Domestic Relations by K-Lee Klein

Author:K-Lee Klein [Klein, K-Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: M/M Romance, contemporary
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Published: 2012-09-04T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Tiny Mercies Home of Love

Josh was more than a little perplexed by the sign on the building Riley had parked in front of. A nursing home? Riley had someone he was close to in the city? How could he have kept something like that a secret for so long? The whole day had been confusing and contradictory, and obviously it wasn't over yet.

Riley pulled the keys from the ignition and fixed Josh with a sweet, hopeful gaze. "I really just want to take you home and fall apart in your arms, but I need to do this first. You mind?"

Josh reached for Riley's hand. "If it's important to you, it's important to me," Josh said. He struggled to keep the what-the-fuck? out of his voice. He didn't want to upset Riley, not after the day they'd had. With one last press of his fingers to Riley's, Josh got out of the car. He waited on the sidewalk while Riley moved to join him.

"Are we going in?"

Riley didn't answer; he just stood staring at the white building. Josh was just about to repeat the question when Riley took his hand, squeezed it gently, and led him up the pathway. The place was more than a few years old, but it appeared to be well maintained. There was definitely some Spanish influence in both its construction and décor: a white stone exterior with an adobe roof. There were little plants in pots matching the roof scattered around the bottom of the building. Some of the pots were brightly painted with images of angels and animals; others with abstract and intricate images. They gave the place a homey feel, and Josh quite liked them.

He followed Riley into the building, the interior not at all what he expected from a nursing home. The walls were brightly colored hues of green, orange, and blue, the entryway a sunny yellow with a mural of birds, trees, and flowers. Riley turned to the right where a friendly-looking black woman peeked up from behind a desk, the desktop a jumble of paper and pens and knickknacks. She smiled at Riley and quickly rose to embrace him. Josh stood back until they were done, unexpectedly uncomfortable with the whole situation.

"Ms. Loretta, this is Josh." Riley ushered Josh forward with a hand on the small of his back.

Loretta smiled sweetly while her eyes inspected Josh from head to toe, and the big yellow flower—which matched the big yellow flowers on her bright green dress—bobbed on her mass of black curls. Josh was pretty sure he held his breath in those few moments, his palms sweating while Riley rubbed circles on his lower back.

"So this is him, is it?" Loretta said, mouth pursed but eyes smiling as she continued to scrutinize him. "Heard a lot about you from Mr. Riley here."

"All good, I hope," Josh replied. He looked quickly from Loretta to Riley and back again.

"Ah sugar, nothing but the best." Loretta grabbed Josh, almost knocking him off his feet. She wrapped him in a hug that felt like home: warm, inviting, and accepting.

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