Haphazardly tossing the Saturday paper to the floor, Joe reached for the ringing phone. "Hello?"
"Hey, you got a minute?" Collin asked.
"You're my best friend. Of course I have a minute. Great game by the way."
"Thanks, Koby really pulled the team together."
"He sure did. So what's on your mind?" Joe stretched out on the sofa and looked at the hole in the toe of his sock. Damn, he really needed to do some laundry.
"I got home from the game and found Rocco sitting on my front steps with a suitcase in hand. I gather from what little he said that he wants to stay with me."
"Why? What happened at home to make him leave without calling you first?" Collin had always been a long-distance father, only seeing Rocco a week or two a year. Joe didn't think it was Rocco that kept Joe away, but his mother, Janie. From what little he'd heard, Janie had gone back to court several times over the years to increase the amount Collin paid in support.
"That's just it. He won't talk to me about it. All he asked was could he stay a while. I know it's your day off, but I was wondering if you'd take him to a late lunch and get him to open up."
The image of Rocco Williams sitting across from him had Joe's cock filling in no time. Stop it, he thought and reached down to give his cock a good thump. "You know if I take him to lunch and he opens up, I can't tell you about it."
"Why the hell not, I'm his father."
"If I talk to him in a professional capacity he will technically become a patient. I won't break a patient's trust, even for you." He heard Collin grumbling under his breath. Joe could just picture him pacing back and forth, something the other man always did when he was worried.
"I just want to make sure he's okay. Can you at least tell me that much after you talk to him?"
"I think so. I'll have to tell Rocco I'm going to tell you how he is,though."
"Whatever, just come over when you can. He's been sitting on the edge of the bed in the guestroom since he got here."
Joe looked down at his faded jeans and old NCIU Bighorn's sweatshirt. Not exactly professional attire, but maybe it would help Rocco open up more if he was dressed casually. "I'll be over in fifteen minutes."
"Thanks, buddy."
"Don't mention it." He hung up and went into the bathroom to brush his hair and teeth. Running the comb through his short brown hair took all of a second, but he got lost looking at himself in the mirror. It wasn't out of conceit that he stared at his image, but rather disgust.
"You're thirty-five fuckin' years old, you pervert, stop thinking about an eighteen-year old boy."
The memory of his first meeting with Rocco clouded his vision. Joe had agreed to go with Collin the previous summer to the Casino where Rocco's mother worked. Collin always stayed at the hotel next door when he came to town to see his son.
Joe remembered sitting in the lounge with Collin when he first laid eyes on Rocco. He'd seen several pictures of him, but nothing had prepared him for meeting the man in person. All the air in the room seemed to vanish as he stared into the prettiest eyes he'd ever seen, framed by the longest lashes in the world.
Collin stood to embrace his son before turning Rocco toward him. "Rocco, this is my good friend, Dr. Joe Pressman."
Hesitantly, Rocco held out a slender bronzed hand. "Nice to meet you, Dr. Pressman."
Joe took Rocco's hand and watched as Rocco's eyes instantly changed from their light brown shade to a green hue. The jolt of an insane amount of lust rushed straight to Joe's cock, and he had to swallow before he could speak. "Please, call me Joe."
Shaking his head, Joe looked at himself in the mirror. He knew that was the day his libido went dormant for any man who wasn't Rocco. Ashamed of himself, Joe turned away from the mirror and walked back into the living room.
Grabbing his keys from the small table beside the door, he locked up and got into his black Pontiac Crossfire. He knew owning a convertible wasn't practical in that part of the country, but on the rare day when he could ride with the wind in his hair, it was worth it.
Collin lived only about three miles away, so Joe didn't really have time to prepare himself like he should have. He was just going to have to figure out a way to help Rocco without giving away his attraction to the eighteen-year-old. "Yeah right," he chuckled. "Unless you cut off your balls you'll always want him."
After parking his car, Joe headed up Collin's front steps. Before he even had a chance to knock, Collin opened the door.
"Hey, glad you could do this for me," Collin said, letting him inside.
"Not a problem. I was just relaxing." He looked around the room. "Is he still in the bedroom?"
"Yeah. I stuck my head in and told him you were coming over to take him out to eat. I got a small smile and a nod." Collin said, rolling his eyes. "I called and left a message on Janie's answering machine, letting her know he was here and safe."
With a slap to Collin's shoulder, he nodded and went in search of Rocco. He stopped at the guestroom door and knocked. "Rocco? Is it okay if I come in?"
"Yes," Rocco said from behind the door.
Schooling his expression, Joe walked into the room. Damn, Rocco was even prettier than he remembered. How was that even possible? "You feel like getting a bite to eat?"
Rocco stood and wiped his hands on his jeans. The old denim seemed to mould perfectly to his lithe body. "Yeah, just let me change my shirt. Twelve hours on a bus has me smelling pretty rank."
Joe watched as he grinned. Oh that grin would be the death of him.
As he stood there waiting, Rocco pulled his long-sleeved T-shirt up and off. Somehow Joe wasn't surprised to see that Rocco didn't have any hair on his chest or underarms. He wasn't sure if it was the Native American in him or if he purposely removed what hair he did have. Either way, the effect had his cock twitching. His mouth literally watered as he took in the one small silver hoop in his left nipple.
Moving his attention back to Rocco's face, he flushed. It was clear by the look Rocco gave him he'd caught Joe ogling his body. Joe turned away and went to the door. "I'll be in the living room when you're ready."
Five minutes later, Rocco came out dressed in a short-sleeve green T-shirt with 'I heart pottery' written on the front. Hmm, he didn't know that about Rocco. "You ready?"
"Yeah." Rocco looked at his Dad. "Would you like me to bring you back something?"
Collin squeezed Rocco's slim, fine boned shoulder. "No, but thanks. I've got a steak I'm going to throw on the grill."
Rocco gave Collin a hesitant smile and walked toward Joe. "I'm ready."
Leading Rocco out, Joe caught himself before he opened the car door for him. This isn't a damn date, he kept reminding himself.
Rocco eyed his car with apparent appreciation. "I love it," he said in a soft voice.
"Thanks, I do too," Joe said getting behind the wheel.
After buckling his seatbelt, Rocco looked at him. "Um, do you ever ride with the top down?"
"Yeah, when it's nice out. Why? Do you want me to put it down now?"
Rocco gave him a shy shrug. "I've never ridden in a convertible before."
"Well, I guess it's not too cool. If I run the heater we should be okay. Of course everyone we pass on the road will look at us like we're crazy," he said jokingly.
"That's okay. I'm kinda used to getting that look anyway."
He saw the hurt pass over Rocco's face as he said it. Joe hit the button to lower the top, reminding himself to explore the conversation further when they got to the restaurant. "Anything special sound good to eat?"
"I like almost anything."
"You like burgers? There's a great burger and shake place down the road."
With a smile on his face, Rocco nodded. "I'd like that."
Joe found himself smiling back. "Burgers it is." He pulled out of the drive and headed toward the Shake Shack. He couldn't help looking over at Rocco as he drove. With his eyes closed, Rocco had his head tilted back against the headrest. It was obvious he was enjoying the sunshine on his face and the wind ruffling through his hair. Watching the blue black strands whipping their way around Rocco's face was a sight to behold.
Joe was so entraced by the sight, he almost missed his turn. Stopping in front of the fifties-looking hamburger joint, he glanced back over at Rocco. "Did you enjoy it?"
"Yes," he said opening the car door. Rocco was unable to keep his excitement in check and fairly bounced his way to the diner entrance.
Finding an empty booth wasn't a problem at this time of the day, so Joe purposely found one well away from the other customers. Hopefully Rocco would feel like talking if he felt confident that no one would overhear. Picking up the menu from the table Joe handed it to Rocco. "I already know what I'm getting."
"Wow, there are so many choices. What do you recommend?"
"Depends what you like. I always go for the triple cheeseburger with bacon and jalapeņos with a side of cross-cut fries and an extra large strawberry shake."
"Mmm," Rocco said and licked his lips. The action had Joe hard in seconds. "That all sounds good except the jalapeņos. My mouth burns if I eat anything too spicy."
"I'll have to remember that," he said without thinking.
After giving the waitress their orders, Joe leaned his forearms on the table. "Feel like telling me why you left home?"
Rocco looked toward his lap and shook his head. Joe watched him shut down before his eyes.
"You know I won't tell anyone what we discuss. It'll be just between the two of us."
"I just needed to go," Rocco mumbled softly.
Something about the way he said it, had alarm bells going off in Joe's head. The tiny hairs on the back of his neck stood out as he studied Rocco's body language. He'd seen similar behaviour before, and he knew he'd get nowhere by pushing. Deciding to change the subject, he studied the front of Rocco's T-shirt. "So, pottery huh? I didn't know you did that. You're Dad never mentioned it."
"He doesn't know," Rocco said, looking up. His eyes lit up like Joe had never seen them, green again, he noticed. They must turn when he got excited, he surmised. Of course that would also mean Rocco had been excited by their first handshake. The information rattled his control more than he cared to admit. He realised Rocco was talking a mile a minute and gave his head a little shake.
"Anyway," Rocco continued. "Lorne gave me my first lesson. He learned how to do it from his grandpa. I had to work out a few deals, but he continued to teach me everything I needed to know."
"I'm sorry. I've missed something. Who did you say this Lorne was?"
"Our neighbour. He and his mom moved in next door to us when I was around fifteen."
"Okay, sorry. So did you bring any of your work with you?"
"No. I knew it would break if I packed it in my suitcase. I have a photo album of my pots though. I'd like to show it to you sometime if you'd like to see it."
"I'd love that."
He sat back as the waitress brought their burgers. Joe chuckled as Rocco's eyes took in the amount of food set before him. "Dig in," he said as he picked up his burger.
The way Rocco ate, Joe guessed it had been awhile. "I take it you were hungry," he joked.
A pink tinge coloured Rocco's high cheek bones. "Famished, it's been a couple of days since I've eaten."
"What!" Joe could feel his protective side coming to the surface. "What the hell have you been doing that you haven't eaten?"
"Coming here mostly. I only had enough money to get me to the Idaho border on the bus. I hitched and walked the rest of the way. Food was the last thing on my mind."
Reaching across the table, he put his hand on Rocco's forearm. "Why didn't you just call Collin?"
"I was afraid he wouldn't let me come," he said, his eyes downcast.
Closing his eyes, Joe fought himself with everything he had. He wanted nothing more than to pull Rocco into his lap and take care of him. Stop it, you dirty old man. Opening his eyes he looked at his hand still on Rocco's arm. He hadn't realised he'd been stroking the soft skin with his thumb. The skin of Rocco's arm was now littered with gooseflesh. He looked at Rocco and saw his green eyes had gone heavy lidded.
Releasing him, Joe sat back and tried to calm his racing pulse. The ringing of his cell phone was a welcome distraction. "Excuse me, but this could be a patient." He flipped the phone open and held it to his ear. "Hello?"
)
