Chapter 73
“Don’t be silly. You go and see Frank. You’ll need someone to drive you. I’ll—”
“It’s okay, I’ll take her,” Gary said.
The deputy left, followed shortly afterward by Bess and Gary. While Zane finished his current helping of pie, Barry boxed up some leftovers.
“Fuck,” Jimmy said once Dennis and Zane had left.
“You okay, babe?” Jake asked.
“Dad manages to ruin everything. Even if he isn’t that hurt he’ll put pressure on Mom to move back home.”
Barry had suspected as much himself.
Everyone helped Barry carry the dirty dishes to the kitchen. Rory stacked the dishwasher, then Jimmy and Jake insisted Barry leave the rest till later and come watch football with them.
* * * *
The images of the hunky football players on TV only provided a partial distraction. Barry’s mind teemed with mental suggestions about how he could have made this or that dish better or just differently. The Brussels sprouts hadn’t been much of a success. Only Zane had gone for seconds.
Jimmy’s head lolled. Before his lover toppled over, Barry guided the man’s head to his shoulder.
“If he gets too heavy just push him off,” Jake said.
“He’s fine,” Barry said, kissing the top of Jimmy’s head. “Love you, big guy.”
“Do you think Bess will go back to Frank?” Jake asked a few minutes later during a break in play.
Barry was surprised at the question. Jake had known the woman a lot longer than he had. But then Barry guessed Jake had figured the two of them were close and Barry would have a better idea of what Bess would do.
Sighing, Barry said, “Yes, she will.”
Jake nodded his agreement.
Barry bent his head and laid another kiss in Jimmy’s hair. He determined to be there for Jimmy if/when the cowboy got upset at Bess’s departure from the Double J.
Jake looked fondly over at them. “He does a good job of hiding it, but Jimmy doesn’t trust many people. But he trusted you right from the get go.”
Barry continued to stroke Jimmy’s hair, not sure how to reply to Jake’s comment.
“When Jimmy and I were in high school, I, uh, fucked around a bit. Jimmy hated it. Probably the only thing we ever came to serious blows over.”
Barry raised an eyebrow.
“It was Liam who told me to wise up and realize what I had before it was too late. And, God, was he ever right. I apologized to Jimmy and thankfully he accepted my apology. Since then we’ve been exclusive. Jimmy’s all I could ever want. Until you.”
Barry was amazed, flattered.
“So, like I said, I was surprised Jimmy trusted you. He’s always been leery, even hostile with other guys, especially if they were interested in me.”
“I was, am, interested in both of you.”
“I know,” Jake said, rubbing Barry’s shoulder. “That’s probably what made him okay with you.”
“Glad he was,” Barry said, kissing the top of Jimmy’s head again. “I love him so much.”
“He loves you, too. I do as well. Probably shouldn’t tell you this, but you’re the only other guy he’s ever been with.”
“Huh?” Barry looked up from Jimmy to stare over at Jake.
“True.” Jake nodded.
“Wow.”
Barry started to shake. He felt…unworthy. These strong, hot, beautiful men could have had anyone, but they picked him.
Sniffing back tears, Barry said, “Fuck, I don’t deserve you two.”
“The fuck you don’t,” Jimmy mumbled. Sitting up, he cupped Barry’s face in his hands. “You’re the best thing to ever happen to me since Jake.”
That comment produced more tears. “Love you, Jimmy. So fucking much.”
Jimmy leaned in and kissed away Barry’s tears. “Love you, too, babe.” He turned to Jake. “And no, fuckhead, you shouldn’t have told him that he was only my second.”
“Sorry,” Jake said, leaning over Barry to kiss Jimmy’s lips. “Just wanted him to know how special he is to us.”
Barry wrapped an arm around each of them. “I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.”
They moved in for a three-way kiss but Jimmy ruined the romantic moment by farting loudly.
“Sorry.” But from the grin on Jimmy’s face, he didn’t look all that sorry. “It’s those Brussels sprouts.”
Barry chuckled and said he wouldn’t serve them again.
The men settled down and watched the rest of the football game. When it was over, the Cowboys losing badly, Barry slid his hands up his lovers’ legs to cup the sides of their bum cheeks.
“Like I said, I love cowboy asses,” Barry said, giving both a squeeze.