by Megan Slayer
Mick sat at the kitchen table. Papers lay all over the table and counter. He was staring at his laptop, glasses on and forehead crinkled. He massaged his temples.
“Are you okay?” Evan closed the door and hung his keys on the rack. “Babe? The media circus left, didn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Mick shook his head. “They pretty much followed you. It’s been quiet.”
“Then what’s wrong? You’re tense.” He wanted to touch Mick, but kept some distance.
“I’m stuck.” Mick abandoned his glasses. “Remember Mr. Tate?”
“He owned the deli, didn’t he?” Evan sat opposite Mick. “What happened?” He paused. “If you can’t tell me, don’t. It’s not my business.”
“He passed three months ago and left a very simple will. He designated that each of his three daughters get an equal part of his estate. Money-wise, things are fine. Thing-wise, there are problems. The girls are fighting over the stuff—who gets what. The items aren’t big-dollar things and are mostly sentimental objects. I don’t know what to do for them. They put names on what they wanted and almost everything has all three names. Mr. Tate didn’t label who got what, so it’s a mess.”
“Ouch.” He appreciated being the only member of his family left. Everything went to him and he couldn’t argue with himself.
“They’re going to drive me to drinking.” Mick closed his laptop. “Every time I say, why doesn’t Carol take this and Colette have this, then Cherie says she wants whatever it is. I can’t make them happy.” He sighed. “I’m sorry. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.”
“You’re stressed and I won’t say anything.” Evan reached across the table and held Mick’s hand. “Why don’t you stop for now and let me help you think about something else for a while?”
“How?” A wicked grin curled on Mick’s lips. “Do you have a plan for stress relief?”
Evan wasn’t great at much, but he knew how to please his lover and right now he wanted to make Mick happy. He stood, then rounded the table. He hauled Mick to his feet. “I’ve got lots of plans. Come with me.”
Chapter Seven
Evan led Mick up to the second floor. This time, he wanted to go slow. He slipped into the bedroom. Mick fell into his arms and sighed. Evan kissed him. The tenderness and sweetness washed over him. He could turn this moment into a song. Had to. He swayed with Mick and ground against the growing bulge in Mick’s pants. He loved the closeness and sucked on Mick’s tongue.
Mick groaned and pulled his mouth away. “You make me crazy.”
“That’s the point.” Evan grabbed Mick’s ass. “The feeling is mutual.”
Mick sighed. “Evan.”
“Yeah?” He squeezed Mick’s ass again. God, he loved the feel of his boyfriend’s backside. “What?”
“I can’t think straight.” Mick grinned and the light filled his eyes. “You overwhelm me.”
“Good.” He let go of Mick and removed his shirt. Once he tossed the garment onto the floor, he reached for his lover again. He tugged at Mick’s shirt, popping the buttons free from their holes.
“You want me naked?” Mick asked. He finished removing the garment and parted his lips. “It’s warm out today, but nothing like being here with you.” He grabbed the front of Evan’s jeans. “I want you.”
“Want you, too.” He directed Mick to the bed. Evan shoved Mick’s pants down, then nudged him onto the mattress. He sank to his knees.
“Evan.” Mick threaded his fingers into Evan’s hair. “Baby.” He guided Evan. “Do it.”
Evan slid his palms along Mick’s thighs. He buried his face in the apex of Mick’s legs and breathed his lover in. Intoxicating. He’d never get over this feeling—completion.
“Yes.” Mick groaned. “You so make me crazy.”
He hadn’t done anything yet. Evan licked Mick’s shaft, then kissed the inside of Mick’s thigh.
Mick tugged on Evan’s hair. “Oh, my God. You’ll kill me. Tease.”
Of course. Evan nuzzled Mick’s shaft. He licked and kissed the tender skin as Mick’s erection burgeoned. His lover’s dick stood tall and Evan brushed his lips across the blunt head before focusing on and tonguing the ridge.
Mick jerked. “Shit. I love that.”
If that move was good, you’ll love what I do next. Evan fondled Mick’s balls and nudged his lover’s knees apart. When Mick obliged, Evan plunged his mouth down on Mick’s cock. He buried his nose in Mick’s tight curls.
“Jesus.” Mick’s grasp tightened and he pushed Evan’s head.
Evan allowed Mick to have the control. He might be pushy himself, but he loved to hand over the reins sometimes. With Mick, he could be himself. He liked being encouraged and bobbed his head. He swallowed to the back of his throat, then pulled most of the way out and glanced up at Mick.
The glazed look in Mick’s eyes, the way he parted his lips and his brow furrowed…it all turned Evan on. Red infused Mick’s cheeks. Evan slid his palm along Mick’s chest. He pinched one of Mick’s nipples.
Mick jerked again. “Evan. Holy shit.” He tightened his knees around Evan’s shoulders. “Feels good. I’m going to come apart.”
He increased the speed of his bobbing. He wanted Mick to come. He needed him to. Evan wanted Mick to be raw.
Mick shuddered. “I can’t.”
Yes, you can. Evan pinched and rolled Mick’s nipple. He sucked harder and massaged Mick’s balls.
Mick’s legs trembled. He panted. “I can’t think straight.”
Why was he thinking? Evan must not have been doing his job well enough. He pushed Mick a little more and hummed. He swallowed Mick to the back of his throat and buried his nose in Mick’s curls. He stopped pinching and raked his fingers down Mick’s abs.
Mick shuddered again. “Oh, fuck.” He jammed his dick into Evan’s mouth and curled over him. He tensed and cum slid down Evan’s throat.
Evan swallowed. Salty, slippery and perfect. He made sure he caught every drop. He wouldn’t miss this.
“Evan.” Mick groaned. He let go of Evan’s hair. “Damn.” He sank onto the bed and gasped. His chest puffed and his nipples pebbled. “You fried my brain.”
Evan licked his lips and sat back on his heels. “I can’t make this easy.”
“Easy?” Mick rubbed his belly. “This is the easiest thing I’ve ever done. It’s right because I’m with you.”
Evan retrieved the condom and lube from the nightstand. He folded Mick in half. Evan slicked his fingers, then toyed with Mick’s asshole. He admired the pink skin.
“Evan.” Mick held on to his knees. “I’m flying.”
“Not yet.” Evan breached Mick’s hole. He moved slowly and pushed as he added more lube. He wanted Mick to be relaxed, and eased his finger in as much as he could.
“God, yes. Fuck me.” Mick bore down on Evan. “Feels so good. I need more. Please?”
Evan pushed in and out of Mick’s hole. He caressed his lover and stretched Mick. He fondled his lover’s balls.
Another groan rumbled from Mick. He relaxed and welcomed Evan in.
Evan added another finger and continued to stroke. He toyed with Mick’s prostate. In and out. “What do you want?” he whispered. “Tell me.”
“You.” Mick smiled. He widened his legs. “Now.”
“Yeah?” Evan increased the pace and kissed Mick’s shin. “Now?”
A ripple shot through Mick. He gritted his teeth. “I’ll burst and I just came.”
Evan withdrew his fingers. “Okay.” He loved to toy with Mick. He stood and shoved his jeans down to his ankles. He stroked his erection, then donned the rubber. If he wasn’t careful, he’d come too fast, too. He drenched his cock in lube, then leaned forward. He kissed Mick. The feeling of cock on cock, despite the condom between them, added to his pleasure.
Mick threw his arms around Evan. “Yes. Do it.”
Evan lined his cock up with Mick’s hole. He pushed. He slid into Mick’s slick perfection. Bliss. He held the pose a moment a
nd stared deep into his lover’s eyes. He’d found his perfect match. Music played in his mind. Words filtered through to him. Mick was his inspiration. Sweet and just as he’d expected.
Mick let go. “I need you to move. I want to feel you within me.”
“I’m there.” He moved his hips, pushing to the hilt before pulling most of the way out. He groaned. He’d never be the same. His thoughts blurred and his senses heightened. The colors around him were brighter, the scent of Mick surrounded him and he could still taste the cum on his lips. Skin on skin, the sound of their thrusts echoed. He was close to coming. He growled. “Mick.”
“I’m right at the edge.” Mick tensed again. “I’m going to come.”
He tried to say yes, but the words evaporated. Nothing mattered except Mick and the moment. He pistoned into Mick. He couldn’t think straight, not that he was thinking about much but his lover.
“Let go,” Mick said. “I’m with you.”
The encouragement was all Evan needed. His resistance shattered as he slammed into Mick. His balls tightened and he came hard. A shiver rocked through him.
Mick moaned. “Holy shit, that feels good.” He laughed and closed his eyes. “I’m repeating myself, but I love what you’re doing.”
Evan collapsed on Mick. His lover overwhelmed him and wore him out. He buried his face against Mick’s neck. He basked in the perfect moment. Life was exactly how he wanted it to be because he had who he needed. He puffed against Mick’s throat. “Feel better?” He sure did.
“Yes.” Mick cuddled up to Evan. “I’m the best I’ve ever been.” He kissed Evan. “You can help me relieve my stress like that any time.”
“Happy to oblige.” Evan twined his legs with Mick’s and sighed. “Stay tonight.” He needed Mick there.
“I should change my clothes before I go to work,” Mick said. “I can’t show up in rumpled clothes I wore the day before.”
“I know.” He’d plead if that was what Mick wanted. “I can set an alarm. I already have one set so I wake in time to start the chores.”
“I know.” Mick splayed his hand on Evan’s chest. “I should go,” he whispered. “Tomorrow is Friday. I’ll stay all weekend.”
“Deal.” He’d rather work like hell to convince Mick to sleep with him all night, but he understood why Mick had to go.
“I’m drawn to you, intoxicated by you and don’t want to go, but I have to work.” Mick let go and left the bed. “But I’d rather be here.”
“I wish you’d stick around, but we have things to do and that doesn’t mean I can’t be here waiting for you.” Evan sat up. He wasn’t ready for the night to end. “Mick?”
“Yeah?” Mick strode into the bathroom, then poked his head out. “What’s wrong?”
Evan donned his underwear. His heart hammered as he crossed the room to Mick. “Mick?” His hands shook. He had so many things he wanted to say, but wasn’t sure how or if he could.
“Yeah?” Mick stood before the mirror in his trousers. He wiped his face with a washcloth. “Are you okay? You’re pale.”
“I love you.” Holy fucking shit. He’d said it. When they were in school, he wouldn’t have spoken to Mick for fear everyone would know he was gay. When he’d first come back to Cedarwood, he’d thought he and Mick would brawl instead of coming together. But he’d known his heart and the shiver that ran the length of his body. No one made him feel the way Mick did. He’d never been this confident, either. He couldn’t see his life without Mick.
Mick froze. “What?”
That wasn’t the response he’d expected. He hoped Mick would admit he felt the same way. He thought the connection between them ran deep. “I love you, Mick.” Maybe he hadn’t heard Evan right. That had to be the case.
“You don’t know my full name, my favorite color or favorite food.” Mick’s shoulders sank. “Where I was born…if I’m allergic to anything or if I had dreams beyond Cedarwood.”
He didn’t need the answers to those questions to know his heart. “My name is Evan James Conley. My favorite color is red and I love to eat home-made noodles. I was born here in Cedarwood at the hospital and I’m allergic to mornings. My dreams were to make it big in the music business and make my family proud.”
“Evan.” Mick shrugged into his shirt. “We need time.”
“We’ve got time.” He stood in the doorway, blocking Mick’s path of escape. “We can date or whatever and you can know I love you. I’ve never felt like this before with anyone else outside of my family. You’re part of my family and I love having you here.”
Mick smiled, but the light didn’t meet his eyes. “I like you, Evan.”
Liar. He knew Mick better than Mick realized. Mick was afraid of his feelings. No wonder. He’d been hurt by others and expected Evan to screw him over, too.
“I need to go.” Mick ducked under Evan’s arm and left the bathroom. He picked up the rest of his clothes. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” His heart broke a little. He’d fallen hard for Mick and didn’t need tons of details to know they belonged together. The chat with Remy had set him straight. He loved Mick. He trusted Mick would come around because their connection was strong. Soon, Mick would realize they were meant to be and he’d trust their bond. All Evan had to do was wait and continue to love Mick.
* * * *
The next day, Evan drove a load of manure across the barn to the manure spreader. The job wasn’t his favorite, but the cows needed a fresh area to exist in the barn. He’d have Tommy spread the manure on the baled field once he finished filling the hopper.
As he turned the tractor around, Evan glanced out through the back doors to the road. A bus drove along the front of the farm. Unlike the rest of the traffic, this vehicle was going slowly…like the driver was lost. He chuckled. He should give the driver directions, but that meant leaving the barn. Maybe later. The image of the bus stuck in his mind. His tour bus looked an awful lot like it, with the bright blue stripe along the side and shiny chrome accents. His had his name stenciled on the blue paint. He scooped another load of manure, then drove to the front of the building again. The bus drove down the lane.
Evan dumped his load, then stopped the tractor. What the hell? He left the silent implement, then pointed to Tommy. “Go ahead and spread it.”
Tommy blazed off, leaving Evan with the cattle. Evan strode to the front of the barn, then to the lane where the bus had stopped. He walked the short distance over to the bus. A taxi stopped behind the massive vehicle.
Evan wiped his hands on his pant legs and spotted his name in the blue paint. His. His heart skipped a beat because he missed life on the road, but then his heart fell. Well, shit. Why would the bus be at the farm? To convince him to go back on tour?
His former manager, Lawrence, stepped out of the bus. Arnold, Evan’s regular driver, followed. Lawrence stopped, but waved Arnold on.
Evan approached Arnold, but his former manager held up his hands and put himself between the two men.
“Hi.” Evan frowned. “Am I missing something? Being shunned? I wanted to say it’s good to see you.”
Arnold shrugged then made his way over to the taxi.
Lawrence sighed before plopping a set of keys into Evan’s hand. “These are yours.”
“Mine?” He toyed with the keys. “How?” He didn’t understand what was going on. “Why are you doing this?”
“I no longer represent you,” Lawrence said. “And I’m not interested in babysitting your shit. If you’re not going on tour, then you won’t need the bus, but since you paid for it, I’m leaving it here. I don’t care what you do with it. Turn it into a camper. Rent it out. Whatever you do, it’s now your problem.”
“Lawrence, stop.” Evan tucked the keys into his front pocket. “I’m not touring and you don’t want to be responsible. Aren’t you a peach?”
“I delivered your shit. It was cheaper to drive the bus here than it was to have it shipped. Even the plane tickets are less expensive t
han hiring someone to bring the bus here to Ohio.” Lawrence hooked his fingers on his front pockets. “We didn’t use the facilities, but I’d have someone go over the bus. Clean it, get it ready to sell…find out how much it’ll cost to get your name removed or you’re stuck with this hunk of junk. Your clothes, guitars, bank shit…all of that is in the bus. As of right now, you rep yourself.”
“How nice.” He had his guitars. The rest of the world, save for Mick, could go to hell, but he had his means to make music. He had his channel for creativity. Good. Only one of the guitars was worth much, but the other two had high sentimental value.
Lawrence hesitated. “Evan, I wish you’d have gone through me when you decided to lose your mind. I can’t clean up what I don’t know fell apart. You could’ve been true to yourself and kept your sexuality private. This is a business, not a confessional. You could’ve had a boyfriend and just played it off as a friend or an assistant.”
“I’d be lying,” Evan said. “Besides, my songs were mostly confessionals. Why not live what I’m singing?”
“No one wants a gay cowboy,” Lawrence growled.
“Funny. If you look on the internet, you’ll see gay cowboys with as little clothing as possible and lots of muscle are quite popular,” Evan said. “It’s all about authenticity. I can’t be someone I’m not. I’m a country boy and I’m gay. So I’m not right for the mold. I don’t care. I’m happy.”
“You’re crazy and not going to make it in the business any longer. The fans want Evan James, the man who sings of heartbreak, fast women, drinking too much to deal with his feelings and has that tear in his voice. They want the fantasy that they could sleep with you,” Lawrence said. “You’ve alienated half the audience.”
Evan removed his ballcap long enough to wipe the sweat from his forehead, then replaced the hat. “I sing songs and make music. If the tune is good, then who I am shouldn’t be a big deal.”
“Then get the hell out of country music.”
“I have.” And he hated it.
“Good. I’m glad,” Lawrence said. “I do hate to see this happening, but there was no stopping it.”