FIC: Oakdale is Not So Bad - Part 3
Title: Oakdale is Not So Bad - Part 3
Author: sleeper6
Rating: R
Disclaimer: All belongs to As the World Turns, not me.
Summary: Sequel to Dad is Not So Bad. After Reid moves to Oakdale to be with Luke, he has trouble adjusting to his new life and relationship.
Previous: Part 1, Part 2
”Who the hell are you?” Henry Coleman asked, his voice practically screeching.
“Someone who’s suddenly thankful he’s not you,” Reid replied, reaching out and touching the sleeve of Henry’s pink and orange striped shirt. “Seriously, this was actually made for men?”
“Don’t touch me!” Henry said, smacking Reid’s hand and slamming the front door behind him. “And again, I ask, who are you?”
“Dr. Reid Oliver,” Reid said, extending his right hand.
Henry looked at it before pushing Reid aside and walking toward Katie’ darkened bedroom. “Where’s Bubbles-I mean, Katie?”
Reid began buttoning his shirt. “Bubbles?”
Henry walked toward Reid, stopping only inches from him. “Katie, Katie Snyder. Where is she?”
Reid smiled. “Bubbles is out getting us dinner.”
“Don’t-don’t call her that.”
“No, it’s okay. I get why you call her that,” Reid said, still grinning. “She is very bubbly and . . . bouncy, isn’t she?”
“What?” Henry yelled. “Don’t say things like-you know what, can you just get your girlfriend out here so I can talk to a decent human being?”
Reid looked confused. “Girlfriend? What are you talking about?”
“Katie’s new roommate, the woman I’m assuming you’re helping move in,” Henry said, pointing toward Reid’s bedroom.
“Uh, there is no woman. It’s just Katie and me.”
Henry looked even more confused. He quickly pulled out his cell phone. “What are you talking about? Katie called me, said she got a new roommate this morning.” He dialed Katie’s number.
A ringing erupted from the kitchen. Reid walked over and grabbed the phone from the table. He pressed Answer and held it up to his ear. “Hello, this is Dr. Reid Oliver, Katie Snyder’s roommate. Katie is not available right now. Do you want to leave a message?” He smirked at Henry as he hung up. This is going to be fun.
Henry’s phone slipped from his hand as he gaped at Reid.
“Oops,” Reid said, looking at Henry as he crouched down to pick up the phone.
Henry straightened himself and walked closer to Reid. “You-you-you can’t be her-you, you’re a, a man.”
“Oh good, there is a brain in there,” Reid said, pointing to Henry’s head.
Henry glanced at Reid’s bare feet and then looked at Reid, his eyes growing wide. “Oh no, no, please, tell me she hasn’t traded in Chris Hughes for you.”
“Who?”
“Her boyfriend!”
Reid smiled. “They’ve only been on two dates. I’d hardly call him her ‘boyfriend.’”
Henry glared at Reid. “Well, he is and I should know. I’m her best friend and have been for many, many years. How long have you known her?”
“Long enough for her to ask me to move in with her,” Reid said, smiling slyly. “I’m surprised she didn’t tell you more about me-I mean, with you being her BFF and all.” Reid strolled to the couch and put his bare feet up on the coffee table when he sat down.
Henry followed him and slapped Reid’s feet away. “Get those off the table.”
“Hey, what’s your problem, Crazy Shirt?” Reid said as he sat up straighter and glared at Henry. “I live here.”
“My name is Henry Coleman,” Henry answered, sitting on the opposite end of the couch, “and we’ll see about that.” Henry flashed Reid a mischievous smile.
What stupid sitcom had this guy wandered in from? “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to tell Katie about the kind of guy you really are.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“Oh, but I know about guys like you.”
Reid raised an eyebrow.
“She’s going to throw you out on your tail,” Henry said, scooting closer to Reid.
Reid crossed his arms. “You think so?”
Henry quickly nodded. “You bet, Doctor, so enjoy it while you can.”
Reid once again rested his feet on the table and lay back on the cushions. “Okay, I will.”
“What kind of doctor are you, anyway? A quack?”
Reid narrowed his eyes at Henry. “I’m a brain surgeon, top one in the country.”
“What? They let you cut open people’s heads?”
Reid smiled and nodded. “Yes, and I’m very good at it.” He sat up and moved toward Henry. “Want me to show you?”
Henry immediately stood up, shielding his head with one hand. “Don’t touch me!”
Reid laughed. “Relax, Hank. I’m not going to put my hands on you in any way. But whenever you’re ready to have your head examined, you know where to find me.” Reid pointed the remote control to the TV to turn it on.
“Not here, not after I tell Katie that you’re planning to take advantage of her.”
“What?”
Henry pointed at Reid. “I know your deal, Dr. McBrainy. Katie is an attractive, single woman who’s trying to get over the death of her husband, and you figure you’re just the guy to help her with that. Counting the days until you move into her bedroom, are you?”
Reid chuckled. “Oh, you really know me, Hank.”
“It’s Henry.”
Reid stood. “What’s upsetting you more, Hank-that’s it me that’s living with Katie or that’s it’s not you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t-I, I’m a married man.”
“What was that? Are you saying someone actually married you . . . willingly?”
“Laugh all you want, but just so you know, three women have married me, including Katie,” Henry stated proudly.
Reid shrugged. “I get it. Women have needs too, just like us”-Reid glanced at Henry’s shirt-“men, right?”
“Needs? What do you mean-you, you leave her alone, you hear?” Henry said. “You respect her. She is a mother and-and you’ll scar Jacob for life.”
“He’s just a baby,” Reid replied. “He’s not aware of what Mommy is doing . . . or who.”
Henry glared at Reid, walking toward him until he and Reid stood only inches apart. “You-”
The doorbell interrupted the face-off. Reid and Henry ran to the door at the same time, slamming into it, each trying to push the other out of the way as they reached for the doorknob.
“Get out of my way!”
“I live here!”
“Guys, what’s going on?” Luke asked slowly as the door opened to reveal Reid and Henry shoving each other.
“Luke.”
“Luke, yes!” Henry yelled, fervently shaking Luke’s hand and pulling him inside. “It’s so very good to see you. Maybe you can help me get Dr. Sleaze here out of this place and out of Katie’s life.”
Luke glanced briefly at Reid before looking at Henry. “What did he do?”
Henry stood beside Luke, pointing at Reid. “It’s what he plans to do.” Henry looked at Luke with wide eyes. “He plans to seduce Katie.”
“What?” Is he drinking? Luke thought as he stared at Henry.
“He is! He told me so himself.”
“I never said that,” Reid said.
“It’s what you meant,” accused Henry.
Luke laughed softly. “Henry, I can assure you that that’s not what he meant.”
Henry looked at Luke. “And how do you know?”
“Because Reid’s my-”
A car horn interrupted Luke.
“Oh, man, that’s the missus; forgot she was out there,” Henry said, scratching his forehead. He walked toward the door.
“It was a displeasure meeting you, Hank,” Reid called out.
“Reid,” Luke warned.
Henry jabbed a finger in Reid’s direction. “Don’t think that this is over, Dr. Big Head. I’m going to have a little chat with Katie about you so don’t unpack all your bags just yet.”
Reid shook his head, a smirk on his face. “Leave it alone, Hank. Katie’s not going to listen to you. She’s fond of me. She trusts me. You think she would’ve asked me to live with her and Jacob if she didn’t?”
Henry opened his mouth to respond, but the car horn made him jump. “I’ll be back,” he said, shooting one last glare in Reid’s direction before walking out.
Reid laughed as he sat on the couch.
“What was that about?” Luke asked, standing in front of Reid and shoving his hands in his jean pockets.
“It’s just Hank being Hank.”
“You shouldn’t bait him.”
“I’m not. I’m just having a little fun,” Reid said with a grin.
Luke didn’t find it so funny. “By pretending to be interested in Katie?”
“What Hank doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Luke crossed his arms over his chest. “What about what I don’t know?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You didn’t want to move into any of the places I suggested but you move into the first place she offers-is there something I don’t know?”
Reid stood. “Luke-”
“Luke!” Katie yelled out as she walked in the front door with a large pizza in one hand and Jacob in the other.
“Let me help you with that,” Reid said as he walked to Katie. Katie smiled at him as she held out Jacob. Reid, however, took the pizza instead. Katie and Luke laughed.
“Hey, Katie,” Luke said.
“Checking up on the doctor, huh? Don’t worry; he’s in good hands,” Katie said as she and Jacob followed Reid into the kitchen. “As are we. It’s so great having a doctor in the house, isn’t it, Jacob?” Jacob giggled, and Katie smiled at Luke. “Jacob agrees.”
“I like you, too, little man,” Reid said, taking Jacob from Katie. He held him against his chest and tapped his nose.
“Go sit in the living room, and I’ll take over the plates and drinks in a minute,” Katie said.
“Sure thing, Mommy,” Reid said, motioning for Luke to sit with him and Jacob on the couch.
“Luke, do you want to join us?” Katie asked.
Luke, who stood still as he watched his boyfriend and his roommate bond, shook his head. “Uh, no, I just came over to talk to Reid.”
“You came here to talk business? Can it wait, Luke, at least until after we eat?”
“No, Katie, it can’t,” Luke responded coldly.
Reid patted the space next to him. “Sit down.”
“Reid, I really need to talk to you.”
“After, Luke. We can discuss . . . things after,” Reid said, handing Jacob to Katie.
Luke sighed and sat next to Reid.
Katie stared at them. “Um, guys, if it’s about the hospital, go ahead and talk. It seems important.”
“It’s not about the hospital, Katie. It’s about us.” Luke fixed his eyes on Reid.
Katie wrinkled her brows. “Us?”
“Me and Luke. Luke and me. Ruke, Leid, whatever you want to call us,” Reid said before stuffing his mouth with a pizza slice.
Katie’s eyes widened. “Oh, you two are, uh, you guys are together?”
“Ding, ding, ding,” Reid said.
Katie laughed. “I wasn’t expecting that, but now it makes sense.” Reid and Luke looked questioningly at her, so she continued. “Reid didn’t hesitate to say yes when I offered him the spare room. Other guys would’ve definitely been more conflicted.”
“Because they wouldn’t be able to resist your charms?” Reid teased.
Katie winked at him.
For the next half hour, Luke sat silently as he watched Katie, feeding Jacob his bottle, and Reid practically become best friends. He’d never heard Reid talk so much to someone other than him-especially someone he didn’t know very well. Luke wanted to hate Katie and Reid’s new friendship, but he couldn’t, not when Katie seemed to genuinely like Reid. Luke was relieved he wasn’t the only person in Oakdale to want to be around Reid since Luke intended for everyone he knew to get to know Reid and fall in love with him just as Luke-and even Damian-had done. Still, watching Reid bond so easily with Katie when he couldn’t do the same with his family annoyed Luke, and he intended to talk to Reid about that.
“I’m excited to get to cook for someone other than myself; it’s been a long time,” Katie was saying as she and Reid discussed his favorite foods.
“So what are you cooking tomorrow night?” Reid eagerly asked as he bit into his fourth slice.
“It’s the first meal I’ll make for you so you can choose anything you want-well, anything I can cook,” Katie said, flashing Reid her pearly white teeth.
Luke immediately sat up. “You’re not going to be here tomorrow night. We’re eating dinner with my parents.”
Reid looked at Luke. “I thought that was tonight.”
“Yes, it was, but I had to reschedule since you decided moving in here was more important than getting to know them,” Luke said.
Katie coughed and focused on a sleeping Jacob in her arms.
“Luke, that’s not what happened,” Reid said.
Luke stood. “You know what? I don’t care. I have to get home.”
“Luke, wait.” Luke ignored Reid as he walked to the door, but just as he opened it, Reid, coming up behind him, slammed it shut. “You’re not going anywhere.” And before Luke could say anything else, Reid took hold of Luke’s hand and led him into his bedroom.
“Why are you pouting now?” Reid demanded as he sat on the bed and looked at Luke.
Luke, standing with his arms folded across his chest, shook his head. “I don’t get it, Reid. I searched and searched for places for you to live in and you don’t even take the time to look at them or-or make the effort. No, instead you move in with a woman you don’t even know, without telling me and-and-”
“Is there something I don’t know about Katie, Luke? Mental illness? Psychotic tendencies?”
Luke shook his head. “No, nothing like that. It’s just that . . . I want you to have your own place.”
“I do,” Reid said, extending his arms. “Look at this room; it’s huge.”
“You know what I mean, Reid,” Luke said, narrowing his eyes at Reid.
Reid stared silently at Luke for a few seconds. “Luke, do you want to live with me? Is that what you mean? Because you said it was too soon for us to move in together, remember, when I tried to get you to stay in Dallas?”
“It is, it is, but I wanted you to live alone so I could, you know, hang out with you, just the two of us,” Luke said quietly. “You know we can’t go to my mom’s house for alone time.”
“Katie won’t mind.”
“She might if we wake up Jacob.” Luke looked down at the floor. “And I think you might mind me being here too.”
Reid stood up. “What are you talking about?”
“You and Katie and Jacob, the perfect little family. I felt like an outsider watching the three of you together just now. And why are you so chummy with her? You certainly didn’t even try being friendly with my parents or my family or the people at the hospital. What’s so special about her?”
Reid laughed. “You cannot be jealous of Katie.”
“You looked so happy playing house with her out there.”
“Katie is my friend and the kid is all right, but that’s it,” Reid assured Luke.
Luke remained quiet.
Reid stepped closer to Luke and grasped Luke’s hands in his. “Luke, I’m living with them. I have to stay on their good side so they don’t kick me out.” He brushed his lips against Luke’s cheek. “Just like I have to stay on your good side or else you’ll kick me out of Oakdale.”
Luke smiled as Reid gently kissed his face. “I won’t.”
“No?” Reid asked.
Luke smiled wider and shook his head.
Reid kissed Luke. “I’m sorry for not talking to you about moving in here. I should’ve just like I had asked you to.”
“Yeah, you should’ve.”
“And I will try to be just as-what did you call it-‘chummy’ with your folks and the hundred other Snyders,” Reid added.
“All right.”
“But if you still have major objections about me living here, now’s the time to let me know.”
“If you like it, I’ll like it, too,” Luke replied.
“And if I don’t, you’ll be the first to know,” Reid said. Luke nodded. Reid then put his hands on Luke’s face and kissed him. Luke moaned, and Reid’s hands traveled down to lift up Luke’s shirt.
“Wait, wait, what about Katie?” Luke asked, glancing behind him.
“I only want you, Luke,” Reid said, as he kissed Luke’s neck and began unbuttoning Luke’s pants.
Luke laughed. “Reid!”
Reid sighed and walked over to lock his bedroom door. He smiled slyly as he walked back toward Luke and gently pushed him onto the bed. “Permission to continue?”
Luke pulled Reid on top of him. “Permission granted.”
They kissed as they undressed. They rubbed against each other, moaning at the intense friction between them. Their moment, though, was soon interrupted by Jacob’s cries.
“Great,” Luke muttered when Jacob didn’t stop crying. “See?”
“What? I don’t hear anything,” Reid said as continued kissing Luke. Jacob’s cries suddenly stopped and Reid smiled. “See?”
Reid pushed Luke’s left thigh to the side as he slowly entered him. Luke breathed louder and faster. As Reid settled more comfortably inside Luke, Jacob’s cries became audible once again.
“Reid-”
“Just ignore it, Luke.” Reid began moving.
”Reid.” Luke held onto Reid’s waist, his eyes shut in pleasure.
Jacob cried louder.
“Didn’t she give him the drops?” Reid muttered as he hovered over Luke.
Luke opened his eyes. “Do you want to go check?” Please don’t.
Reid shook his head, sprinkles of sweat raining down onto Luke. “No way. It’s just you and me.”
Thank you. Luke smiled as he urged Reid to increase his speed.
Seconds later, a knock stopped them cold. “Reid?”
“Oh, for the love of-” Reid began as Katie knocked on the bedroom door again.
“I’m sorry to bother you two, but Reid, can you come check Jacob for me? He won’t stop crying. Please?”
Reid and Luke stared at each other, both knowing what Reid was going to do before he did it.
“I’m sorry; I’ll be right back,” Reid whispered. He gave Luke a sloppy kiss before slowly pulling out of him. He picked off his boxer briefs and jeans off the floor and slipped them on before walking to the door. He glanced back at Luke. “Wait for me.”
Luke nodded and gave Reid a small smile. This was not what Luke had in mind when he’d thought about Reid living in Oakdale. Not at all.
“All right, Jacob’s fine. Katie’s putting him to bed. What-where are you going?” Reid asked as he watched a fully dressed Luke slip on his sneakers.
“I’m going home, Reid.”
“Luke, hold on.”
Luke stood. “Reid, the moment’s gone, we both know that. And Katie and Jacob might need you again so let’s just call it a night.”
Reid grabbed Luke’s arm as Luke brushed past him. “Don’t be mad.”
Luke looked at Reid. “I’m not. I’m tired.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, then, at the meeting?” Reid said, not wanting to let Luke leave.
Luke nodded.
“Luke, I didn’t move nine hundred miles to Oakdale for Katie. Or Jacob. I’m here for you,” Reid said firmly.
Luke nodded again. He waved at Reid and left. Inside his car, Luke rested his head on the steering wheel.
I’m here for you.
Are you? Luke thought as he started the car and drove away.
Part 4
Author: sleeper6
Rating: R
Disclaimer: All belongs to As the World Turns, not me.
Summary: Sequel to Dad is Not So Bad. After Reid moves to Oakdale to be with Luke, he has trouble adjusting to his new life and relationship.
Previous: Part 1, Part 2
”Who the hell are you?” Henry Coleman asked, his voice practically screeching.
“Someone who’s suddenly thankful he’s not you,” Reid replied, reaching out and touching the sleeve of Henry’s pink and orange striped shirt. “Seriously, this was actually made for men?”
“Don’t touch me!” Henry said, smacking Reid’s hand and slamming the front door behind him. “And again, I ask, who are you?”
“Dr. Reid Oliver,” Reid said, extending his right hand.
Henry looked at it before pushing Reid aside and walking toward Katie’ darkened bedroom. “Where’s Bubbles-I mean, Katie?”
Reid began buttoning his shirt. “Bubbles?”
Henry walked toward Reid, stopping only inches from him. “Katie, Katie Snyder. Where is she?”
Reid smiled. “Bubbles is out getting us dinner.”
“Don’t-don’t call her that.”
“No, it’s okay. I get why you call her that,” Reid said, still grinning. “She is very bubbly and . . . bouncy, isn’t she?”
“What?” Henry yelled. “Don’t say things like-you know what, can you just get your girlfriend out here so I can talk to a decent human being?”
Reid looked confused. “Girlfriend? What are you talking about?”
“Katie’s new roommate, the woman I’m assuming you’re helping move in,” Henry said, pointing toward Reid’s bedroom.
“Uh, there is no woman. It’s just Katie and me.”
Henry looked even more confused. He quickly pulled out his cell phone. “What are you talking about? Katie called me, said she got a new roommate this morning.” He dialed Katie’s number.
A ringing erupted from the kitchen. Reid walked over and grabbed the phone from the table. He pressed Answer and held it up to his ear. “Hello, this is Dr. Reid Oliver, Katie Snyder’s roommate. Katie is not available right now. Do you want to leave a message?” He smirked at Henry as he hung up. This is going to be fun.
Henry’s phone slipped from his hand as he gaped at Reid.
“Oops,” Reid said, looking at Henry as he crouched down to pick up the phone.
Henry straightened himself and walked closer to Reid. “You-you-you can’t be her-you, you’re a, a man.”
“Oh good, there is a brain in there,” Reid said, pointing to Henry’s head.
Henry glanced at Reid’s bare feet and then looked at Reid, his eyes growing wide. “Oh no, no, please, tell me she hasn’t traded in Chris Hughes for you.”
“Who?”
“Her boyfriend!”
Reid smiled. “They’ve only been on two dates. I’d hardly call him her ‘boyfriend.’”
Henry glared at Reid. “Well, he is and I should know. I’m her best friend and have been for many, many years. How long have you known her?”
“Long enough for her to ask me to move in with her,” Reid said, smiling slyly. “I’m surprised she didn’t tell you more about me-I mean, with you being her BFF and all.” Reid strolled to the couch and put his bare feet up on the coffee table when he sat down.
Henry followed him and slapped Reid’s feet away. “Get those off the table.”
“Hey, what’s your problem, Crazy Shirt?” Reid said as he sat up straighter and glared at Henry. “I live here.”
“My name is Henry Coleman,” Henry answered, sitting on the opposite end of the couch, “and we’ll see about that.” Henry flashed Reid a mischievous smile.
What stupid sitcom had this guy wandered in from? “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to tell Katie about the kind of guy you really are.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“Oh, but I know about guys like you.”
Reid raised an eyebrow.
“She’s going to throw you out on your tail,” Henry said, scooting closer to Reid.
Reid crossed his arms. “You think so?”
Henry quickly nodded. “You bet, Doctor, so enjoy it while you can.”
Reid once again rested his feet on the table and lay back on the cushions. “Okay, I will.”
“What kind of doctor are you, anyway? A quack?”
Reid narrowed his eyes at Henry. “I’m a brain surgeon, top one in the country.”
“What? They let you cut open people’s heads?”
Reid smiled and nodded. “Yes, and I’m very good at it.” He sat up and moved toward Henry. “Want me to show you?”
Henry immediately stood up, shielding his head with one hand. “Don’t touch me!”
Reid laughed. “Relax, Hank. I’m not going to put my hands on you in any way. But whenever you’re ready to have your head examined, you know where to find me.” Reid pointed the remote control to the TV to turn it on.
“Not here, not after I tell Katie that you’re planning to take advantage of her.”
“What?”
Henry pointed at Reid. “I know your deal, Dr. McBrainy. Katie is an attractive, single woman who’s trying to get over the death of her husband, and you figure you’re just the guy to help her with that. Counting the days until you move into her bedroom, are you?”
Reid chuckled. “Oh, you really know me, Hank.”
“It’s Henry.”
Reid stood. “What’s upsetting you more, Hank-that’s it me that’s living with Katie or that’s it’s not you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t-I, I’m a married man.”
“What was that? Are you saying someone actually married you . . . willingly?”
“Laugh all you want, but just so you know, three women have married me, including Katie,” Henry stated proudly.
Reid shrugged. “I get it. Women have needs too, just like us”-Reid glanced at Henry’s shirt-“men, right?”
“Needs? What do you mean-you, you leave her alone, you hear?” Henry said. “You respect her. She is a mother and-and you’ll scar Jacob for life.”
“He’s just a baby,” Reid replied. “He’s not aware of what Mommy is doing . . . or who.”
Henry glared at Reid, walking toward him until he and Reid stood only inches apart. “You-”
The doorbell interrupted the face-off. Reid and Henry ran to the door at the same time, slamming into it, each trying to push the other out of the way as they reached for the doorknob.
“Get out of my way!”
“I live here!”
“Guys, what’s going on?” Luke asked slowly as the door opened to reveal Reid and Henry shoving each other.
“Luke.”
“Luke, yes!” Henry yelled, fervently shaking Luke’s hand and pulling him inside. “It’s so very good to see you. Maybe you can help me get Dr. Sleaze here out of this place and out of Katie’s life.”
Luke glanced briefly at Reid before looking at Henry. “What did he do?”
Henry stood beside Luke, pointing at Reid. “It’s what he plans to do.” Henry looked at Luke with wide eyes. “He plans to seduce Katie.”
“What?” Is he drinking? Luke thought as he stared at Henry.
“He is! He told me so himself.”
“I never said that,” Reid said.
“It’s what you meant,” accused Henry.
Luke laughed softly. “Henry, I can assure you that that’s not what he meant.”
Henry looked at Luke. “And how do you know?”
“Because Reid’s my-”
A car horn interrupted Luke.
“Oh, man, that’s the missus; forgot she was out there,” Henry said, scratching his forehead. He walked toward the door.
“It was a displeasure meeting you, Hank,” Reid called out.
“Reid,” Luke warned.
Henry jabbed a finger in Reid’s direction. “Don’t think that this is over, Dr. Big Head. I’m going to have a little chat with Katie about you so don’t unpack all your bags just yet.”
Reid shook his head, a smirk on his face. “Leave it alone, Hank. Katie’s not going to listen to you. She’s fond of me. She trusts me. You think she would’ve asked me to live with her and Jacob if she didn’t?”
Henry opened his mouth to respond, but the car horn made him jump. “I’ll be back,” he said, shooting one last glare in Reid’s direction before walking out.
Reid laughed as he sat on the couch.
“What was that about?” Luke asked, standing in front of Reid and shoving his hands in his jean pockets.
“It’s just Hank being Hank.”
“You shouldn’t bait him.”
“I’m not. I’m just having a little fun,” Reid said with a grin.
Luke didn’t find it so funny. “By pretending to be interested in Katie?”
“What Hank doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Luke crossed his arms over his chest. “What about what I don’t know?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You didn’t want to move into any of the places I suggested but you move into the first place she offers-is there something I don’t know?”
Reid stood. “Luke-”
“Luke!” Katie yelled out as she walked in the front door with a large pizza in one hand and Jacob in the other.
“Let me help you with that,” Reid said as he walked to Katie. Katie smiled at him as she held out Jacob. Reid, however, took the pizza instead. Katie and Luke laughed.
“Hey, Katie,” Luke said.
“Checking up on the doctor, huh? Don’t worry; he’s in good hands,” Katie said as she and Jacob followed Reid into the kitchen. “As are we. It’s so great having a doctor in the house, isn’t it, Jacob?” Jacob giggled, and Katie smiled at Luke. “Jacob agrees.”
“I like you, too, little man,” Reid said, taking Jacob from Katie. He held him against his chest and tapped his nose.
“Go sit in the living room, and I’ll take over the plates and drinks in a minute,” Katie said.
“Sure thing, Mommy,” Reid said, motioning for Luke to sit with him and Jacob on the couch.
“Luke, do you want to join us?” Katie asked.
Luke, who stood still as he watched his boyfriend and his roommate bond, shook his head. “Uh, no, I just came over to talk to Reid.”
“You came here to talk business? Can it wait, Luke, at least until after we eat?”
“No, Katie, it can’t,” Luke responded coldly.
Reid patted the space next to him. “Sit down.”
“Reid, I really need to talk to you.”
“After, Luke. We can discuss . . . things after,” Reid said, handing Jacob to Katie.
Luke sighed and sat next to Reid.
Katie stared at them. “Um, guys, if it’s about the hospital, go ahead and talk. It seems important.”
“It’s not about the hospital, Katie. It’s about us.” Luke fixed his eyes on Reid.
Katie wrinkled her brows. “Us?”
“Me and Luke. Luke and me. Ruke, Leid, whatever you want to call us,” Reid said before stuffing his mouth with a pizza slice.
Katie’s eyes widened. “Oh, you two are, uh, you guys are together?”
“Ding, ding, ding,” Reid said.
Katie laughed. “I wasn’t expecting that, but now it makes sense.” Reid and Luke looked questioningly at her, so she continued. “Reid didn’t hesitate to say yes when I offered him the spare room. Other guys would’ve definitely been more conflicted.”
“Because they wouldn’t be able to resist your charms?” Reid teased.
Katie winked at him.
For the next half hour, Luke sat silently as he watched Katie, feeding Jacob his bottle, and Reid practically become best friends. He’d never heard Reid talk so much to someone other than him-especially someone he didn’t know very well. Luke wanted to hate Katie and Reid’s new friendship, but he couldn’t, not when Katie seemed to genuinely like Reid. Luke was relieved he wasn’t the only person in Oakdale to want to be around Reid since Luke intended for everyone he knew to get to know Reid and fall in love with him just as Luke-and even Damian-had done. Still, watching Reid bond so easily with Katie when he couldn’t do the same with his family annoyed Luke, and he intended to talk to Reid about that.
“I’m excited to get to cook for someone other than myself; it’s been a long time,” Katie was saying as she and Reid discussed his favorite foods.
“So what are you cooking tomorrow night?” Reid eagerly asked as he bit into his fourth slice.
“It’s the first meal I’ll make for you so you can choose anything you want-well, anything I can cook,” Katie said, flashing Reid her pearly white teeth.
Luke immediately sat up. “You’re not going to be here tomorrow night. We’re eating dinner with my parents.”
Reid looked at Luke. “I thought that was tonight.”
“Yes, it was, but I had to reschedule since you decided moving in here was more important than getting to know them,” Luke said.
Katie coughed and focused on a sleeping Jacob in her arms.
“Luke, that’s not what happened,” Reid said.
Luke stood. “You know what? I don’t care. I have to get home.”
“Luke, wait.” Luke ignored Reid as he walked to the door, but just as he opened it, Reid, coming up behind him, slammed it shut. “You’re not going anywhere.” And before Luke could say anything else, Reid took hold of Luke’s hand and led him into his bedroom.
“Why are you pouting now?” Reid demanded as he sat on the bed and looked at Luke.
Luke, standing with his arms folded across his chest, shook his head. “I don’t get it, Reid. I searched and searched for places for you to live in and you don’t even take the time to look at them or-or make the effort. No, instead you move in with a woman you don’t even know, without telling me and-and-”
“Is there something I don’t know about Katie, Luke? Mental illness? Psychotic tendencies?”
Luke shook his head. “No, nothing like that. It’s just that . . . I want you to have your own place.”
“I do,” Reid said, extending his arms. “Look at this room; it’s huge.”
“You know what I mean, Reid,” Luke said, narrowing his eyes at Reid.
Reid stared silently at Luke for a few seconds. “Luke, do you want to live with me? Is that what you mean? Because you said it was too soon for us to move in together, remember, when I tried to get you to stay in Dallas?”
“It is, it is, but I wanted you to live alone so I could, you know, hang out with you, just the two of us,” Luke said quietly. “You know we can’t go to my mom’s house for alone time.”
“Katie won’t mind.”
“She might if we wake up Jacob.” Luke looked down at the floor. “And I think you might mind me being here too.”
Reid stood up. “What are you talking about?”
“You and Katie and Jacob, the perfect little family. I felt like an outsider watching the three of you together just now. And why are you so chummy with her? You certainly didn’t even try being friendly with my parents or my family or the people at the hospital. What’s so special about her?”
Reid laughed. “You cannot be jealous of Katie.”
“You looked so happy playing house with her out there.”
“Katie is my friend and the kid is all right, but that’s it,” Reid assured Luke.
Luke remained quiet.
Reid stepped closer to Luke and grasped Luke’s hands in his. “Luke, I’m living with them. I have to stay on their good side so they don’t kick me out.” He brushed his lips against Luke’s cheek. “Just like I have to stay on your good side or else you’ll kick me out of Oakdale.”
Luke smiled as Reid gently kissed his face. “I won’t.”
“No?” Reid asked.
Luke smiled wider and shook his head.
Reid kissed Luke. “I’m sorry for not talking to you about moving in here. I should’ve just like I had asked you to.”
“Yeah, you should’ve.”
“And I will try to be just as-what did you call it-‘chummy’ with your folks and the hundred other Snyders,” Reid added.
“All right.”
“But if you still have major objections about me living here, now’s the time to let me know.”
“If you like it, I’ll like it, too,” Luke replied.
“And if I don’t, you’ll be the first to know,” Reid said. Luke nodded. Reid then put his hands on Luke’s face and kissed him. Luke moaned, and Reid’s hands traveled down to lift up Luke’s shirt.
“Wait, wait, what about Katie?” Luke asked, glancing behind him.
“I only want you, Luke,” Reid said, as he kissed Luke’s neck and began unbuttoning Luke’s pants.
Luke laughed. “Reid!”
Reid sighed and walked over to lock his bedroom door. He smiled slyly as he walked back toward Luke and gently pushed him onto the bed. “Permission to continue?”
Luke pulled Reid on top of him. “Permission granted.”
They kissed as they undressed. They rubbed against each other, moaning at the intense friction between them. Their moment, though, was soon interrupted by Jacob’s cries.
“Great,” Luke muttered when Jacob didn’t stop crying. “See?”
“What? I don’t hear anything,” Reid said as continued kissing Luke. Jacob’s cries suddenly stopped and Reid smiled. “See?”
Reid pushed Luke’s left thigh to the side as he slowly entered him. Luke breathed louder and faster. As Reid settled more comfortably inside Luke, Jacob’s cries became audible once again.
“Reid-”
“Just ignore it, Luke.” Reid began moving.
”Reid.” Luke held onto Reid’s waist, his eyes shut in pleasure.
Jacob cried louder.
“Didn’t she give him the drops?” Reid muttered as he hovered over Luke.
Luke opened his eyes. “Do you want to go check?” Please don’t.
Reid shook his head, sprinkles of sweat raining down onto Luke. “No way. It’s just you and me.”
Thank you. Luke smiled as he urged Reid to increase his speed.
Seconds later, a knock stopped them cold. “Reid?”
“Oh, for the love of-” Reid began as Katie knocked on the bedroom door again.
“I’m sorry to bother you two, but Reid, can you come check Jacob for me? He won’t stop crying. Please?”
Reid and Luke stared at each other, both knowing what Reid was going to do before he did it.
“I’m sorry; I’ll be right back,” Reid whispered. He gave Luke a sloppy kiss before slowly pulling out of him. He picked off his boxer briefs and jeans off the floor and slipped them on before walking to the door. He glanced back at Luke. “Wait for me.”
Luke nodded and gave Reid a small smile. This was not what Luke had in mind when he’d thought about Reid living in Oakdale. Not at all.
“All right, Jacob’s fine. Katie’s putting him to bed. What-where are you going?” Reid asked as he watched a fully dressed Luke slip on his sneakers.
“I’m going home, Reid.”
“Luke, hold on.”
Luke stood. “Reid, the moment’s gone, we both know that. And Katie and Jacob might need you again so let’s just call it a night.”
Reid grabbed Luke’s arm as Luke brushed past him. “Don’t be mad.”
Luke looked at Reid. “I’m not. I’m tired.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, then, at the meeting?” Reid said, not wanting to let Luke leave.
Luke nodded.
“Luke, I didn’t move nine hundred miles to Oakdale for Katie. Or Jacob. I’m here for you,” Reid said firmly.
Luke nodded again. He waved at Reid and left. Inside his car, Luke rested his head on the steering wheel.
I’m here for you.
Are you? Luke thought as he started the car and drove away.
Part 4