Page 36 of Cover Up

Felix was willing to do anything to get out of the chaos, so he just nodded and grabbed his bag, following Dei through the doors to the main airport lobby. They had to wait in a long line to check their bags, and Felix’s ears were buzzing with tinnitus, but he watched as Dei smiled and leaned over the desk to talk to the man behind the computer.

He shot Felix a wink after a minute, and eventually, another attendant came around the corner with a wheelchair. Felix’s brow furrowed until Dei turned and lowered himself into it, but before they moved, Dei grabbed his wrist.

“Just follow along, okay? We’re gonna get through this.”

Felix had about a thousand questions, but he was grateful he could follow the wheelchair without his brain losing track of Dei’s face. They were able to bypass the main security lane and went through a much shorter one, and it wasn’t long before the row of mostly empty seats was stretched out in front of them at their gate.

“This is where I leave you,” the attendant said to Dei, helping him stand.

Dei unfolded his walking cane and leaned on it, giving the guy a nod before shuffling over to a small row of seats. Felix’s knees were trembling with nerves, so it was a relief to take the weight off and lean into Dei’s arm.

“You good, darlin’?”

Felix nodded. “I am now. I haven’t been on a plane in years, so I think I’m freaking out a little.”

Dei dropped his cheek to the top of Felix’s hair and let out a long sigh. “We’ve got ourselves a nice spot in first class. You’ll have a drink and take a nap, and we’ll be there before you know it.”

Felix couldn’t help a small laugh. “That’s not as comforting as I want it to be.”

“I know, but we’ve got a whole day before we gotta deal with your family, right?”

“Right,” Felix murmured. His body was starting to feel the adrenaline crash, and his eyes were struggling to stay open.

“So think of something nice to show me. Something you really liked from back home that had nothing to do with your family. We’ll make some nice memories before it all goes to shit.”

Felix laughed sleepily, then yawned. “Do you mind if I nod off?”

“Go for it, sugar. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

In a perfect world, that would have been a comfort, but for a man whose brain turned those he loved into strangers when he blinked, it was almost like a threat. But for the first time since his mind betrayed him, Felix heard those words and felt comfort.

* * *

The flight was long. It felt like days had passed by the time they landed, though the West Coast sun was almost in the exact same position in the sky as when they left the east. Felix spent most of the flight either managing his panic or stress-napping against Dei’s side, so he was both groggy and wired when they picked up their rental.

It was the most bizarre feeling in the world, like Felix’s brain was filled with Pop Rocks.

Dei kept in close as he filled out all the paperwork, winking several times at Felix, who flushed each time he grinned, showing off little dimples in his cheeks. He was falling even harder than before, which was difficult because while Dei was more touchy than usual, it could easily be chalked up to the fact that he was practicing for his role as doting boyfriend.

Felix was damn sure the week with Dei and his family was going to kill him. He’d be in heaven when he was allowed to touch, and going home would rob him of something he was growing too accustomed to.

Then, when they got home, he’d be in hell when he couldn’t reach for Dei and wouldn’t find him reaching back.

“Hey, darlin’?”

Felix blinked and realized Dei was several steps away from him. “Sorry. Lost in thought.”

“You tell me if you start feelin’ wonky, okay? Like if we need to find somewhere for you to go prone.”

Felix nodded. “Trust me. The last thing I want is to have a seizure in front of an audience.” He’d only done that a few times, and it was always when the most mortifying side effects happened—like pissing himself or drooling all over.

And there was always some camera-happy asshole with his phone out.

They trudged out to the parking lot where all the cars were waiting, and an attendant walked them to the little bay, giving Dei a side-eye when it became obvious he was the driver. Felix could see the line of tension in Dei’s body, but the attendant didn’t ask, and Dei didn’t offer an explanation.

They had a nice luxury car with soft seats and a moon roof, which Dei immediately opened, grinning at Felix as they pulled into the sun. “It’s kinda nice not having afternoon clouds.”

Felix laughed. “Yeah. There are far more sunny beach days in summer here than there are at home.”

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