Toy Box: Cage

From Control by Mychael Black



Andy Richmond blinked himself awake and stared up at the ceiling fan. Yet again, he'd endured another dream about Dylan Marsh, a man he hadn't seen since college. They'd been roommates, but what's more, they'd been best friends throughout most of their school years. After college, though, things had changed. Andy couldn't put his finger on it, but he had the sneaking suspicion that Dylan really was gay, though they'd never spoken a word in that direction in the twelve years they knew one another.

"Oh, who am I fucking kidding?" Andy muttered. He scrubbed his hands down his face. He'd been the one who'd moved away and eventually lost touch. Dylan, so far as Andy knew, hadn't left Huntsville, Alabama, for any extended period of his life. Andy glanced at the calendar on the wall. Classes were done. He officially had his degree in Business Admin, but things still didn't feel right. He missed Huntsville. Hell, he missed Dylan.

He had nothing keeping him here. Not anymore, anyway. He'd kicked Steve to the curb when he found out the guy had cheated on him -- six times, even -- during the month the asshole had supposedly gone to visit family in Kentucky.

Mind made up, Andy got out of bed and started on the process of packing up. He always knew he'd wind up back home, and thankfully, his mother still held hope that he'd take his old room back for a while. While he shoved clothes and other things into the several boxes he'd grabbed a few days ago for packing, he dug the phone out from a pile of magazines and papers. He hit speed dial and waited for his mom to answer.

"Hello, honey!"

Andy smiled. "Hey, Mom. That offer of my old room still good?"

"Of course! When will you be leaving Texas?"

"Probably today. I'll take my time getting there, though."

"Okay. I'll make sure everything's ready for you. I love you."

"Love you, too, Mom."

He hung up and finished tossing things randomly into boxes. He couldn't wait to get on the road.