Something Like Thunder (61 page)

“Aren’t you going to get undressed too?”

“Not yet,” Kelly said. “Keep going.”

Nathaniel let his jeans drop, kicking them off. Then he flexed, his cock shifting behind the cotton briefs like a serpent uncoiling.

“Off with them,” Kelly commanded.

Nathaniel did as he was told, enjoying how Kelly was on the verge of drooling. Instead he sat up and reached for the tablet.

“Ordering pizza?” Nathaniel joked.

“Nope,” Kelly said, holding it up and tapping a button. The device made an artificial shutter noise.

“What are you doing?” Nathaniel said, trying to cover himself.

“Blackmail,” Kelly replied. “Hands on your hips.”

Nathaniel hesitated. Then he complied. “What’s the point of this, exactly?”

“Just a little insurance,” Kelly said, taking another photo. “If you ever try to leave me again, I’ll send these to Marcello.”

Nathaniel shook his head. “Marcello has never shown the slightest bit of interest in me.”

“Because he doesn’t know what you’re packing. If he did, you’d be an underwear model. How’s that for role reversal? I’ll be your manager or whatever, making sure none of the photographers get too hands-on.”

“We can travel together,” Nathaniel said. “Once Zero is better. If that’s what you want.”

Kelly lowered the tablet and looked at him. “I want to take photos of you. With my real camera.”

“That’s fine. Anything you want.”

Kelly smirked. “Funny. I was just about to make the same offer.”

Nathaniel took that as his cue. He undressed Kelly, getting his shirt off first and licking his nipples, nibbling his neck. He wasn’t so patient with the pants, except to stop at Kelly’s artificial leg.

“You’ve changed,” he teased. “I don’t know you anymore.”

“That’s an X3, baby! It’s got all kinds of new features.”

“Can it vibrate? I was thinking of humping it.”

Kelly slapped his arm playfully. “No, but this version can go in the shower.”

“Really?” Nathaniel said, grinning broadly. “So that means it can get wet?”

“Don’t hump my leg, and don’t come on it!” Kelly rolled his eyes dramatically. “I never should have taken you back.”

Nathaniel stopped kidding around. “Say that again.”

Kelly eyed him and smiled. “I’m taking you back. You’re my man.”

“I’m your man,” Nathaniel echoed, gently lowering himself on top of Kelly and kissing him. They pressed their naked bodies together, sometimes talking and laughing, other times expressing their emotions physically. They were in no rush, felt no urgency or frustration, even an hour later when Zero stirred and whimpered. They simply got dressed, took him outside, and kept grinning goofily at each other. Like they had all the time in the world. Like their story had only just begun.

Epilogue

“To know love is to know loss.”

The podium Marcello stood behind did little to conceal his bulk. Like the audience he faced, he was dressed in all black, his expression somber. To his left and right were a number of Kelly’s photos, which had been enlarged and placed on easels for the audience to see. In one Zero was running across the yard, his feet barely touching the ground. The next image was of great contrast: Zero in the final days of his illness, his hind legs on a cart with wheels so he wouldn’t have to drag them around. Just before the unexpected had happened. A flowered wreath hung off the easel of this photo, causing Nathaniel to swallow painfully.

“Love’s greatest challenge is not endurance. Nor is it fidelity or sacrifice. Love’s greatest challenge is recovery. A heart that has loved and lost is put through the ultimate trial. Failure means the unthinkable—never loving again. Success brings with it sweet redemption. Not a reprieve from the pain, but compensation in the form of discovery, the knowledge that love comes in infinite forms. All of them unique, all of them of equal importance. And yet, none an adequate substitute for the other. At times such as these, when faced with the end, it can be hard to be so visionary, to see light past the dark. For me especially, because let’s face it, I’m the one who has lost the most here.” He gestured at the photos on display: Zero, Kelly, and Nathaniel running together at the high school track. One of Kelly at the height of his modeling career, a photoshopped panther striding alongside him. And one of Nathaniel scowling at the camera, arms crossed over his chest. That one was a little surreal, like being not just at a funeral, but his own.

The mood was ruined somewhat when Zero trotted up on stage, still panting from running around the gardens of Marcello’s estate. He lifted a leg and urinated on one of the easels, causing a loud snort from next to Nathaniel. He glanced over to see Kelly covering his face in embarrassment. Zero must have spotted a squirrel then, or some other poor creature, because he barked and raced off again. Nathaniel still marveled at how—after nearly three weeks of tediously slow recovery—the dog had awakened one morning his old self. Part of Nathaniel was still waiting for a relapse or another stroke, but he wouldn’t let his fear of getting hurt stop him from enjoying every moment they had together. Kelly no longer demanded evidence that Nathaniel had changed, but if he did, there could be no greater proof than the last few months.

Marcello continued his strange farce from on stage. “A wise man once said, ‘I may not be able to choose the date of my funeral or avoid showing up for it, but my wake is an event I practice for every single day. Mostly by looking my best while having a drink or two.’”

“Gosh,” Nathaniel grumbled. “I wonder who came up with that gem?”

“Why, I did!” Marcello said, appearing flattered. Then he resumed his performance. “Today we say goodbye to three individuals. An ill-behaved beast with an indomitable spirit. A talented and beautiful young man who is much too aggressive in the way he negotiates contracts. And perhaps dearest to me, a brooding man who never lets me do anything fun, and yet for some reason, I can’t help but—” Marcello’s voice faltered, but he recovered quickly. “Let’s just say I’m rather fond of him. So please join me in mourning their passing from our lives to whatever grand adventures await them. While those of us remaining in Austin will be grieving, let us not forget that they will be going to a paradise of their own creation.”

The audience clapped, Nathaniel joining them because Marcello always knew how to put on a show, and his offer to throw a going-away party for them had been kind. The funeral theme was a little creepy, but inspired, because it reminded everyone here that some goodbyes were sadder than others.

“I thought he’d never stop talking,” Kelly said as he stood. “All I can think of is the buffet. Are you coming?”

Nathaniel shook his head. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

He met Marcello just as he was stepping off the stage, grabbing him in a hug and—with some effort—lifting him off his feet.

“Oh ho ho!” Marcello said as he was put down again. “You make me feel as dainty as a daisy!”

“Thank you,” Nathaniel said. “For everything. Not just this party, but for singling me out in the audience at Yale, taking a chance on me when I decided to drop out, trusting me with your business… just everything. Thank you.”

Marcello waved a hand, as if he had done no more than hold open a door for him. “It’s been my pleasure. Truly. Just don’t thank me for letting you go, because I still haven’t given up hope.”

Nathaniel sighed. “Don’t tempt me. It isn’t easy leaving it all behind, but Kelly and I made a promise. If Zero recovered, we would travel together. To see what happens.”

“I think we all know what’s going to happen,” Marcello said. “Surely it has happened many times already! The only difference is this time it will take place in a recreational vehicle, of all things. I would have thought a yacht to be more romantically appropriate.”

“You didn’t pay me
that
much when I was still working for you,” Nathaniel said. “Besides, I know Zero does okay in a car. I’m not sure how he’d handle a boat.”

“Just don’t forget me,” Marcello said. “Oh, and speaking of transportation, when it’s time to leave there’s a limo out front that will whisk you home. If you must go, you might as well do so in style.”

“Thanks,” Nathaniel said, putting an arm around his shoulders and walking him toward the party. “And for the record… I’m rather fond of you too.”

The rest of the day was spent mingling. Nathaniel didn’t have many friends, but Marcello did. Everyone from the company was there, including Tim and his husband, Ben. Sheila was present, of course, along with Arthur, who kept lying in the coffin Marcello had set up for people to have their photos taken in. Morbid, but the kid seemed to get a kick out of it. Kelly’s friends were there, people from the youth group who were taking advantage of the open bar. He doubted many of them were old enough, but he tried not to worry about that. Layne had a grip on a guy’s arm, and Bonnie was spending every second she could with Kelly. Jason and William were there too, together again, although rumor had it that there was trouble in paradise.

Nathaniel stood at the edge of the party for a while and watched, surprised how many lives had touched his during these years spent in Austin. But now it was time to go.

“Ready?” Kelly asked as the party wore down. The sun hadn’t quite set, but the day had been hot, and most people were eager let their buzzes wear off in the comfort of their own homes.

“Yeah,” Nathaniel said.

He sought out Marcello one more time and found speaking too difficult. They both seemed to feel that way, because Marcello didn’t offer any words. He simply placed a hand on Nathaniel’s cheek and smiled sadly. Then they hugged and parted ways.

As promised, a limo was waiting out front. Zero hopped in first. Nathaniel and Kelly climbed in after him. The driver seemed to know where he was going because the car was in motion before they gave any signal, the doors locking. That struck Nathaniel as odd, but he didn’t have much time to reflect on it because Kelly was holding up two envelopes he’d found, each labeled with one of their names.

“What are these?”

“I don’t know,” Nathaniel said, but he recognized the handwriting. He looked toward the front of the vehicle.

The driver’s window was down, and he seemed to be keeping tabs on them. Or maybe he was just nosey.

“Would you mind pulling over?” Nathaniel said. “We’ve decided to walk.”

The driver’s eyes met his in the rearview mirror. “Sorry, sir, but I can’t do that.”

“Didn’t think so,” Nathaniel said. Then he looked to Kelly, who sat across from him. “Trapped again. Let’s see what the old man has in store for us.”

They opened their envelopes and found that both contained contracts. Nathaniel’s was familiar because it was the same one he’d worked under for all these years. The only difference was a few new paragraphs added to the end. He read them carefully, shaking his head in disbelief. Then he started laughing. “What’s yours say?”

“It’s a job offer,” Kelly replied. “Working for Marcello. I’d be senior art director, which according to this means my ‘sole responsibility’ would be to ‘increase the catalog of available material to a higher standard than typical of stock photography, offering clientele access to imagery of an artistic caliber.’”

“So basically you keep taking your photos, but now you’re guaranteed to get paid for it.”

Kelly nodded. “I’ve had worse offers, and I’m not exactly fond of pimping myself to galleries. What’s yours say?”

“He’s just offering me my old job back,” Nathaniel said. He didn’t mention that it now included the promise that he would one day inherit the studio when Marcello stepped down. They had time to discuss that later, and Nathaniel didn’t want Kelly to feel too tempted if this wasn’t what he truly wanted.

“There is a certain joy in being young,” Marcello’s voice said over the limousine sound system, “and in reveling in spontaneity, but I promise you that many who are no longer young wish they had planned for the future. This practiced traveler intends to provide you with the benefit of his experience while still allowing for your inevitable follies.”

“Is this a recording?” Nathaniel asked.

“Yes, sir,” the driver confirmed.

“By now I hope you’ve reviewed your contracts. No doubt you feel they contradict your plans. Please note, however, that the start date for each position has been left empty. My proposition is that you have your adventures, experience all that life has to offer, and if ever you find yourselves longing for stability once again, that you consider filling in those blank spots with a date of your choosing. Every adventurer should have a home to return to. And a family. I hope you both realize that your home—and much of your family—is here in Austin. I wish you both well.”

The recording ended. Kelly was still grinning. “What do you think? Half a year? Three months?”

“Before we come back?” Nathaniel shook his head. “I think we should decide when we’re ready. There’s no rush.”

Kelly exhaled and nodded. “Okay.”

The limousine slowed, then pulled into a driveway. At first Nathaniel thought they were at Kelly’s house, but the yard was much bigger and the trees taller, meaning the neighborhood was older. He didn’t know where they were, but he did recognize the used RV in the driveway, because he and Kelly had bought it last week.

“Now what?” Nathaniel asked.

“Sir,” the driver said, arm outstretched to offer another pair of envelopes.

They were small, and as Nathaniel took them, he felt hard, flat shapes inside. He already knew what they were when giving one to Kelly.

“The man is insane,” Nathaniel muttered.

Kelly laughed, dumping the contents into his hand. A key. “He just wants to make sure we come home again.”

“So he made sure we have a home to come back to.”

“Do you think he’s renting it or…”

Nathaniel shook his head helplessly. “Who knows? Let’s go find out.”

The keys worked on the front door. The lights were already on inside, illuminating all of Nathaniel’s belongings, which had been relocated without his knowledge. They weren’t enough to fill a house, but that was probably part of the plan. They found paperwork on the kitchen table. Nathaniel sat down and flipped through it. The house was theirs, if they wanted it. All they had to do was sign. Kelly and Zero ran from room to room, while Nathaniel stayed in the kitchen, reading the papers and trying to come to terms with everything. He ignored the two additional envelopes that awaited them, and instead joined Kelly in the fenced backyard. Perfect for Zero.

When they returned inside, Kelly repeated the same question he’d been asking over and over: “This is ours? Seriously?”

“If we want,” Nathaniel said. “It’s up to us.”

“Gosh, let me think about it,” Kelly said, chuckling madly.

Nathaniel joined him.

“What are these?” Kelly said, grabbing the final two envelopes. They were small and square, and as he felt one, he made a funny face. “I think he planned out our entire future. And I mean
all
of it.”

Nathaniel took the envelope with his name written on it. Soon he understood Kelly’s reaction. They shook out the contents at the same time, a ring landing in each of their palms.

“Weird,” Kelly said. He tried putting his on and shook his head. “Mine’s too big.”

“Mine’s too small,” Nathaniel said. “It barely fits my pinky. He must have gotten them mixed up. Here.”

“Trade you!”

They held out the rings to each other, and at the same time, realized the significance. Then they froze.

“Are these engagement rings?” Kelly asked nervously. “Or more?”

Nathaniel locked eyes with him. “Does it matter?”

“You tell me.”

“I’m ready for anything,” Nathaniel said, taking his hand. “That’s what these rings will be. A promise. As long as it involves you, I’m game.”

He slid the ring on one of Kelly’s fingers, and allowed the same to be done to him. Zero’s claws clicked across the floor, then he plonked down on his haunches, staring up at them happily. Sort of like he was presiding over a wedding. Kelly and Nathaniel laughed, then looked at each other, lost for words, but certain that the best was yet to come.