by Megan Slayer
Bobby settled on the driver’s seat in his vehicle. He expected a barrage of comments from Chris and Darcy. Instead, his daughter cuddled up to her sleeping bag and closed her eyes. Chris twiddled with his phone.
“I invited Remy over tonight.” Bobby glanced back at them in the rearview mirror. “Is that okay?” Kind of late to ask them now, but oh well.
“I’m cool with it.” Chris nodded to his sister. “She’s out, so I doubt she cares.”
“Thanks.” He drove the rest of the way home in silence. He couldn’t wait to hear from the swim parents what they thought of Remy. He’d been pleasant enough, yes, but Bobby could tell there was something bothering him.
He turned onto the driveway and parked in the garage. Unlike the rest of the time, he left the garage door open. “Go inside and change or whatever you want to do to go to the pool. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Darcy didn’t say anything as she left the back seat. Chris grinned and headed into the house behind her.
Bobby waited on the trunk of his car until Remy pulled in. He waved.
Remy parked. “Holy shit. This is a nice house.”
“I got a good deal.” He shrugged. “Mom knew the people who were moving out, and it had a pool.”
“Sweet.” Remy clicked the lock on his car. “I guess I expected something smaller.”
“Sometimes people and things aren’t always how you think they should be.” He waved his arm. “How about a tour?”
“Sounds good.” Remy fell into step beside him. “Nice job, putting me in front of the firing squad.”
“The other parents?” He hadn’t thought about it like that. He pressed the fob to close the garage and unlocked the front door to the house. He held the door for Remy. “Sorry. They’re nice people.”
“And not like the Coalition.”
Fuck. Bobby stepped into the living room. “Want a beer? We can hang out on the deck.”
“I’d love one.”
“As you can see, this is the formal living room and foyer. Nothing too exciting and mostly empty because we don’t use them. The family room is through there. The kids watch movies and leave it a mess, but I can deal.” He gestured to the short hallway. “Can’t miss the kitchen. The deck’s through the sliding doors.”
“You need a dog.” Remy stuffed both hands into his jeans pockets. “Just seems like it would fit in.”
“I’ve thought about it.” He grabbed two bottles of beer from the fridge. “I bet Chris and Darce would love one.”
“Probably.” Remy strode out to the deck and gasped. “Holy shit. This is really nice. I never would’ve thought this was back here.”
“The former owners loved landscaping and made sure the stuff in the house was top notch.” He handed Remy a beer. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks.” Remy sat beside him at the table. “I bet Darcy loves the pool.”
“It’s helped, yeah. She does laps with her brother.” He leaned back in his seat. “If it weren’t for those parents, I would’ve been so lost when I came back to Cedarwood. They’ve welcomed me in and don’t hold judgment. It’s nice, and they’re real people.”
Remy downed part of the beer, then sighed. “The mother of the girl I interviewed stopped me. She banned me from the swim complex.” The emotion drained away from Remy’s words, and the sparkle left his eyes. He picked at the label on his bottle. “She accused me of putting ideas into the heads of the children on the swim team.”
Bobby nearly choked on his beer. “What?”
“Because I’m gay.” He groaned. “She doesn’t know me from Adam, but she was right there reminding me I’m not as good as the rest of the people there.” Remy shook his head. “It wouldn’t have been so bad if I’d been a little more prepared for her. But it’s done now. I knew someone would say something, but I held on to hope nothing would happen.”
“She had no right.” Jesus. “Most of the parents there aren’t like her, I promise. They know I’m out and haven’t treated me any differently.”
“She saw me touch you.” Remy stared at him. “Whatever. She’s probably part of that group.” He scrubbed the back of his hand across his mouth. “You invited me to dinner tonight, but I’m not sure of your phone number.”
“What?” Bobby gripped the arm of his chair. “I did say something. I told you I had to get to work, and I think I said something along the lines of I’d put my number in your phone. I could swear I asked you to call me. I tried to wake you, but you wouldn’t budge.”
“Wish I would’ve.” Remy rested his head on the back of the chair and sprawled out. “Now I feel silly. I got ahead of myself and forgot to even look. You’ve got to think I’m horrible.”
“You were tired, and it was a long night. Don’t sweat it.” He grasped Remy’s hand. “We’re together now and can exchange numbers properly.”
“I’ve got so many hang-ups.” Remy squeezed Bobby’s fingers. “I’m a mess.”
“And I’ve got kids. Makes us both human and fallible.” He chuckled. He could see them together on the deck with grandchildren and being perfectly happy together. He should’ve been unnerved. He wasn’t one to go from just meeting to thinking about the future together, but something about Remy called to him.
“Are you suggesting we give this a go and be whatever we are together?” Remy asked.
“I don’t invite just anyone home to meet my kids.” He smiled and met Remy’s gaze. “How about we go on a few dates? Get to know each other? I’ve never gone slow with a relationship in my life.” But something about Remy made him want to savor each moment.
“You’re not afraid to go public with me?” Remy scooted his chair closer to Bobby’s. “Even with the Coalition around?”
He shook his head. He’d considered the issues with the irritating group, but at some point the garbage had to stop. He wasn’t doing anything wrong or conducting his life in a way that would bring negativity. Screw the Coalition.
“Cool.” Remy palmed Bobby’s thigh. “I feel better about the article already.”
“What article?”
“Your mother’s friend Maureen wants to create a group to counteract the Coalition. They aren’t going to be organized, but still. They want to show the town that no matter who you are or who you love, we accept you. It’s a good idea.” Remy shrugged. “We had the festival and that was fine, but there’s more that can be done.”
“You’re a revolutionary as well as handsome? I might have to keep you around.” Bobby draped his arm around the back of Remy’s chair. The more they talked, the more he liked Remy.
“You’d be one of the few.” Remy sprawled out on his seat. He folded his hands on his belly and crossed his ankles. “I decided to major in journalism because I thought one of the guys in the class was hot.” He chuckled. “Imagine that. I based my whole career on someone’s looks. But once I was in the field, I loved it. My folks didn’t understand. Not like I had them around.” He gestured to the pool. “That’s where the kids are lucky. You’re involved. My dad paid no attention to me. For all I know, he wasn’t even my biological father. I was a problem. Until I got older, they had no use for me. My parents were really old-school—kids are not to be seen or heard.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Bobby toyed with the hairs at the base of Remy’s skull. He loved guys with just enough hair to pull but not enough to braid. Boy, was Remy’s hair soft.
“I’m not. The guy was an ass. He hated me and swore I wasn’t going to amount to anything other than a fat kid who ate chocolate all day.”
“Ouch.” Christ. How could anyone say that to a kid? Bobby couldn’t imagine even thinking that about Chris or Darcy. If his children realized they were gay or wanted to paint for a living or pretty much anything that wasn’t illegal, he’d back them.
“I went to college to rebel. Get the fuck out of the house and start my own life. Thank God I was smart enough to get a scholarship. If it wasn’t for that, I’d have been screwed.” Remy looked o
ver at Bobby. “I went to the gym on campus every day. I decided come hell or high water, I wasn’t going to be that fat kid, but when I look in the mirror…I still see him staring back at me.”
Bobby’s heart went out to Remy. “How many boyfriends have you had?”
Remy sighed and laced his fingers together on his stomach. “Five, and none lasted more than a couple of months. Jaden said I was too hard to live with—although we never lived together. Dominic couldn’t be faithful if his life depended on it, and my first boyfriend lived to remind me I’d never be a club kid. I couldn’t do heroin chic or the makeup. Seth and Dale were just plain mistakes.”
“Nothing wrong with knowing who you really are and accepting what you don’t like.” Or having standards. “Terry and I didn’t work out because he wanted to travel. All through the year, he had to be going somewhere. Most of it was for work, but there were times I think he took off because he had a guy on the side.” Bobby caressed the back of Remy’s neck. “Neil was another story. He hated my kids. Never took the time to get to know them. All he wanted was sex and a place to crash after clubbing. I thought I could get him to settle down.”
“He was hot as hell, wasn’t he?”
Bobby detected the note of disdain in Remy’s voice. Bobby wasn’t a saint by any means, but he also wasn’t about to walk away from Remy. He reminded Bobby of a wounded puppy—the guy needed a confidence boost from someone he could trust. Bobby understood. He’d been there too. “Yeah, but looks aren’t everything. You can be the sexiest man alive, but if you’re not willing to accept my kids or all of the fucked-up parts of me, then sexy means nothing.”
Remy nodded and gazed back over the pool. “I never told anyone about my old man. I guess no one wanted to listen.” He smiled and the muscle in his jaw tensed. “Or you make talking easy. That might be it.”
“Maybe.” He saw Remy in a different light. Each time Remy spoke, he revealed a bit more about himself. Bobby respected him for giving Bobby the chance to get to know him instead of pushing Bobby away.
Bobby turned his attention to Chris and Darcy. The sun had dipped low on the horizon, and the lights ringing the pool came on. He didn’t mind a little night swimming, but after the day they’d had, he wanted Darcy to rest. “Hey, guys? Why don’t you pack it in for the night? It’s past sunset.”
Darcy splashed her brother, then climbed out of the pool. Chris left the water and wrapped his towel around his midsection. He headed into the house, but Darcy hesitated.
“Are you coming in?” she asked. She clutched the towel and dripped water on the deck.
“Once I turn on the security system back here and clean up, yeah, I’m coming in.” He stood. She hadn’t asked him anything like that in a long time. Was she upset that Remy was there? He’d have to ask later.
“Are you staying?” She grinned at Remy. “Maybe you can write about me. I’ll show you my trophies.”
Remy scrambled off the chair and stood. He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Not tonight, but if you keep up swimming like you did today, I’m sure I’ll write about you soon enough. You did a great job at the meet.”
“Thanks.” She beamed and stole a glance at her father before she strolled into the house.
Remy kept his head low and nudged an acorn across the deck. He waited until Darcy had disappeared into the house before he spoke. “They’re good kids. I’m glad I met them.” He straightened his shirt. “I should go. I took up a lot of your family time.”
Bobby grasped Remy’s hand. “You’re fine.” He tugged Remy to his chest. “I like you being here.” Hell, he liked Remy and wanted to keep dating him.
“You might like it, but this is your time with your kids—not me. I’m sorry.” Remy sighed. “God. One of these days I’ll get better at relationships.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about.” He slid his palms along Remy’s sides, then up his shoulders. He brushed a kiss over Remy’s lips. “How about you go with us to Chris’ 5k run on Thursday? It’s short notice, I know, and you’ll probably have to work. But think about it.” He’d stepped out of his comfort zone by asking Remy to stay over, but he didn’t want to let the opportunity pass him by.
“The Ford Open in Windham? I’m covering it for the paper.”
“Oh.” His spirits sank. Well, shit.
“It doesn’t matter what time I get there or who I’m with as long as I cover the event. You’ll want to get to the course early, though.” Remy slid his hands into Bobby’s back pockets.
“Come over Wednesday night. The kids go to bed around ten, but Wednesday they’ll hit the hay closer to nine. We’ll go together in the morning.” As he sorted out the details, he liked the plan. He wanted to move on with his life and have Remy there for the journey. Fuck the past and my hang-ups with Neil. Fuck the Coalition and their ridiculous rules. He and Remy deserved to be happy and find a path together.
“You’re not worried?”
“Nah. I’ve always said I want my kids to feel free to be themselves. If I’m hiding who I am, then I’m not setting a good example.” He cupped Remy’s jaw. “There’s no shame in being yourself.”
“True.” Remy kissed him and nipped Bobby’s bottom lip. He rubbed his crotch against the bulge in Bobby’s jeans, then held him tighter to Remy’s body. When he broke the connection, Remy sighed. “I’ll call you—since I know I’ve got your number.”
“Call me whenever.” He let go of Remy long enough to drape his arm around Remy’s waist. With Remy at his side, they walked through the house to the front porch.
In front of the entire neighborhood—not that anyone was particularly watching—Remy kissed him again. Bobby’s lips tingled and blood rushed to his cock. If they weren’t in public, he’d have Remy against the side of the house and begging to come. Part of him wanted Remy to stay the night, but the rest of him wanted to slow things down. Christ. Once he got a hard-on, his brain disengaged. He tucked his fingers into Remy’s front pockets.
“So this piece about the Coalition…what exactly are you going to write?” He bumped noses with Remy. “You did just kiss me in public.”
“I did.” His voice dropped an octave. “Gonna try to dissuade me from doing it?”
“Nope. You’re being yourself, and it’s sexy.”
Remy blushed and smiled. He kissed him again and whimpered. “I’ve been thinking about the article—a lot. The easy thing would be to allow my emotions to take control and write an inflammatory piece. It’d be no sweat, since I’m still pissed about the incident at the metro park.”
“Her comments were uncalled for.” His protective streak kicked in. If the woman had said something to Chris or Darcy, he would’ve come unglued. Knowing Remy was dealing with shit like that pissed him off just as much.
“I agree.” Remy threaded his arms around Bobby’s waist and rested his head on Bobby’s shoulder.
“But killing them with kindness is better than pissing everyone off. I know you’d like to. Trust me, I’d like to give her a piece of my mind.”
“How so?” Remy stood tall and met Bobby’s gaze. “I don’t disagree, but I’m dying to hear your thoughts.” He shrugged. “You’re a businessman, though. So yeah, I can see where you’d want to keep everyone happy.”
“That’s true but not my point,” Bobby said. “An emotional piece tinged with hate, even unspoken hate, fuels the fire. It shows them they can get to you, and once they’ve got an in, it’s hard to get them to back down. If I were writing, and don’t ask because creative writing and I are not friends, I’d write something positive about what people from all walks of life in Cedarwood are doing. There’s a lot of good in this town that no one knows about. The Coalition can get mad about plenty of things but not people who are being nice and positive.”
“They can and will, but you’re right. You’re the bigger man, too.” Remy grinned. “I like it.”
“It’s always about size.” Bobby kissed Remy again. He’d never get enough of the way the man t
asted or how he made Bobby feel.
“Your size works fine for me,” Remy murmured.
“You’ll make me blush, and I don’t do that often.” He held on to Remy and swayed to the music playing in his head. “This is happening crazy fast, but I don’t want this night to end.”
“I know how you feel. It’s the same for me, but I don’t have kids.” Remy kissed him once more, this time drawing Bobby’s tongue into his mouth. He sucked on Bobby’s tongue and swallowed Bobby’s moan. When he broke the connection, he eased away from Bobby. “I’ll call you tomorrow and see you Wednesday, if not before.”
“Promise?” He hadn’t asked that question about a date in forever. But Remy made him giddy for their next moments together.
“I do.” He winked, then stepped off the porch. “See you.”
“Yeah.” Bobby watched Remy climb into his car, then back down the driveway. He waited until Remy disappeared down the street before he headed into the house. He closed and locked the door, then collapsed on the closest chair.
Bobby touched his lips. The tingling hadn’t gone away. He sank back on the seat and closed his eyes. Remy wasn’t the guy he’d expected. No, he was more complex and interesting. Hot, smart and a good fuck as well as a good conversationalist—when he got Remy to relax. So Remy wasn’t a fan of the kids. At least he saw them as decent human beings, not an inconvenience. Maybe Bobby could get him to come around.
Remy didn’t strike him the same way Neil had. Neil had voiced his dislike for the kids from the first moment he met them. He wasn’t willing to come around when they were home or did so under duress. Remy hadn’t jumped into the pool or anything, but when the kids talked to him, he treated them like equals. Neil never would’ve done that.
Bobby opened his eyes and grinned. For the first time since he’d met Neil, his heart was light. The dread he’d carried around since Terry had left wasn’t there. He had hope for the future. Would he have a chance at long-term with Remy? He wasn’t sure, but there was the possibility.