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“I’m fine,” Jack insisted though his body still buzzed from the incredible orgasm and the intensity of his surrender. He sat up and had to steady himself by leaning on his arm.
“Nope, not fine,” Mason said.
“I will be.”
“Just sit for a bit. Gray can handle making pasta.”
“I know, and you could too, if you had to.”
Mason smiled. “I could.”
“I just don’t want to be apart from either of you right now. I…I know it sounds ridiculous.”
Mason shook his head. “No, it doesn’t. Here, I’ll help you.” He put his arm around Jack and helped him stand.
Jack winced as his leg seized up.
“You okay?” Mason asked.
“Yeah, it’s my leg. It’s just stiff.”
“All right. You dizzy?”
Jack tried to steady himself. “A little. Give me a second.”
Mason waited, his arm around Jack’s waist. Jack leaned on him, realizing how comfortable he was doing so. Mason would hold him up, and so would Gray, no matter how weak he was right now. How had he forgotten that?
“I’m okay now,” he said. Arm in arm they walked into the kitchen.
Gray stood at the counter, tasting the sauce, buck naked except for an apron. Jack grinned at the sight and hugged Mason tighter. Things had been rocky, but they were going to get better, no matter what he ultimately decided to do, because with two men as wonderful as these, they couldn’t be otherwise.
13
Afew days later, Mason helped Jack load three pans of lasagna into the car. He was glad the shelter accepted donations of prepared foods and not just groceries. He didn’t think he would have had the stamina to make the lasagnas there where he couldn’t lie down while they baked.
Jack had finally been cleared to drive, but Mason insisted on going with him to carry the meal he’d prepared into the shelter, then Mason could walk to Nathan’s for his dinner shift and Jack could drive himself home. Andy had told Jack he’d lined up some kids to prepare salad and help Jack serve the dinner, one of whom Andy was hoping Jack would mentor. Jack’s stomach did a flip-flop as he settled into the passenger seat. He wanted to make a great impression. He wouldn’t admit it to Mason, but he was glad not to be driving. Turning the wheel still hurt his chest, and he wanted to be fully focused on the kids at the shelter when he arrived, not trying to pretend he wasn’t in pain.
When they rang the buzzer, Andy let them in and showed them to the kitchen.
“You sure you’re okay on your own?” Mason asked as they set the lasagna down on the counter near the ovens.
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t push himself too hard,” Andy said, grinning at their tender moment.
“Thanks,” Mason replied, sticking out his hand to shake. “I’m Mason.”
“Andy. We’re really thrilled to have Jack here.”
Mason smiled. “The kids will love him.”
Heat filled Jack’s face, and he changed the subject. “Where should I set up?”
“We set up a serving line here.” Andy indicated a long metal-topped counter lining the half-wall that separated the kitchen and dining area. “There are gloves on the counter by the sink. Anyone working with food needs to wear them. Poke around for whatever else you need. The kids should be here to help soon, and Henry can tell you where everything is.”
Henry was the kid Andy wanted to pair with Jack, and Jack hoped he didn’t end up making a fool of himself. He hadn’t been pleasant company for anyone in a long time.
Mason said goodbye, and Andy headed to check on a group therapy session that was in progress.
Jack put the lasagnas in the oven to warm. Then he found cutting boards and knives and prepared to chop the lettuce and tomatoes for the salad. He was just unwrapping the Romaine hearts he’d purchased when a kid walked in. He had dirty blond hair cut ruthlessly short. His face was thin and pale, and his deep-brown eyes were uncertain.
