A Night To Remember

by CJ Bishop

  The other man glanced skeptically at Grid as if noticing his presence for the first time. Patrice followed his stare.

  “Who is he?” Patrice asked Nolan.

  “Who he is,” Nolan said, “is none of your business.”

  Patrice looked Grid up and down. Grid was fully dressed, though wearing only a white undershirt and his black tux pants while he remained barefoot. It was fairly early in the morning and it wouldn’t take a genius to figure out that Grid had spent the night here. Patrice put it together rather quickly.

  “Are you fucking him?” she asked bluntly, startling all three men in the room.

  “Whether I am or not does not give you the right to come into my home and speak to me so crudely.”

  Patrice ignored the reprimand. “I always kind of thought you were a cock sucker.”

  And a damn good one, too, Grid thought but kept it to himself.

  “Apparently, I was right,” she went on as she glanced around the apartment. “Court order or not, I don’t want my son around perverted behavior. If you want to attempt to bring the law down on me, so be it, but I am taking Reuben out of here. Go wake him up.”

  Nolan looked at Grid then shook his head as he told Patrice, “He isn’t here. He spent the night with his new friend.”

  Her face tightening, Patrice replied tightly, “I left him with you. I did not give you permission to leave him with someone without my approval.”

  “You lost your right to make judgment calls about Reuben when you decided to abuse him.”

  “Where is he?” Patrice demanded. “Get him back here. Now.”

  Nolan made no move to comply.

  Stepping forward, Patrice stabbed a finger in Nolan’s face. “You just made the biggest mistake of your life,” she hissed. “Enjoy your brief time with Reuben because you can be assured I will do everything within my power to make sure you are removed from his life permanently. I will not allow my son to be influenced by your repulsive lifestyle.”

  Although Nolan maintained his composure and displayed no visible evidence of intimidation, Grid immediately noticed the tension in his body; so subtle he doubted that Patrice or her man friend picked up on it at all.

  “These are progressive times,” Nolan responded with remarkable calmness. “Unless you have the judge and jury in your pocket—which I’m sure you have a few—you’re not going to find a courtroom atmosphere that would favor placing a child with an abusive mother rather than with his gay father who provides a safe and healthy home life.”

  The woman’s face twitched, her eyes spitting fire. “Healthy? It’s healthy for a four-year-old little boy to see his father ass-fuck another man?”

  Nolan smiled dryly. “Perhaps you make a habit of having sex in front of our son, but I do not. And as far as how I have sex…that is my business and mine alone.”

  She looked at Grid, eyes narrowed and icy. “So, you’ve been fucking him all this time?” she asked Nolan coldly. “That’s why you didn’t want to have sex with me? Because I didn’t have a dick?” Fury burned behind her stare. “I was your fiancée and you were screwing around on me? And now this bullshit with Reuben? I warned you not to try and pull some shit behind my back.”

  “First of all,” Nolan said with a bite in his voice. “You forced me into an engagement. You used my son as leverage in your twisted game of manipulation. And as far as this ‘bullshit’ with Reuben…you brought that on yourself when you chose to physically, verbally, and emotionally abuse our child.” He advanced, and she stepped back. “I will protect my son at all costs. I don’t care if that means waging war in the courtroom. I will not stand back and do nothing while my child is mistreated.”

  A small smile crept across Grid’s face as his heart filled with pride for the man.

  Nolan walked to the door and jerked it open. “I have nothing else to say to you. The court order states that Reuben will remain in my custody until he is evaluated by a child psychologist. If you wish to communicate with me before then, your attorneys can contact my attorneys.” He stepped back, drawing the door open wider. “Please leave.”

  For a brief moment, Patrice didn’t move as she stared fiercely at Nolan as if to challenge him. The man with her touched her arm and she huffed. “You wish to battle this out in court?” she fumed. “Fine. But don’t forget who you’re up against.”

  Nolan let her have the last word as Patrice and her sidekick strode out of the apartment. He closed the door quietly behind them and stood gripping the doorknob, his back to Grid.

  “Nolan…” Grid crossed the room and rested his hands tentatively on Nolan’s shoulders. He kissed the back of his head. “Everything is going to be fine,” he whispered. “The child psychologist will confirm Reuben’s abuse and that will be the end of it. She will have no more say in the matter.”

  “She won’t let it be that easy,” Nolan murmured. “You don’t know the legal power backing her up. Her attorneys will insist that a child therapist of their choosing also evaluate Reuben; someone who they can pay off to create reasonable doubt concerning the legitimacy of Reuben’s abuse.” He swallowed thickly and turned around, his eyes damp. “She’s going to put me through hell. Her attorneys are going to dissect my life and do their damnedest to present my lifestyle as an environment unfit for my son.”

  Grid shook his head and cupped Nolan’s neck. “Like you said; these are progressive times. There are gay people everywhere, in every profession…getting married, adopting children. You being gay is not a strike against you.”

  “You don’t understand,” Nolan whispered. “I am directly linked to a gay strip club. Samuel—whom I work with closely—is involved with an ex-stripper and they are part of a family made up of strippers; people that I associate with often and consider my friends.”

  Grid kissed him softly. “They’re good people.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Nolan said. “It’s their profession that will be exploited. And even in today’s progressive society, the sexual profession is still viewed negatively and, to many, as a shameful, self-debasing occupation.” He shook his head. “And Clint—who I let watch over Reuben—is a gangster, and part of a gangster family that Reuben would associate with regularly because of Jules. The goodness of these people wouldn’t be the focus in court. Patrice’s legal team will capitalize on any and every detail they can put a negative spin on.”

  “So, what do you want to do?” Grid murmured. “Isolate yourself from everyone?”

  Nolan pulled Grid into his arms and pressed his brow to Grid’s shoulder. “No,” he whispered. “Jensen and his team…they’re smart. They know how to play the game. I’ll just have to trust that they’ll have a counter-strategy for whatever Patrice’s attorneys throw at us.”

  Grid hugged him tightly. “I’ll be here with you, every step of the way.” Light tremors rippled through Nolan. Of course, he was afraid; his child hung in the balance.

  If he lost the battle—he lost his son.

  ♦

  Music sifted hypnotically down the hall and into the bathroom where Devlin stood before the damp mirror, rinsing his razor. He went still and absorbed the beat of the music, imagining Abel at the other end.

  Devlin left the bathroom wearing only the towel around his waist and walked barefoot along the soft carpet of the hallway until he came to the kitchen doorway. He paused and silently watched his young husband sway to the rhythm of the song as he prepared breakfast. Devlin’s pulse quickened as the sensual movement of Abel’s body conjured many images in his mind.

  Abel spied him in the doorway. “What’re you smiling at?” His flirty tone and the impish gleam in his amber eyes reignited the sexual fire that Abel had extinguished less than an hour ago.

  “Nothing.” Devlin’s smile stretched.

  Lowering his heavy gaze to Devlin’s southern region, Abel murmured, “Looks like something to me.”

  Devlin looked down to find the towel beginning to tent a bit. He raised his eyes, his smile holding. “Ma
ybe it is something.”

  Dancing seductively across the kitchen floor, Abel rubbed his hands up Devlin’s chest. “What is it?”

  With a low groan, Devlin said, “I was just thinking of the very first time I walked into the Phoenix club and saw you dancing on stage with Gabe.” He wrapped his arms around the young man and pulled him closer. “It was the most erotic moment of my life. And you…” he smiled and shook his head. “I’d never seen a vision so sensual and sexy and…beautiful.”

  Abel kissed his lips and stroked his fingertips lightly on his neck.

  “Then when you and I danced at the bachelor party,” Devlin whispered against his tempting mouth. “Somehow, it felt like we’d come full circle. As if some part of me knew, when I saw you on stage that day, that I belonged up there with you…by your side.”

  Abel touched his lips to Devlin’s throat and closed his eyes. “I still can’t believe that a man like you fell in love with me.” Abel pressed closer to him. “When Savannah and I were on the streets, I wouldn’t allow myself to dream of good things, to hope for…for love like this. I just focused on keeping us alive.” He slid his arms around Devlin’s neck and hugged him. “I didn’t think life would ever feel this good.”

  Devlin buried his face in his neck and held him tight. “I’d had my doubts, too,” he whispered. “It’s funny how love can just ambush a person…no warning.” He smiled and blinked back tears. “I think that’s the best way to fall in love. You just look up one day and…” He drew back and gazed into Abel’s beautiful eyes. “…there it is…looking right back at you…making your dreams come true right before your very eyes.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “I know that look.” Caleb sprinkled chopped onions, red bell peppers, and cheese into the bowl with the eggs and beat the mixture with a whisk.

  “What look?” Samuel walked over and kissed his neck. “I don’t have a look.”

  Chuckling softly, Caleb grinned. “Yes, you do. It’s your thinking look.” He shifted his focus from the bowl to his boyfriend. “What’s on your mind?”

  Samuel smiled. “Other than a few dirty thoughts, my mind is empty.”

  “No.” Caleb shook his head. “There’s something else in there.” He set the bowl aside and faced Samuel. “What is it?”

  A quiet groan rolled up Samuel’s throat and he hooked his hands around the back of Caleb’s neck then kissed him softly. “I guess I was just thinking about yesterday…the wedding.” He sighed and touched his head to Caleb’s brow. “I was just trying to imagine how it would’ve felt to wake up this morning…as your husband.”

  Caleb slipped his arms around Samuel’s waist and hugged him. “That’s the first thought that went through my head when I woke up this morning,” he whispered. “I can’t think of anything greater than being married to you.”

  Samuel cupped the back of his head and kissed his hair. “I can’t, either.” He lifted Caleb’s face and kissed his lips. “It will happen. Soon.”

  “I hope so.”

  The veiled worry in Caleb’s blue eyes tore at Samuel’s heart. “It will. We will get Christian and Nick’s cases appealed. We will get them out.”

  Caleb laid his head on Samuel’s shoulder. “I know,” he whispered. “It’s just that, with Nolan having this new battle with Reuben’s mom…when will he have time to work on their cases?” He raised his head. “Don’t get me wrong, I know his son’s welfare is his first priority and it should be. I’m not blaming him for that. I just wish…” He sighed and hugged Samuel without finishing his thought.

  “I know,” Samuel murmured. “But he hasn’t abandoned Christian and Nick. Jensen and his team will be handling the bulk of the custody case concerning Reuben, so Nolan will still have time to work on the other. And when he can’t, I will be. Getting Nick and Christian released is my priority, even if it can’t be Nolan’s priority at the moment.”

  Caleb hugged him tighter. “I really love you,” he whispered. “You know that, right?”

  Samuel smiled and held him closer. “Yeah, baby, I know.” He kissed his neck tenderly. “I promise, everything is going to work out. Nick will be released and he will be there beside you when it’s our turn to vow our lives and love to each other.”

  Releasing a shaky breath, Caleb said softly, “My life and love is already vowed to you.”

  Samuel laughed quietly. “And mine to you. But I still can’t wait to make it official.”

  “Neither can I,” Caleb whispered.

  ♦

  “What’re you doing?” Christian mumbled from beneath the blankets. He turned onto his side on the bottom bunk and watched Nick get dressed.

  “I wanted to call Caleb,” Nick said. “Yesterday was the big wedding event. I wanted to see how it went.” He looked at Christian who gazed back at him, the blankets tucked up around his shoulders. After months gone by, he was still the most glorious sight; so beautiful and innocent. So out of place in a hell like this…an angel of God accidentally tumbled into Hades.

  “Tell him I said hello,” Christian smiled.

  Nick walked over to the bunk and sank to his heels. “I will.” He cupped Christian’s sweet face and kissed his soft lips. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “As soon as we’re out of this place,” Nick murmured. “I’m going to make an honest man of you.”

  Christian laughed softly. “Are you sure that’s possible?”

  Nick smiled. “Absolutely.”

  “Aren’t you going to propose first?” Christian cocked an eyebrow; a gesture that merely enhanced his cuteness. “Or you just going to tell me we’re getting married and that’s that?”

  Nick chuckled. “Oh, I’ll propose,” he said. “But not in here, and not when you’re expecting it.”

  “Once we’re out,” Christian quipped teasingly, “I’ll be expecting it until it happens.”

  Nick shook his head and grinned. “I’ll find a way to surprise you with it. Just you wait and see.” He kissed him again. “I’ll be back in a few.”

  Making his way from the cell to the phones, his fellow inmates moved out of his path. Nick wasn’t nearly as large as many of the men in this cellblock, but after beating the shit out of the motherfucker who tried to rape Christian…he had gained his due respect as well as put out a clear message; don’t fuck with his boyfriend.

  Since then, there had been no incidents. Even so, he didn’t let down his guard. There was always someone who would eventually step up and challenge. It was inevitable. Nick didn’t know if he would come out the victor when that day arrived, and he prayed that Christian was released before he had to find out. If he was defeated and Christian was taken, used, and abused…that wasn’t something Nick could live with.

  So, he prepared. Every day. He worked out religiously. Trained with a fellow MMA inmate he’d befriended. Made sure he was ready when his challenger appeared. Leaving Christian unprotected was not an option. His greatest fear at this point was that either he or Christian would be transferred. He tried not to think about that. Some inmates were transferred on a regular basis, while others remained in one specific prison for years on end. He prayed daily that God would see fit to keep him and Christian together until Samuel and Nolan could appeal their cases and get them out. His stress level would drop a thousand notches if just Christian was released for now.

  Nick put away the troubling thoughts and took a seat in one of the partial booths and made his call to his little brother.

  Once the call forged through its usual preliminaries, Caleb answered on the other end. “Nick?” Pleasant surprised filled his voice; this wasn’t their scheduled call time. Instant concern strained Caleb’s tone. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yeah,” Nick smiled. “I just wanted to see how the wedding went. Are all the guys officially hitched?”

  Caleb chuckled. “Oh yeah. It was great. A really amazing ceremony. Even you would’ve cried.”

  “Even me?” Nick smirked.
r />   “Well, you know,” Caleb laughed lightly. “You were never one for crying in front of others. But you would have yesterday, I guarantee it.”

  “You’re probably right,” Nick conceded with amusement. “Wish I could’ve been there.”

  “So, do I,” Caleb said quietly. “If you had, Samuel and I would’ve probably been up there, too, reciting our vows along with the other couples.”

  Nick went silent as he stared blankly at the phone.

  “Nick?”

  Clearing his throat, Nick murmured, “I’m here.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” He cleared his throat again. “Caleb…it could be a while before I get out of here. There’s no guarantee Samuel and Nolan are going to be able to get me released at all.”

  “They’ll get you out,” Caleb insisted. “You and Christian both.”

  “I hope so,” Nick said. “But there are no guarantees. I know you’re waiting for me to be released before you take the plunge with Samuel, but as much as I’d love to be there by your side on that special day…I don’t want you putting your life or your plans on hold because of me. You know I’ll be damn proud of you whether I’m there or not.”

  Caleb was quiet a moment, then murmured, “I’m not getting married without you. Period. Samuel understands and is okay with us waiting. It’s not like we feel convicted for living together unmarried. I mean, I totally respect God and all, but I don’t think he’s going to condemn us for our living arrangement when we’re totally committed to each other in our hearts. So, the wedding can wait. And it will wait…until you and Christian can be there with us.” A smile crept into his voice. “Maybe we’ll make it a double wedding.”

  Nick chuckled, recalling his recent conversation with Christian. “Maybe so, little brother. Maybe so.”

  ♦

  “You didn’t tell him about Nolan and Reuben…and Reuben’s mom.”

  Caleb set the phone aside and looked at Samuel. “I didn’t want to bring it up until we know for sure what’s going on. Reuben’s mom was supposed to come by and pick him up this morning. We’ll know more when we speak to Nolan and find out how that went and her response to the court order.”