Open House

by Mickie B. Ashling

  “Just a thought,” Lil said. “You can turn this around and sue the insurance company for sending an employee who wasn’t vetted adequately. There’s no telling how many other clients he’s extorted.”

  “That’s true,” Seth said, as the idea took root. “I’ll mention it to my attorney.”

  “Back to your living arrangements,” Grier interjected. “You can stay with us; God knows we have the room.”

  “Thank you,” Bryce said. “I appreciate the offer, but commuting from Barrington every day would drive me insane. I don’t know how you guys deal with it.”

  Grier shrugged. “We’re used to it.”

  “I’d have to be on the road by five thirty to avoid the traffic,” Bryce noted.

  “We do it every day,” Lil said. “Leaving Barrington wasn’t an option because of Luca. He liked his school, and besides, our best friends live in the neighborhood. Commuting is second nature to us.”

  “I can understand why you do it,” Seth interjected. “But Bryce and I are city people. I like having everything within walking distance.”

  “Exactly,” Bryce agreed. “Your invitation is very generous, but we’re passing.”

  “Do we really have to move, sweetheart? I’m starting to get past the smell,” Seth added. “In time, you can get used to anything.”

  “It’s not just a question of smell,” Lil said. “This area is a health hazard until they can shampoo the carpets and scrub down the walls. I’d like to see the master bedroom if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all,” Bryce said.

  They followed Bryce into the master bedroom and grimaced as the smell of smoke and burnt celluloid assaulted their senses. Quickly, Lil pulled out his phone and began making notes, doing a rapid inspection to determine what needed replacing. The walk-in closet was history. It, and the safe room, would be rebuilt, Seth’s firsthand knowledge essential in the planning stages.

  Shortly after they walked in the room, they exited and slammed the door shut.

  “What a mess,” Grier said. “If someone did that to our bedroom, I would gut them.”

  “I wish you had been around at the time,” Seth commented. “Watching Owen’s intestines spilling out on the carpet would have been quite satisfying.”

  “Are you sure you don’t write horror stories?” Grier asked, trying to stifle a smile. “You’re pretty morbid for a romance writer.”

  “Right?” Seth responded. “Maybe I’ll switch genres.”

  They laughed as they made their way back to the kitchen, where they worked out a game plan for the repair and remodel of the unit.

  “First thing you have to do is get someone in here to take care of anything that’s smoke damaged so you guys can move back in as soon as possible,” Lil suggested. “The guest room is virtually unscathed, so that’s where you’ll be sleeping until Grier and I get that master bedroom back to its former self.”

  “I want you to think about any additions or changes you might want to include in the remodel,” Grier said helpfully. “Since we’re starting from scratch and I’m certain your homeowner’s insurance will be covering the whole thing, you shouldn’t worry about the costs—concern yourself with the aesthetics. Dream big and I’ll make it happen.”

  “I liked everything about the room, especially the mirrors above the bed,” Seth said, flushing when all three men gave him knowing smiles.

  “Not judging,” Grier said, smirking.

  “Hey, you were the one who dreamed that up,” Seth said defensively.

  “A satisfied customer is the best endorsement.”

  Seth grinned. “I never realized how much I love mirrors until I moved in with Bryce.”

  “Good to know,” Grier said. “I’ll keep that in mind while I’m designing the room.”

  “There’s one other thing,” Seth said. “We need to discuss adding a few things to the survival kit in the safe room and possibly making it fire resistant. When I ran in there to escape Owen, I was relieved beyond measure, but then the smoke happened and I’ve never felt more vulnerable in my life. Stepping out of the room meant dealing with Owen, and staying meant smoke inhalation. Not the best-case scenario, if you get my drift.”

  “For sure,” Grier said. “It’s been a while since we designed the room, and it can certainly use an upgrade. I’ll be glad to listen to your suggestions.”

  “Thank you,” Seth said.

  “I hate to break up this brainstorming session, but we really need to get going,” Lil said. “Give us a jingle in the morning to let us know where you’re staying and when we can start.”

  “Will do,” Bryce said. “Thanks for coming.”

  “I hope they catch that maniac so your life goes back to normal,” Lil said.

  They dead-bolted the door after the couple walked out and went back to the kitchen to clean up.

  “I’m reluctant to move,” Seth said. “Is it really hazardous to our health?”

  “The HAZMAT people confirmed the fire chief’s recommendation,” Bryce said. “Grab your laptop and charger, and I’ll pack us some clothes. It shouldn’t be more than a few days.”

  “Okay,” Seth said reluctantly. “I was just getting used to this beautiful apartment, and I’m being uprooted again. I feel like a gypsy.”

  “It sucks, but we’ll be better off.”

  “Where are we going?”

  Bryce pulled out his phone and opened his browser. “How about the Courtyard on Ontario? They’ve got good amenities.”

  “Are the beds comfortable?”

  “It’s a Marriott hotel so I’m certain they are.”

  “Free Wi-Fi?”

  “Of course.”

  “Gym?”

  Bryce smiled. “Yes, dear.”

  “Let’s do it,” Seth said. “I’m hungry and could use a nice warm bath.”

  “No kidding,” Bryce said. “Maybe we can score a room with a Jacuzzi tub.”

  Chapter 22

  THEY ENDED up staying at the Sofitel hotel in the Water Tower building instead. It was walking distance from the apartment, a lot more convenient than the Marriott, and had twenty-four-hour room service, which they needed. Most of their clothes were either smoked, charred, or wet and dressing for dinner was not an option. After a satisfying meal consisting of medium-rare New York strips and diner fries with copious amounts of wine they felt restored.

  Lying on top of sweet-smelling bedsheets after a shared almond-scented bath, Seth felt himself drifting off, only jerking awake to memories of Owen’s fist connecting with his jaw. He sat bolt upright and looked around the room, completely disoriented. For a brief moment, he thought he was back in his old Lincoln Park home, but when the fog cleared and he saw Bryce snoring peacefully in nothing but his birthday suit, he knew he was in Chicago.

  He checked the time on his phone and was surprised to see it was almost eight in the morning. They’d overslept, hardly surprising after yesterday’s traumatic chain of events. Grabbing the robe he’d flung on the chair beside the bed, he shrugged it on and padded over to the coffeemaker to prepare a carafe. He knew Bryce would ask for it the moment he woke up, and in all likelihood, the smell of brewing coffee would nudge him out of his deep sleep.

  “Babe?”

  “Your olfactory senses are so predictable,” Seth said, pouring Bryce a cup and handing it to him.

  Bryce took a tentative sip of the hot brew and sighed. “I’ll never understand people who don’t like coffee,” he remarked. “Couldn’t start my day without it.”

  “I feel the same way so you’re in luck. My agent, Laurie, would rather have a can of Coke. Can you imagine anything more disgusting?”

  Bryce shuddered. “No.”

  “Which reminds me,” Seth said, reaching for his phone. “I’m supposed to have lunch with her today, but I’m cancelling.”

  “Why?” Bryce asked. “I’m going to work so you might as well go. You’ll certainly have enough to talk about.”

  Seth smiled at his tousled pa
rtner indulgently. Bedhead and scruffy face notwithstanding, Bryce was still the hottest guy Seth had laid eyes on in a long time. Not only was he sexy, he was heroic in many ways. Seth realized he was viewing Bryce through the eyes of a man in love, but he didn’t care. Everyone deserved a knight in shining armor at one point in their life, and in the last two months, Bryce had come to his rescue multiple times. His heart swelled with affection for the guy who was studying him with a quizzical look on his face.

  “Sweetheart,” Seth reminded him, “we have no clothes.”

  “Fuck, you’re right,” Bryce said with a wry chuckle. “I guess I’m not going to work after all. We’ll need to address that first.”

  “After we make a few calls,” Seth agreed. “Let me call Osler first and tell him what’s transpired since we last saw him.”

  “That’ll take a while,” Bryce guessed. “I’ll hop in the shower and then throw on yesterday’s clothes. If you ask nicely, I’ll go downstairs and load up on breakfast food and bring it up on a tray for you.”

  “A bowl of fresh fruit would be nice and some yogurt.”

  “Bagel?”

  “Sure, why not. Turns out life’s a crapshoot, and doing without carbs when tomorrow is so uncertain seems like such a waste.”

  Bryce crawled over to the end of the bed and reached for Seth. “Put your cup down and let me hold you for a while. We’re not starting our day without a good pep talk and maybe, if you get lucky, a blowjob on the side. That should banish the dark clouds that are still hovering around you.”

  “Aww… you’re too kind.”

  “Shut up and get your perky ass over here.”

  Their impromptu therapy session was a resounding success, and afterward, Bryce resumed his plans to shower, shave, and raid the breakfast bar downstairs. Seth continued to wallow in bed, hugging the pillow still infused with Bryce’s scent, and wondered what great things he must have done in his past life to deserve this reward. Despite the dips and curves they’d encountered since embarking on their journey as lovers, they were blissfully happy. It was almost criminal to feel so good after such a short time, but he refused to feel guilty. Osler could raise his eyebrows in disapproval at the speed in which he’d rebounded from Mark’s death, but Seth was at peace with his decision and wasn’t about to be swayed by small-minded and unrealistic expectations. And if the assholes at the insurance company dared to insinuate the same, he would leave a scathing review on Yelp and every other public forum possible, using as many synonyms as he could come up with in his extensive vocabulary to describe their self-serving policies and highly questionable employees.

  His mind instantly veered to Owen. He hoped the pig had been located and arrested—the man was a menace and Seth wanted him gone for good. He would give Osler permission to contact the insurance and inform them of this new development. With so many resources on Owen’s trail, it would be impossible to stay hidden forever. Owen could find shelter somewhere, but eventually, he’d run out of money and do something stupid like rob a convenience store. They’d capture him on camera, broadcast it on national TV, and he’d end up getting caught.

  As usual, Seth’s imagination had latched on to an idea and run with it. He really should switch genres like he’d threatened yesterday. Now that he had firsthand knowledge of being stalked and held prisoner by a sociopath, he could bring an authentic voice to his writing he never would have thought to do in the past. Laurie would tell him honestly if the idea had any merit. She was good when it came to predicting trends in writing and had never steered him wrong. And on that productive thought, he got out of bed and began making his calls.

  When Bryce came back from the buffet, loaded up with goodies, Seth was ready to eat. They sat down companionably, he in the hotel robe and Bryce in yesterday’s shirt and blue jeans, and enjoyed the hearty breakfast. They finished up the last of the coffee, and Seth gave Bryce a rundown on his conversation with Osler.

  “He didn’t believe me at first,” Seth said, “but I urged him to go online and check out the news. I figured there would be something regarding the fire. I remember seeing a Channel 7 News truck when they were walking me to the ambulance.”

  Bryce nodded. “And after that? Did he believe you?”

  “Yes and no. He wants to hear the recording, see the mold reports, and basically get all his ducks in a row before tackling the insurance company.”

  “That makes total sense. When are we meeting with him?”

  “As soon as we have the paperwork.”

  “They promised I’d have everything I need today. We can stop by my office after our shopping spree.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Michigan Avenue is around the corner. Sky’s the limit, babe.”

  “Have you forgotten I don’t have a penny to my name?”

  “We’ll buy everything on credit, and my homeowner’s insurance will reimburse me. Not a problem.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m certain.”

  “In that case,” Seth said, “let’s go melt some plastic.”

  “Before we hit the store, I promised to meet the guys from BELFOR at my apartment.”

  “Who are they?” Seth asked.

  “A company that specializes in property restoration after a catastrophic event like fire, flood, and earthquake.”

  “Or crazies named Owen,” Seth said snidely.

  “Exactly. Anyway, I texted my insurance agent yesterday while they were patching you up, and he told me they’d be in touch. I set up a meeting for eleven.”

  Seth glanced at his phone to check the time. “You’re giving me twenty minutes?”

  “Babe, how hard is it to throw on a T-shirt and sweatpants?” Bryce asked.

  “Did you grab extra underwear?”

  Bryce shrugged. “I grabbed a pile of shit. Have a look,” he said, waving Seth over to the hotel bureau, where he’d dumped out the contents of his duffel last night.

  Seth pulled open the drawer and clucked in disapproval when he looked down at the unfolded mess. There was the usual assortment of long-sleeved T-shirts, Henleys, socks, and boxers, but he paused when he spied pink lace at the very bottom. He smiled as he dug out the skimpy thongs he’d purchased at Victoria’s Secret.

  Dangling them by a finger, he asked, “Should I wear one of these to go clothes shopping?”

  Bryce’s face lit up like a winning slot machine, and he nodded vigorously. “Do you dare?”

  Seth raised an eyebrow. “Watch me.”

  “Alright, alright, alright,” Bryce said in his best Matthew McConaughey imitation.

  Seth dramatically dropped his robe to the floor, amazed once again at his transformation from shy butterfly to boldly adventurous. Two months ago, he would have never considered standing naked in broad daylight with Bryce eating him up with his eyes. Right then, he couldn’t be prouder of the person he’d become. He owed a lot of it to Bryce’s loving support, but he’d obviously had a kinky goddess residing beneath layers of propriety or he wouldn’t have been able to pull this off without flinching.

  He stepped into the hot pink thong and pulled it up his long legs slowly, never taking his eyes off Bryce. His normally blue eyes had darkened with lust, sending a thrill up and down Seth’s spine. He adjusted his cock, which had begun to fill out as his body reacted to the intense scrutiny.

  “Keep looking at me like that, and we’ll be late.”

  “I’m just enjoying the view,” Bryce said, going all growly. He reached down and pulled at his own pants. “I would love to take you up on the offer, but we really need to meet up with these people. They say the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours after a fire are critical for optimum recovery. The damage, caused by smoke and the chemicals in those fire extinguishers, needs to be neutralized and deodorized, or you’ll never get that smell out of the apartment.”

  “Are they tackling the whole place or just the master bedroom and closet?”

  “Everything from what I understand. I
’m sure the smell has pervaded the entire apartment by now.”

  Seth snapped out of his sexual trance and reached for his T-shirt and lounging pants. He put them on quickly, and then he went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and comb his hair. Socks and running shoes came next, and he was ready.

  “How’s that for speedy?” he asked, standing at the open door.

  “Gold star, babe,” Bryce said, walking toward him. He leaned in and nuzzled Seth’s ear. “Don’t think I’ll forget what’s underneath those drab blue pants. I’m going to insist on a large dressing room at the store, so we can try on our stuff together.”

  “Really? Which store did you have in mind?”

  “I think Needless Markup has huge dressing rooms,” Bryce said.

  “We are not shopping at Neiman Marcus just to get a cushy dressing room. I’d rather shop at the Gap.”

  “It’s not our dime, remember?”

  “Regardless. I don’t even like those high-end designers. Let’s come back down to earth, sweetheart.”

  “Fine, but not the Gap. We’ll go to Nordstrom.”

  “Okay.”

  The trip from the hotel to the apartment took less than ten minutes, so they were in plenty of time to keep their appointment. When Bryce turned the key and pushed open the front door, they paused for a second, trying to get used to the smells. Things had gotten worse overnight due to the tightly shut windows, and they opened as many as possible in the living and dining room to get some air into the place.

  “I see what you mean about having to do the entire house. God, seeing all of this makes me so angry,” Seth said. “Have you heard anything from Adam or Jack?”

  “No, let me give them a call.”

  Seth listened as Bryce placed the call and, as expected, was put on hold again. While he was waiting, the representative from BELFOR showed up, and Seth took the phone out of Bryce’s hand and continued to hold so that Bryce could do the walk-through.