Friends and Lovers Read online

“’es, ’octor.”

  “And shut up. I have no patience trying to decipher what you’re trying to say. Sit.” He pointed Tom to a chair and rolled up his sleeves, then opened his medical bag and began to lay some items on the counter. Jack had already turned on the overhead light. “Thanks. So you’re Jack Sweet? Tom’s spoken of you.”

  “He has?” Jack stood beside Tom, motionless. “I don’t guess he’ll be doing much of that any more. This is my… I hit him.”

  “I have no doubt he deserved it. Okay, Tom.” He removed the towel. “Ouch. This is going to take some stitches.”

  Both men watched as he washed his hands, threaded a suture through a needle, and came toward the injured man.

  Tom shied away in spite of himself, and Jack rested a comforting hand on his shoulder.

  “Hold on a second, Doctor Rochester! Aren’t you going to give him something to numb the area? A… a local or something? Novocain?”

  “No. The shot will hurt worse than the stitches themselves.”

  Tom tried to scowl, but it hurt too much. He looked to Jack, although he really wouldn’t have blamed his friend if he washed his hands of the whole deal and just walked out.

  “What can I do to help?” Jack asked, and Tom could have cried. Jack was staying.

  “I want you to hold him steady.” James looked at the chairs and shook his head. “The table will have to do. Get behind him on the table and keep his arms restrained.”

  Tom could have told James a chair would have worked fine – they’d had sex on one during the course of their weekend together – but he was starting to feel too miserable.

  “Buddy?”

  Tom nodded reluctantly and rose, letting Jack get settled on the table before he hoisted himself up and sat in the vee of his thighs.

  “I’ve got you, babe.”

  Tom looked over his shoulder and frowned at him.

  “What?”

  Tom mimed an Aquiline nose and tossing long hair over his shoulder, and Jack gave a surprised snort of laughter. “Okay, buddy. I promise not to call you Cher.”

  “All right, gentlemen, if you’re ready? Sweet, wrap your arms around Tom’s arms. Tom, you can hold onto his arms if you want, but if you make any attempt to bring your hands to your face, he has my permission to break your fingers. And no, I have no sympathy at all for you.” James scowled at him.

  Tom took a few deep breaths, grabbed onto Jack’s arms, and gripped them tight. Then he looked at James and nodded.

  Behind him, Tom could feel Jack turn his head into his hair. He was shaking. Distracted, Tom stroked the back of Jack’s hands, and James made an approving sound.

  “Okay, that’s one.”

  “Please hurry, Doc. I don’t think I can stand him being hurt.”

  “You want me to do this fast, or you want me to do it right?” But James was working quickly. “Another one done. You might want to have this looked at by a plastic surgeon, Tom. Embroidery was never my strong suit.”

  “I’m sorry, buddy,” Jack whispered into Tom’s hair.

  “Don’t encourage him to talk. I’m sure you’re very sorry, Sweet. And I’m sure Tom’s even more sorry. Okay, I just want to put a couple of sutures inside, and then I’ll give you a shot of penicillin to be on the safe side, and a shot of Demerol for the pain. You should be good to go.”

  “Go where?” Jack eased his grip on him, but Tom still held tight. He relaxed when Jack didn’t pull further away.

  “To bed. I’ll call in a prescription for some painkillers.” James glanced at the clock on the wall. “Hitch’s should still be open, and they’ll deliver. The Vicodin will pretty much knock you out. You’re not to operate any heavy machinery for the next couple of days.”

  “’a, ’a.”

  “You can laugh now, tough guy.” He rubbed the spot on Tom’s arm where he’d injected the antibiotic. “Okay, drop your pants. You know where this shot is going.”

  “Uh…”

  “Don’t be coy, Thomas. I’m sure your friend and I have both seen what you have in your pants.”

  In spite of himself, Tom flushed. He eased off the table and undid his trousers, lowering them enough to reveal his navy blue boxers. Jack tugged at the waistband, exposing a cheek, and Tom leaned into him. The pinch from the painkiller was nothing compared to what he’d just gone through.

  “Ow,” he said for formality’s sake. “’ankenstein.”

  “Smile when you call me that.” James became all business, gathering up the packets the sutures had come in and throwing them away, placing the used syringes in a portable Sharps container. “The Demerol should last about six hours.”

  “Thank you, Doctor. I’m sure if Tom could talk, he’d thank you too.”

  “All part of the service. Call his mother. He shouldn’t be alone.”

  “I’ll stay with him.”

  Tom opened his mouth to say something, and the two men said in concert, “Shut up!”

  “I know you, Tom,” James continued. “You’ll say you’ll call her but won’t, then try something stupid like getting up to go to the bathroom, trip over your own feet, fall and crack that hard skull of yours, and as a result, I’ll have my beauty sleep disturbed to come take care of you.”

  “’astard,” Tom groused. It was supposed to be under his breath, but it came out louder than he intended. He was relieved when James pretended not to hear him.

  “You’re starting to list to starboard. Sweet, I’d suggest getting him to bed.”

  “Okay.” Jack stooped and lifted Tom in his arms with casual ease, and carried him into the bedroom.

  Tom’s arm came around Jack’s shoulder. His head lolled against him, and he mumbled something against his neck.

  “Damn straight I’m your hero.” Jack got Tom stripped and under the covers, but he’d been careful removing the polo shirt. “Now, go to sleep, buddy. We’ll talk about this in the morning.”

  Tom felt warm lips brushing over his temple, but then the events of the weekend, the events of this Monday, and the effects of the Demerol overpowered him, and he was out like a light.

  … ‘Cause Monday is a mess… Fats Domino

  James Rochester watched thoughtfully as the blond picked his friend up with surprising ease and carried him out of the kitchen.

  Well, maybe it wasn’t so surprising. Jack Sweet was a big man.

  “Oh, Tom. What have you got yourself into this time?” James mused to himself. Time enough to question the incredible blond Hulk before he left. He saw the bags of groceries that were on the counter. “Might as well make myself useful.” He began to put away the cans and boxes and the two cartons of Rocky Road ice cream.

  A sound from the doorway finally drew his attention.

  “Sweet.”

  “Dr. Rochester. I thought you’d have left by now.” He stood there, looking a little lost.

  “I was putting away the groceries.” James felt foolish, stating the obvious. “The… uh… the ice cream was starting to melt.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Don’t mention it. It’s nice of you to stay to look after Tom.”

  Sweet’s lips tightened. “It’s the least I can do, don’t you think? Jesus, I can’t believe I… He just got me so mad...”

  “And that surprises you? Tom can be infuriating.”

  “Not to me. And after this weekend…” Sweet flushed and fisted his hands, only then seeming to realize he was carrying Tom’s blood-spattered shirt. “I’d better see about treating this. If I don’t, the blood will set and all it will be good for is washing Tom’s Jeep. Tom looked so good in this,” he murmured.

  James lounged in the doorway to the sun porch, watching as Tom’s … friend? lover? Whatever he was to Tom, he’d obviously lived without a woman enough to know his way around household chores.

  Sweet sprayed the shirt and filled the laundry tub with water, then stood unmoving for a few minutes, appearing to be lost in thought. Abruptly, he gave his head a shake and put the shirt in t
he tub.

  “Did you have dinner?”

  “No.” The lost look returned. “I thought Tom and I would make something together…”

  “I’ll make you a sandwich. Come back in the kitchen and sit down. I think you can use a cup of coffee too.”

  “I’m not hungry, but I could use the coffee. Thanks.”

  “I’ll make you a sandwich anyway.” James watched with interest as Jack went to the cabinet and took out a mug with ‘Best Bud’ splashed across the side in bright red letters. He poured some coffee, added milk and sugar, and sat at the table.

  Obviously Tom liked this man enough to let him run tame in his house, and he’d spoken about him more than he realized.

  James took the packages of cold cuts from the meat tray in the fridge. “Ham?”

  “I know Tom can’t eat it. It was for me.” He hunched a shoulder “I like ham. And bacon. And ribs…”

  “Hmmm.” He set about stacking ham and Swiss cheese on seeded rye bread. “Is Tom asleep?”

  “Yeah. I turned the light down and left the door open a little, in case he wakes up and needs…” He bit his lip. “… something. I can’t thank you enough for coming out to see him at such short notice, Dr. Rochester.”

  “Call me ‘James.’ I’ve done it before – Tom doesn’t like emergency rooms – although it was generally because he had the notion he could do odd jobs around the house.”

  That made Sweet smile. “Tom’s a smart man, one of the smartest I know, but bless his heart, when he swings a hammer, the odds are he’s gonna hit his thumb rather than the nail.”

  “That’s the truth. There was the time he drilled his palm instead of the drywall…” James shook his head. “I take it you’re behind the faucet that no longer drips?”

  “I fixed it, if that’s what you mean. It was no big deal. I’m in construction.”

  “And Tom didn’t tell you to butt out of his business?” James found himself liking the man. He slathered the sandwich with mustard and sliced it in two.

  “Why would he? I’m his friend, and…” Jack stopped short. “Shit. I just told him we were going to the Depot and to get in the truck. I rode roughshod right over any objections he might have made.”

  James was surprised Tom allowed that. Maybe it was because he was short, in spite of the fact that he’d deny his height had anything to do with it. Maybe it was because he was gay. He didn’t like anyone trying to tell him what to do, not even friends who had his best interests at heart.

  “But that couldn’t have been why he was so pissed at me tonight.”

  “You don’t think?” He handed Jack the plate with the sandwich on it. “Eat this.”

  Jack took a bite. “This is good,” he mumbled around the mouthful.

  “You don’t have to sound so surprised. I worked my way through med school as a short order cook. I was known throughout Savannah for my sandwiches.” He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat across from Sweet. “Now, why don’t you tell me what happened?”

  “I…” He bit his lip, then looked James square in the eye. “I’m gay. I wasn’t, but… but now I am.”

  “Excuse me? What do you mean you weren’t, but now you are?” James’ amusement faded as Sweet struggled to explain.

  “I’ve been married twice. I have two kids. I’ve… I’ve never looked at a guy and wondered… But this weekend…”

  “Tom always swore…” James scowled. “This is fucked up even for him.”

  “No, you don’t understand. It wasn’t his fault.” Sweet jumped to Tom’s defense. “He couldn’t help it if I read more into it than… I should have known. He told me it would only be the one time, but I liked it so much, I… I kind of invited myself to stay the whole weekend.”

  “So when you turned up on his doorstep this evening expecting…”

  “Happily ever after. Yeah. Pathetic, huh?” Jack picked at the crust, then pushed the sandwich aside and sipped his coffee.

  “The little shit.”

  “Hey!” Jack tried to smile. “I’m the only one allowed to call him that. After all, it’s… it’s my heart that’s broken.”

  “Jack, I’ve seen Tom do some pretty outrageous things, but this takes the cake!” James eyed him carefully. “Look. I don’t want to embarrass you, but… And if you’ve already been checked out by your own doctor, that’s fine, but if you need to be examined…”

  “Why would I need to be examined? Oh, you mean STDs? Dammit, you’re not much of a friend if you think Tom would be that careless. Of course we practiced safe sex!”

  “So you’re okay. Tom didn’t tear you.”

  Jack turned bright red. “Uh… James, I think you’re adding two and two and getting five.” He gave a lopsided grin. “Tom didn’t … Um… I was the one who… Shoot, this is embarrassing.”

  James could feel his eyes growing wider and wider. “Let me make sure I’ve got this straight. You fucked Tom?”

  “I saw it as making love, but… well, yeah.”

  “Holy smoke! I should have paid attention to the weather report. Hell must have frozen over!”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Tom never bottoms.”

  “I know that. He… I guess it’s okay to talk to you about this – you’re his doctor, after all. He asked me if I would help him out, and I said yes.”

  “Hmmm. I think I’m beginning to understand some of what went on here tonight.”

  “I’m glad someone does, ‘cause I sure as hell don’t.” The doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.”

  James did some thinking while Sweet was in the other room. He’d come to Tom’s house to set his hand once.

  ‘I thought a smart guy like you would know better than to tuck in his thumb when he throws a punch.’ He’d tried to keep his irritation out of his voice. Tom was so drunk he could hardly sit upright.

  ‘He got married again, James. And the bitch is gonna break his heart. Why couldn’t he be gay?’

  ‘Who are we talking about?’

  ‘Jack Sweet. My best friend.’ Tom’s laugh had been bitter. ‘Talk about stupid. He’s so straight, he… Hurry it up, James.’

  ‘Why? Do you have a hot date?’

  ‘As a matter of fact…’

  ‘As a matter of fact – nothing. You’re going right to bed, if I have to tie you to it!’

  ‘Ooo! Kinky, James. I didn’t know you had it in you!’

  ‘Asshole.’

  Tom had never spoken about his feelings for his best friend again, although he had talked about Sweet from time to time.

  ‘Jack invited me to Theodore’s graduation from elementary school..’ And he’d gone in spite of his friend’s upright, uptight, moral, Christian family.

  ‘Catherine has been begging for riding lessons...’ And he’d had a friend who was willing to give Jack a break on the cost if he’d do some repairs on her stable.

  ‘The bitch finally overplayed her hand! Jack’s divorcing her!’

  James didn’t ask Tom if he was happy about that because it meant his friend was free of the gold-digging, self-centered bitch, or because it meant his friend was free.

  Jack came back into the room carrying a bag with the logo of the Mom-and-Pop pharmacy on it. “Tom’s prescription.” He set it on the counter.

  “Why don’t you talk to me about what happened tonight?” For a second, James thought Jack would refuse, but then he nodded and sat down again.

  “Y’know something?” Jack’s eyes were tired. “My daddy is a preacher. I was raised to turn the other cheek. I’ve never hit anyone.”

  “What, no one?”

  “Take a look at me. I’d cream whoever I took a swing at. And now, here I go punching the one man who’s always meant...” He started to raise his coffee cup to his mouth, but winced and set it down.

  “What’s wrong?” James had noticed the stiffness as he’d watched Jack eat, but now it seemed Jack was in obvious discomfort.

  “I don’t know. My shoulder feels…
”

  “Let me take a look at it.”

  Jack unbuttoned his shirt and eased it off his shoulder. “What the…”

  “That’s going to be an interesting shade of purple in the morning.”

  “How… Oh. Tom hit me. I was so pissed, I didn’t even feel it.”

  “Tom did that? Well, a couple of Tylenol should ease the soreness. Looks to me like he got in a pretty good shot. I’m not surprised, although I am surprised he didn’t take you down.”

  “Are you kidding?” Jack eased his arm back into the shirt, leaving it unbuttoned. “It can’t have escaped your notice that I’m a pretty big guy. Shoot, Doc. I’ve got at least eight inches on Tom, and I outweigh him by at least fifty pounds.”

  James raised an eyebrow. “You’ve never seen Tom fight, have you?”

  “No. Why would I?”

  “No reason, I guess. And I don’t suppose he told you about that little incident down in Tallahassee?”

  “He’s talked about his grandpa, but otherwise, he hasn’t said much about what he did away from home.”

  “Get him to tell you about it sometime. When he can talk again, that is. Just let me say that he can take care of himself.”

  Jack frowned, as if he didn’t like James knowing something about his best friend that he didn’t know, and James swallowed his grin. Tom, I think I see a happy ending for you, if you don’t screw it up.

  “So what happened?”

  “He wasn’t home when I came by earlier, and I decided it would be a good idea to pick up some groceries. The door wasn’t locked when I got back, so I let myself in, put the bags in the kitchen, and went to find him.” He sighed. “He came out of the bathroom looking good enough to eat, and I was thinking maybe we’d have time for a quickie before dinner. I thought Tom was happy to see me, but then he…”

  “I can guess, knowing Tom.” James leaned back in his chair. “He wasn’t expecting you to turn up tonight, was he?”

  “I don’t know why not. I did tell him this morning I’d see him later.”

  “The thing is, Tom isn’t a morning person. He probably had no memory of it.”

  “I guess.” Jack shrugged. “He told me to go home – he was going out to dinner, and then he was gonna find someone and… and bring him back to the… to the bedroom where we’d… where we’d…”