“Oh,” Randall cooed. “You are impressive. Bet you made Ethan beg for it.” He chuckled throatily. “He’s good at groveling.”
In an instant, Quinn felt the crush of Randall’s nose against his fist. Blood squirted from Randall’s distorted face, bathing Quinn’s fingers in warm sticky liquid. Quinn knew he didn’t have to follow it up with another punch to the man’s gut because Randall’s screechy howl exploded in his ears like an injured animal in the wild, signaling that his opponent was down for the count.
It was a pleasant sound, Quinn thought. A sound of triumph. A sound he would never forget.
* * * *
Ethan parked the Range Rover in the driveway and shut off the ignition. He looked up and noticed that Quinn’s light was still on, the amber glow illuminating a patch of grass in the yard. On impulse, he wished he could slip into Quinn’s room and into his bed. He craved the touch of his lover’s warmth against his own, the tickle of chest hair under his eager palms. But that was never going to happen again as long as he was with Randall.
Stepping out of the vehicle, he exhaled the fantasy out of his head. All he wanted to do was crawl into bed, alone, and fall in the deepest sleep imaginable.
Before entering the house, he paused to enjoy the sounds of the night. Tree frogs were out in full force, singing their nocturnal song, and an unknown animal was furrowing and grunting in a nearby flowerbed, no doubt eating the pansies Tucker had painstakingly planted just a few days earlier. Ethan suspected it was his tribute to his mother, pansies being her favorite flower. He didn’t have the heart to tell his father that the temperamental flower survived longer in cooler temperatures.
Will Randall do the same for me one day, if the time comes? Ethan thought. Does he even know my favorite flower is the rose?
Walking across the lawn, Ethan shook his head in an attempt to clear his mind before he slipped further into a darker and more depressing place. He had to remain positive no matter what, not only for his sake, but also for his father’s. Tucker had had enough sadness in his life lately, and his son sulking around writing the final scenes of his own life was not going to help matters.
As he jabbed the keys into the lock, a bone-chilling howl pierced the night. The sound was coming from inside the house. Panic shot up his spine.
Turning the key, he threw open the door. “Dad!” he yelled into the darkness. “Who’s in trouble?”
Stumbling blindly toward the stairs, his thigh smashing against the hall table, adrenaline coursed in his veins, propelling him forward. Bounding up the stairs, he headed for the one and only room with the light still on.
Quinn.
Reaching the landing, he sprinted the remaining distance and pushed open the door. Clutching his nose and sobbing like a toddler who lost his toy, Randall stood with his back pressed against the wall, the front of his khaki shorts covered in blood.
“W-w-what the—” is all Ethan could manage.
Randall spoke first. “He punched me,” he sputtered. “I think he broke my nose.” His wails resumed with an ear-piercing pitch.
“You got off easy!” Quinn shouted.
Gazing at Quinn wrapped in nothing but a green terry towel, Ethan’s panic morphed into an inappropriate desire burning below his waistline. After catching his breath, due more to the half-naked man standing in front of him than the two-second sprint up a flight of stairs, Ethan attempted to make sense of the situation. He looked at Quinn, then to Randall, and back to Quinn again.
“What’s going on? Why would you do—” He pointed at Randall. “—that?”
“Because he deserved it.”
“You have to do better than that,” Ethan shouted over Randall’s cries.
By this time, the cacophony had got the attention of Tucker and Frank, both now standing behind Ethan. They stood silently, a look of mild amusement on each of their faces.
“This looks like it’s gonna be good,” Frank murmured out of the side of his mouth to Tucker.
Now able to stand without the aid of the wall, Randall dragged himself toward Ethan. “This animal attacked me without any provocation.”
“I’d consider demanding to get your dick sucked provocation.”
Ethan looked at Randall, dumbfounded. “Did you make a pass at Quinn?”
“I came in here to ask if you two were having an affair.”
Anger rising, Ethan attempted to steady his nerves. “And did you get the answer?”
“How could you, Ethan?” Randall asked.
“How dare you ask me that question after everything you’ve put me through?”
“You tell him, son.” Tucker coached.
“Stay out of it, Dad,” Ethan said without turning around. “I can handle this myself.”
“You said you forgave me,” Randall choked. “Was that a lie?”
“The one who’s lying is you,” Quinn said.
“I never said I forgave you. I was trying to pretend it never happened like I always do, but I’m not going to do that anymore. I deserve better than you.”
“Better,” Randall scoffed. “You call that piece of redneck trailer trash better?”
Quinn raised his right arm and balled his hand into a tight fist. “Would you like another one of these?”
Randall cowered and ducked behind Ethan. “Don’t let him near me,” he cried while shielding his face with both hands.
Ethan stepped to the side. “Why shouldn’t I allow him to beat you to a pulp? You came into my father’s home, my home, and have been nothing but a rude asshole the entire time.” He shoved Randall toward the door, Frank and Tucker moving out of the way to allow a clear path.
“You can’t be serious,” Randall said, his eyes wide in shock.
“I’ve never been more serious in my entire life,” Ethan assured.
“What about us?”
“There was never really an us. I can finally admit that now.”
“Well, don’t expect me to just roll over and let you take my client list and destroy my business.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and grimaced. “And that vehicle you’re driving is in my name.”
“I don’t need that gas guzzler,” Ethan said. “And I don’t need a list of pretentious bitches with too much time on their hands. You can have it and them.” Ethan threw up his hands, disgusted. “Have everything for that matter. I just want you out of my life for good.”
“You can’t mean that. I thought you loved me.”
“I did once, but not anymore,” Ethan admitted.
“It’s him.” Randall cocked his head at Quinn, eyes narrowed. “You’re in love with him?”
“Yes, you’re right. I do love Quinn.”
“You do?” Quinn sounded breathless.
Ethan nodded. He turned and looked at Quinn, losing himself in his chiseled features. “I suspect I always have.”
“I knew it,” Tucker said.
“Me, too,” Frank added, looking pleased.
“But I said all those stupid things, and that I couldn’t promise you anything.”
“I heard, and it doesn’t matter. I needed to tell you that I love you anyway. I can’t deny my feelings any longer.”
“I didn’t mean it.”
Ethan’s heart skipped a beat. “What are you saying?”
“Those things,” Quinn began. “I didn’t mean any of it. I was being a coward. And I can promise you a life. I’m not sure exactly where, though, but does that matter? The important thing is we will have each other.”
“I can accept that.” Ethan smiled. “We can even stay here…in Jefferson. It’s grown on me.”
Randall snorted but stopped abruptly when Tucker placed a warning hand on his shoulder.
“I love you,” Quinn said.
Tears burned in Ethan’s eyes as he risked giving Quinn a kiss in front of Tucker and Frank. They didn’t appear to mind since they both ahhed their approval.
Randall dabbed at his nose gingerly. “What about me? And what about my nose?”
/>
“Well,” Frank began, “you could pack up and drive yourself to the ER?”
Tucker nodded in approval at Frank’s suggestion. “I’ll jot down the address. I’m sure that fancy car of yours has a GPS that will direct you straight to the door.”
Frank turned to Tucker. “So as not to appear unhospitable, why don’t we help the young fella pack?”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Tucker agreed.
Knowing where he wasn’t wanted, Randall tilted his head back and continued to pinch the bridge of his nose with his fingers. “Don’t bother. I’ll be gone in five minutes,” he said before leaving the room. From the hall, he yelled. “And you’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”
Ethan smirked. “Don’t worry, he says that to everyone. Besides, his lawyer intends on suing Randall for numerous unpaid fees, he just doesn’t know yet. I forgot to tell him with everything else going on.”
“He’ll find out on his own soon enough,” Quinn grumbled. “Asshole.”
“Forget about Randall,” Ethan said, “and concentrate on me.”
“Let’s show Randall to the front door,” Tucker suggested, “and give these boys some peace and quiet.”
Tucker and Frank exited the bedroom, smiles firmly planted on their sun-weathered faces.
Pressing his forehead to Quinn’s, Ethan said, “Can you believe we kissed in front of our fathers?”
Ethan chuckled. “They better get used to it because I intend to do a lot more from here on out, and I don’t give a damn who’s watching.”
“I like the forceful Quinn, breaking noses and not giving a damn.” Ethan released a playful growl. “Very Alpha Male.”
Quinn swatted Ethan’s ass and squeezed a handful. “You know, I’m glad that idiot ex of yours showed up uninvited.”
“Why?”
“Because he forced me to fight for you, to have the balls to say I love you.”
“I’m glad too, but mostly for the part where you say you love me.”
Pulling Quinn into his chest, Ethan met Quinn’s eager lips. They ignored the sound of Randall’s footsteps descending the stairs, the sound of his car’s engine coming to life, the sound of the tires against gravel fading into the distance. All they heard instead were each other’s whispered promises and moans and pitches of desire late into the night. And when morning came, they woke wrapped in each other’s arms, safe, secure, and deeply in love.
Snuggling into his lover’s slumbering arms, Ethan pondered the chain of events that brought him home. If it weren’t for his mother’s death and Frank’s drinking, he wouldn’t be here, with Quinn.
Out of bad comes good, he thought, sadness comes joy.
He couldn’t help but feel that his mother played some part in bringing them together, pulling celestial strings from the other side. It was definitely his mother’s style.
Whatever the case, Ethan nuzzled closer into Quinn, breathing him in and said, “Thank you.”
* * * *
“Over to the left,” Nikki directed, her hands firmly planted on her generous hips.
“Will you make up your mind,” Ethan yelled back at her. “My arms are getting tired, and I’m getting dizzy.”
“Why is it that gays can’t do ladders?”
Quinn chuckled, standing on a ladder of his own, arms stretched overhead. “Please don’t clump me into that statement. I’m doing just fine.”
Tomorrow was the grand opening of Oak Hill Farm, and it appeared that hanging the temporary sign over one of the three new retail spaces packed to the rafters with artful and unique stock was proving to be the hardest part of the entire project.
Ethan waited for Nikki’s direction as he gazed at Quinn directly opposite him, his muscular tanned arms flexing in the midday sun. That funny fluttery feeling buzzed in Ethan’s belly, and he willed his growing erection to stop filling the front of his pants for everyone to see. He went down his mental checklist to take his mind off of Quinn, who was now smiling that megawatt smile at him, which wasn’t helping the situation.
They had worked the entire summer, opening day finally coming to fruition. It had felt like only yesterday when Ethan pulled his Range Rover into the driveway, but the intended short visit turned into months, and the high-end sport ute was now a two year old Honda CR-V bought off a friend of Frank’s, who owned a used car lot on the edges of Jefferson. Honestly, Ethan didn’t miss the lavish luxury of the Range Rover. That wasn’t the only thing he didn’t miss.
In the beginning, the separation had been bitter, but in the end, Randall and Ethan decided to remain on friendly terms, splitting their exclusive client list over a final passionless kiss. Ethan reserved his passion for only one man now, and at that very moment, he was less than four feet away.
“Hello,” Nikki sang out. “Earth to Ethan. I said move the sign a little to the left.”
Redirecting his attention from the man he loved to the plastic banner flapping in the breeze and clutched in his hands, Ethan mumbled an apology and moved the sign over a few inches.
“How’s that?” he asked.
Nikki clapped and jump in place, excitedly. “It’s perfect. Simply perfect.”
“No, it’s not.” Frank and Tucker walked up and eyed the banner that read Oak Hill Farm. “It has the wrong name on it,” Tucker said.
Ethan reread it just in case he’d missed a typo. “Where are your glasses?” Ethan asked Tucker. “It’s not misspelled.”
“I didn’t say anything about it being misspelled,” he corrected. “But the name doesn’t fit the place anymore. Oak Hill was a dairy farm, this place is a destination.”
“A virtual shopping extravaganza for people who have money burning a hole in their pockets. It can’t be called Oak Hill.” Frank stuck out his tongue. “It sounds too old and stodgy. And it doesn’t want me to break open my wallet.”
Quinn scoffed. “Nothing makes you want to break open your wallet.”
“You’ll be eating those words when we show you what we got.”
Confused, Ethan, Quinn, and Nikki watched as Tucker and Frank pulled a banner larger than the one that they’d just hung out of the bed of Tucker’s truck. The two men handed one side to Ethan and the other to Quinn.
The banner now fully unraveled, Ethan read aloud, “Rainbow Hill.”
“What do you think?” Frank asked. “I thought it was a more appropriate name.”
Emotion choked Ethan, but he managed to find his voice. “I-I-I think it’s perfect, the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”
“Me and Tucker figured since you two boys were the masterminds behind the project—which we greatly appreciate, mind you, you and yours should get the credit. Pot of gold’s a nice thought too.”
“Plus the way you boys tell it,” Frank began, “we’re going to have a lot of gay clients meandering about so we should try making them as welcome as possible.”
Nikki’s laughter rose above the rest. “Although not exactly politically correct, renaming the farm Rainbow Hill is a great idea.” She turned to Ethan and Quinn who were making the final adjustments and hanging the banner. “Boys, what’s your opinion?”
Climbing down from the ladders to join the rest of the group, they gazed at the fanciful script and the colors of the rainbow stretching across the background of the banner.
“I think it’s amazing,” Ethan said. “And a step in the right direction.”
“I agree with Ethan,” Quinn said, “and I think you two are amazing.”
At that moment, Scout came trotting up. Looking up at the sign, he barked three times in rapid succession. Quinn reached down and patted the mongrel on the head. “I think Scout approves too.”
Ethan wrapped one arm around Quinn, drawing him in, and draped the other over his father’s still-broad shoulders. Quinn brought Frank into the group by doing the same. “Thanks for giving me a new life,” Ethan said. “One with a promising future filled with more days like today. I love everyone here more than you’ll ev
er know.” And he meant every word.
Nikki clapped her hands loudly and shouted, “Picture,” before reaching into her jeans back pocket to pull out her phone. “Line up, keep showing the love, and smile because this one is going on the website.”
The four men posed under the banner swaying in the breeze, and for the first time in Ethan’s life, the farm where he grew up finally felt like home.
THE END
Trademark Acknowledgement
The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of the following places and items mentioned in this work of fiction:
7-Eleven: 7-Eleven, Inc.
Architectural Digest: Advance Magazine Publishers Inc.
Benadryl: Johnson & Johnson Corp.
Bruno Magli: BRUNOMAGLI S.P.A.
Bud Lights: Budweiser: Anheuser-Busch. Inc.
Cadillac: General Motors Company
Chevrolet: General Motors Company
Craigslist: Craigslist Inc.
Diet Coke: The Coca-Cola Company
Dumpster: Dempster Brothers, Inc.
Facebook: Facebook, Inc.
Ford: Ford Motor Company
G-Star: G-Star RAW Ltd.
Hallmark Channel: Crown Media
Henredon: Heritage Home Group LLC.
Honda CR-V Honda Motor Company Ltd.
Hoover Upright: The Hoover Company
Irish Spring Soap: Colgate-Palmolive PLC.
John Deere: Deere & Company PLC.
Levi’s: Levi Strauss & Co.
M&M’s: Mars, Inc.
Mercedes E-class Sedan: Benz: Daimler AG.
Mountain Dew: PepsiCo
Naugahyde: Uniroyal Engineered Products, LLC
Neiman’s: Neiman Marcus: Neiman Marcus Group
New York Magazine: New York Media, LLC
Range Rover: Land Rover: Jaguar Land Rover Automotive
Saks: Saks, Inc.
Sears: Sears, Roebuck & Co.
Showtime: CBS Corporation
Stairmaster: Core Health and Fitness
Subaru: Fuji Heavy Industries
Twitter: Twitter, Inc.
Vogue Magazine: Advance Magazine Publishers Inc.
Vuitton: Luis Vuitton: LVMH Moët Hennessy • Louis Vuitton S.A.
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