by J. O Mantel
“I can’t answer that, Hunter, only you know how you feel.”
“I’ve never really thought about it. It’s only because of what’s happening now, and Andy telling me that he loves me, that I’m really facing it. I just feel like I’m under so much pressure. People are going to have so many opinions.”
“People are always going to have opinions. You’re going to get all the ‘Are you experimenting, or are you coming out?’ questions, and you know what? Maybe there isn’t an answer.”
“I’m just scared.”
“I know that. You’re scared of hurting people. You’re scared of hurting me.”
Hunter lowered his eyes, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to escape.
“I appreciate you worrying, but the only people you’re hurting here are you, Andy, and our daughter.”
“Lili? What does she have to do with this?”
“I see how she is around you when you’re with Andy. Hunter, she loves you, and she loves Andy. The two of you are wonderful together, even your mother agrees.”
“Everything you’ve said, I already know. I just don’t have anything worked out.”
“You don’t need to have everything worked out, you just have to be here, and you need to let Andy in. Stop shutting him out. You deserve him, and he deserves you. Don’t worry about what it all means for now, just be happy.”
Hunter couldn’t deny that Andy did make him happy. No matter how guilty he felt when he allowed himself to be touched by anyone else, he also couldn’t stop remembering how good everything felt when Andy touched him, not to mention the way his cock reacted whenever it brushed against Andy’s skin. He was starting to get used to the idea of being attracted, no … in love with another man. And there was no doubt in his mind, or his cock for that matter, that he was one hundred percent head over heels in love with Andy Valentine, the man who’d brought him so much happiness and joy these past few months. As he lay there and gazed into Bree’s eyes, he smiled, and she pushed the hair out of his face and leaned forward, pressing her mouth against his ear.
“Hunter, you’re smart, kind, caring, funny, and so beautiful… you’re just magic, and you’re absolutely perfect. Stop letting me be your unfinished business and go and be with the man who loves you and our daughter, and know that you have my full and complete blessing.”
She kissed him softly on the cheek, and as Hunter closed his eyes, he whispered, “I love you, Bree. I always have, and I always will, but I’m ready to move on and be with the man I love now.”
He smiled, and when he opened his eyes, he saw that Bree was no longer lying next to him. “Goodbye, Bree. Thank you,” he whispered, before he shut his eyes again, and finally fell asleep.
FOR THE LAST week, Hunter had thought about nothing except his final words to Bree. A weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and he now knew that he had Bree’s, and his mother’s, full blessing to finally be with the man who wanted nothing more than to make Hunter his. It was the day before the Fourth of July long weekend, and with the weather forecast predicting extreme bushfire conditions, Carter had warned his entire team to stay alert and be prepared for the unexpected.
Lili was staying with his in-laws this weekend, and Hunter wouldn’t be seeing her again until Tuesday, which would make it over a week since they were last together. Despite his fears and anxiety over being separated from her for so long, Hunter remembered that it was exactly what he and Bree, and his mother, had discussed.
As he stood outside Delta’s waiting for Andy, he thought about last night. He and Andy had gone from work colleagues to friends, and now a couple. While they still hadn’t given themselves a proper label, there was definitely something between them, and each thought of Andy sent a wave of electricity up Hunter’s spine, and he fucking loved how that felt. Hunter was about to knock on the door when he heard his phone sound from his pocket. He pushed his hand into his jeans pocket and pulled out his cell, looking at the screen, he read the text from Andy.
Andy: Running late, damn car wouldn’t start. Wait for me inside and tell Stephanie I’ll be there soon and to have a scotch ready for me.
With a smile, Hunter typed his reply.
Will do. Drive safe.
He lifted his hand to the door and gave it a firm knock. He could hear shuffling on the other side and presumed it was Stephanie moving toward the door to open it. He heard a jingle before a familiar female voice asked, “Who is it?”
“Stephanie, it’s Hunter.”
He heard the deadbolt turn, and when the door finally opened, he was standing face-to-face with Stephanie.
“Oh. My. God. It’s so nice to see you again.” She greeted him with a warm smile as she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. As Hunter walked inside, Stephanie couldn’t quite work out what was different about him. For Hunter, however, he was busy walking around the bar, noticing the careful attention to detail Stephanie had put into the place for the Fourth of July celebrations tonight. He continued moving farther inside, and when he came to the bar, he saw a large flat-screen television mounted on the wall, which he was positive wasn’t there the last time he and Andy had visited. Surrounding the television, the wall was covered with a large American flag. He stopped walking and looked around the place a little more before he made himself comfortable on one of the bar stools.
“Stephanie, the place looks amazing,” Hunter told her.
“Thank you. I love this time of year. The weather is blazing, I get a ton of customers on one of my busiest weekends of the year, and I get to decorate my bar to celebrate our country’s independence.” As she stepped behind the bar, she glanced over Hunter’s shoulder. “Where’s Andy?”
“Running late. Had some car trouble. He said he’ll be here soon and asked for a scotch to be ready for him.”
“He did, did he?” Stephanie mused, throwing a tea towel over her shoulder as she prepared the drinks.
Stephanie stared down at the man sitting at her bar, and while she still couldn’t quite pinpoint what was different about him, she did notice an obvious difference— he was smiling.
“What’s got you all smiles?” she asked.
“Oh, you know, I’m just really happy.”
“I can see that. And is there a reason for this sudden change since the last time I saw you?” she inquired.
“Well, I guess you could say that,” Hunter chuckled.
Not elaborating, Hunter reached for the scotch Stephanie had placed on the counter and brought the glass to his lips.
“You know, it wasn’t that long ago when you were sitting in that very seat checking out my … assets, if I recall.”
“And if I recall, you were the one who flirted with me.” Hunter winked, taking another sip of his drink.
“Well, that was before I knew you were gay and spoken for.”
Hunter didn’t say anything. He wasn’t exactly sure if the comment should upset or disturb him, but as he watched Stephanie pour a glass of scotch for Andy, he realized that it didn’t bother him, not one bit. On the contrary, it made his entire body react as if it had been hit by a bolt of lightning.
“I’m glad to see the two of you finally sorted yourselves out and got your shit together.”
As she placed Andy’s drink on the counter, there was another knock on the door. Reaching for her keys, Stephanie walked around the bar and over to the door, opening it slightly. When she saw Andy standing on the other side, she unlatched the lock and stepped aside so he could walk in.
“Hey, Steph.” Andy beamed, as Stephanie wrapped her arms around him and planted a big kiss on his cheek.
“Hey, yourself. It’s great to see you again.” She smiled.
“So, he gets a hug and a kiss on the cheek?”
“Aww, would you look at that, he’s jealous.”
“Jealous of what, exactly? The fact that he didn’t get a kiss? Or that he just caught you kissing his boyfriend?”
<
br /> Before he realized what he’d said, the words had tumbled out of Andy’s mouth. He looked at Hunter, who was still seated on the stool at the bar, and expected him to stand at any moment and say something. Instead, he sat there, casually sipping his drink as he admired Andy. He looked good. Actually, he looked pretty fucking spectacular with his bulging biceps, his long frame, and ...
“Perving on my cock again, Cassidy?”
Hunter quickly spun around. He must have been ogling the man for some time because he hadn’t even noticed that he’d moved from where he was standing by the door to the barstool beside him.
Hunter raised a brow and admitted, “Absofuckinglutely. And it still looks as fantastic today, as it did the first time I laid eyes on it.”
The thing that Hunter loved the most about all this, was that he and Andy could be so casual around Stephanie and his mom. It was going to take some getting used to before he was comfortable enough to tell Lili and his in-laws, though. As Andy sat beside him, Hunter took note of just how much muscle there was under that shirt of his, and how he was as sexy as all fuck.
“Will you quit looking at me like that? Have you forgotten there’s a lady present?”
“There is?” Stephanie chuckled as she took a swig of the beer she was holding.
“How busy do you normally get in here on the long weekend, Steph?”
“I usually have to have my entire staff work the whole weekend to keep up with demand.”
“You know, I remember you telling me when I first met you that this wasn’t the Coyote Ugly, but I can totally see you and your staff boot-scootin’ on top of this bar with the jukebox.”
Stephanie let out a wicked laugh, almost choking on her drink. When he turned his gaze back to Andy, he saw that the man was ogling him with a wicked … or is it a sinful as fuck? grin on his face. When he…when they were both ready to finally go the entire way with their relationship, Hunter wondered exactly what things they could do to each other. He immediately felt the blood rush south and his cock twitched in anticipation from all the indecent thoughts that were now circling around in his brain. As he sat there and admired the object of his affection, he suddenly became extremely turned-on.
Andy slid his tongue out and wet his lips, and what dirty thoughts were going through his obviously perverted head, were anyone’s guess, but judging by the expression on his face, Hunter knew they were exactly that… dirty and perverted.
“Can I get you boys another drink?” Stephanie interrupted teasingly.
“Orange juice,” Hunter replied quickly, suddenly feeling extremely lightheaded.
“What kind of pussy-assed drink is that?” Andy asked.
“You calling me a pussy now?” Hunter flirted.
“I could think of other names to call you, but I’ll refrain,” Andy finished.
“This is so cute, watching the two of you have your first fight over a drink.”
“Who’s fighting? I call it—”
“Flirting? Being dirty?” Hunter suggested.
“All the above. Now, how about a real drink, Stephanie? Perhaps a Cock-sucking Cowboy?’
Hunter almost spat his drink out at that remark. “Seriously?”
“Why? Think I can’t handle my liquor, Cassidy?”
There was something incredibly sexy about the way Andy addressed Hunter by his surname. The only other person who called him that was Carter but hearing it out of Andy’s mouth made Hunter almost come in his shorts. Reminding himself that he was in a public place, with a woman, no less, Hunter placed his hands on the bar top and waited for the drink he could see Stephanie preparing behind the bar.
As Andy turned and made himself comfortable also, he heard his phone ring from his pocket. “That better not be Carter,” Andy sighed as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Bringing it closer to his face, he looked at the screen, but instead of Carter’s number flashing at him, there was a number he hadn’t seen before. He accepted the call and placed the phone against his ear. “Hello?”
“Mr. Hendricus?” a young woman’s voice addressed him on the other end of the line.
“Andy Hendricus, this is he.”
“Mr. Hendricus, this is Lieutenant Xavier from the New York Police Department.”
Andy swallowed and looked between Hunter and Stephanie.
“Yes?”
“Mr. Hendricus, we were wondering if you’d mind coming down to the station?”
“Why, is there a problem?” Andy asked.
“We’ve got some pictures of potential suspects that we’d like you to come down and look at, to see if you can identify any of them as your attacker.”
Andy’s heart immediately skipped a beat… or several, and he sat completely immobile.
“Mr. Hendricus? Mr. Hendricus, are you there?” the woman called through the phone.
“Y-yes, I’m here,” Andy replied on a shaky breath.
“Are you able to come down to the station?” the woman asked.
“I … ah, when?”
“As soon as possible, if you’re able.”
Andy looked up and saw two pairs of eyes looking at him, then he looked at the clock on the wall behind Stephanie.
“I can be there in an hour,” he said.
“That’s great. Ask for Lieutenant Xavier when you get to reception. I’ll come and find you.”
“Thank you,” Andy replied, hanging up the phone.
He did a quick scan of the room, not saying a word as his eyes found Stephanie’s, and then Hunter’s. He was looking at him with an expression full of concern. Andy was numb, completely fucking numb. It had been months since his ordeal outside this very bar. He hadn’t heard anything from the authorities in all that time, so he assumed his attacker had skipped town and the case was closed.
He was obviously wrong.
“Andy?”
Hunter’s voice was a breath of fresh air as Andy suddenly realized that the man was still in the room with him.
“Andy? What’s going on? Who was on the phone?”
Andy didn’t say a word—not a damn thing, actually. Instead, he sat at the bar and allowed his gaze to focus on the multitude of bottles aligned on a shelf behind the counter.
“What’s going on?” Hunter asked him again.
Andy forced himself to look at Hunter, and then at Stephanie, who had suddenly gone as pale as a ghost.
Andy tried for words, but nothing came out of his mouth, and as his mind drifted back to that terrifying night, he suddenly found it difficult to breathe.
“I need some water,” he said.
Stephanie turned quickly and filled a glass with water, then placed it on the bar top in front of him. He brought the glass to his lips and emptied its contents.
“Are you okay?” Stephanie asked.
Hunter was starting to freak out, it wasn’t like Andy to go quiet, whoever it was on the other end of the phone, they had clearly shaken him up.
“Andy, what—?”
“That was the police.”
“The police?” Hunter and Stephanie questioned in unison.
“A Lieutenant from the NYPD. They want me to go to the station.”
“What for?” Hunter asked.
“They want me to identify some potential suspects they believe may have been responsible for my attack.”
Jesus Christ, Hunter thought.
Hunter closed his eyes and placed a palm on the counter, trying to catch his own breath. When he felt a hand on his shoulder, his eyes flew open to see Stephanie looking down at him. Hunter could see the hurt in her eyes. The same hurt he’d seen from her months ago when she’d opened the door to all that hell. He struggled to remain focused, although all he could think about was that night, and the sight of Andy as he fell into her arms, bruised and covered in blood.
“Are you all right?” Stephanie asked Hunter.
“Yeah, fine.” Although he was anything but.
“I’m thinking, I should go to the station and finish this.”
He stood, and as he walked toward the door, he heard Hunter call after him, “Want me to come with you?”
Andy stopped moving and turned around to face the man now standing by the bar. With a reassuring smile, he said, “Yes.”
Saying a quick goodbye to Stephanie, Hunter grabbed his keys and headed to the door.
“Wait,” Stephanie called. “I’d like to come along too, if that’s okay? After all, it did happen right outside my club. I’d like to see the monster who did this and make sure they’re brought to justice.”
Andy didn’t argue, instead he nodded in approval, and pushing past the lump in his throat, he said, “What about the club?”
“I’ll text the girls. One of them can open for me.”
Grabbing her purse and keys, she walked toward them, pulled open the door, and they stepped outside. When Andy got in his car, he placed the key in the ignition and turned it over, but there was a clicking noise coming from the motor. He turned the key again, but the engine was completely dead.
“Fuck,” he sighed.
“We can take my car,” Stephanie added.
The three of them walked over to the red Camaro parked in one of the parking spots behind the bar. When they were seated inside, Stephanie started the engine, and the three of them were on their way.
Fifteen minutes later, they found themselves outside the NYPD. They sat there for a while, and Andy couldn’t bring himself to look at either of them for fear he’d lose it entirely and break down.
“Are you sure you’re ready to do this?” Hunter asked from the back seat.
Andy heard the slight break in his voice, and suddenly hated himself for allowing them to come along. He knew, however, that neither Hunter or Stephanie would let him do this on his own. He turned to Hunter and said, “I’m ready.”
Stepping out of the car, they headed toward the large glass doors in front of them, and as Andy reached for the handle, his hand began to tremble. Pushing through the doors, they made their way to the reception desk where a tall brunette greeted them.