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by B00ZADKX4A EBOK

  “How did your date go?” She asked, picking up a towel from the laundry table and folding it.

  Haha! Fell into my trap didn’t ya, my pretty?

  “We ate, we dance and he fucked me into the mattress—twice,” I deadpanned. The look on her face was priceless!

  “Martin! You slept with him on your third date!” She stopped mid-fold, thoroughly scandalized.

  “Actually, it was our second.” I grabbed some more clothes and continued folding.

  “Oh, well, that’s so much better considering you blew him the first time you met,” she said succinctly, pursing her lips in a very judgy way. It was funny, Nan barely had a southern drawl to speak of. I think she played it down, since becoming a lawyer.

  “Totally different,” I countered. “That wasn’t a date. That was just a trick… only sex.” I found an errant dirty sock on the floor, opened the lip of the washer and tossed it in. I held the lid open for a moment and watched the churning of the clothes… kinda mesmerizing—

  “Martin!” Nan nagged at me, stamping her foot. I had zoned out again.

  “Oops, sorry got distracted.”

  “How can you say it was only sex?”

  I wasn’t sure I particularly liked her tone. I shrugged and put the folded towels into the laundry basket. “That’s all it was the first time—sex. You women equate sex with love. Men don’t. As a man I can meet someone, be attracted to them and have sex with them knowin’ I’ll never see them again and that’s cool. Heck, I’ve even slept with people I didn’t even like all that much.”

  I smiled at that particular memory. Conner, one of my exes, had been a raging fuckface but he was great in the sack. After we broke up, I only slept with him three more times… just to be sure.

  “How is that even possible?” Baffled, Nan folded more of my clothes.

  Just a few more pieces…

  “Angry sex is hot,” I said, chuckling at her expression as I meandered back into the kitchen. The aroma of cheese, garlic, spices and tomatoes tantalized my nose and my mouth watered.

  “That is so messed up,” Nan grumbled from behind me.

  “Only to you, polly prissy pants. And to answer your other question, yes I did sleep with Avery. I also intend on sleepin’ with him again. Hopefully soon!” I grabbed two plates from the cupboard and Nan got the silverware from the basket on the hutch. “He’s so easy to be with, Nan. I can be me with him. I’ve also seen how he is with his son, Peg, that’s the little boy’s name. He’s a wonderful father and Peg’s his miniature.”

  “How is that going? Dating a man with a child?” After she’d poured herself some sweet tea, she sat down at the table. “I’ve been there,” she continued. “Dating a man with a kid isn’t easy. If the child doesn’t like you, you’re out.”

  I slipped on my oven mitts and opened the oven door then gently I coaxed out the heavy pan. Being careful to clear the door before I lifted it, I set the ziti filled pan on the top of the stove and closed the oven. I clicked it off then I moved the ziti to the table and put it on the trivet Nan had set out. I ladled up a generous portion and set it down in front of her before serving myself. I joined her at the table, took a bite and deemed it fantastic, mentally patting myself on the back.

  “I think that’s what I was afraid of most. Luckily, Peg likes me.” I paused, my fork in mid-air on its way to my mouth. “At least I think he does.”

  “How does Poppy feel about Avery?” She shoveled in another forkful and made happy munching noises.

  “She’s only met him the once, at school. This Saturday is goin’ to be the real test. Avery and I are takin’ the kids to Zoo Atlanta and I’m hopin’ all is goin’ to go fine.”

  Nan smirked. “It’s so not, but here’s hoping!”

  She raised a glass and I reluctantly clicked it with mine. I loved Nan, even if she was the cynical one in the family. Her first marriage to Ray Don Mulberry had dissolved after five years and Nan was still sensitive about the divorce. Let me let you in on some personal history about my sister Nan. Nan was, to put it lightly, an over achiever. She put herself through law school, married her high school sweetheart, worked at a prestigious Atlanta Firm and dressed like she fell right out of vogue magazine. She had it all, or so she thought. While I can’t condone Ray Don for fooling around on my sister, I can see why he did. Nan has a tendency to be a bit too controlling for her own good.

  Ray Don was a nice, simple country guy. He worked for the government, inspecting power lines and some other stuff I never understood. I never saw him take a day off or call in sick. He was a standup guy, but that wasn’t enough for Nan. She pushed and pushed at him to try out for upper management and he did, albeit reluctantly, and got a mid-level management job. He hated every minute of it. The only good thing to come out of his time there was that he met Melanie Sawyer. Melanie delivered sandwiches from the local deli to his office. Sweet natured, she must have been drawn to the sad sack that was my ex-brother-in-law and soon Ray Don was asking for a divorce. Nan was blindsided to say the least. Last I heard Ray Don and Melanie were welcoming their second child. That had been another sticking point with Ray Don, who truly wanted to be a dad but Nan was on the fence about kids.

  Now Nan came over to my place for dinner at my place three nights a week, leaving her midtown glass and leather condo abandoned. My heart went out to her. She is really is a wonderful person, beyond the prickles. Still, what she’d said had rattled me more than I cared to admit.

  Chapter 6

  Avery

  “Winnipeg Onslow Myer, get your butt in the shower now!”

  Of all of the days for Peg to be persnickety, why did he pick today? Martin and Poppy were meeting us in an hour at Zoo Atlanta. I’d gotten up, showered, put on some house shorts and was on my first cup of coffee when Peg came shuffling out of his room.

  From the moment he sat down he was a surly little shit. He mumbled, rolled his eyes at me and when I asked what he wanted for breakfast, he dithered. The third time I asked, he got nasty with me and I scolded him, which led to him telling me I was mean. I closed my eyes, counted to ten, told him I was sorry for yelling and asked him what he wanted for breakfast. Waffles, he wanted waffles, so I made him a waffle and poured him a glass of milk. He ate quietly as I cleaned up the kitchen. Momma was at work and Mawmaw was out with her walking group. We were the only ones home.

  Peg took forever to eat. I scooted him to the bathroom and thought he was taking a shower. For cripes sakes, I’d turned it on for him, checked the temperature, set him out a towel and told him to get in while I grabbed his clothes. When I came back a few minutes later I caught him making faces in the mirror. I was so freaking annoyed with him that I yelled again for him to get in the shower. His lower lip trembled, fat tears welled up and the howling started. Some days, it didn’t pay to get out of bed.

  I plopped down on the floor in front of him and let him cry. After his tears had dried up and he hiccupped as he wound down, I waited, sitting Indian style, arms at my side. When he finally looked at me, I opened my arms and he fell into them, curling in my lap. I rocked him and snuggled him close, stroking his hair.

  “Wanna tell me what’s goin’ on, Peg?” I prodded. He sniffled and mumbled something. “I didn’t get that.”

  “Why can’t you date a girl?” he all but wailed.

  All the air whooshed out of my lungs and I’m surprised I found my voice at all. “Why is that important all a sudden, Peg? You know your uncles and I like guys. I do like girls, too but I’ve always told you it doesn’t matter who you love, as long as they love you back.” Then it hit me and I asked softly, “Did someone say somethin’ to you?”

  He nodded weakly. “I was telling Wally and Rolando ‘bout us going to the zoo with Martin and Poppy. I told them you two were on a date. Davey Smith came over and called you a ‘bomination. He said his daddy says all faggots should die and burn in hell. I don’t want you to die!” The tears came fast and hot now.

  Oh man!

>   “I’m not gonna die, Peg.” I said softly. I really hadn’t counted on this happening.

  “Mommy did!” He bawled anew and my heart broke. He clung to me as if he was afraid if he let me go, I’d disappear. I patted his head and kissed it then tucked my finger under his chin to make him look at me.

  “Peg, your momma died in an accident… a horrible, horrible accident. But I’m not goin’ anywhere.” I wiped away his tears with my fingers. “’Member when we talked about how some people would be mean to me and your uncles ‘cause we’re different?”

  “Yeah.” He sniffled and laid his head on my chest

  “And that some people are gonna be mean without even knowin’ us?” He nodded again.

  “Yes.”

  “Well, Davey Smith and his daddy are those kinda people.” I paused. “Can I ask you somthin’?” As he bobbed his head yes I kept going. “Do you like Poppy?” Another yes. “Do like Martin?” A slower yes. “Do you love me?” Peg whimpered and hugged me tight. That was a definite yes. “Then that’s all that matters, Peg. I love you and you love me. Your uncles, Mawmaw and Grandma all love you, Peg and it doesn’t matter what some people say. We Myers stick together.” He righted himself in my lap and I rubbed his back. “Peg, I like Martin a lot and I’m going to be goin’ out with him as much as I can. But I promise it won’t interfere with our time.”

  “Do you love Martin, Daddy?” No guile, just an honest from the heart question.

  I figured he deserved honesty in return. “I don’t know yet, Peg. I like bein’ ‘round Martin. He makes me laugh and makes me feel good.”

  “You’re not gonna leave me?” Damn, he knew how to make me cry. I hugged him hard.

  “Never! You’re my son, Peg. I’m not goin’ anywhere… promise.” I crossed my heart and cringed inwardly over my little white lie. Hell, I could get run down by a grannie in a town car tomorrow, but he didn’t need to know that. All Peg needed was reassurance I was going to be there for him. I tickled his side and he giggled. “All better?” He nodded and relief washed through me. “Then get movin’, stinky butt. You have to shower and brush your teeth.”

  He crawled out of my lap and I rose to my knees. Peg threw his arms around me and hugged me fiercely once more. I hugged him back and closed my eyes. He was so small and frail and my rage at Davey Smith and his shithead of a father was borderline psychotic at the moment.

  No one hurts my boy!

  Peg let me go, quickly undressed and stepped into the shower. While he started to get washed, I turned on the small radio in the bathroom. He grinned at me from behind sudsy cheeks as Megan Traynor’s: It’s all about that Bass filled the room. I snickered at his antics and began to trim my beard of stragglers. Peg and I weren’t done talking about this, not by a long shot, but that was a conversation for later. Today I wanted him to have a good day at the zoo with Martin, Poppy and me.

  I hummed along to the song and got my shit going.

  *

  Zoo Atlanta was founded in 1889 by businessman George V. Gress. It was set about the remnants of a traveling circus and the animals were donated to the city of Atlanta. City leaders housed the collection of animals in Grant Park which eventually became the zoo's present location. Peg absolutely loved the zoo. The first time Daisy and I had taken him he was barely three-years-old. He’d squealed and hooted the entire time, pointing at the various animals and, by the end of the day, he was wiped out and asleep in my arms. Since then, we came at least every couple of months or so. Peg’s favorite was the gorilla habitat and the Boundless Budgies: A Parakeet Adventure, which had opened in April 2009.

  That’s where we were now. The habitat was full of little squawking birds. Poppy and Peg were with the habitat guide, hand feeding the birds. Peg’s eyes were like saucers and Poppy’s high pitched squeals made me snicker. Martin winced beside me at the ear-splitting noise. Man, he looked good. He had on a white Superman T-shirt that clung to him like a second skin and a white baseball cap. I longed to brush back the tendrils of his strawberry blond hair peeping out from under the brim. His tan cargo shorts clung to his bodacious butt and I found myself staring at it more than once.

  When we’d met up with Martin and Poppy, he was slathering them both with sunscreen. I hadn’t thought about it, but sun and freckled redheads don’t really mix. Poppy was chafing under the fuss he made and groused at him not to get any lotion on her dress. She had on a pale blue sundress and the two made quite the stunning pair.

  I pointed out the bird sanctuary on the zoo map and we headed in that direction. I strolled beside Martin and our shoulders brushed as the kids ran ahead, chattering like magpies. I could smell the sunblock and sweat coming off him. I tried to discreetly stretch out a leg as we walked in an attempt to un-stick my balls from my thigh.

  Damn baggy shorts.

  The knowing smirk on Martin’s face was a good indication he was well aware of my predicament.

  “You look hot,” he drawled, quickly adding. “Not hot as in sweaty hot, hot as in I’d like you to take me on that park bench and fuck me silly.” I tripped over my own feet and he caught me. “Sorry, too much?”

  “No.” I played off the stumble, trying to regain my cool points. “You say whatever comes in your head don’t you?”

  “Pretty much,” Martin replied, narrowing his gaze. “I suck at lyin’ though. I’ll never be able to play poker.” Martin screwed up his lips. “And neither would you. Wanna tell me what’s got your dander up? I can see somethin’s botherin’ you.”

  I stopped and stared at him, amazed he could read me so easily. I sighed heavily and told him about the conversation I’d had with Peg. The more I talked, the redder his face got and the madder he looked. By the time I’d finished, Martin looked like he was going to explode.

  “That sonovabitch,” he fumed. “That low life, three-toothed, trailer trash sonovabitch.” He paced in a circle in front of me. “He was warned last year about spreadin’ hate like that at the school.” My confusion must have been written all over my face and he elaborated.

  “Poppy was in Ms. Derringer’s kindergarten class last year and so was that little spawn of Satan; Davey Smith. Somehow he found out I was gay, most likely from one of the meany moms, and the boy started spoutin’ off nasty anti-gay slurs at Poppy. She came home cryin’ one day and when Jackie and I found out what the little fucker had said to Poppy, we went ballistic. We talked to the principal, but nothin’ was gettin’ done. Smith’s a homophobic asshole with friends, so I brought in my sister Nan. She’s a lawyer by the way and she told Mr. Smith and the principal—another asshole—that if this didn’t stop, Jackie and I would sue Smith, the principal and the school for a hate crime against my daughter.

  “I was fit to be tied. And if they thought I was bad, you should have seen Jackie and Matthew. Jackie was in rare Superbitch form and Matthew, who’s former army, was about to blow a gasket. The school, principal and Smith backed down, tucked tail and haven’t created any problems since then. I was glad when I saw Davey was in Mrs. Garcia’s class and not Ms. Greco’s. Seems I spoke too soon.”

  “I’m worried for, Peg,” I said, keeping my voice low. “He just started school and this has happened. I-I’m not sure we should be seein’ each other.” The lump in my throat almost choked me at the thought of not seeing Martin.

  “Avery,” Martin said softly. “If we stop seein’ each other that hateful man wins. Peg knows you’re bi and your brothers are gay and he’s gonna have to deal with this stuff for the rest his life… just like Poppy.”

  I looked down at my feet. He was right and I felt like a total heel. I sidled closer to him and apologized. “’M sorry Martin. I panicked. It’s just ‘cause Peg’s so important to me.”

  His arm came around my shoulder and I leaned against him. “I’d be disappointed if you were any different.” Keeping a low profile, he laid his head on my shoulder. “So, are we still datin’?”

  “Yeah.” I answered gruffly and snickered. “You said sonovab
itch and asshole.”

  “Well, it just fuckin’ pisses me off when someone hurts the people I care about.” He threw his arms up. “I cussed again! I think you’re corruptin’ me.”

  “I’d rather kiss you.” I was inches from kissing those soft lips and Martin swayed as he leaned in when Poppy shrieked. She raced over to us, waving her hands in the air.

  “Daddy! Avery! Ya gotta see the bird eat a sunflower seed from Peg’s mouth!” Prancing in circles, she pointed wildly at Peg. Martin grumbled low and I think I heard him say cock blocker. I chuckled, put my hand on the small of his back and we walked over to join the kids.

  *

  “Poppy, you’re drippin’,” Martin chided her and she gave him a toothy grin.

  Licking the drip from her hand she resumed demolishing her ice cream cone. Martin had suggested Flamingo Joe’s, a restaurant in the zoo, for lunch. All four of us had burgers and fries and ended the meal with ice cream.

  Although observing Martin eat a burger was… interesting. First he took off the top bun and set it aside. Then he removed the tomato and lettuce, setting them to one side of his plate. Finally, he added a blob of extra mustard and ketchup to the bun and mashed it down on the burger. He flicked some of the sesame seeds from the bun next. I motioned to the tomato and lettuce with a raised eyebrow.

  “I like the tomato flavor, but it makes the bun soggy. As for lettuce, in my opinion, lettuce is only for salads.” Impishly, he licked his lips, knowing I was watching. “I eat things kinda of differently from regular people.”

  “I know. I saw you eat a nectarine.” I remarked. “That was… interesting.”

  “I hate getting juice on me.” He replied. “I roll the nectarine until the flesh loosens from the seed, all the while carefully not breaking the skin. I bit a hole in the skin and suck out the juice, then the pit. Lastly I eat the skin. Tada! Clean as a whistle.”