“Hi, Jace,” they said in unison. That was the thing about young girls. They weren’t shy, but they also didn’t come with talking points, which required that he continue the conversation.
“Are y’all coming or going?” Jace asked, working his way through the five or six of them, while keeping his target on the front door.
“Going,” one said.
“Are your parents here?” Jace paused, looking down at their upturned faces.
“Yep, bye, Jace!” The crew took off to one of the cars waiting in the circular car lane, and Jace took a second to scan the parking lot, looking for anything out of the ordinary. That was damn hard to spot when hundreds of cars were everywhere. Hell, he couldn’t even identify his own detail. Should he send some sort of note home with the kids?
“Hey, you, welcome back. You’re looking suntanned!” Haley greeted him at the front door.
“Did you find anyone?” Jace asked, bypassing her, heading straight to his office. He nodded several times as his name was called, but he didn’t engage in conversation with anyone.
“Hellllooo…” she said, and pivoted around, following him. His office was locked, and he fumbled with the key before he was allowed inside. He waited for Haley to bounce in, and he shut the door behind her. Thank God the blinds were drawn.
“We’re going to have a stronger security presence around here. Two or three armed security guards both day and night. I think I need to draft a letter to the parents. I’ll work on that tonight and send it to legal. We probably need to send it out as soon as possible,” Jace said, nothing but business in his tone. He dropped his keys and phone on the desk and pushed his sunglasses back on his head as he booted up his desktop computer.
“Whoa, mister! What’s going on? You look super tired, not like a man who just got back from a two-week, restful vacay,” Haley said and plopped down in the chair across from Jace’s desk. “Except, wait! You do look like a man that got nice and laid. Good job,” Haley said and extended a hand for a high five across the desk. He reached across, slapped her hand, and looked at her inquisitively. How much did he tell her? What would she say? Deciding his right-hand man, or in this case, woman, might need to be on the lookout for possible problems, Jace gave in and decided to give her small details.
“Laid and married.” Jace winced at his brazen response, a little surprised how he just dropped it out there.
“What?” Haley was up out of the seat, rounding the desk, hugging his neck tight as he sat there. “Congratulations! It’s a good thing, right?”
“I think so, we’ll see,” he said, sitting back in his seat.
“Was he why you were so messed up before you left?” Haley stood in front of him, crossing her arms over her chest, smiling from ear to ear as she leaned back against his desk.
“In a roundabout way, I guess, but I need to meet with legal. You should probably come with me. There’s a lot going on, and we need to stay ahead of it,” Jace said, pivoting back around to the desktop, ignoring her standing there gawking at him.
“Okay, no problem. So why the security?” she asked, staying close to him.
“There’s been some hate crimes. I’m guessing they’re all pretty violent, and I want to protect the gym especially with all the press we’ve gotten lately,” Jace said, typing an email.
“Sounds reasonable. I’ll let the coaches know to be on the lookout. So who is he?” Haley asked, half-sitting on, half-leaning back against Jace’s desk. Her arms were still crossed over her chest, the big grin still right there.
“I gotta get going tonight. I’ll fill you all in tomorrow. You might meet him soon. I don’t know. I’m gonna need you to keep things moving around here for a while, pull some extra shifts to cover for me. Is that a problem?” Jace asked.
“No, not at all. I’m happy to do whatever you need,” Haley said. She watched him closely, clearly confused, but she kept that to herself. He liked that about her.
“Did you get someone to cut my hair?” Jace asked.
“Yeah, but I like your hair long,” she said.
“It’s in the way right now. I can grow it back out,” he said, not really paying attention to her. He finished typing a quick message to his legal advisors asking for time as a knock sounded at the door.
“That’s her, but I still think you need to leave it long,” Haley said, rounding the desk to let her in.
“It’s just hair, let her in.” Jace hit send and pulled his T-shirt over his head. It was killing him not being at the hospital. The sooner he got this done, the quicker he’d be there.
Jace worked his way through the secured hospital entrance that led directly to Colt’s room. He showed his identification, used all the correct names, and by ten-fifteen, he pushed open the hospital room door. Colt was sleeping, with the television blaring on ESPN. Jace entered slowly, placing his bag, pillow, and blanket on the sofa. He quietly walked to the bed and peered down at a sleeping Colt. Thick dark lashes fluttered against bruised cheeks. He didn’t wake.
Jace hooked up his laptop, made his bed, and sat at the small desk in the room. He started typing away at the computer, answering some of the hundreds of emails he had missed while away when Colt spoke. “You’re supposed to be sleeping in your bed. Why are you back?” Colt’s voice was gruff, and Jace glanced at him over his shoulder.
“I’d rather be here than home,” Jace said and shrugged, before turning back to the screen and hitting send on the email he’d just typed. He left the computer sitting open and made his way over to Colt.
“I’m not an invalid. I can handle things until you can come back,” Colt grumbled. He was still irritated and most likely in pain. Jace looked up at the clock on the wall, measured time, and wondered if Colt had called for his pain meds. Probably not, saying something about his alcoholism and addiction. No matter how Jace insisted taking these meds didn’t cross that line, Colt argued. He’d worked too hard at staying sober. He didn’t want anything to mess him up.
“Yeah? You can’t even wipe your own ass,” Jace said, winking at him, and pressed the nurse’s call button. “That technically makes you an invalid. You need me here.”
“Why’d you cut your hair?” Colt asked in that same gruff tone.
“You’re just picking at me now.” Jace looked around the room, and then back down at Colt. “Did you eat dinner? I don’t see a tray.” Jace reached back and fluffed Colt’s pillow, and responded to the nurse when she beeped in, asking for his pain medicine.
“No, really, why?” Colt asked again.
“What’s it matter anyway? You didn’t like it long,” Jace said nonchalantly. He stood close to the bedrail. Those ice blue eyes staring back at him melted his heart every single time he looked at them.
“I did too like it long,” Colt fired back.
“It was in the way. I can grow it back out,” Jace reassured and leaned over to kiss Colt’s lips. “I couldn’t stay away. I need to be here. Are you okay with it, or would you rather me leave?” Jace asked in a rare moment of honesty. Something flashed across Colt’s face.
“I’m worried about you, Jace. This is a lot to deal with, and I think you think it’s your fault, and that’s why you’re hovering like this,” Colt replied.
“I don’t know whose fault it is, I just know I need to be wherever you are. It’s easier to be here in Dallas. I know I’ll get pulled away for work, but I want to be here with you. When they allow you to leave, I want you to come home with me. I want us to be together. I want to be the one to take care of you.” Jace leaned in across the bedrail and lightly brushed his knuckles down Colt’s jaw, running the pad of his thumb gently across Colt’s bottom lip. His eyes implored Colt to understand. He wanted Colt living with him permanently.
“You promise if this is too much you’ll take a break.” Colt’s voice shook, maybe broke a little, but he leaned into Jace’s touch.
“Absolutely, and stop fussing over me. Focus your energy on getting you well so I can take you home,” Jac
e said. Colt puckered like he had done so many times in the Hawaiian hospital, and Jace leaned in to kiss his lips.
“You look like we did when we met. I’m having the same reaction as I did when I sat in that stupid pep rally,” Colt whispered. He tilted his head toward the center of the bed, where the sheet was tenting. Jace laughed until the nurse walked in, and he quickly lowered his hand, awkwardly pushing Colt’s erection down, reaching for anything to place in his lap.
Jace didn’t dare look Colt in the eyes, especially not when his husband’s warm cock was pressed against his palm. Colt chuckled, then immediately winced in pain.
“Fucking ribs,” Colt cursed. It was all it took, Colt’s hard-on deflated, to Jace’s relief.
“So you’re hurting?” the nurse asked and reached for the small hand sanitizer dispenser on the wall, wiping her hands as she turned back to Jace. She hadn’t paid them any attention; nothing more than business as usual. Thank God. Jace knew his cheeks were colored from the embarrassment of the moment, and he still refused to look back at Colt.
“I think it’s time for his pain medicine,” Jace blurted. She nodded and went directly to the computer stationed close to the bed and pulled up Colt’s information.
“You’re right. I’ll be right back,” she left and Jace turned back to Colt.
“You are so… naughty. I don’t know what I’m gonna do with you!”
“I know exactly what I’m gonna do with you the very first chance I get.” Colt grinned.
Chapter 34
Mitch sat across the living room from Colt’s father, his elbows on his knees, his eyes trained on the old man. He’d watched every move Larry Michaels made from the time they entered the house. When they first arrived, Colt’s father had shown concern. As they spoke, Mr. Michaels even showed deep remorse. He wanted to become immediately involved in Colt’s care, even asking if he should apply for conservatorship. When Mitch explained about the marriage and resulting restraining order, Larry got pissed off angry. As they sat in the old man’s living room, Larry became visibly upset. His pretty young bride sat perched on the arm rest right beside him, trying to soothe his ruffled feathers.
“So you’re saying my fag son married that little cocksucking cheerleader?” Colt’s father roared, standing.
“Sir, I need you to sit back down. You need to remain calm, and I need to know about your whereabouts six days ago,” Mitch said, standing at the same moment Larry had. The coach stood also, Mitch caught the move out of the corner of his eye.
“Fuck you and fuck him! He’s dead to me! You tell him he’s dead to me. He should’ve died, it’s better than having a cocksucker for a son!” Spittle flew out of Larry’s mouth along with his words as he palmed his phone, made a call, and brought the phone to his ear.
“You make me sick! You should have died—”
Mitch leaped into action. He had Larry down on the ground, wrestling the phone away and pulling the handcuffs from his back pocket simultaneously. He’d gotten really good at quickly subduing his suspects. He loved this part of his job.
Mitch wasn’t absolutely certain Larry Michaels was responsible for Colt’s accident, but damn, this scene pissed him off. And it sure seemed like papa Michaels could benefit from time spent behind bars. If they were lucky, he’d get the much needed attitude adjustment he so clearly needed.
Mitch went through all the motions of arresting Larry Michaels and formally turning him over to local authorities, outlining the case against him. Mitch needed to get back to headquarters and present this case with all the evidence before anyone else could be targeted, if that were even the deal here. Mitch wasn’t sure how many people Larry might have on his payroll. Hell, all he knew for certain, this case was a giant fucked up mess, with no clear fingers pointing anywhere except an irate father who just wished his son’s death over the reality of him being gay. Damn, that was pretty clear. Why did Mitch think there was more to this? Because his gut insisted there was.
“How’s our boy doing?” Dr. Knox asked seconds after Jace answered the phone. Jace sat to Colt’s left, watching him sleep for the last few hours.
“He’s sleeping now,” Jace whispered, moving away from the bed, not wanting to wake Colt.
“Has he woken from surgery yet?” Dr. Knox asked.
“Yes, sir. He came around pretty quick; he was funny. I got some video of him after surgery. I think he’ll appreciate it later.” Jace covered his mouth, trying to keep from laughing too loudly.
“I doubt that very seriously,” Dr. Knox replied, chuckling too. “I spoke with Dr. Hauser, he’s encouraged.”
“Yeah, that’s what he said. He came by a little while ago. If everything keeps going this smoothly, Colt can come home in a few days.” Jace kept his eyes on Colt’s sleeping form.
“It’ll be a lot for you, Jace. Think real hard about that,” Dr. Knox advised.
“I know, but he’ll be more comfortable at home, I think. It’s his call, so whatever he wants.” Jace watched as Colt’s eyes fluttered, and he began to stir. “He’s starting to wake. Do you want to talk to him?”
“No, I’ll call in the morning. Take care of him and be sure to take care of yourself too, son.”
“I will, thanks for everything, Dr. Knox.” Jace disconnected the call and went straight back to Colt’s side. Colt’s eyes weren’t much more than slits, but he kept them on Jace and gave him a sleepy smile.
“I was trying to be quiet,” Jace said, leaning down, giving Colt’s puckered lips a kiss.
“You weren’t. Was that Doc?” Colt gave a small laugh at his little joke.
“He says hello. He’s gonna call back in the morning to talk to you.” Jace leaned over the hospital bed and straightened the rumpled covers.
“Did he tell the team?” Colt asked.
“Babe, I didn’t even think to ask. Want me to call him back?” Jace moved to pick up his phone.
“No, just come hold my hand. I feel better when you’re beside me.” Colt’s eyes closed again, only giving a small smile when Jace took his hand, already on his way to falling back to sleep.
“Thank you for being here. I love you,” Colt mumbled.
“I love you, too.” He lowered his head to kiss Colt’s forehead.
Dropping his head in his hands, Mitch kept his eyes glued to the computer screen split into four sections. Four very different victim’s files shared the monitor. All gay men victimized by someone. This same crime happened every day, but not to this extreme, and no matter how he tried, or how he twisted the information, he couldn’t find a shared motive. Except they were all gay.
Why did his gut insist they were all connected? Starting over, for the hundredth time tonight, Mitch went into his own head, ticking off what he knew. They were all reasonably publicized professional men, who had made the national news for assorted reasons over the last few months. They were an actor, an attorney, a county judge, and a football player, but Jace should have been in that car.
Two died, two didn’t. They didn’t appear to know one another. They weren’t in the same circles. They also weren’t obvious hate crimes, and they shared no connection. Except the lack of connection may be the connection.
They were all deemed brutal accidents, and in each individual case, there was absolutely no suspects.
So they were connected. Damn.
Mitch fired up his email and began typing a message to his superior. He pecked away at the keyboard, laying out his findings and why he needed more funds and bodies to make this a special assignment of the department. Succinctly, he bullet-pointed the case and added the files before hitting send. Now it was up to administration to allow him the time and resources to dig deeper. Who knew how that would turn out?
Chapter 35
Eight months later
Colt walked through the halls of Cheer Dynasty with both the cheerleaders and their parents waving as he passed by. In a short amount of time, he’d become an accepted member of the gym. One where people actually looked
forward to seeing him. How cool was that? With open arms, they completely welcomed Colt into their little cheer family, and he was grateful for their acceptance.
Cheerleading and football went hand in hand, yet the two worlds couldn’t be more different. He officially came out about thirty seconds after the New York State marriage license went public. TMZ posted the breaking news by going straight to his father for confirmation. To date, that video had over eight million views on YouTube. It wasn’t good, nor was the heart attack his father suffered by the end of the hateful, ugly rant. His father hadn’t died, and to this day, still continued to place blame on Colt for his massive coronary.
A handful of Colt’s teammates stayed in touch, a couple had even flown to Dallas over the last few months, but the majority stayed away. Colt got it. His father turned him into a media circus, and no one wanted to be involved in something so vile. And that was okay too, because Jace had stuck by him, and he was truly happy for the first time in his adult life. Interestingly enough, he hadn’t thought he could love Jace more than he did before flying to Hawaii, yet his love had only grown since they arrived in Texas, and Jace seemed to feel the same way. They were a tightly woven unit, working together on almost every aspect of their lives. Even better! Damn, it felt good to be a functioning member of society.
A few months after he’d settled in Texas, they held a small reception so their close friends and Jace’s mom could celebrate their union. Colt’s father had been absent for the festivities, which wasn’t a big surprise since he hadn’t been invited. Mitch, Doc, and his wife all came. The evening had turned out beautifully; he couldn’t have asked for anything more.
Recently, they were even considering the natural next steps of a married couple. They were looking at puppies to help grow their family. Some struggles were coming from this decision. Colt wanted something big, like maybe a Lab. Jace wanted a smaller dog, like maybe a Boston Terrier. Should be interesting to see who won that particular battle.
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