Acceptable Behavior (6 page)

The text was from his mom.

Good morning. What’s on the agenda for today?

He didn’t answer immediately, instead went to reread the texts he’d gotten from Sam the night before.

Lying in bed. Thinking of you makes me want to touch myself.

Wish I was there. I’d love to be the one touching you.

Text sex isn’t quite as convenient as phone sex. Need two hands to type, damn it!

Call me and I’ll be happy to talk dirty in your ear.

Thin walls. Sorry. Want to go to the park with Levi and me tomorrow?

What if we make it the zoo, and lunch after?

Levi would love that
.

Great. Give me your address and I’ll pick you up at, say, ten?

Ten is fine
.
We can meet you
.

I’d rather we just had one car. I’ll pick you up
.

Okay. We’ll be outside waiting for you at ten.

Sam gave an address Travis wasn’t familiar with.

He’d looked it up, and realized it was a fairly shabby neighborhood. He didn’t care, but felt bad for Sam and Levi. He didn’t feel much for Melanie, yet. Hopefully as he got to know her he’d see whatever good qualities the rest of her family saw.

Frustration had welled in Travis. Sam was so worried about his getting too close. He was going to have to work on that.

See you in the morning, sexy thing
.

Goodnight
, Sam had answered.

Travis smiled at the exchange, then answered his mom.

Good morning. I’m actually going to the zoo today, then lunch with friends.

The zoo? Interesting. Have fun. Come for dinner tomorrow night? Call in the morning and let me know.

I’ll call you tomorrow
.
Have a good day
.

Travis tossed his phone on the nightstand and forced himself out of bed. A thought occurred to him and he opened the drawer of his bedside table, checking for condoms. He had half a box, and they weren’t expired. That’d be enough for now, but he’d need to remember to get more. His lube supply was sufficient. He also wanted to take a new blood test, just to have it. He doubted Sam would want to see it, but he liked to be prepared.

As he climbed into the shower, he considered the ramifications of asking Sam to submit to a blood test. It seemed like a shitty thing to ask, but as a doctor he knew too well what could happen. He needed to do it, and would mention it today.

It was chilly out, so he dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. He always covered his tats when going out to public places. He could only imagine the looks on some parents’ faces when they saw how heavily he was inked. His abilities as a doctor would immediately be called into question. Ridiculous, but that was the world he lived in.

He didn’t mind covering them, in fact it made him feel like he had a sexy secret. The fact that Sam found his tats sexy was an even bigger turn on. He could not wait to get that man alone again. Next time, they wouldn’t waste one moment.

Grabbing his sunglasses, Travis headed out to his Lexus. He was excited to spend time with Sam and Levi and hoped the zoo wouldn’t disappoint. Some kids were into animals and some weren’t. He didn’t know Levi well enough to determine that, yet. But that was fixing to change.

He plugged their address into his car’s GPS and headed out. Twenty minutes later he slowed to a crawl in front of a run-down-looking apartment complex, searching for addresses. He spotted Sam and Levi on the sidewalk and pulled in.

“Hey,” he greeted as Sam opened the passenger front and back doors.

“Good morning.” Sam shot him a look filled with promise. He held up a booster car seat. “Do you mind?”

Travis grinned at the handsome man. “Of course not.” He turned to watch as Levi climbed into the back seat and his uncle fastened him in. “Hey, buddy. How are you doing today?”

“Hi, Dr. Travis! Uncle Sammy says we’re going to the zoo!”

“We are. I loved the zoo when I was a kid. Do you like it?”

Levi shrugged. “I’ve never been.”

Sam closed the back door and got into the front seat. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve been, either.”

“All right, then. This is gonna be great.” Travis made sure they were both situated before taking off. “It’ll take us about a half hour to get there, so everyone get comfy.”

Sam glanced at him sideways. “I’m plenty comfy, right here.”

Travis winked at him and glanced at the boy in his rear-view mirror. “How’s the arm today, Levi?”

“It doesn’t hurt when it’s slinged up.”

“Good.” Travis grinned at Sam. “Slinged up. I like that. Might have to use it on some other patients.”

Sam nodded. “I can hear you now. Okay, kid, we’ll get you slinged up here in a minute.”

“For sure.” They made small talk on the ride and once they arrived, Travis paid the admittance fee and they entered.

Levi was immediately awestruck. He couldn’t move from one exhibit to the next quickly enough. He made faces at the monkeys and strutted around like the tall giraffes. When they reached the petting zoo and he was allowed to feed the animals, he announced he never wanted to leave.

“I think the zoo was a hit.” Sam leaned in to Travis with a smile on his face. “Thank you.”

“You might not thank me if he pitches a fit when it’s time to leave.”

Sam gazed at him seriously. “Levi doesn’t throw fits.”

Travis grinned. “Are you kidding me? He’s
six
. The occasional meltdown should be a way of life.”

His handsome friend shrugged. “I can’t explain it, but he’s a very even-tempered kid. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him pitch a fit or throw a tantrum of any kind.”

“Wow. You’re lucky. I have children in my office who melt down when we don’t have the right flavor of sucker to give them when they leave.”

Sam shook his head. “Not Levi.”

Travis caught his eye. “Good. I’m glad. That has to make things easier for you.”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. In fact, I was going to mention that if you don’t let me pay for lunch, I don’t think we can make it.”

Travis could see he wasn’t joking. “Lunch is no big deal.”

“No? Good. Then I’ll buy.”

“Sam—” he started to protest.

“Look.” Sam caught his hand and squeezed. “I’m not destitute. My living arrangements aren’t the best right now because I choose to be there for Mel and Levi. But I have money. And I’m buying lunch today.”

Travis squeezed back. “Works for me. As long as you remember that I’m here for you. If you
do
need anything, I want you to let me know.”

Sam chuckled. “I’m not going to do that. We barely know each other.”

Holding tight to Sam’s hand, Travis nodded. “I’ve had that same thought recently. It’s time to do something about it. I want to get to know you better.” He glanced around and didn’t see anyone close to them except Levi feeding some baby goats. He leaned in and planted a light kiss on Sam’s mouth.

Sam smiled, surprised. “Okay, you’re right. We’re off to a good start this weekend.”

“A very good start.” Travis wanted to kiss him again, but people had wandered by and it wasn’t the time.
Soon
.

Levi stood and dusted off his hands. “I’m hungry!” he announced.

Sam scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Could you go for the buffet at Mario’s Pizza?”

“Yes!” Levi hopped up and down excitedly. He hugged Sam’s leg then Travis’.

Travis could only watch and smile. “Looks like you said the magic words.”

“Have you eaten at Mario’s?”

“I don’t believe so.”

Levi spread his hands wide. “They have a
jillion
kinds of pizza. And if they don’t have the one you want, they’ll make it for you.”

“True,” Sam agreed. “They’ll bring you a slice or the whole pie. It’s decent pizza, too.”

“My favorite is the macaroni and cheese pizza.” Levi rubbed his stomach.

“Okay, you guys are making me hungry. Let’s go!” Travis motioned for them to head out.

Levi grabbed his hand then reached for one of Sam’s, and walked between them.

It felt so natural, Travis got a little choked up. He pictured himself with Sam and their own child, somewhere down the road. The idea was insane and definitely putting the cart before the horse. But it made him so damned happy, he couldn’t put it out of his mind.

“What are you smiling about?” Sam whispered.

He tried to be serious. “I’m not smiling.”

“Whatever. Softie.”

“So sue me. I like kids.”

“Hence the pediatrician gig. It’s a good thing you do, or people might call you crazy.”

“That’s been done before. They get one look at my tattoos, and that’s all it takes.”

Levi glanced up. “You have chattoos? Can I see them?”

“Maybe later,” Travis put him off. He wasn’t sure that was a good idea. Hopefully Levi would forget. He made a mental note to be more careful and watch what he said around the boy. He wanted to spend time with Sam, and knew Levi was going to be part of the package. He’d get used to it. He was enjoying the child, but wouldn’t mind some alone time with the uncle
soon
.

Sam directed him to Mario’s Pizza and they went in and ate. Levi was correct, the menu seemed to have a jillion types of pizza, plus pasta, breadsticks and dessert choices. Travis didn’t usually eat so many carbs but decided he didn’t care. He could eat light for dinner. They talked, laughed and ate until they were all stuffed.

He sat across the booth from Sam and nudged his foot with his own.

Sam smiled, and continued the game of footsie all through lunch. He finally looked at Levi and said, “We should probably be getting home. Your mom will want to spend some time with you before she goes to work.”

“Maybe she’s not awake yet.” Levi sounded almost hopeful.

Travis didn’t want the day to end, either. “Could you text her and find out? Or would that wake her?”

Sam pulled out his phone. “No, she doesn’t hear the phone when she sleeps. I’ll text and see if she’s up.” His fingers flew over the keyboard.

They drank another round of beverages and Sam glanced at his phone. “She’s not up. I’ll just text her to give me a shout when she wants us to come home.”

“Good.” Levi grinned.

Travis felt the same way. “Do you guys like video games?”

“Yes!” the boy shouted. “We had a PlayStation but my dad had to sell it.”

Nice.
Travis bit back his first thought and instead offered, “I have one, and I have some pretty good games for it. Would you like to come over and check it out?”

“Can we?” Levi’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

Sam glanced at his watch. “Sure, I guess. Just remember, when your mom texts, we’ll have to leave.”

“Okay.” He jumped up.

“Let’s go wash you up, Mr. Pizza sauce face.” Sam looked at Travis. “We’ll be back.”

“I’ll be right here.” He watched them go fondly. He was falling hard, but he wasn’t sure if it was for Sam or the image of the family he was building in his mind. Either way, it was a good feeling, and a sense of satisfaction settled in the pit of his stomach. “Sleep well, Melanie,” he whispered to himself.

They returned and he ushered them out to his car, then to his house. Levi moved through the rooms with another look of awe on his face.

“Big place, huh?” Sam dropped onto the sofa.

“Yeah.” The boy’s voice was breathy. “Really big.” He looked at Travis. “You live here all by yourself?”

He suddenly felt guilty, and wished he had an answer that sounded more noble than a simple ‘yes’. “I do.” He changed the subject quickly. “How about that PlayStation?”

Travis pulled out the system and three controllers, then let Levi choose from his games. They started playing and were having so much fun, Travis lost track of time.

It was only when Levi mentioned, “I’m thirsty,” that he glanced at his watch.

“Holy cow, it’s almost dinner time. Levi, I’ve got milk or water, what would you like?”

“Milk, please.”

He stood to get it. “Sam?”

Sam grinned sheepishly. “Do you have anything with some fizz to it?”

“No soda in this house. I’ve got beer, though.”

Sam seemed to consider it.

“You’re not driving. Want one?”

“Sure.”

Travis brought a beer, water for himself, and a glass of milk for Levi to the living room.

Sam was texting again. “Mel still hasn’t answered.”

“Must have been tired,” Travis commented.

“Yeah.” Sam looked worried.

“So.” Travis hoped to cheer him up. “I’ve got some chicken I could toss on the grill if you two would like to stay for dinner. We could grill some vegetables, maybe add a salad.”

“Please, please, please.” Levi was hopping up and down again, swinging Sam’s hand.

Sam winced. “If your mom calls, we’ll have to leave. I’d hate for Dr. Travis to go to all that work if we need to go.”

Travis shrugged. “What if we invite her?”

Sam blinked. “Invite her? Here?”

“Sure. She could come eat with us before she goes to work.”

“That’d be great,” Levi decided for them.

Sam could only nod.

“Come on, then. I’ll need some help to put this feast together.”

They prepped the food and carried the plate of chicken to the back patio.

Levi placed the utensils he was holding on the patio table, then ran around the large fenced yard. “Do you have a dog?” he asked hopefully.

“No, sorry.” Travis lit the grill.

“Plenty of room for one,” Levi added.

Travis laughed. “True enough. I’ll give it some thought.”

Sam rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to agree with everything he says, you know. You can tell him, ‘No, I don’t have a dog because they require lots of work and they crap all over the back yard.’”

Travis grinned. “That’s not why I don’t have one.”

“Why, then?” Sam sat in a patio chair next to him.

“I don’t know. Because I never thought of it, I guess. I like dogs.”