by Megan Slayer
“Don’t blame you there,” Julia said. “I’ve only seen court proceedings on television, and those don’t look fun. I can’t imagine having to go through it for real. If you need me, I’ll be there. I bet Bobby will too. Speaking of Bobby, you’d better invite me over to the housewarming or whatever you’re doing to celebrate,” she said. “You owe me dinner or something.”
“You’ve got it. I’ll talk to Bobby when I get home, and we’ll set it up. What are you doing this Friday or Saturday?”
“Going to your house. Hey, I’ve got to go. I need to get back to my job.” She laughed. “Talk to you later, hon.”
“Bye, Julia.” He swiped his index finger over the screen and disconnected the call. Relief washed over him. He still had his best girlfriend around, and she approved of Bobby. Life was good.
Remy shut down the laptop and tucked his tablet into its sleeve. He put both devices away and gathered up the rest of his things. He’d been at the newspaper offices long enough. Time to go home.
He gripped his messenger bag and strolled across the building to the doors to the parking lot. He stepped outside and tipped his face to the sunshine. The warmth sank straight to his core. He paused a moment before heading to his car. Thank God he’d been able to get the vehicle back so fast. He wanted to enjoy the last vestiges of summer—in his own car. The kids were back in school and, despite the major upheaval, seemed to be taking it all in stride.
Remy didn’t want to climb behind the wheel of his car. He hadn’t bothered to fix the air conditioning and didn’t look forward to having to air out the vehicle to cool it down. When he strode up to the car, he noticed a piece of paper stuck beneath the wiper. He rolled his eyes and opened the driver’s-side door. He liked to think while he drove and usually, the free time allowed him to sort out his stories.
Stop Causing Chaos
He snorted. What the hell does that mean? And who’s upset with me? The Coalition? He’d written optimistic articles and an op-ed that shone a positive light on the town. How could the Coalition or anyone else be upset with him? He opened his window and yanked the paper from beneath the wiper. He crumpled the page and tossed it into the back seat. Fuck it. He hadn’t done anything wrong, and if someone was mad, then that was their problem.
Remy drove out of the lot and across town to Bobby’s. He avoided the traffic around the school complex. He stuck to the side streets and navigated through the quiet neighborhoods on the way home. He’d forgotten how pretty Cedarwood could be. Most of the lawns had been mown and flowers bloomed in the various beds as well as from pots hanging on the street lamps. The town reminded him of a postcard. Hell, maybe the town council needed to have postcards and other merchandise made to celebrate Cedarwood. He couldn’t be the only one who saw so many good things in the place he lived.
He pulled into the driveway and parked in front of the garage. Once he stopped, he switched off the engine. Remy picked up the newspaper and sat on the front porch. He wanted to see his articles. The excitement of seeing his words on the page never went away. He blazed through the piece on Colin and Farin’s bookstore as well as his story on the library fall reading program.
“What are you doing out here?” Bobby asked. He opened the front door. “I didn’t expect you home for another couple of hours.”
“I wanted out of the cage.” He patted the top step. “Got a minute to sit with me?”
“Always.” Bobby strode onto the porch. “I’ve got a client coming over in half an hour, though.”
Remy swept his gaze over his boyfriend. He loved the way Bobby filled out the suit and yearned to rip the clothes off him. “That’s why you’re dressed up.”
“Sure. It’s called making an impression.” Bobby sat beside him and plunked his hand on Remy’s thigh. “We’re alone for a while. Chris has practice until five, and he’s getting a ride home with Jenna. As much as I don’t want to admit it, she’s got a crush on him, and he’s just as hot for her—already. I miss the days when he thought girls were gross.”
“Your baby is growing up.” Remy rested his head on Bobby’s shoulder. “Nothing wrong with it. I know you’re not ready for it, but it’s a good thing that he’s testing the waters.”
“If you say so.” Bobby sighed. “I’m not supposed to be that old.”
“You’re fine.” More than fine. He made Remy’s heart race and his cock hard with just a look.
“You’re pretty good too. Speaking of good, I need an assist. I’m supposed to meet with John Thurgood in half an hour, and Darcy’s swim team practice is done in forty-five minutes. Can you pick her up?”
“You know I will,” Remy said. “We make a good pair.” He liked being needed and playing the role of parent. He didn’t have the pressure on him like Bobby, but he gladly wanted to help out. Besides, he craved schedules and stability. He gained both with Bobby and the kids. He’d fallen for Bobby, and the kids had his heart too.
“We are awesome.” Bobby squeezed Remy’s thigh. “Speaking of our kind of awesome, I was thinking about you and me later. We should pull out the blindfold. You’d have to guess where I’m going to touch next.”
“With the prize of sucking your cock when I get it right?” The last time Bobby blindfolded him, he hadn’t guessed where Bobby licked him—on purpose. The better prize was worshipping between Bobby’s legs and the occasional spank he earned too.
“Uh-huh. My dick in your mouth. You’re good at getting me nice and wet and hot. Then I’ll fill your sexy ass. I’ll go slow at first. Pull out, then go back in until you’re full. You’ll beg me to hurry, but you’ll still have the blindfold on, so you’ll still be guessing.”
Remy pressed his knees together. Shit. He’d never be able to leave the porch at this rate. “You make me hard. Fuck.” He gritted his teeth. “The worst part is we don’t have time to go upstairs.”
“I’m hard too.”
“Your client will be here shortly.” Remy bit back a groan. Bobby was so devious.
“Complaints, complaints,” Bobby said. “We’ll cool it for now, but just an FYI, I’m wearing my red silk boxers.”
Before Remy could say anything, a car pulled to a stop in front of the house and parked on the street. Remy stretched his legs, partially to relieve the pressure on his dick and also to hide the growing erection.
“I should get going,” Remy said. “You’ve got a job to do.”
“I’d rather do you,” Bobby murmured. He kissed Remy’s temple. “Thank you.”
“I love you.” Remy stood, then leaned over and kissed Bobby. “See you at supper.” He strode across the lawn and waved at the man getting out of the car. He didn’t stick around to talk. He wanted to hide in his car and get himself under control before he made a fool of himself at the swim complex.
He slid behind the wheel of his vehicle and shook his head. His erection wasn’t going down. Despite putting distance between himself and Bobby and thinking about everything except being with Bobby that night, he still couldn’t get sex off his brain. Christ. He scrubbed his hand down his face and sighed. This was what Bobby had wanted—Remy on the edge and needing him. Bobby excelled at prolonging the pleasure in order to make the orgasm explosive. Remy just hoped he could get to naked time that night without combusting.
By the time Remy reached the metro park, Darcy wasn’t waiting in the foyer. He headed into the building and glanced into the main pool room.
“Practice isn’t over yet,” Steve said. “I thought I’d see Bobby.” He shook hands with Remy. “They’ll be done soon.”
“Cool, and yeah, Bobby had a meeting.” He folded his arms. “I thought you were a coach.”
“Not for the metro park swim team. I’ll help with the high school one in the winter.” Steve matched Remy’s stance. “Gage and Genie wanted to join, so they’re out there too.”
“At least the kids know each other.” He wished he’d had friends like that when he was back in school. He noticed a couple of adults striding beside the pool. �
��I thought parents weren’t supposed to be in there during practice.”
“They’re not, but those guys look like they’re coming from the back pool. There’s the back hallway, but it’s not as direct as barging through.” Steve sighed. “People also don’t follow rules.”
Remy focused on the man in the tight red swim shorts. He knew the guy, or at least he looked familiar. Once the guy got closer, his heart lodged in his throat and he turned his back on the pool room. “Fuck.”
“What?” Steve stared at him. “Did you see a ghost?”
“No, just my ex-boyfriend.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. Dear God. Why in the hell was Dale at the metro park? He didn’t even live in the county. “Be cool, and hopefully he won’t see me.”
“Too late.” Steve swatted Remy’s biceps. “Here he comes, and he’s zeroed in.”
“Fuck,” Remy bit out. He faced his ex. “Dale.”
“Look at you.” Dale swept his gaze over Remy. “Funny seeing you here.” He eyeballed Steve. “Is this your new boo?”
“What? No.” Not that Steve wasn’t handsome, but he was very much off-limits. “This is my friend, Steve. Our kids are part of the swim team.”
“Kids?” Dale snorted and clutched his towel. “You hate kids. Like hate, hate, hate them. You never wanted kids and avoided any guy who had them. How did you get a kid? Let me guess. You slept with a woman and accidentally got her pregnant so now you’re screwed?”
“The man I’m living with has children.” Speaking of which, Darcy stood behind Dale. Her eyes were wide and the color had drained from her face. She held her swim bag tight.
“You’ve lowered your standards,” Dale snapped.
“Dale.” He needed to shut down his ex. God only knew what Darcy had heard.
“Let’s face it. If this guy wasn’t a good fuck, then you’d be gone. The kids have got to be in the way. What are you going to do?” Dale asked. “Send them to boarding school?”
He didn’t have that kind of power and nor did he want it, but right now he wasn’t going to tell Darcy otherwise. Because of Dale and his big mouth, all kinds of damage had been done.
“Who’s this?” Darcy asked.
Dale snorted again and opened his mouth to speak, but Remy placed his hand over Dale’s lips.
“He’s my ex-boyfriend, Darce.” Remy wanted to melt into the floor. “He’s also needed in another room, and we’ve got to go.”
Steve, Genie and Gage stood in the foyer. “Hey, Darcy?” Steve said. “Why don’t you wait outside with us? Genie wanted to talk about next week’s practice, and Remy will be done in a moment. We’ll kill two birds with one stone.” He shot Remy a dirty look then guided the children out to the sidewalk.
“Thanks.” Remy waited until the kids were out of earshot, then faced Dale. “What in the name of hell are you doing?”
Dale swatted Remy’s hand away. “Talking to you.” He leaned on the wall and tucked his towel under his arm. He adjusted his swim shorts and emphasized the outline of his dick beneath the form-fitting material. “We used to be something.”
“A fucking mess,” Remy snapped. “That’s all we were. You never wanted me when we tried to be together. What are you doing here? You live in Chagrin.”
“Jesus. I came with a friend, but he’s back talking to the lifeguard. When I saw you, I decided to make a move, so yeah. I’m trying to get into your pants. I’m doubting you’re worth it now, though.”
Remy pinched the bridge of his nose again. “So you make a pass in front of my friend and my partner’s daughter.”
“We were something fucking hot when we were a couple,” Dale replied. He shrugged. “Partner.”
“Stop.” He held up both hands. “Couple? We fucked. That’s it. You walked because I got fired, and now I’ve moved on. I don’t want you.”
“You’re not a family man,” Dale said and stepped into Remy’s personal space. “You like sex too much to be with a guy with kids. You like to party. How do you honestly think you’ll be able to settle down?”
“Because I love my partner, Bobby, and his kids. I’m more of a family man than I ever thought, but you’ve fucked it up because now his daughter thinks I’m a monster.” He had to do so much damage control. He wasn’t even sure how to win back her trust.
“You’re a loser. You used to be fucking awesome.” Dale snapped his towel out from under his arm. “Used to.”
“Because I slept with you or because I was willing to deal with your shit?” Remy backed away from Dale. He’d once thought the man was hot. Not any longer.
“You’re sweet. Hot. I love tunneling your ass,” Dale said, not bothering to use his indoor voice. “You know how to bottom without looking like a wimp.”
“Christ, you’re a dick.” He faced Dale one more time. “Leave me alone. Okay? Forget my number, my face and everything about being with me. I don’t exist to you. Got it?” He turned on his heel and strode out of the swim complex.
“You okay?” Steve asked. He herded the children across the parking lot. “Remy?”
“Fine.” He opened his car door. “Darcy? Ready to go home?”
She didn’t reply and sank onto the seat. He shut the car door and pressed his lips together. He motioned to Steve and lowered his voice. “This is a mess.”
“That guy?” Steve nodded back to the building. “He’s a jerk.”
“Agreed, but he’s also just fucked a lot of stuff up. The line about kids…that used to be me.” He hooked his fingers into his front pockets. “Not any longer. Not since I met Bobby.”
“My best advice is to be as honest as you can with Bobby. Let him handle things with the kids. When Farin and I had issues, he let me deal with my sister first. That’s what I wanted to do, but it was nice to be in tune with each other. You are with Bobby, but you don’t realize it.” Steve clapped Remy on the shoulder. “Trust me. It’ll probably make things touchy between you and Bobby for a while, but if it’s going to work out, it will. You and Bobby are good together, and you’ve never said anything about not wanting the kids around, right?”
“I want us to be a family. I can’t even fathom sending them away.” His heart sank. Damn Dale and his big mouth. “I love Bobby, but I’m worried this will be heavier than I could ever imagine.”
“You’ll get through it and it’ll work out.” Steve half smiled. “I have faith.”
“I’m glad you do.” Remy rounded the trunk of the car and eased onto the driver’s seat. He gripped the steering wheel. “Your dad sent me to get you because he had a meeting, and your brother is getting a ride home with Jenna.”
“They’re going out,” Darcy murmured.
“Your dad will love that.” He pulled out of the lot. “I’m sorry you had to meet Dale.”
“Me too.”
Remy drove across town but didn’t know what to say. His brain hurt. He had too many thoughts in his head and no idea how to fix the mess he’d helped to create. Fucking balls.
Chapter Thirteen
Remy stopped at the traffic light and shifted in his seat. He had to say something. Despite the advice from Steve, he couldn’t let the silence continue to grow. “I know what you heard Dale say. I don’t want to send you and Chris away. Not a chance.”
“Stop,” Darcy shouted. She held her swim bag tight. “Just stop.”
“I can’t, sweetheart. We need to go home.” He turned once the light changed and headed to their street. “Dale is a jerk. He wanted to say something mean to make you mad.” He made the left into the driveway and parked alongside the house. Before he switched off the engine, Darcy opened her door. She jumped from the car, leaving her door wide open and ran into the house.
Remy couldn’t get out of the vehicle fast enough to keep up with her. He stopped short on the porch. Chasing her into the house wouldn’t help anything. He glanced through the window to Bobby’s office and saw Darcy with her arms around Bobby’s neck. She sobbed and his heart sank.
Remy sighed. He’d g
ive them a minute. Hell, he’d give them plenty. Why? He doubted he’d be at the house much longer. Once everything got out, Bobby probably wouldn’t want much to do with him. Dale had brought out a dead issue, but still. The kids were worried about being mistreated and had been in the past. They’d see him as just another asshole trying to get rid of them, even if that wasn’t his plan at all. Everything was so wrong.
He sat on the top step of the porch and rested his head in his hands. He hadn’t even bothered to see if the client was still at the house. The roar of a car engine caught his attention. He forced himself to look. The car belonging to Bobby’s client wasn’t parked in front of the house, but a smaller gray car parked behind his vehicle.
“Hey, Rem,” Chris called. He waved, then leaned across the car and kissed Jenna.
Remy fought the urge to shake his head. Won’t Bobby have a fit if he sees that? Probably. Good thing for Chris, Bobby had bigger things to worry about.
Chris left the car and waved at his girlfriend, then headed up the walkway. She backed down the drive and sped away. Chris grinned. “Why are you outside? Too hot in the house?” He waggled his eyebrows. “Needed a break from Dad?”
“He’s talking to Darcy.” He wanted to say more but couldn’t.
“Cool.” Chris stopped beside Remy and dropped his bag. “Dad would shit himself if he saw me kiss her.”
“Probably.” He wasn’t in the mood to argue what Bobby would be angry about.
“How about it’s our secret for now?” Chris grinned again.
“For now,” Remy replied. Christ. He felt like a petulant child. “He’ll figure you out, you know. He’s a dad. They don’t let much get past them.”
Chris sat beside Remy and laughed. “Wow. Just wow. You and Dad are happy. Trust me. He sees nothing.” He continued to laugh. “But now I get why you’re so crazy. Being in love is awesome.”