Page 120 of Out of the Storm

“Can I kiss you again?”

“Yeah. Please.”

Jeff took the ice away, and Gary kissed him softly on the lips.

“Radio man, I’m sorry for telling you to stay away. It was stupid of me. I want the two of us to face this together, Gare. If you still want to.”

“Of course I want to. I’ve always wanted to.”

“Okay. Good.” Jeff handed Gary the ice. “Think you can handle icing your nose while I try to find that screw?”

“Yeah.”

Jeff climbed off the couch, grabbed a few tissues from a box in the kitchen to clean himself up a bit, then tugged his briefs back on and started to search.

“Can I take you to buy some new frames tomorrow?” Jeff asked as he ran his fingers through the carpet, hoping to feel the tiny screw somewhere.

“Sure. I can’t believe I’ll have to try to see through one lens while they prepare new frames and lenses for me though. Geez. It could beweeks!”

“I’ll be here to help. I’ll cook for you, make you coffee, whatever you want. Hell, I can try to run that silly radio show of yours too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, sure, but I’m bringing over some real music.”

“Wow, Jeff, that’s so... that’s so sweet of you. I’ll still help you with that, though. I can talk. I mean, my mouth works fine.”

Jeff huffed a laugh. “Don’t try to turn me on, radio man. I’m not sure I can handletwoorgasms from you in one night.”

Gary laughed too. “Sorry. Hey, I know what’ll completely turn youoff. Uhm, once we visit the optometrist, should we pick up that stuff of yours from Don’s?”

“No. I think he’s been holding onto my shit so that he could eventually try to lure me back. All of that stuff was lost to me years ago. Someone else can have my clothes and records and whatever else he has.”

“Okay, yeah, that makes sense.”

After a couple more seconds of searching, Jeff found the screw hidden next to the couch leg. He sat back on the cushion and took the frames off the table so that he could try to fix them. Not that they’d ever be what they were.

“Do you still think you’ll try the same kind of frames?” Jeff asked.

“Would you prefer if I ordered something more modern? Something cooler?”

“No, I like these. I love them.”

“Okay, thick, silly black frames it is.”

“I like you exactly as you are, Gare.”

“Same to you, Jeffrey.”

And, for the first time, Jeff let himself believe it.

Chapter Twenty-One

Gary

May 31, 1985

When Gary woke in the morning, the sun peeking through the white blinds, Jeff was still fast asleep beside him, his hair mussed up, mouth slightly open, breathing deeply. Gosh, he was beautiful. Gary reached out a hand to touch Jeff’s cheek but stopped short of making contact with his skin, realizing that his touch might startle Jeff awake. Tucking his arm back underneath the covers, Gary continued to watch him for a little while. Briefly, Gary considered making coffee, even without being able to see very well, but then he remembered that Jeff wanted to take care of him, and he didn’t want to take that from Jeff.

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