Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles)

by Talia Carmichael

  “Tell me about this ‘satisfaction of victory’.” Bur made quotation marks with his fingers.

  Gerald complied. They laughed and chatted as they unpacked his things.

  THE NEXT day, Bur squirmed deeper into the cushions, then sighed. He clicked the TV, finding a show to watch.

  “I’m—” Gerald paused, then said, “My chair! Get up. Up, up.” Gerald pulled him out of the chair.

  Gerald plopped down on the chair and sighed. “Bella, daddy has missed you.” He rubbed the armrests, closing his eyes, a big smile on his lips.

  “You’re welcome,” Bur said dryly.

  “Hush. I’m having a moment. I’ll be with you shortly.” Gerald continued to stroke the armrests.

  “I’ll just go watch your TV.” Bur strolled toward the bedroom.

  Gerald pushed past him, rushing into the room. “Hey, sexy. You missed me. I know you did.”

  Gerald hugged the TV, even kissing it. Bur shook his head at his antics, moving to the bed and sitting. He watched Gerald as he went back to the sitting room. Gerald came back, carrying the chair. He set it down next to another chair. He picked up the chair Bur had picked out for his room and carried it out into the other room. Bur crossed his arms over his chest. When Gerald returned, he shifted his chair into the spot of the one he’d just moved. He sat, then stood, moving it a smidge, then sitting again.

  “Yes. That’s it.”

  “I’m in love with a crazy man.” Bur flopped back against the bed.

  A large frame covered him, pressing him deeper into the mattress. Gerald smiled. “You crazy man. You got me my chair and TV.”

  “I did. Didn’t want you missing them. You named your chair Bella?”

  “Yes. And sexy there is Daisy. They’re twins. And I’ll be adding a third soon.”

  “You are a strange, strange man,” Bur said.

  “I’ve been told that.” Gerald kissed him, then hopped off him, then pulled him up and moved to the chair. “You sat on Bella. Tell me she isn’t comfortable.”

  Bur glanced at the plush chair, then at Gerald. “She is. But rearranging my room for her… I’m not sure about that.”

  “It’s only temporary. Once things settle down, we’ll be going home,” Gerald said.

  Bur nodded, then lightly touched his new tattoo. Gerald was so focused on the chair he hadn’t even noticed. Gerald sat in the chair and beckoned to Bur. Bur straddled his lap. They kissed lazily, then came apart.

  “What’s with the new tattoo?”

  “I didn’t think you noticed.”

  “I see everything about you, Bur. What does it mean?” He reached to touch it, but paused over it. “Can I touch it?”

  “Not too much.” Bur studied him, then spoke. “Before we started dating, I had six months of observation of you. At first, I really took pleasure in aggravating you. It was amusing.” Bur smiled, thinking of a few times he’d pissed Gerald off. Then he continued. “Then I got curious about what made you tick. And it snuck up on me that I actually liked you, surly asshole tendencies and all. I’ve been trying to figure you out ever since.”

  Gerald relaxed against the chair back. “And your conclusion?”

  “You’re infinity. Without an end. There is no figuring you out. You’re just Gerald, and that is all.”

  Gerald lowered his eyes to the tattoo that was over Bur’s heart. “Like you’re just Bur. This is us.”

  Gerald put a finger by the tattoo without touching it. Bur glanced at the infinity sign with their initials beside it. He raised his head. Gerald kissed him, pushing his tongue into his mouth. Bur opened, suckling. Gerald wrenched away.

  “In you now.” He slid his hands into the waist of Bur’s sweats.

  Bur stood and shucked them with his boxers. Gerald rose and stripped quickly, then sat. Bur straddled him again. Gerald pushed his hand inside a side pocket of the chair and pulled out condoms and lube. Bur stared at the items, eyebrow raised.

  “I’ve been planning to have my way with you in my chair.” Gerald smirked.

  Bur took the items. He readied Gerald. Bur rose up. Gerald’s fingers, covered in lube, pushed inside him. Gerald worked quickly to prepare him. When he was finished, he gripped Bur’s hips and the blunt tip of his cock pushed into him. Bur moaned, arching his neck as he enjoyed the glide of Gerald filling him. Gerald licked Bur’s Adam’s apple, then to the side of his neck.

  “Bur.” Gerald pressed his lips against his neck.

  Bur rocked, working Gerald’s erection deeper. Gerald clenched his fingers on his hips, guiding him. He thrust, widening his legs, spreading Bur. Bur gripped his shoulders, moving with him. Gerald slid his hot hands down, cupping his ass. Bur inhaled the scent of Gerald. He rode him, moving faster and faster toward pleasure. Gerald kneaded his ass, yanking him hard against him. He curled his fingers around Bur’s cock and jacked him in time with their motions. Bur grunted, shaking as he came. Gerald growled, shuddering as he joined him. Bur relaxed against him. Gerald rubbed his hands up and down his back.

  “I brought your chair and TV because I’m not letting you leave when everything calms down. I’m keeping them, and Cinders too. If you want to see any of them, you have to move in.”

  Gerald didn’t reply, staring at him.

  “You don’t have a choice. I’ve arranged to sell your house to Lisa. It doesn’t have everything she wants, but she agreed to let me make the additions. She’s making a generous offer. You’ll sign the papers to sell the house,” Bur ordered.

  A wide grin curled Gerald’s face. “What day is it?”

  Bur had to think about it. “March 31.”

  “My lucky day. All because of you.” Gerald lifted him off his lap, putting him on his feet.

  Bur wavered. Gerald rose, steadied him, then gently put him in the chair. He kissed him quickly, then headed for the bedroom door.

  “I’ve got a call to make. I won. I won.” Gerald shook his ass and left the room.

  Bur stared toward where he had disappeared. Gerald stuck his head back in the room.

  “Oh… forgot to answer. I will move in. Get the papers drawn up, and I’ll sign them and sell to Lisa. I’ve gotta arrange to get my things.”

  “They’re in storage downstairs. I didn’t know what you would want where,” Bur said.

  “You thought of everything.” Gerald moved back into the sitting room.

  Moments later, Bur heard him say, “Tomas, I won.”

  “Son of a bitch!” Tomas roared.

  Bur realized Gerald had used the in-house intercom. He wondered what was going on.

  “I’ll be down later to gloat.” Gerald laughed, and moments later, he strode into the room.

  Gerald lifted Bur out of the chair and took him to bed. He kissed him, and Bur got lost in making love to his partner.

  BUR STUDIED the calendar. The date was April 9. Twelve days since their parents had come to Mapson, and still no sign of them. Thankfully, the media had lost interest in the story and gone on to something bigger. Life was returning to a semblance of normality.

  “Focus, Bur. We need to get these things done,” Del said.

  Bur glanced at his brothers. They were working from his house. The center construction was almost complete. Six more weeks, and they could start working on the inside of the building. Things were going well, but the specter of their parents still hung over them.

  “Ok—”

  “Bur!” Gerald called.

  Bur shifted to see the door. Gerald strode in. Bur observed the way his suit fit his frame. With his new position as detective, Gerald had to shop for suits. He hated it and whined the entire time. Bur had a great time helping him, making sure they fit him well. Finally, the grim expression on Gerald’s face registered. Tomas entered behind Gerald. Bur stood, dread filling him. He noted his brothers were also standing.

  “You found them,” Bur stated.

  There could be no other explanation for Gerald here in the middle of his workday, and for him to arrive w
ith Tomas.

  “They’re dead.” Gerald’s tone was clipped.

  Bur didn’t think he’d heard him correctly. He met Bernie’s and Del’s gazes and saw the confusion on their faces, which he was sure was mirrored on his own. He gazed at Gerald, shaking his head.

  “No. They can’t be,” he whispered.

  Monsters didn’t die. Life could not be that simple. It was too easy. He shook his head, repeating the words over and over again. Arms came around him, and he held on, recognizing Gerald’s scent.

  “We want to see the bodies.” Del’s cold tone registered.

  “We have to know they’re really dead.” Bernie’s tone was soft, sounding lost.

  Bur moved out of Gerald’s arms and went to his brothers. They moved to either side of him. He gripped them, and they hugged him fiercely. He didn’t know if he was the one shivering, or if it was all of them.

  “There are no bodies to see.”

  “Then they’re not dead!” Bernie screamed.

  Bur shifted his face against Bernie’s neck, whispering, “It’s a trick. They’re trying to trick us.”

  “Let me see the fucking body!” Del roared.

  Bur shifted to him. Bernie moved to Del’s other side. They held him as he shook. Bur then realized they were all shaking. Gerald and Tomas exchanged glances, then strode to them. Bur backed away, and his brothers matched him. Tomas and Gerald stopped, and then Gerald turned and made his way to the TV. He lifted the remote and pressed a button. The screen flashed on, and Bur stared at the blazing vehicle on the screen and listened to the reporter.

  “A car on the run from the police met with a fiery end today. Chopper Six was with them on the chase.”

  The image panned to a car speeding down the highway. It rear-ended another and kept going. At a curve, the car didn’t slow, but sped up and took the turn. In moments, it hit the guardrail and stopped. The driver’s door opened, and a figure ran out and started shooting.

  Bur stepped forward, recognizing his father. His gaze was riveted to the screen.

  A woman slid out of the driver’s side door. Dropping to her knees, she seemed to be saying something to the man. He turned as if to respond then the scene changed to a flaming vehicle.

  Bur finally registered what the reporters were saying. “A fireball erupted, killing the man and woman who had been in the car. Sources say there were explosives in the car, which ignited. There is no confirmation on the identities of the man and woman killed.”

  Bur didn’t know how they could not know who it was. But he was grateful for that. It sunk in that his parents were dead. Bur tried to ascertain what he was feeling about knowing they were gone. It was as if he was empty. He didn’t feel anything.

  “They really are dead,” Bernie whispered.

  “Good riddance,” Del said.

  Bur turned to them. There wasn’t any expression on either of their faces. “I… don’t feel anything that they’re dead,” Bernie stated.

  “Me either,” Del said.

  A cell rang. Del pulled his cell out. “Del. What? Find her.” He clicked off.

  Bur knew from his eyes the news wasn’t good.

  “They found Olivia. She’s dead.”

  “But they said she was alive,” Bernie protested.

  “She was. Until she was fourteen. But she and her adoptive family were murdered.”

  Bur rubbed his chest. That, he had a sensation for. He’d been thrilled to hear Olivia was alive. Even if they never found her, he was grateful she lived. Hoped she had a happy life.

  “Where is she buried?” Bur lowered his hand.

  “There seems to be a mix-up as to where she and her new family are buried. The investigators are checking into it.” Del blinked.

  “We’ll go visit her grave when they find it.” Bernie’s tears leaked from his eyes.

  “You might never find her,” Gerald said directly behind him.

  “But we’ll keep trying. We need to say goodbye.” Bur leaned back against him.

  “What do you need me to do?” Gerald’s arms came around him.

  “You’re doing it.” Bur watched Tomas holding Bernie.

  Del strode to the window, looking out. He looked so alone. Bur hoped he would find someone he could love. He turned to Gerald and kissed him gently.

  “I’m going to call the band. We have to go ahead with our return to England.”

  “What? You’re going back to England?” Gerald gripped his shoulder.

  “Sort of.” Bur smiled.

  A FEW days later, Gerald stared at the television, then back at Bur and the rest of his bandmates spread out in the living room. He met Bernie’s, Del’s, and Tomas’s gazes.

  “They’re really sitting with us, right? Not on TV getting on their corporate jet to go back to England?” Gerald gazed again at Bur, reclining next to him, and then at the Bur on the television.

  The TV Bur had shades obscuring most of his face, but the hair, piercings, body shape, dress, and even the mannerisms were him. The rest of the band strode beside him, and they looked like the men in the living room with Gerald. If he weren’t seeing it for himself, he wouldn’t have believed it.

  “It’s called a body double,” Bur stated.

  “That’s a myth,” Gerald said.

  “Yet you’re watching it, and I’m here. I’m a ghost. Woooo,” Bur said against the side of his throat.

  “Quit it.” Gerald pushed at him.

  Bur laughed. The band members did too. Gerald kept his gaze on the television.

  “That is just freaky.” He glanced at Bur. “Do you really think it’ll work?”

  “With TrebleBur on its way back to England, the media will follow them and leave Mapson, and soon enough, find someone else to pester.”

  “Maybe sooner than you think. There’s a rumor that a certain star who will remain nameless is about to be served divorce papers from a pissed-off wife. A wife who has videotapes of his infidelities and is selling them to a bunch of media outlets. He’s about to become the new focus of the vultures,” Ramsey said cheerfully.

  “How the hell do you seem to know everything?” Gerald threw a pillow at him.

  Ramsey caught it, tucking it behind his head. “If I tell you, I’ll have to bury you somewhere.” Ramsey grinned.

  “No burying Gerald. Oh, I have something I want you to hear.” Bur stood, pulling him up.

  Gerald followed him, smiling at his enthusiasm. It was good to see. Once the media found out who had died in the crash, the coverage had increased. The crazy swirl of media had returned to Mapson. Their parents’ death was broadcast on what seemed like every news show. Again, they had gone into hiding, but if what they had orchestrated worked, then maybe not for long. Gerald heard footsteps behind them. Bur led him into the studio. He gestured for Gerald to take a seat. He did, and noted the band and the other men had joined them. The band went to various instruments. Bur picked up a guitar and started to play. The others joined in. Gerald rubbed his hands over his arms. The wild clash of instruments was disconcerting, yet enthralling.

  Bur opened his mouth and belted out a high note, holding it. Then he slowly lowered it. The band came down with him. Then he sang the song. It started out as if there was a battle going on.

  Assumptions brought us together, yet you refused to see me.

  At least that is what I thought, but you see me clearly.

  Gerald sat forward as Bur sang. The lyrics were hard-hitting, matching the clash of music, and then they mellowed and the music softened.

  It takes a man who matches me in every way possible.

  We resonate.

  Bur let his voice rise on that last word, holding the high note. Chills shivered down Gerald’s back as the other instruments merged, blended, and created a symphony of sound. They tapered off, and only Bur’s voice remained, and then he went silent.

  The other men were talking, but Gerald didn’t register what they said. He stood and approached Bur. Lifting him, Gerald walked out
of the room and headed upstairs to their room. In the bedroom, he sat in the chair with Bur in his lap. Bur shifted, straddling him.

  “What’s it called?” Gerald stared at him.

  “‘Resonate.’ It’s us.”

  “I know. You wrote a song for us.”

  “For you, about us. It’s going to be recorded by a singer I know. But it’s yours.” Bur shrugged.

  “No one will sing it like you do.”

  “Of course not. There is no one like me.” Bur winked.

  And that was the truth. There was only one Bur, and Gerald had him. Bur was his, as Gerald belonged to him.

  “Hey. This isn’t Bella. Why are there two chairs?” Bur glanced at Bella, and then the chair they were sitting in.

  Gerald pushed him gently back. Bur stood, and Gerald rose.

  “This is yours. You have to name it.” Gerald patted the top of the black chair with red armrests.

  He’d ordered it months ago from the Berkus brother who made custom furniture. Gerald had planned to pay for it, but winning the bet, he used it for the chair.

  “Now sit and enjoy the satisfaction of victory.” He patted the cushion of the chair.

  Bur grinned and sat, rubbing his butt on the chair to get comfortable. Gerald pushed Bur back and straddled his lap. They did fit very well together, and did indeed resonate with each other. And he planned to keep it that way for a long time. Gerald kissed Bur, rubbing his finger over where he had the ink that was them.

  To my big sister, who loved Del from the beginning and knew he was meant for Harper. To my family, who have believed in me from the very beginning. Thanks for your support.

  Chapter One

  “DEL, WE want to stop to get a book to read in the park,” a voice piped behind him.

  Dillard Jenkins looked briefly in the rearview mirror at the twins—his little brothers Humphrey and Darwin. Their faces were excited, for which Del was grateful. The last few weeks, with their parents’ arrival in Mapson, the boys had become once again solemn and afraid. When their parents came to town, Del had made sure to sit them down and let them know what was going on. He was not about to keep anything from them. When he had become their legal guardian last year on June 22, which was also their birthday, he’d made a promise to always tell them the truth about things that concerned them. That was a promise he’d kept, and although telling them about their parents being here in their new hometown had been hard, he’d done it. Then he’d handled the way the boys clung to him and the nightmares they had. Del clenched the steering wheel, staring out the windshield.