by Shea Balik
He grinned at Zane. “You look pretty pleased with yourself.”
Zane’s grin went from ear to ear. “Maybe.”
Aidan chuckled and pulled Zane back onto the couch. They lay there sprawled, both anticipating getting their second wind back. If Aidan had anything to say about it, he’d be balls deep in that tight ass by the end of the night.
“I’m coming out,” a female voice sang.
Aidan stared at Zane with his eyebrow raised.
“I’m coming.”
Zane blushed bright red.
“I’m coming out.”
Zane dove for his pants and pulled out his phone but not before Diana Ross sang, “I’m coming out” once more. “What?” Zane barked into the phone.
Aidan had to curl his lips in to stop himself from laughing, but that adorable blush was blowing any hope he had of keeping it in. So Aidan bit down on his lips. The pain helped, but just barely.
“How bad?” The seriousness of Zane’s tone sobered Aidan immediately. “Okay, okay. I’ll be right there.”
When Zane hung up, he looked worried and that blush was completely gone. Instead, he looked pale. “I’m sorry. I need to get back home,” Zane said as he pulled his pants on.
“What’s wrong? Should I drive you?” Aidan was concerned. Zane looked like something bad had happened.
Zane yanked on his shirt before stuffing his feet in his shoes and heading for the door. “No. It’s fine. Jesse is just having a really hard time right now.”
Aidan felt guilty not telling Zane what Parker was dealing with. It wouldn’t fix the problem between Parker and Jesse, but it might help Jesse to understand. He just didn’t think it was his place to say anything.
When Zane reached the door, Aidan was right behind him. “I hope Jesse will be okay.”
Blue eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Me, too.” The words were barely a whisper, as if Zane were too choked up to speak.
Aidan pulled his lover into his arms and just held him for a moment. He could feel Zane shudder as he leaned heavily against Aidan’s chest.
Zane cleared his throat. “I gotta go.” With a kiss good-bye, Zane walked to his car and drove away.
Aidan hoped Zane would find a way to help Jesse. Hell, he wished there were a way to get Parker to pull his head out of his ass. Family was definitely important, but in the end, if Parker didn’t lose him, it would be Jesse who he grew old with.
Aidan smiled at little box that Zane had used for the cupcakes. With any luck, Aidan would get to grow old with Zane.
CHAPTER 16
Zane was concerned about Jesse. His friend was still in a deep funk. It had been more than a week since the man had worn makeup. When Jesse said there wasn’t any point because his eyeliner and mascara ran whenever he cried, Zane considered having an intervention.
Last night had been scary. He considered taking Jesse to a psych hospital, but he honestly didn’t even know where one was. Instead, he and Ethan took turns watching him. Finally, around two in the morning his friend seemed to stop crying.
There were times when Jesse sobbed so hard in Zane’s arms that Zane wanted to go punch Parker just so the guy would hurt. But he agreed with Aidan — what was happening was between Jesse and Parker. He would be there as a shoulder to cry on, but otherwise, he needed to stay out of it.
Thank God he had Aidan. Zane loved spending time with the man. He still didn’t like the casino being built in Cedar Falls, but because there wasn’t much choice in the matter, he was helping Aidan get the other shop owners more involved. He hoped that by working with the casino it would keep corruption out of Cedar Falls.
“Hey, love,” Aidan called out as he came through the door.
Zane had been busy cleaning the front of the bakery after their last rush but stopped when Aidan came over to give him a kiss. “Hey yourself. You’re here early.”
Aidan always came in around eight thirty in the morning for a cup of coffee. Then around lunch he would come by, sometimes taking Zane to lunch. Other times he’d bring lunch for him and Zane. But it was seven thirty, and Aidan was usually working out at this time of the morning.
“Yeah, I’ve been called back to New York for a couple of days. The boss wants to discuss options since the mayor hasn’t been willing to work with us,” Aidan explained. “Barring any problems I should be back on Halloween.”
“Are you going to be too tired to help me hand out candy?” Every year the shop owners would hand out candy to any children who came into town to trick or treat. With most families not living too close to others on the outskirts of town, it made trick or treating hard. This way the kids got a chance to participate as long as their parents were willing to drive them there.
Aidan leaned over for another kiss. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, but I really have to get going.” He grabbed the coffee Kevin had made him when he’d seen Aidan come in and gave Zane one more kiss before taking off.
“Do you have my costume for this weekend?” Kevin had volunteered to work the Pumpkin Festival in Blareston over Halloween weekend with Megan. They were going as cupcakes to promote the bakery.
Because Kevin was working the entire weekend, he had the next couple of days off, and would need to take his costume home at the end of shift. “Yeah. It’s in back. Just don’t forget it when you go home.”
“Got it, boss.”
With Halloween just a few days away, Zane was hoping the holiday would pull Jesse out of his funk. Normally Jesse would be on pins and needles for the night to get there. Several people over the years had accused him of taking speed because he would literally vibrate with excitement. This time his friend hadn’t even picked out a costume.
Zane was concerned about Jesse, but no matter what he and Ethan tried to do, they just couldn’t seem to pull him out of his depression. He knew it sucked that Parker wouldn’t go out with him, but enough was enough already. As soon as the next rush was over he was going over to Nice ’N Rosy. Sooner or later Jesse was going to listen to him. If Zane had anything to say about it, that day would be today.
Two hours later, Zane strode into Nice ’N Rosy to find Jesse in a sweatshirt and sweatpants, which gave him the appearance of being pale and withdrawn. The clothing looked so wrong on his usually vivacious friend that Zane was tempted to rip them off. Ethan, who had taken the job of Jesse’s keeper, was sweeping what appeared to be a spotless floor.
He’d come over with every intention of forcing his friend out of his morose mood, but now that he was there, Zane was unsure about what to say or do that would help. It’s not like he hadn’t been trying to do that very thing every night at home. He just couldn’t stand to see Jesse like this.
That determination filled him once more, propelling him into action. “Hey, Jesse, Ethan. I was just talking with Kevin about the Halloween costumes for the shop and was wondering what you two were going to be.”
Ethan eyes sparkled with glee. He’d always loved Halloween, maybe not as much as Jesse, but no one loved it as much as Jesse. “I’m going to be Little Red Riding Hood.”
No doubt the costume would be amazing because Ethan never did anything halfway. Usually it was Ethan who helped Jesse with his costume because Jesse always had great ideas but little follow-through with the details. One year Jesse had dressed as Little Bo Peep but forgot to get the shepherd’s hook, so he basically was dressed as a girl in a blue dress.
Of course, being in a small town, it would be interesting to see how the residents responded to Ethan dressed up as a woman. Not that he did it often, but when he did, Ethan went all out. There was a good chance most people who saw him would think he was a woman. Ethan was just that good.
“I can’t wait to see it,” Zane told Ethan before zeroing in on Jesse. “So, what are you going to be, Jesse?”
Jesse just shrugged.
“Ethan and I can help come up with some ideas and see what sounds good.” He hoped that just by talking about his favorite holiday, Jesse would get a litt
le bit excited.
But Jesse just shrugged again.
Ethan went to the back to grab another chair and brought it up front so they would all have a seat. Ethan’s excitement was palpable as he sat on the edge of his stool with his leg bouncing up and down. “What’s the theme this year?”
Jesse shrugged.
That didn’t stop Ethan. “You could pick a decade, like a sixties’ go-go dancer.”
“Or a twenties’ flapper?” Zane suggested.
This time Jesse didn’t even respond. Clearly, they needed to be more original. “Since Ethan is Little Red Riding Hood, you could be the wolf.”
Ethan wrinkled his nose at the idea. “We could go with another character like Olive Oyl or Alice in Wonderland.”
Still no response.
“Come on, Jesse. I know you’re depressed, but this is your favorite time of the year. You’ve always told me there isn’t a man alive who is worth feeling bad about.” Not willing to give up, Zane kept giving more ideas. “How about Morticia from Addams Family?”
This time Jesse’s eyes sparked just a little, but it was enough to know they were on the right track to talk about Halloween.
“Oh!” Ethan stood up as if a spring had been under his butt. “How about Catwoman? I have enough leather to make you a bodysuit.”
This time Jesse’s jaw dropped, and his eyes got really big as he looked at Ethan. “What in the world are you doing with enough leather lying around that you could make an entire bodysuit?”
Ethan’s cheeks flamed bright red, and he looked ready to bolt. “I just do.”
There was no way Zane was going to touch that one. What Ethan did in the privacy of his own room was his business. “So, do you like the idea of Catwoman?” he asked Jesse.
“No.”
Zane sighed when Jesse didn’t say anything more. Still, at least they had gotten some response. “Okay then. It looks like characters are probably out. What else?” He was hoping Ethan had more ideas because of the three, Zane just wasn’t all that creative.
Thankfully, Ethan took over. “How about a construction worker, ya know short shorts, tool belt, open flannel shirt, or you could do a cop, short shorts, tightfitting shirt, and utility belt, complete with every gay man’s accessory.”
Ethan didn’t say what the accessory was, but for the first time he saw Jesse getting excited, and that’s all Zane cared about. “Which one did you like, Jesse?”
His friend gave him a wicked smile. “The cop, of course.”
Zane was a little confused. Not that he wasn’t happy Jesse seemed to finally be excited about something, but Zane wished he knew why. “What’s so great about a cop costume?”
Both Jesse and Ethan grinned at each other before turning to Zane. “Handcuffs.”
Oh shit! He could just imagine what Jesse planned to do with those cuffs. Maybe he should warn Parker. Nah. It’s not like Jesse would hurt the man, and as far as Zane was concerned, Parker had brought it on himself by sending Jesse so many mixed signals.
That night all three designed Jesse’s costume, making it fairly simple so Ethan wouldn’t have to do a lot of sewing. The shorts would be simple compression shorts.
The utility belt Ethan came through with by slightly altering a stiff leather belt that had O-rings attached. Jesse stared in disbelief as he held up the belt. “Seriously, what are you doing with this?”
Ethan blushed but didn’t say anything. What Ethan did with the belt, Zane didn’t want to know. He was just glad that with a few additions it looked a lot like the utility belts the cops wore, at least on TV.
As for a shirt, Jesse would wear a short-sleeved, collared, navy blue shirt. Ethan would also oversee finding a badge and small water gun. The handcuffs were easy because both Jesse and Ethan had several pair, which again, Zane didn’t even bother to ask why.
The morning of Halloween came, and Zane dressed up as a cupcake. It was just tan pants, a pink-and-blue-swirled shirt, and a hat that looked like the top of a cupcake. In honor of the Sweet Buns theme, Zane had spent the last two days making cupcakes.
They would sell them both at the Pumpkin Festival, as well as at the bakery at a discount. He baked his ass off to create twelve types of cupcakes, all with brightly colored frosting. There were also many he decorated for kids, in hopes they would see them and beg their parents for a tasty treat.
He’s added cookies, brownies, and, of course, his signature cinnamon rolls for the fair. Kevin and Megan were due at the bakery in an hour to load up the truck and head out to there.
His phone rang as he was walking into the bakery. With a glance at the display, he smiled when he saw it was Aidan. They’d talked every night for at least an hour. He felt bad that Aidan was having such a hard time with the mayor, especially because he had a good point about turning things around for the residents of Cedar Falls.
Zane had been complaining about the dying town since he moved back. Maybe with the casino’s backing they could bring more visitors into town. He’d never understood why the mayor thought it was perfectly acceptable to let all the businesses in town fail just because he didn’t want the town to be overrun with people. Then again, he also had no clue how the man kept getting re-elected.
“Hey, babe, why are you calling so early?” Not that he didn’t want to hear Aidan’s sexy voice, but he was coming home today.
“I have an early flight, so I’m just sitting at the airport,” Aidan said.
Zane turned on the lights and started up ovens as he went through the back of the shop to the front counter and the coffee machine. “So, you thought you’d call me?”
Zane heard Aidan’s deep laugh, which sent goose bumps racing across his skin. He could listen to that man’s laugh for days and not get tired of it.
“Actually, I just wanted to tell you I’m still on schedule so I should be in Cedar Falls around noon.” Even though Aidan had only been gone a few days, Zane couldn’t wait to see him again.
If the bakery weren’t already going to be short-handed with Kevin and Megan at the Pumpkin Festival, Zane would have considered taking the rest of the afternoon off to spend time with Aidan. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t possible. As it was he’d had to beg Ethan to come in and help with the morning rush.
The smell of coffee permeated the air. Zane looked at the coffeepot, nearly weeping in relief to see it done. It was the only way he could fully wake up. Without it, he often felt like he was in a haze. He grabbed a cup and filled it.
That first sip had him sighing. Laughter floated over the phone line once more. “First sip of coffee?” Aidan asked.
“Uh-huh.” Zane took one more sip before getting back to Aidan. “I wish I could spend more time with you, but I’ve got a booth at the festival this weekend that Kevin and Megan are manning, so I’m down workers.”
“That’s okay, hon,” Aidan said. “I have to get to the construction site anyway and check on things. Then I have some research to do. But I should be at the bakery at five like I promised.”
The town pretty much shut down at five on Halloween so the store owners could clean up and get ready for the trick or treaters at six. “Okay. I gotta go get things ready for today. I’ll see you later.”
“I’ll be there,” Aidan promised before hanging up.
Because Zane had really missed Aidan these past couple of days he practically jumped at the chance when Aidan had invited him to dinner after the Halloween festivities. With any luck his ass would finally be filled by the man’s thick cock.
He just hoped whatever Jesse had planned with those handcuffs wouldn’t end up with Zane having to bail his friend out of jail. Either way, it should be an eventful night, although Zane knew which way he was hoping it would go.
CHAPTER 17
Exhausted, Aidan finally rolled into Cedar Falls at four in the afternoon. His plane had been delayed due to mechanical problems. When the airline finally figured out they couldn’t fix it, the next flight to Atlanta had already left. Not that he c
ould have gotten on, the flight was completely booked.
Finally, they managed to get another plane but because the gate he was supposed to fly out of now had other flights, the airline sent all the passengers to a different gate that felt like it had been a mile away. Because several of the passengers were much slower, the plane had to sit at the gate and wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Finally, they’d taken off, only to arrive in Atlanta four hours late. Now he was rushing to get home so he could get into his costume and hopefully make it to the bakery on time. It would be close, but he’d already warned Zane he might be a little late.
He pulled into his driveway and cringed when he saw Parker’s car. He had given Parker the keys to his house as a place to crash when he couldn’t deal with his mother. On any other day, Aidan wouldn’t have minded Parker coming there, but he’d promised Zane they could come back there after passing out candy.
He was hoping to sink his cock into Zane’s tight bubble butt. Whenever he spent any time with Zane, Aidan walked away with a painful hard-on, and he was tired of having to use his own hand to deal with it. But how could he ask Zane to have sex if Parker was there sleeping in the guest room?
Frustrated, he went inside to find Parker putting in one of the new side tables for the living room. The piece looked amazing. After much consideration they had decided to use a lighter wood in the living room to brighten the area. In the end Parker had chosen pine with a clear finish.
Now that Aidan saw the final product, he was stunned with the results. He’d thought the darker tone of his bedroom furniture was amazing and was worried he wouldn’t end up liking the lighter furniture, but he couldn’t have been more wrong.
Each side table had a small drawer with a shelf at the bottom of the piece. He couldn’t wait for Parker to start working on the large coffee table and the couch he was going to build. It was finally starting to feel more like home. Now all he had to do was convince Zane that he wanted a lifetime with the man and convince him to move in.