Well, this wasn't as easy to write. I hit a tiny roadblock. But I got it out.

Let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

Chapter Eight

The Call

"Hello?" Noah asked, trying to hide the trembling in his voice. Lily slipped back out of the room and into the kitchen. He could feel his adrenaline pumping. He had this same feeling when he first met Luke. This same feeling would course through him every morning when he would get out of truck and walked into WOAK; the anticipation of seeing Luke.

"Hi Noah," Luke responded with a breathless hitch in his voice. Like letting out a sigh. He slumped against the master bedroom furniture.

"How are you?" Noah asked and then shook his head from left to right. He chastised himself for asking such an inane question.

"I'm ok. I miss home," Luke answered and begun to pace around the small bedroom. He wasn't sure if he should tell Noah that he missed him. Would that make this all the harder? Would that be selfish to make this about what he wants or needs?

"I miss you too," Noah being who he was, knew Luke better than anyone. He knew what Luke was thinking at almost the exact same moment Luke did. Luke could not help but chuckle. Noah closed his eyes when heard that chuckle come through the line. It was soothing pleasant sound he had heard so rarely as of late. It was sort of like hearing one of your favorite songs coming out when someone else's cell phone rings. That sound that makes you stop what you're doing and just listen. Hoping that it plays just a bit longer.

"How are you?"

"Fine I guess. I just spent the entire day with mom," Noah said and laughed just a bit. "She's insisting that I call her mom. So I was trying it out today. I wish I could have seen the look on Henry's face," Luke could help but laugh brightly and out loud this time. Noah was amazed how much he missed that sound. That simple sound that was a constant up until this last fall.

"I guess you got my present,"

"Yeah, I did,"

"Look, Noah. I managed to find it a long time ago and it took so long that I totally forgot about it. And I didn't realize that was Valentine's Day today. And…," quickly came from Luke. He was desperately backpedaling and trying to explain. He seemed sorry for the gift. Why was he sorry? Noah cut him off at the pass.

"I love it,"

"Really?" again with the breathless hitch.

"Of course. How could I not? I wish I could see it," Noah said.

"Yeah, I know," Luke's tone sounded so defeated. Why now he was bringing that up? Noah heard the tone in Luke's voice and suddenly felt awful. He did not mean that as a dig. He was not trying to hurt him with what he said. He wasn't trying to do anything.

Luke was starting to get upset and he didn't want to. He could feel his throat getting tight and his eyes were beginning to well up. He wanted to stay on and keep talking to just hear Noah's voice, but he was certain that if he stayed on the line any longer, he would be in full-blown tears. "Look, I better go. I just wanted to explain about the gift and I guess, wish you Happy Valentine's Day,"

"Sure, yeah, if you have to go," Noah said and he could feel his throat hitch just a bit. "Um, thank you Luke, I really do love it,"

"You're welcome. Bye Noah,"

"Bye Luke. Happy Valentine's Day,"

They each lingered for a few moments before Luke disconnected the call. Noah heard the faint click and then the phone went silent. He held it to his ear, as if Luke was still there. He finally gave up and closed the cell. He leaned back against the couch and let his head fall back even farther. How was he going to get through this?

Lily hadn't meant to be eavesdropping, but she did creep into the living room when she heard Noah's voice die off. She looked down at her adopted son and let out a long sad sigh. She felt such grief that they had split up, but she had been worried about Luke for some time. He had not been taking care of himself. All of his attention had been on Noah, maybe now he would put himself first for a while. Lily thought the separation was a good thing. Each of them could fix themselves and then see if they would still fit together. They had such a strong connection, that even if they decided that they would not end up together, she knew that they would always be in each other's lives.

Somehow.

Luke slowly slid his phone closed and leaned against the footboard on the master bed. He could feel himself shaking. What was wrong with him? He had only been away from Noah for one whole day. On the logical, rational level in his mind, he knew that Noah's hold on him was bordering on co-dependence. But the crazy, jealous, irrational side thought what was wrong with that? All he really wanted was for Noah to hold him in his arms and whisper in his ear that no matter what, everything was going to be all right.

After taking amble time to get his composure, he walked down a short hallway and into the living room. To his surprise, Scott was still sitting there waiting for him. He was sitting at the kitchen island on one of the bar stools. He had taken his coat off and his sweater sleeves were pushed up to his elbows. His hands were clasped together and they were resting in his lap. Luke could just make out what looked like a tattoo picking out from under his sleeve on the inside of his forearm. It was just a plain black swoosh, like a tribal symbol of some kind. Luke's curiosity was piqued; from a writer's standpoint obviously. He suddenly wondered what else there was. Luke quickly stamped out that thought and cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry about that. It was important,"

"I could tell,"

"Does, uh, does all the furniture come with the place?" Luke asked as he fidgeted with is cell phone. He was having trouble getting the phone back in the pocket of his jacket. He had the irrational thought of "Who moved my pockets?" Scott rather enjoyed seeing him like this. He had seemed so carefree and confident, but he also seemed to be a bit of a doofus. A trait that Scott found extremely appealing. This Luke Snyder was going to be interesting to get to know.

"So, what else do I have to sign?" Luke asked and then let out a sigh; to sort of cleanse the body of stress.

"Just this last one. Right there at the bottom and date it too," Scott said as he pushed the last form towards Luke. He quickly skimmed down the sheet.

"So, who were you talking to?" Scott asked and immediately kicked himself for asking. What the hell was he doing? Why was he scaring off the first guy that he had been remotely attracted to in months?

"Oh, that was a Noah," Luke answered almost automatically. He swallowed when he realized that he had just revealed something very private to a complete stranger. He looked at back up at Scott and their eyes locked for a brief second. He swallowed again as he looked in those calming green eyes. "He's, uh, my brother,"

Luke saw Scott noticeably relax. Was that relief he saw on the young student's face?

"Right. Um, this all looks good. I'll make sure that big guy gets all this. Oh here you go," Scott reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He placed them in Luke's hand and purposely ran his fingertips against Luke's palm. Luke closed his hand around the keys and pretended not to feel the shivers in his arm.

Scott started for the door and turned back toward Luke. Luke was right behind him and they nearly collided. Scott smiled in amusement and took a step back. His palms were sweaty; he was never nervous.

"Did you have any plans for dinner?"

"Um, not really,"

"Did you want to get some pizza? There is a great place just down the street," Scott asked.

"That's really nice, but I have to get to my hotel and get my things before it gets too late. And I've had a rather big day and I'm really tired," Luke managed to come up with. He was surprised by how he was able to make it sound convincing. He was tittering on tears most of the time and did not want to be around anyone else right now.

"Some other time then. Well, welcome to the building Luke," Scott said and then held out his hand. Luke grasped Scott's hand and shared a handshake. Scott walked out into the hallway and Luke closed the door.

Luke looked around his new place and stopped mid-thought.

Did Scott just ask me out?

Well, was it any good? I felt like I rushed it. Hey, hit the tiny little review link and let me know!

I have the next chapter stewing. I'll work on it and get it to you as soon as I can!

Stay Tuned!

Thanks for stopping by!