“Nah. I’m gay.”
The nurse seemed as surprised as Jevon by the admission he’d never voiced to a stranger outside of a gay bar. It had slipped off his tongue like honey, and damn if it didn’t feel good. He’d already smiled so much that day his face hurt, but he left the ward with a spring in his step, his unicycle under his arm, and his phone in his hand.
J:Guess what?
R:What?
J:I just told a complete stranger I’m gay
R:That’s fucking awesome. Who was it? Some rando in the street?
J:A nurse. She was chatting me up
R:A nurse where?
J:Kids hosp in Birmingham
R:BCH?
J:That’s the one
R:Ure taking the piss, right?
J:Um, no?
R:Where are you?
J:Told you. BCH
R:No. Literally. Where are u?
J:Gift shop by Xray
R:Stay there
Nonplussed, Jevon put his bags down, and leaned the unicycle against the wall. He spun around, searching for any clue as to why Rhys wanted him to linger in the hospital and...
Found himself face to face with the man of his dreams. “Jesus!”
“Not quite,” Rhys said with a grin. “But I’m hoping that means you’re pleased to see me?”
“Pleased to see you?” Jevon enveloped Rhys in a bear hug, squeezing him as tight as he dared. “I’m over the moon. What are you doing here?”
Rhys pulled back and glanced pointedly at his orange flight suit. “Fancy dress party. Seriously. What do you think?”
“I think my costume is better than yours.”
Rhys laughed. His face lit up, and his often-stormy eyes crinkled at the sides. “Yeah. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t pull off Rupert Bear trousers and a pink dickie bow, but it looks awesome on you. I take it you’re working?”
“I was. All done now and heading home. What are you doing here?”
“Dropping off a patient. We do transport sometimes as well as emergency calls. I reckon I’ll have been halfway round the country and back by the time I get home tonight.”
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
Rhys’s grin widened. “Me either.”
They stared at each other, lost in a moment they hadn’t expected. Since their drunken FaceTime sexting, they’d spoken only briefly, relying instead on texts and the occasional dirty GIF. Jevon hadn’t expected to see Rhys until after the weekend. Another four days, at least. “What time do you—”