Chapter 20

Icame in, and Zane walked over and gave me a quick hug before dashing out.

"Don't let him give up on himself. Or you," he whispered before closing the door behind him.

I locked it and carried the take-out bag from Liberties into the kitchen. I set it down on the counter and grabbed a couple of plates. I wanted to share my news, but I was also a little scared about telling him. Last time, it hadn't gone exactly as planned, and with Zane's whisper, my heart beat a little faster. "I brought burgers and fries. I figured it was a safer option than having me cook."

He giggled, and it made me feel warm. "Cool. Thank you. How was your day?"

"Interesting. How was yours."

"It too was… interesting, even if I barely got off the couch. Zane helped me walk around on the crutches a little, and I'm not as dangerous anymore. I didn't knock anything over."

"That's a very good boy." I chuckled. "Slow and steady. I'm sure you'll be off them in a little over a month. How's the pain?"

"It's… It doesn't throb like it did before. It's there, but not so bad, actually. I can deal with this a lot better." He sounded lighter than he did when I left this morning. We barely spoke, and it was a little awkward. I didn't know the words until after my talk with Crystal.

"Good." I unwrapped the burgers and placed them on the plates before dumping out the fries. "Ketchup?"

"Sure. Just a little."

"I drown mine." I grabbed the ketchup from the fridge and shook it, squirting a large pile on my plate.

"I'm not surprised. I used to, but something changed, I guess. Now I just like a little dab. I like the crunch of the fry. Hell, I like the taste and don't wanna cover it up with the ketchup."

"I like the burger. I'm starving. It's been a… Well, the day took a few unexpected turns."

I carried the plates over and set them down on the small bamboo TV trays that unfolded, then carried them over to the couch. We used to have a set of these when I was younger, but when I was in high school, Mom made us all sit at the dining room table. Mom preferred that we talk instead of watching some TV show as we stuffed our mouths. It was her way of getting some quality time with us.

"You need me to…" I reached out, and David grinned.

"Got it… Maybe?" David carefully pushed himself up into a sitting position. "See, I did it myself."

"No weight on that foot?" I narrowed my eyes.

"No. See?" he said proudly. "I even have it stretched out."

"Good boy."

"I'm… God, that smells so good. Dad used to bring these home every Friday night as a treat for us. Liberties was one of the first places I went to when I came back home. They have the best burgers and fish and chips in town. It's always felt special to me."

"The Moosehead is pretty good, too. That burger is huge." I laughed as I sat beside him on the couch.

"It's way too much. I'm not sure I ever ate the whole thing, but trust me, I tried. The patty is almost as big as my face. But I do like the Moosehead."

"I have totally eaten it. John and I had a race to see who could finish it first."

"Who won?"

"John. He was totally stoned. They have really good pizza, too."

"Yeah. The Pleasant has really… Hey - tell me what happened today. I'm sorry that I… I'm weird, ok? It happens. You'll get used to it. I'll get weird again."

"I know, and I don't think you're weird. I know that you care, ok? That didn't change anything, David… Babe. It just took me by surprise, I guess."

"You guess? Hell, even I was surprised." He took a bite and wiped his mouth.

"I know. I was surprised. I thought you'd be happier."

"Oh, I am. I am…" He put his burger down and turned to me. "My first thought was that you were going to stay, and then all of those selfish thoughts came break dancing through my head. I just want to make sure that… Look, you're an adult, and your life belongs to you. Who am I to say that… Well, anything?"

"I think that you are exactly the person—maybe the only one who has a right to say anything at all, besides my parents, I guess. I have been living under their roof." I grinned, picked up a ketchup-covered fry, and offered it to David.

He opened his mouth and grimaced at all the ketchup that covered it. "Your life is yours, Justin. I know we've… Ooo… That was gross. I mean, I know that you're here with me right now. I know that we both like each other, but… It's barely been more than a month since we met. I don't have any right to tell you anything."

I took a deep breath and turned back to him, picking up his hand and holding it. "Well, would that change if you were my boyfriend?"

"You've already called me that too…" He blushed. "Oh! Are you actually asking me? You are! Ok… Yes. I suppose it would."

"I haven't asked yet." I winked. "Will you be my boyfriend, baby? I should have asked you officially. In my mind, you already were."

He blushed, and his eyes misted over. "You are really trying to make me choke, aren't you?"

"Please be my boyfriend? Are you going to make Daddy beg?" I nudged him with my shoulder.

"No, Daddy." He giggled. "I won't. I would be very happy to be your boyfriend. Honestly, at this point, it's all that I want. And that is…"

"Scary?" I reached over and pecked him on the cheek. "I'm not going anywhere, and now I don't have to at all. You better get used to me, babe."

"What does that mean?" he asked slowly.

"It means that The Pleasant is the kind of place where fucking miracles happen, babe. Come on! I met you and Liza, and you've totally changed everything, David. I… I'm falling in love with you, dummy." I laughed happily.

"Even with this boot?" He grinned.

"Even with the boot, babe."

"I… feel the same way. I just didn't want you to settle for… all of this when you might…"

I put my finger over his lips. "Why would you call it settling when it's what I want? I don't think I've ever wanted someone or something as bad as I do us at this moment, David. I just want to sit out on the porch with you and make the neighbors jealous."

He shuddered. "I would rip your clothes off right now if we weren't eating."

"You're horny! You must be feeling better." I took a bite and chewed quickly before swallowing. "But wait! There's more, babe. And don't think you're getting out of ripping my clothes off. I can be gentle if I have to."

"Who needs a foot? I'll survive." He whispered.

"I talked to Crystal today, and she… She is a fucking badass. She called the fucking Pheasants and told them what they were going to do, and the amazing part is that they agreed. Not only are they paying for my master"s, but they are also paying me over the summer while I'm in school finishing my bachelor"s. It's not the entire cost, but it will definitely help, and the best part is… Wait for it… An hour later, they called me back, and my school offered me the class I needed as a special study. I can stay here and graduate remotely."

"How did that happen?" He looked at me with amazement.

"Apparently, Little Timmy, my boss, made a call to the Seattle team's manager who happened to know the Dean at my school. It was that fucking easy."

"That's amazing. But it is The Pleasant, and Crystal is super connected. I mean, she hangs out with stars and princes, so…"

"I know that I'm… not going back – not wanting to go back to school is…" I took a deep breath. "I like who I am now, babe. Going back there would make me remember all of the shit. I was kind of an asshole, I guess. I barely came home to see the family – choosing to stay and party most of the time, and that's not who I am any longer. I don't want to be that person ever again. I'm different now, and this is what I want. You are who I want."

He set his burger down on the plate and stared at me lovingly. "Damn, all of this over burgers and fries."

"It is a life-changing burger. I don't think people give the burger and fries combo the respect that it deserves."

"I blame fast food."

I took his hand. "I want to make you happy, David. I'm not just in this for… now. I can't promise what the future holds, but I can promise to be honest and to be the best boyfriend I can be. I would never hurt you, babe – not intentionally. I'm not…" I swallowed, and he put his other hand on top of mine.

"I know you're not, Martin." His eyes widened in shock. "See? I said his name instead of calling him the fucking devil. I know, Justin. You are a very good man."

"Wait?" I laughed. "His name was Martin? Did you call him Marty when you got pissed at him?"

"I should have. He hated that." He smirked and let go of my hand to pick up his burger again.

"So about ripping my clothes off…"

"Can I please finish dinner first?" He took a bite. "See, this is the problem with having a younger boyfriend."

"I don't think you mind."

"I do like my meat… But this burger is really doing it for me right now."

"This sausage could fulfill you just as much."

"But would I be full when I finish it?"

"Oh, it's a full dining experience."

He set the burger back down, and we sat in silence while he chewed. He swallowed and sighed. "I'm happy, and… I haven't been that way in a long time. Not really. I forgot what it felt like."

"I don't think I've been either – not til you and Liza. I can't promise you a happy ever after, but I can promise you a happy for now. We'll have to see what the future holds. But… I could promise you a very happy ending." My cock stiffened.

"You make sweet promises. But I do have a broken foot."

"I'll make sure to not stick my cock in your foot then."

"Justin? You're gonna have to put Liza up in the bedroom if we're…"

"Are you done?" I pushed my tray table away and stood up.

"Yes."

I grabbed the plates and practically threw them in the sink before coming back to stand in front of him.

"Liza can stay down here. I'm taking you upstairs."

"How? I don't think I could…" I put my finger over his lips and reached down to grab his hand.

"Stand on one foot, please." I pulled him up and wrapped his arms around my neck before I lifted him into my arms.

"You are going to kill us."

"Then we die together. But, babe. I think Daddy is totally strong enough to get you up those steps today. I don't think anything in the world could stop me."

"I have never loved anyone as much as I do you right now." He kissed me gently, and I groaned.

"I think that's just your libido. I'm gonna have a hard time getting up the stairs with this hard-on."

"No, it's not just my libido. I mean it."

"Good. Cause I love you too. Now shut up while I carry you up these stairs and have my way with you."

He nuzzled into my neck, and I didn't falter once on the stairs.