Come Back Around

by BA Tortuga

  “Mama!” She had decided to act like Reid was the bad guy, and while he had to admit he hadn’t discouraged her, she knew that wasn’t fair. He never doubted Reid was doing what was best for the kids. He just didn’t want strangers taking care of them if they didn’t have to go that route.

  “Girls, are you finished with your breakfast? Papi has to go and visit with your Grandmother Patty.”

  Mama hated when Reid called her Patty.

  “Okay.” Luce waved at his mama. “We do nails later, Abuela?”

  “Of course, my girl. I’ve missed you so much.” She smiled at both girls. Luce beamed, and Dani ran for her daddy.

  “Come on, Mama.” He tried to catch Reid’s eye, but the man was cleaning up dishes, ignoring them studiously.

  She let him get her into his side of the duplex before she lit into him. “What on earth are you thinking? That man was still in bed!”

  “So? It’s not like I’ve never been in bed with him!” He crossed his arms, his temples starting to throb.

  “He is—”

  “The boy’s husband. Leave him alone. Son.” His Pop stepped onto the porch and gave him a huge hug.

  “Pop.” He hugged back, the tobacco and Old Spice smell of his dad just perfect. “Hey.”

  “Hey, boy. How’s you, and where are my grandbabies?” Pop’s voice boomed out, and Mat heard the squeals and cheers of his babies.

  “Pop-Pop!”

  He grinned. They would troop over here soon. They loved their grandpa. “They’re good. Covered in syrup.”

  “I’ll wash.” Pop sat down, opened his arms, and waited, and in seconds, he had two wiggly, laughing little girls. “There they are. I missed y’all so bad. I had a hole in the middle of me.”

  “Oh no, Pop-Pop!” Dani tried to untuck Pop’s shirt.

  “What are you doing, angel baby?” Pop asked, even as Luce started poking Pop’s belly.

  “There’s no hole!” Luce sounded disappointed.

  “Be right back,” Mat murmured, heading to Reid’s side.

  Reid was sitting at the edge of the bed, staring at the floor, shoulders slumped.

  “Hey, hon. Do you need help? I’m sorry Mama was so….”

  Jesus.

  Reid’s ankle was black and the size of a cantaloupe.

  “I’m fine.” Reid’s shoulders hunched.

  “Baby. Querido, that’s not fine.” That was fucking horrifying.

  “I’ll be okay.” Reid looked up at him, those pretty eyes so big.

  “No, it looks broken. It’s purple.” He was going to call someone. Surely the bosses here had medical on speed dial. “Let me see.”

  “Don’t touch it. It’s sore as a boil.”

  “Okay. Okay, but let me call someone.” He strode over to grab the house phone.

  “I don’t mistreat the girls,” Reid murmured.

  He stopped, hand on the phone. “I know that, querido. I never once said that. Or thought it.”

  “Then why? Why would you want to take them? I—” Reid sighed. “Never mind. I’ll wrap it up and take some Tylenol. I just have to make it through the ceremony.”

  “No, you need it looked at.” This wasn’t the time for that discussion, though they would damn well have it before they went their separate ways. He hoisted the phone, then dialed 9. “Hey, there. We have a little bit of a medical problem.”

  “What do you need, sir?” God, these people were on it.

  “I think Mr. Porter has injured his ankle. Might be broken.” He held up a hand to shush Reid’s protest.

  “Oh my God. Do you need an ambulance, an appointment in Aspen at Urgent Care, or we do have an on-call doctor that we can have here in half an hour.”

  “I think that would be fine. The doctor. Then if he or she thinks we need to go to urgent care, we can get the number from you.” That would make Reid most comfortable. Maybe an air cast….

  “I’m on it. Please have Mr. Porter stay still, and I’ll have ice sent immediately.”

  “I don’t want Jen to know, love. Please.”

  “Thank you.” He hung up, then smiled at Reid. “Doc is on the way. I’m sure we can hide a boot under your jeans.”

  “But….”

  “Shh, querido. I won’t have you hurting.”

  Reid stared at him for a long moment, then nodded. “Help me go pee and then go see your folks.”

  “I can do that. Do the girls know that you’re hurt?”

  “No. I didn’t want to scare them.”

  “Okay, well, I’ll have Pop keep them busy.” He moved to Reid’s side to act as a crutch. He couldn’t believe Reid had hidden this all night.

  And all through breakfast. The girls had been rough as hell.

  “You’re the toughest bastard on earth, you know that?”

  Reid looked up at him. “Me?”

  “Yep. You know how to cowboy up.” He half carried Reid to the bathroom. “Holler when you’re done.”

  “What? You don’t want to examine my balls?” Reid whispered.

  “Nope. Not when they’re too sore for me to touch.” He closed the door on Reid’s bark of laughter.

  Mama was standing there, arms crossed, staring at him, and he swore he wanted to crumple, but dammit, he was a grown man.

  “He has a broken foot. The doctor is coming. Can you and Pop keep the girls away?” There. Give her a mission.

  “A broken foot? What on earth happened, mi’jo? Is he standing on it?” Her eyes warmed, and he wanted to hug her.

  “He’s peeing, but then he’s going right back to bed.” He grinned. “Thanks, Mama. The girls.”

  “Of course. I’m going to take them to our cabin, if it’s okay? We’re literally on the other side of the fence there with your Uncle Frank.”

  Oh, Lord. Uncle Frank was a crazy, wonderful old bastard who had left Texas for New York when Pop and he had been teenagers. A go-go dancer, a DJ, a professional mime, and, most recently, a professor of pop culture—the girls thought Frank was a mixture between a fairy and Santa. “Did he bring Markus?”

  “Markus is coming in tomorrow. He had to set up a show before he left.”

  “Matty?” Reid sounded worried.

  “Right here.” He shooed Mama off, and she winked broadly before scooting. “You need help?”

  “Yeah.” Lord, Reid was about as pale as clear water. “I tried to walk on it.”

  “Oh, silly man.” He opened the door wider and just wrapped his arm around Reid’s waist. “I told you to holler.”

  “I….” Reid leaned into him, breathing deep.

  “Shhh.” He grabbed Reid under the arms, helping him hop back to bed. “Come on. Get up here so I can elevate it. They’re sending ice.”

  “Your ice pack is all limp,” Reid said, ghosting a laugh. “Where are the girls? They’re awful quiet.”

  “Mama and Pop took them to see Frank.” He chuckled, knowing Reid adored the old man.

  “Excellent. They will be covered in glitter when they get back. Is Markus here?”

  “Not until tomorrow.” Everyone loved Markus. He wondered if Frank ever got a complex. He’d bet the man did. He understood what it was like to be the weird, socially awkward one of a couple.

  “Good. They’re meant to be together. They give me hope.”

  He had no idea what that meant. Did that mean they’d had their run and Reid was looking to settle down with someone new? Did that mean Reid wanted them to have another chance? Shit, who the hell knew?

  He got Reid on the bed, foot up, hating the way Reid paled when he lifted that poor foot. “Oh, baby.”

  “It just couldn’t take that second hit, you know?”

  A sharp rap came to the door, and Ford Nixel, the goddamn owner, stood there with a bucket of ice.

  “Thanks.” He took the ice bucket, then the Ziploc baggies Ford handed over.

  “No problem. Mind if I have a look? I’m no doctor, but I’ve got some first aid training. I can let Delaney know what’s what whil
e he drives up.”

  “Of course. Reid, querido. Mr. Nixel is here.”

  “The owner?”

  “Yeah. He wants to have a peek at your foot.” He thought Ford would be gentle. The guy needed to know what was what for insurance, he would bet.

  “Sure. It wasn’t your fault. I tripped in the dark.”

  “No problem. I just want to let the doc know what’s going on.” Ford smiled easily, charming as anything. He came over and looked at Reid’s ankle. “Man, you did it up good. Let’s get you iced.”

  “Thanks. I feel so stupid. I was just surprised by something.”

  Yeah. Him.

  Reid looked at him, winked up at him, and that pang of guilt eased a bit. He grinned back, wanting to crawl into bed with Reid and stay.

  “I’ll holler at Delaney, let him know what’s what. You call if you need anything. We’ll get you some adjustable crutches sent over.”

  “Thank you. I’d rather Jen didn’t know right now….”

  “The bride?” Ford nodded. “I understand. We’ll do our best.”

  “Thank you. She should be focused on her big day, not me, you know?”

  “You got it. Trust me, weirder things have happened up here.” Ford smiled. “Okay, let me go make that call.”

  Reid chuckled and nodded, the sound turning into a laugh as Ford closed the door. “That was long-suffering sounding, wasn’t it?”

  “Yep. I imagine things are always going wrong here, huh?” He watched Reid closely. “Want some Tylenol?”

  “Please. There’s some—”

  “In your ditty bag, I know.” Reid was sure and steady on some things. He moved to the bathroom to grab the pills, popped out two so he could carry them back. “Here, baby. I got some water too.”

  “Thank you. I’m sorry about this. You don’t have to take care of me.”

  “I know that.” He wanted to. Mat wanted to pretend, just for a bit, that this was still normal, or that it ever had been.

  “I….” Reid reached for him, or was it for the pills?

  Mat handed over the pills but stayed close, wanting to touch.

  “I…. Come sit?” Reid patted the bed.

  “Thanks.” Until the doctor came, this was their time. “You… well, you look good, baby. Except the ankle.”

  “You look skinny. I need to make you beans and rice, cornbread. The good stuff.”

  “Oh.” He wasn’t going to moan. Or drool. “I’ve been living on coffee and protein bars.”

  “Matty, you know that’s bad for you. You need real food.”

  “I eat yogurt.” Especially almond milk yogurt now they made it. Dairy could aggravate his issues sometimes.

  “Yogurt-covered pretzels don’t count, you know.” That husky tease made him want to kneel down and beg.

  “No? Damn.” Mat dared to rest his hand on Reid’s hip. Touching Reid was almost painful, it felt so good.

  Reid’s eyes closed. “God, I miss you.”

  What about the new guy, then?

  He shook his head. The girls had said “Rog” was Daddy’s friend. Maybe….

  Reid’s cheeks warmed, those pale eyelashes casting shadows on lean cheeks. “Damn, Matty. I want—”

  The knock on the door cut off whatever Reid was about to say.

  Shit. He sighed, patting that fine man before getting up to answer. That ankle needed help.

  Chapter Seven

  “I’D be more comfortable if we got X-rays….”

  Oh, this little doc was cute as a bug’s ear and queer as a three-dollar bill, but Reid so didn’t think so.

  “I’m fine, honey.”

  “If you don’t get this looked at soon, it could cause some permanent damage.” Dr. Delaney Shaw blew out a breath at him. “Will you get it checked out when you get home, at least?”

  “Sure. Can’t you just wrap it up?” He didn’t need to cause problems with the wedding.

  “No, sir. That needs a walking boot, if you don’t get images.”

  “Oh.” Dammit.

  “I know, but you can’t take a chance on displacing a bone. Right now I would bet there won’t be surgery required, but if you put too much pressure on it, that could change.”

  “The boot will be hidden in the pictures, Reid,” Mat murmured. “You need to wear it.”

  “Okay.” He could keep hidden away in here and take it off for the wedding.

  “Good man.” Delaney chuckled. “I’ll get this one to keep an eye on you, I swear.”

  “He has a brother and family here, and I can sic the girls on him. I’m not worried.” Sick. Hurting. Wanting Matty to hold him. Yes. Worried. No.

  “I’ll watch him like a hawk.” Mat winked, his charm so easy.

  “Butthead.” God, he loved that son of a bitch, even though Mat didn’t believe what he did meant anything.

  “I am. I’ve got your best interests at heart. Thanks, Doc. Do we need to go get a boot?”

  Delaney shook his head. “I’ll send Tanner down to the medical supply. I’m serious, man. You have to be careful. This might turn bad.”

  “I hear you.” And he did. He’d stay in the cabin, if he needed to. Thank God the back area was fenced and the girls could run around.

  “Okay. Cool. I’ll write you a scrip for some pain relievers too. Stay off the ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Tylenol is fine, but the others might inhibit healing.” The doc started packing up.

  “Thank you for coming up. What do I owe you?” Mat’s words made him blink, and he wasn’t sure whether to be pissed or pleased.

  “Oh, the ranch keeps me on retainer. I’ll have to bill you for the boot and such, but I can try your insurance if you have it.”

  “I do. Here, let me get you my card.” God, where was his wallet?

  “You can give it to the front desk, huh? They’ll get it to me.” Delaney gave Reid a smile. “Be gentle with it.”

  “I promise.” He was fixin’ to burst into tears. Everything was just overwhelming.

  Delaney finally left, and Mat came to sit with him again. “What do you need, baby? I have some sleeping pills.”

  A hug. He needed a hug so bad. “’M okay.”

  “No, you’re not.” Mat heard him somewhere. Somehow. Hell, Mat always did. “Don’t you dare cry.” Mat took him in those strong arms, holding him tight.

  “Cowboys don’t cry.” Although he was only a jackass Texan living in Santa Fe.

  “Sure they do. It just kills me to see you do it.” Mat kissed his temple.

  He rested his cheek down on Mat’s shoulder and let himself pretend that it was real again. He loved how Mat smelled, loved the sound of Mat’s heart beating. Steady and strong—this was the sound of heaven.

  “Better, querido?” Mat’s voice rumbled deep in his chest.

  “Better.” I miss you. I miss touching you. I miss being a part of something bigger than us.

  “Good. Do you want that pill?” He could feel Mat pulling away, even though they were pressed together.

  “No. No, thank you.” He was sort of used to a constant low roar of pain.

  “I don’t want to… I mean, I know you need to rest.” The hitch in Mat’s breathing told him something else was going on.

  Please. Please don’t go. “I’m okay.” Stay with me, right here. Let’s pretend you still love me.

  “Hey. I got you. I don’t want to cause trouble.”

  “Trouble? With your folks?”

  “No. No, they’re fine.” Mat eased back, looking into his eyes.

  “Your mama wasn’t fine with me being here. You and me being here in bed together.”

  “No. No, she’s determined to make this your fault.” Mat chuckled, but there was no humor in it.

  “You’re her son. It’ll always be my fault.” Just like Momma wanted to beat Matty with a hammer. Patricia was just less rednecky.

  “Yeah. And if you’re dating someone new….”

  He snorted. “Right. Who on earth would want to date me?” All he
did was work and take care of babies.

  “The kids said you had a new friend.” Mat shrugged, looking everywhere but at him.

  “Who?” He’d made a few through work, and Evan had been a high school buddy he’d found through Facebook….

  “Roger?” Mat picked at the comforter on the bed.

  “Rog? Oh.” He chuckled softly and shook his head. He guessed the kids didn’t have any idea how to process “agent,” and Lord knew the guy was friendly as all get-out.

  Now Mat did look at him. “What’s so funny?”

  “Rog is a lovely, charming sixty-year-old art agent. My agent.”

  “Oh.” Mat swallowed hard, then snorted. “Congratulations on Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma.”

  “Thank you.” He couldn’t stop smiling. “I finally did it, you know? Finally someone saw my work and liked it.”

  He was too modern for the Santa Fe market, too Anglo, too Texan. It had taken the right guy at the right time, and now his designs were getting noticed.

  “I know. I saw the two-page spread in the Pottery Barn dealie.” Mat sighed. “I wish you could have told me.”

  “I do too.” He’d wanted to call, but he hadn’t been sure if he wanted to gloat or celebrate. Either one would have been unwelcome.

  “So.” Mat searched his eyes, and he wasn’t sure what else to say. Maybe they could stop talking for a minute.

  He just nodded and dared to lean a little closer.

  Mat pulled him back into an embrace, moaning a bit when they pressed together again. Oh. Oh please. Yes.

  He lifted his face, figuring he ought to be hung for a sheep as well as a lamb.

  Mat took the hint, giving him the kiss he so desperately needed.

  His eyes flew open, and he held on, digging his fingers in Mat’s heavy, slick hair. Love. Oh fuck him. This was like the best damn dream he’d ever had. Even better, because he could feel and taste it.

  Mat moaned for him again, the hungry sound pushing between his lips. God help him, he’d jacked off to the memory of that sound for months.

  He even stopped feeling his ankle throb for a few glorious heartbeats. Mat could make everything in the world go away. The kiss went on and on, went deep, and he gasped, his tongue dragging along Mat’s.

  They broke for air, staring a moment. Then they dove back in.