Rose Tinted (boyxboy)

Chapter 16: Honesty

"This is spooning isn't it." I've never been spooned." 

☆

Tayce climbs into Max's bed. He felt instant comfort and familiarity when his head hit the plush pillow. The softness of the cosy fleece felt comforting by his face as he buried himself in the sheets. 

It's not long before Max returns from the bathroom, wearing just a pair of pyjama pants. Tayce notices the exposed chest and feels a slight blush on his cheeks. "You sleep like that?" Tayce asks, trying to sound casual. 

"No I actually sleep naked, but I have a guest, so I thought I'd better cover up a little." He replies equally as casually, making Tayce flush even more. He hadn't really ever shared a bed with another man apart from Frank and not even Frank went to bed topless!

Max now makes his way to his side of the bed. Tayce can feel the bed wobble slightly as he gets in. The bedside light goes off and Tayce can feel Max's body shift, getting closer to Tayce's back. He then feels the heat of his body pressed on his, a hand wrapping around his waist and the warmth of Max's breath fanning his neck. Max's leg rests on top of Tayce's and it causes Tayce to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Max asks in a sleepy tone. 

"This is spooning isn't it." I've never been spooned." Even though Tayce cannot see his face. He suspects Max is rolling his eyes at the comment. "For someone who doesn't like physical contact you are good at it."

"I didn't say I didn't like being touched, I'm just selective that's all." Max mumbles into Tayce's hair. 

"Well I guess I'm honoured." Tayce replies, smiling to himself as he nestles further into the spoon. Just for tonight, Tayce felt safe and managed to get to sleep soon after.

***

'Knock knock' 

Tayce jumps at the sound of Max's door being tapped. He looks at the green numbers of the clock, it's just gone 6 in the morning.

"Mmm?" Max groans in response, the door now being pushed open. Donny enters the space and looks upon the two men snuggled together as if they hadn't moved an inch all night. 

"I've got a Jerry here on Jojo's phone. He's looking for Tayce." Donny says, holding out the phone in his hand. 

The pair now start to move and Tayce quickly sits up and grabs the phone. "Thanks." He replies before leaving the room.

Donny now looks at Max, who has rolled onto his back, arm now resting on the pillow above him. He sits on the edge of the bed. "So...are you gonna tell me what's going on?" Donny questions. 

"No." Max says as he stretches out his limbs. He still hasn't opened his eyes. 

Donny sighs at the response. "Max I'm not blind, you rarely have people over and I don't think I've ever seen you get cosy with a guy. Do you have feelings for him?"

Max now opens his eyes and sits up a little, he rubs his face before reaching for his glasses. "Look it's not my place to say... I'm just looking out for a friend."

"A friend?" Donny raises an eyebrow.

"Yes...a friend. He's just a friend, not even that, a work colleague." 

"A work colleague you snuggle in bed with, when he apparently has a boyfriend." Donny now laughs to himself at how implausible it sounded. 

"Yes." Max insists. 

"Ok, whatever you say." Donny says, smiling as he gets up from the bed.

***

Tayce heads into the vacant bathroom and closes the door before putting the phone to his ear. 

"Jerry?"

"What the hell is going on Tayce? I've had Frank on the phone to me wanting to know where you are. I can't get a hold of you on your phone...where are you?"

Tayce takes a breath...

"I'm at Max's."

"Max's? Why? I don't understand."

The line goes quiet. Tayce knows he must tell his friend the truth. 

"Where are you now?"

"I'm home." 

"Come to East Gate, I'll look out for you and please... don't tell Frank where I am." 

"Tayce... you're scaring me."

"Don't be scared. Just come and I'll explain. I promise."

"Ok, I'm on my way."

The line goes dead. Tayce leaves the bathroom to see Jojo stood just outside. "I wasn't listening, I swear." He says as Tayce hands the phone back. 

"You'll know soon enough. Jerry is coming over." He says no more as he heads back to Max's room. 

As Tayce heads back inside, Max is sat up in bed, on his own phone. He looks up as Tayce closes the door and sits back on the bed. "Jerry is coming over." Tayce informs him. "I'm gonna tell him... and Jojo too."

"What about the police?"

"What?"

Max now looks up from his phone. "I said, what about the police? Are you going to report what that son of a bitch did?"

Tayce feels his heart suddenly quicken in pace. "I...don't. I can't!" He begins to stutter.

"Ok, ok." Max reaches forward and places a hand on Tayce's leg. "I'm sorry, I'm just so angry he did this to you. He shouldn't be allowed to get away with it." 

"I know, it's just, the police? Max I've only just admitted to myself that this has happened, I'm not ready for that." 

"I'm sorry." Max says, sighing. 

"I need to do this in my own time." Tayce adds. 

"Ok." Max says, forcing a smile, though if it was up to him, Frank would be rotting in hell already.