Though he gave a shaky sigh, Harrison nodded. “Okay, let’s do this.”
I held out my hand, waited for him to take it, then threw open the back door and we stepped out.
We both winced in anticipation, then looked at each other. There were no flashbulbs, no microphones, no shouted questions. I laughed as Harrison shrugged and locked the door. “Well, that was anticlimactic. Guess the ones hanging around the back that Jasper texted to warn us about gave up. You were right. Though he said there are some waiting at the Kellys’.”
“They gave up a lot quicker than I thought.” He grinned. And I couldn’t help but look to see if there was any disappointment in his expression. There didn’t seem to be. Of course, that might change in a few minutes.
We were halfway to his car when the first bellow of his name sounded. We looked over to see a man running with a camera in hand. Behind him, two more followed. Not forgotten after all, it seemed. Harrison’s hand twitched in mine. I held it tight and kept my voice low. “We don’t rush. We don’t try to get away. We just act normal.”
“Got it.” He straightened beside me and lifted his chin slightly in the air. He really did have it. By the time we got in the car, we were practically surrounded, the ones that had been hanging out in front having been alerted by the shouts of the initial few.
Proving that this was nothing new for him, Harrison started the car and drove slowly enough that he didn’t risk hurting anyone and bringing on a lawsuit but made it clear he wasn’t going to be pinned in. We pulled onto Lighthouse Road, the path cleared, and Harrison gunned it.
“See? We did great!” I twisted in the passenger seat and squeezed his knee in celebration. “The worst is over.”
He gave a sardonic grin as he shook his head and cast me a sidelong glance. “Not hardly.”
Harrison was right. They were like a swarm of vultures waiting outside the Kelly mansion. We had to park a couple of blocks away and were quickly hounded by reporters snapping our picture and shouting questions. Both of us, as planned, kept our gazes straight ahead, our mouths shut, and our hands clasped.
I never knew walking two blocks could feel so long.
Like every year, the Kelly mansion was overflowing with people. As their annual party was open to anyone in the town, it wasn’t just the founding families present, so people covered their large porch, meandered over the lawn, and could be heard in their backyard. The home was beautiful, of course. So many lights strung over the outside space that it was like walking into a fairy version of a circus tent. The one new addition was the Lavender Shores Police officers standing guard by the entrance. They weren’t checking IDs, but anyone even remotely resembling a reporter was turned away. Not foolproof, but it helped.
For a moment, I felt a twinge of guilt and embarrassment. It was because of us that Robert and Debbra had to add security to their event. A very un-Lavender Shores thing to do. I couldn’t tell if those emotions were well placed or simply residuals because I knew that would be how my mother would want me to feel. Regardless, I shoved them away.
As we left the reporters behind, Harrison’s grip didn’t loosen as we walked up the pathway below the canopy of lights and he let out a heavy breath. “I think this part will be harder than the reporters.” He paused and turned toward me. “These are people you’ve known your entire life. There’s no way to say how they’ll treat you. We really don’t have to—”
“Yes, we do.” It showed his sweet nature that he was so concerned, but it also showed that we had much to learn about each other. This was something I would never walk away from. “We’ll get through it.”
Harrison didn’t seem sure, but he gave a nod, and then we finished our entrance, squeezing through the people on the porch and walking through the front door.
We were late enough that the party was in full swing, which provided exactly what I hoped. People were no longer checking out everyone who came in—they were caught up in their own conversations and focused on the food and drink that always flowed so abundantly at any Lavender Shores event.
I scanned the room, looking for a friendly face. I found three of them quickly enough. Micah and Connor were huddled by the fireplace with Tyler Dixon. Perfect.
Micah noticed us heading their way, smiled, and gave a little wave.
Despite my bravado with Harrison, a surprising amount of relief flooded through me at the sight of them. A quick round of hugs took care of the greeting, and Micah finished his embrace by slapping my back and shaking his head. “Leave it to you to rub it in everyone’s faces. You and Gilbert have more in common than I would’ve thought.”
“Funny you bring him up, I borrowed his husband’s glasses today.” I clasped Harrison’s hand once again, just in case he needed assurance. “And yes, sometimes Gilbert’s attitude is the right one. If people don’t like something, they can go fuck themselves.”
Connor chuckled a low, quiet laugh. “Actually, Micah and I should thank you. Up until you two, we were going to be the most recent founding family scandal to be talked about this holiday. Even if it should already be old news by now.”
I scrunched up my face in exaggeration, as if considering. “I don’t know. I don’t think this tops adopted-brother-sex.”
“Shut up!” Micah smacked my chest and received another chuckle from Connor for his efforts.
Though the three of us tried to make light of the situation, Tyler focused on Harrison, his expression serious and concerned. “Are you doing okay? I know it’s different, but if anybody can understand what you’re going through, it’s me. At least being in the middle of the room, knowing everyone present has seen you naked.” He smiled. “Granted, mine was by choice, but still.”
If I wasn’t mistaken, I thought I caught a gleam in Harrison’s eyes, like he was close to tears. If so, he blinked them away quickly enough, but when he spoke, there was a little rasp to it. “Thank you. Thanks to Adrian, life is a lot better right now than I would’ve thought. But I appreciate it.”
Tyler reached out and squeezed Harrison’s arm. “I’m always here if you need to talk. About anything.”
As a cover model and porn star, Tyler was nearly as beautiful as Harrison. In that moment, a spike of jealousy shot through me. They would make a perfect couple. The wet dream of every gay man’s fantasy. Hell, the wet dream of most women as well. The model-slash-porn star with the model-slash-football player? Yeah that was a much better story than the football player and the farmer.
I muttered an internal curse at my mother and shoved my stupid jealousy away. It was pointless and groundless. And beneath me. And I pretended my next question wasn’t based on those emotions in the slightest. “So, Tyler, where’s your husband?”
The stupidly sappy smile that crossed Tyler’s face at the mention of Lamont washed away any of the residual jealousy that had flared in me. “He’s helping his dad. Apparently, Robert wanted his assistance with his outfit.”
Micah waggled his finger at Harrison and me. “You heard that right. For a good five minutes, at least, you two will not be the center of attention. Sorry to disappoint.”
If anybody could pull focus away from the latest scandal, it would be Robert Kelly. Of course, he’d do so by simply causing another scandal.
To my relief, conversation flowed easily. After a while, Jasper found us, and then Andrew and Joel wandered over with their little girl. Conversations turned to kids and puppies and things so far removed from sex tapes and shattered weddings that it was almost gag worthy. I never dreamed I’d be so happy talking about what growth percentile bracket the newest member of the Kelly founding family fell into.
From time to time, I noticed covert glances, people looking our way and then leaning in to whisper to one another. I was also certain that I caught more than one person snap a quick photo with their cell phone.
Though his movie-star smile never faltered, Harrison’s hand twitched in mine on every occasion I noticed, proving just how practiced he really was at all the at
tention.
When Lamont arrived, there was another quick round of hugs, a kiss from his husband, and before any question could be asked, the sound of an old-fashioned trumpet cut through the house, silencing everyone.
“You might want to cover your eyes.” Lamont’s voice was whispered, but loud enough so he could warn the entire group.
As one, the crowd gasped, a few ladies screamed, and more than a handful began to howl in laughter and catcall. I followed the crowd’s attention to the Kellys’ showcase stairway. My jaw fell open, though why I was surprised, I had no idea. Robert Kelly made his way down the steps, pausing on each one so he could strike a new pose. He had on the tallest top hat I’d ever seen, and instead of being black, it was red, white, and blue striped. The pattern continued on his barely there Speedo, and clusters of white stars smattered the blue suspenders that thankfully covered his old-man nipples. And at the end of his scrawny legs, making absolutely no sense at all, he’d stuffed himself into Santa Claus boots, complete with white fur trim.
He’d gone down four different steps and struck four different poses by the time I registered who the woman was at his side. Unlike her husband, Debbra Kelly was covered from neck to floor in a rather stunning red-white-and-blue gown. On her head towered a swirling white wig, and she waved a small flag in her hands with the original circle of thirteen stars. Though her expression revealed that she was highly uncomfortable, she was actually rather stunning. Quite the contrast to her husband.
I turned and gaped at Lamont. “Most of the time it’s Micah’s mom involved in your dad’s antics. How the hell did he pull this off?”
Micah jumped in before Lamont could respond. “We both know that if it was my mom, there’d be a lot more cleavage showing.”
“True story.” Lamont grinned as he watched the pair continue their way down the steps. “Dad really wanted Mom to do this. And every once in a while she proves just how much she really loves him.” He spared me a quick glance. “Plus, I think she figured anything that would help distract from you and Harrison, might make it a little easier on you both.”
“I gave them a heads-up you two were attending.” Jasper shrugged. “I can’t say I understand much about the founding family stuff still, but I figured they might want to prepare.”
Andrew cast a quick glance at his daughter, making sure she was asleep before he chimed in. “Don’t be thankful yet, we all know Dad has watched that video probably twenty times today. If he makes it through the entire speech without bringing it up, it’ll be a miracle.”
“Oh, no. He won’t.” Lamont gave his brother a meaningful stare. “Mom made it very clear that if he so much as breathed a word about the video, she’d stab him with her flag right where he stood, in front of the whole town.”
Andrew nodded. “Sounds about right.”
To my, and probably everyone else’s, shock, Robert managed to get through his whole speech without mentioning Harrison, myself, or YouTube videos of any kind.
The firework display was halfway over when Harrison grabbed my hand and pulled me through the crowd and onto the beach. Most people stayed on the cliffs of the palisade, but it felt more secluded for us to come below.
He led me through to the edge of the crowd, paused, checked to see if anyone was looking, then kept going. We walked several yards until there was a cutback in the base of the cliffs, and he pulled me inside. “I needed to be away from people for a bit. Figured we’d find something like this if we walked far enough.” He used his foot to dust away a bit of dry seaweed from the sand and then sat, leaning his back against the rock wall and spreading his legs as he motioned for me to take a spot between them.
Not what I’d expected, but sex during the fireworks sounded good to me. Even if we did end up on YouTube again. I knelt in front of him and reached to unbutton his jeans.
Harrison laughed and smacked my hand away. “Not that. Sit your butt here.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Oh. All right, then. It’s been a while since I’ve taken that position, but far be it for me to tell you no, Mr. Getty.”
“You are ridiculous.” Another laugh, and he patted the sand. “Sit here and watch the fireworks with me.”
I hadn’t really been trying to be ridiculous, or funny. But hormones aside, it sounded kind of wonderful. I glanced around the edge of the rock to see if anyone was coming; they weren’t. For the first time in hours we were completely and truly alone. Returning to Harrison, I took my place like he wanted, sitting between his legs, leaning my back against his chest.
Harrison wrapped his arms around me, pulled me closer, and let out a long sigh. There was a sizzle, loud pop, and then three huge orbs of silver and blue fire exploded across the night sky, their reflections glistening over the surface of the dark sea. The sounds echoed faintly at our backs, bouncing off the rocks, creating the sensation of being completely sheltered.
Fireworks at the palisade were almost commonplace. We had them at several celebrations throughout the year, not just the Fourth of July. I’d attended more of them than I could count. As a kid I remembered loving them in the way children did. The excitement as you screamed with your friends at every explosion and gasped with wonder at what seemed like magic across the stars. As an adult, they were little more than a fundamental expectation of attendance from the members of the founding families. It was a small request, so it was an accommodation I was always willing to give my parents.
Wrapped in Harrison’s embrace, some of that childhood wonder came back.
The light scruff of Harrison’s five-o’clock shadow scratched against my ear, and the warmth of his breath on my cheek made it more magical than I ever imagined it could be. So much better than anything in childhood. Matching my arms in the crisscross way he held me, I gripped him, and held on tight.
Neither of us spoke for a while, content to breathe, relax in the warmth of our bodies against the cool of the ocean breeze. Though we’d spent the afternoon like I’d planned, movies and a nap, kisses and strokes that promised what would come that evening, it never felt like it was just the two of us. I hadn’t been aware, but somehow, in our solitude, the whole world had been watching. Will, my family, everyone.
Now, for the first time, even with the crowds gathered just out of sight, it was only Harrison and me. He wasn’t famous. I wasn’t a farmer. He hadn’t fled from his wedding. I hadn’t spent the last many months in a state of turmoil over family members, both long and recently gone.
He was just Harrison.
I was just Adrian.
We were just two men, frozen in a moment, ever-changing blossoms of fire shifting colors in front of us and over an ocean deep with possibilities.
Harrison’s thumb made a constant sweep over the swell of my chest as he held me. A stroke of comfort, not seduction. “Mom and Dad would take Jasper and me to fireworks every year. The whole town would gather at the fairgrounds. Dad was happier then….” His voice trailed off, and he sighed once more.
I searched for something to say but didn’t find it before he spoke again.
“We’d all get corndogs and funnel cakes from the stand. It didn’t matter that Jasper and I both picked the pink glow-in-the-dark headbands instead of the blue ones.” He trembled slightly, enough that I wondered if he was close to tears, but he didn’t sound like it. Purple-and-green fireworks shimmered, and Harrison broke the embrace, just long enough to point. “I always saw flowers in the fireworks. Like that one. Looks like a spray of lilacs falling down, its leaves glistening.” He returned to the embrace, his thumb instantly beginning its caress again. “That’s what Mom did. She worked at a flower shop. Did you know that?”
I tried to think whether I did. If that was a conversation Jasper and I had ever had. Surely it was. “I didn’t know.” I wished I could say differently.
“She did.” He nodded, scratching against my ear again. “Jasper and I were with her after school and during the summers there. The owner didn’t mind—went so far as to fix us a little
play-space in the office. Most of the time, Jasper would sit back there and read. There was a library close by. Not me. I helped Mom.” Though his breath continued its path over my skin, he sounded a million miles away. “She taught me how to take the thorns off the roses, dye the carnations different colors, how to do arrangements in the rule of three.”
I still had no idea what to say, though I felt honored just hearing it. I couldn’t say why, but I did. I feared any word I spoke would shatter the moment. So, I just gripped harder and pulled him tighter around me.
“I know it sounds crazy, but I didn’t dream about being a rock ’n’ roll star or a world-famous athlete. I know all the other kids did, but it never even entered my mind.” His whisper took on the sound of a confession. “I didn’t know what I wanted to be, really. But I was happiest when I was helping Mom. She always said I should be a farmer. Said I was so good with plants, that I could maybe own an orchard one day and give those people in California a run for their money.”
I balked at that. Harrison as a farmer. Far cry from the man he was now. The man who shone as bright in front of the entire world as the firework display spread out before us.
When the words continued to evade me, I linked my fingers through his and angled the back of his hand up to my lips for a kiss. I might not have known what to say, but Alex’s words whispered in the silence.
He was my world, and I was his.
I didn’t know if it would last forever, or just the next five minutes. But in that moment, with the cliffs at our backs, the ocean and sky in front of us, and surrounded in Harrison’s embrace, I knew exactly what Alex Rivera had meant.
The Glasshouse (Lavender Shores Book 6) Page 14