Dangerous Days

Chapter 2

At 6:30, Steven woke. Salsa music bounced from the motel’s lobby. The remnants of rush-hour traffic torqued by on Florida Avenue: horns, brakes, and bass-heavy sound systems rolling past. Steven’s stomach rumbled and he could see that evening purpled the Florida sky outside. The room was dark and cold. Conrad was still asleep. Steven heard his soft snores; that meant he was really tired. He didn’t sound congested though, and he hadn’t coughed.

“Conrad, you ready for some dinner, man?” He put a hand on Conrad’s shoulder and jostled.

No answer.

Steven leaned over him and nestled against the other man’s body. His pelvis ached. “Conrad, you up?”

Conrad moaned and his shoulders jerked. “Mmmm?”

“Wake up, Conrad. I want to take a look at you.”

Conrad rolled over, grimaced and pushed himself onto the pillows. His skin looked greasy. He wiped dirty hands over his bare scalp. Steven realized he hadn’t even washed up before crashing. He still wore his mechanic’s shirt from the garage.

“No wonder you’re sweating, you’re still dressed. Come on, let’s get you out of these clothes.” Steven pulled him up to stand. He flipped on the bedside light.

“Oh, shut that off, the light hurts.” Conrad grimaced and covered his eyes. He stood and wavered, almost comically, for a couple seconds then sat down fast on the bed. He put his head down over his knees. “Oh, f**k me, I’m so dizzy.”

Steven undressed him. Conrad’s caramel-colored skin was glossed with sweat and he was warm with fever. “More aspirin time for you, mister hothead. Maybe I should go get a thermometer.”

Conrad seemed out of it. Steven held his face to get him to focus. “Conrad, talk to me.”

“I just wanna sleep.” More aspirin and a few swallows of juice and Conrad was down again.

Steven’s stomach rumbled once more. “I’m gonna get us some dinner and hit the drugstore. Here’s your cellphone, call me if you start feeling worse, okay? Conrad, answer me.”

“Okay, cellphone.” He turned his face into the pillow. The cellphone slid against the back of Conrad’s neck and he flinched.

Steven left the motel, feeling antsy. He got their dinners to go and decided against making the ten-minute drive to a drugstore. They still had the decongestant from three weeks before when Conrad had come down with something. And plenty of aspirin.

He’ll be fine, just a bug. His cold is back, that’s all.

When he got back, Conrad took two bites of the Cuban sandwiches. The pungent scent of onion and spiced mayonnaise filled the room. Steven pushed it a little but Conrad pulled away with a sharp, “leave me alone” and that was all he needed to hear. Steven went back to TV mode, legs stretched out on top of the covers. Eventually, Conrad turned towards him and wrapped one big hand over Steven’s thighs, his face nuzzled against Steven’s hips. He smiled, stroked Conrad’s bare scalp and placed a quick kiss on his temple.

The late news came on and Steven woke from his doze. Conrad slept on, mouth open on the pillow. He always looked so young when he slept. Steven was a little tickled that no one else got to see Conrad so innocent-looking. He traced one finger over Conrad’s ear.

I love you, man. It scares me sometimes.

He’d never said it to Conrad, only to himself.

He hit the bathroom, undressed and spooned against Conrad. He had to pull back; his c**k was half-hard, and he felt frustrated and horny.

“Too hot,” Conrad said and pushed him away.

Steven kissed his ear, then settled on his back with a sigh.