Free The River Leith by Leta Blake

see Leith every day starting tomorrow. I know, it’s not exactly what most people consider to be moving on, but it’s what I have to do. He needs me, and I’m not going to let myself be a coward anymore.
     
    He takes a deep breath and smiles shakily.
     
So that’s where I’m at, my lovelies. A better place than the last time you heard from me. It’s progress, and I’ll take it. I’m nervous about going back to see Leith, but I’m excited too. I’d go now if visiting hours weren’t ending soon, but tomorrow will have to do. I’ll let you know how it goes. Until then, farewell.
     
    He blows a kiss to the camera.
     

Chapter Five
    Arthur, skinny and tired-looking as ever, trimmed Leith’s hair with old-fashioned clippers while he talked about the two hundred dollars he’d lost on the horses.
    “That looks better,” he said, cleaning up the mess and wiping a warm, wet towel over Leith’s neck and shoulders. “Hop in the shower so you don’t itch.”
    Leith washed himself while Arthur stood in the doorway, describing the neck-and-neck final moments that had put his horse in second place. “Hindsight being what it is, I should have gone for the exacta box. I’d have walked away with a little money, at least.”
    “You’re playing with fire,” Leith said, drying off and pulling on fresh clothes. “After our father’s problems you shouldn’t be betting on horses at all, Arthur.”
    His brother waved his hand. “Hold your horses, baby brother. It was just a day of fun with a pretty lady.”
    “Oh? You have a pretty lady?”
    “Don’t I always?” Arthur smirked, brushing his hair out of his face.
    Leith chuckled to himself. If anyone needs a trim…
    A knock at the door announced Zach, who stood laden down with bags and a big basket. His dark hair was in impeccable order, and he wore an aqua, tight-fitting T-shirt that made his pale skin appear luminescent. He smiled tentatively.
    “You came back!” Leith blurted. He cleared his throat, willing his heart to stop racing. “Hey. Good to see you.”
    “Your food dealer has arrived, baby brother,” Arthur said, watching as Zach put his bundles on the comfy chair in the corner. “Speaking of addictions, I’m sure he’s feeding yours.”
    “Cheese?” Leith asked.
    “Of course,” Zach answered, his dark pink lips widening to reveal his bright teeth.
    Leith watched closely as Arthur slung an arm around Zach’s shoulders and shook him the same way he did Leith. Leith noted with satisfied amusement that spread warm and right through his body that Arthur didn’t have to stand on his tip-toes to give the brotherly shake since he and Zach were roughly the same height.
    Zach let Arthur man-handle him without any fuss, and then started unpacking the picnic basket, revealing fresh fruit, a new container of yogurt, and bright vegetables that made Leith’s mouth water.
    Arthur said, “Since Zach’s here for dinner, that means Blue Flight has been left in the hands of our employees, so I’d better get over there and supervise.”
    “Oh yes, that’s the only reason you’d want to rush over,” Zach said, rolling his eyes.
    “You know as well as I do that one of us should always be there,” Arthur said with a haughty air.
    “Uh-huh.” Zach smirked. “Then you’d better get moving.”
    Leith watched the exchange with a small smile. Before he could ask who his brother wanted to rush over to see, Arthur cuffed Leith on the head lightly — very lightly.
    “I’ll be on my way. Mind your ps and qs, mister. Use your manners, don’t flirt with too many nurses, and be a good boy for Zach while I’m away.”
    Leith felt his cheeks heat a little at that ridiculous show, but Zach didn’t seem to find it odd. In fact he wasn’t really paying attention as he pulled out a clean blanket and unfolded it, eyeing the floor on the other side of Leith’s bed like he was going to spread it there.
    “Bye,” Zach called absently as Arthur slipped out the door