From Morocco to Paris (31 page)

Despite this knowledge, walking through the airport Zane’s legs felt like lead, and not because he was tired. Ian and Davey followed him to his bag check-in for Seattle, and then to the security gate where they stopped to say their goodbyes.

Davey checked his watch. “I don’t envy you, getting on another damn plane.”

Zane and Ian stood side by side, hands in their pockets. Zane took Davey in one last time: jeans, faded gray t-shirt, suede coat, his hair resting soft on his shoulders -- he still looked good, despite the grueling trip. His beautiful blue eyes shone under the fluorescent lights.

“God, look at you guys.” Davey held his arms out to both of them. “Who kicked your puppies?”

They both embraced him, Ian pressing his face against Davey’s shoulder and Zane burying his nose in his hair, breathing him in one last time.

Davey stroked Zane’s hair and chuckled softly. “Big babies.” When he drew back though, his eyes were bright and he sniffed.

Never one to hide his emotions, tears streaked down Ian’s face. He wiped at them, sniffling. Zane blinked hard to keep his in check and Davey smiled softly at him.

“I promise, this is not the last time you’ll see me,” Davey said. “I’m like an infectious disease, I keep coming back.”

Ian laughed wetly. “I better see you again too. Or I’ll hunt you down.”

“You will,” Davey said. “Take care of Zane, all right? He’s not as tough as he acts.”

“Oh, I know that.” Ian wiped at his eyes with a trembling hand. “I know that.”

Davey turned to Zane and took both his hands, clasping them. Zane drew a shaky breath.

“You have all my contact information,” Davey said.

Zane nodded. “Yes.” He bit his lower lip, trying to keep it from quivering. Davey had given him every possible way to get in touch with him -- address, email, cell phone, land line, even Troy’s number.

Davey stepped in and gave Zane a quick kiss on the cheek. He whispered, “I love you.”

Zane nuzzled him gently and choked out, “I love you too.”

Davey pulled his hands away slowly, and it felt as if someone had inserted a hook in Zane’s gut and was dragging his insides out. When Davey let go, his heart dropped into his stomach.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” Davey said. “Well -- I tried to tell you, but you didn’t wanna talk at the time. I have another job. We need more money for the line, so I decided to work on one more movie.”

Zane wiped at his eyes and sniffed. “Oh?”

“Yes.” Davey smiled. “Saul pretty much recycled his crew for his friend. I’ll see you in about a week.”

Zane stared at him.

“I’m the key costumer,” Davey said. “You better work hard to get that assistant director position.”

Zane thought the long trip made him hallucinate the words, but after staring at Davey for another stunned moment, Davey smiled wider and nodded.

“You fucking asshole,” Zane said, but he laughed.

“I guess I
will
be seeing you again then,” Ian said and put an arm around Zane’s shoulders. “When I come visit Zane on the set!”

Zane stepped forward and pulled Davey into his arms, even though he kind of wanted to punch him. Davey clung to him; Zane locked his arms tight around him in return.

Davey whispered against Zane’s ear, “I’ll see you soon.”

Zane didn’t want to let him go, but parting came easier this time. As Zane stepped toward the security gate, he remembered something.

“Oh!” Zane said. He pushed a hand into his jacket pocket. Davey arched an eyebrow.

Zane drew out a key and tossed it to him; Davey caught it, smiling.

“Anytime you want,” Zane said.

“Come on,” Ian said, tugging on Davey’s arm. “It’s better if you don’t watch him leave.”

“He’s not going anywhere,” Davey said, walking backwards as Ian pulled him. He put a hand over his heart, gazing at Zane. “He’s right here.”

Zane put a hand over his heart as well, smiling. “Right here,” he whispered.