Several minutes passed by, and Todd cringed while Tucker created a ruckus of noise in the apartment. The side of Todd that couldn’t take the chaos stormed out of Tuck’s bedroom expecting the worst. Instead, the cushions were back on the couch, the shoes were back in their place, the coats were back on the hooks, and Tucker was in the kitchen, earbuds in and music blaring, cleaning up the mess he’d made there.
The world, like his bed, had been turned upside down again. He stared at Tucker, his gaze heavy on the young blond. The way he moved as he swept the floor, his hard body swaying to a beat only he could hear, Todd was mesmerized. God, what he would give to go back to three weeks earlier. He wouldn’t have answered the damn phone. As he watched Tucker, his mind traveling to memories of his taste and touch, he ached for the closeness, the bond they shared. He ached more than he’d even imagined possible. Even more than when his mother had been taken away.
“Todd?” Tucker’s voice snapped him from his spiral. “Oh, man. I’m sorry. Dude, I didn’t mean for you to see the place like this. I went a little overboard.”
“A little?” Todd snorted.
Color rose to Tuck’s cheeks, making his light blue eyes look a pale shade of violet. “I’m trying to get it cleaned up.”
“You ruined my bedroom.”
“I know.” He wouldn’t meet Todd’s gaze. “I’ll fix that too.”
“You think it can be fixed?” He wasn’t talking about the bed anymore.
Now Tuck did look at him. He propped the broom on the kitchen counter. “I don’t know,” he said, giving a quick shake to his head. “But I know I’m going to try.”
Todd nodded curtly. Was Tuck talking about the bedroom or their relationship? Or had he put so much between them that the damage was irreparable. “I—” His words were cut off by a sharp rap on the door. “Are you expecting anyone?”
Tuck shook his head. “Nope.”
Maybe if he ignored the person behind the door, he and Tucker could talk. Really talk.
Another knock, followed by a muffled, “Baby? Todd? Are you home?”
Shit! His mother. Again.