Chapter 11

“I’m so sorry,” mumbled Luke. “I fell asleep.” Rosy cheeked, he smiled a little at the two stunned people before him.

“Oh!” Jake gasped. “Jesus, Luke. Don’t you ever do that again. I thought you were…you were…” He looked at his mother and stopped in mid-sentence.

Debbie laughed in relief but didn’t say anything. Jake grabbed Luke and squeezed him hard.

“Don’t you do that again, Luke,” he repeated, but more gently this time, nuzzling into Luke’s earlobe.

Luke squirmed as he was tickled. “Don’t do what, Jake?”

Jake held him tight, surprised at his own deepening feelings. “Locking yourself for hours in the bathroom like that,” he whispered. “It was scary.”

* * * *

Jake drove to the center of the city where they stopped in front of a small clothing store on the main street. Luke glanced at the man beside him, feeling hesitant.

“What is it?” asked Jake, who caught the glance.

Luke shook his head a little but kept quiet, simply watching Jake.