“I don’t know how to take that.” Luka took a drag, still feeling awkward.
“Take it as a compliment. Your opinion matters to me. I want you to like the things I make.”
“That’s incredibly sappy.”
“Sappy?” Reno took the cigarette back to take a long drag.
“Yeah, like.” Luka fought for the meaning. “Sweet. Sappy like tree sap. Syrup.”
“Ah, yes.” Reno smiled and Luka thought of it just like syrup, sweet and slow. “Sappy. What a good word. Should I call the driver?”
Luka took in the nearly gone cigarette and nodded. Reno passed it over as he went for his phone and Luka finished it before stomping it out and walking the butt to a trash bin near the end of the block. By the time he returned, Reno was thanking the person on the other end of the phone call and hanging up.
“Guess he’s at the cafe down the street. Do you want anything?”
“No, I'm okay.” Luka thought if he had any caffeine, his heart might give up. It had already been pounding so much all day.
Reno shot off a text then leaned back against the wall again. Luka joined him and Reno put his hand inside of Luka’s hoodie pocket. His fingers were surprisingly cold.
Reno yawned, slumped against Luka and apologized. “Sorry, this is my usual nap time.”
Luka pulled his phone out and saw it was nearly five and was surprised at how much time they had spent together already.
“Usually I crash on the bus around now, get an hour in before I have to be in chair for hair and makeup.”
Luka turned his hand to lock his fingers with Reno’s inside of his pocket.
“Then I stretch, dance a bit, warm up on guitar, and take our photos with the guys.” Reno put his head on Luka’s shoulder and as he talked it came out hushed. “What do you usually do?”
“I’m usually playing games with Wulf right now. Well, not exactly right now with the time difference and all. We quit pretty early though so I can draw.”
“Un, so dedicated. You draw every day don’t you?”
“Almost.” Luka wished he could do more. “Sometimes I’m too tired after work.”
Reno yawned. “I want you to quit.”
“Not possible,” Luka laughed.
“Yes, but it’s what you want,” Reno said, “I want you to have what you want.”
“I see.” Luka watched the car pull up to the curb and he shrugged his shoulder to get Reno up and off of it. “Unless you’re offering to pay my rent, it’s not happening.”
“Mhm.” Reno flipped his hood down and adjusted his hat. “Mind if we go to your hotel? I’m sharing a bed with Arnaud and I don’t think he’d appreciate the extra company tonight. He needs his beauty rest.”
Luka stammered, trying to process the implications. “Uh, yeah. I mean, you paid for it.”
“That doesn’t mean I should expect an invite.”
Luka nodded, slightly dazed. “Yes, then. You are invited.”
Reno nodded back, looking serious. “Let’s go, then.”
A driver Luka didn’t recognize opened the door for them and they slid into the back seat together. As the car pulled away and the park disappeared from view, Luka wondered if he’d ever come back.
1 Good morning/morning.
CHAPTER NINE
