by Rhys Everly
For the hundredth time that day, I found it impossible to take my eyes off him and stop thinking how adorable he looked.
It was all his work. And if what he told me back in the office was anything to go by—and I was pretty sure it was—he wasn’t even done yet.
The door opened and Martha, the florist that had been running the local flower shop for most of my life, walked in with two bouquets resting on top of a box of colorful vases.
One bouquet was overflowing with baby breaths while the other one contained an assortment of aster in different spring shades.
“I guess those are the flowers you ordered,” I said to Kyle, and he turned to look at Martha.
“Flowers? We got flowers?” Rachel jumped for joy and grabbed Maya’s hands, shaking them with excitement. Maya smiled as Rachel gave her a hug and then went to greet Martha.
“I guess she’ll take that,” Kyle laughed.
Maya looked from me to Kyle without saying a word.
“We’ll need Johnny back,” he said. “And we’ll probably need at least another chef.”
“I don’t know. We can’t get him back. He’s got a great job right now. What if this doesn’t—”
I didn’t wanna say it and undermine Kyle’s abilities, but it was impossible not to think about it.
God, Johnny had worked for me for a few years. I loved the kid. I’d been friends with his dad since high school, and it sucked losing him.
So it was even more terrifying getting him back only to tell him in a couple of months that I couldn’t afford to keep him on my team again.
Or worse, him realizing that Andy’s Bar wasn’t the place for him. Again.
“He seems happy at the Oyster Club. I don’t wanna take him back and lose him again,” I said.
Kyle rolled his eyes in Maya’s direction, and Maya choked down a smile.
“Is that defeat I smell, Mr. K.? If that’s the attitude you are gonna have, then nothing’s ever gonna work,” he said.
He gestured around us at the dirty tables that needed cleaning and Rachel getting busy putting a couple of asters in bunches of baby breaths and distributing them across the vases.
At Eric, as he walked out of the kitchen and stood next to Maya, wiping his sweaty forehead and placing his chef’s hat on the bar.
“If we can do this with only this many changes, wait ’til we start doing more, better, bigger things.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry,” I said to Kyle, and he raised an eyebrow, the amusement obvious in the creases on his face.
“Just do me a favor Kyle,” Eric grumbled. “Can we hire a hot, hunky chef that I can have as eye candy?” Kyle laughed. “It’s not fair everyone gets to have you at the bar and nothing for me.”
My nostrils flared and a rumble built in my throat, threatening to come out. How dare he talk to Kyle like that? Kyle was mine, and if he wanted eye candy, he should go and get some himself.
Well…
That was new.
Kyle was mine?
We were fucking, I was fully aware of that. I didn’t know if I could describe him as mine or me as his.
Did I like him? Hell fucking yeah.
But we didn’t belong to each other.
Did we?
Maya turned to Eric and signed at him, and he turned around to me.
“My sign’s gone rusty. What did she say?” he said.
I laughed and Kyle glared at me waiting for my translation.
“She said if you took a day off, maybe you’d have found some eye candy already,” I said, and he gasped.
“How dare you? How dare you, I repeat?” Then he turned to me. “You’re one to talk. It’s not like you ever take any days off.”
“But I’m not looking for eye candy,” I said, shaking my head.
Kyle patted me on the shoulder making me flinch.
“We are working on that, Eric. The days off, I mean. You’ll also be glad to know I’m looking for a hot new chef for you,” he said, Eric’s smile widening with sin.
My gaze settled on Maya, who was still staring at Kyle’s hand resting on my shoulder.
Kyle must have noticed, too, because he withdrew his hand and cleared his throat. Then he excused himself and started clearing the tables.
A couple of hours later, Maya grew tired and I told Rachel I’d take her home.
“Don’t bother coming back,” she said when I grabbed my keys.
“Ouch. Do you hate me that much?” I asked her.
“Yes. And also, take the evening off, douche. You need it.”
“I can’t. It’s game night tonight. I can’t leave you two,” I said.
Rachel shook her head.
“I won’t take no for an answer.”
“And neither will I,” Kyle added, draping a hand on her shoulder as he came to stand next to her.
“Ganging up on me, huh? That’s cute. But it stops now,” I told them, but there was no convincing them.
I accepted defeat.
Kyle and Rachel teaming up against me? That alone was impossible to stand up to. God save the soul of whoever even dreamt of standing in their way.
I definitely knew better.
I only had myself to blame, really. I’d brought them together and created a monster.
Let’s go, Maya, I said, and Maya followed me to the car.
I drove us both home for the night since Nathan had borrowed her car after driving her to town. Maya stayed quiet during the ride, and when I finally parked my Jeep in the driveway, I turned to check she was okay.
I’m fine, dad, she replied.
You haven’t said anything in a while.
I’m just tired. Aren’t you?
I’ve been tired for a long time, sweetie, I said.
Maya made to open the door and get out, but I grabbed her hand to stop her.
Sweetie, what you saw back there, in the office…
Maya stared at me, waiting for me to finish. But I didn’t know what to say.
It wasn’t what it looked like. Okay?
Maya smiled.
I wasn’t born yesterday, Dad. I know I’m young. I’m not stupid, though, she said.
It was nothing. I swear, I said.
She rolled her eyes and gave me the look. The look that she had learned from her yaya.
Kyle has a wonderful effect on you. Don’t ever lose it, she said and opened the door.
So, she could tell.
Of course she could. Like she said, she wasn’t stupid, even though I was treating her like she was at the moment.
I got out of the car and caught up with her before we went into the house.
No one could replace her, you know?
Maya blew raspberries and waved me off.
Who said anything about replacing her? Stop being stupid, Dad. I don’t think anyone is trying to replace Mom. I’m just happy you are…She paused, and I waited with bated breath. You again.
Me again. Did everyone know? Had everyone lost the real Andy? What exactly had I done to my family by getting consumed by my work?
Please don’t say anything to anyone. I don’t even know what it is yet. I don’t want to freak anyone out, I urged her.
Why would they freak out? In case you haven’t noticed, everyone but Yaya and Papou are anything but straight.
I know. But still. He’s Nathan’s friend. He works for me. He’s younger than me. There’s more to it than him being…well, a he.
Maya ran her fingers across her lips and pretended to lock a key at the end of her mouth.
I could trust my daughter to keep it a secret.
At least until it all blew over.
Or Kyle realized I wasn’t good for him.
Or I woke up and realized I was having a midlife crisis and I wasn’t really attracted to men.
Who knows what the fuck is going to happen, I thought to myself.
It was actually torture not going back to work. Not only was I worried about the two of them handling the service themselves,
but I also wanted to spend more time with Kyle.
We’d already spent last night apart, and being at home would mean we’d have to spend one more away from each other.
I was not ready for this. I was slowly becoming addicted to Kyle.
Oh, who was I kidding?
Slowly?
I was addicted the moment I set my eyes on him.
Eighteen
Andy
The night went by slowly. Painfully. Every moment was painful away from Kyle.
He was there when I closed my eyes and there in my dreams. Sucking me. Kissing me. Hugging me. Smiling at me.
Could anyone blame a man for waking up with a boner?
This was exactly the kind of thing that happened when I didn’t spend the night with him.
All this pent-up energy from all those celibate years. All the positivity and warm feelings I couldn’t help but get when I was near him. That smile that managed to make me feel twenty again.
And now I’d have to deal with this “issue” single-handedly. This sort of thing should be illegal to do when you have someone that can take care of it.
How pathetic! I spent the better part of six years dealing with morning, evening, or night woods myself without much of a problem. Why did I have to keep doing this when I had him?
I pushed my hand past the elastic band of my boxer shorts and took hold of my dick, squeezing and twisting to bring it to its full glory.
While there was a fleshlight with my name written on it in my drawer, I decided to fly completely solo. The image of Kyle was strong enough in my head that I didn’t need any aids, and I wanted my dick to feel every stroke as if it was Kyle’s fingers.
I closed my eyes and pictured him here, next to me, with his head in the crook between my shoulder and head, his hand rubbing my erection.
He kissed me and then started to leave a trail of kisses across my body, starting with my neck, moving on to my nipples, giving them a good squeeze and ending up at my belly button.
Then he spread my legs apart and teased my balls with his tongue.
I had to bite down my moan. Everyone was still in the house, and they did not need to know what I was up to.
Imaginary Kyle licked my perineum and my boner jolted.
Then he slipped a finger in my ass and played with me while he took me in his mouth.
I licked my own finger and pressed it against my rim. It was an odd sensation and I’m not sure if it was supposed to be so hard to break through, but I pushed my finger and a groan left my lips.
A groan I quickly muffled with my other hand.
I let my finger explore my ass for a few joyous moments while I held my mouth shut and pictured Kyle undressing, his finger pushing all the right buttons inside me, prepping me for an orgasm like no other.
I pressed another finger past the tight muscle while imaginary Kyle pushed his dick against my hole, his index still inside me.
Before I knew it, he was fucking me, and I was fucking my hand. He kissed me and I kissed him back, claiming his mouth just like he claimed me.
My seed spilled out hot and thick on my chest and stomach, and it took me a few moments to find my bearings.
When I did, I pulled my fingers out of my ass and made myself decent.
I took a quick shower to wash the sweat and cum off me, got dressed, and made my way downstairs.
Laughter and the sound of utensils touching plates came from the kitchen, which was kind of unusual.
No one was up at this time of day. Usually, anyway. Unless Yaya had decided to make her addictive dolmas—stuffed grape leaves—which I was game for.
And just like that, my head jumped from sex to food, and my mouth watered at the imaginary taste of the lemon drizzled vine leaves and the rice inside them.
If she wasn’t making those, then I’d definitely have to ask her to make them for me. And for Kyle, but she wouldn’t know that.
When I walked into the kitchen, I found out why there was such a commotion.
Yaya was there at the frying pan, as was Summer and Maya.
But it wasn’t just the three ladies of the house causing such a raucous.
It was also my brother and his boyfriend.
“Leo. Dawson. What the hell are you guys doing here? I didn’t know you were coming,” I said and approached both to give them a good hug and a pat on the back.
“Surprise! I guess.” Leo laughed.
“Why didn’t you tell your brother we were coming?” Dawson reprimanded Leo.
Leo shrugged.
“If he’d picked up his stupid phone, I would have told him. Also, Yaya knew we were coming. I thought she’d tell you,” Leo said.
Yaya left the frying pan on the stove and inserted herself in the conversation.
“If he ever slept in the house, I would have told him,” she said.
Leo looked from her to me.
“What do you mean if he ever slept in the house? Have you been sleeping elsewhere?” he asked, dropping his tone into a suggestive one and signing for Maya’s benefit.
“Shut up,” I said and stole a glance at Maya who was looking at Leo’s hand and smirked, but kept otherwise quiet.
“Is there a special lady in your life, Andy?” Dawson asked in a similar tone.
I turned to him and lifted my hand in the air to warn him.
“Hey. I barely know you. So don’t participate in this, Mr. Hollywood,” I said, and Dawson ignored me with a chuckle.
“Everyone, behave for crying out loud. It’s only seven in the morning. Where did everyone get their good spirits from?” Yaya asked.
“Amen to that,” Nathan yawned, appearing at the doorway rubbing his eyes.
“What the hell is going on here? We have a full house and no one bothered to let me know?” I turned to Yaya.
She raised an eyebrow and that simple look gave me the answer.
If I’d spent any time in the house, I’d know. Message received.
“Did everyone take Viagra when they woke up this morning? Why are y’all being so…people-y?” Nathan grumbled, and Leo and Dawson laughed.
Yaya rushed to cover Summer’s ears.
“Nathan!” Yaya scolded him.
“Sorry,” Nathan apologized. “But please, oh please, tell me why is everyone so loud? I’m trying to sleep.”
“I thought you were in New Harlow,” I said.
“I had to tutor someone in town, and I don’t have any classes today, so I slept over.”
“What is going out there? Are y’all really studying, or are you pretending to just so you can spend my money?” I asked.
Nathan rolled his eyes and stuffed his face with a muffin.
“Whatevs, Daddy dearest. Besides, I didn’t know I needed permission to see my family. What’s up with you?” he asked after swallowing the first bite.
“What’s up with me?” I asked, feigning ignorance.
“You look very…” Nathan started and looked at everyone else before finishing his sentence. “I dunno, cheerful or something. Is it drugs? Drugs are bad for you, young…erm, I mean old man.”
I suddenly felt the urge to take Nathan by the head and put his face through a cake. It was a shame we had none available and the muffins wouldn’t do.
‘He’s got a girlfriend,” Leo said, and Nathan’s eyes shot wide open.
“Guys! You’re here,” he exclaimed and hugged his uncles.
“Did you just notice?” Leo asked.
“Cut me some slack, Unc. I haven’t had any coffee yet,” he said. “Now what’s this malarkey about Dad’s girlfriend?”
“I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“He’s definitely got a girlfriend,” Melody said behind me.
“Were you hiding behind me all this time?” I asked.
“I was in the bathroom. So who’s your new girlfriend?” she asked and took a seat around the table.
“I don’t have a girlfriend,” I insisted.
The phrase “I have a boyfriend” thre
atened to come out of me even though I definitely didn’t want people to know that. Especially my family.
“Whatever you say.” Leo pouted. “We believe you.” He mocked.
“Fu—”
Yaya dry coughed, and I caught myself before I cursed in front of Summer.
“Leave Andy alone. And you all eat your food before it goes cold,” Yaya said.
“Are you starting without us?” someone said from behind us, and I turned to find Dad and Luke entering the kitchen.
“Dad? You’re back? Since when?” I asked.
“It’s like a family reunion,” Dawson said. “If only Charlie was here.”
Well, Charlie might be absent, but this was as good a reunion as any.
“I just got back. Why? Did you miss me?”
Summer got out of her chair and ran to her grandad who took her up in his arms.
“Papou, are you staying?” she asked him.
We hadn’t seen Dad in so long, the Greek word for grandad almost sounded foreign to my ears.
“Of course we missed you. You’ve been gone forever,” Melody said.
I tried to remember the last time Dad had been around for longer than a hot second.
It had probably been at the end of the butterfly festival when he surprised us with a return visit.
He’d been on business trips before and since then, returning in the middle of the night like a thief and going back out again before dawn.
“What are we eating Yaya?” Luke asked and sat down.
Yaya sighed and pushed her chair back.
“Here, take my plate. I’ll fry some more eggs,” she said.
Luke shook his hands and told her to sit back down.
“It’s fine. I’ll just have some cereal.”
“Cereal? Cereal?” Yaya hissed.
“Cereal. Yes, cereal,” Summer shrieked.
“Summer, stop shouting. I’ve not even had my second coffee yet,” Nathan shouted.
“Don’t shout at your sister,” Yaya scolded him, and Maya punched his arm.
“Honestly, mom. You don’t have to make us breakfast. I can fry eggs too, you know,” Dad said and stood over the stove.
“Get out of my kitchen,” Yaya rushed to his side and ordered him back to the dining table.
“Really, mom? What? Am I incapable of cooking my own breakfast? At sixty years old?” he said.