Love Is Always Write Volume 4

was only giving the littlest of hints, Chad figured it out. Or at least he thought he did. Zeb wanted to sign. He wanted to go to California but wasn't doing it because of Chad. So Chad made a decision.
    He loved Zeb, more than anything in this world, and he wanted his lover happy. After all, if they had to live apart for a short time it wouldn't be the end of the world. The long run was what was important, and Chad was sure that with some effort he could find a job in California. At this point he didn't give a flying rat's ass about leaving his family and, sure, they'd be leaving behind friends but there were phones. What was truly important was making the man he loved happy.
    And the only way he could do that was to talk to Zeb about it.
    The next Saturday he woke early intending to make Zeb breakfast in bed. The smell of bacon frying filled the room as he cut veggies for an omelet. Chad had thought it all through and was actually starting to get excited. He was dancing around a little to the oldies on the radio when he heard a noise behind him.
    "Oh damn, you're up already. I wanted to finish this before you woke up."
    Zeb groggily made his way over and wound his arms around his lover from behind. "Couldn't still sleep. Smelled good." His voice was harsh from sleep, just the way Chad loved it. He leaned back into Zeb's body a moment, relishing the feel of those arms. "Why the big breakfast?" Zeb asked before letting go to pour his much-needed mug of coffee.
    "Well, not just a big breakfast. I wanted to serve you breakfast in bed. So get back in there, sexy, and I'll bring it in to you."
    "What? Why?" Zeb rubbed his eyes, obviously nowhere near awake yet. Normally on nights his band played Chad could count on his boyfriend sleeping till noon and here it was, barely nine.
    "You're not making this easy. Now scoot."
    Zeb shuffled towards the hall but then stopped again, deep in thought. Or at least as close as he could get before at least three cups of coffee. "Wait. I didn't miss anything, right? I mean, no birthdays or some anniversary or something?"
    Chad laughed. "No, nothing like that. Actually I just want to have a talk with you."
    "Talk?" Now Zeb looked confused. Confused, sleepy and adorable, Chad thought. "About what?"
    Chad sighed. May as well get it out there.
    "About the gig in California. I know you want to go. I think it's killing you not going. And I think I know why you haven't jumped at the chance. Well, I think anyway, that's it partly because of me, my job here and that kind of stuff. So I want to make sure you know that if this is something you really want, that you don't have to worry about that." Chad couldn't read Zeb's expression at all. He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting, but this stone cold look wasn't it.
    "I don't?"
    "No. I'm fine with it. Really. If it's something that will make you happy, then it's what I want too." Still, all Chad got was a blank stare and he wished his boyfriend would give some kind of reaction, anything, so he'd know he was on the right track. "Zeb, talk to me. Tell me what you're thinking on this, please." But Zeb turned away, holding his coffee to his chest, and walked over to look out the balcony doors at the rainy May morning.
    Chad tried to continue but mainly only succeeded in rambling. "I think it could be good, really, for both of us. Maybe hard to be away from each other at first, but…" oh, he didn't want to think of the time they'd be apart. "…that would only be temporary. Think of it, a new start in a new state." He kept on, reassuring Zeb that they could talk on the phone and that it wouldn't be so bad. He didn't want to make any promises about finding a job out there right away, but mentioned his savings and how there'd be enough to make a trip out to visit once a month until they figured something out.
    "We could look online for an apartment and I have time off coming next month so…"
    The phone rang and he saw Zeb practically jump out of his skin, startled like he'd been zoning out and wondered if Zeb had even been listening or was still half-asleep.
    The phone interrupting him was somewhat welcome since Zeb still hadn't said a word in response, but finding out Derek was stuck on the freeway with a flat tire, and the jack somehow missing, was not so welcome. Promising his friend he'd be there in twenty he hung up and turned back to see Zeb still staring out at the rain.
    Slowly, he wrapped his arms around his lover from behind and felt Zeb go