Special Needs by K.A. Merikan

wanna do a before and after shot?”
    “If you want.” Liam snorted and got up to his feet. “But hey, I’m doing this for you.”
    “You’re doing it for the money, Liam. Goodnight.” Ryan just laughed it off and struggled to pull his leg up to the bed. Liam helped him move the lifeless limb and walked over to gather his clothes, which were still on the floor.
    “I’m making you food for the money, but I will be doing good stuff, because I like you.”
    “Really? You still do after today?” Ryan sighed and ran his fingers through his wet hair.
    Liam pouted. “Why, did anything happen?” He knew very well what Ryan meant, but he decided to be honest about his feelings on the matter. Well, at least to some extent.
    “That was the answer I was looking for. Thanks.” A small smile hid on Ryan’s lips. “See you tomorrow.”
    Liam’s own breath echoed in his ears like thunder. “See you.”
     
     
     

Chapter 4
     
     
    Liam dashed out of the house, already reaching into his pocket to grab his cigarettes, without taking them out yet. He hoped for some peace behind the building, but that proved impossible when he spotted Rodney walking around his favorite smoking hideout. Shit, he only had time until Ryan finished his lunch.
    Trying not to look suspicious, Liam gazed at the huge, Victorian house Ryan inherited after his aunt’s death. It was massive, with a large porch, two balconies and grey window shutters framing tall windows. If it wasn’t for the bright California sun making the pale outer walls less horroresque, he’d consider this building creepy, but under these circumstances, it was nothing but classy.
    He was happy to be alone at last and lit a cigarette with a sigh of relief. All this sneaking around was a downside of this job. As soon as he took the second drag, his stomach chilled at the sound of his own name. Ryan was calling him, and judging from the unmistakable sound of wheels on the asphalt, he was also coming over. Did Ryan throw the food out, or was it so good he shoveled it in like a hungry golden retriever?
    Liam took a desperate drag of the cigarette before butting it. “That you?” he called out, releasing the smoke, not as relaxed as he hoped he would be after feeding his addiction.
    “Yeah, Liam, come on! I don’t like to go on the grovel!” Ryan yelled from around the porch. “It could hurt my wheelchair!” Ryan said that as if the chair was a person.
    Their only neighbor was passing through in his green van and instead of driving further to his own house, he turned to the hotel’s driveway.
    Liam sighed and hurried to join Ryan at the front of the building. He's never actually seen that Roger guy, but he recognized his car, as he saw it passing by a few times. “Comin’!”
    When Roger left the car, Liam noted nothing special about him. Guy in his early thirties, wearing shades, a grey t-shirt and jeans. His short, dark hair looked neat but not over-styled and Liam remembered Ryan complaining about Roger being the ‘most boring person ever’. It sure seemed like an accurate description.
    Still, when the neighbor approached Ryan on the porch, they both smiled like best buds.
    “Hi Roger! What brings you here?”
    The man darted a short glance at Liam and nodded in silent acknowledgement of his presence. “I was wondering, do you have some hemp rope maybe?”
    “You’ve come to the right place for rope. Not so unhappy now about living next to a BDSM hotel now, are you?” Liam could hear the triumphant tone in Ryan’s voice as they all went back into the building.
    Roger cleared his throat. “As long as my fiancé doesn’t notice what kind of B&B I border with.” It was meant as a joke, but confirmed Ryan’s opinion of the man. Yep, totally vanilla, in the bad way.
    Ryan just gave a long sigh. “Rod, could you get us some rope from the Tearoom?” he asked as they approached the old-fashioned reception desk. Liam liked that Ryan kept most of the original