Kelvin entered the base. Jamie was already there, pacing. His eyes widened as Kelvin came up to him. “I’m sorry if I interrupted anything.”
“No, you didn’t.” Fold, Alex, and Andy were watching bad horror movies, while Kelvin was playing chess with Jules. Ever since his trip, Jules had been quiet and withdrawn. Kelvin knew what had happened, and believed that Jules didn’t want to talk about it. After Jamie called Kelvin, the party broke up.
“He called me just before I called you. He sounded like it was an order.”
“He always does that,” said Kelvin, putting a hand on Jamie’s shoulder. “Did he say where he’d be?”
“I’m right here,” said a voice as the doors to the garden slid open. Jamie turned while under Kelvin’s hand. Jamie tensed.
Mike said, “I assume you’re who you were talking about.” He nodded to Kelvin. “What brings you up here on a Sunday?”
“I asked him to come,” said Jamie.
“Why?” Mike wore a striped shirt, tight over his chest, the top two buttons undone to show his strong neck. The shirt was rolled up to his elbows, the tattoos glowing on his skin. Mike put his hands on his hips, looked from Jamie to Kelvin and back.
“I – I – I don’t want to be alone with you.”
“Jamie,” said Mike stepping forward. Jamie stepped back, into Kelvin. Kelvin realized that Jamie was shaking. Mike stopped moving, looking up at Kelvin. “Jamie. Jamie, I’m not going to hurt you.”
“You – in the shower – ”
“I’m sorry,” said Mike. “I’m sorry, but I thought that’s what you wanted.”
Kelvin looked from Mike to Jamie. He was smart enough to put two and two together. Mike did something to Jamie in the shower, probably something inappropriate.
“I – I did, at first. I did like it, but – ”
“Did I hurt you?”
Jamie shook his head. “No.”
“Did I leave you satisfied?”
“Yes, you did but–”
Kelvin watched Mike. Mike had somehow moved closer, and Jamie hadn’t moved.
Mike said, “I’m very sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel violated.”
Jamie gasped. His tenseness disappeared, his shoulders hunched.
“It might take some time for you to trust me again. But I promise, I’m not here to hurt you,” he looked up at Kelvin. “To hurt any of you.”
Jamie said, “I know, no, I know.”
Mike stood in arm’s reach of Jamie. He held his arms out for an embrace. “Forgive me.”
Jamie took the two steps forward and fell into Mike’s arms. Kelvin watched Jamie relax, but mostly he watched Mike. Mike held Jamie like a father would embrace a son, totally neutral. Mike lifted his head and looked up at Kelvin.
Mike winked.
