“Anything else? Like something that doesn’t involve work?”
Two second ticked by before she answered. “Getting Chinese takeout.”
“Sounds…” Remarkably like eating dinner. “Nice.”
How his parents had found their way out of their respective labs, much less met and married, Alec would never know. Fortunately, he and his brother had been spared their awkward social skills.
And then Alec remembered how he’d gone mute in front of Tyler that day in his garage. And how Dylan’s proximity at the party had rendered Alec a babbling fool.
Okay, so maybe he’d avoided most of his mother’s awkward social skills.
“I was calling about the awards ceremony,” she said. “Since you and Tyler are the winners, your father and I are taking the time off that Saturday to drive up and attend.”
“It will be good to see you both,” Alec said.
“We were hoping to have drinks with you and Tyler beforehand.”
Alec stifled a groan as he propped his elbows on the mattress and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. A visit from his parents was rare, but not unwelcome. Every few months or so, Alec and Tyler had climbed into the car and made the five-hour trip down to Los Angeles to see them. Having them here would be a nice change.
Except for the small detail that he and Tyler weren’t a couple anymore.
“Mom, you know Tyler and I broke up.”
And telling his mother about the split had been one of the most difficult things he’d ever done. He’d hated disappointing her.
“You said yourself, Alec. There’s always hope.”
Hope.
As his mother rambled on about statistics regarding breakups and reconciliation—and Christ, where did she find all her data?—Alec glanced out his bedroom window as dawn claimed the sky, the fiery sphere slowly dominating the horizon.
A week ago Friday, he’d started the day in a foul mood, missing Dylan more than he’d ever imagined. Still, he’d been convinced walking away had been the right decision. Dealing with Tyler and the strained atmosphere at work had provided a daily reminder of just how much relationships could muck with your mind. And theirs had been fairly straightforward, not the messed-up version like Alec and Dylan’s. So Alec had remained firm in his resolve to stay away from the man.
When Dylan had strolled into the clinic looking as fine as ever, Alec hadn’t been prepared for the hopeful look on Dylan’s face. The expression left Alec believing Dylan had missed him too and was dying to have him back as a friend.
And Alec had caved.
Since then they’d fallen back into the familiar rhythm of talk about bikes and repairs and football, general discussions that meant nothing, yet, at the same time, meant everything. Alec steered clear of any conversations that involved the physical aspect of their relationship. He was careful not to accidentally touch Dylan, and if the occasional memory reared its persistent head, Alec pushed the image aside. The situation wasn’t perfect but beat the misery of the two weeks alone. And Alec looked forward to spending this weekend with Dylan.
Probably more than he should.
“Alec?”
He forced his attention back to his mother.
“Are you and Tyler working things out?” she went on.
Shit. He dragged a hand down his face. His mother adored Tyler. How could Alec tell her the man had a new boyfriend? How could Alec tell her that he couldn’t stop thinking about someone else?
He wasn’t up for disappointing his mother again, especially after everything she’d done for him.
“Not really,” he said vaguely. “But I’d love to have you and Dad over before the ceremony.”
He needed to be more prepared before he shared the news about Tyler. About Dylan. About himself. Hell, he needed to figure out the truth before he could explain the facts to anyone else.
~~~***~~~
Two hours later Alec stood in the massive parking lot and tuned out the chatter of motorcyclists in various stages of preparedness, silently reciting the reasons he needed to maintain a casual attitude around Dylan. Despite the sunshine, the early morning temperatures still clung to the air, and he zipped his slim-fitting racing jacket against the chill. But he needn’t have bothered because Dylan pulled up beside him and parked. The resulting thrum of pleasure created a shimmer of heat that left Alec feeling supercharged, his skin electric.
Damn.
“You ready?” Dylan pulled off his helmet, the soft spikes of his hair looking especially rebellious today.
Alec longed to smooth out the strands, so he fisted his hand at his side. Dylan appeared completely relaxed and unaffected by Alec’s presence. The easy attitude brought to mind Dylan’s words in Alec’s kitchen that fateful morning…
“…just pretend the night never happened.”
“You can do that?”
“Absolutely.”