Quite the Pair by Beth C. Greenberg

Author:Beth C. Greenberg [Greenberg, Beth C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Copyright © 2021 Beth C. Greenberg
Publisher: Isotopia Publishing
Published: 2021-09-09T13:45:23+00:00

22

Bait and Switch

Today was the day. Reed had made up his mind on the drive to the gym. Time to hobble way out of his comfort zone. Yeah, look where that got you last time, the bum leg reminded him, to which Reed answered, “No regrets” out loud just as Dr. Hannon had coached him.

It had been a while since Reed had needed to invoke the mantra, which, according to his therapist’s parting words, was not necessarily a good thing. Take a chance every now and then, Dr. Hannon had said. Remind yourself you’re alive.

Reed needed little reminder lately. He was alive and well—at least his libido was. Fantasies of the lovely young man mysteriously named Q had pretty much taken over all his conscious thoughts and a fair portion of his dreams to boot. And oh, those dreams! Just thinking about what the two had done to each other last night fogged up the windows of Reed’s car.

He couldn’t deny it was Q’s outrageously good looks that had caught his initial attention, but once the door of possibility opened, Q had given him plenty of compelling reasons to step through. The man was alluring on so many levels—his exuberance for life and learning, his directness and lack of filter, the uncomplicated state of his intellect. Any holes in Q’s scholastic knowledge were more than compensated for.

Reed genuinely wanted to get to know Q better, and that motivation was unusual and powerful enough to pull him out of his safe, boring existence. What, really, did he have to lose? He plotted and rehearsed until a solid plan came together: Reed would stretch and warm up, and when Q arrived, he’d invite him out for drinks. Get the whole thing out of the way so he could enjoy the simple pleasure of sharing a swim with his beautiful companion.

Conviction was well and good inside the safety of his car, but it frayed along with Reed’s nerves as he plodded across the parking lot toward the gym entrance. He didn’t even know if Q would be at the pool today. Not that Q was playing hard to get—he’d made his feelings known—but Reed had asked for time, and that’s exactly what Q had given him. The next move was Reed’s.

Stay relaxed. Kane’s first rule of rehab.

Easy for you to say, Reed argued with the voice in his head, instantly acknowledging the insanity taking over his life. I’m too old for this shit.

Reed had talked himself into a lather by the time he exited the locker room into the pool area. His breath caught as he found Q swimming laps in “their lane.” Reed’s initial instinct was a flashing red light: Retreat!

“Take a chance,” spoke with an insistence that wasn’t going away. With a measured breath, Reed shook off the urge to flee.

“Focus,” Reed whispered out loud. The last thing his ego needed was a face-plant into the pool deck. Reed managed one deliberate foot in front of the other though his heart was pounding as if he were perched at the end of the high dive, about to leap.

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