for fun. It’s amazing I know.” She grabbed at her butt and gave it a squeeze. “I paid enough for it,” she murmured under her breath.
“You’re not really my type.”
“Not old enough for you?”
“There’s a difference between being old and being the crypt keeper.”
“Reid!” Luke gasped. “Oh my…..grandmother he did not mean it!”
“It’s okay my dear sweet boy. He can’t help it. After all, everyone knows that Gingers don’t have souls.”
Reid almost smiled but somehow succeeded in keeping it at bay. “Well while I would love to debate my soul or lack there of, I have a date and I’m sure you’re late for an appointment. By the way, Plastics is on the 9th floor. I wasn’t sure if the Alzheimers had kicked in yet or not.”
“Oh this is a disaster,” Luke groaned.
“Luciano why on earth are you having a panic attack. We’re just having a friendly conversation. What’s got your knickers in a twist?”
“This is you two being friendly? I can only imagine what happens if you two get on the wrong side of each other.”
Lucinda waved her hand dismissively. “As long as he keeps doing his job then we don’t have a problem. By the way Dr. Oliver, I’m paying you to work, not to run off in the middle of the day for a booty call.”
“I’m pretty sure there will be no ass involved. Is there?” he said looking at Luke.
“Why are you……” Lucinda trailed off turning back and forth between the two. “Seriously,” she addressed Luke now, “Just what the hell has been going on while I’ve been gone.”
“Well……..” Luke looked up trying to come up with something to say when Reid began ranting.
“Long story short, there was a poker game, Noah lost, I won and now Luke is going out with me.”
“I’m sorry…..poker? What does that…..darling, you’re going to have to fill in some gaps for me here.”
“Grandmother,” he sighed, pulling her away from Reid and dropping his voice. “It’s fine. Really. All you need to know for now is that Noah and I aren’t together anymore and Reid and I…..well…….”
“You have a date.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re a willing participant in this date?” she asked skeptically.
“Very much so. In fact, I’m the one that asked him out.”
“Well.” She pulled at the scarf that was draped loosely around her neck, rubbing her chest slightly. “You know I always want what’s best for you darling. And if you want my opinion Dr. Oliver is rather dishy. If I was a little younger….and a little more male, I would definitely take a ride.”
“Grandmother…..we both know you wouldn’t care about the age difference.”
“No, but apparently he would,” she winked at Luke. “If he does anything though to upset you, I will have him fired and castrated in less than an hour and don’t think I can’t do it.”
“I know you could. And thank you but I don’t think that will be necessary.”
“Hmm,” she hummed knowingly. “Fine then. Go and get your young man and Luke?”
“Yeah?”
“I’ll expect a visit from you tomorrow to explain this whole situation to me.”
Luke nodded before walking away back to Reid. “That was a disaster,” he huffed.
“I thought it went pretty well.”
“You practically told my grandmother she was decaying by the minute.”
He shrugged before falling into step with Luke. He laced their fingers together, earning a bright smile at the gesture from Luke before it slid into a look of disbelief.
“And I can’t believe my grandmother watches South Park.”
Luke sighed heavily as he watched Reid get yet another hole in one. “You know, if I knew that you would be good at this I would’ve never have picked it.”
“I’m good at everything Mr. Snyder. When will you learn?”
“There has to be something you suck at.”
Reid opened his mouth for a witty retort before Luke shot him a playful glare. “Don’t. Whatever you’re about to say. Just…..don’t.” He smiled and shook his head as Reid just stood there looking amused.
“You know me so well,” he said teasingly.
Luke smiled again before stepping up to take his turn. “For someone so good at it, you didn’t seem very excited that this was what I picked out for us to do.”
Reid shrugged. “It’s just so……cute.”
“Cute?” Luke replied indignantly.
“Yeah. It’s just so cutesy. Are we going to get an ice cream cone afterward too?”
“If I recall, you’ve already taken me for ice cream Dr. Oliver. Was that you being cute?”
“I am not…..cute.”
“I don’t know,” Luke sighed dramatically. “Kinda pretty cute to me.”
Reid snorted. “Remind me to help you work on your pick up lines. We can practice when we play doctor,” he winked. “And for your information, I’ve never actually played miniature golf before.”
“You’re shitting me.”
“Such language.”
“There’s no way you’ve never played before.”
“It’s true.”
Luke shook his head. “Unbelievable,” he murmured. He lined up his shot and watched as it went right past the hole and bounced off the back, not winding up anywhere near the target. He groaned and looked at Reid pitifully who was trying his hardest not to laugh at Luke’s lack of skill.
“Shut up.”
“So you’ve never been golfing,” Luke said later as they sat on a bench in Old Towne. After their game, they had driven back into town and decided to walk around for awhile, enjoying the fresh air. They eventually made their way to Java and wound up sitting right outside just enjoying each other’s company. “What do you do for fun?”
“Brain surgery.”
Luke laughed. “That’s work.”
“My work is fun.”
“But what do you do when you’re not working? Surely you have to leave the hospital sometimes. I know I can’t be the only reason for you to ever venture outside its doors.”
Reid shrugged. “I work on papers; medical journals, research. That kind of stuff.”
“But that’s still work,” Luke pointed out. “There has to be something. Hmmm….let’s see.” He tapped his finger against his chin, looking pensively. “Bowling?”
Reid shook his head.
“Dancing?”
No again.
“Ice skating?”
Reid gave him a look that said ‘are you for real?’
“Okay. No on the skating. What about a favorite restaurant?”
“More of a take out man,” he replied contemplatively.
“Wow. You are a sad, sad little man,” Luke adorably teased.
“I haven’t really found anything to hold my interest,” he defended. “Except for chess….and you.”
“You play chess!?” Luke buzzed excitedly.
“That’s the part you catch on to?” Reid looked incredulous.
“I play chess too,” Luke said ignoring him. “We should play sometime.”
Reid hummed in agreement.
Luke fiddled with his empty cup and bit his lip. Looking up, he asked quietly, “Do I really hold your interest?”
Reid silently laughed and shook his head causing Luke’s shoulders to slump. The older man grabbed both of their cups and threw them in a nearby trash before grabbing Luke’s hand and tugging him up.
The ride in the car was silent as they drove to Luke’s. Reid kept stealing glances whenever he thought Luke wasn’t looking, which was most of the time. The younger man having visibly deflated, was currently intently staring out the window.
Luke couldn’t help but to think of how foolish he had been. He knew that Reid was attracted to him and he had agreed to go on a date with him, but Luke had to remember that he probably had agreed to it out of lust, thinking something would happen between the two of them afterward. Besides physically, of course Luke didn’t really hold Reid’s attention. Reid was a doctor; a neurosurgeon for Christ sake’s. While Luke ran a successful foundation, he didn’t start it with his own money. Or at least money that he had earned. No, it was given to him. ‘God Reid must think I’m pathetic’ he thought.
“You didn’t have to walk me up,” Luke said after they had reached his door. Once they arrived at his building, Reid got out, shocking Luke and opened his door for him before he could protest. He walked him all the way up to his front door, where they were currently standing.
“I wanted to,” Reid said simply.
“Reid….uhm….I don’t…….”
“Luke. Look at me.”
Luke lifted his head, looking scared while attempting not to in front of Reid. Schooling his features though didn’t seem to be working as Reid looked like he could tell every thought he was having. He cupped Luke’s cheek in an attempt to reassure him and Luke leaned into the touch instinctively, looking almost like a kitten nuzzling its mother.
“You’re enough to hold anyone’s interest. And anyone who doesn’t see that is an idiot, including you. I don’t know how to make you see it. I can’t believe you don’t already, but….I’m going to try.”
Luke’s breath hitched as Reid leaned in, the latter’s thumb still moving smoothly along his cheek and then…..there it was. Reid’s lips pressed against his, so gently, like the touch of a feather. His lips tingled instantly, causing him to somewhat gasp and Reid took the opportunity to card his fingers through the back of Luke’s hair, bringing him slightly closer and tilting his head to deepen the kiss. His lips, now pressed firmer, worked solidly against Luke’s, melting perfectly together. By the time they moved away, Luke had his hands clasped in the back of Reid’s shirt, arms fitting perfectly around Reid’s waist. Their lips bruised and spit shined. Luke grinned before going back in and kissing Reid chastely one more time, biting his lower lip playfully as he moved away.
“You kissed me,” he said awestruck. “What took you so long?”
“When I kissed you I wanted it to be about you wanting me to kiss you for yourself, not anyone else.”
Luke shivered. “Good plan. Reid?” he questioned licking his lips. “What does this mean? What are we?”
“Must you make everything so complicated Mr. Snyder?” he said thumbing at Luke’s chin. He tried to roll his eyes, but Luke could see the amusement shining through them. “We’re….dating…..together…..we’re whatever you want to be Luke.”
Luke shook his head in disbelief. “I’m not sure how or why this is happening….”
“Hey. No getting down on yourself.”
“I’m not,” he said. “I’m not trying to anyway. I’m just saying…..I like this. Us. I don’t really quite know what to do with it all, but I really, really like it.”
“I really kind of like it too.”
NEXT
When Saturday came Luke walked through the halls of Memorial happily swinging his arms back and forth. He had a date with Reid. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so excited for something. Lately the thought of Reid made his insides flip. It was even more present every time he looked in a mirror because there on his neck (which he discovered while getting ready for bed the night of the punch) was a hickie. Left by Reid. Luke never really thought before that he’d be the type to actually like having a hickie, but he was wrong. He’d never actually had one before. Maybe it was a bit of nostalgia since it’s the first time it’s ever happened, but there was something else that told him it was because it was from Reid. Reid had marked him and with that one line, a slew of fantastically dirty images popped into Luke’s brain and continued to stay there and play over and over again; only going stagnant when he was in the company of others.
Such as now as he noticed his grandmother quickly approaching and looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
“Grandmother!” Luke hoped he sounded enthusiastic. “It’s good to see you. How was your trip?”
“Just dreadful darling. I was in Italy, surrounded by young hot men; the smoldering and brooding types. Or at least I thought they were, but I couldn’t even convince one of them to marry me with a pre-nup in the three weeks that I was there. Either I’m losing my touch or men are getting smarter. I’m not sure which one is worse.” Luke shook his head fondly, while he noticed his grandmother’s gaze zoom onto his neck. “Now what, pray tell is this?” she said fascinated. “I’ve never seen one of these on you before.”
“Grandmother,” Luke blushed.
Lucinda chuckled that laugh that was distinctly hers. As a child, Luke always thought it sounded a mixture of amusement and something demonic, but that was just grandmother and he loved her.
“Just what have I missed?” she said slowly. “You and your young fellow have never had….what are the kids calling it these days? ‘Love Bites?’ Don’t be ashamed darling. There’s nothing wrong with spicing up the bedroom. In all honesty, you’ve been a little wound tight for awhile. There’s nothing wrong with a good f---.”
“Grandmother!” Luke scolded as someone behind Lucinda cleared their throat. Luke looked behind her to see Reid standing there having clearly heard what Lucinda was about to say. “Oh my God, this is so embarrassing,” he muttered.
“Dr. Oliver,” Lucinda acknowledged noticing the new arrival as the reason for her grandson covering his face with his hands and rubbing profusely at it. “Darling,” she said reaching up and lowering Luke’s hands. “Don’t do that, you’ll get wrinkles,” she chided.
Reid snorted and caused Lucinda to turn back around. “Did you need something Dr. Oliver or are you just continuing to stare at my backside for fun. It’s amazing I know.” She grabbed at her butt and gave it a squeeze. “I paid enough for it,” she murmured under her breath.
“You’re not really my type.”
“Not old enough for you?”
“There’s a difference between being old and being the crypt keeper.”
“Reid!” Luke gasped. “Oh my…..grandmother he did not mean it!”
“It’s okay my dear sweet boy. He can’t help it. After all, everyone knows that Gingers don’t have souls.”
Reid almost smiled but somehow succeeded in keeping it at bay. “Well while I would love to debate my soul or lack there of, I have a date and I’m sure you’re late for an appointment. By the way, Plastics is on the 9th floor. I wasn’t sure if the Alzheimers had kicked in yet or not.”
“Oh this is a disaster,” Luke groaned.
“Luciano why on earth are you having a panic attack. We’re just having a friendly conversation. What’s got your knickers in a twist?”
“This is you two being friendly? I can only imagine what happens if you two get on the wrong side of each other.”
Lucinda waved her hand dismissively. “As long as he keeps doing his job then we don’t have a problem. By the way Dr. Oliver, I’m paying you to work, not to run off in the middle of the day for a booty call.”
“I’m pretty sure there will be no ass involved. Is there?” he said looking at Luke.
“Why are you……” Lucinda trailed off turning back and forth between the two. “Seriously,” she addressed Luke now, “Just what the hell has been going on while I’ve been gone.”
“Well……..” Luke looked up trying to come up with something to say when Reid began ranting.
“Long story short, there was a poker game, Noah lost, I won and now Luke is going out with me.”
“I’m sorry…..poker? What does that…..darling, you’re going to have to fill in some gaps for me here.”
“Grandmother,” he sighed, pulling her away from Reid and dropping his voice. “It’s fine. Really. All you need to know for now is that Noah and I aren’t together anymore and Reid and I…..well…….”
“You have a date.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re a willing participant in this date?” she asked skeptically.
“Very much so. In fact, I’m the one that asked him out.”
“Well.” She pulled at the scarf that was draped loosely around her neck, rubbing her chest slightly. “You know I always want what’s best for you darling. And if you want my opinion Dr. Oliver is rather dishy. If I was a little younger….and a little more male, I would definitely take a ride.”
“Grandmother…..we both know you wouldn’t care about the age difference.”
“No, but apparently he would,” she winked at Luke. “If he does anything though to upset you, I will have him fired and castrated in less than an hour and don’t think I can’t do it.”
“I know you could. And thank you but I don’t think that will be necessary.”
“Hmm,” she hummed knowingly. “Fine then. Go and get your young man and Luke?”
“Yeah?”
“I’ll expect a visit from you tomorrow to explain this whole situation to me.”
Luke nodded before walking away back to Reid. “That was a disaster,” he huffed.
“I thought it went pretty well.”
“You practically told my grandmother she was decaying by the minute.”
He shrugged before falling into step with Luke. He laced their fingers together, earning a bright smile at the gesture from Luke before it slid into a look of disbelief.
“And I can’t believe my grandmother watches South Park.”
Luke sighed heavily as he watched Reid get yet another hole in one. “You know, if I knew that you would be good at this I would’ve never have picked it.”
“I’m good at everything Mr. Snyder. When will you learn?”
“There has to be something you suck at.”
Reid opened his mouth for a witty retort before Luke shot him a playful glare. “Don’t. Whatever you’re about to say. Just…..don’t.” He smiled and shook his head as Reid just stood there looking amused.
“You know me so well,” he said teasingly.
Luke smiled again before stepping up to take his turn. “For someone so good at it, you didn’t seem very excited that this was what I picked out for us to do.”
Reid shrugged. “It’s just so……cute.”
“Cute?” Luke replied indignantly.
“Yeah. It’s just so cutesy. Are we going to get an ice cream cone afterward too?”
“If I recall, you’ve already taken me for ice cream Dr. Oliver. Was that you being cute?”
“I am not…..cute.”
“I don’t know,” Luke sighed dramatically. “Kinda pretty cute to me.”
Reid snorted. “Remind me to help you work on your pick up lines. We can practice when we play doctor,” he winked. “And for your information, I’ve never actually played miniature golf before.”
“You’re shitting me.”
“Such language.”
“There’s no way you’ve never played before.”
“It’s true.”
Luke shook his head. “Unbelievable,” he murmured. He lined up his shot and watched as it went right past the hole and bounced off the back, not winding up anywhere near the target. He groaned and looked at Reid pitifully who was trying his hardest not to laugh at Luke’s lack of skill.
“Shut up.”
“So you’ve never been golfing,” Luke said later as they sat on a bench in Old Towne. After their game, they had driven back into town and decided to walk around for awhile, enjoying the fresh air. They eventually made their way to Java and wound up sitting right outside just enjoying each other’s company. “What do you do for fun?”
“Brain surgery.”
Luke laughed. “That’s work.”
“My work is fun.”
“But what do you do when you’re not working? Surely you have to leave the hospital sometimes. I know I can’t be the only reason for you to ever venture outside its doors.”
Reid shrugged. “I work on papers; medical journals, research. That kind of stuff.”
“But that’s still work,” Luke pointed out. “There has to be something. Hmmm….let’s see.” He tapped his finger against his chin, looking pensively. “Bowling?”
Reid shook his head.
“Dancing?”
No again.
“Ice skating?”
Reid gave him a look that said ‘are you for real?’
“Okay. No on the skating. What about a favorite restaurant?”
“More of a take out man,” he replied contemplatively.
“Wow. You are a sad, sad little man,” Luke adorably teased.
“I haven’t really found anything to hold my interest,” he defended. “Except for chess….and you.”
“You play chess!?” Luke buzzed excitedly.
“That’s the part you catch on to?” Reid looked incredulous.
“I play chess too,” Luke said ignoring him. “We should play sometime.”
Reid hummed in agreement.
Luke fiddled with his empty cup and bit his lip. Looking up, he asked quietly, “Do I really hold your interest?”
Reid silently laughed and shook his head causing Luke’s shoulders to slump. The older man grabbed both of their cups and threw them in a nearby trash before grabbing Luke’s hand and tugging him up.
The ride in the car was silent as they drove to Luke’s. Reid kept stealing glances whenever he thought Luke wasn’t looking, which was most of the time. The younger man having visibly deflated, was currently intently staring out the window.
Luke couldn’t help but to think of how foolish he had been. He knew that Reid was attracted to him and he had agreed to go on a date with him, but Luke had to remember that he probably had agreed to it out of lust, thinking something would happen between the two of them afterward. Besides physically, of course Luke didn’t really hold Reid’s attention. Reid was a doctor; a neurosurgeon for Christ sake’s. While Luke ran a successful foundation, he didn’t start it with his own money. Or at least money that he had earned. No, it was given to him. ‘God Reid must think I’m pathetic’ he thought.
“You didn’t have to walk me up,” Luke said after they had reached his door. Once they arrived at his building, Reid got out, shocking Luke and opened his door for him before he could protest. He walked him all the way up to his front door, where they were currently standing.
“I wanted to,” Reid said simply.
“Reid….uhm….I don’t…….”
“Luke. Look at me.”
Luke lifted his head, looking scared while attempting not to in front of Reid. Schooling his features though didn’t seem to be working as Reid looked like he could tell every thought he was having. He cupped Luke’s cheek in an attempt to reassure him and Luke leaned into the touch instinctively, looking almost like a kitten nuzzling its mother.
“You’re enough to hold anyone’s interest. And anyone who doesn’t see that is an idiot, including you. I don’t know how to make you see it. I can’t believe you don’t already, but….I’m going to try.”
Luke’s breath hitched as Reid leaned in, the latter’s thumb still moving smoothly along his cheek and then…..there it was. Reid’s lips pressed against his, so gently, like the touch of a feather. His lips tingled instantly, causing him to somewhat gasp and Reid took the opportunity to card his fingers through the back of Luke’s hair, bringing him slightly closer and tilting his head to deepen the kiss. His lips, now pressed firmer, worked solidly against Luke’s, melting perfectly together. By the time they moved away, Luke had his hands clasped in the back of Reid’s shirt, arms fitting perfectly around Reid’s waist. Their lips bruised and spit shined. Luke grinned before going back in and kissing Reid chastely one more time, biting his lower lip playfully as he moved away.
“You kissed me,” he said awestruck. “What took you so long?”
“When I kissed you I wanted it to be about you wanting me to kiss you for yourself, not anyone else.”
Luke shivered. “Good plan. Reid?” he questioned licking his lips. “What does this mean? What are we?”
“Must you make everything so complicated Mr. Snyder?” he said thumbing at Luke’s chin. He tried to roll his eyes, but Luke could see the amusement shining through them. “We’re….dating…..together…..we’re whatever you want to be Luke.”
Luke shook his head in disbelief. “I’m not sure how or why this is happening….”
“Hey. No getting down on yourself.”
“I’m not,” he said. “I’m not trying to anyway. I’m just saying…..I like this. Us. I don’t really quite know what to do with it all, but I really, really like it.”
“I really kind of like it too.”
NEXT