“That’s what I mean.” He finished his burger and yawned. “Thank you for driving. I’m exhausted.” He winced. “Crap.”
“What?”
“I meant to dump all our mail in another bag and bring it, too, so Evil Genius can sort through it. We’re going to be buried by the time we get home.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Yeah. We’re up to four of those grocery bags full.”
“Well, I’m not going to worry about it.” She reached over and patted his thigh. He laced his fingers through hers. “I just want us to enjoy the last few days here before we head for Seattle.”
“We are so not letting him drive in Seattle,” Tom said.
“I haven’t been letting him drive, period. He looked a little green when he saw some of the drop-offs anyway.”
“I thought he might. I specifically meant in Seattle traffic though. I’ve been there a couple of times. It’s a nightmare.” He squeezed her hand and turned to look at her. “Thank you, Nev. I want to say it out loud. Thank you for being so dependable. I love you.”
“Aw, I love you, too, Tommy. Don’t make me start bawling like a girl.”
* * * *
They stopped in Livingston for nonperishables and additional puppy supplies. Nevvie also picked up a new pair of sneakers. Once they got to the park, Tom spent the drive through it amazed. “I’ve never been out here before. It’s gorgeous.”
“Wait’ll you see Old Faithful. It’s amazing! Not just the way it looks, but the roar, and the smell!”
He looked at her with a playful grin.
“Not that kind of smell,” she clarified. “Well, okay, sort of that kind of smell, only not so bad.”
It was late in the afternoon when they pulled into the campground. Their brood was sitting outside at a picnic table next to their RV. Tyler looked up from his laptop.
“Poppa!” Adam raced over to him with Harley carefully clutched in his arms. “This is Harley!”
“Ah, so this is the fierce, bison-fighting dog, huh?” he teased.
Adam laughed. “No, Poppa. But Daddy squealed at them.”
Tyler walked over. “Haha, yes, very amusing, son.” He kissed Tom, then Nevvie. “Glad to have you back.” He grabbed Tom’s suitcase. “The family’s all together again.”
“And now I can take a pain pill,” Tom muttered under his breath.
“Bad?” Nevvie asked.
He nodded.
“Don’t worry,” Tyler said. “Dinner is ready. I made baked ziti.”
“Thank you,” Nevvie said, hugging him.
After dinner, Tom stretched out in their bed with Adam and the puppy to watch a DVD they’d purchased about the park’s geysers. Tom fell asleep five minutes into it. Nevvie, Tyler, and Andrew were sitting in the living room when Adam walked out, carrying Harley. “Poppa’s asleep,” he said. “I think he’s tired.”
Nevvie pulled him into her lap. “He’s very tired. Why don’t we call it an early night so Poppa and all of us can get our rest? I’ll put a movie on out here, if Grandpa doesn’t mind, and you can go to sleep watching it.”
“Grandpa doesn’t mind at all,” Andrew said. “Come on, pick one out and I’ll put it on for you.”
Nevvie and Tyler said good night and joined Tom in the bedroom. He’d fallen asleep in the middle of the bed, so Nevvie and Tyler piled in on either side, cuddling up to him, their hands on his chest.
Finally, her family was together again.
Chapter Fifteen
Nevvie looked around the RV one more time for anything else they might need for the kids. They would only be spending three nights in the hotel in Seattle, but it felt like an aggravation to have to pack up and go. She had to admit, despite their hiccups, the RV had been a good choice. It was nice not having to pack and unpack all the time, plus being able to cook and eat healthy and not at a restaurant for every single meal.
Tyler got to work, the boys got to see the country, they all got to spend time together and with Andrew, and they hadn’t killed each other.
Yet.
That was a huge mark in the win category as far as she was concerned.
“Okay, I think that’s everything,” Nevvie said.
“If we’ve forgotten anything, I’ll come back and get it,” Tyler said.
Both Nevvie and Tom looked at him. “When, Evil Genius?” Tom said with disbelief. “You’re booked solid the whole weekend.”
He looked a little abashed. “Oh. That’s true. I’m sorry.”
Nevvie rolled her eyes, but smiled and kissed him. “That’s okay. You did good.”
“Truly?”
“Yes. Despite leaving me and Dad in Mitchell—” Harley’s barking interrupted her. “And acquiring a puppy—”
“And bathing you in sh—poop,” Tom added with a grin and watching his language, aware Adam was listening.
She nodded. “Thanks for reminding me, Tommy. As I was saying, despite all that, this has been fun.”
Tyler practically beamed. “I’m so glad, sweetheart.”
Adam looked up from where he held Harley’s leash. “The hotel won’t make me leave Harley outside, will they, Mommy?”
“No, baby. I already called them. And we’ve got the crate to put him in when we’re not there, so he won’t make a mess in the room.”
With Nevvie driving, they made their way through downtown Seattle traffic that made Tampa’s afternoon rush hour look like a desolate stretch of I-90 at midnight in South Dakota by comparison. At the hotel, Tyler gently shooed Nevvie out of the way when she tried to help unload the car. “Go check us in, love. Tom and I will do this.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
He smiled. “Love, you have put up with more than your fair share of aggravation this trip. It’s the least I can do for you.”
She laughed. “You’re right. It is.” She got them checked in, two rooms next to each other. Andrew had volunteered to take the second room with the boys and Harley, giving the other three adults some much-needed—and welcomed—alone time.
Up in the rooms, Nevvie stared, awestruck, at the bathroom. “It’s got a tub! Yay! I can soak!” It would be a welcomed relief to take as long a shower as she wanted without having to worry about using up all their fresh water or filling up the dump tank. And she could stretch out and take a long, hot bath!
Tyler walked in behind her, helping Tom pull the luggage cart. “I do believe she has first dibs on the tub.
“Duh, Evil Genius. I think she’s more than earned a spa day.”
“I don’t want a spa day,” Nevvie said from inside the bathroom, where she’d stepped into the tub and sat down to try it on for size. “I just want a long, hot, uninterrupted bath.”
“I think we can handle that, love,” Tyler said.
“In fact,” Nevvie said, “I want it tonight. You all go out to eat and take the kids. Me and Harley will stay here and order room service.”
Tom walked into the bathroom. “Your wish is our command, Mistress.”
She giggled. “Honestly? I think I’m too tired for that tonight. I just want a long, hot bath. Besides, it’s only Thursday. We have two more nights here for that.”
“True.”
Tyler stepped into the bathroom. “Then in that case, I’ll help Dad get the boys ready, and we’ll leave you to your ablutions, love.”
Nevvie snickered. “My, you come to a book fair, and suddenly you’re speakin’ all fancy like.”
* * * *
Nevvie thoroughly enjoyed her alone time and fancy room service dinner. She’d nearly fallen asleep by the time everyone returned three hours later.
The next morning, she felt a thousand times better. Tom was back with them, they weren’t driving around in the RV for a couple of days, and Tyler was out of her hair for the better part of two whole days. Nevvie and the rest of them would sightsee while Tyler had to work. Friday night, Nevvie and Andrew accompanied Tyler to the book fair’s formal banquet. Tom was supposed to go instead of Andre
w, but he volunteered to stay behind with the kids and Harley due to his leg bothering him.
Late Saturday afternoon, while Tyler was speaking at a seminar and Tom was catching a quick nap in their room after they’d finished lunch, Nevvie, Andrew, and the boys went to find the book fair coordinator. Tyler had volunteered a two-hour dinner with him as a prize in a charity silent auction, and Nevvie had to collect the information.
She was pointed to an information table, where the coordinator stood talking with an older gentleman. She shifted Mikey on her hip while Andrew kept a close eye on Adam.
“Ah, Mrs. Paulson,” the coordinator said, “just the woman I needed to see.” She handed Nevvie an envelope. “This is Marcus Van Durben, the auction winner.”
The man, tall and thin with steely gray eyes, studied her. Did she catch the hint of a frown before he smiled? She wasn’t sure.
He held out his hand. “Mrs. Paulson, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He had some sort of accent, but she couldn’t tell exactly what.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Van Durben.”
“Marcus, please.”
“All right, Marcus. Congratulations on winning the auction.” Andrew walked over. “Oh, this is my father-in-law, Andrew Paulson.”
The man’s eyebrows slightly arched. “Pleasure,” Marcus said, shaking hands with him. “The resemblance is remarkable. And are these your sons, I take it?”
“Yes, Mikey and Adam.”
“I’ve been a fan of your husband’s work ever since his early days,” Marcus said. Whatever his accent, he sounded well educated. Nevvie got the distinct impression he was an academic. “I actually briefly knew him quite a few years ago, while he still taught at USF. I doubt he’ll remember me, however.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Adam doing the gotta-go wiggle. “Well, I’m sure Tyler will enjoy catching up with you at dinner, Marcus.” She stuffed the envelope in the diaper bag and snagged Adam’s hand. “Dad, could you take him back to the room, please? I think he needs to…you know.”
“Ah, right, love.” He took Adam’s hand and led him away.
Marcus smiled as he watched them walk away. “You must be rather proud of your husband, Mrs. Paulson.”
“Yeah, we love him.” She got a whiff of dirty diaper. “Oh, um, I’m sorry, Marcus. This one needs freshened up as well. I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be rude—”
He laughed and waved the comment away. “It’s fine, I understand. Your older son looks just like Tyler and his grandfather, doesn’t he?” He reached out and chucked Mikey on the chin. “This little tyke more strongly resembles you.”
She wasn’t sure if the guy was up to speed on their living arrangement or not. The more die-hard fans, they didn’t care Tyler was poly, but since this guy had just sprung for a charity auction, she didn’t want to sour Marcus’ impression of Tyler if he wasn’t open-minded. “Thank you, Marcus.” She shook hands with him again. “It was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope you enjoy your dinner tonight.”
“Oh, I’m sure I will, madam. I’m sure I will.”
Nevvie had a distinct impression there was more subtext to the man’s comments than she was picking up on, but by the time she reached the elevator, she had a five-alarm doo-doo-diaper emergency to take care of. The conversation was pushed out of her mind by her race to the room to get Mikey changed.
* * * *
With both boys cleaned up and changed, and Tom awake from his nap, Nevvie, Tom, Andrew, and the boys went sightseeing again. Tyler called them when his seminar finished. “So, did anyone bid on my dinner, love?”
“Yep. Guy plopped down nearly three grand,” Nevvie told him.
“Where are you?”
“We’re at the Space Needle.” Tom was explaining the architecture of the building to Adam, how it was able to stay standing without falling over.
“Ah, aces. Listen, how about you and Thomas have a romantic dinner alone, and then when all three of us are free we can have a little playtime of our own? This is the last night we’ll be in Seattle.”
She turned away from everyone else and dropped her voice. “You’re reading my mind again, Evil Genius.”
* * * *
Nevvie, Tyler, and Thomas kissed the boys good-night, hugged Andrew, and started down the hall to catch the elevator. The boys were happy to have Grandpa Andrew all to themselves for the evening. Nevvie and Thomas were looking forward to a nice child-free dinner…and playtime once Tyler finished his obligatory dinner with the auction winner.
They waited for the slow elevator. Nevvie realized she needed to use the bathroom. “Go on down, I’ll be right there.”
Tyler smiled and pulled her in for a kiss. “Go ahead, pet. Thomas can stay with you. I’ll be fine.” The elevator chose that moment to slide open and he stepped inside with a wink to them. “I’ll be wanting to play later, loves.”
Tom grinned. “Then go hurry the heck up. Don’t spend all night talking shop.”
Tom walked Nevvie back to their room. She unlocked the door, then swore.
“What’s wrong, baby girl?”
“I didn’t give Tyler the paperwork!” She turned and handed the envelope to Tom. “The guy’s name is Marcus something or other.”
She didn’t understand the dark shadow that crossed Tom’s face. “Marcus?”
“Yeah. Nice guy, older man. Said he actually met Ty before, years ago. Doubted Ty would remember him.” She walked into the bathroom. “Please run that downstairs to him. I’ll be down in just a minute.”
Thomas couldn’t control the adrenaline spike racing through him as he walked back to the elevator. His hands shook as he ripped open the envelope and looked through the papers until he found the name. A name he hadn’t heard in years.
It couldn’t be. It has to be a coincidence. Has to be.
Marcus Van Durben.
Tom felt sick to his stomach. He angrily punched the elevator button, then pushed through the stairwell door and raced downstairs.
* * * *
Tyler walked across the lobby and stepped into the restaurant’s foyer. The host was talking to two uniformed cops who were there waiting on their takeout order from the Starbucks kiosk that shared the hotel lobby.
The host smiled and nodded to Tyler.
Tyler mentally winced. Nevvie didn’t give him the info on the auction winner. Well, no matter. The reservation was in his name anyway, so that was all right.
When it was his turn, Tyler stepped forward and gave his name. The host nodded and consulted his list. “Ah, yes sir. Your other party is already here and has been seated. I’ll take you to the table.”
Blast. He glanced toward the elevators. No Nevvie. Oh well, he could wing it. He followed the host across the restaurant. A man was seated at the table, his back to Tyler.
When Tyler stepped around and extended his hand, his smile froze in place as a twenty-year-old nightmare stared him in the face.
Marcus smiled up at him. “Hello, boy. Long time, no see.”
* * * *
Tom raced down the stairs, hoping to get there before Marcus showed up. He had to warn Tyler. Fuck, he’d personally pay the asshole double what he paid for the auction just to stay out of their lives.
One of the worst memories of his life, besides his father dying, Nevvie’s attack, and getting the news that Tyler had his heart attack, was sitting on the floor in Tyler’s condo so many years ago, holding Tyler while he’d sobbed after admitting what had happened, what Marcus had done to him.
The older man, Ty’s first relationship with a man, had fucked Tyler, literally and mentally, and then walked off without a glance back.
Tom burst through the lobby door and scanned the area, looking for Ty. Ignoring the irritated looks of others, he raced across the space to the restaurant and pushed his way past the host and two cops standing there talking.
His heart pounded so fast he couldn’t tell one beat from another. Then he spotted Tyler, a sick look on his face, taki
ng a seat on the far side of the restaurant.
He’d never thought he’d have a chance to make good on his old promise to Ty, the one he’d made that night while holding him.
Now, it looked like he might.
Chapter Sixteen
Tyler’s gut clenched as Marcus’ eyes lingered on him. The man looked good, well-preserved for the twenty years that had passed. His hair held more gray, a few more lines around his eyes, but he was still handsome.
Damn him.
“Sit down, Tyler,” Marcus purred. “I’ve been looking forward to this.”
“What the bloody hell do you want?”
Marcus feigned innocence. “I lent my support to a good cause. I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to spend an evening with an old friend in the process. What could be better?” His eyes hardened as his voice dropped. “You never forget your first, do you? I know I’ve never forgotten you, boy. Please, sit.”
His hand trembling, Tyler pulled out the chair and took a seat.
“There, now we’ll have a nice friendly chat, won’t we?”
It struck Tyler that this man had met Nevvie, and his father. Perhaps had shaken hands with both. The possibility that Marcus had touched his angel, much less spoken to her, even innocently, sickened him. “I doubt that very much.”
“I’ve missed you. I wish things could have been different between us.”
Tyler caught movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to see Tom race up.
Tom took a look at Marcus. “Is this him? Is this that Marcus? The asshole you told me about?”
Tyler didn’t understand the anger in Tom’s face at first. He’d never before seen that level of rage in his lover.
Marcus arched an eyebrow at Tom, his glance falling on the silver chain around Tom’s neck. “And you are?”
Tom’s voice dropped to a low growl. “I’m his husband, that’s who, asshole. And I’ve got a twenty-fucking-year-old bone to pick with you.”
Love Slave for Two Collection [Box Set 7] Page 106