by A M Snead
“Hey.” Lucas bumped his arm and leaned close, voice low. “Scotty has…problems. Don’t take it personal if he’s giving you dirty looks. He always feels threatened by new, hot boys in the house. He’ll get over it.”
Garrett sat on the other side of Lucas, having lost the apparent race to the table with Lucas to secure the seat next to Jack. He glanced at Jack and Lucas now, though Jack couldn’t be sure if Garrett had heard Lucas or not.
Each of the boys was expected to wash their own dishes. Gideon had a housekeeper come in two or three times a week, and a full-time cook, but for the most part everyone was to clean up after themselves. Jack didn’t mind; he was used to looking after himself.
After dinner, Jack got corralled by Garrett and the other boys and ushered into the recreation room. Maybe he would have a chance to talk to Scotty later that evening. He wasn’t certain why he was compelled to square things away with the guy, he just felt that he needed to.
“Do you play pool?” The question was posed by a tall, dark-haired young man named Derek. He looked close in age to Garrett, possibly a little younger. He had a body that insisted he worked out religiously, and with the short sleeves of his t-shirt rolled up to his shoulders, he reminded Jack of the tough guys from old movies and TV shows set back in the fifties and sixties. He had bedroom eyes that appeared bored, but when Jack looked closer, he saw plenty “lively mischief” in the guy.
“Used to,” Jack said. “But it’s been a while.”
The guy grinned and handed Jack a pool stick. “No time like the present to brush up on your skills.” He had an appealing smile, and coupled with his bedroom eyes, it caused tingling sensations in Jack’s gut. But this was good. He didn’t want Garrett to be the only one who “affected” him. By getting turned on by the other boys, it reassured Jack that Garrett’s effect was neither isolated nor special. He welcomed all the tingling and throbbing that the other boys might cause in him.
“Kick his butt, Jack,” Marcus said quietly and smiled, laying his head on Mickey’s shoulder.
“Hey.” Derek feigned offense. “Watch it, beautiful, or I’ll get you on the table.”
Marcus’ lips pressed tight in a smile as he flashed Derek an impish look. “And what will you do to me on the table?”
A sly smirk quirked Derek’s lips. “Everything, baby.”
Jack chuckled softly as he chalked the tip of the stick.
“You know…” Lucas walked over and leaned against the edge of the pool table next to Jack. “Speaking of pool…” He dragged one fingertip down Jack’s arm. “I can’t wait to play out our little skit together.”
Jack nodded and laughed quietly. “Yeah, it…sounds like fun.”
“Get out of the way and let them play their game,” Garrett told Lucas, shaking his head with exasperation, lips twitching with a smile. “And quit hounding him about the pool scene.”
Shoving away from the table, Lucas sneered. “You’re just jealous. You want him all to yourself. Sorry, dude.” He smirked. “I get him next.”
“Kind of feeling like a high school slut being passed around the football team,” Jack murmured and laughed.
Derek winked. “Kind of have to be a little bit of a slut to live the life of a porn star, wouldn’t you say?”
“Well…” Jack nodded thoughtfully. “Now that you mention it…” The others laughed and agreed.
Derek chuckled. “So, you want to rack or break?”
“Rack,” Jack said and grabbed the triangle rack from a slot under the pool table. “I suck at breaking.”
Lucas grinned. “I suck…everything.”
“Yes, we know,” Chase drawled. Chase was Lucas’ height with dark blond hair and a lean, ripped body that was evident through his tight white tank top that sucked to his rippled abdomen and strong pecs. He wasn’t built quite as big as Derek or Garrett, but definitely as chiseled.
Lucas stared at him dryly. “Don’t act as if you’re put off by it, Chase.” He smiled. “Sure as fuck didn’t hear you complaining last time I sucked your…everything.”
“Eat me,” Chase sneered.
Lucas smirked. “Bend over.”
“Shit.” Chase snorted. “Shut the fuck up.”
Jack laughed low and glanced at Garrett who gave him an apologetic smile and a helpless shrug. His eyes shone with amusement though as he held Jack’s gaze. When it lingered a little too long, Jack looked away and was caught in the stare of both twins. They smiled softly—knowingly—at Jack, casting discreet glances at Garrett.
Jack rolled his eyes and grinned, shaking his head to imply there was nothing there, but the two boys continued to give him “that” look. You’re wrong, my beauties, there’s nothing going on there.
At least that’s what Jack kept telling himself.
“Rack ’em up, gorgeous,” Derek said, jolting Jack from thoughts of Garrett. “Let’s get this party started.”
Moments after the game started, Garrett excused himself, telling them he had things to attend to. He didn’t expound but simply left the room.
♥
“You know it isn’t safe out in the dark all alone.”
Scotty’s steps faltered then halted on the path that led past the hammock where Jack and the twins had shot their scene earlier that day. “Why isn’t it safe?” Scotty asked quietly. He wanted to scream at the man, but instead he played along.
“There could be someone out here.” The man was behind him, his breath hot on his neck. “Waiting to devour you.”
When firm lips touched the back of his neck, Scotty closed his eyes and his body came alive. He didn’t want it to. Not right now. He was angry at the man and hurt. Scotty had thought he was special to him, but he wasn’t. Now it was Jack.
“I don’t care.” He trembled. “Maybe I want to be devoured.”
“That’s good,” the man groaned and nipped the tender skin at the nape of his neck, causing tingling shivers to race down Scotty’s spine. “I’ve been thinking about you all day.” He slid his arms around Scotty’s waist and his hands drifted lower, cupping Scotty’s crotch firmly. “Thinking about fucking you good and hard.”
Scotty swallowed hard, eyes burning. “No, you haven’t,” he whispered thickly. “You’ve been thinking of Jack. He’s the one you want to fuck.”
A low chuckle vibrated the man’s chest. “Maybe so,” he murmured and squeezed Scotty’s cock. “But I’m only hot for him because he looks like you.”
“That isn’t…true.” But a part of him wanted to believe it. “I’m not special to you.”
“Yes, you are, baby,” the man assured softly. “Let me show you how special you are.”
Scotty’s throat tightened, tears stinging his eyes. “Stop lying to me,” he choked and pulled away from the man. He turned and faced him. “I thought…I thought you loved me.”
“Why would you think that?” the man’s tone turned cool as he dropped all pretenses.
“Because we…” Scotty faltered, chin trembling.
“Fuck?”
Scotty’s brow pinched at the word. “Make love,” he whispered.
“You think too much, Scotty,” he said. “You’re always trying to make something out of nothing. Sometimes guys just fuck. And it doesn’t mean they’re in love.”
“But…but it does mean that,” Scotty choked quietly. It did. It had to…or else…
The man moved closer and rubbed his hand over the top of Scotty’s head. “My poor, poor fucked-up Scotty. I actually feel sorry for you, baby…thinking someone could ever love you.”
Someone had. Once. Before he came here. But he had abandoned Scotty—thrown him away like trash. Now, this was all he had…and it was slipping away. Scotty shook as sobs stuck in his throat. “You did,” he whispered quietly. “Until Jack came here.”
“Blame it on Jack,” he cooed softly and slid his fingers tenderly through Scotty’s hair as his tone turned soothing. “If it makes you feel better.” He dipped in and kissed Scotty’s mouth,
then backed him up against a tree. The man said nothing else as his breath quickened and his hands went to work stripping Scotty down to nothing. “Tell me to fuck you,” the guy panted hard and turned Scotty around, pinning him to the tree. He tugged his hard cock from his pants and pushed between Scotty’s ass cheeks. “Say it, baby. Beg me for it. I love it when you beg.”
Scotty closed his eyes, tears squeezing out. He gripped the rough bark of the tree and pushed his forehead against the coarse surface until it indented his skin. Do as you’re told, a distance dominant voice instructed. Scotty didn’t know how to disobey. “Fuck me,” he choked. “Please fuck me now. I want you so bad. Please.”
What troubled Scotty the most—was the truth and sincerity of his plea.
16 “The Rebuttal”
JACK sighed and shifted his arms and legs, feeling the super soft sheets against his skin; the bed in his new room was much more comfortable than the one back at the motel. Sleep weighed down his eyelids, allowing them to open just a crack. Morning sunlight pressed at the thin drapes. He turned onto his back, scratched his stomach, and gazed tiredly at the ceiling. The next shoot wasn’t until Monday or Tuesday. All weekend to relax, he thought and smiled. After the last two days, he needed the time off. He wasn’t used to this level of sexual activity. It had been at least a month since he’d had sex with a guy, before coming here. And even then, it had been quick and unfulfilling.
His thoughts drifted to the previous evening. The guys here had taken him in as if he had always been one of their own. And it felt good to belong somewhere, accepted in all aspects.
He hadn’t had a chance to seek out Scotty, and by the time he’d dragged himself to bed, it was too late to go knocking on the guy’s door. Maybe today he could take him aside and talk to him. From what Garrett had told him yesterday, Jack sensed that Scotty had a tendency to close himself off from the others, and possibly even feel unwanted. He clearly had issues. But Jack didn’t want to make those issues worse because of a misunderstanding.
Tucking his arms under his head, Jack closed his eyes, contemplating going back to sleep for a short while longer. His body certainly wasn’t screaming to get up and at ’em. Someone knocked then opened the door without waiting for him to answer. Even before the intruder spoke, he knew who it was.
“Rise and shine, sleepy head.” Garrett flopped down on the bed next to him and shook him with annoying persistence.
“Go away,” Jack groaned and covered his face with his arm. “I’m too tired.”
“No,” Garrett insisted and shook him again. “Get up. There’s only one good reason to stay in bed on a nice day like this…so unless you want me to crawl in with you…”
“All right,” Jack grumbled. “I’m getting up.” He had to move quickly. If he lay there and contemplated Garrett getting into bed with him, he might not find the incentive to get out.
Garrett chuckled and stood up, then tugged the blankets off Jack.
“Hey.” Jack scowled. “I said I was getting up.”
“Just lending a hand.” Garrett surveyed his body, a pair of boxer briefs concealing his goods. He shook his head. “Damn. I was hoping you slept in the nude. Was looking forward to a little early morning flash.”
Jack rolled his eyes and sat up. “Dream on, buddy.” He rubbed his face and combed his fingers through his hair.
“I was dreaming of you last night,” Garrett admitted. “We were out by the hammock, in the moonlight, doing our thing under the stars. Mmm.”
“Whatever,” Jack snorted then cleared his throat. He thought of asking Garrett where he had disappeared to last night after leaving the rec room but decided he didn’t care. Jack left the bed and went to the bureau. “Does Scotty ever hang out with you guys, play pool or whatever?” Jack asked tentatively.
“No,” Garrett said.
“Does anyone invite him to?”
“We used to,” Garrett told him. “But he kept turning us down, and so we stopped asking.”
Jack nodded and retrieved clean clothes from the drawer. “I think that…” Jack hesitated, then continued. “I think that he thinks you and I have something going.”
“Is that so?”
Jack heard the smile in his voice. He turned around and Garrett was sitting on the end of his bed, that smile on his lips. “Well, it isn’t true,” Jack said. “And I thought maybe I could talk to him.”
Sighing, Garrett leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I know you mean well, Jack. But Scotty…he has a lot of preconceived ideas. A lot of…issues. It’s good of you to want to square things away with him, but just keeping your distance is probably the best thing you could do for him.”
“But if he thinks you and I…”
“I’m not his boyfriend, Jack,” Garrett said, a sudden stiffness to his tone. “You don’t owe him an explanation. Even if something was going on between us…it isn’t his business. I feel for the guy, I really do. But I’m not going to cater to his irrational jealousies. If I thought for one second that talking to him would do some good, I’d say go for it. But it won’t. I hate to put it this way, but Scotty is…fucked up. And he was fucked up long before he came here. Gideon has tried to get through to him, so have I, and others as well. To no avail.” He stood up and ran agitated fingers through his hair, voice dropping. “I don’t know what will help him, or if anything or anyone even can. But a person can only do so much and then…you just have to leave it up to a higher power.”
Jack turned back to the bureau and slowly closed the drawer. “Were you ever?”
“What?”
“His boyfriend?”
Garrett went silent. When Jack faced him again, there was a tightness around Garrett’s eyes. “Yes,” he said quietly, strained. “But it was a mistake. For us both.”
Jack lowered his eyes to the clothes in his hands. “Were you in love with him…at any time?”
Releasing a slow, tight breath, Garrett pressed his lips tight. “What does it matter? It’s over. And it’s going to stay over. Scotty and I…we weren’t good for each other. And that’s all I have to say about it.” He flicked a hand at Jack, lightness seeping back into his tone. “Now get that cute ass dressed…if you must…and then come downstairs.”
Garrett left the room and Jack entered the bathroom, and turned on the shower, stripping out of his shorts. An uneasiness resided in his gut and pulled heavily at his heart. He didn’t know why and was a little scared to delve too deep into it all. Why was he letting himself get caught up in it anyway? It was of no concern to him.
Still, he couldn’t shake the fact that Garrett hadn’t answered his question.
Had Garrett been in love with Scotty?
It doesn’t matter. His love life—past or present, and definitely not future—has nothing to do with you. Drop it.
♥
“So, where’s Jack?” Lucas asked when Garrett entered the recreation room.
Garrett absently grabbed the triangle rack from the pool table and began arranging the pool balls. “He’s coming.”
“Is he now?” Lucas smirked then tapped the tip of his finger against his chin. “Just how did you wake him up?”
“Fuck you,” Garrett chuffed, lips twitching with a smile.
Lucas chuckled. “It’s been a while since you made that offer.” He winked.
Garrett groaned. The guy was insufferable. But fucking hot, so he let it slide.
“Tell me honestly.” Lucas hopped up and sat on the edge of the pool table. He leaned back on his arms, hands splayed out on the felt surface. His triceps popped as the weight of his upper body rested on his arms. “You’re not going to be jealous and all when Jack and I do our thing in the pool, are you?” He wriggled his eyebrows and grinned.
“Whatever,” Garrett grunted and worked the rack back and forth then carefully lifted it away from the balls. “Why would I be jealous? It’s what we do.”
“True.” Lucas nodded slowly, lips pursed thoughtfully. “But I think Garrett
baby has some fluffy feelings for the new guy.”
“You’re out of your mind.” Garrett shook his head. “Get off the table.”
“You want me to get off?” Lucas grinned and leaned back further, lowering to his elbows. The loose wife-beater tank exposed a good portion of his torso and the basketball shorts did little to conceal his natural bulge—which seemed to be a little extra thick at the moment. “Then get me off.”
“You’re annoying,” Garrett muttered and rolled his eyes, though the corner of his mouth jerked with a smile.
“And you’re in love,” Lucas ribbed.
“Trust me, I’m not.”
Lucas stared at him wryly. “Great. Then let’s put this table to good use. I got a couple of balls that need handling.”
“Again. Annoying.”
Lucas chuckled. “You’re so full of shit, man.” He shook his head. “You are so into Jack you don’t even want to touch anyone else.”
“That isn’t true.” Garrett looked at him dully. “Maybe I just don’t want to touch you.”
“Didn’t use to mind it so much.” Lucas smiled.
“Maybe I’m just not in the mood.” Garrett was in the mood—but for Jack, as Lucas had stated. But he wasn’t about to admit that to the cocky bastard.
Lucas snorted. “When are any of us not in the mood? Like you said—it’s what we do.” Garrett didn’t respond, and Lucas dropped his head back and groaned. “Come on, man. I’m horny. I haven’t done a scene in over a week.”
As if that meant he hadn’t had sex in that time. Garrett shot him a dry look. “So? Not like you haven’t fucked someone since then.”
“Even so.” Lucas chuckled, not denying it. “It’s still been a couple days.”
“You’ve got two good hands,” Garrett drawled. “Deal with it.”