Promises 2 (16 page)

Quick hooked Cayson’s arm and spun him around to talk to him. The look he got felt like a slap across his face. Lowering his head, he knew already why Cayson was mad, and decided to let him have it.

“If you are going to humiliate me in my place of business, then I’d prefer you not visit, Roman.” Cayson put one hand on his hip, the other he pointed back towards the ER’s doors. “What was that in there?”

“I wasn’t trying to humiliate you, babe. I was giving the good ole doctor there a dose of his own medicine. I’m sure it was a very hard pill for him to swallow.” Quick rubbed Cayson’s shoulder, inching in closer to him. He lowered his voice, hoping to hurry up and diffuse this bomb before it exploded and got out of hand. “Cays, I sure don’t recall Dr. Joe, or whatever, feeling this bad when he yelled out your secrets to your entire street. Did he even bother to apologize? No. Instead, he treated you like nothing again today.”

“None of that concerns
you
. That’s my business. Not yours. I didn’t ask you to fix this, Rome. I don’t need you to!” Cayson argued.

“I apologize. It was juvenile and unnecessary. I was only thinking of you, and that makes me do crazy things. It makes me overprotective. Makes me want to right all the wrongs done to you.” Quick chuckled mirthlessly. “I thought you’d want to see him squirm a bit, for a change.”

Cayson turned his head, but Quick caught a glimpse of that lopsided grin. He’d only wanted to show Cayson he was on his side and he’d pay back anyone who hurt him. But, Cayson was right. He was a well-liked and respected man at work. He would never want him to lose any of his colleagues’ admiration. Next time he encountered Dr. Joe, he’d make sure it was in a territory he controlled. Revenge is a dish best served cold. Meaning completely unexpected and not so much immediate. He’d speak with Duke and Ford about this later. Surely they’d come up with something fitting for Joe’s crime against someone they admired.

“Come on. Don’t walk. Let me drive you home, okay?”

Cayson looked reluctant to agree until Quick gripped the back of Cayson’s head and pulled him in for a kiss that showed him just how truly sorry he was for upsetting him. He felt the doctor’s hands on his waist, drawing him in even closer until their stomachs and chests were flush together. Quick heard Cayson’s moan and it went straight to his nuts. He regretfully released Cayson, not wanting to start anything lewd in a surveillance-monitored parking lot. “Unless you really want some admin problems, I think we should continue this kiss later, too.”

“You know, kissing me isn’t going to get you out of hot water every time,” Cayson said defiantly, leading them back towards the truck.

Quick smirked smugly. Loving that Cayson was speaking of them in the future tense. “But did it work this time?”

“Yes.”

Duke was already in the driver seat, so Quick opened the passenger doors, helping Cayson into the back of the large cab. After they fastened their belts, Duke took off in the direction of the main road. Quick could see an impish grin on his best friend’s face out of the corner of his eye and knew he was ready to start in on him with some good-natured ribbing. “Should we stop by the florist on the way, Rome?”

“Fuck off,” Quick snarled, turning and giving Cayson a look that promised payback, since he thought Duke’s joke was so hysterical. Duke was laughing so hard, Cayson right along with him; he could barely give Duke the directions to his house in Inman.

When they pulled up to Cayson’s fence, Quick was the first one to see the large gold box on Cayson’s doorstep with a huge yellow bow tied around it. “What the hell?” Quick and Duke were out of the truck at the same time. It was amazing how tuned in to each other they were. Years of a partnership, devoid of any romance, only pure trust and loyalty to a brother, made them a dangerous duo.

“From him, you think?” Duke asked, hopping the locked gate just as easily as Quick did.

“Why do you keep doing that?” Cayson wondered. Pulling his keys out of his messenger bag and unlocking his gate. “It does open, ya know.”

Quick picked up the box, ripping the card from where it was tucked inside the ribbon.

“Um. Do you mind?” Cayson raced up the steps and snatched the card from Quick’s hand, flipping the blank envelope over while unlocking his front door.

“Does good ole Joe have a key to your place?” Quick hated to ask that question, dreading an answer he didn’t want to hear, but it was necessary.

“No. He doesn’t. Only to the gate.”

“Get it back,” Quick ordered.

Cayson looked at him like he’d lost his damn mind and Quick rushed to back-pedal. Cayson didn’t need to be told what to do; he’d probably gotten enough of that from previous partners. “I’m sorry. Too much. I mean, he doesn’t need his key anymore, right?”

“Right,” Cayson confirmed, letting Duke and Quick in behind him.

Quick looked around, satisfied that no one had been inside. Everything was exactly how they’d left it that morning. Cayson’s half-eaten bagel and Quick’s coffee cup sat side by side on the kitchen island.

Duke set the obvious flower box on the living room table, standing back from it. Quick and Duke’s eyes met over Cayson’s head while he opened the box, revealing two dozen long stem red roses. More expensive than the bouquet he’d purchased. Cayson opened the card, and Quick was shameless when he leaned forward to read the almost unintelligible penmanship over his shoulder.

I’ve changed. I miss you.

J.

“Motherfucker!” Quick bit out. He was well aware now that red roses meant love. 

“Calm down, Quick,” Duke said cautiously. “Nothing wrong with a little friendly competition.”

“I don’t want competition,” Quick grumbled.

“Not up for the challenge?” Cayson asked nonchalantly, tossing the entire box of flowers in the kitchen trashcan along with the note.

“I don’t mind putting in the work, Doc. But I won’t be made a fool of.”

“Fair enough,” Cayson agreed.

“Duke. Can you wait for me in the truck?”

Duke nodded and left after saying a short goodbye to his doctor. 

“Cays. Come’re.” Quick took Cayson’s hand and led him back over to the couch. He was going to wait to give this to Cayson after their date but it suddenly felt appropriate right now. The unease he felt in his stomach was his instincts. Hair didn’t raise on his neck or arms when he sensed danger. No. Quick felt it in the pit of his stomach. Apprehension about leaving Cayson right now felt like lead weight in his belly. He couldn’t treat his doctor like a child. He was a man. A man who could handle his own affairs. As his hopefully future boyfriend, Quick’s job was to back him up, not push him aside and take over his life for him. Obviously, he’d done fine all this time without Quick. If he wasn’t careful, Cayson would continue on without him.

Quick pulled out the military sports watch and showed it to Cayson.

“Are you giving me a watch?” Cayson was smiling, but he looked confused, too.

“This watch is exactly the same as mine. It’s a tracking device.”

Cayson blinked incredulously. “Excuse me?”

“Easy. Let me explain.” Quick put a calming hand on Cayson’s thigh, rubbing absently while he explained all the features.

“I’m not trying to keep tabs on you, babe. I just want you to have a way to contact help immediately, if you need too.”

“I can simply call.”

“Emergencies don’t always happen around a phone.”

“I’ve never needed anything like this, Rome. I have no enemies.”

“Are you sure?”

“Well, if you’re thinking of someone in particular. I’d still say no. I’m not afraid of Joe.”

“Being careful doesn’t have a damn thing to do with being afraid. We all have the same ones on our wrists.” Quick unhooked Cayson’s elegant watch and replaced it with the new one. One he hoped he’d never have to use. If Quick was nothing else, he was cautious. He refused to take second chances. Not with Cayson, he wouldn’t. He couldn’t.

“The last button here only alerts me. If you push and hold it, your location will flash across my watch. If you push this one, you’ll have five men barreling in your direction within seconds.”

“God, no. Okay, so never hold that button down. I’m only wearing it because it’s kinda James Bondish. I like the pearl and gold. But I know I won’t need it.”

“That’s all I want.” Quick hooked his arm around Cayson, their thighs pressed next to each other. Quick dipped down, seeking out Cayson’s mouth. “I gotta drop Duke off and get home to change. I’ll be back in a couple hours.” Quick spoke against Cayson’s temple, kissing him gently there and on his forehead before he stood and walked back towards the front door.

“Okay,” Cayson replied softly.

Six o’clock couldn’t get here fast enough to suit Quick. He needed uninterrupted time with his new man. Time to show him how much better life would be with him at his side. Someone that’d be proud to show him off. Dr. Cayson Chauncey was too wonderful to be someone’s secret lover.

Cayson

He didn’t even take the watch off when he showered. Quick told him to make it a part of his skin, and since he couldn’t take that off, he wouldn’t take off the watch, either. He was too wired to nap, so Cayson turned on the radio in his room to a classic rock station. He loved all kinds of music, but when he was in a really good mood, he wanted to hear some Tom Petty, Steve Miller, or someone equally good. He wasn’t much of a dancer, but he could bob his head to the beat.

The music buoyed his mood tenfold, and he got more and more excited as six grew nearer. He was showered, shaved, and dressed in under an hour. He opted for dark blue jeans and a white and tan collared shirt. He left it untucked, throwing a camel corduroy blazer over it. Not knowing how much walking they’d do, he chose his comfortable, tan casual shoes. He hadn’t worn cologne in ages, but he still had a few dusty bottles in his bathroom drawer. Working in a hospital, it was courteous to the patients not to wear overpowering fragrances. He was so out of date. Checking the names of each one, he froze when he saw Stetson fading sadly on one of the bottles. Not that it was a bad fragrance; it was just so damn old. Cayson had the original one with the cowboy and horse on the label.
Jesus. I bought that bottle in college.
There was no way Cayson was putting any of that on. He’d probably have to treat himself for chemical burns if he did.

He yelled, “Ah-ha!” when he picked up the Kenneth Cole cologne giftset with aftershave that he’d got from the Pollyanna his nurse made him participate in last Christmas. Right now, he was so happy she did. He gave the cologne a sniff before he sprayed a fine mist around his collar. That was plenty. He walked around with a glass of Port in his hand while the Red Hot Chili Peppers screamed through his Dolby speakers about giving it away now. He startled slightly at the sound of his doorbell. It was only five forty. Quick was early. Thank goodness. Because, if Quick was even one minute late, Cayson would already be nervous about being stood up.

Cayson opened the door without even a who is it? Jerking to a pause when he saw Dr. Joe standing there, looking nervous and uncomfortable.

“Did you get my flowers?” Joe asked quietly, anxiously looking around, like someone was in Cayson’s hedges with a long-range mic and a TMZ camera. “Can I come in?” Joe finally asked after Cayson just stared at him through his storm door.

“I was just getting ready to leave, Joe. This isn’t a good time.”

Joe finally got a good look at Cayson, narrowing his eyes with realization. “Are you going out with him?” Joe said the word “him” like some would say the word “shit.” With pure disgust.

“That’s none of your business.” Cayson stepped out onto the porch and closed his door behind him. There was no way he was about to get caught in the house alone with Joe when his date would be there any minute.

“It is my business. You are going to get yourself in a world of trouble, Cayson. Traipsing around with those two thugs at the hospital this afternoon. Are you trying to lose your license?”

Cayson barked a sad laugh. “You keep using the word thug to describe my friends – one of whom is my patient – and I don’t appreciate it.” Quick had been sticking up for Cayson; maybe it was time Cayson did the same for him. “They are bounty hunters. Didn’t you see their uniforms?”

“That’s just a cover occupation for hoodlums who want to fight and hurt people legally.”

“My gosh. Joe, you do know bounty hunters put criminals back in jail when they try to evade going to court? I mean, that’s common knowledge. I would hardly say they’re hoodlums. I sleep better knowing there are occupations like that out there to keep people safe.”

Joe shook his head pityingly, as if Cayson were the most naïve person in the world. “You always have been too trusting, Cayson. But I’m not going to keep giving you chances,” he said harshly.

“I didn’t ask for a chance at anything, Joe.”

“I mean it, dangit!”

“Joe, settle down. I don’t understand any of this.” Cayson took a step back; needing distance between him and a man he thought was his friend. That was the only thing Cayson had ever been naïve about. Joe was turning that frightening shade of red again, and Cayson noticed his fists were balled up and shaking at his sides. Joe was being completely irrational, and Cayson hated to admit it, but he was nervous. He wasn’t afraid. He and Joe were rather equally matched in size and weight. Cayson actually had a few extra pounds of muscle, but he wasn’t a fighter. Violence only begat more violence. Wasn’t that taught in grade school now?