by Sky McCoy
On my drive to the airport I thought about how it was time I got the other brothers involved. How could they expect me to do all of this alone? They had no children and the way it appeared, I had Carter to add to my list of what-the-fuck-am-I-going-to-do-now.
“Thomas, this is Jeremy.”
“I recognized your voice. You know I’ve always known the difference in your voice and Jack’s. Jack always sounded gay. Light and airy.”
“What the fuck does that mean, Thomas? I didn’t call you so you could insult Jack, and if you hadn’t noticed he’s your brother too.”
“What did you call me about? I’m busy.”
“Doing what? You’re a lieutenant governor, not the governor yet.” There was silence and I expected that I’d gotten his attention. “We need to have a family meeting to decide what to do about Carter.”
“I thought you were handling it.”
“I can’t handle everything,” I barked. “You and Jarrett need to pitch in and help me because my hands are full raising a baby.”
“I forgot. You do have Carter’s baby.”
“It’s not his any longer. He abandoned the baby, and since I’m the father, she’s mine now.”
“Well, that’s one thing we don’t have to worry about. My wife and I thought we’d have to take the little child in. Raise it as our own. It would have done wonders for my candidacy. Everyone loves babies.”
“Everyone, but you and your wife. If you did, you’d have had one of your own. Now let’s get back to the original conversation. Since I have a child and I can’t go anyplace anymore when I want to, I need you and Jarrett to come to my apartment. When can you come?”
“Tomorrow about eight o’clock. I’ll try to get Jarrett over, but I don’t know about his schedule. I can’t promise anything, however, I’ll be there.”
Chapter 14
Dorian
I’d been moping around the office and today was the day I’d planned on meeting Christian—the guy on the online dating site, who happened to be a doctor. I was free to go on a date of sorts with Christian.
I’d done my part for Jeremy’s beautiful mansion with rooms for nannies, a wine cellar, and how fucking cool was that? Your own private wine cellar where you didn’t have to hop by the local liquor store when you ran out of your favorite booze.
I had made sure I’d added a number of bathrooms—you could never have too many. You never knew when you might want to crash, and a restroom appeared to be an obvious place for that. I’d done all my crying over Phillip in a bathroom. Thank god I was over him. Now to get past the jealousy and need for Jeremy.
Just how was I going to do that? Oh yeah, go on a date. The whole idea of it made me feel like shit. I headed for Phillip’s office. It was more than likely that when I left him I wouldn’t feel any better. Yet I had to tell him that I needed to be out of the office and I didn’t know when I’d return.
Opening the door and knocking before I entered, I stepped in to find Phillip mulling over a large pile of papers. When I walked close enough for him to hear me, he lifted his head and hurriedly pushed the papers into his desk drawer.
“What are you hiding?” I questioned, leaning over to see if I could catch a glimpse of a folder he had opened on his desk. He closed that too and shifted it where I couldn’t see it, or reach it.
Looking up at me with a sour look on his face he growled, “None of your fucking business.”
“Don’t get pissed with me because Eric didn’t tie you up and let someone fuck you.”
He narrowed his eyes and tightened his jaw.
I’d been taken aback by his comment. It wasn’t like Phillip to be secretive and have a worried angry look on his face. When he’d been with me, he’d always smiled, told a joke and been friendly to everyone. When we were together he had little to worry about, because he’d offered me that privilege when he’d said, ‘You’re a born worrier.’ But he wasn’t completely right about me. It had only been true when I’d gone into business with Phillip, and we’d moved in together.
Since I’d known him he’d been carefree—at least he was with me—however, now I’d catch him staring blindly lately, as if gazing at something that wasn’t there. I knew him long enough to know that he’d been in deep thought, and worried. He appeared anxious. He’d never had a reason before to be anxious about anything as long as I took care of the business, and everything else.
Nevertheless, what he did privately with Eric wasn’t my problem anymore as long as it didn’t affect the business, and I’d been careful to make sure I did my part to keep it healthy and out of debt.
Crossing my arms and defensive I said, “No need to be such a fucking prick. I just came in here to tell you that I took your advice and I’m going to lunch with a guy I met on an online dating site.” Phillip sat back, relaxed, and tried to aim a confident smile, then he gave me the thumbs up.
“I’m happy for you, Dorian.” He placed his hand over mine, and his hand was trembling.
“What’s wrong with you, Phillip?”
“I said it’s nothing. Now go out and find that man of your dreams and be happy.” That sounded strange coming from Phillip. He’d never really been happy for me if I found someone else. Phillip always wanted to be the man I came to for friendship and love. The love had dissolved a long time ago, and our friendship had been hanging on a thread since the day I came home from a trip and discovered that not only had he taken Eric to our bed, but let that animal doctor kill the one individual who gave me unconditional love—my sweet dog.
“I’ll probably be late coming in tomorrow morning if I get lucky tonight. Not only that, I have to get to the site of the Westbrook mansion. I’m not looking forward to that.”
“How’s that going?” I arched one eyebrow. “Sorry I asked. Don’t worry, I can hold down the fort.”
I was worried about Phillip and the business. One day away was one more day he had time to fuck up his life and mine. I left him hunched over his computer with a stack of papers, and headed out to Dr. Christian Bruhn’s clinic.
I PARKED IN THE PAID parking in the building and headed to the cafeteria on the second floor. Not my idea of a date, but hell, I hadn’t had a date in months to even remember what it felt like. I didn’t consider all the near misses with Jeremy to count as any of that. All I’d done with him was get fucked and get my feelings hurt. I wasn’t complaining, but a man would like to sit down and have a dinner out without thinking about personal shit all the time.
Christian had picked a time where the cafeteria would be almost empty. As I entered I saw a nurse and I stopped her. “Do you know Dr. Christian Bruhn?” She turned and pointed at the table near the window.
I stood back and thought. If ever there was someone who could make me forget Jeremy, this was that man. From what I saw he had the longest legs, and damn, but he was built. And that strawberry-blond hair, had me all smiles. Then he saw me staring and gawking at him when he turned his face my way. Our eyes locked. He had light bright amber eyes, then he reached inside his pocket and placed his eyeglasses on.
I sauntered over to the table and he stood. “Dorian Hart? I’m Doctor, I mean Christian Bruhn. You’ll have to excuse me for the doctor part. Force of habit.”
We shook hands and from the weakness of his handshake, I realized that he could be a bottom. And my handshake had been unusually strong. I didn’t mean it to be, but I’d always had this strong handshake and it could be deceptive because I’d always been a bottom.
We sat and smiled at each other, wondering what to say next. He appeared as nervous as I’d been about this meeting, therefore I decided to break the ice. “I don’t usually use a dating site, but a friend suggested it and I said, ‘what the hell!’”
“Imagine that, a friend suggested that I wasn’t having any luck dating, and here we are.” We traded smiles, then Christian said, “Dorian, I know this is not your idea of a real date, but I’ve had to work overtime lately because I own my own business. I hope you ha
ve patience with me. I promise you that we’ll get a chance to have a real date and get to know each other.”
“I’ve had that problem too, but I had to find time to relax and do something different. So, here I am,” I exclaimed.
“This is your idea of different? Meeting a stranger in a hospital cafeteria.”
I aimed a warm smile his way. “It’s okay, really.”
Christian seemed to relax. “I didn’t ask you if you would like something to eat. I can get you a tray. You don’t have to get up, the service is good even if the meatloaf is probably—well, I shouldn’t say that. All I would say is for some reason, if you happened to get sick after eating it, we have plenty of doctors on call. They’ll have you prepped and pumping your stomach within a minute.” I furrowed my brow. “Just kidding.”
I knew he had to have been joking, but to me that wasn’t funny, especially since I’d been hungry, and I’d considered eating it.
Rising from my chair and holding my hand out to shake Christian’s hand, I said, “Christian, I was all for the meatloaf until I remembered I can’t stay any longer. I have a house I have to check and sign off on. I did mention that I’m an architect.”
“I think I read an article about your firm. Believe it or not I read about it in Architectural Digest of Seattle. You have quite a respected firm.” Christian stood. “Maybe you can draw the plans for my home. I’m thinking about a fishing cabin by a lake. However, I expect it will be later because I don’t have time to even live in it. Since getting my own clinic and opening more around Seattle I’m going to be very busy for a year.”
“Will you have time to go on a date?”
“I’ll make time.” Christian glanced over at his watch. “I’m sorry, but I have to be somewhere. I didn’t know until a half hour ago. I tried calling you to tell you that maybe we could make it tomorrow and you didn’t answer.”
I smiled at Christian. “We can make it another day.” I thought he had been damn cute, but for some reason I didn’t feel that lightning strike or that electricity that flowed through you, or my cock twitching when a man you wanted came close to you. He had all the attributes that would make a man go crazy, but one—he wasn’t Jeremy Westbrook.
“I tell you what, if you agree to go with me tomorrow night to a private fundraiser, I’ll make sure you get an expensive meal. None of this cafeteria food.”
“Where is this fundraiser and who is it for?” All I’d heard lately was fundraisers and I’d yet to be impressed.
“The dinner is at my place and the fundraiser is for causes that gay men are interested in. I thought if I helped raise money for Mr. Westbrook, that he’d take up some of our causes.”
“Did you say Westbrook?”
“Yeah, Thomas Westbrook. I’m sure you’ve heard of him.”
“I’m sorry, but I have to decline.”
Christian wasn’t taking no for an answer. “I promise you’ll enjoy it. Please. Maybe I can do you a favor next time. Your firm is prominent. Don’t you want to get more business for it?”
Yeah, sure, if Phillip pitched in and did his part every once in a while instead of letting Eric fuck him when he should be working, but that wasn’t likely to happen, especially since he was still in new-man-blissful heaven.
Then Christian threw in a piece of old news as if it was relevant and newsworthy. “I have from good sources that Jeremy Westbrook will accompany his brother Thomas to my party. That means his brother Jack might be there too. You know there are five boys in that family, and damn, but I’ve never seen such beautiful specimens of men before in my life.”
Never had I and I’d bet he’d never seen a body like Jeremy’s. I looked at Christian, not hearing much of what he’d said. All he had to do was mention Jeremy’s name and I tuned out on every word that didn’t have Jeremy in it.
“From what Thomas said, when I gave him a checkup, Jeremy and perhaps his brother Jack would support his candidacy for governor. Jack, of course, is gay.”
“Now you’ve got my attention.”
“I thought I would. Jack has my attention too. You can’t have enough available men in the gay community, especially since Jack is successful,” Christian’s eyes met mine, “I wonder what it is Jack Westbrook does anyway. I’ve heard about Jeremy being a successful attorney and he’s friends with Maxwell Gold. You know Maxwell Gold?”
“Yes, I think I’ve met Mr. Gold.” I didn’t want to keep Christian talking because he must have been busy and it was more than possible that his patients were waiting.
“So what do you say, Dorian?”
“I’ll be there. When you’re not busy today, text me the time, place, and dress code.”
“A suit, no tie is in keeping with a relaxed atmosphere. A lot of gay men from the business community will be there. Some richer than others, but who’s counting. Just being in their presence is enough for me,” Christian commented.
Chapter 15
Jeremy
I’d stopped letting Thomas intimidate me years ago. He’d taken that “big brother” shit way too far since he’d never been a big brother to me or Jack. And when Carter had his accident, he and Jarrett had avoided their brother as if Carter had been an invalid they thought they’d be saddled with for the rest of their lives.
Carter was their youngest brother for fuck’s sake, and he’d had a terrible accident. I expected them to help out, but they couldn’t wait to go off to college—out of state no less—where they didn’t have to be confronted with their brothers, Carter and Jack.
The resources Thomas wouldn’t provide to Carter went to him and Jarrett, paying for the out of state fees, and who knew what else they spent money on besides Carter. Our parents had stipulated in their will that Thomas handle the estate. They thought they’d placed our inheritance in capable hands, and that Carter would be taken care of. Thomas controlled that purse string and Jack didn’t act as if he needed any money that he’d have to beg for. I didn’t need the money either, but now Carter did.
The bell rang and I knew that it was Jarrett and Thomas because I’d notified security that when they arrived, they should come up immediately. When I’d mentioned to security that Thomas Westbrook was my brother, they were more attentive and respectful than I’d seen them in a while. The men even said that they had planned on voting for him.
I wondered what Thomas and those homophobic pricks who adored him would say when I announced that I was gay too?
Opening the door, we stared at each other. I’d been surprised that it had just been Thomas. I needed both him and Jarrett, yet Thomas stood there alone in his dark-blue suit, crisp white shirt and an expensive tie. I wondered what they were paying lieutenant governors these days, “Where’s Jarrett?”
“It’s a long story and I can’t tell you standing outside.” I extended my hand at that selfish self-serving prick to welcome him inside. Thomas strode in past me and into my living area.
“Nice place you have here. Did you do something different since the last time I was here?”
“Yeah, I bought new liquor glasses after I broke mine when you pissed me off. Don’t piss me off this time if you value your safety.”
He turned and laughed at me, “If you were Jack, I’d be scared, but since I know the two of you apart, I think I have very little to worry about. He continued walking to where I kept the liquor and reached for a glass, then the bottle of vodka and poured himself a shot.
“I wouldn’t be so sure of me if I were you. I’ve had a hell of a month and I’m not in any mood for your shit. After all Jack and I are twins.”
Thomas raised an eyebrow at my veiled threat, sat on the sofa, and with a gesture of his head, directed me to sit opposite him. As my older brother he’d always been pushy, selfish, and obnoxious, so being a politician suited him well. After drinking down a shot of vodka, he ordered, “Get me a glass of water. I’m thirsty.”
I sucked in a breath, and traipsed to the kitchen and brought back the bottle of water.
“Anything else you want? I think you’ve postponed the discussion about Carter enough?”
“That’s it for now.” He opened the bottle of water, took a drink, then set it down on the table in front of him. “Now what’s so important where I had to drive across town, especially since I have a fundraiser going on tomorrow night?”
“Another group of your homophobic friends getting together and discussing how to keep gay men from getting married, or buying a wedding cake. I’m sure it’s not to discuss the homeless population, but what to do with them.” I raised my eyebrows, slanted my head and waited for an answer.
“Not as drastic as that. Why so cynical Jeremy? I’ve never known you to be so critical of others before.”
“Like I said, I’ve had a bad month and I’m trying to mitigate some of the toxicity that’s crept into my life, and you can help. I have a brother who is in need, and you do too if you haven’t noticed lately. I need help from my family with Carter, because I have a young baby that keeps me up all night, but then you wouldn’t know about any of that because you don’t have any children, nor do you give a fuck about anything but your career as a politician.”
“I care about Carter. I just don’t let it consume my life the way you do. I handle life differently.”
“Yeah, I recognize a cold son of a bitch,” I mumbled, standing and walking to the liquor cabinet. I knew Thomas would drive me to drink the moment he walked into my apartment and before I’d told him what I needed.
“Did you say something?” Thomas asked.
“No.”
After pouring my drink, I walked back and I sat across from Thomas. I took a healthy sip and then I said what he didn’t want to hear. “You will have to contribute something to taking care of Carter. I don’t care if the money comes from the fund you’re entrusted with because some of that’s his money from our parents, remember? It’s not yours and not your lawyer’s. You pay that lawyer more money to keep you in control of the estate, and to prevent anyone from getting anything, but you and Jarrett. I don’t need the money, therefore I want my share to go to taking care of Carter for as long as possible, but then that’s not going to be enough. Jack said he’d contribute his share, and you and Jarrett will have to do your part too.”
