by Trina Solet
Aunt Cindy pulled on Jerry's arm and pleaded with him, "Don't, Jerry. That's not why we're here. Come on." But he told her to shut her mouth. "This isn't the way," she said anyway, and he looked ready to slug her.
If he tried it, Theo was prepared to launch himself at him. Even if he hated his aunt, he wasn't going to let that piece of garbage hurt her in front of him and Ace. Jerry didn't do it though.
"You two need to leave, and if you try something like this again, you'll get nothing," Theo warned them.
"You know what you need to do, Theo," she said, making it clear that this whole visit was a threat to take Ace from him by force.
Scared, Ace had his arms wrapped around Theo, and he could feel his little brother shaking. Aunt Cindy was tugging Jerry back toward the car. The whole way he snarled at Seth.
"You better not come back," Seth said in a voice so harsh and deep, that it made Ace jump.
Once they were gone, Seth turned to Theo and Ace. All the threat and fury leaving his face, he asked, "Ace, you OK?"
"I didn't know you could be scary, Seth," Ace said to him.
"They deserved it," Theo told him and Ace nodded.
"It's OK," Seth said and got down to hug him.
Ace rested his head on Seth's shoulder. Then he looked at him and told him, "Seth, you're muscly."
"Uh, alright," Seth said, kind of confused.
"Let's see what that pizza dough is doing," Theo told Ace.
As Ace went to get Butter to climb down from a tree, Seth turned to Theo. "I'll be staying here tonight and from now on. I might be bad news for you in court, but..."
Theo stopped him. "I want you to stay."
"You gonna call the sheriff?" Seth asked.
"I can't. My aunt has the right to take Ace. I'm the one who's in the wrong legally. But I'm going to call the lawyer and see what she says."
Going inside, Seth made sure to keep Ace busy helping him make the pizza. While the pizza was baking, they made the skillet cookie together and set the table.
"That's a good-looking pizza," Seth said when he set it in the middle of the table.
It wasn't exactly round, but it did taste good.
"You guys did a good job with this pizza," Theo told them as they were finishing it off.
"It didn't have any salad. That's why it was good," Ace said, and Theo remembered that he meant to make some.
They were all reminded of why it didn't get done, and Ace turned gloomy.
"Don't forget Seth made you that skillet cookie," Theo said to try to cheer him up.
"It's about time I serve that up." Seth got the cookies then he asked Ace, "When are we shopping for those chocolate eggs for the egg hunt? That's this Sunday, you know."
Ace perked up right away. "We have to hurry."
"What we have to do is keep track of all the eggs we hide very carefully and make sure they all get found. I'll have to make a map," Theo said and saw Seth smile at him then nudge Ace.
"You think he's gonna do research too?" Seth asked Ace.
"Are you, Theo?" Ace wanted to know.
"I might. Like what's the biggest chocolate Easter egg ever made?" Theo got out his phone and then showed Ace what he found while he stuffed his face with the skillet cookie.
Later on, when Theo got started on making a map of the area around the house, he got Ace involved. Theo also let him stay up a little later then made sure he was fast asleep before leaving him and going to Seth in the living room.
Right away Seth got up and came to him. "How you doin'?"
All evening, Theo had been acting like everything was OK, but of course Seth knew it was all a front. Now that Theo was alone with him, his facade was breaking apart. "I... I couldn't... I had to..." The words wouldn't come, so Seth just grabbed him and hugged him tight.
"You were doing good, holding it together for Ace," Seth praised him.
"That's because you were out in front to deal with Jerry," Theo told him, feeling so grateful.
"Seeing him lay his hands on Ace, I wanted to put him in the ground." Theo could hear the rage in his voice and feel his whole body tense.
"You didn't and that's good."
"I knew it wouldn't help you."
Theo cupped his face and kissed him softly, grateful for his strength, for him just being there.
They climbed into bed together though Theo didn't plan to sleep there. But he couldn't leave. He needed some warmth and affection desperately. He needed Seth, no one but him.
Chapter 28
By Sunday everything was ready for the egg hunt. The one at Theo's included lunch, but Theo and Ace were also going to Mrs. Del Rio's for her Easter party with the real colored eggs for the kids to find. Seth had to work the dinner shift, but he was happy to be with Theo and Ace for the chocolate egg hunt.
Seth got to cook a whole bunch, but it was all about those chocolate eggs. Like Theo insisted, every hidden egg was marked on his map. Theo and Seth hid them without Ace that way he could search for them just like the other kids. They also had a piñata egg and hung some eggs from tree branches around it.
Ace was as excited as a kid could be and Seth and Theo both gave him plenty to do so he'd stay busy. It was just what Ace needed to keep him from thinking about his no good aunt and her boyfriend.
Once all the kids arrived, they were running wild through the trees, screaming every time they found an egg. Whoever found the most eggs would get to have the first whack at the piñata.
Watching the kids, Seth was really thinking about how he got to kiss Theo among the trees when they were hiding those eggs. It was sweet, and Theo felt so right in his arms.
"You know they might find some real eggs out there," Theo said from right next to him and startled him.
"I guess some birds might have started laying them," Seth said.
"You were out of it just now. What's up?"
"I was just thinking about what we got up to out there, and what we didn't," Seth said and shot him a quick grin.
"It's not the time to remind me of that when we have all these kids running around," Theo told him sounding cross, but Seth just kept smiling at him.
Their bosses were there with Lucy, and Leo was taking pictures of the baby's first egg hunt. Theo and Seth went inside with Andy to show him around and Rico tagged along. Ace got the idea to take pictures too, so he came in to get an old phone. He heard Theo saying to Andy, "The house is small but..."
That's when Ace jumped in to defend their home. "It's not small. It has everything a house is supposed to have." He opened the bathroom door. "This is our bathroom, and it's clean."
"He's my kind of tour guide," Rico said.
Seth was thinking how he didn't want to see Theo and Ace lose their home. It wasn't right.
Going outside, Seth took some pictures of Ace before he ran off to hunt for eggs and take pictures of his own. He was so happy, but Seth couldn't shake what almost happened, how that man grabbed Ace and scared him.
Since that time of the break-in at his grandfather's, Seth hadn't let himself fight anyone. But when that Jerry grabbed Ace, Seth was ready to break every bone in his body.
Now all he wanted to do was to stand guard over Theo and Ace, not let them leave his sight. But just being there wasn't enough. He had to do more.
"You have that look again."
Seth jumped at the words. It was Leo. He didn't have the baby with him. It looked like Mitch had taken over holding her as he and some of the other adults went to see what the kids were up to.
"I noticed you looking the same way these last few days when you've been preoccupied at work," Leo said.
"I'm real sorry, I..."
At his apology, Leo raised his hand to stop him. "Your work hasn't suffered, but something is weighing on you. Something serious judging by that grim expression you had on."
Leo seemed like a guy who knew how to deal with trouble. Bet he would know what to do about that Jerry, but could Seth talk to him?
"Do you wan
t to tell me what's on your mind?" Leo asked.
So far Seth couldn't figure it out on his own, and he couldn't ask Theo. He decided to go for it. "Someone is causing trouble for Theo and his little brother. Me and this guy nearly came to blows. I held my hand, but I wonder if it might not have been better to let him pummel me, not fight back. Then he might land in jail and..."
"Let me stop you right there," Leo said. "You want to get yourself beat up to help Theo and Ace?"
"It's the only thing I can think of. I'd much rather beat on him, but that wouldn't do Theo and Ace one bit of good."
"Do you think Theo would want you to get beat up to help him?" Leo asked.
Seth didn't need to think about it. "I know he wouldn't."
"And how would Ace feel?" Leo asked.
"Maybe we can keep it from him," Seth told him, feeling dumb for even saying it.
"I doubt it," Leo said. "And for how long do you think this guy would land in jail after beating on you? You look more than capable of defending yourself."
Seth saw his point. "I'd have to have witnesses, or he would say he was the one defending himself." As Seth was talking, trying to figure out some way to make this work out, Leo gave him a quick shake of the head. "There must be a way. I don't care how bad I get hurt. I don't want Theo to worry or Ace to be scared."
"Seth," Theo said from behind him, and Seth realized that Leo had tried to warn him he was there.
"I guess I got a big mouth," Seth said turning to Theo. As expected, he looked mad.
"I'll leave you to it," Leo said and went to join Andy.
"What the hell was that?" Theo wanted to know.
He got kind of loud, so Seth told him, "If you're going to yell, let's take this over that way." He pointed to the woods on the south side of the house where they didn't have any eggs hidden.
From the way that he stalked ahead of him, Seth could tell that Theo couldn't wait to lay into him. When they were far enough away, he wheeled on Seth. "Why were you talking about getting hurt? What the hell, Seth?"
"Sorry, but I wanted to do something that would get that Jerry put away. I thought if I let him beat on me..."
"You're unbelievable," Theo said between gritted teeth. "We already have a way to get rid of him – selling the house."
"I don't want that. The house belongs to you and Ace. It's your home," Seth told him.
"You think I want you to get hurt so I don't lose the house? What the hell!"
"I know you wouldn't want it, but I just want to do something."
"You're not a punching bag. Why was your first instinct to sacrifice yourself?" Theo said.
"It was all I could think of," Seth told him.
"Well think again. I'm not letting you do anything stupid." Theo grabbed his arms hard. "No one gets to hurt you," he said even as his grip on Seth was almost bruising.
Just as suddenly as he grabbed him, Theo let go. He took a few aimless steps then came to face Seth again. "You said you wanted to do something for us? Don't you know you already are? I'm depending on you more all the time."
"I want to be here for you."
"Then be here, not in a hospital bed." Theo became stern and deadly serious again. "Tell me you're dropping this idea."
After a moment, Seth nodded. "I don't have much choice," he told Theo honestly. "Not if it would cause more pain for you and Ace, and in the end, it might not even work."
His answer was enough to satisfy Theo. "Good," Theo said and he let out a relieved breath.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to add to your troubles," Seth said and took Theo's hand and kissed the palm then each of his fingers.
Theo slumped forward and leaned his head on Seth's shoulder. "This is why I can't let anything happen to you. So I can do this." Theo moved closer and wrapped his arms around him. "And this." Theo kissed his cheek then his mouth, then he pushed his tongue inside.
Taking a breath, their mouths only inches apart, Seth gazed into Theo's eyes. "I want to be here for this too," Seth said before getting back to kissing him.
That night while the Easter party at Mrs. Del Rio's was still going on, Theo texted that he was leaving Ace there and coming to the inn to pick him up. When Seth went over to the truck, Theo moved over to the passenger side.
Seth thought that maybe he wanted to talk, but he had something else in mind. As soon as Seth got them on the road, Theo leaned over to his side of the car and nuzzled his ear. His hand slid under Seth's clothes and over his chest. As Theo's fingers brushed over his nipples, his teeth nibble on his earlobe, and Seth shivered.
"So this is why you had me drive," Seth said, his voice rough, his dick hard.
"I wanted my hands free," Theo said. He pulled even closer and his lips fluttered against the side of Seth's neck.
Slowly, Theo's hand moved down over his abs, lower all the time until he reached down to cup Seth's hard cock. Then he spoke right in his ear, "Want me to suck you off?"
"Talking that way, you'll make me crash," Seth said.
Theo pointed to a secluded spot off the road. "Park over there. Sounds to me like you can't handle driving and getting your cock sucked."
"No, I can't," Seth admitted. As it was he was having trouble driving straight and thought he might plow them right into a tree. Thankfully they came to a stop safely and he shut off the engine.
In the darkness, their lips met too suddenly, bruising, mouths devouring as Theo unzipped Seth's fly and freed his cock. Next Theo's hand was on it and Seth couldn't help thrusting into his fist.
Seth didn't want to stop kissing him no matter how much he wanted Theo's mouth on his cock. Theo didn't give him a choice.
His hand sliding up and down Seth's shaft, Theo licked his lips then bent down to swiped his tongue over the tip. Seth pushed his hair back so he could watch and play with it.
Theo's tongue started sweeping up and down over the length of his cock then Theo took him in his mouth. The hot pressure of his mouth felt amazing and Seth groaned.
Theo's head moved up and down in his lap while Seth rubbed his hand over his back and called his name. Sucking slow and deep, Theo hummed and moaned around his cock.
Seth felt the need to come building then becoming unbearable as Theo started moving faster, sucking harder. Now Seth was cursing and calling Theo's name finishing with a loud moan as a surge of hot pleasure shot through him.
Head thrown back, he was breathing hard, the image of Theo swallowing his come fresh on his mind. Catching his breath, he pushed Theo back and leaned down so he could take his cock in his mouth.
He did it slow while working the underside with his tongue. Theo dug his fingers into his shoulder and panted, "I need that. I need it so much."
Urged on by his voice, Seth sucked and rolled his balls in his hand. In his greed, Seth took him too far down his throat then had to pull back. But it felt kind of good to have Theo deep inside him, so he tried it again.
Theo's moans drove him even deeper. Seth gripped his thighs hard and let Theo's cock fill his throat again and again. He was dizzy from it and hard all over again.
He started sucking hard and fast and stroking his own cock in the same rhythm. Then Theo's hands were tight in his hair and they were both coming. Seth swallowed every drop then collapsed with his head in Theo's lap.
"I can't believe you did that," Theo said.
"I didn't know I could, but I liked it," Seth told him.
"I liked it too," Theo said with a chuckle then he got some napkins from the glove compartment, and took Seth's hand. He wiped it off then bent down to kiss Seth. "Can you drive us to the party now?"
"Just barely," Seth told him. He sat up and made himself as decent as he could.
As he started up the truck, he put his arm around Theo, pulling him close. Theo rested his head on his shoulder then he looked up at him.
"You're going to have to wipe that smile off your face by the time we get there," Theo warned him.
"I don't think I can. You make me feel too good
and I just can't hold it inside." It was true, but there was more to it than that. He felt such joy at being with Theo and such painful longing when he was away from him. He was just afraid to put a name to it.
Chapter 29
They had only just arrived home from work and brought Ace home, and Theo was planning to go out again. Ace ran inside to see Butter. Theo stayed by the truck and told Seth, "I'm going into town. I'll get dinner from the café and talk to Mrs. Del Rio. I called and made sure she had time to meet with me."
Seth didn't like hearing that. "So you'll sell the house."
Resigned to it, Theo nodded. "Yes. I just need to find out if Mrs. Del Rio is still interested in buying."
"It's a family home. It's a shame for you to let it go."
"Money is what my aunt and her boyfriend are after. Once they have it, they'll leave us alone. But I might only be able to give up my half ownership of the house to Aunt Cindy. I don't know if she would settle for that. First I have to find out where Mrs. Del Rio stands in all this then figure out the next step." Feeling overwhelmed, Theo took a deep breath and Seth rubbed his back.
After everything that happened and what Seth tried to do, Theo knew he had to find a permanent solution. He drove into town with a heavy heart.
The peach trees were starting to bloom, and that meant the café was very busy. Theo had noticed the same thing at the inn.
As he went into the cafe, he saw that Rico and Sam were there but Hannah was the one manning the counter and handling his order. She was smirking at him in triumph the whole time.
As preoccupied as he was, Theo didn't have the patience to deal with her mind games. He was just going to ignore her, but Rico noticed something was up.
"What's with you?" he asked Hannah.
"Just patting myself on the back. I got Theo here to notice Seth," Hannah claimed.