Wallflowers Read Online Free Page A

love steak." He grinned. "So, tell me about your life, man. It's been so long." So long and they hadn't spoken, hadn't stayed friends. Lovers were nice, but DJ knew what was important now.
    "Like I said, I'm working with the Cyclones. I live in Vancouver, but I travel with the team. Work with the players who need it off-season, too. I like it, love living on the coast. What about you? What are you doing now?" Ry came and sat back down next to him on the bed, hand sliding on his thigh like Ry was starved for touch.
    "Consulting, teaching some." He shrugged. "It's not like I can design anymore." He kept waiting for that to stop hurting.
    "I'm sorry, man." Ry's fingers curled around his hip, squeezed lightly. "It was what you were made to do."
    He shrugged. "Whatever. I got it."
    "Have you tried-- Sorry. It's not really any of my business, I guess."
    "Tried what?"
    "Well, having someone else do the drawings for you. I mean, you can still picture the designs in your head, right? And you know the lingo and what blueprints should look like."
    "Yes, but would you want a blind man designing your house?" He wouldn't.
    "If I knew he did good work, I'd think it would be an added bonus, actually."
    Ry's hand crept to his belly and he could feel the man's shrug. "Like I said, not my business. Finding solutions is just a big part of the job, you know? And I hate to think of you not being able to do what you love."
    "I guess sometimes you just have to admit defeat." DJ thought maybe Ry was going to say something else on the subject, but he didn't.
    "So how are you staying in such great shape? Hit the gym a lot?" Ry's touch accompanied the words
    "Swimming. I can't get lost."
    Ry's laughter sounded surprised, but genuine.
    They chatted a bit more, catching up until there was a knock at the door.
    "I've got it." Ry stood, tossing the robe over him before heading for the door. Ryan was so different and still just the same, all at the same time.
    Walter got up when Ryan opened the door, coming to stand next to him, fur brushing his legs.
    "Hey, boy. How you doing?" He reached down, stroking the soft ears.
    Walter woofed softly and licked him.
    Ry was back a moment later, a room service cart running noisily over the rug. "It smells great."
    It did--hot and spicy and meaty. He approved.
    There was the sound of cutlery and plates and then the table was set in front of him. "The meat is cut and at six on your plate. The fries are between twelve and four and there's mixed vegetables from eight to twelve. Your beer is to the top right of your plate. You want salt or anything?"
    "No. Not yet." His cheeks were burning, but his belly was snarling. "Thank you."
    "Hey, you don't have to be embarrassed. It's just me."
    "Yeah. Yeah, still. Sometimes I want to be incredibly cool."
    "I think you're pretty fucking cool, DJ. Cutting your meat for you didn't change that."
    "Thanks, Ry." He reached out, touched Ryan's leg.
    Ryan hummed a little, leg pushing into his touch. "Dig in, man. I'm starving."
    He searched for his fork, then carefully felt around his plate for the steak.
    Ry was a noisy eater. Oh, he didn't smack or make loud chewing noises, but he appreciated the food with little hums and half moans. It was comforting, familiar, and he found himself just listening.
    "Man, even their fries are like gourmet; I don't even need ketchup. Not bad at all for room service."
    DJ found one, tried it. Not bad. Not bad at all.
    "Go on, DJ. Eat up,
    cause I know you're hungry and you've already impressed the hell out of me with your whole Zen thing. It'll make me feel better if you wind up with a bit of steak sauce on your chin or something."
    He blinked, then cracked up, laughing deep in his chest before getting down to the business of eating.
    "Man, I'm almost too full for dessert," Ryan declared when DJ had cleaned his plate. "But I'll manage to stuff it down somehow. I think one has strawberry stuff on it and the other one caramel--you got a preference or do you