Free Friends and Lovers by Tinnean

examined…”
    “Why would I need to be examined? Oh, you mean STDs? Dammit, you’re not much of a friend if you think Tom would be that careless. Of course we practiced safe sex!”
    “So you’re okay. Tom didn’t tear you.”
    Jack turned bright red. “Uh… James, I think you’re adding two and two and getting five.” He gave a lopsided grin. “Tom didn’t … Um… I was the one who… Shoot, this is embarrassing.”
    James could feel his eyes growing wider and wider. “Let me make sure I’ve got this straight. You fucked Tom ?”
    “I saw it as making love, but… well, yeah.”
    “Holy smoke! I should have paid attention to the weather report. Hell must have frozen over!”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Tom never bottoms.”
    “I know that. He… I guess it’s okay to talk to you about this – you’re his doctor, after all. He asked me if I would help him out, and I said yes.”
    “Hmmm. I think I’m beginning to understand some of what went on here tonight.”
    “I’m glad someone does, ‘cause I sure as hell don’t.” The doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.” 
    James did some thinking while Sweet was in the other room. He’d come to Tom’s house to set his hand once.
    ‘I thought a smart guy like you would know better than to tuck in his thumb when he throws a punch.’ He’d tried to keep his irritation out of his voice. Tom was so drunk he could hardly sit upright.
    ‘He got married again, James. And the bitch is gonna break his heart. Why couldn’t he be gay?’
    ‘Who are we talking about?’
    ‘Jack Sweet. My best friend.’ Tom’s laugh had been bitter. ‘Talk about stupid. He’s so straight, he… Hurry it up, James.’
    ‘Why? Do you have a hot date?’
    ‘As a matter of fact…’
    ‘As a matter of fact – nothing. You’re going right to bed, if I have to tie you to it!’
    ‘Ooo! Kinky, James. I didn’t know you had it in you!’
    ‘Asshole.’
    Tom had never spoken about his feelings for his best friend again, although he had talked about Sweet from time to time.
    ‘Jack invited me to Theodore’s graduation from elementary school..’ And he’d gone in spite of his friend’s upright, uptight, moral, Christian family.
    ‘Catherine has been begging for riding lessons...’ And he’d had a friend who was willing to give Jack a break on the cost if he’d do some repairs on her stable.
    ‘The bitch finally overplayed her hand! Jack’s divorcing her!’
    James didn’t ask Tom if he was happy about that because it meant his friend was free of the gold-digging, self-centered bitch, or because it meant his friend was free.
    Jack came back into the room carrying a bag with the logo of the Mom-and-Pop pharmacy on it. “Tom’s prescription.” He set it on the counter.
    “Why don’t you talk to me about what happened tonight?” For a second, James thought Jack would refuse, but then he nodded and sat down again.
    “Y’know something?” Jack’s eyes were tired. “My daddy is a preacher. I was raised to turn the other cheek. I’ve never hit anyone.”
    “What, no one?”
    “Take a look at me. I’d cream whoever I took a swing at. And now, here I go punching the one man who’s always meant...” He started to raise his coffee cup to his mouth, but winced and set it down.
    “What’s wrong?” James had noticed the stiffness as he’d watched Jack eat, but now it seemed Jack was in obvious discomfort.
    “I don’t know. My shoulder feels…”
    “Let me take a look at it.”
    Jack unbuttoned his shirt and eased it off his shoulder.  “What the…”
    “That’s going to be an interesting shade of purple in the morning.”
    “How… Oh. Tom hit me. I was so pissed, I didn’t even feel it.”
    “Tom did that? Well, a couple of Tylenol should ease the soreness. Looks to me like he got in a pretty good shot. I’m not surprised, although I am surprised he didn’t take you down.”
    “Are you kidding?” Jack eased his arm back into the