“I’m sure he won’t think that. He sounds like a good guy.”
He pillowed his cheek on his arm. “He’s one of the nicest men I’ve ever met. I haven’t known him very long, though.”
“It doesn’t take long to see if a person is good, Triton.”
“Diesel’s so kind even when he thinks he’s not. I want to see him. I want to get to know him, but I don’t want to become some stalker guy. You know?”
“You are not a stalker. Why not just go? Stay at a hotel and then casually call him and ask him out for coffee.”
“Yeah?” He sat up, his heart pounding. “I could do that.”
“Yep. I bet you could find some super B&B when you get there to stay.”
Would Diesel be angry? Triton suspected that no, he wouldn’t. Rather than angry, Diesel would be worried. Diesel would keep him safe. But should he just show up unannounced? Why not? You don’t need to stay with him, just show up and say hi. His thoughts ran rampant.
“I love you, Fraser!” He threw his arms around his friend even though it hurt.
“I love you too!” Fraser hugged him tight and then sat back. “So, let’s make a plan. You’ll get released from the hospital, and I’ll get you to the airport or train station.”
“Okay.”
“Oh, and remember, you’re worth finding love, Triton. I know you don’t believe that yet, but you so are.”
“I’ll try,” he whispered, but he couldn’t believe it. Not after everything. But maybe in Diesel, he could find a friend.
He couldn’t believe he was contemplating something like this. Even when his parents had kicked him out, he’d called Maddox to come get him. He hadn’t ever traveled anywhere on his own.
He ended up staying overnight at the hospital. His phone had blown up with texts from both Clay and Auto. The next day, he’d responded by saying he had to run back to the Triple R to help the ranch.
You’ve got three fucking days and that’s counting yesterday, Triton, and then I’m coming for you again.
That left him with two days to plan.
Diesel
“You’re coming along really well, Diesel,” Doctor Zimmerman assured him, flipping through the pages of his chart.
“Thanks, doc. I’ve been working hard the past two months. Plus, next week will be three months since my surgery,” he pointed out with a smirk.
Ted Zimmerman, the town’s only orthopedic surgeon, smirked right back. “It shows. Your recovery time is progressing well. Any sharp pain?”
“Nope.”
Ted eyed him for a moment. “So, how come I find that hard to believe?”
He chuckled. “I just push through the pain.”
“That’s all well and good, but resting a knee injury in between strengthening it will help much better than overdoing it. You don’t want to risk a re-injury this early in the game.”
“I try.”
“That’s all I can ask. So, let’s try this again. Any pain?”
“Sometimes, I’ll turn or bend and it twinges. It still throbs at night sometimes.”
Ted shook his head. “That’s when you know you need to take it easy. You can’t walk this off. Are you using your knee brace?”
“Yeah. I love the new brace you ordered, it’s much better than the other one.” He knocked his knuckles against the titanium brace.
“I knew it would be.” Ted reached down and adjusted a few of the straps before he pulled his pant leg back down.
“When are you coming back to the scene?”
Diesel eyed Ted. “I’m not.”
“Why not?”
“No reason to.”
“They aren’t all like Shawn.”
“I know that.” He’d met Shawn at a BDSM party while on military leave. They’d talked over Skype and the phone for months. A year later, Shawn had moved into his home. Diesel was hesitant, but Shawn swore the absences didn’t matter.
And at that time, Diesel would have done anything to keep the boy happy. There were certain aspects of the Dom/Sub scene Diesel liked. He enjoyed the power exchange of being obeyed and he sure as hell didn’t mind having a boy on his arm. He also appreciated having a boy around to take care of his needs, and he loved taking care of a boy in return. But that was about as far as it went. He was content to leave the whips and chains to the others.
He’d been content with his life and had lived that way until Shawn had wanted more. The boy had begged to hit the scene every week, even if that meant driving hours to reach an event or party.
Diesel loved his home and had wanted to enjoy it while on military leave, but he hadn’t had the opportunity because Shawn wanted to be on the go. He’d caved because he wanted Shawn happy. In the end, not even that was enough to keep the boy happy.
He gave a half smile. “It’s not my thing. You know that.”
“Of course, I know that.” Ted slapped him lightly on the back. “I’ve known forever that the scene isn’t your thing. You can still come and hang out with us, you dope.”
“I know,” he snorted with a grin.
“Who knows, maybe you’ll meet a boy who wants your kind of thing.”
That sounded highly unlikely. Subs and boys that attended the parties all seemed to want the whole BDSM scene with all the trappings.
“I’ll think about it. I’m not sure if I want someone in my life any longer.”
“You mean to go it alone?” Ted frowned.
“It’s complicated.” He stood and gathered up his papers.
“You, my friend, are far from a loner and you know it.”
Diesel grunted.
“Okay, enough of that. You up for poker night at the end of the month? The whole group will be there.”
“Yeah, steaks and beer?”
“Is there any other kind of poker night?” Ted peered at him.
Diesel chuckled. “I’ll whip up some potato salad.”
“The boys will love you.”
“They already do.”
Ted chuckled with him. “We miss you when you’re away. It’s nice to have you home.”
“Thanks.” He shook the hand of one of his oldest friends. “I have to admit, it’s nice to be home for a while. Sorry I haven’t been sociable.”
The group got together once a month for the poker party, and he’d missed the last two invites.
“Don’t worry about it, we know you needed to settle back in at home.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “For two months?”
Ted smirked. “Hey, we don’t judge.”
“Smartass.”
Ted chuckled. “Have you given retiring any more thought?”
Diesel tied his boots and stood. “Yeah, I have. I have to admit, I’m thinking hard about giving it all up.”
“Why the change?”
“It’s been nice having a life outside of the military. My reenlistment is coming up and I still haven’t given my superiors an answer.”
“What do you want?”
“I’m still trying to figure that out.”
Ted nodded. “I’m here if you need a shoulder.”