Jack

by A M Snead

  “Jack is going to stay,” Gideon said gently. “He’s right for us, I can feel it. And I think maybe…he needs someplace to call home, and people to think of as family. Shouldn’t we offer him that?”

  A barely notable film of tears glazed Scotty’s eyes. “I wish he would go away. He’s…” The tears thickened, and Scotty’s voice lowered to just above a whisper. “He’s going to ruin everything.”

  Gideon frowned; was he speaking about Garrett? “What is he going to ruin, Scotty?”

  The boy just stared at the floor, hands flexing tighter, but he didn’t answer. Gideon’s eyes rested on the leather bracelets wrapping the young man’s wrists…a constant reminder of just how fucked up life could become, how much unbearable pain it could cause.

  “Maybe if you give him a chance,” Gideon murmured, knowing it was futile but trying anyway. “Get to know him. You would probably like him.”

  Scotty looked up, eyes shimmering and hard. “No, I wouldn’t. He shouldn’t be here. He’s going to take him away—and it isn’t fair.” His tears thickened, threatening to flow over.

  “Scotty…”

  “It’s true,” he insisted thickly. “He’s still in love with me, he just won’t admit it. But maybe he would if…if Jack would just leave.”

  Gideon just looked at the boy. Whatever Scotty and Garrett once had together, it wasn’t “love”—and it wasn’t healthy. Garrett had moved on, but Scotty…Gideon’s heart broke for the boy. He, too, knew the unbearable anguish of not being able to let go of something that could never be.

  But Scotty worried him—a lot.

  He needs to go back into therapy. Gideon feared that allowing him to stop going…had been a grave mistake.

  14 “The New Room”

  “SO, what do you think?” Garrett set the sports bag on the bed. “Better than the motel accommodations?”

  The bedroom was large with its own private bathroom, which made sense as these were once rented rooms when the place had been an inn. “Much better,” he murmured. It was well furnished and had a very “comfortable” feel, like one might experience when visiting their parents’ home after being away for a while. Of course, Jack wouldn’t really know—his parents’ place hadn’t felt like home even when he had lived there.

  “You can decorate it as you wish,” Garrett told him. “Or leave it as it, whatever you want. Gideon says the rooms are ours to do with as we please.”

  Though Jack remained wary of the effect Garrett had on him—and a little worried about his own lack of self-control when it came to the man—he was nevertheless glad to be here. This was nothing as he had expected. He certainly hadn’t expected Gideon to be so quick to welcome him into his home as if Jack were his prodigal son. And indeed, it had that sense of “coming home.” He didn’t burn any brain cells trying to fathom how a porn boss could feel so much like a genuine father figure, but damned if the man didn’t.

  “I’m good with it the way it is,” Jack said and smiled. When Garrett wasn’t trying to seduce him, the guy was rather pleasant to be around. He had an infectious personality that one couldn’t help but respond to or be affected by. So, you didn’t find him to be “pleasant” when you were riding his lap in the day room? Jack ignored the mental question that he heard in Jill’s voice. He really didn’t want to examine the answer too thoroughly right now—especially when it caused a twitch in the crotch of his jeans. How his “boy” could even respond to anything right now was beyond him.

  “Well,” Garrett said and began pointing around the room, “your bureau is over there, your closet there, bathroom.” He grinned. “You’re good to go. Gideon is pretty lenient on midnight kitchen raids, so if you get hungry in the middle of the night, feel free to rummage.”

  Jack nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Rather than leave him alone to unpack what little belongings he had, Garrett sat on the edge of the bed. “So…did you have fun with the twins?”

  Jack ducked his head and smiled. “Yeah,” he laughed softly. “Loads of fun.”

  Garrett laughed loud and nodded. “I knew you would.” He rested back on his elbows and gazed at Jack. “They enjoy freaking people out when they first meet. But they are one fucking hot duo, huh?”

  Jack cleared his throat. “Oh yeah.” He chuckled. “I think that experience may have changed my life forever.”

  “Fuck.” Garrett grinned. “I know what you mean.”

  “Aw, you’re gonna make us blush,” Mickey cooed as he and Marcus appeared in the doorway.

  Garrett grinned and winked. “Come on over here, my beauties, and I’ll make you blush for sure.”

  Loving up against Mickey, Marcus smiled with a sexy shyness. “Uh-uh…we would make you blush.”

  “Prove it, you sexy thing.” Garrett wriggled his eyebrows.

  “We would,” Mickey assured softly, his adoring eyes drifting to Jack. “But we’re so tired after playing with Jack.”

  “Excuses, excuses,” Garrett groaned. “Damn, you’d think a guy could get some lovin’ around here, of all places.” He chuckled and sat forward. “So, you liked playing with Jack?”

  Marcus moaned and smiled. He and Mickey moved as one to Jack’s side, sidling up to him as they had done before. But this time, Jack welcomed their attention, feeling great affection for them both. “Oh yes,” Marcus moaned and nuzzled Jack’s ear. “We had lots and lots of fun. Didn’t we, Jack?”

  “Oh, indeed we did,” Jack confirmed.

  “You’re a beautiful lover,” Mickey murmured. “And you feel so good.”

  The twins lightly caressed his chest and laid warm kisses on his neck. Jack started to feel lightheaded again. “Oh, baby,” he murmured, “you feel good, too.”

  “And me?” Marcus wondered, smiling.

  “Oh God yes, love,” Jack groaned quietly, his cock suddenly pulsing with the memory of Marcus’ tight, soft, hot body.

  Mickey plucked at the top button of Jack’s shirt without unfastening it. “You know,” he said softly and kissed Jack’s cheek. “If you ever get lonely…or scared…at night…” He placed another kiss on the curve of Jack’s jaw, then one more against the tender skin below his ear. “You can come sleep with us.”

  Spend the night with the twins? Jack’s pulse spiked at the thought. All night long between those two beautiful boys…fuck, that’s what fantasies were made of.

  “Hey.” Garrett cocked an eyebrow and smiled. “Does that offer extend to me as well? Might get a little jealous if my lovely boys throw me over for the new guy.”

  “Oh, Garrett.” Marcus rolled his eyes and left Jack, moving to the bed. He straddled Garrett’s legs and sat on his thighs. “You know we already made that invitation to you.” He ran his fingers through Garrett’s hair and nuzzled his cheek. “And it remains open ended.”

  Chuckling softly, Garrett murmured, “Open ended, huh? I like the sound of that.” He laughed and hugged Marcus tight, kissing him on the mouth, then loosened his hold as Marcus stood up. Garrett swatted him lightly on the butt. “Shouldn’t you two be resting up?”

  “In a minute.” Mickey pressed closer to Jack and teased his fingertips through Jack’s hair. “We just wanted to come by and thank Jack for being so good to us.”

  Jack slid his arm around Mickey’s waist. “I think you were the ones who were good to me.”

  Mickey smiled, and Marcus approached Jack. “We’ll always be good to you, Jack,” Marcus said softly. “We really like you.” They each kissed his cheeks then drew back. In what seemed a very natural, instinctive move, Mickey’s hand found Marcus’ and their fingers intertwined. “Don’t be a stranger, Jack,” Marcus murmured with a smile so cute and sweet it weakened Jack’s knees and he had to forcibly hold himself back from rushing after them. And when they were gone, he couldn’t help but gaze wistfully at the empty doorway.

  A low chuckle from Garrett drew Jack’s focus to the bed. Garrett was resting back on his elbows again and grinning at Jack.

  “Wh
at?”

  Garrett shook his head. “You’re smitten.”

  “Huh?” Jack frowned then laughed quietly. “No…it’s just…” He glanced toward the doorway again. Garrett was right—he was smitten by those two.

  “It feels good, doesn’t it?” Garrett murmured.

  Jack looked at him. “What?”

  His tongue sliding slowly over his lower lip, Garrett’s amused grin softened to a smile. “Being made love to…rather than just fucked.”

  Jack just stared at him. “What do you…”

  Sitting forward, Garrett leaned on his knees. “The twins don’t fuck. Not each other, or anyone else. They make love, and…they make you feel loved.” He stood up. “I think we all like to be made love to now and then. It’s very…soothing…comforting.”

  He hadn’t realized it, but what Garrett said was the truth; the twins hadn’t fucked him today…they had taken him in hand and loved him. And it did feel good. It felt damn good. It also made him feel a little vulnerable to be talking to Garrett about making love. Talk of fucking was one thing but making love…it brought other emotions to the surface.

  “So, uh…” Jack cleared his throat. “Were the twins together when they arrived here?”

  Garrett sighed. “No.” The sudden shift in tone brought Jack’s eyes to his face. Garrett gazed at his hands. “Marcus was here first. He…came out of a real bad situation. He had been really damaged, emotionally. Was afraid of his own shadow.” Garrett’s lips tightened, his eyes drifting out of focus. “He met…another boy here who had been through some bad shit too, and they sort of clung to each other. But from Marcus’ side, it had been more of a bond of friendship.”

  It was hard for Jack to imagine Mickey and Marcus ever not being together.

  Garrett sighed. “When Mickey showed up, it was love at first sight. Mickey was his other half, literally almost.” He raised his head and gazed at Jack, an indecipherable look in his eyes. “They might seem exactly the same, but Mickey had an inner strength that Marcus didn’t. And it helped Marcus overcome the trauma of his past.” He smiled softly. “Mickey healed him.” He lowered his eyes. “It was a miracle. It isn’t easy to…heal people like that.”

  Jack shifted. “What happened with the other boy?”

  His brow pinched, Garrett murmured, “His problems got worse. Losing Marcus to Mickey…it just broke him down that much more.” He straightened up and released a heavy breath, sadness clear on his face. “Marcus tried to remain friends with him. Even Mickey tried to be his friend. But he felt abandoned, betrayed…and he shut them out.”

  “Is he… still here?”

  Garrett leaned forward again and rubbed his hand over his mouth, letting it linger. He didn’t answer.

  “Was the other boy…Scotty?” Jack whispered.

  “Yeah.” Garrett nodded slowly. “It was.”

  So why is it “you” he seems angry with? Jack wondered but didn’t ask.

  With another low exhale, Garrett stood. “Anyway, I probably shouldn’t be saying all this. It isn’t my story to tell.” He looked at Jack, and for a fleeting instant, Jack thought he noted a veiled anguish in the man’s eyes that brought up the question; was something broken inside Garrett as well? The way the man stared at him, Jack half expected him to step closer and kiss him.

  But the moment abruptly broke, and the air cleared. The shadows in Garrett’s eyes were replaced by the sparkle of mischief that Jack was fast becoming accustomed to. Garrett winked, though the smile on his lips appeared somewhat strained. “You know.” He stepped toward Jack. “You never did answer my question from earlier.”

  Jack swallowed, his throat instantly thick. “What…question?” He knew damn well what question, but he didn’t want Garrett to know it had remained on his mind, allowing him not a moment of peace since the man had asked it.

  “Well.” Garrett brushed his thumb down Jack’s cheek and a shiver rushed through his body. “If you’ve already forgotten…then I guess I have my answer.” With a single fingertip, he lifted Jack’s chin and left a soft, much too light and much too quick kiss on Jack’s lips before exiting the room and leaving Jack to unpack.

  Jack stared after him, pulse thumping. He berated himself for wishing the kiss had lasted longer and gone deeper. Face it, Jacko—you’ve got it bad. “No, Jilly bean, I don’t,” he whispered. “I admit, the guy turns me on and he’s even pretty cool. But the most we’ll ever be are fuck friends.” He went to the bed and unzipped the sports bag. That’s all I can allow it to be.

  A single drawer in the bureau held every piece of clothing he owned. Maybe working for Gideon would allow him the funds to enhance his wardrobe beyond the few basic essentials. He placed the last of his garments in the drawer and closed it. There wasn’t much else in his bag; a few personal items. He had packed light when he’d left the West Coast behind. Too much memorabilia only managed to keep the hurt alive. The only things he had brought with him were a single framed 5x7 photo of Jill and two small 8x8 red gift boxes.

  Jack propped Jill’s photo on the nightstand next to the bed then took one of the gift boxes from the bag. He stared at the lid and the words written across it in neat calligraphy; The Heart Box. Jack smiled and set it on the bed then lifted out the other box. It was an exact replica except for the words on the lid; Yesterday’s Hearts. He lifted the lid and lying on the top of the growing collection of paper hearts was the heart from yesterday. Make a new friend.

  He closed the box then took both to the bureau and placed them in one of the empty drawers. His “heart of the day” remained snug deep in his pocket. He took it out and looked at it again. Make Someone Happy. The twins had seemed pretty happy with him today. He smiled and put it back in his pocket.

  “You don’t belong here.”

  “Shit,” Jack gasped and looked quickly at the doorway. Scotty stood tense, staring at him. Jack frowned, caught off guard. “What?”

  Scotty’s brow pinched. “You have no right to just come in here and…and take him away.” Scotty’s eyes burned with tears and a multitude of emotions. “You’re ruining everything. Just leave.” His tears thickened, and Jack stared at him; what the hell was he supposed to say? Scotty swallowed thickly. “He liked me.” He jabbed a finger at himself. “Just me. Until you…” A barely contained rage smoldered behind his glare. “You’re ruining it,” he cried. “Why don’t you just go away!”

  Licking his lips slowly, Jack’s frown deepened as he stared at him uncertainly. Just as he expected the kid to lunge at him and claw his eyes out, Scotty abruptly vacated the doorway. Jack heard a muffled, choking sob and then quickened footsteps breaking into a sprint as the boy ran away, leaving Jack in utter confusion.

  15 “The Dark”

  JACK did his level best to avoid Scotty for the remainder of the day and didn’t actually see him again until dinner. Gideon was a stickler about all the boys sitting down together for meals, and they gathered in the large dining room to eat. Gideon introduced Jack to those who hadn’t met him yet, and for the most part, his presence was welcomed. Except by Scotty, who sat at the far end of the long table and avoided eye contact with anyone. Now and then, he would shoot a glare Jack’s way. And though such looks were fleeting, they packed a punch; the boy despised Jack.

  Was he jealous of the attention Garrett gave to Jack? Maybe if he explained to Scotty that there wasn’t anything between them…then perhaps the guy would simmer down? Later, he would seek him out and talk to him. Surely his animosity was merely due to his misunderstanding concerning Garrett. Why else would Scotty resent him? He didn’t even know the kid.

  Another mild shock struck Jack when everyone held hands and bowed their head as Gideon said grace. No one balked at it or seemed uncomfortable with the gesture, and Gideon spoke with sincerity as he asked God to bless the food and watch over them.

  Jack wondered if anyone on the “outside” would have ever guessed a scene like this would take place inside the dwelling of a porn boss. Jack certainly ne
ver would have fathomed it. But it was nice and created a peaceful sense of home and family. His parents said grace at every meal, but oddly, there was more “spiritual” passion in Gideon’s tone than Jack had ever heard in that of his own father.

  Following grace, typical conversation picked up. Questions were thrust at Jack about where he was from, what it was like in Southern California, what he did for fun out there. Had Scotty been sitting close enough to ask a question, Jack was certain none would have been posed. The boy wasn’t conversing with anyone and seemed intent on simply finishing his dinner.

  “So, Jack,” Lucas piped up between bites of steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes, drawing Jack’s attention off Scotty. “Really looking forward to getting wet and slippery with you in the pool.” He grinned and winked.

  Gideon cleared his throat discreetly and spoke quietly without looking up from his plate. “Not at the dinner table, Lucas.”

  “My apologies, papa.” Lucas smiled, but spoke with a tone of genuine respect.

  The others chuckled, and Gideon’s lips pursed in a smile. “Oh Lord,” he murmured. “My burden is great.”

  The twins were seated to Jack’s left, and even during the meal, sat close enough that their bodies were touching. Their entwined hands rested on the table between their plates. When Mickey caught Jack gazing at them, he smiled softly, eyes glowing. There was something special about the twins that Jack was certain would have a lifelong effect on him. It felt like an honor to be the recipient of their affection and passion earlier that day. Perhaps initially the hammock scene had been staged, but the emotions that flowed out of those two boys were not an “act.” They gave of themselves—for real.

  Very little interference from the director took place during the scenes, and there were absolutely no “directions” given with the twins. Their affection was so natural that it carried over to Jack, bringing out his own natural sexual passion.

  As dinner progressed, Scotty was the first to finish his meal and excuse himself, taking his empty plate with him. Jack watched him leave and caught a cold look from him as the boy passed through the dining room doorway and into the kitchen. He wanted to go after him but didn’t want it to appear like he was.