Chapter 6
Next morning, Duncan woke early, wanting some peace before the assholes woke up, but when he walked outside with a mug of coffee, Spencer was already there, sitting in one of the lounge chairs, his sunglasses on and a thick bath robe.
He smiled at Duncan. “You brought coffee?”
Duncan just handed him the mug, cautious, mocking a bit. “Yeah… I guessed you would be up so early after your torrid late night.” Regretting a bit that he made an allusion to Spencer staying in the tub with that guy.
Spencer’s lips just curled up, bitter. “I can’t sleep…” Sipping the coffee. He handed it back to Duncan. “Wouldn’t be fair to drink it all.”
Duncan took the mug. “Since when do you care?”
Spencer shrugged, readjusting himself. He was lying a bit on his side, his knees bent. “Is it supposed to hurt?”
“What?”
“Your ass.”
Duncan’s anger just soared up. “No. No, it’s not supposed to hurt… at least, not as much that you can’t sit?”
“Could you have a look?” He had taken his sunglasses off, his amused eyes going to Duncan’s.
Duncan raised his hand. “No way I’m going to scrutinize your ass.”
“Why? You’re the expert.”
“Right… I’ll take you to a doctor now if you’re suffering?” Somehow, above that annoyance and anger, he also felt a mild pity for that man shivering on the bed. Hangover. In need. In pain, maybe… Fully expecting Spencer to wave it away and object.
“Ok… Let me put something on.” He pushed himself up and Duncan stood to help him up.
Spencer looked up into his eyes. “You could be a jerk about this.”
“You’re a grown ass man, and your decisions are yours, not mine or anybody else’s to make. Regrets?” He was trying to soften his voice in all that desperate anger.
“No…” Soft, almost a lie. “No… it was fine… I think…”
“Now, then. The ass ache is collateral damage. Get dressed and let’s go.” He was already looking for a doctor on his phone whilst Spencer disappeared.
Sure as fuck he was in his silk whatever again, but Duncan left him alone because maybe silk was good for aching, wrecked asses, and he could only hope Spencer was being a sissy and his ass was fine.
Driving down to the nearest town, he sometimes glanced at that silent, hunched form on the backseat, lost in his phone or the landscape.
Wondering where Spencer got all that self-destructive energy from, and trying to understand when all his life he had struggled to save his own life, or that of others.
An ingrained will to survive where giving up had never been an option, even during his darkest hours.
Feeling a bit guilty too that he had not insisted to get Spencer out of that pool, but after all, he was a grown man.
Twenty fucking six soon and a disaster… He sighed, and parked the car.
Opening the door, he helped Spencer out then, gesturing at a door.
“The doctor’s office. I’ll wait in the car, ok?”
“Yes…”
Spencer just went in and Duncan sat back, waiting. Shit. Fuck.
After a while, Spencer came out, and sat in, not even waiting for Duncan to jump out. He handed him a piece of paper.
“We have to buy this cream.”
Duncan looked at it. Ok… Relieved. “Nothing too bad then?”
Spencer’s lips curled up. “I thought you would know just by looking at that cream’s name.”
Fuck you. “Ok, smartass.” A pharmacy, close. He drove off, glancing at Spencer. “Painkillers too?”
Spencer grimaced. “No. They don’t go well with drinking. And I intend to drink as soon as we get home.”
Duncan shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
Spencer looked at him. “Oh, Mister McJudgy McJudge?”
“Not at all.” Parking the car, he turned back to him. “You do whatever the fuck you want to that body of yours. Just make sure it stays alive under my watch.”
“Tsk…” Those dark eyes took that dangerous light Duncan sort of knew by now. “I can try…”
“Right…”
Not even believing him, he went to buy the cream, ignoring the clerk’s sympathetic look. Fuck.
Back to the car, he tossed the cream to Spencer. “Wait until we get home, ok? Wash it first, dry it, and then… just like in the instructions. And you shouldn’t get it in the ass for a few days if you can manage to hold back.”
Spencer smirked, reading the instructions. “I’ll try… this says here I have to push that applicator in my asshole and push some cream in there…”
“That’s right.” He eased the car on the street.
Spencer chuckled softly. “I can’t fathom what’s the fun in this.”
Duncan sighed, exasperated. Their eyes met in the mirror. “Because it can be major fun and feel wonderful if you do it with somebody who knows what they’re actually doing, not some sort of horny sports jock who just wants to shove it in a hole and hammer away!”
Spencer laughed. “Like you would know.”
“I know…”
“Spot on…” His eyes took that dreamy look. “We didn’t use a condom either…” The belt held him back as Duncan slammed on the break, swerving the car to the side.
“What?”
“It’s not like he’s rotting or something…”
“Jesus! Fuck! Ok, we’re going back and getting tests from the pharmacy.”
“What tests?”
“Aids, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and other juicy stuff you might have caught.”
“He’s a clean guy.”
“You don’t know that… so condoms now with your girlfriend too until you know for sure you’re clean.”
“I never fucked her with a condom.”
“So what protection are you using?”
“She’s on the pill.” Spencer looked out the window as they parked again.
Duncan turned back to him. “Listen, damnit. Maybe she is… but if you fuck around, you need to protect her, if you care… because the nasties, they will infect her too.”
“Sure…” He was lost again, almost defeated, holding that tube of cream.
Fuck. Duncan got out and went to buy the tests, buying a bunch of condoms too, keeping a straight face at the clerk’s face when he knew he hadn’t had sex in weeks… Shit.
Driving back to the house, silent, Spencer sleeping, or so it seemed, his legs curled up on the seat. He had put that cream somewhere in his large pocket and the condoms too.
The others were already awake when they got back, eating breakfast, and Duncan held back from just smacking Brad around who had started joking and winking at Spencer.
“Early morning shopping run, Spencey? I hope your ass is not too sore.”
Mia stood straight away to lace her arms around Spencer’s neck but he pushed her away. “I need a minute…”
“Sure, baby…”
She pouted a bit but let him go, and Spencer disappeared in the house. Duncan followed him, to avoid chatting and waited in the kitchen until he showered.
Coming back out, his hair wet, and his face so drawn, Duncan’s heart lurched. It didn’t last long, just until Spencer walked to the bar and took out a bottle of whiskey. He poured a large glass, and grabbed a can of Coke from the fridge. Filling the glass up, he drank straight away, deep.
His eyes went to Duncan, mocking. “No comments on how I drink too early?”
“You’re not destroying my body.” He had crossed his arms, leaning against the counter.
Spencer waved the glass at him, standing close. “This is not destroying anything.”
“Keep lying to yourself and maybe miracles will happen.”
Spencer grazed a large scar on his arm, meeting his eyes. “Somebody tried to destroy this body though…”
Duncan swallowed, that graze sending shivers down his skin. “Comes with the job.”
“But not this job… Lieutenant Lambert.” Drinking a sip, his eyes lighting up with a wicked light as he saw the blood drain from Duncan’s face. Jolting when Duncan grabbed his arm, hard.
“How do you know this?”
Spencer squirmed and pulled his arm out, taking a step back. “Know what?”
“My rank… that…” He shut up, hoping Spencer didn’t know anything else.
Those dark eyes filled with that hateful gleam Duncan knew too well.
Spencer had laced an arm around his torso, the other hand holding his glass.
Mocking. “How do I know…? Money can buy you a lot of things… and so do connections. You got your scar during combat… or… during that time when you were held prisoner? Discharged right after you got rescued. After you healed.” Stepping closer, he looked up at that silent man. “Healed from what?”
Duncan breathed softly. “Oh, so your money didn’t buy you all the information you wanted?” He pushed his finger against Spencer’s chest. “That’s none of your business.”
“Are you sure? I’d hate to have a bodyguard who’s a whacko.”
Duncan had to hold back not to shove him into the wall. “I’m not a ‘whacko’, as you so nicely put it.”
Spencer toasted him. “One would hope so. I’ll find out what happened, don’t worry. There are always men who will talk for money.”
Duncan crossed his arms again, wedging his fingers in his sides.
“You can try.” Seething, but he was also feeling a bit light-headed, not even wanting to go close to his memories.
His walls torn open with his title, those memories pouring out like a dark tide.
His voice was softer than he had wanted it to be. “Go and join your friends.”
Spencer almost objected, but a tiny worry had wedged in his heart, seeing Duncan so pale, maybe an abyss of fear coated with wrath in his eyes.
“As you wish.”
He toasted him and left, pensive, but soon, his friends’ laughter, and more drinks sliding down their throat eased his mind, and he had soon forgotten about Duncan and things he wanted to find out, the music blaring full blast on the terrace as they danced fully clothed in the pool.
Partying all day, they only stopped to eat something out of the fridge, and by night time, they were so drunk, they could barely stand.
The girls had gone to sleep on the lounging chairs, but Brad went after Spencer again, catching him when he was trying to go in the house. He turned him, and caught his jaw to kiss him. Spencer pushed at him feebly, but Brad was stronger, and held him tight.
“Come on, Spencey… let’s go to my room… I want your ass, baby.”
Spencer was trying to object, but his tongue felt too thick in his mouth, floating on the drinks and weed they had consumed. He pushed at him feebly though. “N…”
Brad just pushed him towards the glass doors. “Come, come… I’ll take care of you…” Feeling a hand land on his shoulder, heavy.
“I think Spencer is trying to say ‘no’ and you’re not listening.”
Brad turned to his voice. “Fuck off… man...”
Duncan grabbed Spencer’s arm, shaking him a bit to get those glazed over eyes. “You want to go to this asshat’s room?”
Spencer tried to focus on him, his words, feeling that strong grip. Somehow, he knew Duncan was there and that he could maybe help… He swayed, but Duncan was holding him tight.
“Answer me.”
Spencer opened his eyes at the command. It wasn’t harsh but carried a weight which went straight to his stomach. That churning stomach, clenched with nerves too. He shook his head.
Duncan looked at Brad. “That’s a ‘no’ so go to your room, or wherever you want, and I’m putting Spencer to bed.”
Brad scoffed. “I bet you would like that.” He didn’t even register what hit him, flying straight against the table as he was trying to suck air into his lungs. Heaving, he had landed on his ass, the pain sharp. He had to clutch his stomach.
Duncan flexed his hand. “You’ll be able to breathe in a few moments. I’d advise you fuck off to your room or wherever the fuck you want. Stay away from Spencer or I’ll skin you next time.” He pulled Spencer with him, lacing his arm around that thin waist. “Come.”
Spencer clutched at his arm, walking as best as he could, his words slurred. “You’re going… you’re going to fuck me?”
Duncan sighed. “No, Christ! You’re going to bed.”
“Bed…” Mumbling in that cloud of alcohol and weed.
Duncan pinched his lips and brought him to his bed. Spencer collapsed on it and Duncan tucked him in, clearing the rugs from near the bed. A feeble hand on his wrist made him stop as he was about to leave.
Spencer sounded like he had no strength left, his dark hair masking his face. “Stay…” It sounded frail, almost scared.
Duncan took his hand, not even knowing why. Maybe to wake him up a bit. “You want me to stay?”
“Yes… stay…”
Fuck. But he was worried too, that if he left him, Brad would try to come into his room. He let Spencer’s hand go and pulled an armchair close, because sure as fuck he was not going to sleep with him in bed.
Spencer rolled on his back, his voice, barely there. “You’re still here?”
“You asked me to stay.”
“Yes… don’t go…”
“I’m here. Just sleep.”
Spencer opened his palm, that hand corpse-like in that pale moonlight.
Shit. Duncan took it though, that clammy hand, almost cold on his warm skin.
Watching Spencer sigh, relax on his pillow, his dark hair spread around him like a halo.
God fucking damnit… He leant back in the chair, closing his eyes too, listening to that soft breathing, the smell of alcohol pervading the room.
Holding that limp hand, fuck knew why. Knowing he would sleep, but stay alert, if anybody dared to come into the room.
Drifting off on Spencer’s soft snores, his hand nestled in his warm palm.