Pieces

by Shawn Lane

  “Need my help cleaning up?” Josh asked, following him in with his cleaned plate.

  “Nah, I got it. Go ahead and leave. But don’t run off with my pajamas.”

  “Okay, okay.” Josh laughed and went back upstairs to dress.

  He grimaced and set about loading the dishwasher. He had known this was what he was going to get, so really he had only himself to blame if he was going to bitch about it now.

  A few minutes later Josh returned, dressed in his clothes from the night before. “Sure you don’t need my help?”

  “Positive. Let me walk you out.” He dried his hands on a dish towel and walked with Josh to the door. “Well, see you.”

  Josh hesitated at the door, holding it open. He turned to look at Patrick. “What are you going to do today?”

  He shrugged. “Probably check out that dating site. After that I don’t know.”

  “Oh.” Josh looked away, not meeting Patrick’s eyes. His hand gripped the door hard. “Don’t.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Josh still wouldn’t look at him. “I don’t want you to do that, Patrick.”

  “But—”

  “Please, just don’t.”

  Patrick swallowed. Did that mean…No, it couldn’t. Could it? Josh wanted to maybe see him again? He should just ask. Instead he said, “Are you sure?”

  Josh nodded. “Talk to you later.”

  Patrick stood in the doorway watching Josh get in his truck, trying not to be too hopeful. But it was difficult.

  Chapter 5

  Josh did not know what he was doing messing around with Patrick, but he couldn’t deny he wanted to do it again. And within a few hours if he had anything to say about it. He knew the man was vulnerable and he didn’t want to hurt Patrick, but he just couldn’t let him date losers like Ken.

  He parked his truck in the bar parking lot and went inside.

  “Hey, sweetness.” Josh greeted his sister-in-law, Kitty, who sat at the bar. He dropped a kiss on her dark red curls. “Looking forward to your hot date with Eddie?”

  The pretty, petite woman smiled. “I sure am. Thanks so much for covering for him tonight, Josh. I so appreciate it.”

  “Anytime.” Josh walked behind the bar and quickly noticed Peanut Man had already parked his butt on his usual stool. The man, Mr. Jenkins, spent most nights at the bar. He felt sorry for the old man. He didn’t really know much about him. Unlike the clichéd bartender knowing everyone’s business seen in movies and television, Josh didn’t spend a lot of time sticking his nose in the bar customer’s business. One thing he and Eddie did do was make sure he always had a cab ride home.

  “You all set to go off with Kitty?” he asked his brother.

  “Hell, yeah,” Eddie said with a laugh. He clasped Josh on the shoulder. “Are you sure it’s all right? Saturdays are busiest.”

  “Don’t worry, Marty will help. Now go, go. Get out before I change my mind.” Josh shook his head, grinning as Eddie hurried to Kitty. Married five years already. Time flew.

  After they left Josh got busy getting ready for the rush he expected later. It wasn’t quite five but already a number of patrons were arriving. Marty was due at five.

  He’d just set a beer at a table when his cell rang. Josh frowned at the number. “Marty? What’s up?”

  “Josh, my mom’s had a heart attack, I can’t make it in. I couldn’t call earlier, we’ve been at the hospital.”

  “Ah, Marty, I’m so sorry, buddy. Is she going to be okay?”

  “We don’t know yet.”

  “Take care of yourself and your family. Don’t worry about this place at all.”

  “Thanks, Josh. I’m sorry. Bye.” The call disconnected.

  “Shit.” Josh looked out at the patrons. Now it was possible. He could handle it now. But as the crowd got thicker…He pressed speed dial for a number on his phone.

  “Hello.”

  Just Patrick’s deep voice warmed and calmed him. “It’s me.”

  “Who is me?”

  Josh smiled, hearing the amusement in Patrick’s voice. “You know who. Josh. And don’t you dare say Josh who.”

  Patrick laughed. “Wouldn’t dare.”

  “I need a favor. It’s huge.”

  “Hmm. I wouldn’t say huge.”

  Josh rolled his eyes. “Give me a break.”

  “Okay, what’s the favor?”

  “Marty’s mother had a heart attack and he can’t make it. Can you come to the bar and wait tables?”

  “You want me to be a waiter?”

  “You put yourself through college that way.”

  “At a restaurant.”

  “It’s the same.”

  “I don’t know anything about mixing drinks,” Patrick said.

  “You don’t have to. I’m the bartender. Please?”

  Patrick sighed. “You know I will.”

  Josh chuckled. “Yeah, that’s why I called you. Thanks, I owe you.”

  “Oh, you definitely do. And trust me, I’ll be collecting later.”

  * * * *

  When the door opened half an hour later to finally reveal Patrick, Josh was more than happy to see him. He was ecstatic. Especially when he noticed Patrick put an overnight bag behind the bar. He’d been sorry he hadn’t mentioned it earlier when they talked on the phone and was now glad Patrick had figured it out himself.

  Patrick wore a pair of jeans that looked like they’d been made specifically for him and a navy buttoned-down shirt. The navy shirt set off his blue-green eyes to perfection. Even his sandy blond hair looked freshly cut and styled. Josh’s mouth watered.

  “You look fantastic,” he blurted out before he could stop himself.

  Patrick smiled. “Thanks. I decided to go to the salon today for a haircut.”

  “Well, I’m really glad to see you. This place is jumping tonight.”

  “Good thing I brought reinforcements.”

  He frowned. “Reinforcements?”

  As if on cue, the door of the bar opened again revealing a tall, thin, good-looking dark-haired man dressed in jeans like Patrick but wearing a green polo shirt.

  “Steve, this is Josh. I asked Steve to help, too. He’s another attorney at my firm and he used to wait tables with me.”

  Steve smiled and shook Josh’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Uh, me, too.” Josh didn’t remember Patrick ever mentioning this guy. He narrowed his eyes. He seemed a little too friendly with Patrick. Steve put his arm on Patrick’s shoulder and whispered something in his ear.

  Patrick laughed. “Oh, definitely.” He turned to Josh. “I told Steve you’d pay him.”

  “Oh, did you now?”

  “Yep. But you don’t have to pay me, if that makes you feel better. I’ll take out my compensation another way.” Patrick grinned.

  “Right. Minimum wage plus tips,” he said to Steve and tossed a bar apron at him and then one to Patrick.

  “I’ll get started.” Steve tied the apron around his waist and moved off to wait on a table.

  “You okay?”

  Josh nodded. “I just didn’t know you were bringing a date.”

  “A date?” Patrick shook his head, laughing. “Steve isn’t a date, Josh. I thought he could help.”

  He knew he was being stupid, but damn, he didn’t like the way Patrick looked at this guy. “I do appreciate the assistance.”

  “But?”

  Peanut Man signaled him for another drink. Josh sighed. “Later. I better get busy.”

  The evening went pretty fast, but Josh couldn’t stop watching Patrick and Steve interacting while they waited on customers. They laughed, talked, and looked all too comfy with each other.

  It shouldn’t bother him. Patrick was free to see who he wanted to see. They’d made no sort of commitment. It was true he’d asked Patrick not to pursue the clowns on the dating site, which Josh thought was clear enough he didn’t want Patrick seeing others, but maybe Patrick didn’t want to go that route. After all Josh
had been the one reluctant to start anything between them. It could be that either Patrick didn’t get that Josh wanted to try after all or perhaps Patrick had decided he didn’t want to himself.

  Josh didn’t know when exactly he had changed his mind about seeing Patrick. He thought it had probably started when he’d strutted in here the night before with greasy Ken. And then later when they’d viewed the dating site at Patrick’s house. The plain truth was he didn’t like seeing Patrick with other guys. He never had.

  “What’s the frown for?” Patrick asked as he came up to the bar. “Two more margaritas.”

  “Just wondering if Steve is something to you.” Josh started preparing the margaritas.

  “Something? Like what?”

  “Someone you’re interested in.” He didn’t look at Patrick, not wanting to see the truth.

  Patrick’s hand closed over his arm. “Hey.”

  Josh glanced his way. Patrick was smiling.

  “You know who I’m interested in?”

  “No.”

  The other man sighed. “You.”

  “Is that because…never mind.”

  “No, what?” Patrick asked, his eyes searching Josh.

  “I remind you of Andrew,” Josh said softly. He didn’t look away this time, but it was hard not to when a spark of anger appeared in Patrick’s gorgeous eyes.

  “You don’t remind me of him. And I’m not interested in Steve nor is he interested in me. He has a girlfriend. Okay?”

  Josh swallowed the lump in his throat. “Okay. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. Just…stop assuming.” He picked up the tray with the margaritas and went back on to the floor.

  By the time closing came around, Josh’s mood had improved. Soon he’d get Patrick alone and naked.

  He got Mr. Jenkins his cab, paid Steve, and closed and locked the bar door so he could finish the cleanup.

  “Thanks so much for helping. I couldn’t have done it without you. Eddie will be grateful too when I tell him.”

  “I’m just glad I was able to help.” Patrick smiled. “I’m exhausted though. I’ve been on my feet all night. I’m not used to that.”

  “Well, sit down there on that barstool while I finish wiping things down.”

  Patrick sat on the third stool in and sighed, closing his eyes.

  “Uh-oh, you aren’t too tired to collect on my favor are you?”

  The other man laughed and opened his eyes. “Hell, no. In fact, I was thinking.”

  “About?”

  Patrick’s grin was downright wicked. “I saw this porno once where the one guy did the other while he lay on barstools.”

  Josh’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”

  Patrick reached into the pocket of his jeans and tossed a pre-lubed condom packet onto the bar in front of him. He reached in again and a trial-sized bottle of lube landed next to it. “I’ve come prepared.”

  Cleaning up the bar went completely out of Josh’s mind. Instead he envisioned Patrick naked on his back, his ass hanging over the edge of the stool while impaled on Josh’s cock.

  Oh, God.

  He left the cloth he used to clean the counter and walked around the end of the bar toward Patrick. His cock, half-erect before even thinking about sex later with Patrick, had hardened fully. He undid his zipper to release it from the tight constraints of his pants.

  Patrick swiveled on the stool. “I take it you like the idea?”

  “What do you think?” Josh pushed his pants down his hips and closed his hand around his erection. When he reached Patrick he covered his mouth with his own, slipping his tongue inside.

  “Mmm.” Patrick sucked his tongue deeper, hard, almost biting.

  Josh broke the kiss and pushed Patrick to lay on the stools, his head resting on the third one. Patrick twisted his feet and toed off his shoes.

  “Remove your jeans,” Josh said, reaching for the condom. He could barely wait to push inside Patrick’s tight hole.

  Patrick unbuttoned his jeans and without sitting up shimmied them and his briefs down toward his feet. Josh yanked them off the rest of the way and dropped them to the floor.

  “God, you’re gorgeous,” he whispered, stroking his fingers along Patrick’s inner thighs, teasing close to Patrick’s shaft, but not quite touching.

  The other man leaned up and tugged Josh close for a searing kiss. Josh pressed his lips hard to Patrick’s, threading his fingers in the man’s sandy hair.

  “Now.” Patrick gasped against his lips. “Fuck me now.”

  Josh nipped his bottom lip and smiled. “I like how you beg.”

  He grabbed the little bottle of lube and squeezed half of it onto his fingers. Josh lifted Patrick’s legs and rested them on his shoulders, slipping two of his fingers into Patrick’s entrance. He worked them in and out and closed his other hand around the other man’s cock, stroking the length.

  “Josh, please.”

  He shook, desire burning through him. He withdrew his fingers and replaced them quickly with his cock head, pushing in slow and deep. He pulled Patrick’s ass to the very edge of the barstool and slid in to the hilt.

  Patrick’s gaze met his, his eyes glazed with passion.

  “Jerk yourself.”

  Josh grabbed Patrick’s hand and placed it on his cock, rubbing it along the shaft. He left his hand covering Patrick’s as they stroked together even as he pumped the man’s snug hole. Angling his next thrust, he knew from the way Patrick groaned he’d hit the right spot.

  “I’m so close,” Patrick whispered.

  He nodded. “Me, too. God, Patrick, you’re so fucking tight.” His thrusts sped up, his fingers pressing into the soft flesh of Patrick’s legs.

  Patrick squeezed around him, shaking beneath him as cum sputtered out from his cock.

  Josh’s own release slammed through him, pulling a guttural groan from his throat.

  Withdrawing, he dropped to his knees. Josh didn’t think he’d ever look at his barstools the same way again after tonight.

  “So, did that live up to your fantasies?”

  A laugh rumbled from Patrick’s chest as he sat up. “Pretty much. But you know, it’s cold in here.”

  Josh grinned. “Yeah. Let’s clean up and go to my house. You can follow me in your car.”

  “Great. I can’t wait. I’m all yours.”

  Chapter 6

  Patrick swung his legs out of Josh’s bed as slowly and quietly as he could. He didn’t want to wake Josh. He stood and glanced down at the still sleeping man with his tousled sable hair. His finger itched to stroke through the soft strands, but the dark smudges under Josh’s closed eyes convinced Patrick to let his lover sleep.

  His lover.

  Maybe it was premature to think of Josh that way. A few times having sex didn’t make him that, did it? He still wasn’t quite sure what Josh wanted out of him.

  The digital clock on the dresser read ten after eight. He wondered how long Josh would sleep. They hadn’t gotten to Josh’s place until close to three in the morning and then they’d spent more time having sex before going to sleep.

  Patrick did not sleep late. Actually after eight seemed late to him, really. Even during nights like this when he had only gotten about four hours of rest.

  He grabbed the duffle bag he’d brought with him the night before to the bar and slipped out of the bedroom. Josh had another bathroom off the hallway of his apartment so he went in there, showered, and dressed.

  When he re-emerged from the bathroom he checked on Josh. Still asleep.

  Patrick made himself coffee and decided to go sit out on Josh’s balcony to wait for him to wake up. It seemed like a nice sunny day. But as he went to the sliding glass doors, he noticed several framed photographs on the entertainment center in Josh’s living room.

  Prior to coming home with Josh, he’d not been in his new apartment. He approached the pictures and picked up the first one. It was a photo of Josh and Eddie as boys standing by the rocks on a beach with
their parents. Patrick smiled. They were both cute kids.

  The next one was a holiday gathering, Thanksgiving he thought, where Josh’s family stood with his aunt and uncle and their children, including Andrew. Again they were young, probably pre-teens. Even then the resemblance between Josh, Eddie, and their cousin, Andrew, had been significant.

  The next several were pictures of Josh’s parents and grandparents and then following those was a picture of himself, Josh, and Eddie from their high school days.

  Patrick laughed. Lord, he’d been a dork. Josh had been gorgeous even then. He’d been so hung up on Josh.

  Until their one-night stand the summer after high school, Patrick hadn’t thought Josh found him attractive in any way. Then, of course, after sex, the reality had been Josh didn’t mind fucking Patrick so long as there was nothing else to it.

  So, really, what was he doing now? He’d asked Josh what this was about just the day before and been told it was just sex.

  The last photo was a more recent one. Taken just a few months before Andrew hanged himself. They’d all gone to Las Vegas together and the picture was of Josh, Eddie, Eddie’s wife Kitty, Patrick, and Andrew out in front of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. Andrew’s arm was around Patrick’s waist and they were all smiling.

  “Hey.”

  Startled, Patrick turned to see Josh had come into the living room. He wore pajama bottoms and a thin white T-shirt and his hair was bed-tousled. Patrick put the framed photo back and forced a smile.

  “Good morning. I made coffee if you want some.”

  Josh didn’t answer but his gaze fixated on the pictures Patrick had been studying. “Want to talk about anything?”

  Patrick shrugged. “Nice pictures.”

  “That’s it?”

  “What is there to talk about?” He moved into the kitchen and Josh followed him. He took down another mug from the cabinet he’d found his in and filled it with coffee.

  Josh took the mug and leaned a hip against the kitchen counter. “How you’re feeling after seeing those pictures.”

  “I told you, nice pictures.”

  “No sadness?”

  “Not really. I can look at pictures of Andrew without weeping and wailing, you know.” Patrick rolled his eyes.