Chapter Thirty-Seven

Mid-November …

Ford cursed as he tried to pull out the minifridge under the bar, his arms shaking as the damn thing stuck. His doctor had told him he could start lifting heavy things again, but a month with limited activity had him fucking weak. Not to mention he wasn’t even sure he could fix this damn fridge. Or afford to replace it.

He lowered his head to the top of the fridge, wondering why he even bothered anymore. The bar still wasn’t making enough to support itself and his savings were running low. He’d already fired Reggie—which pleased Cort—and would have to start letting waitresses go if things didn’t improve.

The scrape of a chair brought his attention to the other side of the bar. Cort and Akira each took a seat, watching him. Cort looked amused.

Akira’s eyes filled with concern. “Are you sure you should be doing that?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Are you really?” The amusement wasn’t in Cort’s tone as Ford resumed tugging at the fridge. “How about you rethink that answer.”

“And say what? If I can’t fix this fridge I can’t serve cold drinks. Not that it matters because I can’t pay the property taxes for the bar.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I’m fucked. Everything is fucked.”

“All right, so what’s the plan?”

Glaring at Cort, Ford shrugged. “Rob a bank?”

Cort gave him a level look.

What the hell does he want me to… Oh. Ford groaned as he stood. He leaned on the bar. “I know I’m supposed to ask for help, but you’re both already doing more than your share. I need to find another job. I just…” He shook his head. “I’m not good at anything.”

“Yes, you are. But that’s not the point. You love this bar.” Akira put her hands over his. “I got some new sponsors for the rinks, so I can use some of my savings to make improvements here. You need better advertising too. And why not have a band come in? You’d have enough space for a stage if you expanded the area in the back.”

“And you’re not using the top floor for living space anymore. You didn’t want to rent it out, so why not renovate to include it?” Cort looked around the bar as though considering all the things he could do to it.

All things that would cost a lot of money.

“That sounds great, but you turned down my suggestion of grand larceny.”

“You have no experience with robbing banks. Maybe you should go back to stealing cars. I have some buddies in prison I’d love to see again.” Cort’s jaw hardened. “I work my fucking ass off and bring in damn good money. How about you fucking acknowledge that for once?”

Wincing, Ford lowered his gaze. “I don’t expect you to take care of me, Cort.”

Letting out a rough sound of frustration, Cort reached out and took a firm hold of Ford’s jaw. “Listen to me. I’m going to explain to you, very carefully, how this works. We take care of each other. We’re a family. You don’t pay for things for your son alone. We pay for what our son wants and needs. You don’t sit here alone and wonder if you’re going to lose everything. You damn well talk to us and we figure it out together.”

“Yes, and I promised I’d come to you. And I messed up. Again.”

“Not if you admit it now. You didn’t try to hide it, so that’s a start.” Akira patted his hands and pushed off her chair. “If you don’t want money from us, what about a loan from the bank? If you lay out your plans for renovations well they might consider it a good investment.”

He had considered that. He owned the building, a definite plus, but he’d never gone to a bank for something like this. He didn’t have the first idea where to begin.

But she did.

His lips curved. “You did all that for the rink. Do you think you could walk me through it?”

“Absolutely.” She smiled at him. “I’ll call in my contractor so we can get some estimates. And you know Silver would have a blast helping you redesign the place. She has a good eye for things like that.”

“She really does.” He looked over at Cort. “I still need to keep this place open until we get things rolling. Do you think you could help me check this fridge?”

Cort grinned, coming around the bar and looping his arm around Ford’s neck. “He can be taught!”

Ford chuckled, then watched as Cort bent down, easily pulling the fridge out. Five minutes later, he wasn’t laughing anymore. The fridge was done for. The cost of the parts and repairs were more than what the fridge was worth.

“Might as well get a new one.” Cort patted the top of the fridge, then straightened. “I’ll grab my truck and head to the store in a bit.” He held up a hand before Ford could voice his protest. “Say thank you. That’s it.”

“Thank you.” Ford slipped out from the bar with him, grabbing a few of the beers he’d pulled out of the fridge and placed in ice buckets along the bar. He handed one to Cort, then another to Akira, before uncapping his own. “Has Oriana called? Is she sure about keeping Jaxon overnight? He hasn’t been away from me for this long for the last month and this might be—”

“Really good for him.” Cort pulled Ford’s phone out of Ford’s back pocket and handed it to him. “I paid the bill. You owe me.”

Blinking, Ford took his phone. Set it on the bar. “I owe you for the phone bill, but not the fridge or renovations?”

“I didn’t have to find out about those while calling to see if you were okay, asshole.” Cort folded his arms over his chest. “I knew things had gotten rough after you lost your job at the forum, but…damn it, Ford. You’re my man. I want to know when you’re going through shit.”

“We both do.” Akira wrapped her arm around Ford’s waist. “I’m glad you put our numbers as contacts for the school though. His teacher got in touch with me when he couldn’t reach you. Asked if we got the note about the teacher-parent meeting next week.”

“I haven’t gotten anything…” Ford sighed. “Do you think Jaxon’s worried about us speaking to his teachers? I thought he was doing well. He’s gotten high marks on all the tests he brings home. He’s making friends.”

“We’ll find out at the meeting.” Cort hesitated, then put his hand on Ford’s shoulder. “If you want us to come, that is. I know we consider Jaxon our son, but you’re his father.”

“Blood means nothing. You’re both just as important to him. Of course I want you there.”

“All right, so that’s settled.” Cort’s lips slanted. “Now about that payment…” His hand curved around the side of Ford’s neck and Ford’s pulse quickened. “You mentioned you were feeling better.”

“Much.”

“Good. Go lock the door.”

Ford had never gotten across the bar so fast. He returned to Cort, glancing over as Akira pulled up a chair, sipping her beer as though ready to enjoy a show. He grinned when she winked at him.

Latching on to the bottom of Ford’s shirt, Cort pulled it off and tossed it aside. He brought his hand to Ford’s waist, brushing his thumb under the scar of the bullet wound, his calloused skin on Ford’s flesh lighting up all the nerves beneath.

“You’re not allowed to get hurt anymore.” Cort stared at the scar, then met Ford’s eyes. “That’s a fucking order.”

Lips quirking, Ford nodded, even though they both knew he couldn’t promise that. “Yes, sir.”

“I prefer you say that when you’re on your knees.”

Lowering to his knees, Ford tipped his head back. “Like this…sir?”

“Yeah, just like that.” Cort undid his belt, then his zipper. His dick was already nice and hard, thick and veiny, the head a dark shade of red that always made Ford’s mouth water for some reason. His lips parted as Cort pressed it into his mouth, cupping the back of his head as he eased in. “Fuck yeah. You know, Akira told me she loved watching you like this. Last time I fucked her I reminded her how you looked, taking my dick, then another man’s then another… She came so fucking hard I was sure it would wake you up.”

Damn pain meds made me miss all the fun. Ford relaxed his throat as Cort pressed in even deeper.

Akira let out a soft moan. “What would I have to do to see that again?”

“Come here.” Cort moved faster in and out of Ford’s mouth, pulling Akira against him as she came to his side. He kissed her, tugging her shirt open and baring her breasts. “It’s wrong that I’ve had to wait to have both of you. Let’s fix that.”

Drawing away from Ford, Cort lifted Akira to the edge of the bar, flipping up her skirt and shoving her panties aside. He made a hungry sound as he licked over her pussy. Holding her open with two fingers so Ford could see how pink and wet she was.

As Cort continued to fuck Akira with his tongue, Ford leaned forward, taking Cort’s dick in as deep as he could, swallowing as Cort thrust forward. His own cock throbbed as it pressed against the front of his jeans, but he kept his hands at his sides out of habit. He loved it when Cort would make him wait until it was Cort’s hands on him.

Hopefully, he wouldn’t make him wait too long.

“I need this beautiful pussy.” Cort pulled out of Ford’s mouth, lowering Akira to a stool for better access. He pressed his dick into her, one hand fisted at the base of his cock so he didn’t go deeper than she could take. “Help me make her come, Ford. She’s so close.”

Rising to his feet, Ford helped Akira lean back against the bar, leaving enough space for him to reach where she and Cort were joined. He licked where Cort’s thick cock spread her open, then flicked his tongue over her clit. Using his lips and teeth, he toyed with her, his balls tightening as she cried out, growing even slicker around Cort’s dick.

Cort combed his fingers into Ford’s hair, pulling him up, then tugging his jeans open. His dick left Akira as he pushed Ford forward to take his place.

Wet heat surrounded Ford and he groaned as Akira pulsed around him. He pulled her closer, kissed her as she gasped, her hands on his shoulders, nails digging into his flesh. Behind him, Cort dragged down Ford’s jeans, kicking his thighs apart. One hand on Ford’s hip, he pressed his dick into him, using the slickness from Akira’s body to ease the way.

The sensation was rougher than when Cort had taken him with so much lube, but he enjoyed the slight burn as the head of Cort’s dick penetrated. Letting out harsh breaths against Akira’s parted lips, he braced and pressed back. Shuddered as Cort’s dick slid all the way in.

“Oh God, this is fucking perfect.” Cort pressed his lips to Ford’s throat. “Be careful with her. But I won’t be careful with you.”

Bracing one hand on the bar, one arm around Akira’s waist, Ford did his best to take Cort’s pistoning thrust, and move into Akira at a gentler pace. Her pussy gripped him, and her nails dug in deeper as she met his eyes.

“More! I want to feel what he’s doing to you.” She cried out as he let Cort take complete control of how fast and hard they moved together. “Oh fuck, Ford!”

“Mmm, you’re so wet, baby.” Ford loved the slickness of her, covering him as he pounded into her. “I’d have done this sooner if I knew how much it turned you on.”

Akira laughed, then whimpered. “Don’t stop.”

“I couldn’t if I wanted to.” A rough sounded escaped him as Cort pulled out completely, then slammed back in. “I won’t last long if you keep doing that.”

“Good, because I want to hear you. Now.” Cort pulled out, then thrust in, over and over until the sensation of him stretching Ford, and Akira gripping him tight, overwhelmed all his senses.

He shouted in time with Akira’s scream, his hand almost slipping off the bar. Ecstasy hit him in a violent, mind-numbing rush, cascading along his nerves, down his spine, and along the length of his dick as he came. His legs shook as he rode the aftermath, panting and struggling to hold himself up. He grunted as Cort thrust into him one last time, pulsing within in a way that kept Ford riding on the hazy edge of pleasure until he slowly eased away.

Cort pressed a kiss to Ford’s temple, helping him stand, then wrapping his arms around Akira and letting her lean against him.

He let out a shaky laugh. “Fuck, now I remember why I like doing this closer to a bed. I just want to hold you both and crash.”

“There’s still a bed upstairs.” Ford pulled up his jeans, realizing a bed wasn’t the only thing he needed. “And a shower.”

Akira gave him a sleepy smile. “Damn, it’s nice to finally have someone else in this relationship who knows what that feels like. Imagine when both of you come inside me. It’s fucking hot…until it’s not.”

For a second, Cort looked confused. Then he chuckled. “Ah…yes, let’s go upstairs. I need some rest before I make you both messy again.”

“Cort, I love you, but I need some time to recover.” Ford winced as his ass throbbed in agreement. “A lot of time.”

Lifting his shoulders, Cort swooped Akira up in his arms. “But you don’t, do you, my love?”

She let out a fake scream, reaching back for Ford. “I will! Help!”

He grinned as he followed them out the back, then up the stairs to the apartment he’d once lived in alone. This place had once been so full of pain, but he’d never wanted to let it go. He’d found his independence here. All that truly belonged to him had been in this building.

Now he had more than he’d ever imagined. Even though he’d slipped up, afraid the life he’d built, the love he’d found, would all be taken away, he finally realized the most important thing.

He wasn’t fighting for any of it alone.

And he never would be again.