Chapter 2

“What’s complicated? The last time I saw your ugly mug with that expression, Jack Leary was in town.” Bear thought for a moment then growled, “He’s back, isn’t he?”

* * * *

Reed sighed. Talking to Bear about Jack Leary was his Hail Mary pass. He could usually depend on Bear to sort things out for him when he went head over heels for Jack Leary.

“Last I heard he was saving the world in Sudan. Did he get tired of being the new age Albert Sweitzer?”

“He’s finished his contract with the United Nations,” Reed replied. “He’s been granted a Chair at Temple, and funds dedicated to research Infectious Disease. He’ll be in the area on a permanent basis.”

“Until the next time he feels the need to save the world. Reed, I don’t understand you. Jim is a good boy who adores you; puts you and your needs before anyone else, including him. Why would you want to throw that kind of devotion away for a man who waltzes in and out of your life like some kind of bloody temp? I know Leary’s a nice guy. I even know that he loves you in his own way. But Leary can’t give you what you need. Jim can and does, every day. You’ve never been as happy as you’ve been the last three years. Now Leary sails in and poor Jim is getting thrown out with the rubbish!”

“It’s not like that,” Reed roared back. “Jim Boy knew the score right from the beginning. I told him I was in love with someone else. I told him I would never love him, and not to fall in love with me. He was my sub, nothing more.” Reed gulped his coffee, banging the cup onto the saucer and placing both on the table.

“You asshole. You collared him. It’s been something more since the very beginning. You’re just too much of a pigheaded Brit to see it. Leary is a great guy to worship from afar, but you two can’t live together. What the fuck is wrong with you? Ever since we were kids you’ve been running away from yourself. I’m supposed to be your best friend, and even I don’t know what’s chasing you.”

Reed got up from the chair and began to pace, deliberately avoiding Bear’s eyes.

“Nothing is chasing me,” Reed snapped. “I love Jack. We lived together for four years as roommates.”

“Yeah, roommates…What about after college? You two didn’t make it together for six months at any time in the thirteen some years since you graduated. And stop pacing, you’re making me dizzy.”

“He went to medical school, I had to go to work, you know that.” Reed was already weary of the argument.

“…and after that he went to Serbia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, then the Sudan. He doesn’t remain in one place long enough to be able to settle down with anyone.”

Reed sat down again and picked up his coffee.

“You don’t know how it is between Jack and me.” Reed needlessly stirred the cup of coffee with the clubs monogrammed silver spoon.

Bear exploded, jumping from his seat and getting into Reed’s face. Reed’s cup rattled with the roar. “How the hell would I know? The bastard never stays in one place long enough to even hang his hat.” Bear backed away, sighed, and sat down again. “Look, Reed,” he said in a more gentle tone, “we both know why you called me to come over for breakfast. You want me to talk sense. How about I do that and you just listen, okay?”

“Yeah…but…” Reed wriggled around the seat cushion. He knew he wasn’t going to like what Bear had to say.

Bear held up a beefy hand. “No buts, listen. You and Leary have tried to get it together no less than six times since college. The last time was just before you met Jim. Each time, one or the other of you has walked. Look at you and around you. If I’m a sensualist, you’re a pleasure slut. Everything about you is over the top. You scream decadence and style. You play golf in Armani, he buys his shorts at Old Navy. He enjoys camping, for Christ’s sake. The first person you hired for Indiscreet was Jim so that your meals would be prepared exactly to your taste. You’re a Dom and Jack will never be a sub. Jack hates this club, it’s your life’s blood. Get real, Reed. Jim is perfect for you, and you are already in love with him. What are you running away from?”

Bear sat back and took a long swallow, looking into those grey eyes. Reed looked down and away from Bear.