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“Yeah, I just got a little lightheaded that’s all.”

  Tristan and Cujo stood close now to both of them. “Everything all right?” Tristan asked.

  Sebastian repeated what Caleb said just seconds before. Caleb straightened and a sharp pain radiated from the back of his head to the sides of his neck. He grimaced for a moment. “Let’s go get something to eat.”

  “Nuh-uh. We’re taking you to the hospital,” Sebastian said.

  “I don’t need to go to the hospital,” Caleb protested.

  Cujo crossed his arms. “You’re going to the hospital or the urgent care. You know the safety training that’s been drummed into us.”

  “Caleb and I will go. No need for you and Tristan to hang around,” Sebastian said.

  “We all rode in the same vehicle here. So we might as well stick together.” Tristan glanced at Cujo, who nodded.

  “Yeah, he’s right. Get a CT scan or MRI of the brain and head, and if you’re clear then we’re done.” Cujo put his hand on Tristan’s shoulder. “Hey, can you Google the nearest hospital?”

  “Why don’t we just go to where my sister works?” Tristan asked.

  “Sounds fine with me,” Sebastian said. “Okay with you, Caleb?”

  Caleb nodded. He didn’t know what all the fuss was about, but he was touched that they all wanted to waste their Saturday morning in a cold, barren hospital.

  The Saturday morning drive to the hospital didn’t take long. And miraculously, the check-in process was smooth and painless. Olivia came down and sat with the guys for a few minutes after Caleb’s triage. She chatted with the nurse and went back up to work shortly after the guys promised to tell her what the assessment was. Tristan and Cujo took solace in Twix bars and old coffee that was free at the nurse’s station.

  When the attending physician came through to talk about the CT scans of the neck and brain, he asked everyone to leave the leave the area except for Sebastian. Olivia’s friend, the nurse, left, too.

  “What’s up, doc?” Caleb asked. He tried to sit up further on the hospital gurney, trying not to look irritated at the saline bag and the wires on him.

  The man smiled. Caleb couldn’t pronounce the last name on the nametag but he didn’t need to; he was already worried that the doctor’s demeanor betrayed a serious discussion.

  “Did you know you have a Chiari malformation?’

  Sebastian straightened up from his chair. “What’s that?”

  “In some patients, it is congenital, meaning the child is born with it. Some patients, we believe, may develop it, sometimes through trauma. It’s a structural abnormality of the cerebellum.” The doctor glanced at Sebastian before he continued. “It’s the part of the brain that controls balance.”

  When Sebastian’s mouth formed a small “O,” Caleb flattened his hospital gown and exhaled. Caleb had never told Sebastian about this diagnosis. Only Joan, his mom, Garrison, and Earl had known. Since you didn’t have to be physically fit to be a driver, NASCAR never required its drivers to pass any type of physical exams or neurological exams.

  Caleb nodded. “Yes. I’ve known since I was a teenager that I’ve got it. I fell off my bike and got banged up pretty bad. My mom took me to the hospital. That’s when we found out.”

  The doctor smiled again and touched Caleb’s shoulder. “Good, then what I’m going to tell you should come as no surprise. The nurse told me you vomited and were lightheaded after racing on a track today. And you bumped your head. You shouldn’t be performing any activities that expose you to trauma to your head. Boxing, MMA, even soccer. Those are sports that can cause worsening problems like spinal fluid leakage for someone with your congenital anatomy. Your CT scans for the brain and head are negative for problems. You have a slight retrolisthesis in one level—”

  “Retro what?” Sebastian asked.

  “One of his discs in the neck shows a millimeter or so of slippage, so if you haven’t been experiencing any chronic neck pain before this incident, it’s probably been there awhile. As we get older our spine shows bony changes. So you could have had no symptoms since you were a child, and then again hitting your head in the car could have caused it. The scans don’t show edema or hemorrhage so I can’t tell you if the retrolisthesis is from today or not, or from long standing asymptomatic changes. You should follow up with a surgeon for a consult if it the pain doesn’t go away. I’ll prescribe you a Medrol Dosepak. Take the doses. It should cut down the inflammation and pain. But stay away from dangerous, high-impact activities like I mentioned. Okay?”

  “Okay.” Caleb mumbled as he stared off in space.

  As the doctor grabbed the curtain to open it and leave, Sebastian closed on him. “What about racing?”

  “Racing?”

  “Yeah. Stock car racing.”

  Caleb eyed the resident. He didn’t say anything; the doctor just shook his head. Sebastian appeared to want to say something but Tristan and Cujo stepped in as the doctor left.

  “And? Everything okay?” Tristan asked. His brow furrowed with worry.

  “I’m good,” Caleb said. “Just have to take my meds he’s going to give me. We can grab something to eat, if you guys are still up for it.”

  “Yeah. Candy bars don’t do it.” Tristan rubbed his belly. “I am so starving. Olivia should be getting off in a few. I’ll text her.” Tristan scooted behind Cujo, who still hadn’t said anything since the doctor left.

  “How much did you hear?” Caleb asked.

  “Everything. Tristan did, too. He’s just being nice.”

  “Tristan is a nice guy,” Caleb said.

  Caleb didn’t want to address the elephant in the room. And apparently, his husband didn’t either.

  * * * *

  Caleb took off his shirt and threw it on the pile next to the hamper in the bathroom. Sebastian sat on the side of the bed watching as Caleb continued to undress. After he threw his pants on the laundry pile, Caleb faced Sebastian. “You’re really quiet.”

  Sebastian shrugged his shoulders, then stood and walked toward the window as Caleb approached him.

  Caleb sighed. “Okay. I give. Why the silent treatment? You didn’t say much at the diner, and on the way back you mumbled a few words to Tristan and Cujo but barely said anything to me.”

  “I just had a lot to process.”

  “Want to tell me about it?” Caleb asked. He approached Sebastian and put his arms around him. “Have I said something to upset you?”

  “There are a lot of things I’m thinking about. Like why didn’t I know about this issue about the Chiari malformation? Why didn’t you wear the head and neck restraint in today’s race? What if something happened to you from racing?”

  Caleb ground his chin on Sebastian’s shoulder as he tightened his hug. His chest pressed against Sebastian’s back. “I know I was stupid for not wearing the HANs restraint. But in my defense it was just an exhibition race, not a race for points. I didn’t expect overly aggressive driving.”

  “You didn’t expect a bunch of macho guys to be aggressive when driving?”

  Caleb ignored Sebastian’s sarcasm. “Today’s win was nice, but it didn’t count for points or anything, like I said. And, you know I don’t think about the brain thing I was born with. It’s not like I get migraines every day. And if I returned to racing, I would definitely wear the safety devices.”

  “If you return to racing?” Sebastian asked.

  “I’d like to return to NASCAR. My dad doesn’t think it’s a good idea. My sister doesn’t think it’s a good idea. The only ones pushing are Cujo and Garrison.”

  “Oh.”

  Caleb kissed Sebastian’s ear and loosened his hug but he kept his arms around Sebastian. “I would love to race with them again, but the money’s not there. While I was on my photo shoot, I talked to Joan. I wanted to tell you about it when I got back, but with Cujo’s visit, and me getting in late from the airport. I just didn’t get around to it.” Caleb paused, debating if this was the right time to address what he’
d been struggling with since he returned to New York. “Dad’s filing for bankruptcy. This makes the second or third time he has to put the business through this. Joan has to tell a few of the crew that they don’t have jobs. I’ve tried to talk to Garrison about it but you know him, he likes to keep it bottled up inside, act like nothing’s bothering him and believes everything will turn up roses.”

  “Sounds like someone I know,” Sebastian said. “That must suck. I don’t envy those guys being laid off, or Joan doing it. She always has to do Earl’s dirty work, huh?”

  They stood there in silence for a long moment before Sebastian pried Caleb’s hands off and faced him. “I will never tell you not to race. I know you love it very much. I know if I asked you to stop racing, you would. I don’t want you holding it against me. But now knowing you’re more susceptible to getting hurt, you know that’ll worry me every time you go and race.”

  “I know.” Caleb kissed Sebastian lightly on the lips. “I know.” Caleb exhaled. “I need to brush and take a shower. Want to join me?”

  Sebastian nodded and followed Caleb. Once the shower was warm enough, Caleb stepped in, and when Sebastian had thrown all his clothes in the ever-growing pile, joined Caleb. “Our shower in our condo was much bigger than this.”

  “Miss our condo by the beach?” Caleb asked. He turned the showerhead on Sebastian who let the water run over his face.

  “Yes, especially in the winter.” Sebastian laughed.

  Caleb smiled. He loved how Sebastian laughed. Musical almost and his eyes lit up.

  Sebastian grabbed the Ivory and started soaping Caleb’s chest. When he got to Caleb’s nipples, he circled his fingers around them. Caleb grabbed and held both of Sebastian’s hands. “Hey, look at me.”

  Sebastian glanced up.

  Caleb knew that look of lust in Sebastian’s eyes. “Let’s talk for a second. Okay?”

  “Okay.” Sebastian straightened so that their noses were barely touching.

  “Do you love it here in New York?”

  Sebastian blinked the water away. “Yeah.”

  “More than Florida?”

  “Yeah. There’s so much to do here. And I think it’d be easier for me to get a full-time job here than in Daytona or Orlando. As a cameraman I mean.”

  “So, why don’t we sell the condo? If we sell it, it’ll free up some money.”

  “But if you’re going back to racing—”

  “I don’t need a condo…I mean, we don’t need that place. Racing takes us everywhere in the country. Besides, with dad’s business going through tough times, I doubt I’m ever racing for my dad again.” Caleb paused then moved in and rubbed his nose against Sebastian’s. He stroked Sebastian’s face with his thumb. “We have to make plans in case my modeling contract doesn’t renew. And in case I can never go back to racing.”

  “Okay. I’m all for selling the condo.”

  “Are you sure?” Caleb asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, I won’t ask you again.” Caleb smiled, and then grabbed his toothbrush and toothpaste from the shower caddy, applied the paste, and then started brushing.

  “I hate that you brush your teeth in here.”

  Caleb smiled and shrugged.

  “It can get mold and mildew because the shower’s damp. You should put your toothbrush and paste in the mug by the sink, next to mine.”

  Caleb mumbled, “Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” But the water and the toothbrush still in his mouth muffled his words.

  “What?” Sebastian asked, holding his hand to block the water now that Caleb pressed closer to the wall causing the water to splatter on Sebastian’s face with more force. “What are you mumbling?”

  Caleb wanted to laugh but didn’t want to spit out his toothbrush. Sebastian was so cute under the water as he leaned closer to Caleb. His heart pounded and he wanted to tell him how much Sebastian meant to him.

  “Okay, I don’t think you’re saying anything. You’re just mocking me, aren’t you?” Sebastian asked.

  Caleb took the toothbrush out of his mouth. “I said, I love you.”

  Sebastian took the toothpaste, and put some on his finger then finger brushed this teeth, rubbing the paste around his gums and teeth.

  “And look at you, you hypocrite. Using your finger to brush your teeth.”

  Sebastian said something that Caleb couldn’t make out. “Well, look who’s mumbling now.”

  Sebastian took his finger out of his mouth. “I said, I hate you.”

  Before Caleb could respond, Sebastian lunged forward and pressed his lips onto Caleb’s mouth. Caleb received the assault of Sebastian’s tongue as it probed and danced with Caleb’s.

  Sebastian turned off the water, grabbed the toothbrush from Caleb’s hand, and pushed Caleb against the wall. After he put the toothbrush back in the caddy, Sebastian whispered. “You were so hot today. I wanted you so much when you stepped out after crossing the finish line. And you had me so fucking worried. I ran the gamut of so many emotions today because of you.” Sebastian’s hands traveled over Caleb’s body, caressing, worshipping.

  “Really?”

  Sebastian rested his head on Caleb’s shoulder. “God, you don’t know how much I wanted to yell, scream, and kiss you and be with you. You tear me up sometimes.” Sebastian raised his head then pushed Caleb back against the shower tile. When Sebastian lightly kissed Caleb, Caleb pressed back, pushing his tongue in and caressing Sebastian’s tongue as they slow-kissed.

  Caleb broke off the kissing. He couldn’t ignore his physical reaction to Sebastian’s attention in the shower. “Babe. Let’s get out of the shower,” Caleb said, almost breathlessly. “What’s come over you? I’ve never seen you so aggressive.”

  Sebastian kissed Caleb, then pulled back. “Should I stop?”

  “No, I like it,” Caleb said, his voice in a very low whisper.

  “Are you okay to—’’

  “I have a headache. A slight one still, but not a problem at all.” Caleb grabbed Sebastian’s hand and placed the hand on Caleb’s crotch. “See?”

  Sebastian kissed Caleb again, then his tongue moved from Caleb’s mouth to his nipples. Caleb moaned. “You like this?”

  “Yes,” Caleb said. He grabbed Sebastian’s hair and pulled him up so that they kissed again. “Come on. Bedroom.”

  Sebastian nodded and held Caleb’s hand as they left the shower, bypassing the towels as Caleb sat on the edge of the bed. Sebastian stood over him, craned his neck kissed Caleb. Caleb then kissed and tongued Sebastian’s belly button. After Caleb groaned approval, Sebastian gently pushed Caleb on his back and Sebastian lay on top of Caleb. Instinctively, Caleb raised his legs and Sebastian’s hard cock flopped on Caleb’s stomach. “Should I stop?” Sebastian asked.

  “Why…why are you teasing me?” Caleb said in a low voice. “I’ve wanted you to be more aggressive and now…” Caleb dug his heels into Sebastian’s ass, urging him further. “Give me some love, baby.”

  Sebastian kissed Caleb, their voices silent as the sound of their labored breathing became louder. Caleb closed his eyes as Sebastian took his time pleasuring Caleb. Caleb grabbed Sebastian’s cock and squeezed it and tried to guide it into him, but Sebastian batted Caleb’s hand away. For several minutes, Sebastian licked, kissed, and nibbled parts of Caleb’s body from the nape of his neck to his ankles. When Sebastian finally entered Caleb, slick with the lube that Caleb had eagerly handed to him, Caleb moaned. His body quivered, so he bit his lips, hoping to hold off until Sebastian came, but Caleb’s body betrayed him and soon his orgasm splattered on his chest and, Sebastian grunted at Caleb’s reaction, then pumped violently fast and hard into Caleb before he swore and finally fell on top of Caleb.

  “Oh my God, babe, where did that come from?” Caleb asked, his hand over his eyes, as he tried to catch his breath.

  Sebastian rolled over onto his back and panted. “I don’t know. I just wanted you so much.”

  Caleb raised himself slightly from the bed, u
sing his elbow to prop himself at an angle. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” Sebastian said. “I hope you have more fuel in the tank because I want you in me now.”

  Caleb’s breathing was still labored. “Give me a moment, okay? I’m not a teenager anymore. For God’s sake, I’ve been to the hospital, I have a headache. I’m not Superman.”

  “Oh babe, you’re protesting too much.” Sebastian grabbed Caleb’s hard dick. Sebastian licked the cum off Caleb’s chest and followed the squirt trail to Caleb’s cock. “Your mouth is saying one thing, but your dick is saying another.”

  Caleb laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. “You are quite the handful, my love. If I had known that a health scare would make you an animal in bed, I should’ve banged up my head a long time ago.”

  Chapter 4

  Tristan poked at the piece of lean white chicken breast and dipped it in the ramekin of light barbecue sauce next to his plate. Cujo had just devoured his Fettucine Alfredo and was on his third piece of garlic bread.

  “This food is awesome. Glad you brought me here,” Cujo said. “Have you tried their tiramisu? The picture on the menu I saw earlier is making me salivate just thinking about it.”

  Tristan smiled. “I’m glad you like this place. It’s my favorite restaurant.”

  “You sure? Because you’ve barely touched that chicken breast, and I already had the Italian wedding soup, the Alfredo, and I’m about to order dessert, once you’re done.”

  “It is, believe me. I’m just enjoying the company,” Tristan said.

  “Uh-huh.”

  Tristan twirled the hair strand brushing against his ear. The way Cujo talked about food was weirdly charming. And it took all his self-discipline not to swipe some of Cujo’s fettucine, rolled in cheese, and dive bomb the pasta into his own mouth. He regretted ordering the chicken. It was dry, and the sauce was the only thing that made it edible. Why hadn’t he just ordered the same thing? Because you’re watching your weight.

  Cujo was definitely enjoying himself. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was something about Cujo that he liked. Granted, Cujo wasn’t the typical guy Tristan was attracted to, and maybe that was what puzzled him.