54. The Drug

Hunter

Why am I like this? Hunter took an extra-long, hot shower—just him and his thoughts. If only Logan wasn’t such a drug, getting him high and then depleting him after each hit, unaware of when he’d be back or if they’d ever see each other again. He remembered the first part of their relationship so vividly, and the last twelve years were a blur. He didn’t know Logan anymore, he reminded himself—an idea in his head he’d created a long time ago that never fully actualized.

Back in his bedroom, with a towel around his waist, the phone lit up and buzzed on his bed. Three texts from Logan waited for him. He tapped at the screen, getting it wet with droplets.

Hey, still up?

I have to tell you something.

I’m here. Your light is on. Are you there?

His last text just three minutes prior. “Yes, yes, yes.” Hunter rushed to the door in his towel and opened it.

Logan had his hand up in a fist, his infectious smile lit up Hunter’s heart. “I was about to knock.”

Hunter pulled him inside with one hand and closed the door. “Lo, what’s up? You alright?” Hunter asked, his heart galloping in his chest while his pulse thundered through the veins of his neck. The urge to hold onto Logan and never let him go overtook his thoughts. Showers together, late-night talks, stolen glances in public followed by steamy nights of passion. The memories of a past life, their life. Their laughs. Their love. Their loss. Their tears. He craved Logan with every fiber of his being. He couldn’t lose him again, not this time. Say something.

“I had to do this.” Logan charged at him and crushed his lips to Hunter’s. Every kiss, every touch, a lifetime came back in an instant. Hunter let out a soft whimper and kissed him back just as hungrily, delicately touching the sides of his face. “I wanted to do that all night,” Logan said as he pulled his lips back.

Hunter laughed. “You were killing me tonight.” He knew he was in dangerous territory. If Logan stayed the night and left in the morning, he’d be wrecked for a while. I’ll never be able to get over him this time. Why do I do this to myself?

“I’m sorry. I had to be sure.”

Hunter walked into his living room and sat on the armrest of the couch, knowing Logan would follow. He’d do anything to keep him from that door. “Sure of what?”

Logan looked as if he’d burst, his eyes growing wide as he bit down on his bottom lip. “I got the job.”

Hunter smiled, puzzled. “What are you talking about? What job?”

“I’ve been applying to architect jobs in L.A. for the last year. I applied to ones in New York, but your mom told my mom that you moved so …”

“What?”

“I had to, Hunter. I’ve been trying, I’ve been trying for us. This is a partner architect role at a firm south of downtown. Pays great.”

“You followed me here?”

“I have no other reason to be down here.” Logan opened his wallet, pulled out a folded brown piece of paper, and handed it to Hunter.

Come back to me, baby.

Hunter’s lips quivered, and his eyes flooded with tears. He thought of their last night together for so long. He’d often wondered what would’ve happened if he had just taken Logan with him that day instead of leaving him behind. The doubt consumed him for so long and so often, it made it virtually impossible to date. “You came back?”

“I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want to get your hopes up. My final interview was this morning. I got a phone call from one of the partners on the way back to the hotel. I never made it back. I was going to call you, but I had to see you.”

Hunter rushed forward and kissed him.

“Wait.” Logan paused, pulling away. “I don’t want to fuck it up this time. I swear. I didn’t know if you were with someone.”

“I’m not. I haven’t so much as kissed anyone in two years.”

Logan laughed in surprise, shaking his head. “I’ve been on three dates since I last saw you but none of them went anywhere. I don’t want to be with anyone else. No women, no men. Nobody but you. I swear. I love you, Hunter.”

Hunter couldn’t hold back the tears falling down his red-hot face. “I love you, so much, Logan. You’ve always been the one for me.”

Logan pulled Hunter into his chest tightly, swaying him in his arms. “I’m sorry it took me this long. I’m sorry I hurt you so much, I didn’t realize. You always seemed so strong.” Logan placed a small kiss on Hunter’s forehead. “I spent the last two years trying to work my way back to you, hoping that you were still mine.”

Hunter sniffled. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“You’ve been waiting for me?”

Hunter nodded and kissed him again before pulling his head back. “Logan, you’re here, so now what?”

“Come see apartments with me this weekend?”

“No, baby.” Hunter sniffled with a light chuckle. “You’re staying right here.” He brought his head to Logan’s and kissed him, feeling his mind melt away as blood rushed down to his cock. The kiss went from soft laps to desperate sucks and Hunter’s hand dropped from Logan’s cheek to his ass.

Logan moaned, and then pulled back abruptly. “I can’t.”

Hunter stepped forward as Logan stepped back. “What are you talking about?”

“I want to do this the right way.”

Hunter pulled Logan in forcefully and held him by the waist, his body burning with desire. He buried his head in Logan’s neck and lapped at his warm, soft skin.

Logan shut his eyes, overpowered by Hunter’s grasp. “Hunter, I’m serious. Come with me tomorrow, I’ll get a place near work. Just a twelve-month lease … Hey, stop.” Logan pulled away. Hunter heaved a sigh and collapsed his head onto Logan’s chest and Logan caressed his silky, blond hair with delicate strokes. “I want to do this the right way.”