And Call Me in the Morning Read Online Free PDF

that.”
     
    “Right.” Taye studied Eli, taking his measure. “Something happened after you left. Dr. Novia left too, so whatever it was, it involved him.”
     
    “Way too hot there, kid. Were you watching us?”
     
    “Nope. I've just been there, is all. I'm not asking for details. If you want me to help, you have to let me help.”
     
    Advice given to every patient. It rankled, but the truth of it couldn't be denied. “Sorry. Proceed.”
     
    “Here's what I think you want to ask,” Taye said slowly, visibly picking and choosing his words. “What was it like for me the first time I realized a guy hit my buttons?”
     
    Eli licked the tip of his finger and pressed it to his chest with a small, mock sizzle. “Except I'm not into guys. Never even crossed my mind, and I'm forty-fucking-three. That's pretty late in the game to experience this particular epiphany.”
     
    “No, it's not.”
     
    “Excuse me?”
     
    Taye shrugged. He popped off the couch and headed for the coffeepot, almost drained dry but with half a Dixie cup's worth in the bottom. He wrinkled his nose at the mess and switched off the pot to make some fresh. “I've known older who still didn't have a clue.”
     
    “I was married.”
     
    “And? There's guys who've been married for thirty years. Twenty. Fifteen. Never at all. You're not exactly unusual.”
     
    Oddly enough, that was good to know.
     
    “But I do get that this is out of the norm for you. Right?”
     
    “Spot on.”
     
    Taye nodded. “So you're not into men. But you're thinking maybe you're into Dr. Novia.” Taye kept it down, which earned him more of Eli's appreciation. “That is what you're getting at, isn't it?”
     
    “Frank little bastard, aren't you?”
     
    “Playing coy is a delaying tactic. You're not the first bi-curious guy I've counseled.” At Eli's puzzled look, Taye explained, “Gay-Straight Alliance in college and then in med school. Trust me, this is old hat.”
     
    “Maybe for you. Not for me.”
     
    “It's not the first time I've heard that, either.”
     
    Fine. Eli cut to the chase. God help him, he was asking to be schooled in romance by a guy half his age. “What should I do? And don't tell me, I already know. You've heard that before too.”
     
    “I have.” Taye reached for the stethoscope hanging around his neck and hung on to both ends. “The answer's usually different each time, though.”
     
    “Great. And in this case?”
     
    Taye shook his head. “It's not my answer. You're the only one who can figure it out.”
     
    Eli let his hands slap down on his thighs. “Well, thank you, Yoda.”
     
    “I wasn't done, asshole. Oh shit. I mean Dr. Jameson.”
     
    “Kid, I think we're way past being polite. Call me Eli.”
     
    “As long as you stop calling me 'kid.'”
     
    “Fair enough.”
     
    Taye tipped him a cockeyed grimace. “Eli. What I can tell you is this: don't let being afraid scare you away from a good friend. You'll regret that more than anything.”
     
    “Is that what you tell all the guys questioning their sexuality?”
     
    “Nope. It's what I tell everyone.” Taye let go of his stethoscope. “Look. I heard what Dr. Holly said to you. Couldn't exactly avoid it, you know? You and Dr. Novia, you do look at each other the way Richie looks at me, and me at him. If I was going to tell you what to do—”
     
    “Which you're not.”
     
    “Which I'm not,” Taye agreed. “It'd be not to make any snap decisions either way. Take your time and think. Because make no mistake, Dr.—Eli. This is huge.”
     
    “Yeah,” Eli said. “I know.”
     
    Taye gestured to indicate he was done. Good enough. “Want some coffee?”
     
    Eli had had enough that he doubted he'd be sleeping that night, but what the hell. The batch Taye had made actually smelled good. “Sure thing.” He wasn't sure what made him ask. “Richie, that's the waiter? He teach you how to make decent coffee?”
     
    “That he did.” Taye