Love Is Always Write Volume 4

to be pretty winded from the rush packing and carrying all the boxes down to the truck.
    Still focused on the ground, Zeb answered, "I'm… not pissed." Another long breath. "I'm not. I get it." The last was said so quietly Chad barely heard him. He wanted to ask what Zeb got, but Zeb continued, "I'm just… in a hurry. Remember, plane to catch and all that."
    "Yeah, I guess." He noticed now how Zeb shuffled one foot and recognized the maneuver – nervous. Knowing how Zeb was he pinpointed the problem. "Not good at goodbyes?"
    Zeb looked up. "Huh?"
    "Well, this is another first, right?" He walked slowly to his lover. "Not sure how to say goodbye?"
    "No. Not really. I guess." Zeb looked down again.
    "How about I help you with that then." Chad reached Zeb and wound his arms around his lover's neck. "A goodbye kiss is usually standard," he whispered as he leaned in. "Actually, I think its mandatory." He breathed the words onto Zeb's lips a moment before brushing them together. Zeb hesitated for only a second and then responded slowly, tenderly. Chad flicked his tongue over those beautiful full lips he loved so much and his lover not only opened for him, but pushed him up against the opposite wall and kissed him within an inch of his life. Chad moaned and stroked along Zeb's long back, grabbing onto his shirt to stabilize.
    Damn! Why did he have to leave so quickly? Why couldn't they at least have the night to make love before he had to face an entire month without his man? Actually, forget an entire night. Right now, with how wound up Zeb was making him, he'd be happy with a quickie up against the counter. He ground his erection against Zeb's thigh to get that exact point across, but Zeb just pulled back and leaned their foreheads together to catch a breath.
    Chad wanted to whimper but settled for running his fingers through Zeb's hair instead. "That's better," he breathed.
    "I do get it, Chad." Zeb said softly.
    "Get what?" But Zeb didn't answer. Chad felt a response though, since his eyes were still closed and their foreheads still touching. Zeb just shook his head lightly from side to side, then stepped away. Chad opened his eyes slowly, dazed from their passionate embrace. Zeb had already picked up the box again and was heading for the door. "Text me when your flight gets in, okay? So I know you got there safe." He received a grunt for a response and smiled. He actually thought it was cute sometimes, how Zeb was so sure of himself about everything else in his life, except for all the new experiences that came with a relationship. Then he was more like a nervous teenager.
    Zeb reached the door and was about to go around the corner into the hall. Oh lord how Chad wanted to stop him right there and get more kisses! But if he did, he knew he'd never want to let him leave at all. And this is what he wanted for his lover. This was Zeb's dream. "And call tomorrow after your meeting." Chad hollered after him. Zeb paused than but didn't turn around.
    "Why?"
    "To tell me how it goes."
    "Oh. Okay, yeah." And he continued on, out of sight. Chad walked over to the hall to wave goodbye but Zeb was already at the elevator, the doors sliding open and his lover stepping in without a backwards glance.
    ****
    NOW…
    A loud cymbal crashed, followed by ear shattering applause, and Chad blinked.
    "Ladies and Gentleman, thank you!"
    Even looking at the crowd, the band and lights, that image was still in front of him; the one of Zeb leaving, not looking back; a shadow over everything else.
    "We've enjoyed being here so much tonight. You've been a truly wonderful audience!"
    Chad shook his head. What am I doing here? This is crazy!
    "At the end of the night we'll have CD's and photograph's to sign for you in the back, but for now we're going to sit back with all of you because we have a real treat…"
    This was a mistake! Chad looked towards the exit. I shouldn't be here! I'm over him. Some voice inside his head laughed, mocking him.
    "… one of my favorite performers and a good friend…"
    I am! I got over him long ago! I've mended and moved on. I date, dammit!
    "…I'm sure you'll enjoy…"
    Before this I hadn't even thought of him in months and being here… bringing it all back like some nightmare! I don't need this!
    "…not to mention some delicious eye candy …" The lead singer of the all-girl band opening for Abduction droned on, the crowd seeming to love it. But Chad wasn't really listening. He flicked his attention towards the