***
You know you’re fucking up, right?” Aaron murmured.
“Maybe I’m not the right guy for him.” Chris rasped.
“Bullshit!” Aaron retorted heatedly. “You’re running scared and you know it. What happened to the man I looked up to?” Aaron turned to face Chris. “The man who gives me so much strength. The man who tells me everything is possible if you put your mind to it. That man won’t act like this.”
“Aaron…”
“Shut the fuck up and listen to me, Chris. That man loves you. With this attitude, you’re putting a good person to an early grave. That’s not the Chris I know and love. Please, stop this.”
“I needed space to think,” Chris mumbled. “The last thing I want to do is hurt him, Aaron.”
“And what do you think you’re doing now? What would he have thought if he’d walked in on you in bed with a woman?” Aaron’s eyes widened when he saw the guilt in Chris’ eyes. “What? She said you guys did nothing.”
“And that’s the truth.” Shane slurred. “But Shane…he’s already seen us together.” Chris groaned as if in pain.
“Oh my God. When? What were you two doing? Chris…”
“Settle down,” Chris whispered, squeezing his eyes shut. “We weren’t doing anything. And it hurts that he actually thought the worst.” He muttered.
“Fuck.” Aaron was so pissed he was shaking. “He’s on his way to take you to Florida. You…”
“What?” Chris’ eyes popped open.
“He’s taking you on a two-week vacation to your vacation home. Now you will stand up, wash your face and get read…”
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Chris growled, trying to focus on at least one of the two images of Aaron he was seeing. Fuck, if both Aarons could just become one, he thought irritably. “And who the fuck does he think he is, planning my life for two weeks. Not even wild horses can drive me to that house. Do you people think…” Chris trailed off when Aaron quickly moved to straddle his thighs.
“Listen to me, Chris.” Aaron’s voice trembled and his cheeks were wet with tears. “If you have an iota of love for Shane, you will do this for him. Cole will make sure everything goes on smoothly back here. All the guys will see to that. Shane is leaving his businesses just to go on this trip with you because he cares about you and wants to get your relationship on the right path.” Aaron paused to swipe furiously at his eyes, desperate to get through to Chris. “Please do this for him. And for me as well. Please.” Aaron whispered shakily. “Please, Chris. Please.” Aaron was sobbing now. His hands covered his wet face as he sobbed.
Chris pulled Aaron to his chest and held him. He didn’t know what to think. Go back to that house? And Shane was willing to do that? Really? After what he’d done to him in that house? Even after assuming he’d been unfaithful, he was still willing to make their relationship work? Chris felt his tank top get wet with Aaron’s tears and tightened his hold on Aaron. What the fuck was he doing, Chris asked himself. Who was he kidding? If Shane wanted him in that house, there was no way he could say he wouldn’t go. And not only could he not live without Shane in his life, he also didn’t want to disappoint Aaron.
God, he felt faint, Chris groaned. Where the fuck was Shane when he needed him, Chris thought edgily. Of course, he would probably wait till he was sitting close to some chic, to show up. Chris wanted to scream in misery but couldn’t summon the energy to do that. But was he in the position to travel, Chris wondered. He was so drunk and tired, he didn’t think he could. At least not today. Oh fuck, he needed to see Shane. To tell him the truth. To make him understand why he’d been behaving that way.
“I’ll go.” He whispered. Then in a stronger voice, he repeated himself. “I will go, Aaron. I’m so sorry you had to see me like this. I’ll go.” Chris couldn’t keep his eyes open.
“Thank you, Chris,” Aaron said shakily.
“It’s just that I’m so tired.” Chris whimpered. “Where is Shane? I just want to slee…”
“No, no, Chris, open your eyes,” Aaron said frantically, cupping Chris’ cheeks between his palms. “Come on, don’t pass out now.” He groaned but Chris was far gone. “You idiot!” Aaron muttered and reached for his phone. Kyle picked up on the first ring.
“Talk to me,” Kyle said softly on the other end.
“He passed out.” Aaron sighed, getting off Chris. “But not before telling me, he would go with Shane.”
“Good job, baby.” Aaron could feel the smile in Kyle’s voice. “Pack his stuff. We’ll be up there soon. Shane’s chopper just landed on the roof.”
“Okay.”
***
Shane stood beside the bed, looking down at a passed-out Chris. He wanted to shake him till his teeth rattled inside his mouth but at the same time, he wanted to kiss him…hold him close. Chris was his world. He was nothing without Chris, and Shane knew it.
“I don’t have to give him anything now,” Michael said beside him. “He’s already out. And looking at all these bottles, he’s going to be out for a very long time.” He chuckled. “I’ll give you something for when he wakes up though.”
“Okay. Thanks.” Shane said, bending to pick up the shirt Aaron had thoughtfully left on the bed for Chris. He gently put it on Chris and then picked him up, fireman style. “Fuck, he’s light.” He groaned.
“How do you know he’s…never mind.” Michael shook his head in amusement and held the door open for Shane.
When they got to the rooftop of the hotel building, where Shane’s jet was ready to take off, Shane gently placed Chris in the seat and buckled him up. Then he fixed earplugs in Chris’ ears to combat both noise and pressure. All the guys were standing there, watching him. Shane was so used to their fun nature that this gloomy side of them felt weird to him. After making sure that Chris was comfortable, Shane shut his door and turned around to face the guys. Then Shane moved to stand in front of Kyle.
“I’ll fix this. I promise.” Shane said quietly.
Kyle nodded. “I know you will.” He said giving Shane a fierce hug.
Aaron was a totally different matter though. His eyes were swollen from crying so much. Chris had helped him when he needed help most and he was devastated seeing Chris in that state. Shane didn’t say anything to Aaron. He simply gathered him into his arms and held him.
“Come back happy,” Aaron whispered. “Please.”
“I’ll make sure I bring your Chris back, happier than you’ve ever seen him okay?” Shane whispered back. At Aaron’s nod, he pressed a soft kiss to the sad boy’s forehead. “Just make sure we come back to the Aaron he knows and loves. Alright?”
“Alright.”
“Good. Because Chris will go bonkers if he thinks you’re not okay.” Shane murmured, hugging Aaron again.
Shane hugged the others, assuring them that Chris was going to be fine. Then with a final wave, he hopped into the pilot’s seat and adjusted the controls. And even as the chopper rose smoothly and sored into the darkening sky, Shane prayed and hoped he could deliver on his promise to Chris’ family…the squad!