...It was after seven by the time he got home. He heard music playing in the apartment as soon as he opened the door. He stood for a moment in the darkness, listening for voices. He could hear Manco’s soft laughter and his heart almost sank. Who was making him laugh like that?

He switched on a couple of lamps and progressed toward the bedroom. The door was ajar and he could hear Manco talking, but his words were obscured by the sexy, growly voice of Garou, one of their favorite artists to make love to.

Oh, my God. He’s brought somebody to our house! What the fuck?

He pushed open the door and found his lover on the bed naked, his cock hard as he stroked himself, dictating into a small pocket recorder.

Manco looked up, smiled and switched off the recorder, crawling across the bed to him.

“Where have you been? I’m going crazy without you. Damn…” His fingers reached for Devon’s face. “Do those scratches sting?”

Devon felt himself scuttle forward, his hips naturally jutting toward his lover’s face. Manco buried his nose in Devon’s crotch. To Devon’s dismay, Manco began to cry.

No…not cry. Howl.

“What’s wrong?” Devon dropped to his knees, taking his lover’s face in his hands, kissing the tears that flooded Manco’s beautiful face. “Baby, please…tell me what happened.”

Manco only grew more hysterical. Tears were not his thing. Never. The last time he’d seen Manco cry was when his grandmother died. He could still bust up at the mere mention of her name, but this…this seemed like a new trauma. He tried to cradle his partner in his arms, but Manco pushed himself away, looking up at him.

“Dev…” His words came out in a strangled cry. “What am I going to do if something happens to you? What if you get shot?”

Devon had never loved Manco more than he did in that moment. He silenced the man with kisses until neither one of them could breathe anymore.

“I’m not going to get shot…”

“But you might.” Manco sat up, fishing for a box of tissues on the nightstand.

“I have a better chance of getting shot by some wacko on the freeway.”

“Yeah. Oh…stay out of hair salons, too. Ever since that freak in Seal Beach… Babe, I wish you wouldn’t go. I want you here. I need you.”

Devon was relieved to hear this. Manco had been so awful lately and he’d sort of understood. Money had torn a lot of their close friends apart, gay and straight, due to the economy. Their closest straight, married friends had lost their home and given away their possessions and taken their dog to the pound. Devon and Manco had rescued the dog and he had a new home with one of Manco’s clients.

“I let Steve get to me,” Manco suddenly said.

Devon sat upright again. “What?”

“Oh…look. I know he’s jealous of you but he’s been whispering about you and telling me you weren’t looking for work.”

Devon felt stung. “How does he have any idea what I’m doing? You know me better than that.”

“Yes, I do. And I apologize. And I feel awful about the stupid Christmas list. I just wanted the perfect family Christmas… I’m so sorry you felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. I’m sorry you felt like you had to take that job.”

Devon felt a huge weight lifting off his shoulders. “Thank you.”

“Any chance you’ll change your mind?”

“Any chance you’ll quit listening to Steve? He hates me and you know it.”

“With you being gone…I’ll need his help, but the next time he brings you up I’ll tell him to keep his mouth shut.”

“Yeah. You do that.”

Manco pushed himself back into Devon’s arms. “I’m so sorry I was such a shit.”

Devon tightened his hold on him. “Yeah, you were a bit of a bastard.”

Manco smiled into Devon’s shoulder and gently bit him.

“Ow.” Devon grinned down at him. Manco raised his face and Devon kissed him.