Page 53 of See My Words

“Taking a shower.” Rylan was glad his voice came out steady, and he strolled toward the bathroom, striving for nonchalance though his heart was pounding so hard he thought he might pass out.

“Washing his come off you in my shower?” Scott’s voice sounded like gravel, and Rylan threw him a reproving look over his shoulder as he turned on the faucets.

“Don’t be crude, Scott,” he chided gently. “We didn’t fuck. We hiked and talked.”

Scott slumped against the doorframe for a moment and then straightened. “Whatever.” He disappeared out into the bedroom, and Rylan heaved a ragged sigh before climbing in and letting the hot water beat down over his shoulders and neck.

Emerging somewhat refreshed, he was disappointed that Scott was nowhere in sight. Rylan pulled on some sweats and a T-shirt, about to leave the room when he noticed a tall silhouette on the balcony outlined through the sheer curtains. Rylan made his way out there and rested his elbows on the railing next to him, both of them staring down at the patio below.

Minh was manning the huge grill, silver tongs in one hand, glass of red wine in the other, and he threw his head back and laughed at something Chris said. Chris grinned back at him, and when he leaned in to refill Minh’s glass from the bottle he held, he let his free hand graze Minh’s lower back as he did so.

Scott gave a sneer. “What, you shot the dude down and now he’s moving on to the next available piece of ass?”

Rylan kept his tone mild as he said, “Pretty much. But Chris isn’t like that. He’s not out to use and hurt anyone. He just wants to have a good time before he leaves again.”

Minh traced his tongue around the edge of his wineglass and took a sip, laughing again as Chris clutched his chest, pretending to pant.

“I think Minh knows the score and can take care of himself.”

“No doubt.” Scott’s voice was dry, but a little more even, like he’d let himself relax a fraction. “Why’d you shoot him down, Rylan?”

“I didn’t want him.”

Scott tensed again. “Why?”

Rylan took a deep breath, moving behind Scott to slide his arms around Scott’s waist and bury his face between his shoulder blades. “Because I want you.” He nuzzled his nose into the warm fabric of Scott’s shirt and kissed his nape. “I love you.”

Scott’s body grew even more rigid. “I don’t want you to love me.”

Rylan ran his parted lips over the side of Scott’s neck, breathing in the scent of his skin. “I know,” he said quietly. “But I do anyway.”

Scott was gripping the railing so hard his knuckles were white, and Rylan tightened his arms around him, hugging him close. They didn’t speak, just watched Minh pile the steaks on a plate and head back into the house while Chris trailed behind with a platter full of foil-wrapped corn and veggie kabobs.

Rylan stepped back, letting Scott go and tugging at his hand until he released the railing. He threaded their fingers together and led him downstairs to the dining room, where food covered every inch of the table. Rylan’s stomach growled as he found himself suddenly ravenous after the exertions of the day.

It was amusing to watch Minh and Chris flirt while they ate, not even seeming to notice how quiet Scott and Rylan were. Scott didn’t eat much, pulverizing a baked sweet potato into mush and mixing it with a small pat of butter while Rylan stuffed himself to the gills with everything.

“Damn, Minh, you’re a good cook,” he groaned at last. “I think I just gained eleventy-billion pounds.”

“It’s delicious,” Chris echoed, sitting back and rubbing his flat stomach. “Thank you, Minh. I won’t be eating like this once I get to Africa.”

Rylan gave him a small shake of the head, indicating he shouldn’t say anything about the internship just yet. Chris nodded back in acknowledgment.

“What kind of food will you eat there? And what part are you going to?” Minh sat back with his wineglass, his eyes shining with interest.

“I’m headed to Uganda, specifically the northern part that borders Sudan,” Chris said, wiping his lips on his napkin. “I was last there about ten years ago, during the height of the LRA insurgency. Lord’s Resistance Army,” he clarified. “It devastated the region, forced almost two million Acholi people into refugee camps. Thousands of children were kidnapped from their villages and used as soldiers.”

“Jesus.” Minh put his hand over his mouth. “Is it better now? Is it dangerous?”

Chris gave him a reassuring smile. “The region is more or less stable now, although there are still pockets of fighting between the LRA and government soldiers. Most of the people have been repatriated back to their villages, and what I want to do is document the differences between then and now.”

Scott pushed back from the table with a loud scrape of his chair. He grabbed his plate and carried it to the sink, setting it down with a clatter before turning the faucets on with sharp, angry motions. Chris’s lips twisted in a rueful grimace. “He knows?”

Rylan winced at the racket coming from the kitchen as Scott noisily washed the plates and silverware. “Not about the internship, but I’d talked about the possibility of me going with you. It didn’t, uh, go over well.”

Chris stood up and came over to Rylan’s chair, giving his shoulder a commiserating squeeze. “Why do you think I’ve stayed single? It makes leaving so much easier.”

He turned to Minh, whose mouth was open to speak, his eyes burning with curiosity.