Page 64 of Everything's Better With You
Leslie had spent all day in a funk. First, he’d had a bumpy flight home from Dallas and then he was unsure what had happened between the previous night’s conversation and seeing Joe this morning. And then he cursed himself for letting it affect him. He had huge responsibilities on his shoulders at the moment and hecouldn’t afford to let his personal life put him in a foul mood. He’d seen firsthand where that road led. What if he lashed out at someone? What if that someone was a student?
“Leslie?”
“I’m okay. You don’t have to take care of me.” He stood up and towered over Joe, but Joe didn’t back down.
“I don’thaveto do anything, you big lug. I want to. Now, either you let me try a couple of things here, or we go back to my place, or I drive you home. But you’re not getting rid of me until my sunshine’s back.”
“Sunshine?”
“Mm-hmm. I have come to require a dose of Leslie Payton sunshine daily. I haven’t had any today, and I know you wouldn’t want me going to bed without my daily requirements.” Joe wrapped his arms around Leslie’s torso and sighed as he pressed his cheek to Les’s chest.
Leslie chuckled and hugged him back, thinking there was something to this daily requirement. Joe’s damp hair brushed his chin and Leslie inhaled deeply, loving the Joe Judd cocoon treatment.
“I like doing this. I wouldn’t be at all opposed to doing it daily. But seriously, you don’t have to drive me home. I’m okay, just tired.”
Joe looked up with a frown. “It takes a fibber to know a fibber. I know you’re used to covering it up when you have a migraine. I get it, you don’t want people to worry or think you’re a mess, but Leslie, I’m not people. I’m Joe. I’m here for you, at least I want to be. Won’t you let me take care of you?”
Leslie dropped his head until their foreheads were touching. “I don’t ever want to be a burden on you, Joe. You or anyone. Having said that, I would love to feel your hands on my head for a little while.”
“Then let me drive you home, babe.”
Leslie wanted to argue but he wanted more time with Joe and damn his body for not cooperating. He looked around at his classroom and figured he’d be here early enough to get it set up. He put an arm around Joe’s shoulders and allowed himself to be led out the door.
“My car’s in the Higdon lot. How about I drive you in yours? It’s closer.”
Leslie handed him the keys. He didn’t have it in him to argue. Joestood behind him as he climbed up into the cab of his truck and he chuckled as he sat down.
“You look so small down there, Twinkle Toes.”
Joe rolled his eyes. “Watch your feet, Sasquatch.”
Leslie barked out a laugh, but it ricocheted around his brain, making the pain more intense. He reclined the seat back and let his eyes fall closed. Joe made a crack about mountain climbing before shutting his door and starting the truck. Leslie was so tired, he muttered his address, but he wasn’t sure if he said San Mateo, which was his home during his 49ers years, or if he said State Route 2, which was his current home. Regardless, the next thing he remembered was Joe pulling open his door.
“Now don’t squish me, Sasquatch.” Joe caught his weight as Leslie slid out of the cab and stumbled a bit.
“I should probably drive the Lincoln for a while, especially if you’re taking me home. Could you reach the pedals?”
Joe poked him in the side and pulled Leslie’s arm over his shoulders. “At five-eleven, I am taller than the average male, for your information.”
“How tall is the average male?” Leslie asked. “I would have thought six feet.”
“Nope. It’s five-nine. I checked. My manager kept telling me I was not getting parts because I was too tall, and I thought for sure I was short.”
“So two inches makes or breaks a dance career, huh?”
Joe snorted. “Two inches makes a big difference, Leslie. Size does matter.”
Leslie groaned as he pushed open the front door.
“Mom will be in bed; who knows about my brothers. I’m upstairs and to the left.”
He led Joe to the massive staircase that took up the middle of the first floor. There was a library and dining room off to the left and to the right was the formal sitting room and the master suite where Agnes stayed. The kitchen, family room, and game room spanned the entire back of the house. Leslie and Joe made their way slowly up the stairs giggling about inches and sizes until they reached the top. The door tothe twins’ wing was shut and Leslie shushed Joe when he heard their voices.
“Let’s not invite trouble.”
And then he knocked into a table and a glass of water fell over, spilling all over the rug. The twins’ door flew open and they barreled through the opening together.
“What the—”
