by J. M. Dabney
Saint’s long blond lashes fell and concealed his eyes. It was as if all the tension drained from his brother in a second. A small smile tilted the corners of his mouth as Saint opened his eyes, glancing up at Camden with the sweetest expression on his face. If nothing else had proved to him that Camden was theirs, then that moment would’ve sealed it.
Camden started moving around the kitchen, then serving bowls of roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy were placed on the table. A small roasting pan was the last and Camden sat down. Without asking, Camden fixed both their plates and made sure they had everything they needed before Camden filled his own.
The man was super sweet in Camden’s own way, caring if a bit gruff. He sensed that Camden liked to be in control, take care of his partner or in their case, partners. Their mother and extended family weren’t the religious sort, but they waited in case Camden wanted to do the whole Grace thing.
“Eat.”
“We didn’t know if you prayed.”
“No.”
They settled in to have dinner in silence. It was comfortable and nice. The food was amazing. Saint was the cook. He’d scorched a pan of water once, and Saint hadn’t let him near the kitchen again. It surprised him a bit that Camden cooked, but it shouldn’t have.
“Where did you learn to cook?”
“My maternal grandmother, she raised me.”
“Oh.”
“It’s nothing deep and dark, Eric. My mother focused on her career to the detriment of everything else, and my father was the same. They hadn’t grown up poor, middle class, but they saw their worth in having the nicest things they could brag about. I didn’t live with my grandmother, but I spent a majority of my growing up with her. Ellison said your mother was away on a trip?”
“Yeah, she works as an adventure guide. Plans these elaborate trips, everything from mountain climbing to survivalist trips.”
“Is there a reason she got into that?”
“Our dad. She met him when she wanted to learn to skydive during Spring Break. She got pregnant pretty quick, they didn’t marry or anything, but they moved in together. Mama is always happy when she tells stories about him. He was climbing one day, and his rigging gave, he fell.”
“I’m very sorry.”
“Like Mama said, he died doing what he loved. Couldn’t ask for more than that. They’d started the company, and Mama was great at it, so she continued it after he died. We think it was a way to keep his memory alive.”
“Did you two work in the family business?”
“I worked as a guide in my teens. When Saint became interested in being a pilot, he started flying groups around. Piloting the jump planes.”
“Did you enjoy that, Ellison?”
He liked that Camden didn’t use their nicknames, even their mother had taken to calling them Sin and Saint. When Camden called them Eric and Ellison, it seemed special. It was also nice to see Saint included. His twin had a tendency to retreat and let him take care of conversation because Saint hated to be the center of attention.
“Very much, Ernie says I was a natural. Born to fly. He just bought a new Cessna and chopper.”
“Was that him flying over when you two got here?”
“Yes, sir. He was testing them before I take them up this weekend.”
“Maybe I should speak with him and make sure.”
“Ernie wouldn’t do anything to intentionally hurt us. He makes sure everything is in perfect condition before I even sit in the pilot seat.”
“I’ll speak with him anyway.”
“Yes, sir.” Saint lowered his chin.
He was about to say something when Camden placed his fingers beneath Saint’s pointed chin.
“None of that. Now eat, you’ve been picking at your food.”
“May I speak freely,” he asked.
Camden turned to watch him with beautiful green eyes.
“Go ahead.”
“What’s going on here? You ordered us to dinner out of the blue when you’ve avoided us at all costs the last few years. Not that we’re complaining, dinner with our favorite Law Enforcement Officer isn’t a hardship. Are you not out?”
He peeked at his brother to find Saint watching Camden, too. He turned his attention back to Camden in time to catch the man’s heavy sigh, and Camden set his fork on the edge of the plate.
“I’m not out, but I’m not in the closet either. My private life is just that, private. When I was offered the job as Sheriff, I took it because I needed a break. Having a personal life wasn’t possible in my old job. Undercover work doesn’t allow for healthy relationships when you have to be gone for months at a time sometimes, maybe with the occasional trip home. It didn’t seem fair.”
“So, you just got used to not saying anything?”
“Yes, but I wanted things to be different when I moved here. Twenty years of routine is hard to break.”
“We’re not exactly the secretive type. We’ve never been in the closet.”
He hated the way his stomach dropped. Was this a leave me alone meal? They’d be crushed if Camden didn’t want to have anything to do with them or keep their relationship on the down low. It wouldn’t be fair to Saint. His brother deserved it all, from the public displays of affection to the chance of a ring on his finger one day.
“I wouldn’t ask that of you or Ellison, that wouldn’t be fair to either of you. I invited the two of you here to talk.”
“So, you don’t want to—”
He caught Saint nervously biting his bottom lip. He jerked his gaze to Camden as a chair slid across the floor.
“Ellison, come here.”
If Saint didn’t obey, he sure as hell would. Camden’s voice commanded, and anyone would be helpless to say no. The man could read the goddamned bible and make it sound dirty.
“Ellison, I don’t like to repeat myself.”
Saint stood and took the few steps that separated them. Camden patted his right thigh, and Saint stepped around to stand between Camden’s thighs before taking a seat. Camden lifted his hand to stroke Saint’s cheek and tipped Saint’s chin up until Camden and Saint’s gazes met. Saint’s pale cheeks were stained pink.
“Now, do you want to finish your question?”
“You don’t want to date us. If you like Sin more, I don’t mind.”
He jerked like his brother had punched him. They'd discussed this so many times he'd lost count. It was an agreement they'd promised each other. They would find their man, and they'd be happy.
“Ellison, I don't like to be lied to. With that warning out of the way, why do you think I'd like Eric more?”
He held his breath waiting for his twin's answer. Saint dropped his gaze. Camden's large hand encompassed Saint's jaw and gently forced Saint to look at the bigger man.
The intensity in Camden's eyes was equal parts intimidating and caring. Camden cared what Saint's issue was, and he was helpless to look away from the two men.
“Ellison, if you're going to speak to me, you'll look me in the eyes.”
“I’m not as skinny—”
“I’m going to stop you right there. I won’t dismiss your insecurities because we all have them, but to me, you’re beautiful, and a little extra weight doesn’t and won’t ever change that. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
He held his breath as Camden straightened and leaned into Saint. The man's mouth barely an inch from Saint's. He wanted that kiss for his brother. His twin kept himself separated from everyone; there but not. Saint preferred his invisibility. It was time Saint's wishes came true.
“Ellison, how could you not know?” Camden asked the question, but the man didn't give Saint a chance to answer.
Camden and Saint's lips conformed to each others’ perfectly. Saint made a tiny, needy sound and Camden growled. Camden curved his thick fingers around the back of Saint's neck.
Saint looped his thin arms around Camden and held their man tight. Camden’s hand quickly wrapped around his w
rist and pulled him onto the big man’s free thigh. Camden nipped at Saint’s lower lip and then turned his head toward him. Oh fuck, he’d imagined this so many times since they’d spotted Camden at Brawlers. But this, oh, this was so much better. Camden’s lips were firm yet soft, conforming to his as easily as they had Saint’s.
He moaned as Camden’s tongue flicked over the seam of his mouth. He reached for Saint and held him close—he needed an anchor, and Saint was that for him. The kiss ended far too soon, but it was more than they’d expected. A few more soft, fleeting caresses and Camden helped them up, then back into their chairs.
Was that the kiss-off they feared or the start of something more? It couldn’t be that easy. When he glanced at Saint, he saw his question and apprehension mirrored in identical eyes. He needed to be strong. Saint needed him to hold it together and like he’d done for twenty-three years, he might break, but Saint would always come out whole after the tears and a broken heart.
Six
Shit, What the Fuck had He Done?
He’d kiss his boys goodbye last night beside their car after spending most of the evening with Eric and Ellison curled up on the couch on either side of him. Hours later, he swore he could still feel the softness of their lips and silkiness of their hair as he had run his fingers through it as they watched a movie. They’re heads on his lap, and their delicate fingers twined together. The closeness of the twins was something he’d thought about but never really understood the true bond. They each sought comfort from the other and couldn’t exist in the same space without touching.
Shit, what the fuck had he done? The dinner invite had been a spur of the moment thing. Ellison’s slim form had been wrapped around him, and he hadn’t wanted to let him go, but he wanted Eric with the same intensity. He scrubbed his hands over his face and blew out a heavy breath. The promise he’d made to himself after their first meeting was obliterated with one impulsive dinner invite. Spending the evening making them dinner, caring for them, and holding them—no way he could he let it go.
Their ages were still an issue, he was old enough to be their father, and they had so much—
“Pelter! Did you just come to sit your oversized ass in my office or you got something to say?”
Fuck, he’d spaced out. He jerked his gaze to his pissed off cousin.
“My crew’s on their best behavior so what the fuck?”
“How the fuck do you take care of two men?”
Scary appeared confused, and then a slow smug smile spread across his mouth.
“Well, you fucking came to me for advice on your boys? You gotta be desperate, man.”
“Don’t bust my balls, I know we ain’t—”
“We’re family whether I like it or not.”
“Thanks, I’m feeling the love.”
He and Scary were never close. His dad, Scary’s uncle, was a bit of a dick, well, more than a dick. His parents were the type to think everyone was lesser than those who didn’t have the best or strive to be the best. His aunt made the mistake of falling in love with someone who skipped out on being a parent. He and Scary hadn’t hung out much other than spending time at their grandmother’s house. Scary, or Brawler as he was known back then, had run with the rough crowd. And him, he’d gone into the military and joined the SWAT team. The irony of asking his ex-con cousin about how to handling dating his men wasn’t lost on him.
“Get off that high horse of yours. We’re on opposite sides of the law but I been straight for years, but you’re the prodigal son, so to speak. So, what the fuck is up?”
“I invited Eric and Ellison to my place for dinner.”
“Keep going, man.”
“I didn’t exactly think through the date. I mean, shit, what the hell am I going to do with two twenty-three-year olds?”
“Fuck them.”
He wasn’t even shocked that Scary said that with a straight face.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“So, you don’t want to fuck them?”
“I didn’t say that either. You got two damn men. Wren has two husbands. How the fuck do y’all do it? Setting aside the fact I’m old enough to be their father, how does all this shit work?”
“Lots of fucking compromises. No secrets. Elijah demands complete honesty.”
“I get that part. But how do you spend time with them together and separately? I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing here.”
“Rule one…honesty. The equal time thing, it’s not always going to be perfect, but to be honest, all this shit is different. This ain’t paint by numbers, man. This is where the honesty comes into play. You freaking out about the prospect of dating two men?”
“More their ages than the two.”
“Stop right fucking there. Listen, if you’re going to go all fucking noble and shit, you should walk away now.”
“I don’t think I can.”
“Then do this, sit down and discuss your expectations and theirs. Sin and Saint are almost creepily close, but that might just be that twin shit.”
The office door flew open behind him, and as he reached for his service weapon, Scary reached under his desk.
“What the fuck, Linus? Didn’t you learn from the last time you pulled that shit?”
Linus grinned, and it was too much like his brother Lucky’s mischievous expression, and it meant trouble.
“Nice patch job by the way and you missed by a fucking mile last time.”
“What the hell do you want?”
“Um, you and Pelter in the same room for an extended period. Battle of the Beasts, man, we’ve got money on this shit, and I’m here to witness.”
As an atheist, he didn’t think there would ever be a situation where he’d believe in Hell, but this was it. He was in Hell. Linus was too nosy for his own damn good.
“How the hell did you even know I was here?”
“Wren called said you were off to Brawlers, Bear and Ben called said you’d just drove passed their shops. Then a group message was started, and the bets were coming in. I was the only one crazy enough to witness, oh, Lucky or Psycho would’ve come, but they had kid duty.”
“We’re not going to fight.”
“Then what the hell are you doing here, we got trouble?” All the amusement disappeared from Linus’ expression, and he was all business.
It wasn’t about trouble, but he felt there was some brewing. He just needed more information before he asked Linus and the Trenton Crew for help. He had more pressing issues to take care of, and that was making sure he did right by Ellison and Eric.
“No, I wanted to ask Scary something. I think I’m going to go. This was a—”
“Is this about getting the twins on your dick?” Linus asked with a straight face. “Oh, man, that’s the newest gossip, heard you had them out at your place.”
Linus strode across the office and perched on the corner of Scary’s desk.
He surged to his feet and clenched his fists. “Is my sex life a bet too?”
“Naw, man, we figured you’d give in sooner or later. What the fuck is the problem?”
He darted a glance from Linus to Scary, he didn’t want to go back to the play by play of being too old or them too young, or the one thing he hadn’t told them—he was fucking terrified.
“He doesn’t know what to do with two of them,” Scary answered for him.
“Fuck them.”
“What the fuck is it with you two? Fuck them isn’t an answer. Not that I don’t want to, because I do, but how the hell do I keep two of them happy?”
“Is that what this is about? You ain’t the first man in history having to keep two partners happy. But you don’t gotta hide them from each other, bonus.”
It was well-known Linus had avoided commitment before Wren and Hunter came along and that he’d had plenty of open relationships. For as long as he’d known Linus the man was seeing at least two people, male and female. He didn’t get it, he liked monogamy, and one day hoped he’d have someone t
o come home to, but this situation hadn’t ever even been a blip in his thoughts.
“What about the twenty-two-year age difference?”
“Minor issue and you know you want those boys to call you Daddy so bad you’re about to nut in your pants.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” He jerked his gaze to Scary to find the man all smug.
“Oh, come on, this is just us, admit it, you want to take care of those two boys. You want them happy and content. Don’t think I didn’t notice the way you watched them. You’re protective as fuck and for an even-tempered man you get pretty pissed when someone even glanced at your boys. Do you remember the night King and Linc got married?”
“What about it?”
“You were hovering near them all night. They didn’t notice, but we did. You sent plates of food. Made sure someone always refilled their drinks. Oh, and when they fell asleep that night, when you thought no one was around, you leaned down and kissed their foreheads and tucked their blankets around them. You’re so a Daddy.” Scary arched a brow and relaxed back in his desk chair.
Shit, he’d thought he’d been so careful that night. The temptation of them in his house. The urge to pick them up and carry them upstairs to his bed had overwhelmed him, yet he’d settled for just tucking them in. That night proved to him he needed to stay away from them.
“Don’t panic.” Linus held up his hands. “They didn’t notice. Listen, me and Scary ain’t exactly the people to come to for advice about your sex life or lack thereof, but what the fuck could it hurt? I mean, if those boys of yours aren’t in love with you already, it’s fucking close, and you can’t tell me you don’t feel the same.”
He fell back into the chair he’d vacated and observed as Scary pulled a bottle of Top Shelf whiskey from his desk drawer.
“What if I’m not enough?”
“Never know unless you try, Camden. From what I remember when we were kids, you were a stubborn shit. You won’t fuck this up, but if you don’t stop keeping those boys at arm’s length or sending them mixed signals, then you’ll definitely fuck it up. Let’s have a drink.”