by A M Snead
“And this carving is what he wanted to show you?” Mickey asked. “Did…did he do it?”
“Uh-huh,” Marcus said quietly. “It’s like a token of friendship. He said he was sorry if he’s acted like a jerk, and he wished we could be friends again. All of us.” Marcus drew back a little and looked at Mickey. “We can, can’t we? He and I used to be real good friends, he was always there for me before I met you. When I used to have those really bad nightmares, he would sit up all night and kind of watch over me when I slept. It made me feel better and made the nightmares not so bad.” He laid his head on Mickey’s shoulder. “I miss that Scotty. I think it made him feel good to be needed. And now…I think he feels like no one needs him anymore.”
“I know,” Mickey murmured thickly. “But…Scotty’s different now and…and I don’t want you going off with him alone, okay? Not ever.”
“Why?” Marcus drew back, his brow pinched. A slow smile tweaked his lips. “You’re not…jealous, are you?”
Mickey gazed at him. “Maybe I am,” he whispered. “He did used to have a thing for you. Maybe I don’t want him stealing you away from me.” His throat closed, and he swallowed hard, struggling to maintain lightness and an air of amusement.
“Oh, Mickey.” Marcus rolled his eyes in that sweet, sexy way of his and hugged Mickey fiercely hard. “No one can take me away from you.” He kissed his neck. “Never ever, ever, ever.”
“No one better not.” Mickey trembled and buried his face in Marcus’ hair. “Because I couldn’t breathe without you.”
Mickey cast one last glance at the carving then urged Marcus back toward the house and away from the trees, anxiety and uncertainty twisting up his insides. Had something as simple and innocent as a carving been Scotty’s sole purpose for coaxing Marcus outside—or had he been put up to it to prove to Mickey just how easily Marcus could be lured away into isolation and from the safety of numbers?
66 “The Knockout”
“Hey, my beauties.” Garrett beckoned to the twins when they approached from the rear corridor. “Come meet our guest.”
Marcus’ face lit up as soon as he saw Benjamin. He looked at Mickey. “Ah, daddy brought us home a present.” The other guys parted, chuckling softly, and made way for Mickey and Marcus. Garrett noticed that Mickey wasn’t showing the enthusiasm he normally did upon meeting a new boy, but when he caught Garrett staring at him, he instantly shifted gears and tapped into Marcus’ excitement.
“He’s so pretty,” Mickey cooed and sidled up to the kid, stroking Benjamin’s hair. The boy looked at him uncertainly, and perhaps with a shadow of fear, reminding Garrett of Jack’s reaction to first meeting the twins. Garrett glanced discreetly at Jack who stood back a little from the others, watching the twins with a distant look in his eyes. Was he remembering that day as well? That had been a good day in Garrett’s book; waking Jack up in his hotel room…with a kiss. Had he told Jack about that stolen kiss? He couldn’t remember now. Not that it mattered.
“I want him,” Marcus whimpered with a plea in his voice. He pet Benjamin’s arm then his chest, smiling sweetly at the boy. Benjamin didn’t stand a chance—no one did against those two. Before the day was over—and that only left a few short hours—he would be as in love with the twins as everyone else. Marcus looked at Gideon. “Can we keep him?”
Gideon ducked his head and chuckled, mostly from the look on Benjamin’s face, as the boy clearly didn’t know what to make of the twins. Few did upon meeting them. Gideon scratched his temple and grinned. “Well, for now, he’s just here for room and board.” He cocked an eyebrow and smiled wryly. “So, don’t be too naughty.”
His face scrunching with disappointment, Marcus propped his chin on Benjamin’s shoulder and blew softly in his ear. A visible shiver swept through the boy and Garrett didn’t miss the slight swell of his crotch. “You don’t like boys who play naughty?” Marcus cooed. “Naughty boys can be fun.”
Obviously, Benjamin was no stranger to naughty boys, although it was doubtful he had ever met any who were nice as well as naughty. It would surely do him good to have the full experience of the twins. Benjamin was already falling under their spell as his uncertainty turned to pleasure and he smiled at Marcus. “I don’t have anything against naughty boys.”
Marcus moaned softly, his eyes weighing dreamily. “But this naughty boy”—he pushed a little closer to Benjamin—“has something against you.”
“This one, too,” Mickey chimed in and rubbed closer.
“Fuck,” Gideon chuckled and shook his head, his brow cocked as he stared at Marcus and Mickey, then glanced at Garrett. “And they can look so innocent.”
“Well,” Garrett mused. “Thank God it’s just an illusion.”
“Garrett likes naughty boys, too.” Mickey grinned darkly, casting Garrett a sidelong glance.
“Damn straight, baby.”
Benjamin’s gaze jumped fleetingly to Jack then glanced quickly off Garrett before returning to the two boys. “Aren’t all the guys here kind of naughty?” he asked with a hopeful smile.
Marcus giggled and nodded. “Yep.”
“Then I might never leave,” Benjamin piped, his nervousness at being with new people already fading away.
“Oh no.” Mickey nuzzled his ear. “You can’t ever leave.”
“We’re like the roach motel.” Bailey smirked. “You check in but you don’t check out.”
Gideon looked at him and chuckled. “Thanks. That’s just how I want my home to be referenced.”
“Occasionally one gets away,” Lucas said dryly, and Garrett knew to whom he was referring.
No one had put up much resistance when Royal had announced he was leaving to pursue a more glamorous career on the silver screen in Hollywood. The guy was so fucking in love with himself, he couldn’t help but believe everyone else would fall in line as well. Garrett had no clue whether his delusions of grandeur had manifested themselves into reality. When Royal walked away, he didn’t look back, nor did he maintain ties with anyone. Garrett had yet to see him star in a blockbuster movie, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t working his way up the ladder of stardom. He’d only been gone about a year, it took time to make your mark—even for a porn superstar.
“Good bye and good riddance to that prick,” Derek muttered with a smirk. “I swear he thought his cock was made of gold.” The others snickered and laughed, agreeing with Derek.
“I never had the pleasure,” Bailey said. “Was he really that bad?”
Lucas rolled his eyes and groaned. “Fuck. Be thankful you were spared.”
“I only met him once,” Zachary admitted. “He was certainly easy on the eyes. I would’ve dicked him.”
Derek snorted. “That’s because you didn’t know him. His fucking ego ruined everything else.”
“So—what?” Zachary cocked an eyebrow. “Now you have to like a guy before you’ll fuck him?” He chuffed and shook his head. “What’s the world of porn coming to?” He laughed and dodged when Derek swiped at him.
“I think I’ll leave you boys to your reminiscing,” Gideon laughed softly. “And take my leave now.” He looked at Benjamin and winked. “Good luck.” He headed for the stairs.
“Oh, come on, pops,” Lucas chided. “Even you have to admit it’s much nicer around here since the Royal pain left us for the ‘better’ life.”
Gideon paused at the foot of the staircase and turned around. “Most people have good in them if you look deep enough, Lucas.”
A cocky grin twisted Lucas’ lips. “Yeah, well, I was in there a few times and rooted about as deep as man can go—and I didn’t find anything but ass.”
A roar of laughter surged through the small gathering and Garrett was infected as well. The truth was the truth.
Gideon sighed and shook his head, chuckling. “Oh, Lucas…God certainly broke the mold after he made you.”
Grinning, Lucas quipped, “Well, even God knew he couldn’t achieve such perfection again.”
�
�Now who’s in love with himself?” Gideon smirked and jogged up the stairs with another shake of his head.
“You are kind of arrogant yourself,” Garrett threw at Lucas and grinned. “That’s probably why you didn’t like the guy—he stole your thunder.”
“Yeah, well,” Lucas snorted. “I don’t recall your popularity skyrocketing until he jumped ship either.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Garrett sneered. “I was doing fine—”
“Garrett…”
Jack’s sudden approach snagged Garrett’s words in his throat. Lucas immediately backed away and turned his attention to Benjamin and the other guys. No fresh words rose up and he just stared at Jack, waiting for him to speak.
“Look,” he mumbled and avoided direct eye contact. “I just wanted to say thanks for…standing ready to jump in with my dad and all.”
The words that worked themselves up and tumbled out weren’t the same words churning deep in Garrett’s heart. “Not a big deal,” he said, his voice low, and somewhat stiff even to his own ears. “I would’ve stood by any of the guys here.”
Jack stepped back, his brow pinching. “I wasn’t trying to imply that I was…” He swallowed thickly. “…that I was special or anything. I was just saying thank you. Can’t you just accept it without being a dick?” He didn’t wait for an answer and walked away.
“Good question,” Bailey spoke from right behind Garrett.
Garrett turned and looked at him hard, ready to fire off—but the fuse was short and burned out quickly as he turned back and watched Jack climb the staircase. “I…” His lips tightened, brow squeezing. “I didn’t…fucking mean for it to come out like…” He shook his head and dragged his hand over his mouth. Fuck.
♥
“You know…” Lucas sighed and rested his arm on Garrett’s shoulder. “If you ever hope to get back in that boy’s good graces—as well as his pants…” He squeezed Garrett’s thick trap muscle. “…you’re gonna have to learn some social skills.”
Garrett shrugged off his hand. “Why should I be the one trying to get back in his good graces?” he asked curtly. “I didn’t do anything to get out of them.”
“Then why has Jack been so pissed at you?” Lucas asked, a bit exasperated.
“That is the question, isn’t it?” Garrett snapped rather sharply.
“Then go fucking ask it,” Lucas snapped right back in frustration. “Fuck. I swear, Gideon needs to lock the two of you in a fucking room together until you fucking talk to each other.”
“It isn’t your business,” Garrett told him. “So how about you just not concern yourself with it.” Lucas grabbed his arm when he started to walk away.
“Jack is hurting like hell over whatever happened between you two,” Lucas said tightly, holding Garrett’s arm. “And he isn’t the only one.” He started to say more when he noticed some of the other guys looking their way. Lucas drew Garrett further away toward the front door and out onto the stoop. Bailey followed and closed the door behind the three of them. Lucas let go of Garrett’s arm. “What the fuck happened, Garrett? You have to have some idea why Jack is so hurt and pissed at you.”
“What makes you think he’s hurt?” Garrett was clearly going for cynicism but hit on sincerity instead.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Lucas said dryly. “Maybe the fact that he nearly broke down in tears in my arms while we were shooting the skit. The kid is coming apart inside. Now what the hell went on that night after you two left the club?”
It was right there on the tip of Garrett’s tongue to insist it was none of his business, then something caved inside the man and he finally told both Lucas and Bailey the events of that evening; their intense lovemaking, Jack opening up about Jill’s boyfriend and Jack’s own fears of caring for someone so deeply, Garrett leaving the bed while Jack was asleep and going to the kitchen—then coming back to find that Jack had locked him out and refused to open the door or even speak to him. And the next morning…Jack emerging from the twins’ room, fastening his pants.
“So, you tell me,” Garrett asked with a thickness to his voice. “What did I do wrong? I went down to get a fucking bite to eat then came back. That’s it. He was the one who chose to lock me out of his room, and then turn around and fuck the twins. Yet I feel like everyone is looking at me like I’m the fucking culprit—when I didn’t do a fucking thing.”
“No one is laying blame,” Bailey said quietly, sincerely. “It isn’t like Jack has been telling some ugly story about you. He hasn’t said anything either.” He cast a brief glance at Lucas. “We’re not trying to pry into your business, Garrett, but you and Jack both are our friends…and you’re both hurting, whether either of you admit it or not.” He stepped closer and squeezed Garrett’s shoulder. “We just want our two friends to be good with each other again.”
Lucas smiled. “And fucking each other’s brains out like the good Lord intended.”
Bailey inched away from Lucas, taking Garrett with him. “Just in case a random lightning bolt shoots out of the sky.” He smiled wryly.
“If He was going to strike me down.” Lucas smirked. “He would’ve done it long before now. I’ve certainly given Him plenty of occasion.”
“Well maybe you should stop giving Him occasion,” Bailey suggested with a cocked eyebrow. “Before you completely exasperate Him.”
Lucas chuckled and returned his focus to Garrett, sobering. “There’s clearly some pieces missing to this puzzle. And you’re not going to know what they are until you just ask Jack why he locked you out and has been pissed at you ever since.” He shook his head. “I’m surprised you didn’t do just that first thing off. You’ve never been shy about asking someone what the fuck was up with them. So why now?”
Garrett shrugged and looked off absently down the gravel drive. “I don’t know,” he whispered. “I kept thinking about it, but…” He shrugged again.
“Are you afraid of what he’ll tell you?” Bailey ventured. “That maybe it won’t be what you want to hear?”
Garrett shrugged a third time. “Yeah…maybe…fuck, I don’t know. It’s just…” He licked his lips slowly and looked down at the porch stoop. “No one’s ever made me feel the way he does,” he mumbled. “With Scotty, I knew we weren’t right for each other…even from the start. But with Jack…” A thin sheen glossed his eyes and he swallowed thickly. “He felt…perfect. And that night, when we left the club…” He looked up and met Lucas’ stare. “I knew I was falling in love with him…and that’s something I never thought I would allow myself to do.”
Nodding slowly, Bailey slipped his arm around Garrett’s shoulders and hugged him. “A little newsflash for you, buddy,” he murmured. “No one allows themselves to fall in love. When it hits you, you’re down for the count. Not a damn thing you can do to stop it.”
Lucas stared at Bailey’s back and realized quite suddenly—and fearfully—that that’s where he was right now…face against the mat, his heart knocked out cold and down for the count.
67 “The Water Under The Bridge”
Jack didn’t know why Garrett’s reply pissed him off or hurt so fucking bad. Had he really expected any more from him? Jack took special care not to slam his bedroom door, though he felt the need to do exactly that. The sting in his eyes irritated him as much as Garrett’s attitude. After the events at the club earlier, maybe he had expected more from Garrett. Thought, at least, that Garrett would accept Jack’s thanks in a civil manner.
“Why did you waste your fucking breath?” he muttered. Since the night Garrett had used him, some part of him had been on a mission to discover some rational reason why Garrett did what he did. After everything, he wanted an excuse that would allow him to forgive Garrett…and maybe get back to where they were at the start of that night.
Jack forcibly tugged off his jacket and threw it at the closet door.
“There is no excuse,” he hissed bitterly, his throat closing. “He did exactly what Scotty said he would do—he fucked you and dumped
you. There was never anything there to salvage. So just get the fuck over the guy.”
Jack stared at his bed. The images of that infamous night had yet to vacate his room. He hated being in here alone, especially at night, and wished he could spend every night with the twins, enveloped between their supple bodies and wrapped up in their tender passion. They had extended the invitation and left it open ended, but he couldn’t become dependent on them. He had to deal with this himself, find the strength and will within to rise above the unpleasant experience.
Making a sudden decision, Jack left the bedroom and went to Gideon’s office.
“Jack.” Gideon looked up from behind his desk. “I thought you’d be in dreamland by now. You’ve had a hell of a long and trying day.”
Jack nodded and entered the room slowly, hands stuffed in his jean pockets. He sat on the edge of the chair in front of the desk, but rather than get straight to his point for being there, he glanced at the framed photo Gideon kept on his desktop.
“Can I ask who that is?” Jack murmured and nodded at the picture.
Gideon shifted his gaze to the photo and an instant shadow darkened his eyes. “Just…someone I used to know.” He looked at Jack and there was no mistaking the anguish in his boss’ eyes. “A very long time ago.”
“He’s the same guy who's in the newspaper clipping.” Jack indicated the wall of framed photos. “Isn’t he? The pastor? David…” Jack couldn’t remember his last name.
“Yeah.” Gideon cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair, his eyes evasive. “He was…” His hand slid slowly over his mouth as that distant look from back in the car crept into his stare again. “He was my best friend when we were kids. Teenagers.”
Jack recalled Gideon’s brief story the day Jack had shot his first scene with the twins—about being sixteen when he came out to just one person, at bible camp, and being told he would go to hell if he embraced his “sin.” Jack scooted back in his chair. “Is David the one that you came out to in bible camp?” Jack asked cautiously, uncertain if he was overstepping his bounds.