“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.” Tyler nodded.
“Before you guys leave, there’s another reason I asked you all to brunch.” Stefan nodded to Jordan indicating he should pick up the conversation.
“Tyler, before all of this, I spoke with your parents. A job offer came up that your dad can’t pass up; they’re moving to Florida,” Jordan explained.
Tyler stiffened. “But…they didn’t say anything!”
“I know. They wanted to talk to Stefan and me first.” Jordan took his husband’s hand.
“Why?” Damon eyed his parents.
“They wanted to know if we would take Tyler in for his final year of high school,” Stefan announced.
“We said we would,” Jordan finished for Stefan.
“You did?” Tyler’s mouth gaped open.
“Of course we did, Tyler. You’re like a son to us.” Stefan hugged him. “They’ll give you all of the details of the job and the move, but they wanted us to tell you about it. I think they wanted you to hear it from us to be sure you’d know we were sincere.”
“Okay, why did I need to be here for this?” Heath laughed.
“We’re giving him your room. We figured you’d move in with Caleb.” Jordan smiled at Heath.
“Why my room?”
“Have you seen the girl’s rooms? I don’t think Tyler wants a lavender room, much less a red one,” Jordan chuckled. “Talk about triggering a migraine!”
“So, I can stay?” Tyler asked.
“Yes, you can stay right here with us.” Jordan hugged Tyler.
They finished brunch and Damon took Tyler to his room and put him in bed. “Get some rest. I’ll wake you up in a bit, okay?” he leaned over and gave him a soft kiss.
“Okay. I love you, Damon.” Tyler’s eyes closed.
“I love you, too, baby.”
Damon went back to the kitchen and stared at his parents in amazement.
“What?” Stefan grinned.
“I can’t believe you took Tyler in!” Damon shook his head in amazement.
“Why wouldn’t we? He’s a good kid, he has already had to move once and change schools. He should finish high school here.” Jordan put the dishes away.
“You did this for me, didn’t you?” Damon looked at his parents, eyebrow raised.
“We did this for both of you.” Stefan smiled at him. He loved his son and he knew it would break him if Tyler moved to Florida.
“Well, thank you! You have no idea how happy I am!” Damon sighed blissfully.
“Oh, I think we do.” Jordan gave him a crooked grin.
“Go check in on Tyler.” Stefan shooed Damon away. He crept up behind Jordan and pulled him in for a kiss.
“What was that for?”
“Just for being you, Jordan Youngblood.”
~*~
It had been three weeks since Mark had given Paul shit for the way he treated him. He was meeting Damon and Tyler at the warehouse club tonight. He needed to get out of the house. He arrived early and saw Greg, of course, and his little toy. Jay was between Greg’s legs on the barstool. Greg spotted him and smiled.
“Well, lookie here. How’s life, Mark?” Greg asked.
“Oh it’s just fucking great, Greggie,” Mark drawled.
Greg frowned. “Now, now, don’t take your anger out on me.”
“Oh, I’m not angry.” Mark winked.
Jay crossed the club to talk to someone he knew.
“Are you and Jay dating, or are you just playing with his emotions? Because that would make you a major dick.” Mark stared right into the other teen’s eyes.
Greg bristled. “Neither. Look, I like Jay a lot. But his big brother, Josh, is one of my best friends. That puts Jay in the friend zone.”
“Yeah, well if I fondled my friend Tyler like you rub all over Jay, Damon would castrate me. So maybe you’re just kidding yourself,” Mark drawled as Jay approached them.
Greg flipped him off.
Damon and Tyler walked through the club doors and headed over to the bar where Mark was sitting with Greg and Jay. Damon ordered sodas for everyone.
“Should I taste it first, Tyler?” Damon offered.
“No, but I’m smelling it before I drink,” Tyler laughed.
Damon spotted Tanner come in and tried his best to keep Mark from noticing. As they walked across the room, Damon stood in front of Mark trying to shield his view.
“I see Tanner made the switch,” Greg drawled out.
Damon hit Greg in the arm. Mark turned and looked. Tanner was dancing with Heather; they were close and Heather was whispering in his ear. Mark turned back to look at the group.
“Stop staring at me like that,” he snapped.
“Are you okay, Mark?” Damon took his hand.
“I’m fine.” Mark smiled. It hurt; he wouldn’t deny it. But lately, fantasies of Paul were keeping him busy.
Tanner noticed Mark and came over. “Hey…”
“Hey.” Mark’s gaze swept over Heather holding Tanner’s hand. “Dating again, huh?”
“Look, I knew you would never give me another chance.”
Mark cut him off. “No you didn’t. You just didn’t care enough to try, Tanner, and how sad is that?”
“Look, I’m sorry.”
Mark turned his back to him. “Yeah, so am I.”
Tanner left and Mark let out a slow breath.
Damon and Tyler hit the dance floor. Mark stayed at the bar with Greg and Jay. They talked and laughed about school. Jay was telling them that Paul had spread the word that Jay was not to be touched or harassed at school. No one messed with him now.
“Wow, the great and powerful Paul Greystone put you on the ‘no contact’ list. That’s not like him.” Greg smiled. “Then again, you are Josh’s younger brother. It makes sense.”
“What do you mean?” Mark asked.
“Paul doesn’t get involved with anyone. I heard his parents died when he was fifteen. He went to live with his aunt, who rebuked him for being gay, plus she was stealing his money. He got legally emancipated and went out on his own.”
Mark thought about that tidbit of info. No wonder Paul never wanted to get close to anyone. First, he lost parents he loved and then a relative who was supposed to take care of him disliked him and stole from him.
Mark sighed. “No wonder he’s so closed off from everyone.”
Greg smiled. “Hmm, sounds like someone spent some quality time with Paul.”
“Not really.”
Mark turned and looked toward the dance floor. Tanner was running his hand up Heather’s back and they were kissing. He turned back to face the bar. Greg was talking to Jay again and Mark was trying not to listen.
“Well, Mark, I see someone has found you quite interesting.” Greg nodded to the front door.
Paul was standing there looking mighty damn good. He had on tight jeans and a tight white T-shirt. He was wearing a leather jacket over the whole ensemble. Their eyes met and Paul began his approach. He crossed to the bar and ordered a soda.
“Greg, Jay.” Paul eyed Mark. “Mark.”
“Paul.” Mark looked away from the intense look Paul was giving him.
Paul leaned onto the bar, resting his back on it. He looked around and noticed Tanner and Heather together. He glanced sideways at Mark, whose back was to the dance floor.
“How about a dance, Mark?” Paul took his hand.
“Yeah, I’m not really in the mood.” Mark tried to pull his hand away.
“Well, let me put you in one.” Paul dragged him to the floor, pulled him in close, and trapped Mark’s hand against his chest.
“Really, Paul, this isn’t necessary.” Mark looked up and found Paul looking down at him.
“Yes it is.” Paul pulled him in closer.
~*~
Damon and Tyler had gone back to the bar to get a drink. They looked at Greg’s mouth hanging open.
“Greg, what’s wrong with you?” Tyler looked at him.
&nbs
p; “Paul is dancing,” Greg gasped, using the same tone of voice in which he’d say, “There are pigs flying out of Paul’s ass!”
“Yeah? And?” Damon spared a look in Paul’s direction. Mark was in his arms and they were swaying slowly together.
“In all the time I have been coming here, Paul has never danced with anyone.” Greg was fixated on the dance floor.
“Looks like Mark cracked someone’s shell, huh?” Tyler smiled.
Greg turned his gaze to Tyler. “Cracked? More like obliterated.”
“What’s the big deal?” Damon asked in confusion.
“Paul doesn’t get close to anyone, and I mean anyone. He will fuck you and leave you without even a glance back. But tonight when he came in and saw Heather and Tanner, and Mark all alone…” Greg trailed off.
“Yeah, and he put me on the ‘no contact’ list.” Jay smiled brightly.
“I’m sorry…the what?” Tyler glanced at Jay for clarification.
“The no contact list — meaning no one at school picks on me anymore or Paul will beat them up,” Jay chuckled.
Damon smiled as he watched Mark snuggled in Paul’s arms. Leave it to Mark to break a rock like Paul. The song ended and Mark came back to the bar. Tanner and Heather also showed up and Mark braced himself for the talk that was sure to come. Paul took his hand.
Mark jumped in shock.
“Well, how’s everyone doing?” Tanner smiled; he looked down and saw Paul holding Mark’s hand.
Mark started to open his mouth and Paul cut in. “Oh, we’re great. Aren’t we, Mark?”
“Yeah, j-just great,” Mark stammered.
“So, you two dating or something?” Tanner demanded of Paul.
“And you care why?” Paul cocked a brow.
“Oh, I don’t. Just wondering.” Tanner grabbed Heather’s hand.
Paul narrowed his eyes at Tanner and grinned slyly. “Uh huh.”
Heather watched the whole conversation a little bit uncomfortably.
“Mark, can I talk to you — alone?” Tanner tried to grab Mark’s hand.
“No, you can’t.” Mark snatched his hand back.
“Come on, Mark.” Tanner was looking at Mark, who was looking at Paul.
“Wow, Tanner, the music too loud for you? I believe I heard Mark say no. You do know what that means, right?” Paul glared at Tanner. He still looked relaxed, but his body was tense.
“I believe Mark can speak for himself, Paul.” Tanner narrowed his eyes at the older man.
“Yeah he can, and he just did. Don’t fuck with him, Tanner,” Paul ground out.
Heather tugged on Tanner’s hand, trying to remove him from a situation that was rapidly becoming dangerous. “Come on, Tanner.”
“Yes, that’s right. I did say no,” Mark spoke up.
“Hey guys; sorry to have to drink, dance and run, but Mark and I are going out.” Paul grabbed Mark and hauled him off.
Mark turned and looked at Damon and Tyler. “Um, see you guys tomorrow?”
They got outside and Mark pulled away. “What are you doing?”
“Did you really want to stay in there and listen to Tanner and Heather?” Paul searched Mark’s face; he could tell Mark was pissed off. “Or anything Tanner had to say?”
“I don’t need you to rescue me, Paul. You don’t DO feelings remember? Just leave me alone.” Mark walked to his car. Paul’s presence was stifling as the taller man came up next to him.
“Come home with me, Mark.”
Mark turned and narrowed his gaze at Paul. “Why? I’m just a kid, remember? Just go to the college and find yourself someone who doesn’t care, Paul.”
Mark opened the door to his car and Paul’s hand shut it, his body backing Mark into the door.
“Come home with me, Mark.” Paul was inches from his face. He wanted to kiss Mark so badly, but was afraid of the reaction he would get. God, he had been an ass. He had missed Mark, a lot more than he was willing to admit. He took a deep breath. But he was about to do just that.
“Give me one good reason why I should.” Mark looked in Paul’s eyes. They were inches apart and Mark could feel Paul’s breath on his face.
“I miss you.” Paul practically spat the words out. It took a great deal of effort and he hoped it was enough.
Mark’s eyes widened. “You miss me?”
“Yes. I know I was an ass, and I’m sorry I made you feel like shit.”
Mark cut him off and dragged Paul into a kiss. Feeling Paul’s lips again — oh God, Mark had missed him. It had only been three weeks and it felt like a year.
Paul’s hands wrapped around Mark’s waist and hauled him in closer. The kiss deepened and Mark’s head began to spin. He broke away from the kiss, holding onto the car for support.
“Shit.” Mark tried to get his faculties back.
Paul’s chest heaved as he sucked in air, trying to breathe normally. The kiss had affected him a lot — a whole hell of a lot. He watched Mark trying to catch his breath, too.
“Was that a yes?” Paul smiled.
Mark placed his hands on his hips trying to appear in control. As if.
“Just drive, I’ll follow you.”
They got to Paul’s apartment and Mark took another look around. It was clean — like squeaky clean. He watched Paul take off his jacket and throw it on the couch before he went to the kitchen and pulled out two sodas.
“I don’t think you should drink tonight.” He softened it with a smile.
“Look, Paul, if this is just some kind of attempt to fuck me, it won’t work.”
Paul stopped mid-walk in astonishment.
“Is that what you think?”
“Well you said yourself that you fuck them and leave them.”
“Look, Mark, the night you were here, I felt something for you. It wasn’t about sex. Just holding you…” Paul turned away
“Keep talking Paul,” Mark urged.
“I just — look, I lost my parents young, and I loved them so much. I swore I would never care about anyone again ever. Then I met you, and you were so innocent and sweet, but with an edge. I was just drawn to that — drawn to you. When I kissed you…”
“You felt something for me,” Mark finished for him.
“Yes, and then you yelled at me. Trust me, no one has ever yelled at me the way you did and walked away. I realized I did care, I did have feelings for you.” Paul paced. “Look I don’t know what this means, and I can’t make you any promises. But I missed you these last three weeks. I thought about you a lot.”
“I thought about you, too.” Mark approached Paul slowly, as if he were a skittish colt who would bolt. He stroked his face. “I thought about you a hell of a lot.”
“You did?” Paul looked in Mark’s eyes, trying to figure out if he was telling the truth.
“I did. By the way, I am not so innocent and sweet.” Mark pulled him in for a kiss, wrapping his arms around Paul’s neck.
His tongue begged for entrance and Paul was more than happy to open up. Their tongues moved smoothly together, wrapping around, exploring. Paul threaded his fingers through Mark’s soft hair and deepened the kiss. His dick rose in record time and he gripped Mark’s ass with his free hand.
Mark broke the kiss and pulled away, trying to get catch his breath.
“Before we go any further, I have questions.”
Paul smiled. “I’ll have answers.”
“Okay, first question. Have you ever been with a girl?”
Paul laughed loud. “No.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. I’m not bi, if that’s what you’re worried about. And if I had been with a girl, I wouldn’t withhold that from someone. I believe in honesty. I have a question for you.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“Do you still have feelings for Tanner?”
“I have feelings, yes. Are they stronger than my feelings for you? No.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Okay, wh
at’s your next question?” Paul took a sip of his soda.
“How many guys have you been with?”
Paul spit out his soda. “Oh, Mark, I don’t think I want to answer that.”
“More than ten?” Mark urged.
“Well, sometimes it was the same guy. I just never got close. You know?”
Mark nodded. “I’m not asking how many times you’ve had sex. Was it more than ten guys?”
“No! Oh, God no.” Paul smiled. “I always used protection, too, and I get tested. I’m clean.”
“So, how many?”
Paul could tell Mark wasn’t going to let this go. “Eight.”
Mark let his breath out. “Oh, thank God.”
“What?” Paul laughed, his eyebrows in his hairline.
“I thought it was, like, a lot,” Mark chuckled.
“Eight is a lot.”
“Yeah, but I had, like, this outrageous double-digit number in my head. I’ve never been with anyone. You must think I’m pathetic.” Mark dropped his gaze to the floor in embarrassment.
Paul reached out to Mark’s face and pulled it up gently. “Why? Hey, don’t you ever feel bad about not having sex. I wish I had been like you.”
“Yeah, right — a virgin at seventeen.”
“I’m being honest. I wish I could say I waited until I was with someone I loved,” Paul admitted.
“Really? You’re not just saying that?”
“I’m not just saying it.” Paul looked at the clock. “Shouldn’t you be going home?”
“Nah, my parents are out of town.”
“But they could call.”
Mark smiled. “They already did today, besides I forwarded the house phone to my cell.” Mark tilted his head at Paul. “Do you want me to go?”
“No, I don’t. I actually wanted…” Paul stopped and closed his eyes.
“You wanted what?” Mark whispered.
“I wanted to know if you would stay with me. You know…”
“You mean spend the night?” Mark eyed Paul. He could see it was taking an effort for Paul to get the words out.
“Yes, if you want. I won’t try anything, I promise.”
“Yeah? Who says I won’t?” Mark smiled mischievously.
“I’m not going to have sex with you, Mark. Not until you say so. I don’t want you to think that’s all I want.”
The Harder They Fall Page 7