Page 104 of The Long Way Found

“Not a problem! I think I got everything, including this olive oil you wanted. Skillet?”

The new skillet was, of course, unseasoned, but neither man gave it a thought. The recipe said to sauté the garlic, onions, and pepper over medium-high heat, so Luke started down that path, anticipating the rich smells that would soon replace the fresh coat of paint and the lemon-scented cleanser that still permeated the place.

But when the simmering oil and spices should’ve begun producing the appetizing aroma, a cloud of black smoke rose from the skillet.

“What the heck?” Luke asked, looking for a glove or towel to grab the pan by the handle. “Do you have something…?”

“Oh, shit! Where would that be?” Jack said, grabbing the knob to turn the heat down, but inadvertently turning it all the way up, which sent a flash of flame and even more smoke. “Nice!” he said, giggling rather than panicking.

Luke ran into the bathroom, emerged with a towel wrapped around his hand, then grabbed the skillet and put it in the sink. He turned the water on it, causing a new plume of smoke and steam to fill the air.

They looked at each other with big WTF eyes as the smoke alarm went off, loud enough to wake the dead and make them really pissed off.

A mad scramble followed to find something Jack could stand on to reach the alarm, while Luke opened doors and windows, waving the towel wildly.

When the insanely loud chirps finally stopped, Jack and Luke looked at each other again, Jack on the foot ladder and Luke waving the towel, and burst out laughing.

“Oh, my God… next, the fire department will show up,” Jack said, stepping down and over to Luke, pulling him into another hug. “What a mess! I’m so sorry.”

“Not your fault! Oh, my God… What a way to break in a new kitchen!”

Jack’s laughter softened into a sweet smile, and he leaned in for another, longer kiss that belied the sexual attraction that remained despite this bit of comic relief.

“Oh, my God… Well, what do we do about dinner now?”

Luke ordered a pizza, and the delivery boy showed up as they were still airing out the place.

“You’ve got a hot mess here,” he said, taking in the scene and no doubt smelling the smoke. “When’s the wife coming back?”

Again, Jack and Luke cracked up.

“Wife?” Luke said, beaming.

“Oh, she’s not, son,” Jack said, also amused. “She’s not.”

Pizza, snuggles on the couch, channel surfing… and eventually another amazing round of sex that was sweeter and slower… were they becoming more comfortable with each other?

Afterward, in bed but before they were close to sleep, Luke snuggled his head against Jack’s chest and smelled the faint, stubborn trace of burned garlic and smoke.

“We still smell like a fire hazard,” he murmured.

Jack laughed quietly and tightened his arm around him. “Next time,” he said. “We order first.”

Luke smiled into his skin. Next time.

CHAPTER 40

LUKE

Tuesday evening, they worked out together at The Ridge. Luke loved watching Jack’s movements, methodical and precise, yet powerful, too. All that college boxing showed through, and Jack’s tight body reflected his focus and discipline. It was a beautiful thing to see.

"You're staring," Jack said without turning around.

"Can you blame me?" Luke said. The tension that once felt uncertain had become sweet anticipation of something promised.

"Hey, get a room, you two!" Evan shouted with a wave.

Luke laughed. Jack smiled and kept lifting.