by Sara York
He paid for and rented the car, a huge SUV, and Matthew handed him a few hundred dollars cash.
“So you have the money,” Lafferty said. “You just don’t want the responsibility of renting the vehicle.” Lafferty chuckled and Matthew rolled his eyes.
“Let’s just say I fly under the radar these days.”
“Speaking of being stealthy, did you fly in? How can you fly under the radar if you fly commercial?”
Matthew chuckled but didn’t answer. Lafferty still wondered about the timing of the shooting in New York, but he didn’t say anything to Matthew. He figured the less he knew, the better. He cut his gaze to his brother, then turned back to the road. Matthew had secrets, but Lafferty didn’t want to know them.
“So, Andries, where did you two meet and when?” Matthew asked.
Lafferty glanced in the rearview mirror and saw the wide-eyed stare Andries gave him. They’d thought of a lot of stuff, but they hadn’t made up a story about how they met.
“Hmmm, interesting,” Matthew said. “You two need to work on your story.”
“We don’t have a story, only truth,” Lafferty said.
“Bull shit. Dude, I have resources. There is no marriage between the two of you.”
Lafferty slowed and pulled over as his heart rate spiked. “Matthew, were you checking up on me.”
“Oh God, I’m sorry,” Andries said. “I didn’t mean to cause you any problems.”
“Andries, it’s okay. Matthew won’t be a problem.”
“You better tell me everything,” Matthew looked from him to Andries. His expression was unforgiving.
“I shouldn’t have—”
“Don’t, Andries.” Lafferty turned and put his hand on Andries’ knee. “Matthew will listen to me.”
“Okay, tell me while we drive,” Matthew said. We’re going to be late if we don’t get a move on.”
“I’m homeless,” Andries blurted out.
“His dad and stepmom kicked him out because he’s gay. That was a few years ago.”
“So, how did you meet him?” Matthew asked.
“A few weeks ago during a storm, someone was at my door—”
“In the shit apartment you rent?” Matthew interrupted him.
Lafferty rolled his eyes. “I like living there. Anyway, something bumped against my door, and I opened it. Andries was there. The storm was bad, and I asked him in.”
Andries met his gaze and smiled. “He took pity on me.”
“At first, but now I want you around.”
“So, what’s going on?” Matthew asked.
“He lied for me,” Andries said.
Matthew turned to Lafferty, a deep frown on his lips.
“Lafferty let me clean up, and he was kind. He was the first guy who didn’t make me fuck him or blow him for a shower or food. I had on his clothes while mine dried, and he took me out for breakfast. I didn’t look homeless, I actually looked like a normal person. My dad strolled in, and I lied. I couldn’t let my dad know I was some worthless homeless bum. I wanted to show him I had value. I wanted him to know that even with him kicking me out, I could accomplish something. So I told him we were married. I didn’t think my dad would ever see us again.”
“We didn’t mean for it to go this far,” Lafferty said.
“How did Gresh find out?” Matthew asked.
“I didn’t know he was the contact with Premiere Media,” Lafferty said.
“I didn’t mean for it to get this complicated.” Andries’ voice wobbled a bit as he spoke.
“Hey,” Lafferty said. “I’m glad we were thrown together.”
“You’d better hope the media doesn’t find out about this. The two of you will be crucified.”
“Are you going to tell anyone?” Lafferty asked.
“Heck no. I don’t want a piece of the drama.” Matthew faced forward, disappointment radiating from him. “Let’s get a move on. I want some food.”
Lafferty pulled back onto the road, and they continued on their way to the ranch. Lafferty prayed his brother kept his word. The last thing he needed was someone finding out his and Andries’ relationship was fake.
They didn’t say much until he saw the sign for Crazy Hills. Matthew reached over and patted his shoulder.
“Brother, I won’t say anything. Trust me. The last thing I want is to upset our dads. I can’t judge you. You’ve done what you believed best.”
Lafferty turned onto the property and slowed as he turned to stare at his brother. “You probably know a lot about making difficult decisions.
Matthew’s lips thinned even more. “You have no idea.”
Lafferty lifted his brows and turned back to the road. He pulled up to the house and parked. When he glanced back, Andries looked like he was in heaven.
“Are you kidding me?” Andries asked.
“What?” both he and Matthew asked.
“This place is freaking amazing. Why are you living anywhere in the world other than here?”
Matthew shrugged and Lafferty sighed. “I love this place, but there are few gay men.”
“My work is important,” Matthew said. “It keeps me away from here.”
Lafferty held back his snort. Whatever Matthew was into, he didn’t want a piece of it. If anyone asked questions, the less he knew, the better.
“Let’s go in,” Matthew said.
Lafferty sighed. “Sure.”
They climbed out of the SUV, and Andries turned around, looking totally overwhelmed. His gaze landed on Lafferty, and he shook his head.
“When you said they had a ranch, I imagined a small house with maybe a barn. This is huge. What kind of ranch is this?”
“They run a dude ranch during the spring and summer.”
Matthew put his arm around Lafferty’s neck and pulled him close. “Brother, I love you, and if you need anything, tell me. I’ll keep this between us.”
Lafferty patted him on the chest. “I got your back, too.”
Matthew’s lips pulled tight in a feral grin. Lafferty didn’t want to know what the grin was about. Matthew had changed. He wasn’t the same kid as he’d been way back when, but neither was Lafferty.
“Lane said they were having the party in the main dining hall,” Matthew said. “Let’s go. I’m starving.”
Lafferty took Andries’ hand and led him over to the door. “You ready?”
“No.”
He leaned in quick and kissed Andries’ cheek. “It’ll be okay.”
“We should have come up with our story.”
“I know,” Lafferty said.
“Hey, get in here,” Matthew called out.
He dropped Andries’ hand and held open the door for the guy everyone thought was his husband. His heart squeezed. Why had he stayed away so long? He missed this place and his family. It had been too hard to come home and come to terms with the emotions inside. It was crazy he felt so lost and confused, but he’d been so restless here. Now, something had changed. Andries had evened out the hard edges, making this easier for him. He would be stupid to let this man walk away.
Lafferty spied Bruce and Jump next to one of the Christmas trees. Gresh was there too, looking good even though Lafferty knew he still had trouble with his balance at times. Eric had his arm around Sterling, and their love was easy to see. Daniel was playing with Angela and Robert. Kip was standing close with his eyebrows raised as he watched the kids. Jamie was talking to Lane, and they both laughed. Their new ranch hand, Christopher, stepped from the kitchen carrying a tray of food. This was home.
Gresh and Lane both looked up, their smiles wide. They headed their way, followed by everyone else except Christopher, the new ranch hand.
Lafferty smiled and stepped forward, his throat closing with emotions. “Dads. God, I’ve missed you.” He wrapped his arms around Lane then Matthew pushed him out of the way to hug Lane. Lafferty looked back and grabbed Andries’ hand. “I want you to meet Andries, my husband.” Andries could be the solution to his
problems. He didn’t want to get too worked up thinking everything would be okay. Maybe being home had him feeling this way, though he believed Andries played a considerable part in the emotions running through him.
Lane pulled Andries into a hug, and then Gresh did too. They were treating Andries like family. Lafferty’s heart beat faster, and a thrill shot through him. He wished this was real.
Daniel was there, his lips twisted into a curious smirk. “Why did you get married.”
“Yeah, why?” Angela and Robert said at the same time.
“Hey guys,” Lafferty bent down and hugged his brother then patted Kip and Jamie’s kids on the head. “It’s good to see you.”
Daniel huffed out a breath. “Dad and Pop said they were going to make you talk.”
He looked at Lane and Gresh, and a shiver worked its way through him. He knew his dads. They would keep pressing. He and Andries needed to come up with some story. Maybe something close to the truth.
“Lafferty, it’s good to see you in person,” Bruce said as he pulled him into a hug.
“Same here. So how are you enjoying the work gig?”
“I like it,” Bruce said. “Congratulations, by the way. How are you enjoying married life?”
Lafferty didn’t know how to answer the question. Should he say he liked it? Was it even the truth? And how could married life be different?
“Love it,” Lafferty said.
“Good answer.” Bruce and Jump chuckled then hugged him before stepping away. “We want to hear all about how you two met.”
“Maybe later,” Matthew said. “Right now, it looks like the food is ready and I’m ready to eat.”
Bruce hugged Matthew, followed by Jump. They both stepped back and looked Matthew up and down.
“I swear,” Jump said as he shook his head. “You get bigger every time I see you.”
Matthew chuckled and draped his arm over Jump’s shoulder. “I think I do. It’s all the good food I’m consuming.”
“So who is cooking you the good food?” Lane asked.
“I see what you’re doing.” Matthew stepped away and headed over to the table with the food before turning back, a huge smile on his face. “How about we play twenty questions later.”
Lafferty was happy for the distraction. He needed to get with Andries and figure out what to tell his dads. Andries seemed nervous. Lafferty held out his hand for his fake husband. The feel of Andries’ hand in his made him smile. He swallowed over the emotions as Andries stepped close.
“You look nervous,” Lafferty said.
“I am. We need a story.”
“After lunch, I’ll take you out to the barn, and we can figure something out.”
Andries nodded but didn’t say anything. They should have planned better. He’d been stupid to think they would accept he was with Andries and not ask a million questions.
The conversation around the table was light, and no one brought up the subject of how they met. It was great being here. He hadn’t grown up on the ranch, but he had spent a few Christmases with Lane and Gresh, so it felt good to be back.
The talk was kept light and laughter flowed with the wine. When he met Andries’ gaze, happiness filled him. Could he really have found the perfect guy for him leaning against his door? Life didn’t usually work out so well for him. Good things didn’t drop in people’s laps. His heart skipped a beat. Good had dropped in his lap when Lane had found him. Finding the perfect guy for him may be easy. Maybe not easy because he’d found so many who weren’t good in clubs, but finding Andries seemed like a miracle.
After they finished eating, he rinsed dishes and loaded them in the industrial washer. Matthew was the brute muscle, carrying anything heavy. Andries helped clean up, asking Lane where things went. In about twenty minutes, they had the place clean.
“We’re going to take naps,” Lane announced before he turned to Lafferty. “Then tonight, you two can fill us in on how you met. We want to hear the whole story.”
Lafferty’s stomach twisted. “Sure, sounds great.”
Lane left the kitchen, leaving him with Matthew and Andries. The smile on Matthew’s face made him want to hit the guy.
“You two better come up with something fast.” Matthew tossed the blue and white checked towel he’d been holding at Lafferty. “You are so going to burn for this.”
“Hey, you’re not being fair,” Lafferty called out at his retreating back.
Andries put his arm around Lafferty and rested his head on his shoulder. “It’s okay. We should tell them the truth.”
Lafferty took his hand and tugged him toward the exit. “Come on.”
The barn wasn’t too far away, and they were inside in minutes. The earthy scent of dirt and hay along with the musk of horse got to Lafferty, and his throat closed. So much of what Andries had gone through, Lafferty had experienced, too. But he’d been saved by Lane and Gresh. If he hadn’t lived here, he never would have gone to college, or become the man he was.
Lafferty turned, his heart hurting for Andries. “If your dad finds out, he’ll never help you.”
Andries grimaced. “He wasn’t ever going to help me anyway.”
Desperation filled Lafferty. “We can tell them how we met and just back it up a few weeks.”
“No. They’ll see through it.”
“They won’t, we can make this work.”
“Lafferty, it’s time we accept it won’t. We can’t lie to them. I like them, and I don’t deserve a family like this — I don’t deserve you. You’re all too good.”
Lafferty moved fast, pushing Andries up against the wall. His chest heaved as anger filled him. “I’m not good.”
Andries cupped his cheek. “You are.”
“No, I’m not.” Being this close to Andries was intoxicating. Usually, he picked big guys who would push him around, but Andries was so freaking hot.
“I’m the one who is a homeless idiot.”
The words made Lafferty madder, and for some reason, his cock harder. “You’re not an idiot.”
“I’m homeless,” Andries wailed. “How could anyone—”
He wasn’t going to allow Andries to finish the statement. Their lips mashed together, then Andries opened. Lafferty didn’t just kiss him. He forced his tongue in, fucking Andries’ mouth like he wanted to fuck his ass.
Andries shivered, and it made Lafferty even hotter. He tugged up Andries’ shirt and plastered his hands on his abs before working his way lower to Andries’ jeans. He pulled on the button and then the zipper, opening his jeans up before he dropped to the ground and sucked Andries into his mouth, going all the way to the base. His cock sucking skills had been developed in bathhouses across the globe, and Andries was the perfect size for him. He couldn’t believe he was on his knees in front of the man who turned him on like no other, but here he was, sucking hard as his hand came up to play with Andries’ balls.
Andries’ hands were in his hair, holding him close and tugging on the strands. Lafferty was going to come. Andries moaned, the sound going to Lafferty’s balls. The urge to come hit so hard he reached down and fumbled with his pants. His rhythm was shit now, and he had saliva dripping from his mouth as Andries pumped in hard, grunting with each thrust.
Lafferty freed his cock and didn’t even get his fingers wrapped around it before he came, his come splatting on the floor between Andries’ feet.
Andries’ hold was unforgiving as he shoved his cock down Lafferty’s throat so his balls were on Lafferty’s chin as he came. Lafferty didn’t gag once, which made him proud. He could take whatever Andries had to give.
The hold on his head softened, and he pulled off, wiping his chin on the back of his hand as he looked up at Andries. Their gazes were locked as he slowly came to standing and leaned in, cupping Andries’ cheek.
“So fucking fantastic.”
The door opened, and he glanced back over his shoulder, seeing Lane step in. Lafferty stepped closer to Andries, protecting him.
“Oh,” Lane said, then looked them up and down, and his face went red. “Oh, I didn’t…” Lane turned around and stepped out before Lafferty could stop him.
“Oh God, your dad will hate me,” Andries said.
“No, he thinks we’re married. He’ll just think we couldn’t help ourselves.” Lafferty turned back to face Andries.
He ran his thumb over Andries’ lower lip before he leaned in and caught it between his teeth. After a long, sexy, slow kiss, he pulled away and then helped Andries tuck his dick into his underwear and pants.
“Our story, we should keep it simple,” Andries said.
“Let’s just tell them we met months ago and fell fast. Keep the details the same and adjust the dates. Say we met a few months before your dad saw us.”
“I feel bad about lying,” Andries said.
“Hey, we care for each other, right?” Lafferty toyed with the front of Andries’ shirt.
“Yes.” Andries lifted up and kissed Lafferty’s chin.
“Then let’s not let the details get in the way. No one will care.”
He took Andries’ hand and led him outside. Lane was sitting on the porch in a rocking chair. He smirked as they stepped onto the patio. Andries’ face was beet red, and he couldn’t look at Lane.
“Hey, Dad,” Lafferty said.
“It’s nice out. Maybe you two can go for a ride later. Oh wait, didn’t you just do that.”
Lafferty gasped, and his mouth fell open. “Jesus, Dad.”
Lane stood and made his way down the porch steps. “The barn is a public space, Dude. You have a bedroom for a reason.”
Andries’ looked like he might cry. Lafferty pulled him close, hating how he’d caused his man pain.
“It’s okay,” Lafferty said.
“Oh, God, they hate me.”
“No, they don’t.” Lafferty cupped his cheeks, his heart breaking for his man. “Let them get to know you.”
“It’s all a lie. I shouldn’t have come here. Hell, I shouldn’t have stayed at your place. I’ve been on the streets too long, and I can’t adapt to this, to living with people.”
Lafferty grabbed his shoulders and held him at arm’s length. “Don’t for a minute feel that way. I’m glad you stumbled into my life. Trust me, my dads have had enough sex to write a movie about or at least a few books. I can assure you this is not the first time the barn has been used for sex. I’m positive Lane has gotten a blowjob there.”