ODDS OF LOVE : ONE MOMENT

Episode 30

Sunday September 1, 2024

" What do you mean you don't think you will be coming to stay with me? ," Richard asked as he read the newspaper and stock market reports on his iPad while Nigel one armedly made his way sloppily through his hospital breakfast of wheat germ pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage links. Richard had offered to help him eat and Nigel had duly rejected it saying that he was " no longer blind and didn't need a babysitter anymore". Then he started talking about " how Richard must be so thrilled to not have to think of dealing with him at the condo".

Nigel took a sip of the small orange juice on his breakfast tray. " It's just true. You only offered because I am alone essentially and you were afraid something would happen if I was at my place by myself. Like I fell out of a window or something or other. Just like you said you were my husband. For practical purposes. But I'm not blind anymore. Not in both eyes anyway. So it's not necessary anymore. "

Richard lifted his eyes from a small news story in the Post about a local Maryland teacher who was being questioned in a sexual assault. He didn't need to read that. If he wanted details on that he could just text his brother. " That's not why I wanted you at the condo. Although I wouldn't find it a good thing if you fell out of a window. I ..... I am still taking my leave. It's been a while since I have had time off from work. "

Nigel pushed the table with the emptied tray away from him and tried to avoid Richard's eyes. " You've never had time off from the firm. "

" Precisely. I'm enjoying being here with you. I mean.... I'm not enjoying you being in the hospital. I would never want you hurt or sick. I just.... like spending time with you. Your arm is still broken. You have broken ribs. Your obnoxious roommate is still very busy saving the White House. So.... It is not unreasonable for you to come stay with me. At the condo. "

Richard looked at the younger man and felt very uncertain. Maybe this was more about Nigel's feelings than his in the whole condo situation. Maybe Nigel regretted revealing his feelings for him. Maybe he regretted kissing him. Maybe the last thing Nigel wanted was to be trapped in Richard's very boring, very bland, very sterile and white looking condo. He could not really blame him. Sometimes he didn't want to spend time in his own company.

Nigel looked back at him. Richard could not read the man's expression. If Nigel was a poker player he would be very good at it. " Richard, what are you trying to say? "

Richard bit his bottom lip as he thought. What was he trying to say? What did he really want? He was not out. Yet. If ever. To the world Nigel was still his secretary. Former secretary. Would it be appropriate to have him at the condo as a guest? Did he care if it was appropriate?

Or did he just want the man there because he had accustomed to seeing his face in the morning? Hearing his voice making some dry comment about something?  Did he just want Nigel there simply to have him there?

And was that necessarily a bad thing?

He coughed. " I'm saying that I still want you to stay at my condo. With me. As long as you need to be there. It's not a problem for me. "

Nigel's pink tongue darted out of his mouth to lick almost nervously at his ripe looking delicious lips. God. What would Nigel do if right now Richard just grabbed him and started to suck on those tasty lips of his ?

" Well ," Nigel said hesitantly," if it's no problem for you I .... guess it would be ok. My staying with you. Until.... I'm all better. Then I'll go home. "

On that last sentence his voice dropped very low and his eyes turned away from Richard.

What if he never wanted Nigel to go back home?

That sudden thought left Richard speechless as soon as it had floated through his head.

Then the door opened and in came Joe Jacobs looking suavely sexy and carrying a single long stemmed yellow rose. The man stopped suddenly as he stepped into the room. His eyes were wide with what seemed to be shocked horror and a little revulsion as they took in Nigel's face with its burns.

" Hello, Joe ," Nigel said sadly.