Read Online Found at the Library by Christi Snow - Free Book Online

since their dinner outside, Mac had made it a habit to show up at the hospital at breakfast and dinnertime with food for Tommy. Their exchanges over meals had turned into the highlights of his miserable days. He’d also brought Tommy fresh clothes, which Tommy hadn’t even thought about. But now as he watched Mac in his space, everything came into focus. How had Mac gotten his clothes? For that matter, how had Mac gotten in this morning?
    “They had a transport free up earlier than they expected so they checked him out of the hospital this morning. I wasn’t allowed to go with him to the new place,” he said distractedly. Was that a Christmas tree in the corner? He hadn’t finished decorating the store for Christmas yet, including the trees, had he?
    “Mac, what the fuck is going on here? Why are you here? How are you here? I don’t understand.” A cold chill washed over him. The heaters down in the store were set low through the night so it was cool this morning.
    Of course, Mac noticed him shiver. “It’s cold in here. Can we go up to your loft? You can get a shirt on, and I’ll make you some breakfast while I explain.”
    Tommy shook his head. “I don’t have any food, but yeah, I need a shirt and some tea would help. I think I need my brain to come online for this conversation. Come on.”
    Mac followed him up the stairs, but Tommy stumbled to a halt as he topped them. Was he even conscious when he came home this morning? There stood another Christmas tree—one he knew he didn’t put there—in the corner of his living room.
    He turned to Mac and gestured toward the tree. “Maybe I should call the police after all. Are you some sort of weird care giving stalker?”
    Mac shook his head with a rueful chuckle. “No, I’m harmless. I promise. Go get dressed, and then we’ll talk.”
    Tommy should probably be weirded out about this, but he felt like he’d gotten to know Mac a little bit over the last couple of days. He trusted his usually sound judgment of other people. He shook his head. Being more awake would help so he could figure out what made sense and what didn’t. Shower. He needed a shower. “Okay, give me ten minutes.”
    Mac nodded and strode toward the kitchen.
    Yeah, good luck with finding something edible. The only ingredients he had to make anything were pickles, sugar, and some old oatmeal. Yuck.
    Upon entering his bedroom, he found piles of laundry folded and placed on top of his dresser. Yeah, now this situation headed toward creepy. This needed to be a quick shower.
    ***
    Mac took a deep breath as he opened the refrigerator. He’d forestalled Tommy’s questions for the moment, but it was a very fleeting reprieve. He took out the eggs, tomatoes, spinach, cheese, and milk and began chopping the veggies for omelets by rote.
    At the time when he’d pushed his way into Tommy’s life, it all made sense. Tommy had needed help. Mac could offer it. It was Christmas. No one should have to deal with stress alone, and even more motivating, Mac wanted to know Tommy. So, maybe he hadn’t actually spoken the offer. Minor detail. He’d done it with good intentions. But now as he considered the way he’d inserted himself into Tommy’s world, the possibility of jail time seemed much more real. Crap.
    How could he spin this without sounding like some perverted idiot? Yes, he’d wanted to help because he felt drawn to the man, but that definitely sounded creepy. He needed to stick with the facts. He’d originally come because he wanted something from Tommy...to buy his book art. He needed to press that issue, although it wasn’t an issue anymore. Yes, he absolutely still wanted the piece, but if Tommy didn’t want to sell it for whatever reason, he could respect that. Now, he just wanted Tommy.
    Fuck.
    No, nothing at all stalkerish to see here.
    He was so screwed.
    “Where did you get food?”
    Mac winced before turning around. He hadn’t heard Tommy come into the room.
    Tommy’s mouth was