by Lynn Lorenz
»»•««
“We’re here.” Scott turned to check out the boys. They stared up at the house.
“It’s tall.” Timothy chewed his bottom lip, clutching his duffel bag to his chest.
“We’re so close to the water, sometimes it floods, so we live upstairs. Ted’s studio is right there.” Scott pointed to the blue painted door beneath the raised house.
Charles didn’t say a word, his face a frozen mask. Scott turned back and got out, Ted right behind him. “Come on, boys.”
He and Ted helped them with the bags, letting the kids go ahead of them up the stairs to the porch. Timothy ran the last few steps, then hung on the railing, looking out at the surrounding woods.
“It’s pretty here.” He smiled up at Scott.
“I think so too.” Scott unlocked the front door and then pushed it open. “Let’s get inside, and we’ll show you boys to your room. We’ll move everything out of the other room and into a storage space, and then we’ll move you two in there.”
They entered. Ted went to what had been his office and opened the door. They’d opened the fold-out couch and cleared out a small dresser.
“I know it’s not much right now, but we can pick out some furniture tomorrow.” Scott put the bags down next to the ones Ted deposited. They’d decided not to bring the old furniture, hoping a clean break would be easier for the boys.
“There’s only one bed.” Charles frowned. “This sucks.”
Scott exhaled. “Like I said, we can pick out something better tomorrow, but for tonight, I think you can deal.” He leaned in the doorway, arms folded across his chest.
Timothy turned in a circle. “It’s okay. I don’t mind sharing.”
Ted smiled. “Good boy.” He gave the kid a wink.
Charles’s frown grew deeper as he turned it on his brother. “You would. Hope you don’t wet the bed.”
Timothy pouted. “I don’t do that anymore. I’m a big kid.”
His brother snorted.
“Why don’t you boys get unpacked while we fix dinner?” Scott jerked his head at Ted. “We’ll call you in about an hour.”
Timothy nodded. Charles turned his back, went to his bag, and dragged it over to the dresser.
Scott and Ted backed out of the room and then closed the door.
“Merde.” Scott shook his head. He rolled his head to the side, working his shoulders loose. “What’s for dinner?”
“Why are you asking me?” Ted chuckled. “This was your idea, cher.” He strode down the hall and then planted his ass on the couch.
Scott cursed under his breath and headed to the kitchen. He opened the pantry and scanned the shelves. Mac ’n’ cheese. Always a good selection. They need a veggie. Everyone loved corn. He grabbed a can of corn and placed it and the blue box on the counter.
What next? A meat. He moved to the fridge, bending over to check out what they had in the meat tray. Hot dogs or burgers? He checked for buns. No hot dog buns. Hamburgers it is.
He could do them on the grill.
“Can you start the grill for me, babe?”
Ted grinned at him. “My pleasure. What’s for dinner?”
“Hamburgers, corn, and mac ’n’ cheese.”
“Sounds like a winner.” Ted got up to light the grill. He came in, went to the fridge, and pulled out a couple of sodas, passing one to Scott. “It’s not a beer, but it’ll have to do for now.”
Scott grinned, popped the top, and took a swig. “Thanks.” He went back to making patties and the rest of the meal.
»»•««
Ted and Scott sat outside as the burgers cooked. “Think they’re okay?”
“Sure. If not, we’d be dragged into it.”
Scott fell silent. Ted picked up a vibration coming from him.
“What?” Ted leaned back and looked at his lover and mate.
“Nothing.” Scott shrugged.
“Come on. Mate here. I can feel you, man.” Ted smirked. “Spill it.”
“It’s just…” He sighed and ran his hand over his face. “I’m not sure this was a good idea.” He threw his head back and groaned.
Ted knew what he said next could make or break Scott. His mate wanted this so bad, for so many reasons, and maybe he didn’t even know most of them.
“Look. Reality check. This is the only option for those boys. You and me. Whether we like it or not, whether we’re ready or not. They need us. This isn’t about you or me. It’s about them. Don’t forget it.” Ted reached out, took Scott’s hand, and gave it a squeeze.
“You’re right. If I forget again, kick me.”
“My pleasure.” Ted chuckled.
“Burgers are ready.” Scott got up and grabbed the platter.
Ted rose and went inside to make the mac ‘n’ cheese and heat up the corn. Then he called the kids.
»»•««
Dinner went as well as could be expected with a surly wolf cub at the table. Ted had to kick Scott under the table once or twice to keep the peace.
Afterward, they adjourned to the living room. They searched through their DVDs for something for the boys to watch before going to bed but came up with slim pickings.
“We really should have prepared for this.” Ted rolled his eyes. “Boys, we’re short on kids’ movies.”
“I have one!” Timothy ran to their bedroom and came back with a DVD case and handed it to Ted. “I like this one. Can we watch it?”
Ted read the cover. It had cartoon dinosaurs who sang. It sounded awful, at least for an adult. “What do you think, Charles?”
The boy nodded. “It doesn’t suck.” He sank onto the couch. Timothy climbed up and curled into the other corner.
Wow. No fight? Charles must be tired as hell or just too drained to care. For right now, that was a good thing. Ted put the disc into the player and then sat back down. He hit the remote, and the movie started.
Scott glanced over at Ted. Ted shrugged. Scott claimed the recliner, leaving the only spot left between the boys. He wiggled his eyebrows at Ted. Ted sighed and took his seat.
The music started, dinosaur children danced and sang their way through a secret valley, and Ted had to admit, it wasn’t so terrible.
Timothy sang along, under his breath, his gaze locked on the big-screen TV, his little foot bobbing up and down in time. Ted glanced down at Charles.
He had his arms crossed and stared at the TV.
At least he wasn’t spouting attitude.
Something warm snuggled up to Ted’s side. He whipped his head to the left. Timothy, his legs curled up on the couch, his head resting on Ted’s arm.
Scott snorted softly.
Something eased inside Ted. Tension? Worry? He looked down at the now sleeping little boy and a rush of…tenderness cut through him.
What the hell?
Ted moved slowly, shifting the boy off him, to rest his head on the arm of the sofa.
That was better. Kids. What the fuck did Ted know about kids? Nothing. And he sure as hell didn’t want one of them sleeping on him, drooling, or dripping snot on his clothes.
He’d leave that to Scott.
The movie rolled on for another thirty minutes.
“They’re asleep,” Scott whispered.
Ted nodded, got up, his hands on his hips. “Now what?”
Scott got out of the recliner. “If you go and pull the covers down, I’ll carry them in.”
“You got a deal.” He dashed off.
∙•∙
Scott bent down and scooped up Timothy. The child curled up in his embrace, still asleep, wrapping his arms around Scott’s neck. The boy smelled of sweat, something sweet, and the vaguely familiar odor of little boy. He carried him in and placed him in the bed as Ted stood to the side.
“I’d like to see you try that with Charles.” Ted lowered his voice so he didn’t wake Timothy.
Scott huffed a breath and left. Ted was right. There was no way he’d be able to carry Charles—not that the kid was heavy,
but the idea of Charles waking up in Scott’s arms and going crazy? No, thanks.
He tapped Charles on the shoulder. “Buddy. Time for bed.”
Charles rubbed his eyes, blinked, and looked up. Flashes of hope, confusion, and despair settled into disappointment and acceptance in his eyes.
“Sure.” He headed to the room with Scott following.
“We just put Timothy in bed, but you’re too old and big for me to carry. You should get your pajamas on, use the bathroom, and go to bed, okay?”
“Okay.” Charles gathered his pj’s.
“Night.” Ted smiled.
“We’ll be up for a while in the living room, but if you need us later, just knock on our door.” Scott rapped on the wood.
Charles frowned but didn’t respond. He went to the bathroom and closed the door.
Both men sat on the couch until Charles came out, dressed for bed, and then went to his new room. He shut the door without giving the guys another look or a word good night.
“Rude.” Scott snorted. “That boy needs some manners.”
“Maybe.” Ted shrugged.
Scott turned to him. “What? You think that sort of behavior is okay?”
“I think he’s a messed-up kid. I think his father did a number on him. You don’t know what he’s gone through. Wyatt was a bully, and I’m sure he extended it to his family.”
“I know, but…”
“And remember. This is temporary, Scott. It’s not your job to parent these boys or to fix whatever Wyatt broke. They’re here for a few weeks, that’s all. Let’s just get through this, okay?” Ted moved to their bedroom. “Let’s go to bed.”
Scott followed, but he growled the entire way.
Ted was right again.
Chapter Eleven
Breakfast didn’t go much better than dinner.
Charles wanted a toaster pastry, and Timothy wanted cereal. They didn’t have either in the pantry. Scott made a mental note for the shopping list.
Scott fixed pancakes, which the boys accepted without too much lip. Thank God, because he and Ted had gone to bed—just bed, no sex, and he really needed to release a little tension—and when he woke up, Ted was up and dressed. Fucker.
Scott knew Ted was avoiding him, either because he was pissed about taking the boys or because he was uncomfortable having sex with them in the house.
They’d have to do it sometime, boys in the house or not, because if he had to abstain for the next three or four weeks, he’d die of blue balls.
How the hell did Ted deal with it?
“So we’re going to hit the furniture store and pick out some beds.” Ted rose, took the empty plates, and rinsed them. “I know this little place where we can get a good deal.”
“The place you’re investigating?”
“Yeah. That’s the one.”
Charles’s head popped up. “Investigating?”
Ted closed the dishwasher and turned around. “I’m a private investigator. It’s like a detective, but without the badge.”
“Cool.”
Scott shot Ted a glare. Great. Charles thought Ted was cool.
“Boys, go get dressed. We’ll head out soon as you’re ready.” They left the table.
Ted shrugged. “Don’t sweat it.” He came close, nuzzling up to Scott. “I think you’re cool.” He gave him a nip on his ear and a quick flick of his tongue to soothe it.
Scott groaned. “Seriously. Tonight. No excuses.” He wrapped his hand around Ted’s neck and drew him close to steal a kiss.
“Ewww!”
The men jumped apart. Charles glared at them, his mouth twisted to one side and his nose scrunched up as if he smelled three-day-old roadkill.
“Look, Charles.” Scott sighed. “We’re not going to do anything more than your mom and dad would have done in front of you. We kiss. We hold hands.”
“It’s what people who love each other do,” Ted added. “So chill.”
Charles’s face didn’t lose the look, but he kept his mouth shut. Best Scott could expect for now.
Timothy came in, looked from Charles to Scott to Ted. “Are we going?”
“Sure.” Scott headed to the door, opened it, and stood aside. “Let’s go.”
»»•««
They reached the store without too much back talk or whining. Both boys seemed eager to pick out new beds as they climbed out of the SUV. Ted and Scott shepherded them inside.
The boys dashed to the kids’ room display.
Ted held Scott back. “Look, hang with the kids. I’m going to talk to the manager, see what kind of deal I can get.”
Scott grinned. “And check out your case?”
“Maybe.” Ted shrugged.
“Go on. I got this.” Scott watched as his mate wandered toward a salesperson, and then he turned his attention to the boys.
Who were jumping on the beds…
He sighed and picked up his pace.
“Kids. Down from there.”
The boys bounced off the beds and stood to the side, Timothy looking at his feet and Charles glaring up at Scott.
“See anything?” Scott ignored him.
Timothy walked over to a red plastic race car bed, trailing his hand over the footboard. “This is nice.” He glanced up from under long lashes, giving Scott a look that probably got him most anything he wanted.
“It’s cool. You like race cars?”
Timothy nodded.
Scott checked the price tag. Not bad, but did the price include the mattress? And could the room hold two twin beds? It wouldn’t leave much room for them to play.
“Charles? What about you?”
“Race cars beds are for little kids.” He sniffed.
He walked along the row until he reached a bunk-bed affair. One twin bed up and one full bed down, with a ladder on the end.
“What about that one?” Charles asked as he pointed at it.
Scott walked up to it and ran his hand over the satin-finished light wood. “It’s nice. Would save a lot of space in the room.”
Timothy ran over. “Bunk beds!” He started up the ladder before Scott could stop him. “Cool! I want the top!”
Charles shook his head. “Get down from there. It’s not ours yet, and we haven’t picked.” Scott saw an opportunity to earn some points with Charles.
“Since Charles is oldest, he should pick first. That is, if this is the one you both want.”
Timothy clasped his hands together and bit his bottom lip. “Please say yes, Charles.” Scott had no idea how Charles could resist the pitiful face of his younger brother, because he couldn’t.
“Sure, kid.” Charles shrugged. “It’s neat.” He turned to Scott. “I get to pick first, huh?”
“Yep.”
Charles walked over to the bed, taking his sweet time inspecting it. He even climbed a few of the rungs of the ladder. Timothy, frozen in supplication, waited below.
Charles jumped down. “I’ll take the bottom. The bed is bigger. Timothy can have the top.”
“Yay!” Timothy clapped his hands and jumped up and down.
Charles smirked, then wiped his face clean. “If it’s not too expensive.” Now he gazed up at Scott, his face not giving away anything.
“Let me talk to the salesman.” Scott wandered over to the man with the name badge and sales book.
“Kids pick one out?”
Scott checked out the name out. “Yes, Dave. But I need to check with Mr. Canedo over there.” He pointed to Ted, who was speaking with a saleswoman. He motioned for Ted to join them.
The salesman frowned. “Wouldn’t your wife like to be in on this decision?”
“I’m not married, but I’ll ask my partner.” Scott’s deadpan face gave nothing away as Ted joined them. “What do you think, Ted?”
The salesman looked from Ted to Scott, then down at the kids. “It’s none of my business, but—”
“You’re right. None of your business.” Scott gave him a wolfish grin, and the man closed h
is mouth. He didn’t give a fuck what this man thought about him and Ted and the boys, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to explain it in front of the kids.
“Is this what you picked?” Ted asked Timothy as he leaned against Ted’s leg. Ted ruffled his hair.
“Charles picked. I got the top bunk!” The boy grinned up at Ted.
Ted nodded. “It’s a good choice. It won’t take up a lot of space in the room.” He handed the salesman a business card. “What’s the discount price?”
Dave flipped the card over. “Nice discount, Mr. Canedo.” He pulled out a calculator and punched in a few numbers. “Six fifty.”
“With the mattresses?”
“They’re…” He squinted. “I can let you have them for sixty.”
“For both?” Ted rubbed his chin. “Maybe I should call Mrs. Buchanan and check on it?”
“No. That’s fine. Sixty for both. But I have to charge you the delivery charge and for setup.”
“Delivery is fine, but we can put it together. How hard can it be?” Scott shrugged.
Ted groaned, but Scott shot him a look, and he just exhaled.
“As you wish.” Dave lowered his voice. “Your funeral.” Then in a normal voice, he added, “Let me get this written up.”
“Can you get it delivered today?”
“It’s what we pride ourselves on. Same-day delivery.” He bustled off.
“Looks like we own a bunk bed, boys.” Scott grinned at the two kids.
»»•««
Scott now knew what Ted had groaned about. The two men, sweaty and tired, leaned against the wall of the hallway, glaring at each other. The bottom of the bed wouldn’t fit through the doorway.
“I told you we should have put it together in the room after we moved everything into storage.” Ted leaned back and grimaced. “We need to take it apart and reassemble it in the room.”
Scott sighed. “Whose bright idea was this?”
“Yours, cher.”
“Next time, if I ever say we can put a piece of furniture together, just shoot me.”
“You got it.” Ted winked. He grabbed his end of the bed, and Scott did the same. They backed it out of the tight spot and into the living room, where Timothy and Charles waited on the couch.
