Larry, Moe, and Curly shuffle into the kitchen and take their seats. Once they’re all seated, Melina notices that Xander's chair is empty. She had called him ten minutes ago. Melina goes to the steps and looks up them.
“Xander! Dinner!” Melina calls up the stairs.
Xander is still having a rough time dealing with Bryan's death. He refused to go with her to the funeral or even to visit his grave. And he has become very closed off. He doesn't talk much to anyone and he looks really depressed. She hears his bedroom door open and waits at the bottom of the stairs for him. Xander comes into view a moment later, looking like hell. His hair is a mess, his clothes are disheveled, and his eyes are bloodshot from either lack of sleep or crying or both.
He slowly makes his way down the stairs. Once at the bottom, he gives Melina a tight smile and heads toward the kitchen with her in tow. He plops himself down in the chair on Vance's right. Vance immediately puts his arm around Xander's shoulders then hugs and kisses him on the temple. Melina sighs and takes her seat on Vance's left.
Being the loving attentive boyfriend that he is, Vance fills her plate first then does his own. They all eat and talk and laugh. Even Xander chuckles a couple of times at Dayne's expense. Vance's cell phone rings toward the end of dinner. He pulls it out of his pocket and answers it without looking to see who is calling.
“Yeah?” he chirps into the phone. Melina watches as all of the color drains from Vance's face. Everyone else notices as well because the table becomes silent and all eyes are on Vance. “You almost killed your brother last time, Damien. Are you really going to take that chance again?” Vance says, his voice cold and flat.
Melina looks at Tripp, who is sitting across from Vance. At first, he looks bewildered, his eyes darting all over the place. Melina figures that he’s getting a flash of some memory. Then the bewilderment turns into rage. He slams his hands on the table and stands, scaring the shit out of everyone.
“Give me the motherfucking phone,” Tripp bites out through clenched teeth.
“Now you're in trouble, Damien. Your brother wants to talk to you,” Vance says then hands Tripp the phone.
Tripp snatches it with a shaky hand and puts it up to his ear. “You little fucking bastard. You broke my fucking knee and cracked my skull with the butt of your rifle! You nearly killed me! I woke up with amnesia and couldn't remember a damn thing. I didn't even know you existed until a few seconds ago when Vance said your name and the memory of you sneaking up on me came flooding back...oh you didn't think you hit me that hard? Fuck you Damien! No, you listen to me! You come near my friends again, broken knee or not, I will hunt you down like a dog and kill you where you stand! Do you understand me you sick fuck? I don't give a fuck that you’re my brother. You know what? I don’t have a fucking brother! You lost that title the moment you went after my friends and me! Oh, try me, motherfucker. See if I'm bluffing. I can't wait to prove you wrong and put a bullet in your stupid-ass head,” Tripp snarls and ends the call.
Everyone stares at Tripp with gaping mouths. He’s panting like a bull ready to fight, nose flaring and all. His eyes are wide and have a wild look about them. He sets the phone down on the table calmly, which really freaks Melina out. He grabs his crutches and quickly makes his way to the front door. They all hear it open and slam shut, then exchange worried glances.
The sound of Tripp's tormented scream has everyone scrambling up from the table and out the front door. Melina and Anna are the last ones out the door. They both freeze on the porch at the sight in front of them.
Tripp has torn his knee brace off and has tossed it a few feet away. Now he’s holding one of his crutches by the bottom of it and is bashing the pads into the ground. The cries coming out of his mouth are ones of complete anguish and despair. It’s agonizing to watch. Anna has her hands over her mouth and nose as she cries next to Melina on the porch. The guys surround him and they all look like they’re in as much pain as he is.
The crutch can only take so much abuse before it starts to splinter apart. Tripp chucks it, almost hitting Ryder, who moves just in time. Fortunately, someone was smart enough to move the other crutch out of his reach while he was bashing the first one. With no other outlet for his fury, he just screams and screams until he’s hoarse and completely exhausted.
When he finally stops, he falls forward, but Vance is right there to catch him. Vance hugs Tripp to him. He clings to Vance's shoulders and buries his face in Vance's chest. Dayne moves in behind Tripp and wraps his arms around both Tripp and Vance. Ryder is next to join in, followed by Xander. Their heads are all together and it’s just a heart wrenching sight. Melina puts her arms around Anna to try to comfort her. She knows that if she had just seen Vance like that, she'd be balling her eyes out, too.
A few moments later, the guys separate, except for Vance and Dayne, who are on either side of Tripp, as they help him back to the house. Tripp's head hangs and Melina can tell that Vance and Dayne are pretty much carrying Tripp. They get Tripp back into the house then Vance gives him a piggyback ride up the stairs and into his room, where the two of them disappear.
Xander grabs the remaining crutch and leg brace, drops them off at Tripp's room, and then goes to his own room and shuts himself away. Ryder ushers Anna into the living room and gets her a box of tissues, before sitting down next to her and letting her cry against his chest.
Melina looks at Dayne, who is standing next to her at the bottom of the stairs. “You okay?” Melina asks softly and rubs his arm.
Dayne turns a tear filled gaze toward Melina and shakes his head. “I've never see Tripp lose it like that. Never in the twenty-eight years that I've known him, has he ever lost his shit as badly as he just did. It breaks my fuckin’ heart to see him like that,” Dayne mutters and angrily swipes the tears from his eyes.
Melina sighs. She doesn't know what to say.
“I'm gonna go lie down.” Dayne sighs and heads up the stairs.
“Melina,” Vance whispers against the back of her neck as he pulls her tightly against him.
Melina sucks in a deep breath as she rouses from her sleep. “Vance? What's wrong?” she mutters, confused.
“Nothing's wrong, love,” he breathes, smiling against her neck as he tilts his hips forward, pressing his erection against her ass.
“What time is it?” Melina mumbles.
“Who cares? Let me love you,” Vance breathes as his hand finds its way down her belly and between her legs.
Melina moans as Vance's fantastic fingers work their magic on her, and it doesn't take her long to be soaking wet and ready for him. Vance slides into her and starts at a slow sensual pace. He holds her close, kissing and licking her neck. She slides her hands to his toned ass, just loving the feel of his muscles moving as he makes love to her.
“Fuck, Melina...oh my god...” Vance rasps, his hand between her legs holding her tight against him as he plays with her clit.
A strangled cry escapes Melina's lips as Vance grinds himself into her. He’s so deep and it feels so good. Vance then rolls them so that he’s on top of her. His body comes up off hers, his knees on either side of her legs. She remains lying flat as he grasps her hips and pumps into her. Melina clutches a pillow to her face and screams into it because it feels so good.
“Oh, fuck yes! Come for me baby. I know you’re almost there. Come for me,” Vance pants and drops down to his fists on either side of her body.
Melina comes hard, screaming Vance's name into her pillow. He curses and cries out as he follows her with a few final thrusts. Vance collapses on top of her, dropping his forehead to the back of her shoulder.
“God damn that was good.” Vance sighs.
“Agreed,” Melina says, her voice muffled by the pillow, making Vance laugh.
They clean up then get back into bed. Melina’s spooning up against Vance's back this time. “Is Tripp okay?” she asks quietly. Vance was still in his room with him when Melina went to bed.
“Baby, in all of the years
that I've known Tripp, he's always been so calm and collected; never has he ever blown up like that…over anything.” Vance sighs heavily.
“That's what Dayne said, too.”
“Yeah, well, we've never seen him lose all control like that, but I had a hard time getting him to talk to me. He was completely zoned out. He was lying on his side on the bed, just staring. Something inside of him broke today, and I don't know if he's going to be the same person anymore,” Vance worries.
“He needs time. He just found out that his little brother is a serial killer who has been trying to kill off his friends…and almost killed him. That’s a lot to digest,” Melina says.
“I guess. Anna is staying and spending the night with him. I think if anything is going to pull him through this, it's going to be his love for Anna,” Vance says softly.
“Mmm, love is an amazing thing,” Melina purrs and kisses Vance's back.
Vance laces his fingers through hers and pulls her hand up from where it’s resting on his chest then kisses her palm. “It is, and I love you,” he says softly.
“I love you, too.”
Chapter 15
**Ryder**
Ryder watches Xander as he fills the dishwasher. He takes another bite of his turkey sandwich and lets his eyes drift over Xander's bare torso. Xander is the complete opposite of Vance. Well, they’re about the same height, they resemble each other in the face, and have the same gorgeous blue eyes, but that’s where the similarities end. Xander is gay; obviously, Vance is not. Xander isn’t built like Vance, either. Where Vance is ripped with muscle from working out, Xander is thin with a more toned athletic build. Xander's hair is darker than Vance's; he’s more of a light brown than blond. Xander is also more timid than Vance.
Ever since Xander came out to everyone that he was gay, Ryder has wanted him. Ryder is bi, so he pretty much enjoys both men and women. He has always found Xander extremely attractive, though. He’s in no way happy that Bryan died, but now that he’s gone, Xander is single. Xander’s also in desperate need of some affection, the kind of affection that no one but he can give him. Xander is trying to deal with Bryan's death alone, even though he’s surrounded by people who love and care about him. Bryan was his first partner, doesn’t matter that they never had sex. He’s taking his death hard, and everyone knows it, but no one except Ryder can do anything about it.
Ryder finishes off his sandwich and gets up from the table. He comes up behind Xander, who is still at the sink. Ryder reaches around Xander, who tenses, and rinses his plate off before putting it in the dishwasher. Ryder then places his hands on the counter on either side of Xander's body. He lightly presses his body against Xander's back, who seems to be frozen in place. Ryder would never do this if anyone else were in the house; in fact, he’s certain that they’re the only two home. Anna took Tripp to the doctor to check his knee because of what he did the day before. Vance went to Melina's dance studio so he could act as security while she taught. And Dayne went to a doctor's appointment to get his jaw checked.
Ryder bends his head and presses his lips against Xander's neck. Xander’s breathing hitches. Ryder then drags his mouth up the side of Xander's neck to his ear.
“I know you’re still mourning Bryan. If this is too soon for you, or you want me to stop, just say so,” Ryder whispers, his lips brushing Xander's ear.
Ryder takes Xander's silence as consent to continue. Ryder takes one hand off the counter and shuts the water off. He then puts that hand on Xander's chest and holds him firmly as he kisses and licks Xander’s neck. A small moan escapes Xander’s lips. Ryder smiles and skims his hand down Xander's flat stomach to the waistband of his low-slung sweatpants.
Right before Ryder slips his hand down the front of Xander's sweatpants, Xander catches his wrist. “Ryder...wait,” Xander stammers.
“What’s the matter?” Ryder breathes.
“I...I don't know...I still haven't...” Xander stutters nervously.
“Xan, relax. It’s fine, we’ll go slow,” Ryder assures him.
Xander hesitates for a moment before slowly releasing Ryder's wrist. He starts kissing Xander's neck again. Once he relaxes some, Ryder slides his hand into Xander's sweatpants. He’s only semi-hard, most likely because he’s so nervous. Ryder, on the other hand, is hard as granite. It’s been a while since he's been with a guy, and apparently, his dick has missed it. Ryder wraps his hand around Xander's cock and gives it a long stroke.
Xander's head falls back onto Ryder's shoulder. “Oh fuck,” he grunts.
“Have you done anything, Xan?” Ryder asks quietly.
Xander swallows hard before answering. “No,” he croaks.
“Let's go up to my room,” Ryder says and removes his hand from Xander's pants.
Ryder takes Xander’s hand and leads him upstairs. He shuts his bedroom door behind them. When Ryder turns back to face him, Xander has his back to him. Ryder walks up behind him and put his hands gently on his shoulders.
“Don't worry, Xan. You’re going to enjoy every minute,” Ryder says, smoothing his hands down Xander's arms.
Xander groans. “I'm not worried about me; this is probably going to suck for you.”
Ryder laughs and turns Xander around to face him. Ryder cups Xander's face. “Oh, there will be lots of sucking, and I'm going to enjoy it.”
Xander blushes and gives Ryder a sheepish grin. Ryder then leans in and gently presses his lips to Xander's. He seems to melt into it, so Ryder parts Xander's lips with his tongue then slips into his mouth. Xander follows his lead and meets Ryder's tongue with his.
As the kiss becomes a little more heated, Xander finally slides his arms around Ryder's waist. Ryder slowly walks them back toward the bed as they kiss. He breaks the kiss and motions for Xander to get on the bed, so Xander sits and then scoots back onto the bed.
“Go lay at the head of the bed,” Ryder instructs.
Xander turns onto his hands and knees then crawls up the bed, and Ryder gives his ass a smack as he goes. Xander shoots him a smile over his shoulder and lies down on his back in the middle of the bed as instructed. Ryder pulls his t-shirt over his head then climbs up on the bed, crawls over to Xander, and kisses him again.
Ryder then starts kissing his way down Xander's body. Xander’s breathing picks up when Ryder gets to the waistband of his sweatpants. Ryder smiles against Xander's stomach then rears back to pull his sweatpants off. Xander is now lying naked under him, and good lord, he is gorgeous. His erection is laying on his belly, almost touching his navel. Okay, there is one more similarity between Xander and his brother; they are both hung. Ryder is a decent size, but Xander is a bit bigger. Xander covers his face by throwing his arm over his eyes.
“Don’t tell me you're embarrassed, Xan. It’s not like I've never seen you naked,” Ryder says and slides his hand up the length of his cock.
“It's not the same,” Xander squeaks.
“Cause now it's sexual?” Ryder asks then drags his tongue up the length of his cock.
“Holy shit!” Xander cries out and digs his head back into the pillows.
Ryder lets out a husky little laugh. “Do ya like that?”
“Yes,” Xander breathes.
“Do you want more?” Ryder purrs.
“Oh god yes,” Xander groans and squirms under Ryder.
Ryder wraps his hand around the base and lifts Xander's erection off his belly so that he can lick around the head. Xander's hips lift off the bed as a strangled cry leaves his lips. Ryder knows from experience that Xander isn't going to last long, but that doesn't matter. Ryder is going to have him coming multiple times before he is through. Ryder covers Xander's swollen head with his mouth and sucks.
Curses come spilling out of Xander's mouth in between the moans and gasps. His hips are pumping and Ryder lets him do his thing. Ryder just covers him with his mouth and works his shaft with his hand. Then Xander starts repeatedly chanting his name. Maybe he’s ready to come and thinks that Ryder doesn’t want him to
explode down his throat. Yeah, he has another thing coming. Ryder is going to make his first time unforgettable.
Xander's hands find Ryder's hair, and he tries to pull Ryder up. But when Xander realizes that he isn't budging, he gives in and lets his fingers tangle in Ryder's hair. Xander’s rhythm falters as he comes hard. He writhes under Ryder and cries out, and Ryder stays with Xander in his mouth until every last tremor vanishes.
Ryder moves up and lies down next to Xander on his side facing him. He props his head up on his hand and just looks Xander over. He looks so sexy with his post-orgasm glow. His eyes are so heavy-lidded that they are almost closed, his lips are slightly parted, and his hair is a mess.
“I'll give you a minute to recoup before we go again.” Ryder smirks.
Xander turns his head to look at Ryder through sex-glazed eyes. “That was so much better than I expected,” he mumbles.
Ryder laughs. “One of the benefits of gettin’ blown by someone who knows what they're doing.”
Xander gives him a lazy smile. “Do you have any idea how long I've wanted you?” he asks, surprising the fuck out of Ryder.
“How long?” Ryder asks, eyebrows raised.
“Do you remember that one summer we all went skinny dipping in the ocean?” Xander asks, turning on his side to face Ryder.
Ryder's eyes widen. “You were only thirteen then.”
“Yeah, you had just gotten the gun tattooed on your hip,” Xander says.
“That was eight years ago,” Ryder says dryly.
“I know.”
Ryder is stunned. Xander hid his feelings really well, but then again, he hid that he was gay for a long time. “Why didn't you tell me after you came out?” Ryder blurts.
“I don’t know. I kinda felt bad for Bryan. He was in the same boat as I was, and I didn't have the heart to tell him that I wanted someone else,” Xander says quietly.
“If I hadn't made the first move, would you have?” Ryder asks.
“Eventually…I was trying to grow a pair first,” Xander says with a cute lopsided grin.
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