“Well, it’s not so much for me as it is for Shane. Shane doesn’t want everyone to know we’re lovers. He’s afraid it will hurt my chances at being sheriff again.”
“You know he’s right, don’t you? It may very well mean you not getting re-elected.”
“I do know, and to be perfectly honest, I don’t care. I love what I do but I’m not embarrassed about who I am, and I’m damned sure not ashamed of Shane. However, I will need time to convince Shane he’s more important to me than whether I’m re-elected or not.” He shrugged. “Shane thinks we should keep it quiet until after this election and deal with it later. So, I’m going to try to do that ... for him.”
Ted smiled, got up from his chair and walked around his desk. “I love you, Grayson, and I’m very proud of you. You’re a hell of a man.”
Gray blinked away more tears, then stood up and pulled his old man into a big hug. “Same here, Dad!”
Ted patted his back, sniffled a bit, then pulled away. He rubbed his eyes and grinned at Gray. “Come on, dinner is almost ready and I’ve got to go tease the hell out of Shane about corrupting my baby boy.”
Gray chuckled. “Okay, just make sure you tell him you aren’t going to go screaming it from the rooftops yet.”
“No, not yet ... Not until after we get you re-elected. Then I’m telling everyone!”
Gray laughed. He truly had the best parents in the world.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“I can’t believe after what you’ve done that you have the nerve to show your face around town, Cortez.”
Shane didn’t bother looking up from the freezer. He knew the voice and he refused to get into it with the man. He’d come to town to pick up a few groceries for Kaitlyn and himself, and that was what he was going to do. He grabbed a couple of TV dinners, put them in his buggy and walked away. With any luck, Kauffman would get the picture and just leave him be.
Kauffman shoved his right shoulder. “I’m talking to you, Cortez!”
Or not. He supposed he should have known better. Shane sighed and turned around. “Kauffman, I don’t have anything to say to you. Why don’t you let me get my shopping done, and I’ll kindly take my face out of public.” Shane about-faced and began pushing his cart again.
Kauffman growled and shoved him again, this time in the middle of his back.
Shane stopped and turned once more. He was not going to get into a fight with this man when whole ordeal was Kauffman’s fault. If he had paid more attention to his daughter, she might not feel the need to lie outrageously to get attention. But Shane would be damned if he added fuel to the fire. “Do you even know if Sherry Ann is pregnant? Have you checked that out yet?”
“Are you calling my daughter a liar again?”
Shane shrugged. Hell, yes, he was. “Well, she’s lying about me having had any sort of a relationship with her, so --”
With an angry growl, Kauffman hauled his fist back and aimed for Shane’s face.
Shane stepped out of reach. His attention was focused solely on Kauffman as the man prepared to charge him, so he completely missed McCabe coming up behind Kauffman and catching him around the waist, stopping him in his tracks.
“Whoa, there! I don’t think you want to do that.” McCabe ducked as Kauffman spun and tried to land a blow on him as well.
Kauffman snarled and swung at McCabe for several seconds, before he realized he wasn’t going to score a hit. “Fuck you, McCabe! This is none of your affair!” He pivoted, still fuming and turned on Shane again, jabbing a finger in Shane’s direction. “You really have some nerve, you pathetic piece of shit! I heard the rumors Mrs. Murphy’s been spreading. Rest assured that I’m not buying it. I know you’re just trying give yourself an out. You want play the ‘I’m gay’ card, you go right ahead. I’m sure it will come in handy in persuading our sheriff into doing what’s right!” Kauffman turned around and stalked off.
Ah, shit! Great, just what he needed.
“Well, I had it covered, but thanks, anyhow. Nice to know I still have a few friends. I’m guessing by all the talk flying around that friends might be hard to come by shortly.”
McCabe grimaced. “Probably. Hate to say it, but that man isn’t going to stop until he’s run you through the mud and Gray right along with you. I’m surprised you haven’t heard from that man’s lawyer, yet.”
“Hell, I’d welcome it! If he’ll get the lawyers involved, my problem will be solved practically immediately. You know the first thing a lawyer’s going do is have Sherry Ann go get a pregnancy test. Hell, Ted’s already got our lawyer on it, but you know how long these damned things take.”
McCabe shook his head. “Yeah, I hear you. Let me know if I can do anything to help. In the meanwhile, I’m going to go rescue my popsicles.”
Shane chuckled without humor. “Later, man.” He went back to shopping but couldn’t pull his mind away from the feeling of impending doom. Yeah, he was probably being overly melodramatic, but this run in with Kauffman and the rumors already racing through town were not good things. The question was, how bad was it and how much worse would it get?
§ § § §
“Shane?” Gray stepped into the living room of his lover’s cottage.
“In the kitchen.”
Shane was putting together a sandwich of some sort. He turned from the counter and cocked his head at Gray. “What are you doing here?” He glanced at the clock on the oven, looking even more puzzled. “I thought you were staying home tonight?”
“Well, I hadn’t heard from you all day, so I thought I’d stop by and check on you.” He went to the fridge and pulled out a bottled water and leaned against the counter next to Shane.
“I was busy.”
“You’re always busy. How’s today different?”
Shane looked him square in the eye. “What’s on your mind, Grayson?”
Gray sighed. He didn’t know what he’d thought to accomplish by tapdancing around the issue. He supposed he just wanted Shane to come out and tell him what happened at the store, but there was no hope for that now. He knew that look. Shane knew he was aware of what had happened. “Got a call from Ethan today.”
Shane took a bite of his sandwich and shook his head. “Figures. In a town full of gossips, our friends are the worst ones.”
“It’s not gossip when it’s fact.” Gray frowned. “You weren’t going to tell me?”
Shane chuckled. “Does it matter?”
“Hell, yes, it matters! I heard that Kauffman assaulted you! You should press charges. How’s it going to look if you don’t?”
Shane shook his head, stepped to the fridge and pulled out a cola. “He didn’t assault me, and I’m not pressing charges.”
Gray snorted. “If he so much as touched you, it’s considered assault. I heard he pushed you more than once, chief.”
Shane popped the top on his beverage and took a swig. “I’m not filing charges, it’d just add fuel to the fire, so let’s leave it at that. Your daddy has talked to his lawyers, so why don’t we let them handle it.”
Gray gritted his teeth. He couldn’t force Shane to press charges, but damn it, Kauffman needed to be put in his place. He was already guilty of defamation of character by falsely accusing Shane of impregnating his daughter and verbal abuse. Now he’d gotten physical and Shane was just going to ignore it? Not if Gray could help it. “Shane.”
Shane slammed his drink down on the countertop, the fluid sloshing out, and pointed his finger at Gray. “Don’t ... do not take that tone with me. I said no, now it’s over!”
Gray thumped his own drink down on the counter, making water shoot out the top. “Need I remind you that part of this situation we find ourselves in is because you tried to ignore Sherry Ann’s shenanigans in the first place. Do you have any idea what is going to happen when you fail to press charges? Folks are going to assume you did have an affair with Sherry Ann and now she’s pregnant.”
So much for holding his tongue. Gray knew better, but he couldn’t stop himself. Sha
ne’s attitude had really set him on edge. It was the exact same one Shane had used to use to scold him when he was a child. He’d never yelled or even raised his voice much, but that tone brooked no argument. When Gray was younger it had always worked; he’d never have dreamed of arguing back. But now? Shane had better treat him like an equal!
Shane’s jaw practically dropped. “So what! I don’t give a shit what everyone else thinks.”
Gray ran his hands through his hair and let out an exaggerated breath. “Look, I don’t care about that either, but you need to do what’s right. You can’t let Kauffman go around bullying you.”
“I don’t plan on allowing him to bully me, but I don’t see any reason to make things worse by hauling him in. This will all be over soon.”
“Shane, if you let people get away with things like that once, they are going to keep doing them. What happens next time when he tries to force your hand with a shotgun? Jesus, Shane!”
“Don’t be ridiculous. The man isn’t going to come after me with a shotgun.”
“How do you know? He isn’t thinking rationally, or he’d realize what his daughter is up to in the first place. What if he does something that he can’t take back?”
Shane took another bite of his sandwich. “I’m done with this conversation. I won’t press charges, and that’s the end of it.” He raised a brow at Gray, clearly challenging him to argue further.
Gray dragged his hands down his face. Fine, if Shane wanted to drop it, they’d drop it. But there was nothing saying that Gray couldn’t have Shane’s lawyers take out a restraining order against Kauffman. Hell, Shane didn’t even have to know. The only reason he hadn’t done it so far was because he didn’t want to go behind Shane’s back. But this refusal to face facts was bullshit! He knew damned well an order of protection wouldn’t stop Kauffman if he had a mind to cause more problems, but at least Gray could haul his ass to jail for getting too close. He took a deep breath. “I’m going to go get some clothes for tomorrow, then I’ll be back.” He leaned in to kiss Shane’s cheek.
Shane stopped him with a hand in the middle of his chest.
What the ...?
Shane shook his head. “Why don’t you stay home? There is no need for you to stay with me.”
“What?”
Shane closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again. “Grayson, I think --”
“Fuck that, chief! I know exactly what you’re up to, and I’m telling you right now it’s not going to work.”
“We’ve taken things way too fast. I think we should just back off a bit.”
Gray clenched his jaw. He knew damned well what Shane was doing. “Ethan told me Kauffman’s implied threat to tell everyone we’re lovers to ruin my chances of getting re-elected, so give it a rest. I’ll be back.” He turned to walk out, before he said something he’d regret.
“Don’t come back, Grayson. I don’t want you here.” Shane sounded like he meant it, even if his voice did waver a little at the end.
Gray stopped, his back to Shane. He was beyond pissed now; he was positively enraged. Gray stormed out without another word, but he got his point across loud and clear when he banged the front door on his way out.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Shit! What had he done? It was the right thing, he knew it was but, damn it, it felt wrong. He would have sworn half his chest had been ripped out as he’d watched Gray stalk out the door. Shane grabbed the rest of his sandwich and tossed it into the trash. He had no appetite left.
“Fuck!” He went to his room and threw himself down on his bed. He had had no choice but to do it. He had to think about Gray because Kauffman was going to talk, no doubt about it, but if no one saw him and Gray together, then no one would believe Kauffman. Gray’s chances of being keeping his post likely wouldn’t be affected. It shouldn’t matter, but no one in a conservative area was going to re-elect a gay sheriff. This was Texas, not San Francisco! “Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!”
He desperately needed to hit something. It was juvenile and pointless but, yes, smashing Kauffman’s face under his fist would feel really good right about now. Or walloping Sherry Ann! Never hit a girl, my ass! That was one little girl who needed a good spanking. Not that he’d ever do it, but it sure felt good to imagine it.
He flipped over. Why did everything have to be so complicated? Why couldn’t he just love Gray and enjoy his life? Lord knew that Gray was his one weakness, but damned if Kauffman hadn’t somehow picked up on it. If he were a man given to tears, he’d --
Shane pulled his glasses off and wiped his cheek. It didn’t help, though; the damned things kept coming. Well, at least there was no one to see him blubbering. He set his glasses on the bedside table and lay back down. Shutting his eyes, he tried to picture Gray the first night they’d made love and how his biggest concern then had been getting Gray to agree to a relationship. He’d overcome that and had even confessed to the Hunters; hell, he had their blessing. Finally, exhausted, he let sleep overtake him.
§ § § §
Shane reached for Gray only to come up empty handed. He blinked his eyes open. It was still dark and he remained in his clothes and boots. Right, he’d sent Gray home, more or less breaking off their relationship. He groaned and rolled onto his back. His head throbbed in protest. Great, he had the headache from hell in addition to being stiff from sleeping in his clothes. He should get up and take something for it, but in all honestly he deserved to suffer.
What the hell had he been thinking? He’d sent away Gray, the best thing that had ever happened to him. And for what? So he could be replaced in Gray’s life by some other shmuck? Because he knew that that was what would happen. Gray was gay; there were no two ways about that. He would have another relationship with another man at some time, and it was going to be open knowledge. Public officials generally didn’t keep secrets for long. Someone, eventually, was going to be suspicious enough to uncover the truth. If not Kauffman, then someone else. Shane would be a fool to think he could protect Gray from that. Gray wasn’t the type to broadcast his homosexuality, but he also wouldn’t deny who he was.
Shane sat up and swung his feet over the edge of the bed. His skull throbbed. He felt like a horse had kicked him in the noggin. He rested his head in his hands for a few seconds, then heaved himself up off the bed and into the bathroom in search of some aspirin.
Shane looked in the mirror and groaned. He looked like he’d cried himself to sleep, his hair was all messed up, he had bags under his eyes and tear stains on his cheeks. Good grief, he was pitiful. He yanked the rubber band out of his hair -- ouch! -- untangled his hair and brushed it out. He rebraided it, cleaned his teeth, washed his face, and relieved himself before he surfaced from the bathroom. He glanced at the clock. 10:34 p.m. If he left now, he could reach Gray’s place in about half an hour. With any luck, Gray would be awake.
He was going to have to give Gray some credit. If there was one thing his Gray wasn’t, it was an idiot. Gray had always thought things through before he jumped in. He had to have know that he might be outed at some point.
Shane retrieved his glasses from the nightstand and put them on. There must be something to the old saying about sleeping on problems, because he was thinking a whole lot clearer now. He’d been going about things the wrong way. Instead of wasting energy on hiding the fact that he and Gray were a couple, he should be trying to help the man get re-elected in spite of it.
No, he hadn’t like waking up without Gray one bit. He’d gotten used to Gray snuggled up against him every morning, whether were here or at Gray’s place.
Shane stepped out of his room and into the hall. It was pretty dark. Hadn’t he left the kitchen light on? The only illumination in the house was the moonlight peeking in from the windows. Shane moved into the quiet living room, his boot heels clicking on the tiled floor, then he stopped dead.
Gray was curled up in a blanket sound asleep on the couch. He came back!
Shane went to the couch, stepping over the bag at the en
d, and sat down beside Gray. It was light enough that he could make out the chiseled planes of Gray’s face with just the beginnings of a five o’clock shadow. The man must be truly tired to the bone if he hadn’t woken to the sound of Shane’s boots or his movement on the sofa.
He leaned down and kissed the stubbly cheek.
Gray’s eyes fluttered open. He grinned when his eyes found Shane. Shane thought he was absolutely irresistible. “Hey, chief.”
“Hello, love.” Shane ran the back of his hand down the younger man’s cheek. “I’m sorry, Grayson.”
Gray nodded.
“I’ve got to stop trying to protect you. I have to trust that you know what’s best for you. It’s just hard to break myself of old habits. I’ve spent over half my life watching out for you, making sure things you didn’t get hurt.”
Gray pulled him down and kissed him. “Just stop trying to protect me from you. If there is one thing I don’t need or want protecting from, it’s you.”
Shane caressed Gray’s cheek, then stood. “I’ll try; that’s all I can promise. After all these years, it’s kind of instinctual, you know.”
Gray tugged him on top of him, hugging him and nuzzling his face into Shane’s throat. “That’s all I ask.” Gray bit down where Shane’s neck joined his shoulder. His cock was making its presence known under Shane’s hip.
Oh, man, that wicked mouth was giving him goose bumps. At one especially erotic nip, he arched his neck, giving Gray better access and bumped the back of the couch. Shane shivered and slid his hands beneath the covers, finding Gray’s naked chest. “Come to bed. I’m to old to make out on the sofa.”
“Mmm. Okay, old man, lead the way.” Gray gave his neck once last bite, squeezed his ass, then let go of him.
Shane groaned and got up, offering his hand. “I’ll show you old man!”
“Hey, I’m just repeating what you said.” Gray sat up, kicked his covers off and took Shane’s hand. “Besides, I like it when you prove you aren’t too old for certain things.” He stood, his erect prick sticking out as if teasing, begging to be touched.
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