Chapter 5

THE FOLLOWINGFriday evening, Darby dressed nicely as he waited for Reynaldo to pick him up. Darby was nervous as hell and kept fussing with the collar of his shirt. After issuing his invitation to dinner, he had hoped that things would return to a sexier nature, but that hadn't happened. Reynaldo had gotten a few phone calls, and the mood seemed truly broken. Then Darby had had a super busy week, with last-minute changes and deadlines that kept him on his toes. The two of them had texted and talked on the phone but hadn't been able to get together, and by Friday Darby half expected Reynaldo to cancel. Not that he'd said anything, he was just stupidly nervous.

A knock on the door made him jump a little. Rex stiffened next to him, and Darby went to answer the door. He knew instantly that it was Reynaldo just by his scent. Reynaldo cleared his throat. "Are you ready?"

"I take it you're as nervous as I am," Darby said. "Don't be. I know they're going to like you." He wasn't sure if he was trying to reassure himself or Reynaldo—maybe both of them.

"Are you sure?" Reynaldo asked.

"Yes. I even got a promise from Mom that she and Dad will lay off the Spanish Inquisition part of the evening." That didn't mean there wouldn't still be a ton of questions, though. "Are you ready to go?"

"Not quite."

"Oh?" Darby wondered what Reynaldo needed, but then his warm and smooth hands gently cupped his cheeks and Reynaldo kissed him.

"Now I'm ready. Let me get outside, and then you and Rex can come out." He moved away, and Darby held Rex's harness and locked the door, and Reynaldo guided him to the car. Once Rex was in back and Darby had buckled himself in, they made the short ride to his parents' home on the outskirts of Mechanicsburg. Their home was bigger than his but about the same age. They'd moved there after he'd lost his sight because everything was on a single level. Part of him had resented it, but in retrospect, it was for the best.

"Your mom is scowling from the doorway," Reynaldo told him before opening the driver's side door. It closed, and a minute later, Darby's door opened. "Let me get Rex for you." He opened the back door, and Rex pressed against Darby's leg. Darby got out, took the harness, and made his way up the familiar walk to the front door.

"Hi, Mom," he said happily as she opened the screen door with the familiar squeak. He stepped inside to the scent of roasting beef, veggies, and potatoes. "Smells like you're making my favorites."

"I am." She kissed his cheek, and he hugged her.

"Where's Dad?"

"Right here," his father said.

"Good. Mom and Dad, this is Reynaldo." He turned to where he knew Reynaldo stood next to him. "These are my parents, Susan and Charlie."

"I'm pleased to meet you both," Reynaldo said. Darby let Rex guide him to the sofa, the picture in his head reconfiguring as he realized the furniture had been shifted. He felt for the coffee table and then the cushion with the slight pattern in the fabric before sitting down, relieved to be in a space he knew.

"Dinner will be in about an hour or so," Mom said.

"Can I get anyone a drink?" That was Dad.

"Wine would be nice," Reynaldo said before sitting tensely next to him. Darby took his hand, wanting to reassure him.

"So how long have you been going out?" Dad asked once he returned and set down the glasses.

"Not very long," Darby's mom answered stiffly. He should have known that she would forget all about what she said before.

"Susan, Darby can speak for himself."

"We've known each other for nearly two months." Reynaldo squeezed Darby's hand. "That was the first time I met him, through See for Me. Then, a month ago, we met again and started talking. We were both saying how we liked the same pizza place in town and mentioned when we went there. So we met there, and we've been out a few times."

"He took me dancing, Dad," Darby said. "Like, downtown dancing."

"Those places are busy," Mom interjected in her protective way.

"And he took me home when I was getting jostled," Darby said with a smile. "But the thing is, he took me out. We went to dinner and dancing. Didn't you and Mom used to do that?"

"We did," his dad said gently. "Remember those nights down at Rusty's with your brother's band? We'd dance until we were parched, have a beer, and then dance some more." Dad sounded wistful, which was unusual for him. He was usually the down-to-earth parent, while his mother could be stubborn and was more opinionated. She had also been a tiger when it came to fighting for Darby and what he needed. His dad tended toward reserved and calm, so to hear his dad get choked up was unusual and pretty cool. "Maybe we should find a place and go out dancing."

"Charlie…," Susan said, almost giggling. "We haven't done that in years.

"Maybe you should. There are some great places still. Jupiter's out on Walnut has live music every Saturday. It can get a little busy, but there are always people there. My parents used to go there sometimes before they relocated to Arizona a few years ago." Leave it to Reynaldo. Darby leaned against him, squeezing his hand. "I bet Darby would have a good time there too."

"It could be fun," Darby said softly as Reynaldo gently caressed his shoulder. He liked to think of that touch as the equivalent of gazing into each other's eyes.

"Yeah, it could."

"Okay, boys. That's enough deflection," Mom put in. "Reynaldo, Darby tells me that you're a high school guidance counselor."

"Yes. I like working with the kids. The younger ones are still so wide-eyed, and the older ones are really starting to figure out who they are. It's such an interesting time in their lives, and if I can help them move forward and get on the right path, it can be really rewarding."

"Would you like some more wine?" Dad asked.

"No, thank you. One glass is enough before dinner."

"I should check on the roast," Mom said.

"Do you need help?" And just like that, Darby's parents left the room.

"Why do I get the feeling that I just passed some sort of test?" Reynaldo asked softly. "It was either that or your parents' version of good cop, bad cop. Your mom kept staring at me like I was hiding something, and your dad was always smiling and happy."

"Don't worry about any of it. They're just parents. Mom has always been more than a little protective. But if you get in with Dad, he's the only one who was ever able to get around her battlements."

"I see… and what about yours?" Reynaldo asked.

"Well, when we get back to the house, we'll have to see how scalable they are." Darby couldn't help smiling as his mom and dad returned. Thankfully, their conversation shifted to more innocuous topics.

But that only lasted until they sat down to eat.

"What are your plans with my son?" Mom asked.

Darby groaned. "Mom, stop. We came to dinner for a nice evening, not to give Reynaldo the third degree." He set his silverware down. "Are you trying to push me away? Is that it? Do you think I can't make my own decisions?"

"I want to know what his plans are," she repeated.

"We don't have any plans yet. We've known each other for a few months, that's all. I like Reynaldo, and I want to see where things go. I hope he does too. But that will be something that we decide."

"But you just met, and—"

"Susan, let Darby make his own decisions. Reynaldo seems like a nice enough person, and Darby is old enough to know his own mind."

"But he can't see."

"But that doesn't make him dumb, or helpless," Reynaldo said, and the entire table went quiet. "I know you may want to try to keep your son from getting hurt, but we all get hurt. We all get our hearts broken. I have a few times, and Darby has too. It happens to everyone, and trying to stop him from living is only saying that he isn't capable of making his own decisions, and he is. Darby is amazing. He's strong and brave. If anyone is willing to step out of their comfort zone every day, it's him. And I'm sorry, but standing between him and the rest of the world is doing him a disservice." Damn, Reynaldo certainly had a head of steam. "I like your son. He's a fine man, and I'm sure that's due to his family, but he needs to stand on his own two feet."

"How can you ensure that he does that?"

"I don't know. I figured I'd start with walking beside him rather than in front of him." Reynaldo's cutlery clanked against the edge of his plate. "This roast is really amazing. You're quite the cook. It's even better than my mother's, though I best not let her hear me say that or she will disown me."

Of course everyone at the table knew exactly what Reynaldo was doing. Darby doubted his mother was going to let it go.

"There's a butcher shop just to the west of town, and they have the best meat. I also season it well before roasting. And you, young man, don't go thinking you're clever because you changed the subject."

"Well, my mother is a great cook, so this is something else." Reynaldo returned to eating, and Darby did the same.

"Do you happen to be the school's debate coach too?" Darby asked and received a snicker in return. "Let me guess, you can deflect until the cows come home."

"Of course I can." He took a sip from his glass. "Charlie, what wine is this? It's really good."

Darby's dad began to laugh. "Reynaldo, I know when I'm beat. All I ask is that you treat my son right."

He heard Reynaldo set down his glass. "I have no intention of ever treating him otherwise." He squeezed Darby's hand under the table.

"You know, being with someone who can't see isn't easy. You always have to be there, and you need to help them."

"Ma'am," Reynaldo said levelly, "that's BS. Darby may need assistance sometimes, but that doesn't mean that I don't as well. It isn't the day-to-day chores that count, it's the support and being there. Darby has already done that for me. The rest is just living, and we all do that every day." He squeezed again. "Would it be possible to get another piece of that beef?"

Darby held still once more, waiting for some sort of blowup, but instead his mother got up, and he heard her cut another piece of the beef. Then she sat back down, and Reynaldo went back to eating.

"What do you like to do in your spare time?" Dad asked.

"I garden some. I helped Darby with some plants that have great scents so when he sits in the backyard, he can smell the flowers. My aunt was in the garden club here, and she and I worked in her yard quite a bit."

"I see."

"I also like music, and I like to go hiking and boating."

"Remember the cruise we went on?" Darby asked, and just like that they began relating stories of what he was like as a kid and talking about their travels. Darby sighed, glad that the tension seemed to have slipped away. The conversation centered on lighter topics, and at one point, Reynaldo had both his parents laughing. That sound was music to Darby's ears as they enjoyed a wonderful meal.

By the end of the evening, everyone seemed to have had a good time, and when they got up to say good night, he hugged his mom and thanked her.

"You really like this boy?" she whispered to him, and Darby nodded. She patted his cheek and said no more, but he knew that was her signal that she would back off. He had no illusions that she would completely change, but she would give them some space and she wasn't going to be as hostile, which was all he wanted. She was a tiger, after all.

"I think that went pretty well," Reynaldo said once they were in the car. "Though I have no doubt that my manhood would be in danger from either of them if I hurt you." Fortunately he seemed to take that in stride.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. They love you very much, and it's good to know that they'll be there for you." He started the engine. "I think they're proud of you. Your dad certainly is. Every time you stood up for yourself, your dad beamed at you." They pulled away, and once again Darby wondered just how many things he missed.

"I'm just happy you didn't run screaming from the house when they started in. I had no idea that they would go quite that far, though I probably should have guessed about my mother."

"I work with teenagers all day. I can handle protective parents." Reynaldo rested his hand on Darby's knee before turning at the corner. The drive didn't take long, and once Reynaldo pulled to a stop, Darby got out of the car.

"Do you want to come in?" He held Rex's harness. They had teased each other earlier, but now Darby shifted his weight from foot to foot, hoping Reynaldo didn't think badly of him for asking.

Reynaldo got out of the car and came around to where he stood. Darby opened the door and went inside. Reynaldo closed it behind them, and once Darby released Rex from the harness, Reynaldo pressed against him. Darby bumped the wall as Reynaldo kissed him hard, with enough passion to send Darby's head reeling. He held on to Reynaldo in case his knees gave out and returned the kiss with everything he had.

Damn, he loved the flavor of this man on his lips, and he hoped this kiss never stopped. By the time he pulled away, Darby was breathless and his head spun. He wasn't quite sure where he was, but he didn't care. Reynaldo would see to it that he didn't fall. He sighed and pulled Reynaldo back toward him, renewing the kiss with everything he had.

"I think my bedroom is around here somewhere." Darby didn't trust himself to find the way.

Reynaldo slipped back and took his hand, then led Darby through the house before closing his bedroom door behind them. Darby made his way to the bed and sat on the side to take off his shoes. He was always sort of clumsy when it came to moments like these. He knew that people disrobed and had sex all the time. This wasn't new. But he didn't want to take off his shirt and fling it aside only to have it knock over the lamp by the side of the bed.

"You have pictures on your walls," Reynaldo said, pulling Darby out of his ruminations.

"Yeah. Mom put them up for me. Apparently they're pictures of things we did on our trips as a family. Mom said she knew I couldn't see them, but she wanted me to be surrounded by happy times and family no matter what." He pulled off his shirt.

"Stop," Reynaldo said gently. "Just stop." He placed his hand on Darby's. "Let me do it."

Darby dropped his hands, and Reynaldo undid his buttons before sliding his shirt over his shoulders and off. "You really are beautiful. Has anyone ever told you that?"

"No. I mean, beauty has a different meaning for me."

"Well, let me tell you…." Reynaldo kissed him hard, pressing Darby back onto the mattress. "You really are so beautiful. You have these lines at your hips that are enticing as hell." He leaned closer, and Darby groaned as Reynaldo sucked at one of his nipples, running his tongue around it, teasing, driving Darby crazy with want and not knowing where the next sensation would come from. "I like your skin—it's white—and your pink nipples." He ran his hand down his belly and then back over his chest. "I could do this all night. You feel so good to me." He unhooked Darby's belt and slipped off his pants.

Part of Darby wanted to hide, knowing Reynaldo could see him—all of him, warts and all—and yet Reynaldo was still a bit of a mystery to him. "Come here."

"What do you want?"

"I want to feel you." He drew Reynaldo down and slid his hand under his shirt and up his rippled belly to his strong chest. "Damn… I bet all the guys think you're hot." He tugged at Reynaldo's shirt until it came over his head. He dropped the material and hoped it wouldn't be in the way. Then he started at Reynaldo's cheeks, slowly running his thumb over his lips and then lightly down his neck. "What's this?" he asked when he felt a rough spot on his shoulder.

"An old scar. I got it when I was a kid. I fell out of a tree, and a branch got me."

Darby leaned forward and kissed the spot before letting hot skin run under his hands. Reynaldo was warm, smooth, muscular, and a little ticklish. He kissed him, pressing their chests together as Reynaldo entwined him in his arms. "I want you so bad," Darby whispered.

"And I want you. I want to see what you feel like against me. I want to watch you as you lose yourself in passion. But mostly I want to make you as happy as you've made me. I want to leave you breathless and unable to speak. That's what I want."

Darby swallowed hard. "Me too." He cupped Reynaldo's cheeks, holding him still. It was as close as he could come to staring into his eyes. Instead, he listened to his breathing as warm Reynaldo-scented air ghosted over his lips. "I want to make you just as happy."

Reynaldo closed the gap, kissing him as Darby ran his hands down his wide back, muscles rippling under his touch. He loved that reaction, like Reynaldo's body knew his touch and loved it. What more could he ask for? Then he pulled back, and the last of the material between them slipped away and they were truly skin on skin. Between them, heat built like molten lava. Darby hoped it went on for a very long time.

DARBY WOKEand reached for the timepiece by the side of the bed, then touched the top so it could relate that it was a little after three in the morning.

"Are you okay?" Reynaldo mumbled from next to him.

"Yes. Sorry if I woke you." He slowly got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Once he finished, he returned and slipped back under the covers.

Reynaldo put an arm around his belly, humphing softly before his breathing evened out and he fell back to sleep. Darby wished he could sleep as easily, but instead he listened to Reynaldo breathe for a while. He wasn't used to sleeping with someone, and it took a while before he drifted off again.

When he woke up in the morning, he was alone. The other side the bed was still warm, and as he sat up, Rex approached and nuzzled his hand. "I know, boy. It's time to let you out." He yawned and got up, pulling on a robe before leaving the room, following the scent of coffee to the kitchen. Once Rex was outside, he sat at the table.

"Here you are. I made coffee, though I'm sure you can smell it." Reynaldo gently stroked Darby's shoulder and cheek before kissing him. "Did you sleep well?"

"To a degree. I guess I'm not used to having someone next to me, though I think it's something I could get used to."

"Me too," Reynaldo said softly. "Most definitely."

"Sorry I woke you with the clock."

"Don't give it another thought. It wasn't a big deal at all. You need to know the time, and I usually sleep like the dead." He kissed him again. "Now, I was thinking pancakes for breakfast. I found some blueberries in the freezer. Are you up for that?"

Darby nodded. "Talk about getting used to things. Breakfast that isn't a premade sausage sandwich sounds like heaven." He sighed and let the smell wash over him. He had lived in this house for not quite a year, and as he sat in his own kitchen with Reynaldo nearby, warm scents surrounding him, he realized that for the first time, it felt like a home. His own—and maybe their—home.

Reynaldo came close and stood behind him, sliding his hands beneath Darby's robe, spreading warmth from his chest outward. In an instant, he could see a future together, but he knew that only time would tell. Still, he was happy in the moment, and that was enough for now. Heck, more than enough.