Happy Endings [Cedar Falls 20] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Shea Balik

  “Zoey?” he said when she answered. “We’ve been given an opportunity.”

  Epilogue

  “I had no idea these festivals were so big,” Gabriel said as he walked down Main Street with Ryder. How Ryder managed to pull this off every single month was a mystery, but Gabriel planned to find out by helping.

  Ryder grinned even as he made notes on a clipboard. “Yeah, at first they weren’t quite this big, but now that we’ve made a name for ourselves, more and more vendors are lining up to be a part of this.” He jotted something else down then said, “You ready to get this started?”

  Gabriel was. He had to admit to having his doubts in the weeks he’d been there, but now that he’d gotten to know Cedar Falls and Jesse more, he was sure this was the right thing for this town. He just hoped he was able to pull it off.

  “I am.” Gabriel glanced around, that niggling fear once more creeping in. “Have you seen Jesse?”

  Ryder shook his head. “Not since this morning when he was running around asking everyone what outfit he should wear.”

  That was Gabriel’s toughest problem—keeping Jesse on track. He wasn’t sure there was a force on Earth that would be able to manage the larger than life personality but Gabriel had to try. Too bad he was failing—miserably.

  “Please tell me he had at least one option without some kind of saying on it.” It was a futile hope. Gabriel had seen Jesse’s wardrobe and the only shirts without words were too sexy and completely inappropriate for his first official announcement that he was running for Mayor.

  The look on Ryder’s face dashed whatever slim chance Gabriel had that Jesse had actually listened to him. “You’re kidding right?” Ryder snorted.

  “Okay. Just tell me the sayings weren’t offensive.” Gabriel’s heart sank when Ryder out and out laughed at his question.

  “Seriously?” Ryder asked. “I think the choice was between feeling sorry for people who don’t know him and him being in charge, or something like that. I don’t know,” Ryder waved a hand as if dismissing Jesse’s sayings. “I don’t pay that much attention to what’s on his shirts.”

  Damn. Gabriel needed to find Jesse. Not only was he due on stage in ten minutes but Gabriel needed to be sure whatever he was wearing wouldn’t end up doing harm to the campaign. “I need to find Jesse. “Any ideas?”

  Ryder pulled out his cell phone and shot out a text. Seconds later there were no less than four pings announcing others were texting back. “He’s at Sweet Buns begging for another macchiato,” Ryder informed him. “Apparently he’s holding up the line, refusing to leave until Zane agrees to make him his third cup.”

  “Three?” Gabriel gulped. He’d never seen Jesse after three cups of coffee before, nor was he sure he wanted to. “I better go get him.”

  Ryder nodded. “I’ll head over to the stage and make sure things are ready. I’ll meet you there.”

  Gabriel heard Ryder, but didn’t respond as he rushed down Main. Thankfully, he’d been at the corner of Main and Peachtree, so he wasn’t too far away. Although, with the throng of festival-goers, it took him longer than it otherwise would have.

  Gabriel sighed when he saw that he’d made it as he pulled open the door to Sweet Buns. That was until he heard Jesse yelling at Zane.

  “Zane Dempsey, don’t make me come back there and make it myself.” Jesse’s voice had turned shrill, as if he were in a state of panic.

  “Jesse.” The wild look in Jesse’s eyes had Gabriel approaching him cautiously. “We’re going to be late. I need you to come with me.”

  That was when Gabriel saw Jesse’s outfit and groaned in dismay. Jesse was Jesse. He made no bones about who he was. If he were honest, Gabriel applauded him for it, but at times like this, Gabriel wished he would tone things down a bit. Or a lot, in this case.

  “Are you wearing a skirt?” Gabriel asked as he stared in horror at not only the pink and green skirt, but the fishnet stockings and platform sandals. They matched the skirt from the sole to the straps that crossed Jesse’s feet to keep them on.

  Jesse put his hands on his hips and scowled at Gabriel. “It’s a kilt, not a skirt.” Then his bright pink lips curved upward into a smile. “Do you like?” Jesse did a twirl to show off his outfit.

  How in the world did Jesse think this was appropriate to wear today of all days? It was like he was throwing all his quirks in everyone’s face. Maybe, if that had been the extent of it, Gabriel would have been able to deal with Jesse’s choice, but he had topped off the entire outfit with a pink shirt that read, “Come to the dark side…we have free cookies.”

  “Do you have something else to wear?” Gabriel asked hopefully. There was no way they were going to win if Jesse continued to dress and act as if other people’s opinions didn’t matter.

  Jesse glanced down at his outfit as if he had no idea what was wrong with it. “Why? Did I spill something on it?” Jesse turned this way and that as he tried to see his backside to check for stains. “I hope not. This is my favorite kilt.”

  “I’m just not sure you should wear that to announce that you are running for mayor,” Gabriel told him without thinking. He was just too stunned to consider the consequences of what he was saying.

  Jesse’s hands went back on his hips. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

  “Yeah,” Vail said, stepping up to stand right next to Jesse. “What’s wrong with wearing a kilt?”

  Too late Gabriel realized his mistake. “It’s just, not everyone is going to want to vote for someone who is so…” Gabriel had no good words at that point. No matter what he said, they would think he was an ass. Maybe he was.

  “Look,” he tried again. “I’ve been studying politics my whole life. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that voters want to have someone they consider normal in office.”

  Vail snorted. “And how has that worked for them so far?”

  “Yeah.” Jesse nodded vigorously enough to unbalance himself. If Vail hadn’t have been right there for Jesse to grab onto, he most likely would have fallen. “Plus,” Jesse said when he managed to get his balance back, “I’m not about to change, not even to become mayor. If the people of Cedar Falls can’t handle who I am, then they deserve Mayor Murphy to ruin their lives.”

  Jesse was right, but Gabriel wasn’t so sure voters were smart enough to see the distinction. Still, Gabriel believed Jesse would make a great mayor, kilt or not. “Fine. But we need to get going or we’re going to be late.”

  “I consider ‘on time’ as when I get there,” Jesse said as he turned back to the counter, where Zane and three of his employees were furiously filling orders as customers continued to stream into the bakery. “Zane, I’m waiting for my macchiato.”

  Zane gave a heavy sigh, clearly about to give in. “I will only make you another macchiato if you promise not to come anywhere near Sweet Buns for the rest of the day.”

  So excited, Jesse actually started to jump up and down. This time, even though he was still holding onto Vail, Jesse’s feet went out from under him. In the blink of an eye, both Jesse and Vail ended up on the floor in a tangle of arms and legs with Jesse’s kilt going up far enough to show his bright pink thong underneath.

  Gabriel wasn’t sure if he should be horrified that Jesse was wearing a thong for everyone to see, or happy he was at least wearing underwear. With the entire bakery either laughing or offering to help the two off the floor, Gabriel decided it was best just to get Jesse out of there as quickly as possible.

  It took longer than he would have hoped, but soon Gabriel was leading Jesse and five of their friends toward the stage Ryder had set up at the last minute for Jesse to make his announcement. It was directly in the center of where Main and Peachtree intersected, giving them maximum exposure.

  “You should have gotten a permit,” Mayor Murphy said way too gleefully to Ryder as they approached. “Now I not only get the satisfaction of issuing you an injunction to stop Jesse from getting on that stage but I also now h
ave the reason I needed to inform you that these festivals will no longer be allowed in Cedar Falls.”

  “Are you forgetting our agreement, mayor?” Ryder asked, even though it was obvious Ryder no longer believed it would work.

  “What?” the mayor said snidely. “That stupid threat of revealing my family’s history?” The smile that formed on the mayor’s face could only be described as evil. “Since you and your friends have already blabbed my secret to most of Cedar Falls, you don’t exactly have a leg to stand on.”

  “Ryder, what’s going on?” Jesse asked, his dark eyes never leaving the mayor’s smug face.

  Ryder sighed in defeat. “It appears the mayor filed an injunction for us to use this stage because I didn’t get a permit.”

  “That’s right.” Mayor Murphy’s arrogant tone set Gabriel’s hackles up. Not that he could do anything, but Gabriel had to admit to having the urge to hit that haughty smile right off the man’s face. “I guess your plans to announce you’re running for mayor won’t be able to happen, especially since I will deny any request you make to plan such an event, or any event for that matter.”

  Gabriel wasn’t sure what he’d expected from Jesse, but it hadn’t been laughter. He was beginning to think that third cup of coffee had scrambled Jesse’s mind.

  “Oh Donald, you crack me up.” Jesse had a hand on both Gabriel and Flynn, who had joined them, in order to stop from falling over from laughing so hard.

  That smug smile disappeared from the mayor’s face to be replaced by a scowl. “I fail to see what’s so funny.”

  Hands down, Jesse had to be the greatest actor Gabriel had ever met, for the most innocent, angelic smile appeared on Jesse’s face at that moment. Jesse might be a lot of things, but innocent or angelic weren’t words that could ever be used to describe him, no matter what Parker’s nickname for him was.

  “That you think I need a stage,” Jesse said. “I should be hurt that after all this time you still clearly don’t know anything about me.” Then Jesse shrugged. “Oh well. I guess you need another lesson.”

  Then Jesse gave an ear-piercing whistle that had Gabriel throwing his hands up to cover his ears, along with those around them. It also made anyone in the vicinity to look Jesse’s way and see what was going on.

  “What’s happening?” Lakyn said as he came up next to Gabriel.

  Happy to see Lakyn, Gabriel took his hand. He could really use the support right now. Things weren’t going as planned, and Gabriel was beginning to wonder if Jesse really had any chance of winning this race.

  Already feeling better, Gabriel said, “The mayor is trying to stop Jesse from announcing he’s going to run in the mayoral election.”

  Lakyn chuckled. “Is he out of his mind?”

  Gabriel wasn’t sure if Lakyn was talking about the mayor or Jesse. At this point, it was a toss up.

  “Ladies and gentlemen of Cedar Falls. My name is Jesse Grant. For those of you who don’t already know me, I own Nice ’n’ Rosy, the florist shop on Main Street. I am a gay man, married to one of the sexiest men in the world, Parker Flemming.”

  Jesse turned around as if searching for Parker, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere to stand by Jesse’s side. Gabriel had tried to get Jesse not to announce any of that part of his life, but clearly he hadn’t listened. Then, to Gabriel’s amazement, Jesse leaned into Parker and gave him a kiss hot enough to singe anyone nearby.

  Several people hooted and clapped. When Jesse pulled back from the kiss he even bowed at his performance. As the crowd’s cheers calmed down a bit, Jesse said, “I came to this town several years ago and have made Cedar Falls my home. I have come to love Cedar Falls and its citizens and want to make it an even better place to live.”

  There was a smattering of clapping.

  “In the coming months I will explain how I plan to accomplish this task, but for right now, all you need to know is that my name is Jesse Grant and I am running for mayor of Cedar Falls.”

  The crowd erupted.

  “See?” Lakyn said into Gabriel’s ear. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned since meeting Jesse, the man doesn’t know the meaning of quitting.”

  Gabriel chuckled as Jesse held his hands high into the air as if he was the greatest champion of all time. In some ways, he was, for Jesse refused to be anyone but who he was. Not many people could say the same. Not even Gabriel.

  Although, with Lakyn by his side, Gabriel was learning to just be himself and not worry about what others thought of him.

  With that thought in mind, Gabriel turned to Lakyn. “I love you,” he said before leaning into the man of his dreams for a kiss.

  Gabriel had no idea if Jesse would win or not, but either way, Gabriel had found the one place he belonged. He didn’t plan on leaving.

  THE END

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