***
Chris stretched and tried to open his eyes. Fuck, he felt like he’d been hit by a truck. What the fuck happened, he wondered as he finally opened his eyes.
“Oh fuck.” He groaned, holding his head. “A fucking hangover.” He muttered to himself, willing his headache away. Chris looked around the huge room, immediately knowing where he was, and wondering how he’d gotten to his father’s room in Florida. Oh fuck, Aaron hadn’t been joking. Shane had really brought him here. “Shit!” He muttered just as he felt his stomach heave.
Chris rolled off the bed and rushed into the bathroom just in time to empty his virtually empty stomach. If only he had some food in his stomach, he wouldn’t be heaving mere air which was more painful, Chris thought, angry at himself. He heard footsteps behind him and turned around to see Shane standing behind him. Trust Shane to look hot whilst he felt so shitty, Chris couldn’t help thinking. Shane was wearing a black tank top that stuck to his sexy body like a second skin, on blue jeans and black boots. He looked totally delicious.
“Excuse me, will you?” Chris rasped sourly as he tried to bring his harsh breathing under control.
Chris heard Shane leave the bathroom and turned to look at the door with a look of surprise. To think Shane actually left simply because he’d asked him to, Chris fumed, getting to his feet. He flushed and then went to brush his teeth, wincing at his bloodshot eyes staring back at him through the mirror. He’d really done it this time. Chris raised his eyes to watch Shane in the mirror when he heard him enter the bathroom again.
“Take two tablets,” Shane said quietly beside Chris. “Michael says it will help. I’ll be outside.” With that, he turned and left the bathroom.
Chris turned to watch the doorway, willing Shane to come back but he heard the bedroom door close and knew Shane had left the room. That was so unlike Shane, Chris thought. With a sigh, he rinsed his mouth and took two tablets as Shane had instructed. Then he had a very long shower, allowing the water to soothe him. When he went back into the room after his long shower, Chris saw a mug of hot black coffee that Shane had obviously left for him on the bedside table, and drank it gratefully. Their clothes had already been arranged in the huge walk-in closet.
Shane had obviously been very busy. He was also obviously angry at him. Probably because he’d drunk so much, Shane guessed. Hell, he couldn’t even remember how he’d gotten to Florida. Shane’s anger was definitely not misplaced, Chris winced. But he couldn’t stop the smile that widened his mouth as he dressed in black jeans and a grey polo shirt that he knew he looked good in. Time to turn on the charm…time to get Shane to forgive…
“Oh fuck!” Chris’ eyes widened, suddenly remembering what had really happened. Shane had seen him with Peaches and assumed the worst. “Shit.” Shane had actually believed he could cheat on him. “The idiot.” He breathed, feeling all the hurt he’d felt the day before resurface. How dare Shane think that low of him?
Chris pulled on loafers and headed out. He found Shane outside, crouching against a wall, eyes fixed unseeingly on his covered chopper…obviously lost in thought. He stood up when he saw Chris, who then went to stand beside Shane, his hands stuck deep in his back pocket. Both men looked tense and lost in thought as they stood, taking in the beautiful beach view and the spectacular scenery around them in silence.
“I see you carried me again,” Chris muttered, breaking the silence.
Shane shrugged, not turning to look at Chris. “You were not in the position to walk.” His voice was devoid of emotion.
Both men stood quietly for a moment till again, Chris broke the silence. “I had sex with her three years ago, Shane.”
Shane remained quiet for so long Chris thought he hadn’t heard him. “Okay.” He finally responded. He didn’t have to ask Chris what he was talking about.
“I’ve never had sex with her again since then.” Chris continued. “And I was shocked you would think I could do that to you. To us. That hurt, Shane. A lot.”
Shane turned to look at Chris for a moment, and then went back to watching the jet. Chris couldn’t stand the aching silence. He wanted Shane to talk, to shout, to scream at him…anything but the silent treatment. Chris wanted his Shane back. And he sure as hell wanted to devour those sexy lips. Of a truth, he suddenly needed that mouth like he needed air. But he didn’t know how to take what he needed from the distant Shane beside him. And it was killing Chris. He turned to face Shane.
“Can I kiss you?” Chris breathed.
Shane turned his head to look at Chris. When had he ever had to ask him permission to kiss him, Shane wondered. “No,” Shane said and abruptly turned to go back into the house.
Shane didn’t trust himself to be around Chris at that very moment. Had he really asked for a kiss? Seriously? Did the guy remember what he’d done? Much as Shane was all for fixing things between himself and Chris, he really wasn’t in the mood to deal with Chris. Maybe in a day or two, he would be ready to sit and talk to Chris but not that very moment. The fact that Chris hadn’t slept with that girl didn’t mean Shane could forget about all the other stuff.
He’d also gone through therapy with the same doctor but he hadn’t shut Chris out, had he? Neither had he behaved irrationally towards Chris. And he definitely hadn’t lied to Chris and gone off to hang out with some chic in some hotel and drank his life away. And he sure as fuck wasn’t going to allow Chris to simply sweep everything under a carpet and act as though everything was alright. Because it sure as hell wasn’t.