New ATWT Fic: For The Wheel's Still in Spin, 27/?
For The Wheel's Still in Spin
by Suz
Previous parts can be found here.
Feedback would be appreciated :)
*
The next time Reid woke, it was due to the quiet voices coming from the far side of the room. Stretching, stirring in the extremely comfortable bed, Reid pried his eyes open slightly to see Luke's robed back in the doorway.
"-can't believe you brought Noah," Luke was in the middle of saying.
"Honey, to be fair," Lily's voice quietly pointed out, "it's not like either one of you told me you'd broken up."
Luke tipped his head down briefly at the mild rebuke. "It's not like I wanted to hide it. Come on, Mom, you can't honestly tell me that you actually believed I moved back home recently just to help with the kids?"
"It is the kind of thing you've done before, Luke," she told him. "I just thought you were having a few problems or that Noah needed some space to concentrate on college. I know I barely see him anymore," she said sadly. "In any case, he explained everything to me this morning."
Reid couldn't help but wonder exactly what Noah had 'explained' and if it matched anyone's version of reality.
Apparently feeling the same way, Luke questioned Noah's version of events. "And what did Noah explain to you, exactly?"
"That you broke up with him about ten days ago," Lily said, "that you told him that you weren't good together anymore - that you just kept hurting each other and you didn't want to keep doing that any longer."
Shoulders slumping in surprise, Luke stood there awkwardly. "Oh." Reid felt as surprised as Luke sounded but when he gave it some consideration, Noah must've had some redeeming features, somewhere, or Luke never would've been in a relationship with him in the first place.
"Of course, he had some choice words about your...friendship...with Dr Oliver."
That sounded more like it.
"I bet he did," Luke retorted, shoulders tensing.
"It does seem awfully fast," Lily admitted, "and so soon after Noah. How do you know the two of you won't find your way back to each other? You always have before."
"Because all those times before," Luke replied firmly, "I wanted to get back together. Anything was better than being alone. The abandoned drunk."
Lily gasped. "Honey..."
"It doesn't feel that way with Reid," Luke continued quietly. "I'm not starting something with him because I think no one else could care about me. I'm still figuring it all out, but...I just know that I like him, Mom."
Reid didn't know what to do with this information. Despite the habit Luke apparently had of suddenly blurting out whatever random thought came to mind, Reid still didn't know how to deal with people who were so open with their emotions. Generally he found them irritating and would brush them aside or destroy them with a carefully chosen sharp-edged comment.
But he liked Luke.
Lily sighed. "It just seems so sudden."
"Not as sudden as you might think. Noah and I have been drifting away from each other for a while, now. And it doesn't matter even if it is sudden," he announced decisively, "we're both adults. I know you like Noah, but-"
"You're right," she interrupted, "I know that. It's just hard for a mother to see her little boy as a fully grown man," she added fondly. "I suppose I see Noah that way, too. He was so...lost and it was easy seeing him almost as another son. My two boys. Dr Oliver, however? He is definitely a man."
That wasn't icky at all.
Luke shifted in place. "Mom..." It was disturbing how easily Luke could sound like a little kid.
"Luke Snyder, get your head out of the gutter. Although I suppose you enjoy it down there." Luke said nothing, lowering his head quickly and Reid just knew his face was flushed red. "That's what I thought," Lily continued knowingly. "What I actually meant was, when the rest of us heard the news we just...fell apart. Or at least I did," she cleared her throat, voice emotional. "I couldn't do anything. I couldn't even get out of bed. God, I let Damian deal with everything and when I think about that I get so mad at myself!"
Stepping forward, Luke comforted his mother. "I still can't believe he did it. I don't even know why he did it."
A few moments later, Lily found the strength to continue. "My point is, we couldn't do anything but grieve. Even Noah. Reid? He came down here determined to get to the truth, whatever that may be."
"He still grieved, Mom." Pausing, Luke changed the angle of his body and turned his head around, catching Reid watching him. Luke stared at him and Reid didn't look away. "He just did it in his own way."
Reid clenched his fingers together automatically. Both hands still felt sore, overused, but his right hand in particular was still throbbing.
Luke turned back towards his mother when she spoke again.
"Luke, I may be fond of Noah but Dr Oliver brought you and your father back to me. I will admit," she conceded, "from the brief interaction we've had so far, Reid doesn't seem especially...pleasant. But he brought my family back together. How can I do anything else but like him?"
This being a hero thing was turning out to be more awesome than he'd anticipated. It was making the whole 'meet the parents' thing much less...concerning. Mild though that concern had obviously been. Both of Luke's parents loved him already and they'd barely interacted at all.
Admittedly, that was probably why they liked him.
Reid must've missed something, then, because Luke was kissing his mom on the cheek and closing the door, turning around and almost...sauntering?
He was definitely sauntering.
Wearing the fluffy robe, Luke sauntered across the room, pausing at the end of the bed...and then seemed to have no idea what he should do next. Suddenly looking unsure, his hands clutched nervously on the sash holding his robe together. "Um. Sleep well?"
"Sure did," Reid replied warmly, amused, flicking his gaze over Luke's body.
Actually taking a half-step back, Luke suddenly announced, "I need to take a shower." Immediately moving, he walked as quickly as he could towards the bathroom without actually breaking out into a run. When the door closed quickly and firmly, Reid continued to grin to himself and rolled over in the bed, spreading out.
He could only imagine what sex between Luke and Noah had been like, and quite frankly he didn't want to imagine it at all. It was better thinking of it in vague, blurry concepts. This yo-yo, hot and cold performance of Luke's was half alluring, half frustrating as hell - or at least Reid could imagine it would be, eventually - and it made Reid wonder just what the hell had happened in Luke and Noah's relationship when it came to sex.
Reid could only hope that after the first few weeks it would no longer be an issue for them and that, before long, they'd be screwing like bunnies.
A man could dream and, closing his eyes, Reid attempted to do just that.
Still, he couldn't help but contemplate what Luke's reaction would be if Reid tried to join him in the shower. Given the way Luke had all but run for his life into the bathroom, he'd probably go all Victorian Heroine on him and clutch his metaphorical pearls to his chest.
Either way, it was going to be fascinating seeing how Luke behaved in a relationship with someone who wasn't Noah. And that someone was actually him.
Somehow he'd used that word without even thinking about it. Relationship. But that was what he'd thought before, right? That it might actually be worth trying if Luke was involved.
Yet they hadn't even decided anything and although Reid wanted to say there was no rush - it would've been what he usually said, no need to define anything just yet - Luke had been dead yesterday morning.
Death changed everything, even for Reid Oliver.
It was clear sleep was gone for the night, but Reid just kept laying there comfortably as he pondered over the things Luke had revealed to his mom and his own thoughts a few moments ago.
Some unknowable time later, Reid heard the bathroom door open. There was a vague sound of movement and then the side of the bed dipped. Turning over, Reid blinked his eyes open to see Luke studying him warily. Wet was another good look on him. Back in nothing but the bath robe, his hair was damp and his skin was flushed from the shower. The bruise on his face stood out even more vibrantly. Reid resisted the urge to touch it.
"I shouldn't have run off like that," Luke apologised.
Somehow, Reid wasn't surprised that apology was Luke's first instinct. "You have nothing to apologise for," Reid insisted.
Luke bit his bottom lip. "I've only ever been with Noah."
That didn't come as a surprise - although he thought that based only on the way Luke behaved. As far as he was concerned, any gay guy in Oakdale who hadn't even tried to hit on Luke was a moron. "I figured."
"And I'm assuming you're more experienced."
He wasn't surprised this was at the heart of the matter, either. "You assume right - if you're talking about sex. If you're talking about the actual relationship side of things? We're pretty much equal." Reid had only really been in one relationship before, and even that had been more of a business relationship.
The answer seemed to mollify Luke for a few moments. Unfortunately, he then blurted out, "We didn't have sex for eighteen months."
Reid stared at him.
"Me and Noah, that is."
Reid stared at him.
"Noah and I didn't have sex until about eighteen months after we first kissed," Luke clarified.
Reid stared at him.
Reid thought about Luke's reaction after Reid had kissed him, the passion he'd responded with, and came to the only logical conclusion.
"Was he a eunuch?"
Spluttering, Luke was doing a very bad job of trying to look disapproving. "Reid!"
"I'm serious," Reid shrugged, "have you seen you? I wanted to sleep with you about two seconds after I met you. No matter how irritating you were."
Luke perked up at that a ridiculous amount. "Really?"
"Eighteen months?" Reid asked, disbelieving. Eighteen months. "I've never even known someone I've slept with for that long."
"Well, you know," Luke looked down at his hands, "it's always meant a lot to me. Sex." Given how his parents' various infidelities had made him feel, Reid could completely understand. "But I definitely didn't want to wait that long," he admitted, "at first there was always something getting in the way, and then...I don't know. Noah kept putting it off."
Reid needed a rubber stamp marked IDIOT! just so he could stamp it onto Noah Mayer's forehead whenever another piece of his past idiocy cropped up.
Eighteen months?
Reid eyed Luke, who was now looking at him warily. He thought over everything Luke had just said and realised this was a moment when he was probably meant to be reassuring. "It'll happen when it happens." Perhaps not the best pep talk he'd ever given, but he hoped to God he wouldn't have to wait eighteen months because he might just die from the severe friction burns caused by excessive masturbation.
Smiling fondly, Luke pressed a hand flat onto the bed. "If we are starting something-"
"We are," Reid assured him, taking Luke's free hand. He was in far, far too deep to just turn away.
The smile brightened, Luke gently squeezing his hand. "I can't see it taking eighteen months," he murmured quietly, honestly. "I can barely see it taking eighteen days, which is...kind of terrifying," he admitted. "You make me feel..."
At least Reid wasn't the only one feeling...concerned...from time to time.
But there was something far more interesting to focus on.
"How?" Reid prompted, turning his hand and carefully threading their fingers together. "How do I make you feel, Luke?"
Luke's mouth opened but nothing came out, his gaze instead falling to Reid's lips.
It was easy to see where this was going. "You know I haven't brushed my teeth yet, right?"
"Stop talking," Luke ordered, "it ruins how pretty you look."
That whole exchange kind of ruined the moment which Reid didn't even really mind because they ended up sitting there, holding hands and grinning at each other.
Yeah, he was totally screwed.
And not even in the literal way.
After Reid had his own shower and brushed his teeth with one of the complimentary toothbrushes - seriously, best hotel ever - he strode innocently out of the bathroom in his new favourite robe when Luke pounced. Actually letting out a small yelp of surprise - which he'd never admit to anyone and barely admitted to himself - Reid soon got over it when Luke pushed him up against the wall and they shared a mint-soaked kiss with just a hint of tongue.
After Luke's attack ended, he stepped back and regarded Reid mischievously. "Seventeen days," he murmured seductively.
Yeah, this was pretty much going to be the best countdown ever.
When Luke and Reid finally emerged, fully dressed in the well-fitted clothes provided by the hotel (Reid was so staying here the next time he travelled even vaguely in the direction of Louisville), everyone else was dressed and waiting for them.
Several trays of breakfast foods were also waiting for them. Reid eyed these Divine Trays of God hungrily, his stomach rumbling loudly.
Noah glowered at him.
Luke chuckled at him. "When's the last time you ate anything?"
He tried to think up an answer, but honestly couldn't remember. "Don't know," he shrugged absently, fingers itching to reach for a plate, "had other things on my mind."
Luke made a soft noise and when Reid glanced up, Luke was looking emotional and Lily was looking at Holden meaningfully with a hand to her chest.
Rolling his eyes, he then moved on to the food.
"I'm starving," Luke announced, grabbing his own plate and getting stuck in.
"You've dropped a lot of weight over the past few days," Reid observed casually, trying to pick between a bagel and a croissant; eventually choosing both, "both of you. And neither one of you needed to lose it. Eat," he instructed, biting into a slice of honeydew melon. Mmm, melon-y goodness.
As everyone else helped themselves to breakfast - Lily preparing a selection for her husband - Reid glanced up mid-munch, pausing when he saw Noah staring at him. Chewing and swallowing his mouthful of food, Reid smiled at him brightly just to irritate him, then went about selecting exactly what to spread on his bagel.
*
Leaving the hotel was just as painless as entering it had been. The staff were helpful and professional, Holden was helped into the limousine, and again there was nothing that had to be signed. Reid was a rich enough man, but he more than admired Lucinda's deep pockets.
The drive to the police station didn't take long. This time, Luke was wide awake which Reid found himself regretting - something Jim apparently noticed, giving Reid a knowing look. Reid tried to be intimidating in return, but trying to intimidate Jim was like using a leaf-blower against a hurricane.
They spent entirely too long at the station. First, they had to give their statements separately. Then someone had to type them up. Then they had to read over them, agree that they were correct, and sign them. It didn't sound like a particularly lengthy process but it definitely was and Reid considered himself extremely restrained for not breaking out into vivid rants about the inefficiency of the entire system. A few times he came seriously close to letting rip with a comment that'd probably end up getting him arrested. Luckily, Luke was close-by each time and would break the moment with a touch, by leaning in close or just murmuring something.
By the time they all emerged into daylight again, it was late afternoon. Noah, who'd had to wait with Lily the entire time they were giving their statements, looked particularly grumpy. Reid couldn't really blame him. He'd been bored out of his mind and he'd actually been doing something.
"What do you guys say?" Holden asked as the limo pulled up. "Do you want something to eat and drink, or should we go straight home?"
"Home," came the collective answer, even from Reid. He could definitely eat, but he'd been in Louisville long enough.
Holden was helped in first, the chauffeur placing the folding wheelchair in the spacious trunk - apparently the wheelchair was either bought by Lucinda to begin with or bought from the hotel by Lucinda, due to her disgusting oodles of cash - and then one by one they all climbed inside the limousine. Reid was the last one on the sidewalk, bar Jim, and just as he moved to slide inside, his phone started ringing. Pausing with the car door open, Reid tugged the phone out of his pocket and stared at it.
Barbara Ryan is calling...
Immediately rejecting the call and turning off the phone, Reid finished his climb into the car.
"Who was that?" Luke asked as Reid settled in next to him.
"No one important," Reid shrugged, placing a hand on Luke's thigh as he looked out through the window and watched Louisville pass by.
TBC
Next Part
by Suz
Previous parts can be found here.
Feedback would be appreciated :)
*
The next time Reid woke, it was due to the quiet voices coming from the far side of the room. Stretching, stirring in the extremely comfortable bed, Reid pried his eyes open slightly to see Luke's robed back in the doorway.
"-can't believe you brought Noah," Luke was in the middle of saying.
"Honey, to be fair," Lily's voice quietly pointed out, "it's not like either one of you told me you'd broken up."
Luke tipped his head down briefly at the mild rebuke. "It's not like I wanted to hide it. Come on, Mom, you can't honestly tell me that you actually believed I moved back home recently just to help with the kids?"
"It is the kind of thing you've done before, Luke," she told him. "I just thought you were having a few problems or that Noah needed some space to concentrate on college. I know I barely see him anymore," she said sadly. "In any case, he explained everything to me this morning."
Reid couldn't help but wonder exactly what Noah had 'explained' and if it matched anyone's version of reality.
Apparently feeling the same way, Luke questioned Noah's version of events. "And what did Noah explain to you, exactly?"
"That you broke up with him about ten days ago," Lily said, "that you told him that you weren't good together anymore - that you just kept hurting each other and you didn't want to keep doing that any longer."
Shoulders slumping in surprise, Luke stood there awkwardly. "Oh." Reid felt as surprised as Luke sounded but when he gave it some consideration, Noah must've had some redeeming features, somewhere, or Luke never would've been in a relationship with him in the first place.
"Of course, he had some choice words about your...friendship...with Dr Oliver."
That sounded more like it.
"I bet he did," Luke retorted, shoulders tensing.
"It does seem awfully fast," Lily admitted, "and so soon after Noah. How do you know the two of you won't find your way back to each other? You always have before."
"Because all those times before," Luke replied firmly, "I wanted to get back together. Anything was better than being alone. The abandoned drunk."
Lily gasped. "Honey..."
"It doesn't feel that way with Reid," Luke continued quietly. "I'm not starting something with him because I think no one else could care about me. I'm still figuring it all out, but...I just know that I like him, Mom."
Reid didn't know what to do with this information. Despite the habit Luke apparently had of suddenly blurting out whatever random thought came to mind, Reid still didn't know how to deal with people who were so open with their emotions. Generally he found them irritating and would brush them aside or destroy them with a carefully chosen sharp-edged comment.
But he liked Luke.
Lily sighed. "It just seems so sudden."
"Not as sudden as you might think. Noah and I have been drifting away from each other for a while, now. And it doesn't matter even if it is sudden," he announced decisively, "we're both adults. I know you like Noah, but-"
"You're right," she interrupted, "I know that. It's just hard for a mother to see her little boy as a fully grown man," she added fondly. "I suppose I see Noah that way, too. He was so...lost and it was easy seeing him almost as another son. My two boys. Dr Oliver, however? He is definitely a man."
That wasn't icky at all.
Luke shifted in place. "Mom..." It was disturbing how easily Luke could sound like a little kid.
"Luke Snyder, get your head out of the gutter. Although I suppose you enjoy it down there." Luke said nothing, lowering his head quickly and Reid just knew his face was flushed red. "That's what I thought," Lily continued knowingly. "What I actually meant was, when the rest of us heard the news we just...fell apart. Or at least I did," she cleared her throat, voice emotional. "I couldn't do anything. I couldn't even get out of bed. God, I let Damian deal with everything and when I think about that I get so mad at myself!"
Stepping forward, Luke comforted his mother. "I still can't believe he did it. I don't even know why he did it."
A few moments later, Lily found the strength to continue. "My point is, we couldn't do anything but grieve. Even Noah. Reid? He came down here determined to get to the truth, whatever that may be."
"He still grieved, Mom." Pausing, Luke changed the angle of his body and turned his head around, catching Reid watching him. Luke stared at him and Reid didn't look away. "He just did it in his own way."
Reid clenched his fingers together automatically. Both hands still felt sore, overused, but his right hand in particular was still throbbing.
Luke turned back towards his mother when she spoke again.
"Luke, I may be fond of Noah but Dr Oliver brought you and your father back to me. I will admit," she conceded, "from the brief interaction we've had so far, Reid doesn't seem especially...pleasant. But he brought my family back together. How can I do anything else but like him?"
This being a hero thing was turning out to be more awesome than he'd anticipated. It was making the whole 'meet the parents' thing much less...concerning. Mild though that concern had obviously been. Both of Luke's parents loved him already and they'd barely interacted at all.
Admittedly, that was probably why they liked him.
Reid must've missed something, then, because Luke was kissing his mom on the cheek and closing the door, turning around and almost...sauntering?
He was definitely sauntering.
Wearing the fluffy robe, Luke sauntered across the room, pausing at the end of the bed...and then seemed to have no idea what he should do next. Suddenly looking unsure, his hands clutched nervously on the sash holding his robe together. "Um. Sleep well?"
"Sure did," Reid replied warmly, amused, flicking his gaze over Luke's body.
Actually taking a half-step back, Luke suddenly announced, "I need to take a shower." Immediately moving, he walked as quickly as he could towards the bathroom without actually breaking out into a run. When the door closed quickly and firmly, Reid continued to grin to himself and rolled over in the bed, spreading out.
He could only imagine what sex between Luke and Noah had been like, and quite frankly he didn't want to imagine it at all. It was better thinking of it in vague, blurry concepts. This yo-yo, hot and cold performance of Luke's was half alluring, half frustrating as hell - or at least Reid could imagine it would be, eventually - and it made Reid wonder just what the hell had happened in Luke and Noah's relationship when it came to sex.
Reid could only hope that after the first few weeks it would no longer be an issue for them and that, before long, they'd be screwing like bunnies.
A man could dream and, closing his eyes, Reid attempted to do just that.
Still, he couldn't help but contemplate what Luke's reaction would be if Reid tried to join him in the shower. Given the way Luke had all but run for his life into the bathroom, he'd probably go all Victorian Heroine on him and clutch his metaphorical pearls to his chest.
Either way, it was going to be fascinating seeing how Luke behaved in a relationship with someone who wasn't Noah. And that someone was actually him.
Somehow he'd used that word without even thinking about it. Relationship. But that was what he'd thought before, right? That it might actually be worth trying if Luke was involved.
Yet they hadn't even decided anything and although Reid wanted to say there was no rush - it would've been what he usually said, no need to define anything just yet - Luke had been dead yesterday morning.
Death changed everything, even for Reid Oliver.
It was clear sleep was gone for the night, but Reid just kept laying there comfortably as he pondered over the things Luke had revealed to his mom and his own thoughts a few moments ago.
Some unknowable time later, Reid heard the bathroom door open. There was a vague sound of movement and then the side of the bed dipped. Turning over, Reid blinked his eyes open to see Luke studying him warily. Wet was another good look on him. Back in nothing but the bath robe, his hair was damp and his skin was flushed from the shower. The bruise on his face stood out even more vibrantly. Reid resisted the urge to touch it.
"I shouldn't have run off like that," Luke apologised.
Somehow, Reid wasn't surprised that apology was Luke's first instinct. "You have nothing to apologise for," Reid insisted.
Luke bit his bottom lip. "I've only ever been with Noah."
That didn't come as a surprise - although he thought that based only on the way Luke behaved. As far as he was concerned, any gay guy in Oakdale who hadn't even tried to hit on Luke was a moron. "I figured."
"And I'm assuming you're more experienced."
He wasn't surprised this was at the heart of the matter, either. "You assume right - if you're talking about sex. If you're talking about the actual relationship side of things? We're pretty much equal." Reid had only really been in one relationship before, and even that had been more of a business relationship.
The answer seemed to mollify Luke for a few moments. Unfortunately, he then blurted out, "We didn't have sex for eighteen months."
Reid stared at him.
"Me and Noah, that is."
Reid stared at him.
"Noah and I didn't have sex until about eighteen months after we first kissed," Luke clarified.
Reid stared at him.
Reid thought about Luke's reaction after Reid had kissed him, the passion he'd responded with, and came to the only logical conclusion.
"Was he a eunuch?"
Spluttering, Luke was doing a very bad job of trying to look disapproving. "Reid!"
"I'm serious," Reid shrugged, "have you seen you? I wanted to sleep with you about two seconds after I met you. No matter how irritating you were."
Luke perked up at that a ridiculous amount. "Really?"
"Eighteen months?" Reid asked, disbelieving. Eighteen months. "I've never even known someone I've slept with for that long."
"Well, you know," Luke looked down at his hands, "it's always meant a lot to me. Sex." Given how his parents' various infidelities had made him feel, Reid could completely understand. "But I definitely didn't want to wait that long," he admitted, "at first there was always something getting in the way, and then...I don't know. Noah kept putting it off."
Reid needed a rubber stamp marked IDIOT! just so he could stamp it onto Noah Mayer's forehead whenever another piece of his past idiocy cropped up.
Eighteen months?
Reid eyed Luke, who was now looking at him warily. He thought over everything Luke had just said and realised this was a moment when he was probably meant to be reassuring. "It'll happen when it happens." Perhaps not the best pep talk he'd ever given, but he hoped to God he wouldn't have to wait eighteen months because he might just die from the severe friction burns caused by excessive masturbation.
Smiling fondly, Luke pressed a hand flat onto the bed. "If we are starting something-"
"We are," Reid assured him, taking Luke's free hand. He was in far, far too deep to just turn away.
The smile brightened, Luke gently squeezing his hand. "I can't see it taking eighteen months," he murmured quietly, honestly. "I can barely see it taking eighteen days, which is...kind of terrifying," he admitted. "You make me feel..."
At least Reid wasn't the only one feeling...concerned...from time to time.
But there was something far more interesting to focus on.
"How?" Reid prompted, turning his hand and carefully threading their fingers together. "How do I make you feel, Luke?"
Luke's mouth opened but nothing came out, his gaze instead falling to Reid's lips.
It was easy to see where this was going. "You know I haven't brushed my teeth yet, right?"
"Stop talking," Luke ordered, "it ruins how pretty you look."
That whole exchange kind of ruined the moment which Reid didn't even really mind because they ended up sitting there, holding hands and grinning at each other.
Yeah, he was totally screwed.
And not even in the literal way.
After Reid had his own shower and brushed his teeth with one of the complimentary toothbrushes - seriously, best hotel ever - he strode innocently out of the bathroom in his new favourite robe when Luke pounced. Actually letting out a small yelp of surprise - which he'd never admit to anyone and barely admitted to himself - Reid soon got over it when Luke pushed him up against the wall and they shared a mint-soaked kiss with just a hint of tongue.
After Luke's attack ended, he stepped back and regarded Reid mischievously. "Seventeen days," he murmured seductively.
Yeah, this was pretty much going to be the best countdown ever.
When Luke and Reid finally emerged, fully dressed in the well-fitted clothes provided by the hotel (Reid was so staying here the next time he travelled even vaguely in the direction of Louisville), everyone else was dressed and waiting for them.
Several trays of breakfast foods were also waiting for them. Reid eyed these Divine Trays of God hungrily, his stomach rumbling loudly.
Noah glowered at him.
Luke chuckled at him. "When's the last time you ate anything?"
He tried to think up an answer, but honestly couldn't remember. "Don't know," he shrugged absently, fingers itching to reach for a plate, "had other things on my mind."
Luke made a soft noise and when Reid glanced up, Luke was looking emotional and Lily was looking at Holden meaningfully with a hand to her chest.
Rolling his eyes, he then moved on to the food.
"I'm starving," Luke announced, grabbing his own plate and getting stuck in.
"You've dropped a lot of weight over the past few days," Reid observed casually, trying to pick between a bagel and a croissant; eventually choosing both, "both of you. And neither one of you needed to lose it. Eat," he instructed, biting into a slice of honeydew melon. Mmm, melon-y goodness.
As everyone else helped themselves to breakfast - Lily preparing a selection for her husband - Reid glanced up mid-munch, pausing when he saw Noah staring at him. Chewing and swallowing his mouthful of food, Reid smiled at him brightly just to irritate him, then went about selecting exactly what to spread on his bagel.
*
Leaving the hotel was just as painless as entering it had been. The staff were helpful and professional, Holden was helped into the limousine, and again there was nothing that had to be signed. Reid was a rich enough man, but he more than admired Lucinda's deep pockets.
The drive to the police station didn't take long. This time, Luke was wide awake which Reid found himself regretting - something Jim apparently noticed, giving Reid a knowing look. Reid tried to be intimidating in return, but trying to intimidate Jim was like using a leaf-blower against a hurricane.
They spent entirely too long at the station. First, they had to give their statements separately. Then someone had to type them up. Then they had to read over them, agree that they were correct, and sign them. It didn't sound like a particularly lengthy process but it definitely was and Reid considered himself extremely restrained for not breaking out into vivid rants about the inefficiency of the entire system. A few times he came seriously close to letting rip with a comment that'd probably end up getting him arrested. Luckily, Luke was close-by each time and would break the moment with a touch, by leaning in close or just murmuring something.
By the time they all emerged into daylight again, it was late afternoon. Noah, who'd had to wait with Lily the entire time they were giving their statements, looked particularly grumpy. Reid couldn't really blame him. He'd been bored out of his mind and he'd actually been doing something.
"What do you guys say?" Holden asked as the limo pulled up. "Do you want something to eat and drink, or should we go straight home?"
"Home," came the collective answer, even from Reid. He could definitely eat, but he'd been in Louisville long enough.
Holden was helped in first, the chauffeur placing the folding wheelchair in the spacious trunk - apparently the wheelchair was either bought by Lucinda to begin with or bought from the hotel by Lucinda, due to her disgusting oodles of cash - and then one by one they all climbed inside the limousine. Reid was the last one on the sidewalk, bar Jim, and just as he moved to slide inside, his phone started ringing. Pausing with the car door open, Reid tugged the phone out of his pocket and stared at it.
Barbara Ryan is calling...
Immediately rejecting the call and turning off the phone, Reid finished his climb into the car.
"Who was that?" Luke asked as Reid settled in next to him.
"No one important," Reid shrugged, placing a hand on Luke's thigh as he looked out through the window and watched Louisville pass by.
TBC
Next Part