by Jayne Rylon
“Let’s go.” James angled toward his car, then groaned.
“Would you mind catching a ride with Joe?” Bryce asked. “It’s going to be a bit before we can get to your poor little car and it’s really not the safest to be driving it in that condition.”
“Ohhh, really?” Joe put his arm around James and ruffled his hair. “What will you give me to keep me from sharing that tidbit with Devon and Neil?”
“A blowjob?” James asked hopefully. Not like he minded giving them, and his husband and wife would love watching.
Joe fist pumped, then said, “We’re out of here. Come on.”
Despite his calm exterior, he obviously didn’t like even an ounce of trouble brewing around the crew any more than James did.
“Someone will run your car over when it’s good to go,” Eli promised him.
“Don’t go out of your way. And if this means a late night, don’t—”
“We’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.” Alanso smiled. “If you feel the need to thank us, you can stop by again sometime to shoot the shit and we’ll put you to work, like Eli said.”
“Is that a job offer?” Joe’s brows climbed higher.
“I mean, he is probably the most useful of you Powertools lot. No reason he wouldn’t fit in as a Hot Rod, don’t you think?” Roman added.
James drew in a long breath and let it out on a deep sigh. “That means a lot, it does. But like I said, I have no idea where I’m going at this point.”
“Understand.” Eli nodded. “No pressure. You know where to find us if anything changes.”
“Thanks.” James crossed to him and hugged his solid middle. He was tall and built as sturdily as his cousin.
It made him chuckle when Eli was a bit awkward, not knowing exactly how to handle his affection, and patted him on the back a few times. This move to Middletown was going to be good for them all, James knew it would be. As soon as he figured out what to do with himself.
At least, no matter what, he and his family were surrounded by plenty of friends.
“Say the word if you want some back up at the site. We can be there in five minutes,” Kaige said with a subtle nod.
Joe drew James back from his cousin, then steered him toward his truck. “Come on. Let’s go help Devon before you get yourself in trouble with your husband and wife. I feel like these mechanics are circling you like sharks eying a tasty tuna.”
James couldn’t help but tease, “Are you kidding? Devon and Neil would probably chum the waters for that.”
A snort escaped Joe. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Let’s go help your wife so we can get home at a reasonable time and test out your theory.”
Now that was a plan James could get behind. He held up his hand and Joe high-fived him before opening the truck door, boosting him inside then shutting the door and rounding the hood. Some guys might be offended by Joe’s universal chivalry, but James wasn’t one of them.
6
James finished writing a sappy note on Devon’s napkin, then tucked it into her lunchbox just before she came into the kitchen. She kissed him on the cheek, but didn’t have time for one of her famous hugs before grabbing the travel mug of coffee he’d also prepared exactly as she liked it.
It had pissed her off to have to deal with the damage to the two by fours she would need for framing out the section of Bare Natural that was supposed to go up next week. Irritated her, but it hadn’t freaked her out as much as James wished it had. Or even a tiny bit as much as it had worried him. Something about the slash job had seemed awfully thorough. And even if it had been the bored hooligans she’d blamed, that didn’t mean they couldn’t very easily hurt someone by mistake on a construction site.
“Quit worrying. I’ve got this.” Devon was already heading for the door.
She looked damn good in her ass-hugging jeans and worn work boots. A flannel shirt flapped open over a tucked in white T-shirt he was sure he’d be bleaching after she finished her day on the worksite. She might be the foreman, but that didn’t mean she still didn’t get her hands dirty sometimes. Devon wasn’t the kind of leader to sit around and watch her crew bust their balls or the kind who would ask someone to do something she couldn’t do herself, and probably ten times better or more efficiently, for that matter.
For a moment, James debated again whether he should take her up on the offer to join her crew. At least then he’d get to spend his days with her, if not Neil too. Plus keep an eye out for anything not quite kosher. But deep down he knew those times were gone.
Worse, as much as he had enjoyed playing house husband to his spouses these past few weeks, it was going to take more than keeping their living space spotless, cooking for them, and managing every aspect of their busy, extended household to prevent him from losing his mind out of sheer boredom.
“Have a good day at work.” He jogged to catch up to his wife, then handed Devon her lunch.
“I will. We’re going to grade for the spa foundation today, so we should make some real progress. Then I’ll really be able to show Kayla how the building will impact the rest of the resort layout with the parking lot and everything. Hopefully she doesn’t think it impedes the view of the lake from the entrance too much or have too many adjustments after that.” Devon rolled her eyes, though James knew she’d work on the project until it was as perfect as she could make it for her best friend.
“Where’s Neil?” James asked, glancing at the clock.
“Going to be late to his own damn job site. Unlike me. Gotta go. Love you.” Devon grimaced and shook her head once before kissing James one last time, squeezing his ass, then trotting out the door.
“I heard that!” Neil clunked down the stairs, grabbed the egg sandwich and sickly sweet soda he preferred to coffee, then kissed James. It was no peck on the cheek, either. He took extra time for tongue and grinding that would lead to him being really, really late if they weren’t careful. When he pulled away, he scanned James from head to toe, grinning at the sight of his T-shirt. “You are my Boy Wonder, you know?”
James glanced down at the retro Robin graphic complete with a BLAM and POW plastered across his chest and giggled. It was no secret he’d always envied the character, who was by far the more interesting of the dynamic duo—a true and loyal hero willing to help out in all of Batman’s schemes, no matter how hairy the situation. Plus he wouldn’t mind getting tied up with his partner, who would be sporting a package-revealing costume, at some point in each of their adventures.
He wondered if there were any job postings in Middletown for an uber capable, supportive if bite-sized sidekick willing to work in the background for a superstar hero who operated outside of traditional law enforcement channels saving innocent people, kicking bad guys’ asses, and looking hot while doing it.
Probably not, huh?
Too bad or he could have lived out every single one of his childhood dreams.
Neil rattled the breakfast James had prepared, snapping him out of his wandering thoughts. “I’ll thank you properly for this tonight. Promise.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.” James grinned. He watched Neil amble out the door and climb into his truck.
James sighed and rested the small of his back against the kitchen island. He had the entire place to himself. For half a second, he thought about going upstairs and taking care of the insta-boner his hot husband and wife had unwittingly left him with, but figured waiting for sex in the shower with them later was way better than taking matters into his own hands, even if he could do it immediately.
So he grabbed his own coffee and a muffin then sat at the kitchen table and opened his laptop. He browsed the news, but shut that down quickly after seeing a lot of terrible shit he couldn’t do anything about. He flipped through his emails, unsubscribing to junk mail and tidying his inbox before landing on a message from an internet site he’d joined to find out more about the local scene.
It had turned out to be more of a nosy neighbor bitching session than the
cooperative hangout he’d envisioned, but it could be good for a laugh or two if nothing else.
James rolled his eyes when he saw a message with the entirely capitalized subject line SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE, which after reading appeared to him to be a prime example of someone looking for an address in a suburb they’d never visited before. They’d probably been trying to deliver flowers or something equally harmless.
The next post was of a woman asking if anyone had heard gunshots. Someone had posted a link to an online edition of the police scanner before a resident from a few houses down had apologized for their car backfiring. With a groan and a shake of his head, James clicked the scanner link. Unsurprisingly, for a low-key place like Middletown, there wasn’t much going on.
Some chatter about roadside assistance and a speed violation. That was it.
Nothing exciting, and no calls for someone to save the city. So he gave up, licking his fingers before putting his dishes in the washer and cleaning the rest of the kitchen.
He verified in his planner that his entire day was one big blank blob with an inspirational sticker that said, “The best is yet to come.”
James refused to sit around all day waiting for the crew to come back and getting blobbier by the second. Worse yet, he was afraid he might turn into one of the people peeking out their front curtains, bored enough to see things that weren’t there, so he put on his sneakers. Without any real plan on where to go, he started trekking through the woods that housed not only Hot Rods car restoration garage and the future site of Kayla’s resort—including what would be their new homes nearby—but, a bit down the road, Hot Rides, too.
If James couldn’t have his husband and wife around as often as he liked, he might as well spend time with people who had what he used to: a business where they worked hard and played even harder. Hot Rods obviously fit that bill, but he’d already bugged them enough for one week. He zipped his jacket up higher and jammed his hands in his pockets. It was getting colder every day. Golden leaves rained down around him and crunched under his sneakers as he walked.
As he rounded a corner in the road, the sound of an approaching engine started out as a purr then grew to a roar that rattled the entire forest. He glanced over his shoulder in time to spot a gleaming black machine gunning toward him.
Jeebus. James jumped back as the motorcycle skidded to a stop on the shoulder a few feet from him, pebbles attacking his shins through his calf-hugging jeans. At least he could wear more fashionable clothes now that he didn’t have to worry about being able to maneuver around a construction site.
The rider flipped up the visor on his helmet and grinned. It was Quinn, the Hot Rides manager and head mechanic. Roman’s not-so-little bro. “Want a ride?”
“Not if you drive like that.” James shook his head. “I don’t have a death wish.”
“Come on, get on.” Quinn teased, “Unless you’re afraid that holding on to a real man will put you off that husband of yours.”
James rolled his eyes. “Don’t let Neil hear you talking shit like that or he’ll teach you a thing or two, whippersnapper.”
Quinn barked out a laugh. James couldn’t deny that where he sat, with his gleaming black riding boots planted in the gravel, he had grown into a strong and confident man, completely unlike the wary, abused boy they’d met so many years ago when Roman had first rescued him from a hellish upbringing.
What the fuck? Keeping from getting stagnant had been the whole point of getting out of the house, right?
Quinn took one gloved hand from the straight handlebars and curled his fingers into his palms, beckoning, so James did as he was told. He climbed up behind Quinn, straddled man and machine, then clutched him koala-style. Maybe he should talk Devon into getting a motorcycle for Christmas.
“Should I go directly there or opt for the scenic route?” Quinn asked over his shoulder.
James grinned. “Take the long way ’round.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Quinn nodded once, put his visor down, then revved the engine before taking off more gracefully than he’d slid to a halt. It was still plenty fast for James, who felt like he was shooting through the forest strapped to a rocket.
You know, a decidedly sexy, muscular rocket.
He was not about to complain.
7
James had only slightly relaxed his death-grip on Quinn’s eight-pack and let out a few whoops before they swung into the Hot Rides driveway. They rolled to a gradual stop, proving Quinn had finesse even if he didn’t always choose to use it. When James hopped down, he vibrated with adrenaline, feeling really alive for the first time—outside of the bedroom—for a while.
Quinn took his helmet off, climbed from the bike, and shook his head, grinning. “I should have warned you it’s addictive.”
“Are we going to be working on a bike for James soon?” a deep voice rumbled from the direction of the garage. Trevon, Quinn’s husband, emerged, wiping his oil-slicked hands on a rag that he stuffed in the back pocket of his dark wash, low-riding jeans. Quinn had done pretty damn well for himself, falling in love with two very capable, kind, and super-hot people.
Seeing the two men embrace casually, Quinn’s fair arm decorated with colorful ink a stark contrast against the rich mahogany of Trevon’s skin, made James’s heart flutter for them both and their wife, Devra, who had escaped her war-torn homeland in the Middle East before discovering her perfect loves. They were different yet alike, and finding each other had saved all three of them.
Trevon turned back toward James and took a long look, as if mentally measuring him. “I bet I could find just the thing for you. Nothing too bulky, but something quick and agile.”
“Oh, I don’t…” James waved his hands in front of him, but then stopped. Why not? He could drive a motorcycle if he wanted. Maybe Devon and Neil would want to ride behind him. Plus he could justify buying himself a whole new leather wardrobe. This was exactly what he’d been telling Devon he needed to do. Expand his horizons, find things he might enjoy that he’d never considered. Grow into the person he’d always dreamed of being—bolder and in control.
“Well, why don’t you keep your eyes open and show me what you come up with?” James nodded.
“What’s that?” Devra followed a few steps behind Trevon, her hand slipping easily into his before Quinn entwined his fingers with her other one. “Don’t tell me you’re going to corrupt the Powertools now too.”
Quinn’s smile didn’t fade any as he took in his husband and wife, who were incredibly gorgeous together. Devra’s long, thick onyx hair blew gently in the breeze, curtaining them where they stood on either side and slightly behind her. James knew exactly how the younger man felt as he took turns kissing each of his spouses quite thoroughly. “I’ve been told I’m good at it.”
Devra blushed a bit and Trevon snorted. Everyone knew Quinn had bridged the gap between the previously married-on-paper-only couple, opening their eyes to an unconventional love that they were eager to fully participate in. Quinn had transformed their entire universe and in turn they had fixed parts of him that even Roman hadn’t been able to repair.
“So what were you heading this way for, anyway?” Quinn asked as he swung around again, wrapping one arm around Devra’s tiny waist and Trevon grasping his hand.
“Uh, I’m not really sure.” James shifted. “I’m bored and looking for something to do, I guess.”
At that, two bruisers, who seemed better suited to a motorcycle gang than a repair shop, edged in their direction. Ransom and Levi hung out there a lot. After all, they were living with Sevan—one of Quinn’s star mechanics—since their cover had been blown when they busted her step-father’s illegal empire.
The Hot Rides’ resident welder, Wren, was married to two guys of her own. One was a country rock star and the other happened to be an ex-federal agent turned all-around badass heading up a private security firm. Jordan was Ransom and Levi’s boss.
James was pretty sure the sort of jobs they
took on had nothing in common with petty vandalism, but no one asked many questions about the specifics of their business, so he didn’t either.
“Did I hear there was some bullshit down at Devon’s site yesterday?” Ransom wondered.
“Yeah, she’s not concerned except for the delay it might cause the next phase of the project.”
“And you?” Levi asked.
James shrugged, glad to be able to let the tendrils of doubt that had been worming around in his gut escape. “It’s another round of insurance claims I need to file and track and, really, what kids hang out down there anyway? It’s pretty isolated. Tom owns the land around it for quite a ways, doesn’t he?”
“Yeah, he does. Good point.” Quinn frowned.
“Jordan texted me about it this morning.” Ransom frowned. “He recommends installing some security cameras on your sites. He already ordered the equipment and said he’d have our guys do it tomorrow except we’re…uh…busy with something kind of big.”
“Uh, okay. Sounds good.” He wasn’t about to turn away any protection for Devon, the rest of the crew, or their new venture in Middletown. “It’s probably nothing, but I like the idea of adding surveillance. If it’s just a matter of running wires and standard electrical stuff, I’m sure I could put them in.”
Levi nodded, whipped out his phone, and started texting.
“Never hurts to have extra eyes on things. Now that you’re in Middletown, you’ve got a lot of friends around. We take care of our own.” Quinn stood taller.
“I’m proud of the man you’ve become, you know that?” James patted Quinn on the chest, remembering the guy when he’d been an awkward and sometimes confused teen.
“Thanks, Uncle James,” Quinn said with a jaunty grin that set them all laughing and dispersed the heaviness that had been intruding on their visit.