by Bree Cariad
“Hey,” Rolf said. “Anything wrong?” He sounded like himself, though perhaps a bit reserved.
“Rolf, I need some time to talk with you and Jonathon tomorrow. There might be something that will come up in the media and no doubt they’re going to make it appear sordid or vile.”
“Someone found out you kissed Jonathon?”
He winced. Of course Rolf would know. “Unfortunately. I told my ex and she was having a hen party at her home. One of the women is married to Todd Crelon.”
An expletive left Rolf’s mouth, making him smile. “Does Jonathon make you put money in a swear jar for that?”
Rolf snorted. “If he did, he could take a vacation to Hawaii by now. Look. Neither you nor I want Jonathon dragged through the mud, right?”
“Definitely. That’s why I want to sit down and talk with you about it. Strategize.” And figure out a way to keep Jonathon and the shelter out of the papers and off the news.
“Give me two days. Then, if it hasn’t been mitigated, we’ll discuss.”
“What can you do in two days?”
“Nothing illegal,” Rolf said in a strange tone. “Let’s just say I still have my PI license and I know how to find things out. If I haven’t found anything by Thursday afternoon, come on out. You’re going to come visit Aiden, anyway, right?”
“Yes. I’ll be there by three to see him. But, Rolf—”
“Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies.” His voice turned cocky. “Oh, this is going to be fun. But don’t tell Jonathon anything about this. He gets antsy if he thinks I’m doing something below the table. Okay?”
He probably shouldn’t agree, but Brecker liked Rolf. The guy was rough around the edges but he had a heart of gold and would do anything for Jonathon and those kids. “Okay. Do you need anything from me?”
“Nope. Plausible deniability, my friend. Have a good night.”
Before Brecker could respond, the line was cut. He shook his head in amusement. He would definitely have to get to know Rolf better. It was too bad he had a job he loved at the shelter. Brecker would have hired him as his PA in a heartbeat.
Waiting for two days was a pain, but he was so busy that he didn’t have a lot of time to think about it. Siobhan kept an eye on the news for him and on Wednesday he had meetings with four potential clients and three signed contracts by the end of the day. He was tired, but it was such a good day that he allowed himself some off time.
When he got home from the office, he got out a steak and some potatoes and fixed a nice meal. Once it was ready, he turned on the television and found a basketball game to watch. He was halfway through his meal when someone knocked on the door. Startled as it was impossible to get into the building without being buzzed up and he didn’t really know his neighbors, he slowly stood up and went over to look out the peephole. The guy looked familiar, but he couldn’t remember who he was.
He opened the door and looked at the man. He was in a dirty T-shirt and jeans and looked as though he had been cleaning or moving. “Hey,” he said. “I don’t know if you know who I am. I’m Gary Keffe. Your neighbor,” he added, pointing to the door to Brecker’s left. “Anyway, I know this is probably stupid, but I’m in a bind so I figured why not be an idiot?”
Brecker had no idea what he was talking about so he leaned against the doorjamb and waited.
“I know you probably saw the listing I left on your door and since you didn’t call, you’re not interested, but just in case, I’m letting everyone know. I’m trying to sell my place. I got a job overseas and I have to be out of here in two weeks. So far I haven’t gotten anyone to bite and well, if you know of anyone who’s looking for an apartment in this building? I would really love it if you’d tell them about mine.” All the words came out on one breath and when he reached the end, he had to take a sharp breath in.
Brecker was caught up in what Gary just said. “You’re my next door neighbor.” Gary nodded. “How big’s your place?”
“Fifteen hundred and sixty square feet give or take.”
Next door. Fifteen hundred extra square feet right next door. “Can I see the place?”
“Really? Gotta warn you. It’s a bit of a mess. I’m dive bombing through everything trying to decide what to get rid of, what to keep, and what to take with me.”
“I’d love to see it.”
“Got time now?”
The apartment was huge and crazily enough, one large space. The only area separated by walls was the bathroom. “I love the loft feel,” Gary explained as Brecker looked around. The kitchen was galley style, but was much bigger than his. If he knocked down the wall between the apartments, then that could be his kitchen and his old kitchen could become something else. Without walls, it would be easier to build interior spaces. “What do you think?”
Brecker smiled. “Are the kitchen appliances included?”
“Yep. And there’s a small laundry to the left in the bathroom.”
He checked out the bathroom. It was minimal. That would have to be redone. Aiden needed a bathroom he could move around in. And he’d definitely keep his own washer and dryer. Gary’s would possibly take one load at a time. With a teenage boy, that thing would be running constantly.
“Mind if I take some pictures?”
“Go ahead. Do you know of someone who’s looking for a place?” Gary asked in a hopeful tone.
“I do. How much are you asking?”
“$110,500.”
Not bad at all. He must really need to sell the thing before he left. A good realtor could have gotten one hundred fifty easy if given a few months. Brecker took pictures of the whole place, including the entire wall of floor to ceiling windows. He sent them to a friend of his who had designed the interior of his place and added a note. It’s right next door to mine. If I buy it can you make it and my place one apartment?
Casper must have been working because he answered almost instantly. Of course I can. When can I have at it?
Brecker grinned. “Would you take $105,500 for it?”
Gary’s mouth dropped open. “Really?”
“Yep. I’ll sign an offer right now and give you a down payment.”
“Yes! Oh, that would be fantastic.”
Thirty minutes later, he walked back into his apartment and went to stand in the kitchen. He took a picture of it and sent it over.
Brecker: Here’s where you’re going to knock the wall down. Get ready. Get set. In a couple weeks, as long as the title is clean, it’s mine, and you can have fun knocking that down.
Casper: You say the sweetest things. I’ll tell the hubby he can make me mad so I have something to work off.
Brecker startled. Casper was gay and married? How had he never known? Perhaps because Casper was Casper and he was just a person. That he was gay did not affect who he was as a man or as an architect. A trickle of energy cascaded down his spine. And why should it matter who he was in a relationship with? He was a good man. A great businessman. Just like Brecker was.
With a grin, he texted back. Tell him for me, he can only make you mad enough to knock down one wall.
Casper: Caleb says you’re no fun. I’ll send you the questionnaire. Fill it out and send back so I can get a preliminary concept on paper. Any particular reason for the addition?
Brecker: I’m adopting a son.
Casper: Congratulations! When? How old is he?
They texted back for the next twenty minutes and Brecker finished his meal. But it was hard to stand still. He’d found the square footage he needed. Tomorrow when he saw Aiden, he’d bring it up and see how he felt. If he wanted something with space like a house, Brecker could always sell the two apartments together. He got Gary’s at a tiny price. Once Casper knocked down the wall and made them one apartment, it could go for well into the mid-six figures.
He wished he could tell Aiden right that moment. Brecker knew he had a ways to go, but he was excited about having Aiden as his son and with each day, that motivation made everything
much easier to handle.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Something was going on. Jonathon walked through the kitchen and saw exactly what he saw the last time he walked through. Rolf tensed, put a piece of paper and his phone into his pocket, and focused on food. The thing with Rolf was that it was impossible to tell if he was planning a surprise or doing something he probably shouldn’t.
“Is everything all right?” he asked and walked closer.
Rolf looked up and smiled. “Everything’s fine. Why?”
“Uh-huh,” he said slowly. “Doesn’t lying in the house of God double your demerits?” he teased.
With a roll of his eyes, Rolf flicked some flour at him. “It’s nothing you need to worry about. Just something I want to do.”
For a moment, Jonathon considered pushing. Rolf had the tendency to try and save Jonathon from himself, which was sweet and annoying. He trusted him. Surely he wouldn’t bother Brecker about the big decision he was making. Pressure would not help.
Rolf knew that. So he turned away. “I’m off to take Kyle, Fallow, and Jayden to the dentist. Have a soft option for lunch.”
“Poor kids. Dentists are evil I tell you. Evil I say.”
Jonathon chuckled as Rolf let out his evil man laugh.
“Ready to go?” The three stood by the door looking as though they were about to go to their execution. “Come on. It will be over before you know it.” One thing the extra money gave him was the ability to do more for his kids’ health. And going to the dentist and the eye doctor were high on his list. As there was no way to get them all in on the same day, he made appointments so that he took in six per week, three each on Thursday and Friday. The dentist and eye doctor had offices in the same complex so he would ferry the trio from one to the other and hope neither went too badly. The ones having their appointments first would have an easier time of it. It was the waiting that made going to either doctor painful.
The dentist office had just opened when they arrived and he ushered them all in. “Hi,” he said in a calm tone to the receptionist. “I’m Reverend Neiland. I’ve got three of my youth here today for teeth cleaning and x-rays.” He handed over all the paperwork as he’d filled them out the night before. “I’d suggest you call Fallow in first,” he said when the three sat down as far away from the desk as they could while still being in the room. “She’s the most afraid.” He lowered his voice even further. “And I know I’ve told you, but just to reiterate. Both she and Jayden are trans. Please treat them as you would any girl in your care.”
The receptionist nodded. “Sure, Reverend Neiland. We have a note on the account.”
“Thank you. Once you’ve called Fallow back, I’ll take Kyle and Jayden with me to start things at the eye doctor and then I’ll be back with Jayden. After Kyle’s done with his eye appointment, I’ll bring him back and take Fallow and Jayden over for their eye appointments.”
She smiled up at him. “Sounds like a busy morning.”
He chuckled. “As there are thirty-six of them and you can only fit six in per week, I’ll be doing this every week for a while.”
To say Fallow was scared was putting it mildly. She was terrified. He held her hand and prayed with her and when the nurse came to get her, she clung to him. “I know, Fallow. I know it’s hard. I’m not a fan of dentists either. But the sooner we get this done, the sooner you won’t have to see them for another six months.”
She hiccupped and finally released him. Her cheeks were blotchy, her nose red, and she walked as though whatever was behind the door would hurt her. Everything within him wanted to go in with her and hold her hand, just be there for her. He wished he hadn’t made their eye appointments so close to their dental ones. Or that there were two of him so he could be with her.
“Don’t worry, Reverend,” the woman at the desk stated once Fallow disappeared. “We’ll take good care of her. We’re used to scared patients. Dr. Bellese is really good with kids.”
“Thank you.” He handed her his business card. “I’m going to take Kyle and Jayden over to the eye doctor. Call me if she needs me. Okay?” She smiled and nodded.
As bright as the dentist’s office was, the eye doctor’s was dark. Of course, they had people walking around with blown pupils, so it made sense, but it was a bit strange considering where they just came from. Once again, he handed over their paperwork, explained the situation, and reiterated that both Fallow and Jayden were trans and to treat them as girls. On the one hand, he hated that he had to do that. But many people did not understand and if they saw the Adam’s apples the two girls had, they would make the wrong assumptions—and say something that would hurt his kids, whether they meant it kindly or not.
They took Kyle first into an even darker room where they put drops in his eyes. Jonathon stayed through that, but Kyle was more easy going about the experience and didn’t need him there like the girls did. Once he was sure Kyle was fine with staying there alone, he took Jayden back to the dental office.
It was a tiring morning.
Thankfully, three hours after they arrived, they left, all three kids wearing dark plastic glasses to protect their eyes. Poor Fallow’s cheeks were slightly poochy from having three fillings done. Kyle and Jayden were lucky. All they needed was a good cleaning. However, the opposite was true for their eyes. Fallow had 20/20 vision. Both Kyle and Jayden needed glasses.
Jonathon was immensely glad they had the money to get what they needed. The glasses were ordered and would be available the next week.
None of the kids felt like talking on the drive back to the shelter, so he turned on some music while he drove. When they returned, the three walked into the shelter ahead of him. Lunch was over but Rolf came out to greet them. “I’ve got mashed potatoes and Jell-O,” he said kindly. “Ah, come here, you.” He opened his arms to Fallow and she ran into them. “Come on. You look like you could use mashed potatoes and ice cream. What do you say?”
Her eyes lit up and the three followed him back into the kitchen.
Amused and glad he could go get a few things done, Jonathon headed toward his office, stopping when someone hissed his name. He looked over his shoulder, surprised to find Peril looking as though he was hiding. “What’s wrong?” he whispered back.
Peril quickly walked to his office and Jonathon followed. He closed the door behind him, alert at how tense Peril looked. “What happened?” he asked in a calm voice as he motioned for the young man to take a seat.
“I was doing my homework and had to research the war in Afghanistan and came across a news clip. I watched it and was about to go back to do more research when I spotted a headline.” Peril fidgeted a little. “It was about Mr. Brecker.”
Jonathon knelt beside him. “What did it say?”
Peril looked toward the closed door and then looked back. “Is Mr. Brecker gay?”
Jonathon didn’t know how to respond to that. “His sexuality has never been a cause for concern to us.”
Peril shook his head. “The headline said Head of Brecker Securities Outed. Court Brecker is Gay.”
Cold trickled down Jonathon’s spine and into his extremities. “Did you read the article?”
“Yeah. It seemed mostly hearsay, to be honest. Suppositions or such. That the person they talked to, who remained anonymous, said they saw him kiss another man.”
Nobody saw them. Which meant someone was making things up. Well, if Jonathon hoped that Brecker might come around to wanting to date him, surely this would end that. “You’re right. It’s all supposition. Brecker is on the town council and there’s always someone who wants to take down someone else and will tell lies to do so.”
A frown pulled the corners of Peril’s lips down. “Oh.”
“What?” Jonathon reached and took Peril’s hands in his. “What’s wrong?”
“The way Mr. Brecker is with us. The fact he wants to adopt Aiden. We thought he was one of us, you know? No straight guys treat us like that. He isn’t afraid to hug us and treats us lik
e you do.” His dark skin turned that purplish red tone that meant he was blushing. “We kinda hoped you and he….”
Tears filled Jonathon’s eyes and his heart ached as he understood. “Thank you. That’s sweet.”
“Why does he treat us so good?”
“So well,” Jonathon corrected automatically. “Brecker’s a really good guy, Peril. He doesn’t judge us due to our gender or sexuality.” He squeezed his hands. “And because of that, someone is labeling him.”
“Do you think he won’t come out any more?” Worry lay in the tone and Jonathon shook his head.
“No. That won’t stop him. He loves Aiden and nothing will keep him from seeing him. And he loves all of you. Nothing stops Court Brecker from doing what he thinks is right, Peril. He doesn’t see gay or queer as bad, so I doubt that headline will harm him.” Though it might make him decide dating a gay minister was a bad idea.
Peril relaxed a little. “That’s good. I diverted Aiden into looking at another site when he started looking things up so he wouldn’t see the article. I wasn’t sure how he’d take it.”
“You’re a good man,” Jonathon assured him. “I’m so glad we found each other. And,” he said, an idea that had been percolating in the back of his head for a few days, coming to the fore, “I had a thought and wanted to pass it by you.” He stood up and took the seat on Peril’s other side. “I know you want to bring in some money and feel like you’re giving something back. And that no matter how much I say this is your home, that you need that to feel right. So what do you think about working for room and board? You could help Rolf with meals and cleaning up. I know during spring and summer he would love help with the vegetable garden.” The frown reversed itself and Peril’s deep chocolate brown eyes brightened. “But that would be part time. I still want you to keep up your studies and graduate when you’re ready. Okay?”