by J. P. Bowie
Grant hung his head in seeming despair and started to sniffle. Jordan moved forward to take the knife, and Grant sprang into action, raising the knife and slashing it down toward Jordan’s chest. The people at the pool started screaming and yelling but Jordan parried Grant’s downward slice with his arm then held Grant’s wrist in a vise-like grip. For a few minutes they struggled for the upper hand, but Jordan’s height and younger strength prevailed and Grant staggered back to the edge of the pool. One push from Jordan and Grant was in the water, thrashing and spluttering and screaming obscenities at the world and anyone else who could hear him.
Blake grabbed Jordan’s arm and they stood staring down at Grant flailing around in the water. “I should let you drown, you miserable excuse for a rat,” Jordan told him.
“Jordan, please,” Grant wailed, but the police had arrived and, after they were given a hurried explanation from the receptionist, dragged Grant from the pool and cuffed him.
“We’ll need statements from you two,” one of the cops said, “and anyone else who can give a clear account of what happened here.”
“I’ll tell you what happened here,” Grant screeched. “He tried to kill me. He had me locked up, but that wasn’t enough for him. He wants me dead, but I’m gonna show him. I’m gonna be the one that survives long after he and his fancy piece here are gone. Forever!”
“Holy crap,” the cop muttered. “Okay, Pops, let’s go. We’ve got a nice quiet cell you can rest up in down at the precinct.” He glanced at Jordan. “You’re staying at the hotel?”
“Yes, for the weekend.”
“Room?”
“Two-twenty.”
“Okay, I’ll have an officer stop by to take your statement.”
Blake sighed with relief as Grant was led away, still letting everyone know he was the victim and would get his revenge one of these days.
“I think I’ve lost interest in swimming,” he said, rubbing Jordan’s arm gently.
“Yeah, it’s getting a little cool anyway. Let’s go back upstairs so I can kiss you without all these people gawking at us.”
“I like that…the kissing part, not the gawking.”
“You okay?” Jordan took Blake’s hand. “Sorry our perfect weekend had to be ruined by that lunatic.”
“Not ruined,” Blake said when they walked into the hotel foyer. “Just interrupted.”
Jordan pulled him close as they rode the elevator. “You’re amazing. Anyone else would’ve freaked out when Grant pulled that knife. You always that cool and calm?”
Blake chuckled. “Most of the time. It takes a lot to rattle me. Try dealing with a hundred hyper teens and you’ll see what I mean. Then of course, your big body was between him and me.” He pecked Jordan’s cheek. “My hero.”
In the room, Jordan took Blake into his arms and made a start on the kissing without the gawkers. “Oh my,” Blake murmured when they came up for air. “This is where I lose my cool. In your arms, your mouth on mine, your cock begging for my attention which it will most definitely—”
A knock at the door had them stepping back from each other with exaggerated sighs of resignation. “That’ll be the cop wanting our statements,” Jordan said. “We should get dressed.”
“Never thought I’d hear you say that this weekend,” Blake teased. Laughing, they pulled on their shirts and jeans then Jordan went to let the cop in. A young lady officer smiled at Jordan when he opened the door, her white teeth a brilliant contrast to her dark features.
“Mr. Hendricks?”
“That’s me, come on in. This is Blake Cameron, my uh…my boyfriend.”
“That’s nice.” She shook their hands. “Officer Latoya Handley.” She grinned. “And yeah, before you ask, I’m named after the famous Latoya. My mother was a big fan. Can we sit?”
“Of course,” Blake said. “Over here by the window.”
“This won’t take long,” she said as they sat at the small table. “From the way that guy was ranting down there, we could tell he’s Looney Tunes. So, what is your connection to Mr. Svenson?”
Jordan sighed. Now Blake’s gonna hear the whole sick and sordid story. If he wants anything to do with me after this, it’ll be a miracle. “Well,” he began, “it goes back a few years…”
After Officer Handley left with her notebook filled with copious notes, and the words, ‘We’ll be in touch,’ Jordan studied Blake’s expression for any sign of disgust or dislike. There was none, and any tension in the air seemed to be coming only from himself.
“Blake…”
“Oh my God, Jordan.” Blake wrapped his arms around Jordan and kissed his neck. “I cannot believe what you’ve been through. How did you ever survive that monster?”
“Y-you’re not disgusted?”
“Yes, I’m disgusted. Who wouldn’t be?” Blake stared into Jordan’s eyes, his own brimming with tears. “But not with you, with that controlling son of a bitch who could’ve killed you, not only by running you down, but with all the drugs. Jesus, if I’d known all this when we were down at the pool, I’d have punched the shit out of him myself.”
Jordan sighed with relief then lifted Blake’s face so he could kiss his lips. “Can I tell you what’s been on my mind for a while now?”
“You can tell me anything and I’d believe you,” Blake murmured.
“I love you, Blake Cameron. Really, truly love you. It’s maybe too soon for you to hear, but if—”
Blake’s mouth on his shut him up for a few moments, then he heard the muffled words that sent his heart into overdrive.
“I love you too, Jordan. How could I not? You called me your boyfriend. You made it official. Oh my God, I love you so much.”
“I think I need a drink,” Jordan said shakily. “To celebrate, not ’cause I’m shakin’ like a leaf y’understand.”
Blake chuckled, his lips tickling the corner of Jordan’s mouth. “I must’ve guessed you’d need one. I brought a bottle of scotch. If you let me go for a minute or two, I’ll fix them.”
“Yeah…” Jordan reluctantly relinquished his hold on Blake’s body and followed him over to the small bar to watch him pour their drinks. His brain was still a bit in shock from the events of the day, plus Blake having to listen to the lurid tale of his past, and now their own personal confessions… Well, that was the best part and maybe he was being slow to understand that Blake really loved him, and what did that mean for them both?
Blake turned and handed him his drink. “Here’s to us, my cowboy boyfriend,” he said, clinking his glass against Jordan’s.
“To us.” Jordan ducked his head. “I’m not good with fancy words like you are, bein’ a teacher and all, but I just want to say that… I never thought it was possible that I could meet someone wonderful as you. I feel so lucky to have you, so happy, you know? Like a blind has been lifted and I can actually see a future that’s not all shit. I mean, sorry, didn’t mean to use that word, but… Oh shit, say something, Blake, to shut me up.”
Blake smiled. “I could listen to you talking all day, and you know why?”
Jordan sighed. “I really can’t imagine.”
“Because you don’t need fancy words to say what you mean. Every word you say comes out honest and sincere…and here’s me using no fancy words, Jordan. I have never been in love before, never thought I ever would be, and the sweetest part of it all is that I’m in love with you.” He leaned in to brush his lips over Jordan’s. “Now finish that drink and take me to bed. I think there’s a few more lessons we both need to make sure we’re doing this right, don’t you?”
Jordan lifted Blake into his arms. “And I can’t think of a better teacher to show me how.”
Laughing together, they fell on the bed and the lessons began.
Epilogue
Jordan and Blake had been seeing each other for over nine months, and living together for three of those months. A while back, Blake had told him in no uncertain terms that he was sick and tired of this long-distance-romance
thing they were enduring so he had applied for a position at Rutherford High School in Sacramento, and had a realtor looking for an apartment near the ranch.
“That way,” he’d explained to Jordan, “when we move in together you won’t have far to commute to the Seven Plus.”
One thing Jordan had discovered in the time he and Blake had been a couple was that Blake was kinda bossy. It should have alarmed him, but there was a huge difference between Blake’s bossiness and Grant’s control. When he thought about it, Blake was more assertive than bossy, and Lord knew, sometimes Jordan could use a push in the right direction. Their apartment was perfect, Jordan thought. Blake, with Duncan’s and Carey’s help, had decorated it real nice, and the furniture Blake had brought from his place in San Francisco fitted in well. They had two bedrooms, a spare for when friends, like Duncan and Carey, now living together again, came to visit, and there was a pool, something Blake had insisted on during his apartment hunting.
The complex was small, so often at night, when there was no one around, they could each lie on an air mattress, hold hands and star-gaze. They were far enough away from the city that on a clear night, the sky was pretty spectacular, and Blake would point out the various constellations. His Blake, always the teacher. How he loved him. How he had changed Jordan’s life, taking him from uncertainty and shadows into a life filled with love, and the promise of real happiness.
There had been bumps along the way. Ralph and Moira Cameron, Blake’s mom and dad, had insisted he bring Jordan to meet them and that would’ve been fine except that Blake’s older brother, Frank, had shown up uninvited and had managed to ruin what could have been a pleasant weekend. Blake threatening to punch Frank’s lights out if he didn’t shut the fuck up and stick his bigoted opinions up his ass had led to a royal row that only ended when Blake’s dad showed Frank the door with the order to not come back until he learned how to behave himself in company.
‘Which will be never,’ Blake had said, sighing.
Blake’s parents were apologetic but it had been difficult to dispel the tension Frank had created, and Blake had worried about the backlash his parents might face when Frank told his version of the story to the rest of the family.
Fortunately, once they’d settled in the apartment, they’d invited Ralph and Moira to spend a weekend with them and it had been a success. Moira had told Jordan she was happy her son had found a companion she could look forward to spending time with. She didn’t say it, but Jordan figured having Frank and his wife for visits didn’t exactly thrill her, or Ralph.
The sound of the door opening and Blake’s call of “Hi, honey” had Jordan hurrying into the hall. He caught Blake up in his arms and their kiss as always sent Jordan’s brain spinning and his blood flowing straight to his crotch.
“Wow, that’s what I call glad to see you,” Blake exclaimed, pressing his own crotch into Jordan’s.
“How was your day?” Jordan felt he should ask even though what he wanted was to keep on kissing Blake’s luscious lips.
“Okay. Better now I’m home with you. I have to shower and get ready for the party.”
“I know. I waited for you so we could shower together.”
“Uh-oh. That means we’ll be fashionably late, I guess. Okay, gimme another kiss.”
* * * *
Royce and Parker’s house at the Seven Plus Ranch was alive with festive lights and Latin American music—Royce’s favorite—when Jordan and Blake arrived. It was the sixth anniversary of the opening of the ranch, and the house was packed with friends, employees and relatives. Even though the party was being catered, Seth was in his usual position as bartender, a chore he’d told Blake and Jordan he loved.
‘I’m better at making drinks than socializing,’ he’d said, but he usually ended up doing both as most people loved talking to the bartender. His husband, Mike, was helping him out as there was a much bigger crowd than they had at barbecue night. They mingled with the people, saying hi to Aaron, Royce’s dad, and his housekeeper, Annie, to Andy and his wife, Sheila. Blake recognized a lot of the hands from the time he’d spent a week with Duncan learning how to ride a horse. The week that had changed his life and made him happier than he thought he had a right to be.
‘Are we allowed to be this happy?’ he’d asked Jordan one night as they lay in each other’s arms after making love.
‘’Course we are,’ Jordan had replied gruffly. ‘No one deserves it more than you and me.’ They’d laughed at his answer but sometimes Blake thought that after all Jordan had gone through, he, more than anyone else Blake knew, deserved it. When he’d met Joanne, Jordan’s mother, and his brother, Paul, he’d been the teensiest bit jealous of the obvious love the brothers had for each other. Too bad Blake’s brother was the jackass of all time…or was he being unkind? Nope, not unkind. Frank was a jackass.
He was shaken out of his ruminations by Jordan whispering in his ear, “Where the hell are you? You’re supposed to be having a good time. You look like someone stepped on your toe.”
“Sorry, I was thinking about my brother.”
“Oh, that’ll do it. But why were you thinking about that bozo, for Pete’s sake?”
“I don’t know. Funny how weirdo things pop into your head at the oddest of times.” Thoughts of Frank were quickly forgotten when Tim yelled at them to join him at the bar.
“You guys have been here a whole ten minutes and I don’t see a drink in your hands,” Tim said after he’d given them both back-slapping hugs.
“How are you, Tim?” Blake asked.
“Good,” Tim told him.
“Good and lonesome,” Seth said, handing Blake a beer.
“I am not lonesome,” Tim snapped. “Jeez, Seth, ever since you got married you’ve been on a fuckin’ crusade to see everyone you know get hitched.”
“Well, I was successful gettin’ Jordan and Blake together, wasn’t I?”
Jordan laughed. “What exactly did you have to do with that? I think Blake and me did pretty good getting together all by ourselves.”
“Yeah, but I was there cheerin’ you on.”
“We were all cheerin’ him on,” Tim said, rolling his eyes. “Anyway, before you get everyone here saying, ‘Oh, poor Tim, all alone, ain’t it sad?’, let me say again I am not lonesome. I like bein’ single. Less problems that way.”
“Less sex, too,” Seth sniggered.
“God, you are relentless, Seth,” Blake said, chuckling.
“You don’t know the half of it,” Mike chimed in.
“Hey…” Seth glared at his husband. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
Blake and Jordan moved out of the way as several guests crowded around the bar. “That should shut Seth up for a while,” Jordan remarked. “Tim’s gonna give him hell later.”
“He’s a nice-looking guy.” Blake looked back at the young ranch hand. “I don’t think he’ll have any trouble finding a partner when he wants to.”
Jordan sighed. “Tim told me his parents would never go for him coming out to them and he doesn’t want to involve himself with a man who won’t abide him being in the closet. He’s been there, done that, apparently. He didn’t give me the details, but I guess it didn’t go well. So, for the time being at least, he’s not looking to be partnered to anyone, man or woman.”
“Is he bisexual?”
“Don’t think so, but to please the folks back home? You know how that can go.”
Royce and Parker joined them at that moment. “Good to see you here, Blake,” Royce said with that charming smile of his. Blake had often thought that Royce’s troubled clients must feel at ease having Royce on their side. “I bet you’re both much more relaxed now that Svenson is finally locked away.”
Jordan nodded. “You were right, of course, Royce. Grant got a lengthy prison sentence this time instead of being institutionalized again. It just took forever to get a trial date. I was sure he’d try to make a break for it again.”
“Yes, I’m afraid the wheels
of justice still turn slowly, to misquote somebody or other,” Royce said, glancing at Blake as if for confirmation.
“Longfellow, I think…”
Parker chuckled. “You guys should go on Jeopardy!”
“Not me,” Royce said quickly. “I hate when people answer questions with a question!”
Jordan steered Blake through the throng toward the stable. “Like to say hello to Midnight?”
“You think he’ll remember me after all this time?”
“’Course he will. Horses never forget.”
“I think that’s elephants…but maybe horses too,” Blake added when Jordan raised an eyebrow at him. “Sorry, don’t want you to start hating living with a teacher.”
Jordan squeezed Blake’s hand. “Nothing could make me hate that.”
“You say that now…”
“Hush.” Jordan unlocked the stable door and let Blake slip in ahead of him. He closed the door behind them then took Blake’s hand and led him between the stalls.
“It’s so peaceful in here,” Blake remarked.
“It is. Before you and me got together, I used to spend a lot of time here even when the work was done. Horses are good company. You remember Lady?”
“Yes. She’s a beauty,” Blake said, stroking the mare’s muzzle.
“That she is.” Jordan kissed Lady’s cheek. “You better go say hello to Midnight before he gets jealous.”
Blake chuckled, but it did look like the horse he’d trained on was giving him the fish eye. “Hi, Midnight.” He patted the horse’s dark coat then put his arms around Midnight’s neck and hugged him. Midnight snorted softly. “I think he does remember me.” He sighed when strong arms enfolded him from behind and he turned in Jordan’s embrace to kiss him. “This is romantic,” he whispered. “Just you and me…and the horses.”
Jordan nuzzled Blake’s throat. “I know I’ve said this already, but I just want to thank you for standing with me through all the mess with Grant.”