Chapter Four: Husky Breaks Down...
#4 of The "Hotspot"
Like always, I must ask that the characters not be used in any other story without permission. Thanks ~.o
Chapter Four: Husky Breaks Down...
The night wore on and seemed to last forever to Jeff. the lights lining the highway hypnotizing him and invited him to that wonderful place called the land of the dreaming.
Timber had woken up sniffling and tears ran down his face. Husky hadn't noticed him in his dazed state.
"You look tired. Why don't we get a hotel room?" timber whispered. Husky didn't move his head. His lips formed the words as he spoke.
"No money. Besides, we're making good time." A sign passed them advertising a Motel 8. Navis caught sight of it and reached down into his duffel bag pulling out a huge wad of cash. He stuck it under Husky's nose and smiled.
"It's on me." Timber watched a weak smiles flicker out of the corner of Husky's muzzle and watched him turn the wheel onto the exit.
"Room 9. 2 beds and a single bath." The man behind the counter said handing Timber the keys in exchange for the cash. Husky helped get the bags of clothes while timber got the two lovers from the backseat.
Husky didn't ask Timber where the money came from. He heard bed and just didn't care about anything else.
"Thanks Timber. It's nice to sleep in a bed..." Matt moaned as he and Chris climbed under the stiff sheets.
Husky was already snoring as Timber undressed from his pants and climbed into the bed with Jeff.
Some time during the night, the sound of squeaking mattress springs woke Husky partly awake.
"Don't you two ever sleep? Or do you want to have sex in every state we are in?" Jeff said in his half conscious state. Turning over to his other side and finding a warm fluffy pillow, he wrapped his arms around it. It moved a little bit and he snuggled into it before falling asleep again.
Timber began a very quiet murr as something holds him close. The warmth of Husky giving him a reason to turn over and wrap his arms around the body that is holding him. Something rubbed his side but he barely felt it as he smiled and fell into a deep slumber.
It was midday when Matt woke up in Chris's arms. He opened his eyes and looked over at the other bed to see the Husky and Timber holding each other in what appeared to be a very affectionate position.
"Hey Chris. Look at this." Matt nudged his mate awake and pointed to the other bed. A low growl emitted from the mass of black fur. Sitting upright he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked at what Matt pointed to. He had to rub his eyes again in disbelief.
"Damn. Never saw that coming." He said almost as serious as a stroke. He spoke a little to loud though as Husky stirred and opened his eyes to see the wolf in his arms.
"Er...What?" He looked surprised and saw that the other two were staring at him. "I swear I didn't think it was him!" Timber awoke with a start then stared blankly at the blue and white furball in his arms.
"What are you doing?" He blushed deeply though his dark black and tan fur hid it well.
"I'm sorry. I swear I didn't know." Husky looked like he could have died of embarrassment. That is until Timber gave him a reassuring lick to his nose.
Matt and Chris got out of bed. Chris went to the shower and Matt headed to the sink to make coffee from the small pot while husky and Timber waited for their turn in the shower.
"Everybody got everything?" Matt asked before locking the door.
"Yea." Husky said in a rather bland tone.
He had been silent the whole day. Timber had tried talking to him but he just shook his head and walked away without a word. He gathered all the little soaps and shampoo 's to keep busy and hide whatever emotions he had.
"Alright. Timber, why not ride up front with me?" Chris hopped in the backseat as planned then gave Jeff's shoulder a pat while whispering so the other two couldn't hear.
"I miss Brian. Holding Timber last night reminded me of what he and I used to be like. How could he have left me like that?" A lone tear slowly made its way down Jeff's cheek as the fur slowly absorbs the moisture.
"He wasn't much of a friend. I should know. He always left us hanging and made up lame excuses that never made sense." Matt gave the shoulder a squeeze. "How do you feel about Timber? I know something's going on in that head of yours..."
Husky looked up and over at Timber. The wolf was watching the trees go by while Matt spoke to him about some sort of computer program. He didn't notice Jeff watching him.
"I don't know Chris. Why? Do you think I invited him to come with us because I love him? He just looked like he needed some time off." Husky's expression was that of disbelief as was Chris's from getting all that out of nowhere. Husky's nose wrinkled a little bit and the tips of his fangs were gleaming.
"I was just asking Jeff." Chris's words were interrupted by a barely audible growl.
" I don't even know if he likes males!" Jeff said a little louder than intended as Timber looked back and saw how Jeff fought back the tears of rage and hurt.
"I just miss Brian." He then buried his face into the nook of Chris's armpit and sobbed into it lightly. The blackwolf held him and gave the mess called Husky a few pets and pats like any good friend would.
Timber hadn't said a word after that.
Matt drove in silence. The radio was low but could be heard like a foghorn. "Neon Moon" by Brooks & Dunn played and every word seemed to tell the way Husky felt.
~It's 5 O'clock folks and you know what that means! ~ The DJ on the radio announced as Alan Jackson's hit song "Five O'clock Somewhere" played. Chris held Jeff in his arms still though he was drifting off.
After another hour of silence, Timber sighed and told Matt to pull over when possible. A little confused, Matt did so and stopped off to the shoulder. Timber opened the door and shook Jeff awake then pulled him out to the side of the road. Chris moved up front and watched with Matt as the wolf and husky walked to the guardrail and sat down together.
"What's going on Dukey?" Chris asked with a yawn. Matt shook his head.
"Afraid I don't know bud." They both continued to look on.
"Jeff I know something is wrong. I want you to tell me. Please." Timber gave him a look of concern yet Husky was to busy staring at an ant crawling across the gravel.
"Nothing." Was all he said as he shook his head.
"That's not convincing. Please tell me Jeff. If I didn't care then why would I ask?" His point was made. Husky nodded and slowly looked up to the wolf and tried to
"I lost my mate okay? He left us before we left the state .He was mine but he seemed to think that its not going to work out so he walked home. I just thought having someone else here to replace him would be okay. But no. No you can't replace him. In fact I think..." the words wouldn't come out so he looked at him. The wolf was smiling.
"I love you." Timber said it. Nothing moved. Time stood still.
"What happened?" Matt looked closer then his eyes went wide as he watched the wolf and husky kiss. A lip locker.
An hour later the backseat was full of murrs as Timber and Husky sat in each others arms. The two obviously were happy. Matt and Chris giggled and told them they knew it would happen while they both giggled back and told them that it was only a matter of time.
The car drove on entering South Carolina and finally as the sun had set once again, the four pups were venturing on into what they hope will be paradise.
Next chapter to come soon....