Texas Sun

by Sara York

  “Don’t play like you don’t like it. I’ll shove you into the back stall, and we’ll have some fun. You like fun, don’t you?”

  “Stop,” Andries yelled again.

  This time, the dude clamped his hand over Andries’ mouth and squeezed his nose. He couldn’t breathe. Panic raced through him, and he opened his mouth and bit down on the guy’s finger. That earned him a smack to the head. The big dude shoved him hard, pushing him to the ground. Andries scrambled to standing, trying to find an escape. He couldn’t run past the dude, or he’d be grabbed. If he went deeper into the bathroom, he’d just be trapped. There was no way to get free.

  The man started to undo his belt buckle. “I’m going to enjoy this. Who would have ever guessed party favors were included?”

  “I’m not a party favor. Leave me alone.”

  “You heard him,” Gresh’s voice boomed through the bathroom.

  The man turned and sneered. “Like you aren’t poking him in your spare time. Bet you all tied him up and had a go during Christmas Eve.”

  “Leave my son-in-law alone,” Gresh snarled.

  “Oh my, so the common whore married up. You do know what he is.”

  “No,” Gresh stepped closer. “He’s not a whore. He may have been forced to make decisions when he lived on his own, but Andries isn’t a whore.”

  The guy waved his hand and sneered. “Just leave us alone, old man, and let me show him how a real man fucks.”

  “He already knows,” Lafferty said as he stepped up and wrapped his arm over Andries’ shoulder. “He is a real man, and he’s mine. You should leave.”

  “I’m not leaving until I get a piece of your ass.”

  Someone stepped into the bathroom and cleared their throats. “I think it’s time for you to go.” Jump stood in the doorway with two police officers. “I heard enough to get the cops. You should go, Whitley.”

  “I’m not ever giving another cent to your charity, and I’m going to tell everyone your whore of a son-in-law tried to suck my dick, and when I wouldn’t let him, he threatened me.”

  “Go ahead,” Jump said. “Except I set my phone in here on record when I stepped in the first time. You see, video evidence trumps hearsay every time. You screwed up.”

  “You had no right to record me,” Whitley yelled.

  “You had no right to demand I fuck you,” Andries screamed.

  “You’ll never be anything but a two-bit whore.” Spit flew from Whitley’s mouth as he walked out.

  Lafferty pulled Andries into a hug, holding him tight. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, he’s right. I was a whore.”

  Lafferty pushed him to arm’s length and shook his head. “I did that shit too. Don’t tell me I’m worthless because I fucked men so I could eat.”

  Andries drew in a slow breath. Lafferty was the kindest, smartest man he knew, and he wasn’t a whore. Andries fight anyone who called Lafferty that.

  “Look at me,” Lafferty whispered. “You’re a good person. Come on, let’s go somewhere and talk.”

  Andries followed Lafferty outside. It was chilly out, but not cold. He could get used to living down here. He hadn’t expected his past to catch up to him. How did that guy even recognize him, and why did he think he could get sex in the bathroom? Was he so much of a loser guys thought they could force him to suck or fuck them?

  “Hey, Andries, I know what Whitley did was upsetting, but I want you to know I care about you.”

  “He was going to force me to fuck him.” He choked back a sob, his stomach clenching. “I feel so dirty.”

  “You aren’t dirty. We both did what we did to survive. I can’t condemn you because I know what you were up against. It’s tough to be in a position where you have to either choose starvation or getting paid to have sex.”

  A memory hit Andries, and he clenched his fists to keep from cringing. He’d not told anyone about what had happened. That night would forever be etched in his memories, but he wouldn’t ever admit what part he’d played in the death of a man.

  “Look, Andries, you’re a good guy.”

  He sucked in a breath, pushing away the thoughts of the man he’d as good as killed. “I don’t know.”

  “I do. You’re not a bad guy. You’re making the best of this situation, and you’re going to come out on top.”

  He stepped away from Lafferty then turned back. “I don’t know. I want to believe good things can happen, but I’m afraid…” The words wouldn’t come.

  “Of what?”

  He should tell Lafferty, but he was too scared. What he’d done had gotten a man killed. The memory hit him front and center. The cold had taken his breath and almost taken his soul. Everyone was shivering. Few people were out, and the city had grown quiet. A few other homeless kids had been able to sleep, but he hadn’t passed out, hadn’t been able to. Then there was a small sound, almost like a cat mewling. But it wasn’t a cat. The words became clearer the longer he’d listened.

  A part of him wanted to stay put and ignore the pathetic cries for help, but the voice grew more desperate. He’d stood and moved to the stairs, not even having to deal with rats because it was so cold. The noise grew louder, and he worried about what he would find.

  The metal stair rail had been cold on his fingers, the door handle like ice. The stench from the bathroom down the hall almost knocked him on his ass and burned his eyes. Two dead mice hung from a light fixture. He’d paused, staring at the curling wallpaper that had faded so much the pattern was gone. The voice cried out again. His knees shook from the cold and with fear. He almost turned around, but the person sounded young.

  With his heart in his throat, Andries had pushed the door, but it wouldn’t move. He laid his shoulder against the solid surface and shoved. It gave way, and his heart stopped.

  “Hey, Andries, you looked like you were a million miles away,” Lafferty said. “I got you another beer. They’re dancing now, and Whitley is gone. Let’s go have some fun.”

  “Um, sure.” He drank a swig of beer, wishing those memories could be erased like the tape on a recording. He should never have gone looking to help because he sure as hell had made it worse for everyone.

  Lafferty pulled him out onto the dance floor, holding him close for the slow dances. A little after ten, the music changed, and the rhythm sped up. Lafferty’s eyes grew bright as he matched the speed of the music. Most of the older crowd left the dance floor. Andries noticed a few other gay couples dancing.

  The night seemed to melt away as they moved to the music. When they left, he was worked up. Once at the condo, Lafferty helped him undress and then walked him to the shower. They made love slowly, finishing in bed, surrounded by candlelight and comfort.

  The next morning they cleaned the condo and returned Andries’ tux before heading to the ranch. It was good to be in the country again. He wished he could never leave. The days flew past, and Lafferty had his meeting. He wasn’t sure what happened, but Lafferty was quiet when he came out of the meeting.

  Saying goodbye to his new family, which wasn’t really his family, was harder than he’d thought it would be. He’d had to wipe tears from his eyes multiple times.

  On the flight home, he was seated next to his man. So much had happened since they’d flown into town. He felt more secure in his relationship with Lafferty. They were on a path where everything in his life would change. Maybe he could find the peace he’d been missing since his parents kicked him out. He just needed his past to stay in the past and his future to move him away from the reminders about who he’d been on the streets.

  Chapter Eleven

  Being in Texas with Andries had been beyond anything he’d ever experienced. He had scheduled time with Bruce and Jump to discuss placing him in a new role in the company. He didn’t want to travel as much, and he needed to spend more time with his new boyfriend who everyone thought was his husband.

  This was all going to blow up in his face if he didn’t get it taken care of. No question, he
was falling in love with Andries. They really were good together. Maybe he’d ask him to get married soon, and they could spend some time together overseas before they moved to Texas.

  The first morning back in New York, Andries was up early, heading to work. He almost told Andries he didn’t need to work, but he knew the man wanted to do something to earn money.

  He set up plans to travel to London, Paris, and Germany. He would be gone for two weeks. He hated being away, but he needed to wrap a few things up.

  Jump called around noon, and he answered, knowing he couldn’t put off this conversation.

  “Hey, Lafferty, what’s up?” Jump asked.

  “I need to talk to you and Bruce about changing my position at the company. I know you can’t switch me to something else right now, but I’d like to not have to travel so much.”

  Silence met him. When it stretched on, he worried he’d screwed up big time. He was about to open his mouth and talk when Jump started speaking.

  “I’m not surprised. Your man is special,” Jump said.

  “I like him a lot,” Bruce said.

  “Hey Bruce, I didn’t know you were there. And you’re right, Andries is special.”

  “Okay, how about we discuss this next week and let us get some idea of what we need to do to replace you.”

  “Thank you,” Lafferty said as relief flowed through him.

  “You’re welcome,” Bruce said. “Oh, and we need to get Andries’ information so we can add him to your insurance.”

  Oh God, he hadn’t even considered insurance for Andries or anything else because they weren’t really married. He was fucked. He’d told everyone they were married and they weren’t. Shit, what if someone looked for his documents?

  “Um, sure. Give me a bit, and I’ll get the process started.”

  “Sure,” Jump said. “Just do it sometime in the next month. And Lafferty, don’t stress about your position change, we’ll work something out.”

  “But you’re stressing about it, right?”

  “Um…” Jump didn’t have anything to say about his statement.

  “We’ll figure something out,” Bruce said.

  “Thank you, guys. I’ll send you information about my trip and who I plan on talking to.”

  “Thank you,” Bruce said.

  He hung up, still holding his breath. He let it go in an explosive rush, wishing he could figure out a way to go back in time and take back the lie about him being married to Andries. He was falling for him, but this pressure of keeping their secret was nearly too much.

  Work called, and he needed to accomplish tasks before his first set of meetings this afternoon. Somehow he made it through the workday and was at home when Andries came in. He looked exhausted.

  “Long day?” Lafferty asked.

  “So long.” Andries plopped down and pulled off his shoes and socks.

  “Do you want a beer?” Lafferty asked.

  “Sure.”

  “So tell me how it went.” Lafferty placed an open bottle of beer in front of Andries and moved to stand behind him and rub his shoulders.

  “People are mean.”

  “You knew that from living on the streets.”

  Andries took a sip of his beer then snorted. “You got that right. I just thought once I had cleaned up, maybe people would be nicer, but no, they aren’t.”

  “What happened?”

  “I had to deliver a package to this one lady, and she sent me back, saying she hadn’t been given everything. Of course, she had, and the owner of the store got mad at me. I’m just the runner, I’m not the person in charge of filling the order.” Andries took another swig of beer. “Then she refused to pay. I had to talk about it with my boss at the store. She wasn’t impressed. Finally, the old woman paid and admitted everything had been delivered. Today sucked. But I did have one bright spot.”

  “Really? Tell me.” Lafferty sat next to him and opened his own beer.

  “I made two hundred dollars delivering packages.”

  Lafferty squeezed his shoulder. “I’m impressed.”

  “My boss said I’m the hardest worker they’ve ever had. Most people don’t deliver as many packages as fast.”

  “I’m proud of you.”

  “I also mailed in my application to a college.”

  “Really?” Lafferty asked. “Which one?”

  “It’s in Texas. I had to write an essay.”

  “What did you write on?”

  Andries blew out a breath. “Being homeless. I talked about how hard it was to find food, and how I had to do things I didn’t want to just to survive.”

  “I’m proud of you. You’re awesome, you know that?” Lafferty asked.

  Andries shook his head. “I’m really not. I’m just lucky.”

  “No, I think you’ve had some nasty stuff happen, and it has changed your outlook, but you’re more than just lucky, you’re a great guy.”

  Andries’ eyes narrowed, and his lips thinned. “I don’t know.”

  “I do. Everything I’ve seen shows you’re kind, compassionate, sweet, loving.”

  Pain flashed over Andries’ face, making Lafferty’s heart stutter. Something was going on inside Andries’ mind, and he wanted to find out about it. But tonight wasn’t the time.

  “Let’s get some food,” Lafferty said.

  “Sure, I could make something.”

  “No babe. I’ll order in. Asian food?”

  Andries nodded and stood. “I’m going to take a quick shower. I’ll be done soon.”

  “Sure,” Lafferty called in the order, wishing he knew what was bugging Andries.

  The food arrived just minutes after Andries finished in the bathroom. They settled at the table, and he broke open the packages. Andries seemed hungry.

  “Did you get lunch today?”

  “I ate on the run. I didn’t really have time.”

  “Make sure to stop tomorrow.”

  Andries shrugged. “I need to earn enough money.”

  “I know it’s daunting.”

  “I don’t know how I’m going to pay for college.”

  “I’m sure you’ll get a scholarship.”

  Andries sighed. “I hope so. I need to take the ACT soon.”

  “We’ll get the test set up for you.”

  “It’s just a timing thing.”

  “Hey, you’re not paying rent right now, and I’ll leave you with some cash while I’m gone?”

  Andries stopped his fork midway to his mouth as he hit Lafferty with a worried look. “Gone?”

  “Overseas. It’s for two weeks.”

  Andries set his fork down and moved closer. Lafferty turned, and Andries knelt in front of him. “I can’t believe we won’t be together.”

  He cupped Andries’ cheek. “We’ll still be together, but I’ll just be in Europe for a few weeks, then I’ll be back here. I talked to Jump and Bruce, and they know I want to change jobs.”

  “What did they say?” Andries asked as he moved to his chair.

  “They’re looking for a new position for me. They understand I don’t want to travel as much. They’re fine with it.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. I need to be near you.”

  “Why?”

  Lafferty took a bite and watched Andries. The man didn’t realize at all how alluring he was, or how much he wanted him.

  “I feel things for you, and I don’t want to be without you.”

  “I don’t want to fuck things up.” Andries hung his head.

  Was there was something deeper Andries wasn’t telling him. Lafferty watched him, trying to decipher every nuance of his movements, but Andries kept his expression shuttered.

  They finished eating, and Andries helped him clean up. Once they had their trash thrown away and their silverware clean, he pulled Andries to the bedroom and sucked him. He didn’t want to lose his connection with Andries, and though sex wasn’t the only thing that would increase their connection, he knew lack of sex could di
srupt what they had.

  He drifted off to dreams of Andries. When he woke the next morning, Andries was already up and getting ready for the day.

  “Hey, love, you’re up early,” Lafferty said as he poured a mug of coffee.

  “The store needs me to do some inventory this morning. I said I would help.”

  Lafferty took a sip of his coffee and nodded. It felt like they were in some weird land where time went too fast and dragged on at the same time. He wanted Andries to be home with him all the time, but he also understood the man’s need to work. He’d been denied work for so long, and now he could get a job. Andries would want to keep it.

  Andries took off, and Lafferty prepared for the day. Soon he’d be headed to Europe, and then he would really miss his man. How had everything changed so much in such a short time?

  Chapter Twelve

  Though the store usually only sent him a few blocks away, this delivery was deep in downtown and at an office building. The weather had cleared, and the sun was shining, warming him. He felt on top of the world. Soon, Lafferty would be home, and they’d be together again. He hadn’t slept as well since the man had left. It was odd how used to Lafferty he was. They’d spent a few weeks together, and yet he felt like he really knew the man.

  The elevator was mostly empty. When the doors slid open, there was only a receptionist desk with one person sitting at it.

  “Can I help you?” she asked.

  “Yes, I’m delivering a package to a Mr. White.”

  “Oh, you mean Jace. He said someone would be coming to deliver a package. It’s through these doors.” She stood and opened the door for him and pointed him down the hall. “Last one on the right.”

  He stepped through and the door shut behind him. Andries took a few steps then slowed. Something was off. The place felt empty. The doors were all shut, but there was little to no noise. He moved to one of the doors on the left and pushed it open. The office was empty. No desk, no chairs, nothing.

  Andries swallowed over the fear and kept going, thinking this was a setup. The elevator dinged, and he paused, waiting for the receptionist to speak. No one spoke. Maybe he couldn’t hear her voice through the door, but he had heard the elevator.