Trapped Nerves by Drew Hunt

Author:Drew Hunt [Nerves, Trapped]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Pill Hill, Portland OR July 2005

"Fucking useless piece of shit!" Parker exclaimed as he slammed the phone back onto its cradle. As Mason had suspected, the elevator's phone was out of order. "Vandals," he said softly.

"What the fuck business is it of yours!" Parker whirled on Mason.

"No, uh, I said vandals, plural." He swallowed "Kids, they frequently vandalize the equipment in the elevators."

"Oh, uh, yeah. Sorry, bud. You must think I'm a real asshole."

Mason didn't say anything.

"I'm nervous. Hospitals, I don't like them. I don't normally fly into a rage with people I don't know." "It's okay." Inwardly Mason winced. He knew Parker hadn't recognized him, but somehow having it spoken out loud made it hurt worse. People only ever saw the chair, never the guy sitting in it. Despite the passage of time, Parker had lost little of his physical, manly presence. Mason's gaze fell to his lap, to the pants covering his withered, stick-like legs. He closed his eyes not wanting to think how differently fate had treated him and Parker.

"Uh, will someone be coming, do you think?" Parker's voice had softened.

Without opening his eyes, Mason said, "Try pressing the alarm button." He prayed it would work.

A bell rang somewhere in the distance. Despite a resolute determination not to, Mason couldn't help but open his eyes and admire his elevator companion. From his seated position he thought Parker appeared taller than he remembered. His hair was still perfect. Mason wondered if it felt as fine and silky as it used to. Parker was a little thicker around the middle, but he wore it well. Through his suit jacket and button down dress shirt, Mason could tell Parker still had a great chest. Looking at the man's arms, Mason concluded Parker must still work out regularly. He remembered how those arms once used to enfold him, holding him against that firm body.

"Don't go there."

"Huh?"

"Oh, uh, nothing." Mason hadn't realized he'd spoken out loud.

* * *

Central High School, Crawford WA, May 1992

"I don't mean anything to you. I've never meant anything," Mason hissed quietly.

"What?"

"I'm just. . . just your dirty little secret, someone you can ignore when it doesn't suit you." Mason was at the end of his tether, he'd had enough. It was the eve of Parker's 18th birthday. Mason had planned to take his boyfriend out for a lavish dinner in a private dining room so they wouldn't be observed. Parker had been thrilled with the gesture, but had cancelled at the last minute when his girlfriend had asked him to stay with her for the night as her parents weren't home.

The pair were standing in the hall by their lockers. The melee of students had turned their attention to the two jocks when they heard raised voices.

"No, Mase, that's so not true." Parker looked about him. "Uh, can we talk about this later?" he asked shifting uncomfortably.

"You mean when Tina or whatever the name of the latest bimbo is, isn't pulling on your leash?" Mason spat. Someone in the crowd snickered.

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