Before It's Too Late (Troubled Hearts Book 3)

by Savannah Brooks

  Cael lifted his head enough to see Zach’s face as he drove into him. He let his gaze drift downward, over Zach’s chest and stomach, following the smattering of fine, dark hair that narrowed into a denser trail below his navel and culminated in a dark patch around his beautiful, uncut cock, which Zach jerked, alternating between aggressive strokes and soft, slow pulls. Cael rolled his hips, pumping in and out, his eyes locked on the clear beads oozing from Zach’s tip.

  “Christ, Pook,” Cael breathed.

  Zach moaned and panted softly, his jaw slack, mouth open, and eyes closed. Zach’s tunnel gripped him tight, massaging his shaft with every stroke. Cael rammed into him, driving as deep as he could get, needing to feel as much of Zach around him as was possible. He pulled out, nearly to the tip, and plunged in again, breathing heavily as his entire body hummed with coiled warmth and deep-seated passion. Intense love mixed with pleasure surged within as Cael gazed down upon the man beneath him, fighting his body’s desire to release because he didn’t want this moment to end so soon. He didn’t want this moment to ever end.

  “Cael… fuck…” Zach whimpered, his head back, throat exposed. “How does… this feel so fucking good? I need this… fuck, I need you to never… never stop doing this. I get it… I finally fucking get it.”

  “Get what?”

  “Why people want to have sex… fuck, it’s never felt like this.”

  “Really? Never?”

  “Seriously. Never.” Zach gasped. “Fuck, Cael. I’m gonna come. More. Need more. Oh, fuck…”

  With Zach’s words alone, Cael came as he slammed deep, grunting as he shot his load and his body locked in place. He tried to move, but he couldn’t, and instead, pressed in as far as he could as his dick pulsated and emptied. Seconds later, Zach gasped and groaned, spurting between them.

  “Jesus. Fucking. Christ,” Zach breathed.

  Slightly dizzy, Cael collapsed on top of him, sweaty and sticky, and buried his face in the damp curve of Zach’s neck. “I have a confession, Pook.”

  “Yeah?”

  “It’s never felt like this for me before either.” Cael lifted his head and kissed the tip of Zach’s nose, unable to stop the big, dopey smile from stretching across his face. He stared down into Zach’s warm brown eyes and ran his fingers across Zach’s forehead to his temple. The reverence and affection and unadulterated joy he found in Zach’s gaze made his heart stutter. Then, Zach beamed at him, and Cael’s heart somersaulted in his chest, knocking the air out of his lungs as it did.

  “Jesus fuck, Manning. Keep looking at me like that and we’ll never get anything done.”

  Cael blinked, then laughed. “Well, in my own defense, it’s not every day my deepest wish comes true.” The last words came out breathy even though he’d tried not to let his emotions overtake him.

  “Yeah. We’re so not getting anything fucking done today,” Zach replied. He grabbed Cael’s face and pulled him down for a kiss.

  “We have to,” Cael mumbled against his lips. “God, I don’t want to, but we have to.”

  “Fine,” Zach griped. “But you’re sleeping at my house tonight.”

  “I’d already planned on it.”

  Zach’s mouth curved into a wry grin.

  “Anyway.” Cael cleared his throat and blew out a breath. “Okay. Shower then food. We’ll figure out the rest of the day over breakfast.”

  ***

  Cael lifted Taylor from her car seat and made sure her binky clip was securely attached to her little tan cardigan sweater.

  “We need to get this kid more sweatshirts.”

  “Hey, I can’t help what Abbey bought for her,” Zach replied as he grabbed the pink canvas diaper bag from the floor behind the driver’s seat and slung the strap over his shoulder.

  “Well, she’s gonna need more durable clothing if I’m ever going to teach her how to play football and lacrosse. These little sweaters are cute, but they ain’t gonna cut it.”

  Zach’s voice softened. “I think we’ve got some time before she’s ready for that.”

  “Hey.” Cael clasped Zach’s hand as they rounded the back of the car and pulled him close to his side. He pressed a soft kiss to Zach’s lips, and Zach relaxed a bit, sighing into their kiss.

  Zach remained quiet but seemed less depressed than usual as they crossed the hospital parking lot and entered the cool, sterile environment of St. Anthony’s.

  Zach held the door to Abbey’s room open for Cael then followed him in, setting the diaper bag on the vinyl chair against the wall. Taylor caught sight of her mom the moment they entered Abbey’s room. She giggled and squealed, extending her arms and attempting to leap out of Cael’s hold. “Mama!”

  Cael held on tight and adjusted her in his arms. “Shh, sweetie. Mommy’s sleeping right now.”

  Zach shot him a heartrending look as he stood beside Abbey’s bed. He took her frail hand and brushed the few loose strands of brown hair off her forehead.

  “Hey, Abs. I was hoping you’d be awake when we stopped by today. Cael’s here, and we brought Taylor too. She misses you. We all do.”

  Cael moved to Abbey’s other side, Taylor clinging to him.

  “Mama owie.”

  “Yes, mommy has an owie,” Cael said, meeting Zach’s strained, affecting gaze.

  Taylor leaned away from Cael toward her mom, one hand reaching as she popped the binky out of her mouth with the other. “Kiss. Mama kiss.”

  “Careful, Tay,” Cael said. He repositioned her and held her down close to Abbey’s face, keeping her arms restrained to prevent her from accidently bumping or grabbing something she shouldn’t. Taylor puckered her little pink lips and pecked her mom on the cheek.

  “Awl be’er,” Taylor declared as Cael pulled her upright against him again. It was tender and heartbreaking all at once.

  “Yes, mommy’s all better now, but she’s going to keep sleeping because she’s very tired,” Cael said. Taylor grabbed her binky and pushed it back into her mouth then laid her head against Cael’s shoulder.

  Cael’s chest tightened, making it difficult to breathe. Their petite little spitfire with her dad’s dark hair and olive skin and her mom’s emerald green eyes looked as though the life had been sucked out of her. Her skin pale and cold, her body so lifeless and helpless, threatened to take away the last fragments of hope to which Cael desperately clung, but he refused to give into despair. Abbey was a fighter. One of the toughest, strongest women he’d ever known. He had to believe she would beat this too.

  The crushing ache in his heart worsened as Cael lifted his gaze and looked at Zach. It was almost as if all the happiness between them earlier had vanished, and now, despair had moved in again. Zach’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears and his brows and forehead wrinkled as he drew his lips in and stared back at Cael. His best friend and the person he loved more than anything was hurting from something Cael had no control over, and it tore him to pieces inside.

  With Taylor in one arm, Cael skirted around the end of Abbey’s bed and put his other arm around Zach, pulling him close to his side. He kissed Zach’s temple, letting his lips linger, and squeezed his eyes shut. Beside him, Zach took in a deep breath.

  “I know you’ve heard it a million times, Pook,” Cael whispered, tilting his forehead against the side of Zach’s head. “But she’s gonna fight this. She’s going to wake up, we’ll help her recover until she’s well again, and she’s going to raise her daughter while we spoil her, because uncles are allowed to do that.”

  Zach didn’t say anything, and Cael wondered if what he’d said was the wrong thing at the wrong time.

  “Thank you,” Zach croaked, his voice hoarse and strained. “It’s different when you say it. I actually believe it when you say it.” He blew out a breath. “I can’t believe it’s already been a month. Taylor’s cast comes off on Thursday.”

  “Yeah, I know. Hard to believe.”

  Zach’s phone bleeped. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out, reading the screen.
“It’s Mom,” Zach said, tapping a reply with his thumb. “She’s asking if we can pick up a loaf of fresh bread on the way over. Our choice.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Four-ten.”

  “We should probably get going then.”

  “Yeah.” Zach covered Abbey’s hand with his. “We’ll see you later, Abs. Cael and I are taking Taylor and going to Mom and Dad’s for dinner.”

  Zach pulled away from Cael and, leaning down close, whispered something in Abbey’s ear, then straightened and gave Cael an odd, half-excited, half-pained smile.

  Cael knit his brow. “What’d you tell her?”

  “Just that I have a boyfriend now, and it’s you.”

  “Oh.”

  Zach turned his head and looked up at him. “Is that okay?”

  “Definitely okay.” Cael pressed a soft kiss to Zach’s lips.

  Zach smiled, but it was tight, as if he wanted to be happy but couldn’t.

  “Come on. We should go.” Zach crossed the small room and grabbed the diaper bag.

  As they left Abbey’s room, Zach clasped Cael’s free hand and held it all the way back out to Zach’s SUV. Cael strapped Taylor into her seat as Zach tossed the diaper bag in the back then hopped in the driver’s seat.

  Cael climbed into the passenger seat and shut the door. Zach stared at the steering wheel.

  “I feel so guilty,” Zach deadpanned, his tone impassive.

  “Why?”

  “Because, being with you makes me happy. Last night and this morning, you made the world fall away. It was just us, together. It was perfect.”

  Zach paused and tilted his head back, letting his eyes slip closed. Cael reached over the console and covered Zach’s hand with his.

  “But then I remember Abbey, and how any time, we could lose her. I feel like I should spend every moment possible with her because any day, she could be gone.” Deep breath. “I sometimes forget about her and I feel guilty for being happy in those moments. I’m just so… conflicted.”

  “Pook.” Cael caressed Zach’s hand with his thumb. “Nobody’s judging you, and Abbey would want you to be happy.”

  “I know.” His head leaning back against the headrest, Zach rolled his head and frowned at Cael.

  “If it helps, I feel the same way.”

  “Fucking sucks, doesn’t it.”

  “Yeah. It definitely sucks.” Cael leaned over the center console as Zach started the engine. “Hey, come ‘ere.”

  Zach turned his head and leaned in. Cael brought his hand up and wrapped his hand around the base of Zach’s neck, pulling him in closer. His lips brushed over Zach’s, and he softly kissed him. The tender, brief connection sent a blaze of warmth zipping through his bloodstream all the way to his toes and made him momentarily forget the world around him.

  “Jesus, Cael,” Zach breathed quietly. “This is exactly what I was talking about.”

  “I feel it too, but I think, if anything, Abbey would be encouraging this. I hate that there’s nothing we can do about Abbey and I’m worried about her, but at the same time, I’m in absolute heaven when I kiss you.”

  “Me too,” Zach whispered.

  “Besides, haven’t you heard? Kissing helps heal.”

  “It does, huh?”

  “Yep,” Cael said and he kissed him again.

  Zach’s eyes fluttered shut and Cael’s followed. Their lips nipped and tugged at one another’s gently, and Zach let out a soft sigh. The content sound went straight to Cael’s heart and, as it had the first time they’d kissed and every time since, the world fell away, time stopped, and all that was left was him and Zach and the crazy, intense, wondrous things Zach’s lips on his were doing to his heart.

  Mere seconds felt like an eternity.

  Cael softened their kiss, breathing hard but quietly as he eased his lips away.

  “You’re fucking killing me,” Zach panted softly, his forehead tilted to Cael’s.

  Cael chuckled. “I barely kissed you,” he teased, trying to get his own heightened emotions under control. Kissing Zach was something he never wanted to stop doing. Ever.

  “I know, but fuck, man… I’ve never had the fucking nerves in my spine light up and tingle and render my brain and practically every muscle in my body fucking useless from a barely-there kiss before.”

  “I can kiss you again, if you like,” Cael laughed softly, struggling to rein in the same crazy wonderful sensations coursing through him and filling his heart and soul to the brim.

  Zach shook his head. “Later. Two’s enough for now. Besides, we need to get going, and I need proper motor function and hand-eye coordination right now.”

  “You’re no fun.”

  Zach smirked and sat back, adjusting himself in his seat, but said nothing.

  ***

  After a quick stop for some fresh-baked bread, they arrived at Zach’s parents’ house. Cael carried Taylor and followed Zach inside, closing the front door behind him. He sniffed the air, and his stomach rumbled.

  “Mmm. Smell that Tay-tay?” Cael said as they wandered into the large, eat-in kitchen. “Smells like Lito made his famous enchilada casserole.”

  “You would be correct,” Zach’s mom said as she looked up from her magazine, her smile wide and doing a decent job of hiding her pain, but Cael knew better. Amy sat in her electric wheelchair at the round oak table near the window.

  Zach set the bread on the counter and the diaper bag on the floor in the corner as Cael went straight to Amy and passed Taylor into her lap. She took her with slightly trembling hands.

  “Hi, Mom,” Cael said, kissing her cheek. He’d called her mom for years now but somehow, it felt different this time. “How are you feeling today?”

  “Better now that my boys are here with my granddaughter.”

  Zach bent and hugged his mom from behind. “Anything we can get you?”

  “Yes. A beer.”

  “Sounds good,” Cael said. “Think I’ll grab one too. You want one, Pook?”

  “Yeah. Thanks.” Zach pulled out a chair and sat beside his mom. “Where’s Dad anyway?”

  “Bathroom,” Amy answered as Cael grabbed three Dos Equis from the fridge. Cael popped the caps with the bottle opener and returned to take a seat at the table, choosing the seat closest to Zach. He slid them each a bottle.

  “Here, Mom,” Zach said after taking a sip. He reached for Taylor. “You want me to take her?”

  Amy’s hands shook as she nodded, and Zach lifted his niece from his mom’s lap and set her on his thigh. “Thanks, honey.”

  Taylor stretched her hands out and slapped the table with her good hand. Zach pushed his beer bottle out of her reach.

  “Hey, Tay-tay.” Cael reached across and drummed his fingers on the table next to Taylor’s then tickled the back of her hand, making her giggle. “I’m gonna get you.”

  Taylor squealed. The binky fell out of her mouth and dangled from the strap attached to her sweater.

  “So,” Zach said, expertly holding the bouncing toddler with one arm secured around her middle. “Dad mentioned the other day that you started a new medication. How’s it working?”

  “Okay, I guess. It’s experimental right now and takes the edge off the pain, and I don’t have the constant tremors, but it makes me really sleepy, so for now, I’m only taking it before bed.”

  “Sorry, Mom,” Zach said. “I wish there was something we could do.”

  She gave him a tight smile and patted his hand. “You’re already doing it, honey.”

  “I am?”

  “You both are.”

  Zach glanced at Cael then back to his mom and furrowed his brow. “We are?”

  Amy nodded. “I’ve watched you both for a long time. I watched you grow up together. I watched you go from friends to best friends. I watched you fall in love with each other. I see how happy you both are when you’re together, and I see the emptiness in you both when you aren’t. You belong together, and you have no idea how content it
makes me that you both figured out your happiness is with each other.” She shifted her gaze between her son and Cael.

  “What about Dad? Is he okay with this?”

  “Okay with what?” She looked genuinely confused.

  “With me in a relationship with Cael?” Zach clarified.

  Amy grinned. “Your dad was clueless until you sent that picture this morning. You should have seen the look on his face. Priceless.”

  “That doesn’t answer my question, Mom.”

  “Well, that all depends,” Alex said as he entered the kitchen.

  Zach stared at his dad, his eyes a little wide. “Depends on what?”

  “On whether you’re okay with it.” Alex paused near the oven and opened it, inspected the casserole, then closed the oven door. He leaned back against the counter and bracketed his hands on the edge with his elbows pointing backward the way Zach often did. “So, are you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I’m okay with… you two being more than just friends. It just may take me some time to get used to it, and not because I have anything against it, but because I never saw it coming, son.” Alex tapped his thumbs nervously on the counter’s edge. “So, um, dinner will be ready in about ten minutes. Did you get the bread?”

  “Yeah. It’s on the counter over there,” Zach said, pointing to the other side of the kitchen. “I didn’t know what was for dinner, so I just grabbed French.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll make it work,” Alex answered.

  “Okay, well, I’m gonna go change munchkin here before we eat.” Zach stood with Taylor in his arms and grabbed her diaper bag on his way out of the kitchen.

  The moment Zach was out of earshot, Amy looked at Cael. Her voice softened. “How’s he really doing lately, Cael? With handling Taylor and Abbey’s situation?”

  Cael sighed and glanced toward the hallway down which Zach had disappeared with Taylor.