Scary

by J. M. Dabney

  His life went into freefall after his mother died. Part of him hadn’t cared whether he lived or died.

  He dropped his hand from Elijah’s face. The memory of his ex came back. Callum was gorgeous with a penchant for slumming on the weekends. He hadn’t minded the occasional hookup, a hard fuck and a quicker goodbye until it turned into something else. It hadn’t been love, in his mid-twenties he wasn’t looking for permanent—well at least he hadn’t thought he was.

  Stephen liked to tell his friends about the bad boy biker/tattoo artist. After a few years it started to feel as if he’d turned into some exotic fucking pet. Callum always talked about taking him home to meet the parents. Later he came to find out Callum had a man who was just as pretty and rich. He refused to recall that last fight. It was his first and last heartbreak.

  “You’re frowning,” Elijah sleepy voice broke into his thoughts.

  “Isn’t that normal for me?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. What were you thinking about?”

  “An ex.”

  “From that tone, it wasn’t a good experience.”

  “He was all upper class and privileged and it turned out I was some taboo fuck—a weird status symbol.”

  “What an asshole.”

  Slender hands rubbed over his chest hair and a single finger dragged over one of his pierced nipples. He growled as the sharp tug sent pleasure coursing straight to his already perked up dick. As much as he wanted to fuck Elijah again he knew his man needed a bit of time.

  “I knew it at the time, but it was the first out of the closet thing I had.” He leaned forward and sucked at Elijah’s plump bottom lip. He bit down and listened to Elijah’s sexy, little moan. He backed off before his control slipped. When it came to Elijah he’d held back so long he didn’t want to anymore.

  “This is my first.”

  “Why the fuck is that? You’re gorgeous, intelligent and successful, why the fuck did you wait?”

  “Out of habit.”

  “Explain.”

  “Brody was mine from the day he came home from the hospital and being out in my school wasn’t heard of, even if you knew which guys were hooking up. I spent nights feeding and putting a kid to bed then it was time for homework.” Elijah laid his hand on his waist and flexed. Scary got the idea and moved closer until Elijah snuggled between him and Tank.

  “When our parents died, I was supposed to head off to college, but I was staying local because I still had a kid. Awkward when you get asked out on a date at and have to explain you can’t find a babysitter, even weirder when you’re only sixteen. Whether it was my choice or not, and to be honest it was my choice. I took over, but when my peers were out drinking and partying I was reading bedtime stories, trying to budget to make sure we’d afford groceries after all the bills were paid.”

  “That’s a lot of responsibility for a kid, Elijah.”

  “I know,” Elijah sighed. “But there wasn’t anyone else.”

  He looked up to find Tank’s eyes open, their gazes met, but Tank kept still as he listened.

  “Then when Brody started school, I worked all day, took care of him in the evening and took night and online classes. There was this great elderly lady who lived in our building. She watched him the nights I went to class. So you see, all I could do was work my ass off to survive and make sure Brody thrived. Then when he got older and independent my life was a habit. The dates I went on the guys weren’t established or had goals. I’m not saying going out most night and weekends partying is a bad thing, but that isn’t how I grew up. I became a father figure to my infant brother when I was twelve.”

  “Brody’s grown with a daughter.”

  “Yea, but—”

  “But what.”

  “I spotted you the night we went to the shop. You were handsome and off-limits. You hated me and I was pathetic.”

  “Really?” Elijah was attracted to him, he’d known it, but his prejudice kept him from doing anything about it. “I’m an asshole.”

  “Yea, but you’re a hot one.”

  “What about Tank?”

  “Oh man, I looked at him and it was just like with you. I thought I was some freak. I was instantly on edge. To find out I could have you both, excited and frightened me, still does.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m not sure I’m enough. I’m boring. I’ve always thought I was okay looking.”

  “Fishing for compliments.”

  “No.”

  He knew that. There wasn’t an ounce of artifice to the man. Elijah was exactly what he seemed. “Full disclosure, we don’t think we’re enough either.”

  “We make a weird trio.”

  Scary chuckled and leaned in for another kiss, “Yes, we do.”

  “So, what are we doing?”

  “Well, we’re dating and you ain’t going anywhere.”

  “Wasn’t planning on it.”

  “But what we’re going to do now, you’re going to make a phone call to the front desk and extend our stay another night, then you’re calling in sick to work.”

  “Really, that’s what I’m going to do?”

  Elijah’s raised brow and annoyed tone didn’t fool him. The man didn’t take orders from anyone, but when it came to him and Tank, Scary knew Elijah didn’t want to be in control all the time.

  “Yes, because Tank and me aren’t ready to share, the guys will be all over us.”

  “I’m surprised my phone isn’t going off.”

  “I turned it off when before we went to sleep.”

  “Sneaky, Mr. Sheridan.”

  “Maybe,” Scary rolled to his back, grabbed the phone and hit 0 for the front desk. “Do as I say.”

  “Yes, sir.” Elijah took the phone. “Yes, this is Mr. Vaughn, I wanted to stay another night.” There was a pause. “Thank you. Yes, I’ll be leaving tomorrow. Have a great day.” Elijah handed over the phone.

  He passed Elijah his cell phone. “Now, work.”

  “I’ll call my assistant.” Elijah squirmed until he was on his back. Elijah gave Tank a quick kiss and a good morning as he scrolled through his contacts. Elijah pressed the phone to his ear and waited. “Hi, Martha—no, everything is fine. I’m just going to be stuck in Atlanta until tomorrow. I’m going to need you to reschedule any appointments I have—Yes, I’ll be back on Tuesday. Thank you, you’re the best.” After a few more things had been cleared up, Elijah disconnected the call. “Happy?”

  “Extremely.”

  “Now, what are we going to do with another night of alone time?”

  “We’ve got plans for you, but first we’re going to head out to get breakfast and play it by ear from there. We were a little rougher on you last night than we planned, but we ain’t exactly the gentle types.”

  “I wasn’t complaining.”

  “We didn’t think you were. Now, I’m going to shower, you and Tank do your own thing.” He leaned over Elijah and took his mouth in a possessive kiss, he broke it again before he took things too far. He rolled from the bed and padded to the bathroom. Stopping at the door, he turned to watch Tank signing and Elijah talking quietly. His best friend and Elijah looked good together. He turned away and entered the room, he walked towards the large, shower stall and reached in to turn the taps.

  He was happy for Tank—he was just fucking happy. Which was odd for him to realize that for the first time in twenty years he was right where he wanted to be in life. He hadn’t anticipated sharing a partner with his best friend. Something that could’ve been awkward was natural. He couldn’t admit it yet, but he was falling fucking hard for Elijah and he knew Tank was on the same page. One day maybe they could think about permanent, say it aloud, but for not there was so much left to learn.

  He entered the shower and leisurely scrubbed as he let the water run over his body. Tank and Elijah needed time alone, there was no doubt they’d share him, but one on one time would be important too. Sharin
g had never been his strong suit, but he’d learn—hopefully.

  14 JUVIE MEETS THE CREW

  The scent of fresh cut grass and strong coffee relaxed his tensed muscles, Elijah leaned back into the V of Tank’s legs as they waited for Sophie, Kam and Megan to arrive. He didn’t know why he was so nervous. They’d emailed him the official offer for him to take the job and he hadn’t hesitated to accept. So his new job was a done deal. That should have been some weight lifted from his shoulders, but over the course of the week he’d discovered he was more nervous whether Juvie would like the guys or not.

  With the job offer, he’d drawn up his resignation papers and work turned into a nightmare. He hadn’t been able to spend any time with Scary and Tank, no sleepovers. Two amazing days of just the three of them, but then they’d returned to reality which was his job and Brawlers for them. Their opposite schedules were going to be an adjustment. He woke up to texts every morning letting him know that they’d arrived home. When he was getting up, Scary and Tank had probably only been in a bed a few hours.

  Tank’s arms tightened around him and his beard tickled the sensitive side of his neck. He loved the course beard brushing against his skin—he didn’t care where. He lifted his right hand and wrapped it around Tank’s thick, veined forearm.

  “I know, I’m tense. Sorry,” Elijah tuned into Tank on a level where words or signs weren’t needed.

  Scary approached and crouched down in front of him. “Juvie—”

  Tank grunted at the nickname Scary bestowed on Sophie. It was terrible, but his opinion was still the same—it fit.

  Scary continued as if Tank never protested. “Will be here soon.”

  “Why am I nervous?”

  “You know why you’re nervous, you’re just too chicken shit to admit it to yourself.” Scary spun to sit on the bottom step between his legs.

  He kissed the top of Scary’s shaved head. The stubble slightly coarse against his lips.

  “What are you talking—”

  “You want to adopt her.”

  “I can’t do that, what the hell would I do with a kid?”

  “Same as you did with Brody, raise her to be amazing. You did a damn fine job with Brody.”

  He lowered his head. He wasn’t great with compliments. He turned awkward and shy every time he received one, especially when it came from Scary or Tank, they did it a lot.

  “It’s just not me, there’s—”

  “Don’t try to fucking use us as an excuse. You want it bad enough then do it. Package deal or not, Tank and me are in this.”

  “I don’t know, I haven’t actively thought about it. And I’ve only seen her two times.”

  “But you have thought about it and you do seem to have a thing for criminals.”

  “Maybe,” He admitted and Tank roughly chuckled behind him. “It’s not exactly going to be easy.”

  “We’ve met her. We’ll set up a nice little bail fund.” Scary leaned his head back against his chest.

  This was becoming his favorite place to be, sandwiched between his two large men. He’d quickly discovered they always took up protective positions on either side of him. Ready to step in at the smallest threat. It was nice. No one ever wanted to protect him before.

  “She’d kinda fit in, wouldn’t she?”

  Tank signed yes beside him and Scary grunted, it seemed to be answer enough. They hadn’t told Mina someone new would be coming to meet her because they hadn’t wanted to disappoint her if plans changed. So right now she was laid back in her sidecar attached to Trouble’s bike reading a book. Trouble and Brody were in the bed of Trouble’s truck taking a nap before the ride.

  Lucky and Priest, Zerk and Landon were lounging in lawn chairs downing coffee at alarming rates. These people were his family—every weird one of them and he had to admit he loved them all, including Tank and Scary, but that’s the one he couldn’t admit aloud.

  The sound of a motorcycle approaching broke into their conversation. He jerked his head up as a cute hybrid car pulled in right before the bike. He recognized Kam before she even took her helmet off. The back door open and the hoodie-wearing Sophie slunk out of the seat.

  “Boys, check the valuables the con is here,” Scary shouted before he surged to his feet and reached back for his hand.

  Scary tugged him to his feet and Tank followed as they approached the car with a now brooding Sophie glaring at Scary with her arms crossed. If looks could kill Scary would be dead by now.

  “Oh, hi,” Mina squealed in usual fashion and jumped from the sidecar. “I’m Princess.” She was bouncing on her toes.

  She was a hugger, but they’d had to talk to her about asking first and respecting personal space—hers as well as others.

  Sophie was staring at Mina like she was an alien, but he noticed Sophie was twisting a lock of her long dark hair as she looked at Mina’s with its bright wraps and braids. She dressed the same as the last time he’d seen her. Dark gray hoodie, baggy jeans and scuffed sneakers while Mina wore a flowing pale pink hippie shirt under a black leather jacket, ripped jeans and her small black combat boots.

  “That’s Juvie, Princess, we’re going to need to work on her rudeness.”

  “You talking about being rude, Scary, you drink too much—”

  Scary swiped at Lucky but the man sidestepped the move quickly.

  “If looks could kill, man, I like her already, she ain’t a fan of yours. I’m Lucky and this is my pretty bear, Priest.”

  “Lucky, behave.”

  He couldn’t understand how the man dealt with Lucky on most days. He’d quickly considered Priest in line for sainthood.

  Zerk and Landon introduced themselves. And he reintroduced everyone to Kam and Megan who were just staring at all the guys wide-eyed. He understood the feeling. He’d felt and looked the same the first time he’d met them a year before. Had it only been a year, it felt like so much longer.

  He noticed Scary lean down and whisper something to Mina sending her running towards the house.

  “Okay, here’s the plan, Juvie’s with me, Elijah is with Tank, everyone else takes their usual positions.”

  “Oh, I don’t know, Sophie doesn’t have—”

  “Here, Uncle Scary,” Mina skidded to a stop. “Can I give it to her, please?”

  “Sure.”

  “Here,” Mina held out the box.

  “What is it,” Sophie suspiciously asked as she watched the box like it would explode at any moment.

  He was curious too, Scary hadn’t mentioned getting Sophie anything, neither had Tank.

  “Ya gotta open it, sort of the concept of a present,” Lucky shifted as if it was a present for him.

  The man was too easily excited. Again he was nominating Priest for sainthood.

  “Oh, you got—”

  “Say thank you and open the box,” Scary ordered and it earned him another glare.

  Mina kept hold of the box as Sophie ripped open the black paper with hot pink skulls. She lifted the lid and a small gasp had him freezing.

  “It’s from Elijah, Tank and me, gotta have the right gear. You’ll have to tell Tank what you want painted on your helmet. He’ll have it ready for next time. Got your jacket a little big, but figured you got a bit of growing to do. Didn’t know your shoe size so boots will have to wait.”

  He slipped his arms around Scary’s and gave it a squeeze.

  “Okay, gear up we’re burning daylight.”

  “Thanks,” Sophie’s voice was unnaturally quiet as she held the small jacket and her new helmet to her chest. She was rubbing the leather like a security blanket.

  “Welcome. I’ve been riding since before I had a license. She’s old enough to ride behind me I checked the laws.”

  “If she says it’s okay, then we’re okay with it,” Kam said giving Sophie an option.

  He noticed the smiles on both the women’s faces. He could practically see the plotting going on. It was true he wanted to see about adopting Sophie. The biggest
things holding him back were Scary and Tank, both put those worries to rest, but could he turn all four of them into a family unit. His two men never mentioned kids not even in casual conversation. They were amazing with Mina, but that was a niece who wasn’t around twenty-four-seven. They could spoil and send her home. Sophie would be a lifetime commitment and they hadn’t even discussed their relationship being permanent even though the two men seemed as invested in their lives together like him. It was all so damn confusing.

  “Okay.”

  “Here, let me help you with your helmet.”

  Elijah let Scary go as he knelt in front of Sophie.

  “Lucky, ya gotta do my hair,” Mina hopped over to Lucky.

  Lucky quickly French braided Mina’s long hair so it wouldn’t get tangled on the ride.

  “Could he do—”

  “Got you covered, Juvie,” Lucky absently said as he finished with Mina and stepped behind Sophie tugging her hood off. “We gotta do something about this. No individuality.”

  “Ask before you do anything to her hair,” Priest muttered as he wandered off towards his bike.

  “I was gonna.”

  Lucky so wasn’t going to ask. He took cool uncle status seriously and he strove to be the coolest. “I’ll need her sizes. She needs clothes.”

  “I have clothes.”

  Lucky ignored her and he had to laugh. “No skirts, she seems like she’d burn a skirt if I gave her one. I make kick ass clothes, you’ll see.” Lucky finished with her hair and tied it off with one of the leather straps he kept around his wrist for Mina and his hair.

  “Let’s go,” Scary held his hand out to Sophie and she stared at it before she took it carefully.

  He hated what he was noticing. He’d taken a few things from the other night. She seemed to pull into herself and try to make herself as small as possible. The flinching was the biggest one. He never wanted her to feel the need to protect herself again.

  She will be okay—Tank’s hands moved gracefully—we have this covered.

  I do not like her frightened—He replied wanting to keep their conversation private.