“Gerald is straight, and he was kissing me. There’s a whole lot to say.” Bur put his elbows on the table and laced his fingers together, putting them under his chin.
“He thought about it. Are you worried he’s using you? Ramirez isn’t like that. You’ll be fine,” Harper assured.
Bur could see he believed that. Bur didn’t think it would be so easy. He changed the subject.
“You mentioned the Longoria clan. What’s his story?” Bur asked.
“Who?” Harper then proceeded to rattle off names of various men they hung with.
Bur frowned. “Wait. I didn’t know they were all related. But they all look so… different from each other.”
“Some of them are adopted. From getting to know the elder Longorias, I learned they have such big hearts and were able to take in so many kids and give them homes. Their family is such an eclectic mix of personalities and racial diversity.” Harper smiled.
Bur thought of his own bandmates. They had made their own family too. They were all runaways, and when they met, they bonded and succeeded together. He again made a mental note to call them.
“Theron is who I was wondering about. Bernie mentioned he’s a doctor.”
Harper nodded. “Yes. It’s all he ever wanted to do and be. Help kids.”
“But why doesn’t he do that instead of being an EMT?”
“I don’t know. It’s something he doesn’t talk about. Why are you asking about him?” Harper asked.
Bur filled him in. Harper and he talked about random things. When Gerald served them breakfast, then joined them, the easy conversation continued with him included. After they finished eating, Bur volunteered to clean up. Harper and Gerald left him. Bur cleaned the kitchen, his mind filled with what had happened in such a short time.
I’m really going out with Gerald. And he kissed me. More than once. Bur shook off his musings, then wiped his hands and went to find the other men. They were in the living room talking. Harper saw him and stood.
“Are we still watching movies today?” Harper asked.
“Sure,” Bur said.
“I get to pick the movies.” Gerald stood too.
“Why do you get to pick? You weren’t even in on our movie day,” Bur said.
“Be nice,” Harper said.
“Yeah, be nice to me.” Gerald pursed his lips, making a mock kissing noise.
Bur ignored him. Harper passed him, and he followed as they headed down the hall toward the family room. Harper stopped suddenly, and Bur ran into his back. Gerald bumped into his. Bur flinched before he could control it.
“Are you okay?” Gerald asked.
“I’m okay,” Bur replied.
He shifted so Gerald wasn’t at his back. Gerald frowned. Bur averted his face, watching Harper. Bur recognized the room he stood in front of. It was the man cave. From the time he’d moved in, he’d never seen Harper use it. Bur’d never been inside. Harper touched the door, then reached for the handle.
“We can watch in here. I cleaned it out the other day.” Harper opened the door.
Bur didn’t say anything, knowing what it meant to Harper. Gerald was also silent. Harper settled on a loveseat. Bur sat on the couch. Gerald went and put in a DVD and came to sit. He plopped down next to Bur. Bur shifted to give him space.
“Why are you moving?” Gerald grumbled and reached to pull him close.
Bur found himself tucked against his side. He pushed at Gerald, but Gerald wasn’t letting him go.
“Why have you been pawing at me since we kissed? Do you think this is how gay men act?”
“Gerald is a cuddler. He won’t admit it, but he is,” Harper said.
“I’m not a cuddler. I just know being close to each other creates intimacy,” Gerald replied.
Bur gaped at him. Gerald winked, then laughed, pulling him closer. Bur leaned against him. He wouldn’t admit it, but when he was involved with someone, he liked being close to them too.
“And when the movie comes to the part you used on me earlier, repeat what you told me with it,” Gerald said.
“Huh….” Bur trailed off as the opening music sounded and Lethal Weapon 2 appeared on the screen.
Bur chuckled, and Gerald joined him.
“What’s so funny?” Harper asked.
“Wait and see,” Gerald said.
They watched, and at the appropriate part of the movie, Bur did as Gerald requested. Harper stared at the two of them and shook his head.
“They are so suited for each other.”
Bur sobered at Harper’s words. Only in fairytales did things work out so easy. This was real life, and Bur figured it was only a matter of time until reality intruded.
Chapter Four
BUR FLIPPED another paper over. He hadn’t even really registered what it said. As they had been since Sunday, his thoughts were on Gerald. Tomorrow was their first date. Well, in Bur’s opinion, it was a technicality. Harper, Gerald, and he had spent Sunday watching movies. They took a break for lunch and then dinner. Gerald teased him and Harper easily. When Gerald went home, he’d kissed Bur again before he left. Bur bit his lip, remembering the sizzling kiss and the groping Gerald had done to him in the entryway before leaving.
Bur hadn’t known what to expect when he saw him again. Since Gerald hadn’t been coming by, he thought he’d see him on their date. He’d planned to use the few days to get his thoughts clear and figure out what was going on. That was blown to hell when Gerald showed up on Monday after work. He’d come in, catching Bur off guard, and kissed him senseless, then said he was hungry and gone to get food. Bur had gone back to watching TV, listening absently as he heard Gerald and Harper talking in the kitchen. Soon enough, Harper joined him. Gerald came in and sat beside him and ate while watching TV with them. Once he was done, he again cuddled Bur, and they spent a few hours watching TV. They repeated the kiss and gropes, and Gerald left. Tuesday was a similar thing. Gerald was keeping him off kilter. Bur flipped another page.
“Before you flip another page you haven’t read, tell us what’s wrong.”
Bur lifted his eyes and focused on Del. He was leaning back in his chair. They were at his house working on things for the centers. Laughter caught Bur’s attention. He glanced out the window. He spotted Humphrey and Darwin, his six-year-old brothers, playing on the swing set in the backyard. Del’s housekeeper was with them.
“They’re doing well,” Bur said.
“Yes. Better than you are, at the moment. What has you thinking so much?” Del wasn’t asking. His tone demanded an answer.
Bur rolled his eyes. It was a tone they knew well. Del was always the one they could keep nothing from and the planner of the group. Bur returned his attention to him and Bernie. Bernie looked curious, but was waiting, as was Del.
“Noth—”
Del interjected. “Is it a big surly cop who you want to jump, by chance?”
“For God sakes, Bur, you need to stop needling Ramirez. And no physical fighting with him,” Bernie said.
Bur glared at Del. Del grinned, then made a come on gesture with his finger. Bur ignored him.
“Promise me, Bur, that you won’t jump Ramirez,” Bernie insisted.
“He can’t promise that, Bernie, since, if he gets a chance, he’ll get Gerald into bed as soon as he can,” Del replied.
“What… wait… Ramirez? He’s not gay,” Bernie said.
“True. But the way Bur talks about him, and from what I saw from Gerald at dinner the other night, that might not matter,” Del said.
“Wait… what did you see? You stayed for dinner with Gerald?” Bur asked in disbelief.
“So that’s why you had dinner with us when Ramirez was there. Tomas and I wondered,” Bernie said.
“Yes. I’ve heard so much about this Gerald from you. But it’s Bur whose talking about him had me curious. So what happened between you now?” Del put his elbows on the table and laced his fingers under his chin.
Bur matched his pose. Del smiled w
aiting.
“You better just spill it. You know he’ll get it out of you without saying another word,” Bernie said.
“It’s the look in those damn eyes. How do you do that? I want to learn it,” Bur said.
“We didn’t get it when we were younger, and I don’t think we can now, either. It’s an annoying talent. I bet it worked well for him in business too,” Bernie said.
Bur was still staring off with Del. He didn’t blink or say a word.
“You pain in the ass. Okay. Gerald asked me out,” Bur said.
“He did?” Bernie was shocked.
Bur turned to him. That was the reaction he had expected from Harper, but hadn’t got.
“See? That’s a normal reaction. When Harper found us kissing, he was all like, ‘Gerald thought about it,’ and then it was all good. We spent the day together watching movies, and Gerald kept touching me, and Harper never once thought it weird. And every day since then, it just keeps happening, and Gerald seems so cool with being around me. Which he shouldn’t be, because he’s straight. He even told me so.” Bur blew out a breath.
“Oh. Ramirez thought about it. Then, that’s good, then. You’ll be fine. When is your date?” Bernie asked.
“What the hell? You were just in shock, and now you’re acting like Harper did. It has to be the air in Mapson or something. That’s the reason people lose their minds,” Bur muttered.
“What does Gerald thinking about something mean, Bernie?” Del asked calmly.
Bernie scrunched up his face, and then it cleared. “Like when we were kids and Bur saw that guitar for the first time. Remember? He whispered he was going to be a singer. Then he immediately said it was foolish. For weeks, we watched him agonize over it and wanting the guitar. When he finally admitted he was going to be a singer, we gave him the guitar. Ramirez thinking is like that.”
“You can’t compare me saying I would be a singer to Gerald deciding to date a man,” Bur protested.
“Not a man. You. He wants to date you, Bur,” Del pointed out.
“I know that’s what he claims,” Bur snapped.
“And you don’t believe this claim.”
“It’s too easy. Nothing is that easy.” Bur tapped his finger on the table.
“Of course not.”
He stopped his motion, staring at Del. He had a reasonable look on his face.
“Oh, wise one. Please bestow on me your wisdom. Like I could stop you.” Bur sighed, then leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.
Del threw a pen at him, chuckling. “Smartass. You know what I say is usually true. Even as kids, when it comes to emotions, people thought of me as the least likely to be led by my feelings and the most cautious one. But we all know that’s not me. It’s you, Bur. You doubt your emotions and second guess them. You haven’t changed in the years I haven’t seen you.”
“It must be really easy to know it all,” Bur said.
“No one knows it all, Bur. Instead of thinking of what isn’t possible, open yourself to what could be.”
“Now you sound like a Hallmark card.”
“And you are still a little snotty shit,” Bernie said, whapping him across the head.
“Thanks, big brother. I needed my marbles rattled from my insanity.” Bur stuck out his tongue.
“We know you joke to evade. We know you well, Bur. And no matter what happens, we’ll be here for you,” Del said.
Bur sobered. Gerald had also said he knew him. What he had told him was on point. Bur met the gazes of his brothers. He knew they would be there for him. As children, they only had each other, and with what they went through, their bond was unbreakable. Bur extended his arm, placing his hand palm up on the table. Del put his hand over Bur’s, then Bernie rested his on top.
“Triumvirate,” they said simultaneously.
The word encompassed so many things to them, but most important was solidarity. Bur thought of the other men he had a close bond to.
“Thanks. I’ll try. I need to make a call. I’ll be back.” He squeezed their hands.
Del and Bernie returned it. Bur stood and left the room. Outside, he went to the table and chairs. He pulled out his cell and sat. Bur pressed a button on speed dial, put the phone to his ear, and waited for the person on other side to pick up.
GERALD LET himself in with his key, opening the door and calling, “Mom!”
“I told you, you didn’t need to come by.” Irene Ramirez, his mother, came from the direction of the living room.
“Why aren’t you in bed? Sick people rest,” Gerald said, starting toward her.
“I’m lying down in the living room. It’s just a cold, Gerald,” she said.
“But you don’t usually get sick. So I’m worried.” Gerald frowned, and when he was close enough, he placed his hand on her forehead, leading her down the hall to the bedroom.
“I rarely do get ill.”
“Neither do I. But when we do, we get really sick. Have you been to the doctor?” Gerald asked.
“It’s a cold,” she insisted, coughing.
Hearing it, Gerald didn’t like it. He led her to the bedroom, making her sit on the bed. She rolled her eyes.
“Stay there. I’ll make you some soup and tea.”
“Fine. Then you go home. I don’t need you hovering,” his mother said.
Gerald frowned and went to get the food ready. As he waited for the kettle to heat, he fiddled with the tea bag. It made him think of Bur. He’d noticed before when anyone offered him tea, he would say with disdain it better not be from a tea bag. Gerald smiled. The kettle whistled. He finished and took the tray bearing the food, tea, and bottles of water to his mother. He placed the tray over her lap and pulled a chair up by the bed and watched her.
“Stop hovering. Tell me about why I haven’t heard from you in almost two weeks.” She sipped the soup.
Guilt filled him. He usually talked to her once a day. He hadn’t even called her once he was done thinking. She’d called him today to let him know she was home and not at work. She had because sometimes, if he was in the area, he would unexpectedly drop by her work to take her to lunch.
“I’ve been thinking about some things.”
“Oh.” She raised her head, meeting his gaze with dark brown eyes.
“I’ve worked it out. Now going forward with my plans.” Gerald thought about it a moment, and then, since he didn’t hide from his mother, he admitted, “I might have someone I want you to meet. I’ll have to see how things go first. I’ll let you know soon.” He hesitated, then blurted out, “It’s a man.”
She put her spoon down. “And you thought about this?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then.” She frowned. “Do I know him already?”
“Yes.” Gerald had shared with her all his opinions about Bur’s taking advantage of Harper. He realized she hadn’t actually met Bur, nor did she know Gerald’s change of feeling. “Well, not in this context. He surprised me.” Gerald smiled.
His mother lowered her head, muttering, “Oh God. He’s going to be a martyr. Damn, that’s what I get for raising such an honorable son.”
“Why am I being a martyr?” he asked, confused.
“Oh… nothing. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here,” she said.
“You’re not shocked?” Gerald frowned.
“I’ve been expecting it.”
Gerald’s brow furrowed. He wasn’t sure how she would. He hadn’t even known it himself.
“How—”
She coughed for a bit before it calmed. “Sorry. What were you about to say?”
“It’ll wait. Eat your soup.” He gestured.
“I am.”
Gerald watched as she ate. He’d ask her another time. He realized there was only one other time he’d even contemplated bringing someone to meet his mother. Although that didn’t work out, he was still good friends with her. His mother was too. When she had still lived in Mapson, his mother would meet with her for dinner. S
ometimes, he’d even join them. Gerald imagined what would happen if he and Bur progressed to Bur meeting his mother. He knew the two of them would get along. There was no way Bur wouldn’t love his mother. She was a great lady.
“There. Done. Now, go home. I’m going to bed to sleep.” She made a shooing motion of her hands.
“Call me if you feel worse,” Gerald said.
He stood, kissed her on the cheek, then took the tray to the kitchen. He cleaned up, then returned to the hall. Gerald walked toward the bedroom.
“If that’s you coming back, I’m going to beat you, Gerald,” his mother called from in the bedroom.
“Fine, fine. I’m going. Call me if you need me,” he said.
“I will. ’Night.”
“’Night, Mom. Love you.” He turned to leave.
“Love you, baby.” She coughed.
Gerald paused. She stopped.
“You’re not gone yet.”
“How would you know?”
“I didn’t hear the door. And you’re talking to me. Unless you’re a ghost and haunting me. If so, make it really good,” she said.
“I’m going,” Gerald chuckled.
He got his sense of humor from his mom. A few moments later in his truck, he drove toward Harper’s but realized he was going to the wrong place, and corrected where he was going. In twenty minutes, he parked in front of the house. He sat in his truck a moment, then got out and went up the slight incline to the door. Gerald pressed the bell. In a few moments, it opened. Gerald watched the face he had come to know.
“It’s freaky how alike you all look,” he said.
“Gerald, I assume you’re here for Bur,” Del said as he stepped back, turned, and headed back into the house.
Gerald pushed his hands into the back pockets of his jeans and followed him. The inside of the house was just as beautiful as the outside. Del entered a door and Gerald followed behind him.
“They said they needed to get everything resituated, but will be here soon,” Bur was telling Bernie.
“Bur, you have company. In my house.” Del glanced at him pointedly.
“You let me in,” Gerald retorted.
He strolled over to Bur and pulled his head back and kissed him. Bur opened and returned it.
Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles) Page 35