Chapter Two | Jamal

I pulled into our driveway later than I'd expected. The four men of the Salish Sea Society had lingered after the wedding reception, a testament to the closeness of the group of friends, of which they had made Brody, Daniel, and me feel a part. We had shut down the festivities.

I parked the car, opened my door, and reclined my seat back as far as it would go. I started with the two large wheels, removing them from the back seat and placing them on the passenger seat, and then hoisted the rest of my wheelchair from the back, across my body, passed it through the open doorway, and set it on the pavement. I brought my seat upright and fastened the wheels back onto the chair. Brakes on, I wrangled my legs out and then transferred onto the seat.

The house was dark other than a sliver of light coming from beneath the door of the two-bedroom suite on the ground floor of the house where my sister, Meera, her husband, and their young son lived. I loved having my sister living near me. We'd always been good friends.

The door popped open.

"How was the wedding?" Meera followed me to my area at the back of the house. I had my own bedroom and bathroom along the hallway to the garage. Upstairs, my parents, my father's parents, and my cousin presided over us with their three bedrooms.

"Made my heart ache a little."

"Sounds like it was perfect. "

"It was." I wheeled into my room and headed for the bathroom. My sister didn't sleep well most nights. It wasn't unusual for her to be in the mood to talk until late. We'd spent many hours on my bed, watching television and chatting about life. Tonight, though, I was tired.

Meera busied herself on her phone as I transferred onto the bed and removed all my clothes except my colourful briefs. I folded everything neatly, got back into my wheelchair, and put everything away before heading to the bathroom to prepare myself for bed.

"Did you get talking to Liam?"

I turned on the tap and spread a strip of toothpaste on my toothbrush. "For a little bit."

"Just as sexy in person?"

I laughed as I brushed my teeth. Meera knew I found Liam appealing on many levels. He was gorgeous first off, but Noah had, over the years, filled me in on his personality. Liam was a kind and loving man with demons who kept him hyper-focused on his physical appeal.

"We had a nice conversation." I headed to the toilet to deal with my bladder.

"Nice? Is that code for something?"

"We exchanged numbers."

"Oh. That's promising."

I prepared a catheter and inserted it and drained my urine into a urinal, then dumped it. Once I tidied up, I wheeled out of the bathroom. Meera was sitting comfortably on my bed.

"He's out of my league, Meera."

"Then why did you exchange numbers?"

"We talked about hanging out sometime." I parked my wheelchair and moved myself onto the bed. A bit of rolling around and I was beneath the covers.

"Sounds kind of date-ish. "

"Hardly. Liam is not going to be interested in someone like me."

"I thought you said he was a nice guy."

I sighed. "Meera."

My sister rolled her eyes. "Jamal."

"You don't get it."

Meera hauled my comforter over my chest. "No, I don't. Any man would be lucky to have you, brother. I wish you could see that about yourself."

"I'm tired."

"Okay. You go to sleep and dream about the man rather than do anything about it."

"Goodnight, Meera."

My sister lingered at the door. "I'm serious. Don't write yourself off so easily." She turned off the light, shut the door, and left me to my thoughts. Liam had been friendly and seemed genuine.

And he'd looked at me with such curiosity.

Was there something there?

I cleared my mind of him, lifted my phone, called up my calendar app, and checked my schedule for the following week. Not only business but personal. As well as running the LGBTQ+ Rainbow Youth Centre, I had to schedule time at the physical therapist and mobility gym. It had been three years since my accident. There was much room for improvement. I'd never walk again but I'd increased the strength and improved the mobility of my legs.

Small victories.

I called Liam's smile to my mind. He'd flashed it at me a few times. Perfectly straight white teeth and plump pink lips. And his eyes—a startling blue; his gaze wandering over my face. I'd had trouble breathing as he'd gifted me with his unexpected attention.

He must be used to that—leaving men breathless .

When he'd emerged from the washroom, his blond hair down, cascading onto his shoulders, and his shirt open, his bare chest exposed—my heart had nearly stopped beating.

I'd been close to cardiac arrest when he sat beside me.

And damn if he didn't smell amazing as well.

And his voice …. God, his voice.

I covered my face.

Stop it.

Men like him didn't want men in wheelchairs. Too much proverbial baggage. My disability level came with several mental challenges as well. Feelings of anger and uselessness are at the top of the list. Never mind my inability to partake in some activities I knew Liam was interested in. I could keep up with running and skiing but there were no accommodations for people like me to surf. It would be a sure-fire way for me to drown. I'd love to watch him, though.

Liam taking the time to talk to me made me feel good about myself. Not once had he looked at my wheelchair. Although, that might have been due to how much he'd had to drink. I'd considered offering him a ride home, but I was concerned he'd need help into his apartment, and I would have been unable to assist him. The drag queen he'd come with, his date, had hung around at a different table from where the guys had been gathered with the other three of us.

Liam had invited him to join us, but he'd refused. He had looked frustrated with Liam and their conversation appeared terse. The vibe between them was overwhelmingly negative.

Had Charlie taken Liam home? Had they engaged in sex? I didn't like to imagine Liam with the guy. Liam deserved someone who loved him and looked at him with affection.

I closed my eyes. I'd treat him with so much affection if he gave me the chance. I gave my head a shake. That wasn't going to happen, but I'd have that opportunity for affection as his friend instead. I'd give him a call tomorrow and set up something for us to do to hang out.

I liked coming to work each Sunday. It was quiet. We didn't have any programs running but kept the Rainbow Youth Centre open for those who needed someplace to go. A few of our youth were unhoused and it was getting cooler out. My sister, Meera, had made sandwiches for them all.

I started my daily rounds. Each space had to be tidy and in good repair. The volunteers were great at keeping things orderly, but it was my responsibility to ensure it.

I rolled into the gymnasium. Two kids were shooting a basketball. All the rest of the balls and hockey sticks were stored properly in the bins. Next was the library. It was empty. During the week, after school, Kyle was a common fixture there. He loved to read—everything.

Noah sometimes sat with Kyle as he read, but it was Brody he had connected with. Kyle's mom had, after some urging by Brody, had her son tested for autism. Sure enough, he was on the spectrum. Being diagnosed, she had been able to access some resources for supporting Kyle.

There were a few books in the cart to put away. I returned all those I could reach the shelves for and sorted the rest to ease the task for one of the volunteers.

The room we held cooking classes in was empty, but I found four kids in the lounge. They appeared to be at a loose end, sprawled all over the couches, cell screens illuminating their faces.

"Who wants to make bracelets?" I asked the room.

They all looked up. Amy, the oldest of the group at sixteen, shrugged her shoulders. "Sure."

All four grumbled as they rose to their feet as if walking was a chore. What I wouldn't give to be in their place, using my legs to get around again. That wasn't even a possibility for me.

They followed me into the craft room. I dug around in the cupboards, collected the beads and other supplies required to make jewellery, placed them on my lap, and set everything on the table.

"Amy, can you be in charge? Help the younger kids if they need it?"

Another shrug. "Sure."

I wheeled away and back down the hallway to my office. I'd give them an hour or so doing that before bringing them their lunch. I left my door open and rolled in behind my desk.

It was 11:20. Noah had told me Liam often liked to sleep in. I hoped I wasn't phoning too early, not sure what time of day constituted sleeping in. It wasn't something I ever did.

I selected his contact and pressed call .

"Hello?" His voice was husky and so incredibly sexy that my cock stirred.

"Hey, it's Jamal. Did I wake you?"

"I was awake. Lying here suffering through a crazy hangover." Liam grunted. I heard sheets rustle. "Are you up and about and being productive?"

"I'm at the centre. We have kids who need somewhere to go during the day."

"You amaze me."

My cheeks heated at the compliment. "Some of these kids don't have families to go to. Last month we had two who were thrown out of their homes when they came out."

"I can't imagine."

I wondered what kind of home life Liam had as a child. Noah had never mentioned anything about it. Just that Liam had been bullied at school.

A low voice rumbled in the background. "Who's that? "

Must be Liam's date from last night. I hoped I hadn't interrupted anything. Visions of Liam entwined with another man in bed sent a sinking feeling into my gut.

"It's Jamal. Brody's best man."

"What's he doing calling you?"

"Jeezus, Charlie. I do have a life outside this ."

I thought I heard a grunt and then the rustle of bedding.

"Am I getting you in trouble?" I asked.

"No. He's not my boyfriend."

I released a short sigh of relief and pressed on.

"Are you into Stonehenge?" I asked.

"Like in Britain?"

"That would be ideal … but no. There's an exhibit about it at the Royal BC Museum. I've been meaning to go but I think it would be more fun to experience it with someone."

"I'd be interested in that. When do you want to go?"

"Tuesday?"

"It would have to be midday. Noah and Brody will be away on their honeymoon. I'm watching the kids. I can only go when they're at school. I have to pick them up at 2:30."

"Ten-thirty? That would give us enough time."

"We could go for lunch after."

"Perfect." My mind searched for what to say next. "Did you know scientists say it took 1500 years to construct Stonehenge? Started 3000 years ago. Last modified 1500 years ago."

I rolled my eyes. Why was I such a geek? Liam didn't need random facts spewed at him when he had a hangover. He needed sleep and here I was bugging him.

"You've already made a study of it," he said. "You can fill in the blanks on Tuesday."

I should have known Liam would be kind to me.

"I'll meet you outside? "

"Unless it's raining. Can't have you getting soaked waiting for me."

I cleared my throat. That last statement had sounded seductive. I think. No, it was delusional and wishful thinking to believe he was interested. Maybe Liam's auto-setting was to flirt.

"If so, I'll be inside the lobby buying my ticket." Then I blurted, "I can get yours too."

"I have an annual membership." Liam laughed. "I like it there. When it's not full of school children on a field trip, it's very peaceful. I've frequented every seating area in the place."

I nearly hummed with pleasure. I loved the museum too. I was embarrassed to admit Liam's enthusiastic and comparable interest in the place surprised me. The man had layers.

I was excited to uncover them.

As friends.