Neon Yellow: Obsessive Adhesives (2 page)

"No one cares if I ignore them.” Spencer shrugged his shoulders and reached for a deep purple crystal. “This is amazing, Russian?"

Sky nodded. “It's not a very good piece, though. I'm getting some much better in next week.” He put his hand on Spencer's arm. “Wait here, I've got something for you. Jay, just look after the store for a sec, will ya?” he threw over his shoulder as he headed out the back.

Jason looked around briefly. No one but Spencer in the store. “You into all this...?” He spread his arms, encompassing the entirety of Sky Hawk. “New Age stuff, Spence?"

"I like geology.” Spencer quickly turned away from Jason and picked up another rock.

Jason smiled. He could see Spencer's blush reflected in the mirrored back of the shelves. It was cute and the innocence was refreshing, but it could get old, fast.

"That's the study of rocks and what-not, isn't it?"

"In a nutshell.” Spencer glanced at the door Sky had disappeared through. “I'm more into rock-hounding than the science of it."

"Yeah?” Jason knew what that was. He leaned against a glass cabinet that held little wooden carvings and dolls that may or may not have been African. That they actually held any magic, Jason seriously doubted. “Found anything good?"

"I've found some nice specimens.” Spencer seemed to relax—a little. “I've found Herkimer diamonds, garnet, pyrite, mica and some fossils."

"Diamonds?” Jason was impressed. “Worth anything?"

Spencer turned to face Jason and smiled. “It's just a fancy term for double-terminated quartz. They are only found in one area of New York, you find good ones and you'll make some money."

Right at that moment, Jason found the life in Spencer. His face lit up, he was sure of himself, positive that he knew what he was talking about and that it was something he loved. Jason couldn't help smiling at Spencer's enthusiasm and wondered if he could ever provoke the same response. For some reason, seeing that eagerness directed at him definitely made Jason want to know Spencer better. Would he be that enthusiastic in bed? Jason jammed his fists in the pockets of his jeans and shifted against the cabinet, becoming uncomfortably aware that he shouldn't be thinking about Spencer and sex. Well damn, who would have thought Spencer would cause
that
reaction?

"I have no idea what double-terminated quartz is but I'd love to see them."

"Here,” Spencer searched the shelf and handed Jason a clear crystal. “See how it's faceted? True diamonds need to be cut by man, whereas Herkimers are
found
that way."

"That's cool.” Jason's palm tingled from the touch of Spencer's fingertips. He looked at the smooth, almost perfectly faceted crystal, cold in his hand.

"There's this wonderful place I like to go for Herkimers. On a sunny day the ground sparkles with them—it's amazing.” Spencer blushed, taking the crystal and placing it back on the shelf. “Sorry, I didn't mean to bore you."

"Not at all.” Jason winked. “I was beginning to wonder what got you excited."

"Sorry it took so long, you know how organized I am.” Sky returned and held out a little jar full of brightly colored—some almost iridescent—rock chips.

"Um, what's that?” Jason asked, trying to decide whether Sky's return was timely or not. Spencer's lovely shade of embarrassment told him it was, but Jason really wanted to know what Spencer might have said.

"You went to Coober Pedy!” Spencer's embarrassment seemed to disappear as he took the jar and examined its contents. “I'm extremely jealous."

Jason peered at the colored bits, just as Spencer was, but was still at a loss. “It's pretty. What is it?"

"Opal chips.” Spencer's face was alight with enthusiasm again. “Thank you so much. Did you find these?"

Sky nodded. “Me and Nate went noodling.” He looked at Jason. “And before
you
say anything, that's sifting through the piles of discarded rock to find opal."

"Fossicking?” Spencer sounded even more eager, if that were possible. “That sounds wonderful. I would love to do that."

"It was pretty awesome. Hot though. The temp must've been up around a hundred or so. There's no shade, only desert.” Sky didn't sound at all annoyed about the weather, more exhilarated, remembering his trip and sharing it with someone who would also have appreciated it.

Jason decided that he wanted to see more of Spencer. He doubted the man would actually consent to going on a date with him, so he'd have to think of something else. Not many men intrigued him as much as Spencer, and he'd dated men for far more shallow reasons. “Spencer. Sky and Nathan are coming to my place this evening. Why don't you come, too? I'm sure I can convince Sky to bring photos."

"Ah, I don't know...” Spencer worried his bottom lip and stared at the little bottle in his hand.

"Why don't you come to my place?” Sky addressed Jason and then turned to Spencer. “You too, Spence. I'm bound to forget something if I have to take it to Jay's. It's gonna be a nice night; we can go up on the roof, light the chimenea and have a drink. We brought back a couple of excellent wines from the Barossa Valley.” He raised an eyebrow. “C'mon, it'll be more fun than sitting home by yourself."

Spencer continued abusing his lower lip, blushing. “Okay, I'll stop by—for a little while."

Sky looked at his watch. “Just come with us now. I finish up here in a minute or so and Nate's picking me up. He won't mind a few passengers."

"I, um... the cat...” Spencer mumbled vaguely.

Sky laughed. “You don't have a cat. You don't have anyone to go home for."

At this, Spencer looked at Jason, a horrified look in his eyes.

Jason shrugged. “Nor do I. And Sky's roof is awesome. Especially on a clear night. If we drink too much, we can always sleep up there."

"Wouldn't be the first time,” Sky admitted.

Spencer sighed in defeat. “Okay."

Jason slung his arm around Spencer's shoulders. “You'll have a good time. You'll be safe with us."

Spencer tensed. “Shouldn't I... um... bring something? Some wine or...?"

"I have wine,” Sky told him. “It's fine. You're a guest. Next time, you can bring something."

"Afternoon, all.” Thad breezed into the shop, ready to take over from Sky for his shift. “Busy day, boss?"

"Not bad for a Sunday.” Sky made sure the till was in order and that Thad was set for the rest of the afternoon's business.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Lying back on one of the sun loungers on Sky's roof, Jason watched Sky and Spencer as they pored over photos of Coober Pedy opal mines. They all looked like excavation sites to him, but Sky and Spencer looked as though they were having the time of their lives. He had to admit that he loved hearing Spencer laugh. Relaxed and in the company of people he knew, Spencer was almost a different person. Jason took a deep breath and finished his glass of wine, chastising himself for harboring fantasies involving Spencer. He didn't need anyone as complicated as Spencer in his life. Just because he
wanted
someone. Someone more than a one night stand or a casual fuck. Someone long term and reliable, someone who needed him, someone free and easy, no issues. Was that so hard?

"Penny for them.” Nathan sat on the sun lounger next to Jason's.

"Not worth that much.” Jason laughed and sat up, determined to enjoy the evening. No more melancholy. “Was Coober Pedy really that exciting?” He gestured over at Sky and Spencer.

Nathan grinned and nodded. “No..."

Jason laughed. He'd only known Nathan for a couple of hours, but he liked the man. A good match for Sky—settling but not dampening.

"Don't get me wrong,” Nathan continued. “The place was awesome, but... well, a rock's a rock. Once you've seen one opal mine, you've seen them all. It's a lot of sand and rock. The Barossa was much better."

"Yeah, your photos were great. Wouldn't mind going there myself."

Nathan winked. “Take your man, do the same trip we did."

Jason glanced at Spencer who was watching Sky with rapt attention, nodding occasionally. “He's not my man."

"But?"

Jason shook his head. “No. Oh no, no way."

"Why not?” Nathan asked. “He's good looking and... never underestimate the allure of a nerd.” He gave Jason a crooked smile.

"There's no doubt he's got something.” Jason agreed, ruefully. “I just...” He shook his head. He barely knew Nathan, he certainly wasn't about to start confiding in the guy. Besides, whatever his reservations were regarding Spencer, Jason was sure that Spencer's reservations concerning him were tenfold. Nope, opposites only attracted if they had
something
in common—which he and Spencer certainly didn't.

Nathan smiled. “If someone had told me that I would end up loving Sky, I would've laughed in their face.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Get to know him."

Jason rolled his eyes. “He rarely even talks to me. To anyone really.” He sighed. “There has to be some sort of attraction there to even make the effort. And, believe me, it
would
be an effort."

Nathan looked over at where Spencer was avidly talking to Sky. “Looks like he's talking just fine."

"That's Sky. He's...” Jason gestured vaguely with his hands, hoping to convey whatever Sky was.

"Friendly? Willing to take a chance? A stubborn ass who's used to getting his way?” Nathan grinned, reaching for his drink.

"Yes.” Jason laughed and raised his own glass in a salute to Sky, which Nathan echoed. “Oh, to be as perfect as he."

"Amen."

"Amen? What are you praying for?” Sky asked from behind Jason. “Surely you already have everything you could desire."

Nathan raised an eyebrow at Jason that clearly said,
See what I mean?
“A new job would be good."

"Praying won't help.” Sky observed with practicality, and plonked himself down on Nathan's lounger. “Pull up a chair, Spencer. More wine?"

Spencer pulled up his chair and sat down. “I'd love some more. I wonder if any place around here carries it."

"If it does, it'll be pricey.” Sky poured more wine in all the glasses. “I'm getting a few bottles shipped across.” He leaned back against Nathan and grinned. “Nate insisted."

Nate blushed. “I like it and... it has sentimental value."

Sky gave a crooked smile. “We'll save a bottle for our anniversary."

"Definitely.” Nathan wrapped his arms around Sky and nuzzled his neck.

"Disgusting public display,” Jason said, good naturedly. “And here Sky told me you were the shy type."

Sky laughed. “Well, you know what they say about the shy ones."

Jason looked at Spencer and winked. “Is that right?” He'd bet all he had that Spencer wasn't the least bit sexually liberated. And that was just one more reason why he didn't need Spencer in his life. He didn't want anyone sexually repressed or with issues.

"I...uh...” Spencer's face turned beet red.

Sky rolled his eyes. “You have absolutely no tact, Jay. Spencer, ignore him. It doesn't work, but it helps."

Spencer nodded timidly and turned his gaze to the star filled sky. “Beautiful night."

Jason lay back on his sun lounger. “It's nice not to have too much light pollution up here.” He glanced across at Sky. “Bet you could see the stars well in the Outback."

Sky nodded. “Once you got out of Coober Pedy, you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. It was kinda spooky."

"The stars were different,” Nathan added. “There seemed to be heaps more for a start."

"That's because it was so dark,” Spencer said. “When you get out of town here, you see a lot more stars. Did you see the Southern Cross?"

Nathan nodded. “All the time. It's really easy to spot when you know what you're looking for. I missed seeing the Big and Little Dippers, though."

Spencer laughed softly. “There'd be lots of familiar ones that would be missing."

Jason tuned out of the conversation and watched Spencer. It seemed that astronomy was another interest of his and, once again, his face lit with enthusiasm while he talked in depth with Nathan. Jason was no Galileo, but he did find astronomy fascinating. More interesting, though, was the idea that he and Spencer actually had something in common.

"Jay went to Turkey a few years ago to see the eclipse."

Jason heard Sky mention his name and stopped his musing. Spencer was looking at him skeptically. Jason raised an eyebrow in question. “Well, I did. Seemed like something I should do while I could. Astronomy isn't just stars. There's plenty of other things up there."

"I would've loved to have seen the eclipse.” Spencer turned to face Jason. “What was it like? Did you take pictures?"

"It was amazing. It got really cold when the sun was hidden. But the corona was awesome.” Jason smiled, liking Spencer's enthusiasm. Just a few drinks and the man was loosening up a bit. It made Jason seriously wonder what effect a few more might have. Not that getting anybody drunk was a good thing, but... “And yeah, plenty of photos. I got a couple enlarged and gave one to Sky; don't think he appreciates it, though."

"Hey.” Sky was indignant. “Just ‘cause I'm not into that side of the stars, doesn't mean I don't appreciate the scientific side. It's an excellent photo. Nate loves it."

"You took that?” Nathan asked. “You're right, the corona is amazing."

Spencer smiled, his ears becoming redder with each sip of wine. “I would love to see it."

Sky tossed the front door key of his apartment to Jason. “Think you can still negotiate the stairs, Jay? Show him.” He snuggled closer to Nathan. “Take your time."

"Where have you hidden it?” Jason stood and stretched. He knew Sky hadn't hung it in his living room.

Sky made a big production of being offended that Jason should think such a thing. “It's not hidden; it's in the office. It gets appreciated every day."

"Spare room, right.” Jason held his hand out to Spencer, not expecting it to be taken and therefore not disappointed when it wasn't. Okay, yes, mildly disappointed, but he'd get over it. He was more surprised when Spencer also rose and followed him downstairs. Sky's place hadn't changed much, not even with Nathan moving in. Obviously, Nathan was content to soak up all the New Age vibes that made Sky's domain his own. Then Jason opened the door to the spare room, fondly known as the office, and stopped dead. When it had been just Sky's, the room had contained a desk, calculator, ledger, pens and a filing cabinet. There'd been one of those annoying tinkly fountains on the desk, too. Sky always said it relaxed him when the accounts stressed him out. It'd just made Jason want to visit the toilet.