Finding Armando (Found At Last Book 2)

by Joe Cosentino

  “I thought you said the food was good.” It was Mama.

  I explained, “Asher was discharged from the military during Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

  “That’s horrible! Imagine throwing thousands of good people out of the military because the overpaid upper brass was homophobic. They should have been thrown out!”

  “I agree.”

  Papa said, “But now Asher has a good job working for terrific bosses. Ζήτω.”

  That means: hurrah. “Asher still mourns his lost first love from the Navy.”

  “με τιποτα!” Mama shrieked.

  Meaning: no way.

  Mama gasped. “Don’t tell me you and Jamison are going to traipse all over the state of Pennsylvania to find Asher’s lost love!”

  Ari asked, “Who’s the detective in this family, anyway?”

  Papa said, “Leave Theo alone. If he wants to waste his life running after people, let him.”

  “Do it.” Adonis added, “Last time you got a house and a resort in the deal.”

  I sighed. “I want to find Armando for Asher.”

  “You should concentrate on your own family,” Mama said.

  I replied, “Jamison is fine.”

  “Any news from the adoption agency?” Papa asked.

  “No.” I rubbed my eyes. “Our profile is really good. But it’s been three months and no expectant mother has asked to interview us yet.”

  “Did you mention your family in the profile?” Papa asked.

  “Actually, I did.”

  “Then you won’t hear anytime soon.” Adonis laughed wickedly. “Ow!”

  I assumed my sister had wacked him.

  Ari offered, “There are other options.”

  “Which we didn’t have to use since your sister can’t get enough of me.” Adonis giggled.

  Ari groaned. “Adonis, you say that in front of my parents?”

  “I say everything in front of your parents. They’re always at our house, or we’re always here.”

  I explained, “Jamison and I want to take care of a child who needs parents.”

  “All children need parents.” Mama moaned. “Then when the children grow up, they don’t return their parents’ calls.”

  I didn’t enter the minefield. “We want to name our baby after Nolan.”

  “That’s sweet,” Ari said.

  “I thought I was sweet,” Adonis said.

  “You’re horny,” Ari replied.

  “You say that in front of your parents?” Adonis, Mama, and Papa asked her.

  I heard voices outside my door. “I have to go.”

  “Call us when you get back home,” Mama said.

  “I will. Love you—all.” The door opened and I put down the phone.

  “Hey, brother-in-law!”

  Jamison pointed to his brother. “Look what I found at the lake.”

  I rose to meet them. “Kendall, you went to the lake before coming to see us?”

  “It’s a cool lake.”

  “He was checking out the lifeguard,” Jamison said.

  Kendall’s dimples appeared. “I wanted to make sure it was safe for swimming.”

  “Hi, Kendall.” We shared a hug, and I rubbed my fingers along his crew cut. “We missed you.”

  “Right back at you.” Resembling Jamison, his younger brother looked sexy in an indigo tank top that matched his eyes.

  “How was your flight from San Francisco and the taxi drive here?”

  “Terrible.” He grimaced. “The stewards weren’t cute. They didn’t have sushi. And the taxi driver played golden oldies.” He lifted his knapsack. “Where should I put this?”

  Jamison gestured to the second bedroom across the hall. “It’s all yours.”

  “Chill.” He winked at me. “If you want a real man, knock on my door.”

  I couldn’t hold back my laughter. “Your brother’s all the man I can handle.”

  Jamison chuckled. “And you handled quite a bit last night.”

  Jamison and I laughed naughtily.

  Kendall patted my paunch. “You guys expecting?”

  I pushed him away. “We created a profile for the adoption agency.”

  “Did you mention Uncle Kendall?” he asked.

  Jamison shook his head. “We actually want an expectant mother to pick us.”

  “If that doesn’t work out, I can donate my sperm.” Kendall placed his bag on an armchair at the stone fireplace.

  “We’ll pass.” I picked up his bag and brought it into his room.

  Jamison asked him, “How are things in the Navy?”

  “Great. I’m no longer a seaman.”

  “No pun intended,” I returned on cue.

  He sat on the sofa. “I’m a petty officer third class now.”

  “Congratulations!” Jamison and I said in unison.

  Kendall whistled. “You guys even say the same things now. Soon you’ll be a boring old married couple.”

  “You might join us one day,” I said with a grin.

  “Don’t count on it.”

  Jamison rested a hand on my shoulder. “Any luck with Armando Caro?”

  Kendall asked, “Who’s Armando Caro, and why are we talking about him and not your visiting bro?”

  I sat next to him. “We befriended the resort manager, Asher Hillel, who told us about his past in the Navy—as a petty officer third class.”

  “Good rank.”

  “He and his lover, Armando Caro, were discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

  “That sucks, and not in a good way.”

  “Agreed.” Jamison sat on the arm of the sofa. “Especially since Armando named names—including Asher’s.”

  “Or so Asher was told during his separation interview. I believe he wants to be reunited with Armando to find out the truth.” I smiled. “And perhaps to pick up where they left off all those years ago.”

  Kendall scratched at his bulging bicep. “Are you trying to find Armando for Asher like you located Giorgio for Nolan?”

  “That’s the plan,” I replied.

  “How come you never found anybody for me?” Kendall asked.

  “Have you lost somebody?”

  “Sure. But it was on purpose.”

  Ignoring his brother, Jamison asked me, “What did you find on your laptop?”

  I sighed. “A lot of salespeople anxious to speak with the new owners of Nolan Giorgio’s. And some Armando Caros who aren’t Asher’s Armando.”

  “Then case closed.” Kendall asked, “Does this place have room service? I could use a beer.”

  Jamison threw a pillow at him.

  I must have been staring off in the distance, because Jamison asked me, “What’s wrong?”

  Kendall replied, “What’s wrong is you shouldn’t be throwing things at your little brother.”

  “Another word out of you and I’ll be throwing punches.” Jamison asked me, “What is it?”

  “I know I’ve heard Armando’s name somewhere before, but I can’t remember where!” I stood and placed a hand on Jamison’s chest. “Since I had no success on the internet, can we drive around tomorrow and see if we can find anything?”

  He rose. “We don’t know where to begin.”

  “Let me take care of that.”

  Jamison sighed. “We’re really doing this again, aren’t we?”

  “It’s what Nolan would want.”

  “Ah, the Nolan card.” He unleashed a sexy grin. “You always know how to get what you want.”

  “Let’s see if that’s true.”

  We shared a soft kiss.

  Jamison gave in. “I’m sure I’ll regret this, but if Asher says it’s okay, count me in.”

  Kendall sat cross-legged in his baggy white shorts—displaying powerful thigh and calf muscles. “That’s the problem with trying to help other people. It leads to stress.”

  I cocked my head at him. “You’re in the Navy, protecting our country.”

  “And making a great salary
, free college tuition, and a nifty benefits package.” He leaped up from the sofa. “Speaking of packages, I’m going to change into my Speedo and check the view outside.”

  Jamison held him back. “Did you call Mom and Dad?”

  “They said to say hello. And they hope one day soon I’ll metamorphose into you.”

  “They didn’t say that.”

  “They didn’t have to. I know how they feel. So do you.”

  Jamison softened. “It’s easier being the older brother.”

  Kendall snickered. “Especially if you’re successful in business and have a great husband.”

  “You can have those things.”

  “If I just become more like my older brother?”

  I interceded. “If you meet the right guy and settle down.”

  “Well, brother-in-law, that’s about as likely as your friend Asher reconnecting with his long-lost love.” As he headed for his bedroom, Kendall called out over his sculpted shoulder, “Kit and Teddy say hi. Skylar and Sasha want to know when they can visit you guys again.”

  Jamison shouted after him, “One family member at a time, please.” Then he scooped me into his arms. “I love your big heart.” He brought me in close for a lengthy kiss.

  As we parted, Kendall strutted by us in his lemon Speedo, looking like a male model. “I’m headed for parts unknown.”

  I said to his V-shaped back, “Meet us for lunch in the restaurant at one o’clock.”

  Jamison interjected, “I ran into Phoenix earlier and invited him to have lunch with us.”

  “The more the merrier,” I said.

  “Whatever, dudes.”

  “Don’t be late,” Jamison shouted.

  Kendall was gone.

  Chapter Four

  AT ONE thirty, Jamison and I sat at Selah’s favorite table in the resort restaurant. Phoenix Brand was opposite us, looking formal in a charcoal suit. As we lingered over our mint lemonades, Jamison said, “Sorry my brother’s late.”

  I added, “I’m sure Kendall will be here any minute.”

  Jamison said, “In any case, thank you for joining us.”

  Phoenix revealed a straight white smile. “My pleasure.”

  Asher Hillel spotted us from across the room and made his way over to our table.

  Jamison rose. “Asher! Sit with us.”

  He shook his head, temporarily mussing his salt-and-pepper hair. “Please, sit down. I’m having lunch with some food distributors.”

  “They can join us too,” I offered.

  Asher sniggered. “That would ruin your lunch fast.”

  “I can attest to that,” Phoenix said.

  Jamison sat.

  I blurted out, “I looked up Armando Caro on social media.”

  That caught Asher’s attention. “And?”

  “Sorry, no luck.”

  His shoulders slumped. “Thank you for trying.”

  “Asher—”

  “Enjoy your lunch!”

  After Asher disappeared, I said, “Asher’s a great guy. He’d be some catch.”

  “Agreed.” Phoenix said, “I tried fixing him up with a few of my friends. It never worked out.”

  I slid to the edge of my seat. “Do you think it’s because Asher hasn’t come to terms with his past?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  Jamison turned the spotlight on Phoenix. “And how about you? Is there an Armando Caro in your past?”

  Phoenix snickered. “I’m afraid not. And I intend to keep it that way.”

  “Hey, guys. Sorry I’m late.”

  “It certainly isn’t the first time.” Jamison said, “Kendall Radames, meet Phoenix Brand, the resort’s assistant manager.”

  They shook hands.

  My stomach growled.

  Kendall giggled. “How’d a lion get caught in your stomach?”

  Jamison replied, “We’ve been waiting a half hour. Where were you?”

  “At the gym.” Kendall took a sip of his brother’s lemonade. “You need more advanced equipment and a hotter gym manager.”

  Jamison explained to Phoenix, “My brother has an offbeat sense of humor.”

  “Jamison doesn’t mean that I beat off.” Kendall smirked. “Though I did all the time when we were kids and Jamison was asleep in the next bed.”

  I handed Kendall a menu. “What would you like to have?”

  “The masseur at the gym.”

  “He’s kidding.” Jamison stared down Kendall.

  “You’re right.” Kendall perused the menu. “I’m no longer interested in the masseur. We had a happy ending.” He guffawed at his own joke. “So the tennis coach showed me how to do a topspin and drop shot.” He cackled wildly.

  Thankfully Mike, the server, arrived. With Selah in mind, I avoided the buffet and ordered a green salad and grilled chicken. Jamison and Phoenix joined me. Kendall asked for Hunan chicken marinara and pouted when Mike explained it wasn’t on the menu. So Kendall begrudgingly ordered a triple-decker turkey salad BLT, french fries, coleslaw, and a banana split.

  When Mike was gone, Kendall said, “You need to update the menu in this place. Fusion cooking is really big in California now. And you should redo the décor to retro. And play heavy metal instead of this pop crap. Nobody under eighty likes it.”

  “I like it,” Phoenix retorted.

  “Whatever, dude.”

  I asked Kendall, “What else did you do this morning—besides go to the gym and play tennis?”

  He rubbed his hands together. “I took a yoga class and joined the instructor in the downward dog pose.” Again, Kendall laughed uproariously at his own joke.

  Phoenix asked him, “If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”

  “Twenty-five,” Kendall replied.

  “Hm.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing. It’s just… you seem younger.”

  Oblivious to Phoenix’s put-down, Kendall smiled. “I take care of myself.” He flexed his biceps.

  “Yes, your obsession with your body shows,” Phoenix said, tongue-in-cheek.

  “Thanks again.” Kendall asked him, “Do you work out?”

  “Every morning,” Phoenix replied.

  “In that baggy suit, I couldn’t tell.”

  Phoenix replied, “Assistant managers generally don’t wear tank tops and shorts on the job.”

  Kendall said to us, “You should change that. Seeing a guy in a stuffy suit makes it hard for a guest to relax and have a good time.”

  “Yet it sounds like you’re having a good time.” Phoenix added, “With the masseur, tennis coach, and yoga instructor, that is.”

  “Don’t forget the lifeguard.” Kendall winked at him. “I won’t.”

  Jamison explained, “My brother has a wild imagination.”

  I chimed in, “Kendall was recently promoted to petty officer third class in the Navy. He’s currently on leave from San Francisco.”

  “Can I get a beer or a shot of something?” Kendall craned his neck for the server.

  Jamison replied, “Alcohol is served only at dinner.”

  Kendall grimaced. “You should change that pronto if you want your guests to have fun.”

  “Weren’t the masseur, tennis coach, and yoga instructor fun?” Phoenix placed a hand over his mouth. “Oops, I forgot the lifeguard.”

  Kendall seemed caught offguard. “They were okay.”

  Phoenix continued. “Your workouts must have come in handy. I can’t imagine the stamina it must take to get it on with four guys in one morning.”

  “Are you making fun of me?”

  “You wanted to have fun, didn’t you?”

  I said quickly, “Phoenix was a sergeant in the Marine Corps.”

  “That figures,” Kendall mumbled under his breath.

  Phoenix leaned into him. “Excuse me?”

  Kendall replied, “I said it figures.”

  “Meaning?”

  “You seem a bit… uptight. Actually, a lot uptight. And
to be honest I don’t appreciate your little comments, trying to mess with my head.”

  Phoenix grinned. “Didn’t the masseur, tennis coach, yoga instructor, and lifeguard already do that sufficiently?”

  Jamison couldn’t stifle his giggle.

  Kendall seemed shaken.

  I offered, “Phoenix is a terrific assistant manager.”

  Kendall smirked. “I’m sure.”

  Phoenix asked him, “Is there something wrong with being an assistant manager of a successful resort?”

  “No.” Kendall replied, “Actually I can see you getting off on pushing people around.”

  “After knowing me for five minutes?”

  “I’ve got your number, pal.”

  “And I’ve got yours.”

  “No, you don’t, actually.”

  Phoenix replied, “Should I ask the masseur for it?”

  “I never gave it to him.”

  “That’s right. You two shared a happy ending.”

  They glared at each other. The food came, and the four of us ate in silence.

  After Jamison shot dagger eyes at his brother, Kendall said to Phoenix, “What’s it like being an assistant manager?”

  Phoenix made eye contact with him. “Do you care?”

  “Not really. I was trying to be polite—like my brother.”

  “Ah, then you failed.” He turned to us. “Jamison, Theo, it was a pleasure to see you, as always. I’ll be in touch soon.” He left the restaurant.

  Kendall stared after him. “What a weird dude.”

  Jamison cringed. “You acted like a jackass.”

  “Of course you take his side.”

  “The rational side?”

  “He acted really bizarre. How is that rational?” Kendall asked, “Is he single?”

  I nodded.

  “I can see why.” Kendall stood. “Well, I’m out of here.”

  “Where are you going?” Jamison asked.

  “Back to the gym.” He stomped off.

  I sighed. “That went well.”

  “Par for the course with my brother.”

  Jamison and I headed to the cabin for our gym bags. Then we spent time at the gym working off our lunches. When Jamison wanted to unwind in the steam room, I got dressed and made my way to the resort’s administrative building. Reaching the third floor, I found the receptionist away from his desk. The administrative assistants were all working busily in their cubicles. I heard a familiar voice—Kendall’s. I followed it to Phoenix’s office door, which was slightly ajar. Standing near the doorway, I spotted Phoenix sitting behind his desk and Kendall standing over him.