Rebuild My Heart

by Ariel Tachna

  Owen was as alone as Derek was. If they made this work, Derek wouldn’t have to share him with anything except his business. The thought appealed far more than it should.

  “You’re early,” Kit grumbled as he made a beeline for the coffeepot.

  “Not my fault you stayed up too late last night,” Derek replied. He started to make a quip about Kit talking to his boyfriend all night, but the conversation with Owen held him back. “I’m only a few minutes early anyway.”

  “You just want to get to the shop early so you can flirt with Owen,” Kit said.

  Derek did want to see him, to make sure he wasn’t suffering any aftereffects from the beers he’d had the night before. He didn’t tell Kit that, though.

  Kit poured his coffee and wandered back out of the kitchen. Derek caught the pointed look Blake gave Thane, but he didn’t know how to interpret it until Thane huffed and left the kitchen. Blake joined Derek at the table, coffeepot in hand to refill Derek’s cup.

  “You know I deal with a lot of different kids with a lot of different goals and abilities,” Blake said as Derek took another sip of coffee. “One of the things I try to instill in all of them is success comes in many different forms and happiness comes from defining success for yourself rather than letting society define it for you. I can’t tell you how many times people have asked me why I decided to go into teaching instead of some other field. What field it is depends on who I’m talking to and how that person defines success, but my answer is always I can do more good at Henry Clay than I could ever do as an engineer or a lawyer or whatever it is they think I should be doing instead of working in education. Thane could have done something else, as you could have. You both have the intelligence to do anything you wanted to do. You chose something you love, and you’ve built something worth being proud of. People know Dalton Construction here in town. The name stands for something. And yes, it’s Thane’s name on it, but you’ve been beside him every step of the way. Don’t let Marlene’s prejudices take away your pride in that. And if Owen can’t see you for who you are, he’s not worth your time anyway.”

  “Thanks, Blake,” Derek said, voice rough with emotion. He forgot sometimes how clearly Blake saw things, until something like this happened and he was reminded all over again just what it was Thane saw in Blake. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “See that you do. And don’t think this gets you out of introducing us. I’m going to come down to the shop after work someday soon.”

  Derek groaned. Blake smirked at him, but Kit and Phillip came back into the kitchen ready to go, saving Derek from having to reply.

  Chapter Nine

  OWEN woke up before his alarm went off, feeling more well rested than he could remember being in a long time. He stretched slowly, letting memories from the night before flicker through his mind. He squirmed a little at the thought of what Derek must think of him, drunk after just two beers and trying clumsily to seduce him into coming upstairs, but not even the tinge of embarrassment could change how deeply Derek being a gentleman had mattered to him.

  He got out of bed and padded into the bathroom, where the old claw-foot tub brought a smile to his face as it always did. He turned the tap on full to warm up for his shower and stared at himself in the mirror. His normal, boring face looked back, the only point of real interest the turquoise hair, and it was starting to fade. Maybe he’d do purple next time. Or green. He hadn’t done green in a while. It was too early to do the red, white, and blue stripes he did for Fourth of July every year.

  Or maybe he’d be better off letting the color fade and grow out. Derek might not like all the color changes.

  No, you aren’t going down that road again. You are who you are, and if Derek doesn’t like it, then he’s not the one for you. He’d fought long and hard after finally breaking up with his last boyfriend to reestablish his sense of self. He couldn’t let someone else dictate to him again.

  Nor could he just sit back and let someone else make all the decisions. If he was going to be in a relationship, it had to be one of equal partners. Last night had been wonderful, letting Derek make the arrangements and take him out, but he owed it to himself to reciprocate rather than always rely on Derek to arrange their dates.

  Steam rose from the tub, drawing his attention to it. He adjusted the water and flipped the water to the shower nozzle, then stepped in. As he poured out shampoo and began to wash his hair, he debated options for a second date, something he could propose to Derek when he got there this morning. Butterflies turned his stomach as he thought about asking Derek out, but he needed to do it. He needed to show Derek the same care Derek had shown him—and he needed Derek to see him as an equal.

  He could go the ultraromantic route and propose a carriage ride through downtown Lexington, but that was only barely his style. He didn’t see it being Derek’s at all. He could propose another dinner out. Lexington had no shortage of nice restaurants, but that felt like the easy way out, an obvious answer rather than something he’d put real thought into. There was probably something showing at the Kentucky, assuming Derek liked older or art films, but if they did that, it would be harder to talk and get to know each other. The same went for a show at the Opera House or a concert at the Lexington Philharmonic.

  He could see how Derek felt about dancing. The Bar Complex was always fun for a few drinks and a bit of bump and grind, although he wasn’t sure that was date material as much as a prelude to seduction. He certainly wasn’t opposed to seducing Derek, but last night had already shown him that he wouldn’t get far if alcohol was involved, at least not the first time. After they’d been together awhile, things might be different. Derek would be less likely to feel like he was taking advantage of Owen if they were already having sex regularly.

  His face burned beneath the steam at the thought. Despite his musings the night before and the entirety of his relationship with Leroy, he wanted this relationship to be more than just physical. It had felt so good last night to be out on a date with a man who so obviously wanted to be with him, who was interested in his studies and his business, not just in his body. He shook his head at himself. His upbringing had done a number on his self-confidence, no matter how many times he told himself to forget everything his father had ever said to him.

  He still had to decide what to suggest for their next date. The weather had been cooler than usual for June, especially in the evenings. He could put together a collection of finger foods and other nibbles, and they could take a picnic to Gratz Park or Woodland Park. If they went fairly late, they could watch the sunset and see the fireflies come out. It wouldn’t be anything fancy, but Derek wouldn’t have to worry about rushing home to shower and change before they went out. Even if he went in his work clothes, it would be fine.

  He’d do that, and he’d make a point during their next date to talk with Derek and see what other kinds of things he liked to do with his spare time so he could plan something better next time. For all he knew, Derek was a closet romantic who really would appreciate the carriage ride through downtown.

  WHEN they pulled the truck around to the back of the store, Derek found the garage door open and waiting for them. “Start unloading the drywall,” he told Kit and Phillip. “I’m going to let Owen know we’re here.”

  “Of course you are,” Phillip drawled.

  Derek didn’t dignify the comment with an answer, going through the garage to the steps. “Owen?” he called as he stuck his head in the kitchen.

  “In the office,” Owen called back. Derek walked through the kitchen to the back room that held Owen’s office. He rapped on the doorjamb despite the invitation inherent in Owen’s earlier words. Owen looked up, a bright smile on his face.

  “How’s the head this morning?” Derek asked.

  “Fine. I’m a cheap date, but the upside is stopping long before I drink enough to feel it the next day,” Owen replied. “Although I’ll apologize now if I embarrassed you last night. I tend to babble if I’ve had a little
too much to drink.”

  Derek had found it more adorable than off-putting, but he doubted Owen would appreciate the description. “Not at all. I had a good time last night.”

  “I’m glad,” Owen said. “Hopefully that means you’ll be interested in going out with me again. I was thinking we could take a picnic to one of the parks on Sunday. We close at five, so it wouldn’t have to be late, but we could also make it later and watch the sunset.”

  Derek blinked a couple of times, trying to process what he’d just heard. He’d expected many things this morning, but Owen asking him out on a second date hadn’t figured on that list.

  “Or we could do something else if a picnic isn’t your style,” Owen added, his voice falling.

  Damn it. He’d made Owen question his interest. “A picnic sounds great. You just surprised me.”

  “A good surprise?” Owen asked, still sounding unsure. Derek couldn’t have that. He crossed the room in three long strides and held out a hand for Owen. Owen stood and took his hand, so Derek pulled him close and kissed him softly.

  “A wonderful surprise. I’m used to being the one to do all the planning. I won’t complain about sharing that load, though.”

  Owen beamed up at him and tugged on the back of Derek’s neck, so Derek bent to kiss him again. Owen pressed up into the kiss and flicked his tongue along the seam of Derek’s lips, surprising a gasp from him that Owen took advantage of. Derek returned the favor in spades, twining his tongue with Owen’s. Owen moaned softly into Derek’s mouth, the sound sending all Derek’s blood rushing south. He slid his thigh between Owen’s, groaning when he felt the line of Owen’s erection to match his own. Fuck, his timing sucked. He couldn’t pull Owen upstairs and make slow, sweet love to him because Kit and Phillip were downstairs unloading drywall. That might keep them busy for a few minutes, but eventually they’d come looking for him, and he’d never hear the end of it if they caught him making out with Owen.

  Tearing his lips away from Owen’s, he nibbled along his jaw until he reached his ear. “You have no idea how much I want you right now.”

  “I think I have some idea,” Owen replied huskily as he rocked against Derek.

  Derek groaned and slid his hands down Owen’s back to grasp his ass and hold him still. Owen moaned again and rocked back and forth between Derek’s hands and his thigh. “Fuck, you’d tempt a saint, but if I stay up here much longer, Kit and Phillip are going to come looking for me.”

  “We can’t have that,” Owen purred, making no move to pull away.

  “Want to have that picnic tonight instead?” Derek asked.

  “It would have to be late. Mel closed for me last night.”

  “Tomorrow is Saturday. I don’t have to be anywhere early,” Derek offered. “I’ll have to take the boys home, but I can come back whenever you want me to.”

  “We close at eight,” Owen said. “I’ll make a run to the grocery during my lunch break, so we can go as soon as I lock up, no later than eight fifteen. But you can come back and keep me company if you want.”

  “Or go home and clean up.” They were starting to hang the drywall today. He’d be sweaty and covered in dust by the time they were done.

  “Or that,” Owen replied, “although I don’t mind a little sweat.”

  If it were just a little sweat, Derek would take him up on it, but he knew how much work he’d be doing today. “Let’s see how I feel at quitting time.”

  “Are you allergic to anything? Anything you don’t eat?” Owen asked.

  Derek shook his head. “I’ll eat whatever you put in front of me.”

  Owen grinned. “That sounds like a challenge, but I’m not trying to run you off, so I’ll stick to deli meats and cheeses.”

  “Sounds perfect.” He kissed Owen swiftly and took a step back. “And now I have to get to work.”

  “Think of me?” Owen asked.

  Derek’s gut tightened at the evocation of his text last night. “All damn day.”

  “Good.”

  Derek wanted to kiss Owen again so badly he ached with it, but if he started he wouldn’t stop, and he didn’t want to set that kind of an example for the boys. He forced his feet to carry him downstairs and hoped his dungarees were loose enough to hide the boner that hadn’t gone away just yet.

  Kit and Phillip wolf-whistled when he walked downstairs, but they left it at that, so he hoped it was a matter of how long he was gone, not what state he was in now. Of course Owen’s parting shot would keep him on edge until their picnic tonight, but he could think of worse ways to pass the time.

  Chapter Ten

  OWEN grabbed the quilt from the linen closet and carried it down to the kitchen where Derek was waiting. Everything else was ready to go. He’d packed it all up earlier in a small cooler that would be easy to carry the couple of blocks to Gratz Park. “Ready?”

  “Whenever you are,” Derek replied. “Can I help carry something?”

  Owen handed Derek the quilt, grabbed the cooler, and gestured for Derek to precede him out the door. He locked up and tucked his keys into his pocket.

  Owen shifted the cooler to his other hand so he could hold Derek’s hand as they walked. The sun hadn’t set yet, but it was low enough in the sky to have lost most of its intensity, leaving the evening breeze to cool them off as they walked along Third Street toward Gratz Park.

  “It’s the perfect night for a picnic,” Derek observed.

  Owen walked closer, letting his shoulder bump Derek’s. “Being with you makes it that way.” He winced at the clichéd line, but it was heartfelt, and hopefully Derek would realize it.

  “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m glad I did it, whatever it was.”

  Oh good, Owen wasn’t the only one with cheesy lines. “That makes two of us.”

  They walked in comfortable silence the rest of the way to the park. Derek spread the blanket out on the grass beneath one of the oak trees that lined the park while Owen opened the cooler and set out the meats and cheeses he’d bought for their dinner. “I didn’t get wine. I thought lemonade was more in line with a picnic. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “I don’t need alcohol to have a good time,” Derek replied easily.

  Owen flushed but held Derek’s gaze. “Neither do I.”

  Derek grinned, hot and feral, making Owen shiver in anticipation. “Some things are best enjoyed sober.”

  “Like good food?” Owen asked.

  “Or good sex.”

  Owen’s breath caught in his throat. “You shouldn’t say things like that when we’re out in public and can’t do anything about it.”

  “Are you ready to do anything about it in private?” Derek asked seriously. “We haven’t known each other for very long.”

  “Time isn’t always a determining factor,” Owen replied. “You can know someone for weeks or months and discover later you don’t know them at all. And you can know someone else to the depths of their being the moment you meet.”

  “That sounds like the voice of experience talking,” Derek commented.

  Owen shrugged. “Let’s just say my last relationship was one of those not knowing him at all.”

  “What did he do?” Derek asked gruffly.

  Owen didn’t want to talk about Leroy, but Derek’s expression suggested he wouldn’t have much choice. “He told me he loved me, but he was still in the closet, still married, although he said he was getting divorced. I fell for it, cliché as it was. I thought he was different. You probably think that makes me very young or very foolish or both.”

  “Inexperienced, maybe, but love makes fools of us all,” Derek said. “Isn’t that how the quote goes?”

  “Thackeray,” Owen said. “Although it gets attributed to Shakespeare a lot. Sorry, literary geek here.”

  “You won’t hear me complaining,” Derek replied.

  “So yeah, that was my last relationship. All sneaking around and secretive trysts and him telling me he loved me but he just needed a little
more time. You couldn’t be more different than him.”

  “I’m glad to hear that,” Derek said. “I wouldn’t want you to feel anything but good about being with me.”

  Owen reached for Derek’s hand and squeezed it gently. “I don’t think I could. I told you last night no one had ever treated me as well as you did. Now you know why.”

  Derek turned his hand beneath Owen’s to tangle their fingers together. “Let’s eat, and then we can see what else I can do to treat you better than anyone else ever has.”

  Owen liked the sound of that.

  “YOU’RE not the only one with an embarrassing relationship story,” Derek said later, after they’d finished eating and were enjoying the twilight and the stars beginning to appear overhead.

  “Oh?” Owen asked, his voice betraying mild curiosity.

  “Yeah,” Derek said. “I was twenty-three. Thane and I had been working construction for five years, whatever crew would hire us, and we were tired of living paycheck to paycheck. Thane got the idea to open Dalton Construction. We scraped together every penny we had plus everything we could beg or borrow from everyone we knew, and then we took out the biggest loan the bank would give us so we would have enough money to start the business. ‘No job too small’ was our motto at first, and anything we could do ourselves with nothing but the tools we already owned and the supplies the customer would pay for was our favorite kind of job. We’d been doing that for about six months, starting to get established and able to work on paying off the loan, when we got our first big contract. It was still a remodel, not building from scratch, but it was to turn an old warehouse into a multiunit condo complex. It was a big job, but the payout from it would be enough to allow us to get free of the startup loan and start investing in the equipment we would need to dig foundations and that sort of thing.”