Homecoming Hearts Series Collection

by HJ Welch

  Every other weekend he spent with the fire department, and on the Saturdays he wasn’t riding with them he had a few houses around the neighborhood he visited to cut the lawn or do any odd jobs that needed heavy lifting or reaching up high.

  All in all, Gabe lived a full and busy life, interacting with hundreds of people on a weekly basis. He considered himself very lucky, even if sometimes he felt drained from running around everywhere.

  Especially because he knew that without being so distracted, he probably would have driven himself utterly and completely insane the past few weeks at hearing nothing at all from Joey after they had slept together.

  He got that Joey was skittish and going through a lot. And the play was probably keeping him really busy. But for the love of god, would it have killed him to drop Gabe a line? He would have taken a wave emoji or even the smiley poop one.

  Every time Gabe tried to tell himself that there was technically nothing stopping him from sending a text, he held back. He’d made his feelings pretty clear to Joey. He wanted to see him again. But he also had to be sensible. Joey was fragile, and not someone for Gabe to be messing around with during his rebound from Lewis.

  Still, it didn’t stop him from daydreaming forlornly, wishing Joey would take the decision out of his hands and make contact.

  He was thinking something along those lines when he strolled into the library at nine that Wednesday morning. The library opened at seven, but he wasn’t needed much before nine when the public generally started drifting in. He was surprised to see Mitch already looking stressed at the desk with a woman he vaguely recognized as one of the moms from art class.

  As Gabe approached, Mitch glanced over at him. This caused the woman to look too, giving Gabe full view of her face. He realized she was Pompeii Slater’s mom, Debbie. Pompeii was a sweet girl with an obsession with pandas and glitter.

  While Pompeii always greeted him with a shriek and a hug, her mom gave him a brief scowl before quickly smoothing it out and turning back around to the desk.

  “Thank you for your time, Mr. Curtis,” Debbie said stiffly to Mitch. She flipped her blond hair and pulled out some big, fluffy earmuffs as she marched past Gabe and out the front doors.

  Gabe turned back to Mitch and gave him a raised eyebrow as he approached. “Everything okay?”

  Mitch scoffed and shook his head. “Nothing you need to worry about,” he said.

  Gabe narrowed his eyes as he took his bag from his shoulder and placed it by the desk. Mitch’s cheeks were red and he was scowling. Whatever Pompeii’s mom had said had clearly shaken him. Mitch never got rattled unless his dog had chewed through another remote control or his wife was mad at him. Normally because the dog chewed up the remote. Nothing else seemed to ever faze him.

  “Really?” Gabe asked, making his skepticism clear.

  Mitch sighed and glanced towards the door where Debbie Slater had departed. “She was checking your credentials. Making sure you were fit to work with kids.”

  Gabe felt like he’d had a bucket of cold water dropped on his head. “What?” he stammered. “What did you tell her?”

  Mitch huffed. “That you were fully qualified, of course. There’s no way you could be involved with any of the classes if you weren’t.”

  But that wasn’t strictly true. While Gabe didn’t have a criminal record, he’d never officially been vetted by the local police. Still, that shouldn’t give anyone reason to be concerned.

  “Why would she care about that?” Gabe asked. “Did something happen? Was there a complaint?” Mitch’s expression confirmed his suspicions though. Gabe’s heart sank. “It’s because I’m gay. Isn’t it?”

  “I told her I wouldn’t stand and listen to a bunch of claptrap,” Mitch said gruffly as he fussed with his old Rolodex. “Said you were perfectly capable and everyone loves you. Sent her on her way.”

  “Right,” said Gabe.

  He could hear his voice was flat though. God fucking damn it. It never failed to shock him just how shitty it felt when someone equated his being gay to being a pervert. Like who he was attracted to automatically made him a danger to children.

  He swallowed bile in his throat. Mitch looked at him with pity, which only made things worse. “How about some tea?” Mitch asked. Gabe agreed, mostly so it would get his friend away and stop him looking at Gabe like that.

  Gabe loved the art club. He didn’t want to even think about giving it up. But he wasn’t going to have anyone accusing him of something so disgusting as being a danger to their kids. That would be a serious risk to the library’s reputation, and people relied on this place for so much.

  He shook himself and tried to regain some composure before Mitch returned. Debbie hadn’t officially demanded anything like his resignation, and even if she did, she was just a private citizen. She didn’t have any power. Just a big mouth and a bad attitude.

  When Mitch returned, Gabe took the green tea and sipped it while it was still a bit too hot. It meant he could put off discussing what had just happened. Mitch took the hint, and eventually he started chatting about the Halloween decorations he was putting up at home and what his grandkids were dressing up as for trick-or-treating. Good company and warm tea meant that Gabe’s mood thawed, and he felt able to start some work for the day.

  Really, what did it matter what one woman thought? It sucked that she’d taken time from her day to come to Gabe’s job and cast aspersions, but hopefully this would be the end of it now. He couldn’t really see her trying to pull the same stunt at the firehouse or the shelter. The library was by far the softest option if she was set on making complaints. So really, he had nothing to worry about. It didn’t feel great to know someone was out there in town thinking ill of him. But that was her opinion, and Gabe guessed he had to respect that. Even if it did hurt.

  He was lost in thought as he walked through the building and into the hot desk area. But then promptly stopped short.

  Joey was sitting there with his laptop and another stack of CDs, his jaw clenched and his eyes red. He looked like he’d been crying.

  Whatever had happened between them the past few weeks melted away as Gabe’s heart swelled. He may have been confused about a lot of things, but he knew he hated seeing Joey in distress.

  “Hey,” he said softly.

  He placed the books he’d been carrying down on one of the tables and approached. Joey looked up in surprise, yanking his earbuds out then immediately checking his watch in alarm.

  Gabe stopped. Joey didn’t say anything as he looked back up again, but it was hard not to assume what he meant by the guilty look on his face.

  He’d intended to leave before Gabe started work.

  On top of dealing with the complaint against him, Gabe wasn’t able to school his reaction and hide how much that hurt. “Been avoiding me?” he asked, crossing his arms. He knew he sounded like a dick, especially when it was obvious Joey still had tears drying on his face. Oddly though that only angered Gabe further. Because god damn it. Joey didn’t have to do everything by himself. He could ask for help.

  He could ask Gabe to help him, and he would do it in a heartbeat.

  Joey dropped his head and wrung his hands in his lap. “I’m sorry,” he said.

  The lack of excuses went some way to dissolving Gabe’s flare of irritation. He sighed and pulled out the seat next to Joey. “You don’t have to avoid me,” he said tersely. “We’re adults, we’re friends. We had some fun. I’m not going to push you into anything you’re not ready for, but I do like you. If there’s anything I can help with, I will.”

  Joey gave him a rueful chuckle. “I know, I know,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re Mr. Helpful. I just want to try and manage something by myself for a fucking change.”

  Gabe rolled his eyes and squeezed Joey’s knee. It was hard to stay mad at him. “You’re doing amazing,” he said. “You’re so young and you’ve achieved so much.”

  “I’m not that young,” Joey grumbled. But the twitch
at the corner of his mouth suggested he’d taken the compliment.

  “So how’s the play going?” Gabe asked, giving him an out. “I bet that’s been keeping you busy.”

  “It did,” said Joey quickly. “And I’m sorry, I should have texted. I…” he huffed and flicked his eyes over at Gabe. “I don’t want you to think I don’t like you too.”

  Gabe snorted. “I get it, you’re a Broadway star now, no biggie.”

  But Joey bit his lip and blinked rapidly, leaving Gabe with the impression he’d put his foot in it.

  “The play was great, but it’s over now,” said Joey tightly.

  Gabe wasn’t sure how to respond to that. “I’m glad it went well,” he said tentatively. “Hopefully that might lead to other roles?”

  Joey looked at him. His green eyes were glassy, and he bounced his knee as he appeared to think something over. “I have another job,” he blurted out. “It’s an incredible opportunity. But I don’t think I can take it.”

  “Why?” said Gabe, seizing on the fact that Joey was opening up to him.

  Joey scrubbed his face. While his eyes were briefly closed, Gabe inched just a little closer, hoping it wouldn’t spook him. But he wanted to be near him, even if he felt he should be careful how much he touched.

  “You know Raiden, from the band?”

  Gabe recognized the name, but probably couldn’t pick him out of the five members. He nodded anyway, sensing that wasn’t the most important part of the story.

  “Well, he’s starting to get ahead in songwriting, and Storm Sailor – the producer – picked up one of his tracks, and they want me to sing it. Which, is like, fucking incredible. It’s basically guaranteed to be in the top forty, maybe even top ten.”

  “Joey,” Gabe spluttered, glad there weren’t other people around. “That’s fantastic, congratulations!” But the look on his face suggested there was more to it than that. “So…what’s the problem?”

  “He’s based in Sweden. He’s only in the US for a week, and he’s going to be in Chicago.”

  Gabe glanced at the computer screen. Joey was looking at hotels and bus options by the looks of the tabs. “Surely it’ll be worth spending the money?” he asked. But even as he said it he did a quick estimation what travel and accommodation for a few days would cost. Joey was probably looking at a few hundred bucks at least. Considering what Gabe knew about his situation, that probably wouldn’t be feasible.

  “I keep telling myself the return is almost guaranteed,” Joey said, flicking between some of his tabs. “But it’s not absolutely certain. Even if it was, I still don’t really have enough, and then there’s money for food…”

  He trailed off, looking forlornly at the screen. Gabe ached for him. It seemed like even though he kept telling himself not to get too involved or fall for Joey any more than he had, he couldn’t help but care.

  “How many days would you need to stay in the city?” he asked.

  Something reckless was brewing in the back of his mind. He was probably making a big mistake, one that would get him hurt. But the more he thought about it, the more certain he became. He just needed to get all the facts before opening his mouth.

  “Four?” Joey said. “It depends on how well the recording goes. It might only be two or three.”

  “And when would you be leaving?”

  Joey narrowed his eyes at him. He was probably catching on to Gabe’s intention, but Gabe kept his face straight for now. “Friday,” Joey said slowly.

  Gabe glanced at the bus fare on the screen again. Fuck it. He never took time off when he was with Lewis, always too concerned about letting other people down. But he wasn’t working with the fire crew this weekend, and the library and shelter wouldn’t miss him that badly for a day or two. Everyone else could just find cover for him. He covered for other people enough for heaven’s sake.

  “I could drive you,” he said, turning his eyes hopefully to Joey’s. “And we could split the cost of a hotel room.”

  Joey opened his mouth. Then he closed it again. He frowned at the screen and nibbled his lip.

  “Just as friends,” Gabe added gently, hoping Joey understood his meaning. He wasn’t expecting anything in return from this. They could get a room with two beds and Gabe would behave like a perfect gentleman. “It’ll be fun. What do you say?”

  “You’d really do that?” Joey asked cautiously. “Just…up and go to Chicago, for me?”

  The optimism in his voice made Gabe smile. “Yeah,” he said. “It’ll be an adventure.”

  Slowly, a smile spread over Joey’s face too. “It will,” he agreed.

  Gabe clapped his hands together, a thrill of excitement bubbling through him.

  “Let’s do this.”

  17

  Joey

  Joey was pretty sure this was a bad idea. But at the same time, Gabe’s offer had helped him out immeasurably. He just had to focus on the fact he was going to get to record with Storm Sailor, and ignore the hunk of a man currently sitting beside him in his old, banged-up car.

  That was easier said than done though. Gabe was looking seriously hot in a rumpled hoodie and he had his glasses on for driving. Joey liked the way they framed his face and magnified his brown eyes to make him extra beautiful. Gabe had a soft spot for seventies and eighties rock music apparently, and was currently murmuring along to Bruce Springsteen.

  He caught Joey looking over and smiled. Joey felt a rush of embarrassment, but he just looked out of the window as if nothing had happened.

  He’d been a bag of nerves in the couple of days between making their plans on Wednesday and driving out on Friday. As much as Gabe had made it clear he didn’t expect them to be intimate again on this trip, if they were going to share a room that left the possibility of a second go between the sheets dangling tantalizingly out in front of them.

  Joey couldn’t deny how the idea made his toes curl. Fuck, he wanted Gabe so badly. But their lives were so different, they had totally different goals and aspirations. And yet a voice kept whispering in the back of his head that they weren’t talking about dating here. Maybe they could have a bit more fun before their lives veered off in different directions again.

  Joey was also aware that part of his attraction to Gabe was that he’d been the only break from his family in town. Doing the play in New York had kept Joey out of the house and given him the opportunity to work with amazing people. But even though it was just the one night, Gabe had offered him the only respite to actually sleep in somewhere he felt safe. His home had felt like a sanctuary, and now here he was again, taking him away for a few days.

  If he wasn’t careful, Joey was going to end up with a complex. He needed to make sure his attraction to Gabe wasn’t simply because he was turning into something of a white knight to him.

  Except, Joey wasn’t looking for a boyfriend or any kind of commitment. So would it really hurt to indulge in his little fantasy? He spent his whole life struggling to fend for himself, fighting for every inch. Was it so wrong to admit it felt pretty amazing to be cared for, just for a little while? It wasn’t every day a gorgeous guy stuck his neck out for him, and Gabe had done that twice now.

  “So, do you know what song it is you’ll be singing?” Gabe asked, breaking into his thoughts.

  Joey was glad for the question. It was a long drive ahead of them – thirteen hours according to the GPS, not counting gas and food breaks. It would probably be a good idea to spend some of that time in conversation, otherwise Joey was at risk of ogling Gabe too much and giving himself an awkward boner.

  “Yeah,” he replied. “Raiden sent me a demo. Storm Sailor will obviously put way more production into the real thing, but with Raiden singing over a basic version it was enough so I could learn it at least.”

  Gabe arched an eyebrow at him. “Why doesn’t Raiden just sing it himself?” he asked. “Not to take it away from you, obviously.”

  Joey smiled at the fumbled amendment. “No sweat. Raiden has a great voice, but
the key he’s written this in suits my range better.” He shrugged. “Plus, he’s a decent guy. He knew how much I’d love this.”

  Gabe smiled even more. “That’s great,” he said. It was obvious he took pleasure from Joey’s happiness. Joey had never met anyone quite so selfless before. It was charming.

  “You ever been to Chicago before?” Joey asked.

  He shook his head. “I haven’t traveled a lot,” Gabe admitted. “I never wanted to take time away from work.”

  Joey couldn’t help but feel very honored by that. Gabe clearly felt he was worthy to step away from all his projects for, even if it was just a couple of days. “We’ll have to make the most of it then,” he said jovially.

  He hadn’t felt this good in months. He was on his way to an incredible opportunity, one that could turn his fortunes around, and he had a hot guy by his side. Gabe wasn’t just hot though, he was kind and sweet and Joey wasn’t really sure why he was interested in someone like Joey. Their values were so different. But here they were, so Joey wasn’t going to question it too hard.

  Time went by at an acceptable pace. Joey never liked traveling, he always got bored and fidgety. But Gabe helped keep him distracted with good conversation, music and snacks. Joey learned more about his elderly parents and heard a few stories from how they were getting on in their Florida retirement. Gabe undoubtedly missed them, but he was full of happiness at their contentment in their golden years.

  Joey talked about the band. For the first time since the label dropped them, he didn’t feel bitter reminiscing about their best experiences. He laughed as he recounted some of the crazy things they got up to on tour. Gabe appeared genuinely fascinated to hear about how records were made and what went into producing a music video. He was tickled pink as Joey told him how he had to hang upside down in front of a green screen so they could get the footage for the Hush Hush video, and how one time they’d been mobbed in Harrods in London so they’d taken the underground tube to try and escape.

  “It only made it worse though,” Joey cried as Gabe chuckled. “This little old cockney lady practically groped Reyse up and kept telling us how sexy we all were for ‘young’uns.’”