Chapter 85
“Let’s go back to the hotel.”
“But it’s not even eleven,” Jan protested. “It’s way too early to go to bed.”
“Not to go to bed,” Rush said. “Latitudes Bistro and Lounge in the South Tower of CNN Center is right across from the Apex. It should still be open. We can have a drink or two, and—”
Tad leaned close to him and whispered in his ear, “And later we’ll go stargazing.”
“In the city? You know the lights make it almost impossible…” Rush realized what kind of stargazing Tadder had in mind when he waggled his eyebrows. “Oh.” He blushed and smiled. “Yes, that sounds like an excellent idea.”
They climbed into the rear seat, and Rush gave the evening serious thought as he nestled against Tad and felt his boyfriend drop a kiss in his hair.
In spite of everything, this had been the bestparty his family had ever thrown! 32
Tom gazed across the expansive backyard and gave a sigh of pure happiness.
Fridays at the ranch were always fun. Jack gave his crews the afternoon off, and everyone turned up for a barbecue/pool party once it was warm enough to open the pool, which it was a good portion of the year in Georgia.
Inviting the men over every week had been Tom’s idea, back when they’d first gotten together, along with remembering birthdays and anniversaries. Those little thoughtful actions were the main reasons turnover at Jackson Construction Company was so minimal, even after the men had learned their boss was in a relationship with another man.
Also joining in the fun were the kids’ friends, so on this Friday, Tom stood watching as pretty boys, straight and gay, and pretty girls splashed in the pool. Jan was balanced on her latest boyfriend’s shoulders, struggling to maintain her position, an arm wrapped firmly around the neck of—Sammy? Jimmy? Tom had forgotten his name, and he’d long since stopped counting. He knew bringing up the subject was less than useless; Jan was determined to go her own way.
Now, she and her boyfriend faced Rebecca and Thaddeus, and it was easy to see the added height of the brother and sister team gave them the advantage.
With a smothered shriek, Jan toppled off, flopping into the water inelegantly. She surfaced, spluttering and scowling. Tom couldn’t hear her words, but he had no doubt this was the beginning of the end for her hapless latest.
“They’re gorgeous.” Josh Cooper joined him. As usual, he wore a T-shirt that emphasized his muscled arms and torso, but which concealed the scars his father had put on his back. Tom knew his friend was ashamed of them, although they weren’t Josh’s fault, and if the old bastard wasn’t already dead, Tom would have cheerfully ridden down to Florida and killed him. He had friends who’d help him hide the body.
“They are. See anything you like?” Tom grinned up at him, keeping his thoughts from Josh.
“Are you kidding? Why do you think I’ve got my shirt draped over the front of my shorts?”
“Really? That’s wonderful.” It had been a few months since Josh had moved to Savannah, and while he’d hooked up with a number of men, he hadn’t cared about any of them enough to bring them to meet Tom. “Who’s caught your eye?”
“No, notreally. Jesus, Tom. They’re all so young. I feel like a dirty old man just looking at them.”
“Speak for yourself. You know we’re the same age.”
“Not quite. You’re older than me by two years.”
“Huh.”
“Andyou’re very happily involved with someone who’s a man and not a boy.”
Tom glanced around, feeling his eyes light at the sight of his lover, who was busy manning the grill. Jack caught his look and grinned at him, and he sighed contentedly. “I am, aren’t I?”
“Was it worth it, Tom? All the…the heartbreak he put you through?”
Josh knew better than anyone the despair Tom had gone through, from the first time Jack had pushed Tom out of his life to each time Jack called to tell him he was getting married again.
“It was,” Tom assured him. “I’ve never been happier. Seriously. I’ve not only got Jack, but I’ve got the children I never thought I’d have.”
Josh gave him a look. “Becca and Tad are good kids.”
Tom had to laugh, knowing what his friend thought. “They are, and no, I’m not putting up with any bullshit in order to have the kids in my life. But I didn’t just mean them. Jan and Rush are also very special to me.”
“What about Mopp? He’s living here, too.”
“Billy Bob.” Tom smiled and glanced toward the pool, where their little country boy was involved in the game of water polo. “He’s a good kid, isn’t he?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m glad Jack suggested he move into the bunkhouse after his father kicked him out.” He could have kicked himself in the ass when Josh sighed and looked away. When Tom had first met Josh, he’d just been thrown out on the street, not because he questioned something the family’s preacher had said, but because he was gay. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault.”
It never failed to amaze Tom how Josh could almost read his thoughts.