Peach Tree Family: Gay Romance

by Trina Solet

  Glad to be away from them, Seth delivered the snack to the kids on the front porch steps.

  "My brother, Theo, works at the Stone Creek Inn," Ace was saying to the other kids and sounding very proud.

  Sammy gasped and ran over to Theo to ask him, "Did you see the baby, baby Lucy?"

  "I did," Theo said.

  Now the little girl was even more fired up. "Did you hold her hand like this?" She took Theo's fingers in her little hand to show him.

  Theo laughed. "No."

  "You have to. Then you'll be friends with the baby," Sammy told him and then ran away to go back to tell Ace about the baby and how to make friends with her.

  "That's my Pink Tornado for you," Mitch said coming over and looking after Sammy with a loving smile. It turned out that he was done with the locks and he handed Theo the keys.

  He and Sammy left soon after that and then Hannah and Shawn did too. Now it was up to Ace and Theo to try and get Butter back inside while Seth took the glasses and the almost empty cookie bag to the kitchen.

  When they didn't come back, Seth took one of the cat treats out to them. That got Butter to come inside and Seth started heating up dinner.

  "I feel like I can breathe easier with all of them gone," Seth confessed.

  "Is that right?" Theo asked like he didn't believe him. He was on his laptop but Seth didn't think he was interrupting him.

  Theo was mad at him about Hannah and maybe for Mitch coming here too. If it bothered Theo that Hannah hit on him, it didn't sit right with Seth either. Telling himself that Theo was gay and she wouldn't get anywhere with him only made him feel a little better.

  But it shouldn't bother Seth at all if Theo got hit on. Except it was like when Seth kissed him. He just couldn't help this thing inside him that wanted to warn everybody to keep their damn hands off Theo.

  All through dinner, Ace was the one doing most of the talking. Then they all took their dishes to the kitchen and Seth started washing them.

  "I'll do that," Theo told him.

  "I'm pitching in for you letting me stay here, remember," Seth said.

  "I... Fine," Theo said just as Ace came in with his glass.

  "I finished my juice."

  "Good for you. You got to show off Butter to two of your friends. Did you have a good time?" Seth said to Ace but with a glance at Theo's back as he left.

  "Yeah. Sammy is a little kid, but she knows about cats. But Shawn knows lots about video games. And Sammy liked my hair," Ace said with a grin.

  "You have cool hair."

  "You like it too?" Ace said with an even bigger smile.

  "Sure do. But your aunt didn't?" Seth said remembering what Ace said.

  "Aunt Cindy wanted to cut it, but I didn't let her. I said, 'No. I want hair like Theo.' She said Theo looked like a thug. Ha! Theo is a nerd, and he looks like a nerd. And I said, 'No no no!'"

  "You disobeyed her?" Seth was surprised.

  "Theo said I could. He said not to listen if Aunt Cindy tells me anything that's wrong. That she wasn't like our mom even if she looked like her."

  "I see," Seth told him. "Then you must have done right."

  As long as Ace was up, things weren't too bad. He drew Theo out of his bad mood. But once Ace was in bed with Butter curled up next to him, Theo went silent and Seth was on pins and needles. He wanted to talk to Theo about what happened with Hannah that got him so mad, but he wasn't brave enough to jump right in.

  He started talking about Ace instead. "Ace was telling me how he didn't let his aunt cut his hair."

  "So?" Theo was looking at the iPad, but Seth was sure it was only to keep something between them.

  "Ace said he wanted to be like you, and well, he defied his aunt. I've never seen him defy you much."

  "Ace is a good kid."

  That was something Seth already knew. "He is, so I figured if you told Ace to disobey her that meant she couldn't be trusted."

  For a minute Theo looked like he was going to tell him to mind his own business but then he just nodded. "No, she couldn't be trusted. We were only money to her. She got paid by the state as a foster parent."

  "But wasn't she family?" Seth said. His grandfather took care of him and nobody paid him one cent for it, not even his mom and dad.

  "She is our mom's sister. That's why we got placed with her, but she didn't take us in for free," Theo said.

  "And you're sure she didn't just need help paying the bills?"

  "I know how she treated us and I know how quickly she kicked me out when I turned eighteen. And that wasn't even the worst of it, but I don't want to get into that." Now Theo clammed up and Seth wasn't going to push him any further, not on that subject anyway.

  "You said to ask you later if you're mad at me," he reminded Theo and watched his expression change. He was already looking gloomy, but now he was glaring at Seth.

  "I don't have any right to be mad, do I? But you two certainly got friendly."

  "Me and... Hannah?" Theo said though he knew that had to be what he meant.

  "Who else?"

  "I guess we did. She's kind of pushy but she means well." Seth wasn't happy that she hit on Theo, but he didn't have a right to hold a grudge. But he did wonder if Hannah reminded Theo of that other girl who was after him.

  "How did she get on your bad side? I know you talked to her for a bit. Did she...? I mean..." Seth didn't want to sound like he was prying. It wasn't his business, but Theo told him some of what she said anyway.

  "She warned me to act right where you were concerned."

  "She what? I told her to lay off about that." What the hell was that girl thinking?

  "She was singing your praises, telling me I could stand to be nicer to you," Theo said.

  "I'm sorry. I think you treat me just fine. She just got it all wrong." Now Seth was confused. Maybe Hannah wasn't hitting on Theo after all, and he had it wrong.

  "She was just sticking up for you. That's nice, isn't it?" Theo said but his eyes didn't match his words.

  "It's... It was wrong of her, and I'm sorry. But she really isn't so bad."

  "Right," Theo said like Seth didn't even come close to convincing him. "So now you're defending her like she was defending you from me. It's kind of sweet."

  "She has her good points."

  "I bet." Theo's mouth twisted.

  He was mad, and Seth didn't know what to do.

  "You didn't do anything wrong. I'm just being a dick," Theo said through gritted teeth.

  Seth stared at him. "You're mad at me." It was the truth. He could see it.

  "I don't have any right to be. I'm irritated, maybe a little irrational, but that's my problem and I'll get over it." With that Theo opened his laptop and its screen went up between them.

  Seth couldn't understand him. Did Theo think he was lying and he had complained to Hannah about him? Maybe he thought Seth was ungrateful. Theo didn't start out having a high opinion of him, but it hurt to lose the friendly feeling that was building between them.

  Chapter 11

  Seth went to bed first and Theo expected to feel some relief when he was gone, but he actually felt worse without him there. Knowing he acted like a jealous fool didn't help.

  But the way Hannah acted was worse. He couldn't bring himself to talk to Seth about everything she said, but she did a lot more than stick up for him. She was letting him know Seth was her territory, talking about him like he was hers for the taking and Theo should just back the hell off.

  He couldn't believe he let Hannah get to him like that. But Theo had half convinced himself that Seth was gay. He still might be bi, but the way he went for Hannah after kissing him, Theo didn't care what he was. That didn't mean he could stop thinking about him, even fantasizing about him, except images of him with Hannah would intrude.

  Knowing he couldn't sleep, Theo didn't even bother going to the bedroom he shared with Ace. He tried watching some of the shows he had saved so he wouldn't waste his data. He did some texting with friends who w
ere up late, but nothing could distract him from Seth.

  Straying from the screen, his eyes would focus on the short hallway leading to the bedrooms and he would wonder if Seth's door stood open like it did before, if he might be awake.

  Finally he had enough of wondering and he got up and went over there.

  Yes, Seth's door was open. As soon as Theo stopped in his doorway, he sat up.

  Not knowing what else to say, Theo stated the obvious, "Not asleep."

  "I wasn't sleepy. I just wanted to give you some time to yourself. But you're here." Seth's voice was low, inviting Theo to come closer while he sat as if waiting for him to come in.

  No, it was the need building up in him that made Theo go inside. Shutting the door of Seth's room, he found himself in darkness then blinked as the lamp came on.

  "I like looking at you," Seth said.

  Damn, how was he supposed to turn back now? How was he supposed to walk out? He couldn't, not when Seth was looking up at him, searching his eyes, still waiting while Theo hung back by the door.

  "I have a feeling that in the morning I won't know if you were really here," Seth whispered.

  "Want me to make you remember it?" Theo asked him.

  "Yes."

  The simple answer sent Theo closer, and he climbed on the mattress with his knees on either side of Seth's legs. Grabbing him by the arms, Theo pulled him in. He was seeking Seth's warmth as he leaned in, grazing his neck with his teeth, licking and then sucking at his pulse point.

  Already, Seth was breathing so hard, and all Theo did was put his arms around him and kiss his neck. Seth wasn't the only one. Theo's heart was racing.

  Oh God, he wanted more of this, more of Seth's body firm, muscular, shuddering while Theo's lips grazed the cords of his neck.

  "Theo," Seth gasped into his ear.

  Then Seth's arms were around him but just barely like he was afraid to hold him. One hand stroked his hair, the other skimmed over his lower back.

  "Oh Theo," he said again, his voice shaky, breath hot.

  It didn't feel like Theo thought it would. Seth's hands on him were gentle, touching him wherever he could but not like he was demanding anything. It didn't feel like Seth was trying to rush him to do anything more, but like he would be fine if this was all they did, just hung onto each other, pressed close, breathing hard.

  But would Theo be all right with it? He would not. Even if his reasons for coming in here were stupid – to claim Seth, show him he was better than any girl. Now he just needed Seth, needed to taste him, have him, make him come.

  "Don't you make a sound," he told Seth and pushed him down on the mattress.

  This was dumb, such a bad idea. He shouldn't be doing it. But there he was, pushing Seth's sweatshirt up so he could grope his chest and lower his face to graze his nipples with his teeth.

  Hissing, Seth arched off the mattress, but his hands held Theo in place. It's not like Theo was going anywhere. Drunk on the feel of him, the warmth of his skin, Theo kissed lower. All thoughts left this head as his mouth mapped the ridges of his abs.

  Pushing down his sweatpants, he heard Seth let out a throaty, choked off sound and felt his big, hard cock pop free. Fuck, this was too much.

  Theo rubbed the palm of his hand lightly from balls to tip and groaned while Seth cursed.

  "I thought you didn't swear," Theo teased him.

  "Can't... help it," he panted, his eyes hooded as he stared at Theo.

  "You better. You need to stay quiet," Theo warned him then leaned down to lick the underside of his shaft. Whatever sound Seth was going to make turned into him gritting his teeth and throwing his head back.

  Theo's tongue traced the veins then licked around the head. More suppressed sounds rumbled through Seth's chest, but he couldn't hold back a moan when Theo's lips wrapped around the head of his cock.

  Theo stopped and moved up to shut him up, to kiss him. Seth moaned into his mouth, then they both did. Now Theo had to have his cock again, and he warned Seth. "Stay quiet. I mean it."

  Taking hold of the base of his cock, Theo let it slide over his tongue, to the back of his throat but he had to stop there and work the rest with his hand. He pulled off when Seth whole body stiffened under him.

  "Too soon," Theo told him as he stroked him with his hand very lightly.

  Seth nodded and let out a shaky breath. It looked like he wasn't in a rush to come either. Theo got back to it, and then heard Seth pleading, "Please, not yet."

  Theo eased off, but it still felt like he was close. So close.

  The next time Theo picked up speed and sucked until he had Seth coming, groaning between gritted teeth. Theo licked and swallowed, and Seth collapsed with his hand in Theo's hair.

  When Theo tried to get up to leave, Seth stopped him. "No. You," he said, and Theo wondered if he was just trying to pay him back.

  If that's what it was, he was pretty determined. He rushed to free Theo's cock, but when Seth tried to go down on him, Theo didn't let him.

  "Just use your hand," he gasped. Seth gripped him and Theo thrust into his hand. He felt Seth's arm go around his back. The hard muscles felt good as Seth pumped his cock.

  Theo didn't bother holding off, just came in Seth's hand with Seth's arm around him, his face buried in his hair, and his taste fresh on his tongue.

  "Theo. Oh, damn, damn," Seth said like he was the one who was coming.

  Then he shocked the hell out of Theo by bringing his hand up to his mouth and licking it. "Mmm, you taste good. You should have let me..."

  "I was in a rush," Theo lied. In truth, he didn't want a halfhearted blowjob or worse disgust. But maybe it wouldn't have gone like that. Maybe Seth would have liked it. He did lick up his come.

  "We need to clean up," Theo said to him and Seth looked around then dumped out his pillow from the pillowcase. He offered the pillowcase to Theo without first wiping his hand with it.

  "Thanks," Theo told him. "Now I owe you a pillowcase."

  Seth smiled. "I'm good," he said, so Theo took his hand and wiped it for him.

  The whole time Seth stared into his eyes and didn't look away.

  "You're not used to people taking care of you, are you?" Theo said, but he wasn't really asking. He already knew it was true.

  Chapter 12

  Last night, that was such an incredible thing. It had to be something Seth only dreamed. But he could still feel everything – holding Theo, touching him, but Theo's mouth more than anything. But Seth would have killed to taste his cock.

  That could only mean he had to be gay. Dumb of him not to figure it out sooner, but he couldn't remember ever feeling anything for any guy other than Theo. And Theo was like the sun burning him up, blinding him.

  Then last night he came to his room. Something so good had to be a dream.

  His morning was all confused because of it even as he drove Ace to school and Theo to work. At the café, Seth had to focus hard not to mess up. He didn't know how much longer he would have the job, so he had to get good tips.

  A favorite with the customers was Wyatt's husband, Sam. Seth was surprised to find out who he was. Sam waited tables and took over for the cook sometimes. He was good at everything but you wouldn't know it. Sam was quiet, serious, and modest to a fault, very different from that Wyatt.

  That reminded Seth of how Theo told him that the two of them were married right before he told him he was gay. And then Seth lost his damn mind. But last night...

  No. He had to stop thinking about that and do his job.

  Seth didn't finish work in time to pick up Ace, but he went to get Theo at the inn later. As soon as Theo climbed in next to him, Seth told him what happened when he was leaving the café. "This lady came up to me because of the truck and asked me to haul away some debris. They demolished a shed. That Mr. Miller used to do that sort of thing. She's paying so I thought I might do it. What do you say?"

  "Where do you haul it?" Theo asked looking up from his phone. He must have been text
ing with Wyatt to let him know they were on their way to pick up Ace.

  "There's a dump and a scrap yard."

  "You want help?" Theo asked. "I might want to visit the scrap yard. See what they have."

  "Sure. You want some wood for the porch?" Seth guessed.

  "Either that or I'll have to put some yellow tape around it," Theo said.

  "We can take Ace with us, right?"

  "He'll want to help," Theo said sourly, but Seth smiled.

  "We'll find something for him to do."

  It turned out that Ace wasn't so eager to go with them. When they arrived in front of the Hayes house, another car was there and a little kid was talking to Ace and the Hayes boys.

  Wyatt introduced them to the little boy whose name was Danny. It turned out he had just met Ace too. Danny peered up at him worriedly. "I'm three." He showed Ace how much that was with his fingers. "Are you too big to be friends with a little kid like me?"

  Ace didn't even have to think about it. "I'm not too big, and you're not too little. We can be friends."

  Danny looked so happy then he asked. "Do you want to be friends with Lenny too?"

  "Sure," Ace said and then asked. "Who's Lenny?"

  "My dog." The little boy pointed behind them to a blond guy with green eyes who was carrying a tiny dog.

  Now Ace answered even more eagerly. "I definitely want to be friends with him."

  That made little Danny smile and he went over to get the dog.

  "He's done his business," the guy said.

  Wyatt introduced him too. His name was Rob, but they didn't get to find out if he was the little boy's dad. In the middle of the introductions, the kids all started to talk about how they were going to split up into teams and play soccer with all the dogs. It was real complicated, and Ace decided to stick around and be on a team with little Danny.

  Theo agreed, not that the kids were giving him much choice. As he and Seth drove off, Theo was shaking his head like it was all too much for him to take.

  "I'm going to owe Wyatt a kidney. How does he do it?" Theo said.