“Lube?”
“Pocket.”
Jody started to laugh, and we both said good answer at the same time. He found my jeans on the floor and fumbled for the small container of lube that I’d brought on the off chance that this would happen. He slathered some on his cock and my asshole, hooked my legs over his shoulders, and slammed into me, grazing the one spot that always made me scream.
“Love you,” he shouted, seconds before I felt the warm gush of his cum filling every part of me. I cocooned him in my arms and legs, holding him close as he shuddered to a spectacular touchdown.
Eventually, when our hearts slowed to a normal level, he rolled off and sat up, pulling my necklace off his neck. He gave it back to me, laying it tenderly against my skin, all the while staring at me with those eyes that had captured me a lifetime ago.
“Don’t ever take this off again.”
“I swear. Will you let me explain?”
“Later.”
“Do you forgive me?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Forever?”
“And even after that.”
Epilogue
Berkeley, California, 2007
“CLARK! Mr. Stevens! Over here, please.”
I turned to my right and the flashbulbs went off, followed by several more, as Jody and I made our way outside the arrival area of the San Francisco International Airport. We’d just flown in from Chicago and already were being bombarded by the paparazzi that seemed to permeate our existence since my public outing.
Jody and I had become celebrities, gay icons of the sports world, and fodder for every tabloid from here to New York and back. When the public heard that I had outed myself for the man I loved, I became a national hero. Every gay man within a hundred feet wanted a picture of me or an autograph. Women found the whole idea romantic as hell despite the fact that we were homosexuals. They still thought that any man who would be willing to give up so much for the person he loved, regardless of the sex, was worth knowing. I received fan mail from gay teens who thanked me for helping them come to terms with their orientation. It was so unexpected, but very rewarding to know I’d made a difference in someone’s life
Jody took it all with a grain of salt, having lived under this kind of scrutiny once before with Rick. When the press found out whom I was dating, it got even more out of control. For weeks, all they wrote about was Jody and Rick, Jody and Clark, Clark and Jody…. Christ, you’d think we were movie stars or something.
“Dr. Williams! What are you guys in town for?”
“A wedding,” Jody replied, keeping his head down and trying not to get photographed again. The people at Northwestern Memorial Hospital knew he was gay, but I was pretty sure they wouldn’t want the new head of their trauma center in Chicago to be plastered all over the National Enquirer.
“Are you guys getting married?” a reporter asked when he heard Jody’s reply, hoping for a scoop.
“It’s not our wedding,” Jody answered, shaking his head. “It’s a friend.”
“Oh,” he replied, visibly disappointed. “Maybe you guys will be next?”
“Maybe.” Jody smiled that wicked smile of his, the one that made his dimple show up on his left cheek. I bent toward his ear and whispered, “You’d better behave yourself, or I’ll really give them something to talk about.”
Jody laughed and grabbed my hand as the limo pulled up. We got into the car as the cameras clicked and flashed, and were finally sped off to Berkeley, far away from the media scrutiny.
“When the fuck is this circus going to end?” I turned toward Jody. “It’s been over a year and a half. Don’t they have something more exciting to talk about?”
“Kit, I doubt that their boring news could generate as many sales as pictures of your chest.”
“Shut up.”
“Besides,” Jody said, leaning toward me and giving me a soft squeeze, “you know I get off when people turn green with envy.”
“You’re not exactly a troll, you know. You’re the hottest doctor that’s ever graced the halls of a Chicago hospital.”
“Christ! It’s weird living there, isn’t it? Didn’t I swear I’d never shovel snow again?”
“I’m doing the shoveling, so stop bitching about it. Besides, it’s only temporary.”
Jody teased back. “Well, Mom and Dad are over the moon, so that makes it worthwhile.”
“I love Mom and Dad,” I grinned and felt blessed at their love and acceptance. Jody’s parents had insisted that I call them that as soon as we moved into their basement apartment. We’d elected to live with them, because we didn’t want to buy a place in Chicago. We wanted to keep the house in Berkeley without renting it out, and it would have been too complicated to maintain two houses. This way, everyone was happy, especially his parents.
“We’ll be back here before you know it. My contract with the Bears is half over.”
“I miss our hot tub and the deck.”
“We’ll be there in less than twenty minutes. Thank God you decided not to sell.”
“Or rent! I’d hate to have someone else enjoying my view while I’m here.”
Like a magnet, I drew Jody closer. The blackout glass between the front and back seat was closed. Even though this was the Bay Area, we were still a little cautious about public displays of affection.
Jody leaned his head back on the car seat and sighed.
Alarmed, I asked, “Are you worried, Jo?”
“A little bit,” he admitted. I knew this trip was going to be traumatic for us, but we had to face our demons once and for all. I promised Nikki I’d be the best man at her wedding, and damn it, I had to do it, even if it meant seeing my father and mother for the first time since we’d parted ways.
“Why is your dad walking her down the aisle, anyway?”
“Because her father’s still in jail.”
“And despite the fact that you and I put him there, she wants us at her wedding?”
“She was as shocked as everyone else, Jo. She had no idea that you were bashed or that her father did it! You know, she turned out to be pretty decent at the end.”
“I still don’t trust her.”
“You’re a jealous, possessive boyfriend.”
“Damn right, and don’t forget it!”
“Forget it? I love it when you’re this way. It makes me hornier than fuck.”
“Kit, growing grass makes you horny. The rising sun makes you hard. Birds chirping in the trees turn you on.”
“All right, all right, I get it!” I said, laughing at his teasing. “I’m a horny old dog.”
“No, I’m the dog—you’re the big kitty, remember?”
“Right.” I pretended to purr and meow my way up and down his neck, reaching for his zipper and pulling it down slowly. I slipped my hand inside his jeans and seized his rigid cock. “Who’s the horny dog, now?”
“Fuck.”
“If I blow you, will the driver watch?”
“It’s called a privacy window for a reason. Kit, stop doing that if you’re not going to follow through on this.”
“Do I look like someone who can’t complete a task?”
Jody’s smile was one of deep satisfaction. After months of cajoling, I’d finally let him talk me into taking the medication for the attention deficit, and the difference it made in my performance on and off the field was dramatic. “Not since you’ve started to follow your doctor’s orders.”
“I love my doctor.”
“Love you too, my big tiger. Now behave yourself. We’re almost home.”
I purred against him and held him in a tight embrace. I was so grateful to be holding him after losing him all those wretched months ago. We were exactly where we wanted to be in our relationship, and it seemed as if we had found our utopia despite all the conflict we’d had to overcome to arrive at this place. Our union had continued to flourish and grow, and now almost a year and a half later, we were about to confront two of the three men who had almost destroy
ed us.
“What if they do something rash?” Jody whispered.
“Jo, there’s a restraining order on my father and Zach. They are not allowed to talk to us or be within twenty feet. Plus, Nikki assured me that there would be security at both the church and the reception.”
“But if he’s walking her down the aisle, and you’re going to be standing with her husband-to-be; that’s a lot less than twenty feet!”
“I’m pretty sure he’s not planning on doing anything stupid. He promised Nikki’s dad that she’d have the best wedding ever, and since he’s the one who basically caused her father’s jail time, he probably feels guilty as hell that John’s not there.”
“I wish I could stop worrying about this.”
“You can’t help it, Jo. You’re the worrier in this family.”
“I don’t know how you can be so calm, Kit. It’s the first time you’re seeing them since we left.”
“I’m calm because we won, Jo. You’re here beside me where you belong, and nothing they can do or say will change that.”
“Will your mother be there?”
“I’m not sure. Mike said they’ve been visiting every week, and she seems more like her old self. She’s been asking about me.”
“She’s had the best physical therapy that money can buy, thanks to you. She should have made a full recovery by now.”
“Her speech is still a little slurry, according to the twins. But all movement is back.”
“Well, that’s a relief. Coming back from a massive stroke isn’t an easy thing. She’s lucky the paramedic picked up on her symptoms immediately.”
“They had their hands full that afternoon, between me and her being unconscious.”
“I don’t want to think about that anymore.”
“You’re the one that brought it up.”
“Sorry.”
I meshed our fingers in a tight grip. “No worries, Jo-Jo.”
“None,” he replied, kissing my cheek.
THE service Jody had hired to maintain the property was excellent. The house was clean and aired out, and the hot tub was scrubbed and bubbling. It felt like a home. Jody did a brief walk-through while Clark was putting their luggage away, enjoying the sight of his own furniture and space.
His parents had bent over backward to make their apartment as comfortable as possible, and they’d succeeded, but it wasn’t home. Home was right here in Berkeley, and what better way to celebrate their homecoming than to sit in the hot tub and enjoy the beautiful view they’d been missing.
It seemed almost karmic that they ended up in Chicago when any other team could have picked Clark. Despite his father’s predictions, his value as a player and a media draw went up a hundredfold after his announcement on TV. Teams were scrambling to sign him up, and he settled on the Chicago Bears because of the distance from his family and because of Jody’s ties to Chicago.
And now they were back after being away for almost a year and a half. Back to confront their nemesis and to try to get past this whole sordid affair. He knew that despite Clark’s bravado, there had to be a part of him that was a little apprehensive about seeing his family for the first time since the climax of their conflicts that afternoon so long ago. He’d been in regular touch with the twins, and they’d even had them out to Chicago for a few weeks to watch him play, but he hadn’t seen Jim or Mary since he walked out of their lives. His only contact with them was the monthly check he wrote to the rehab facility that was helping with Mary’s recovery. Clark still felt a little twinge of guilt when he thought of his mother having a stroke because of him, despite the fact that Jody reassured him constantly that it wasn’t his fault and, if anything, Jim should be the guilty party.
Nikki’s wedding would be the perfect venue for the reunion. It was public, and the likelihood that they would say or do anything untoward was pretty slim.
When Clark first mentioned that Nikki was dating a former teammate, he seemed pleased that she was moving on with her life. However, when she asked Clark to be best man, Jody thought the whole idea a bit odd. What kind of woman wanted an ex-lover to be her best man? Obviously, Clark was much more than that. Jody needed reminders that they’d known each other for years, first as friends and then as lovers. She seemed to bear no grudges toward either of them, despite the fact that her father was in jail after Jody picked him out of the police lineup.
Tomorrow, they’d trek to Folsom for the afternoon wedding, stay the night at a local hotel, and return to Berkeley to spend another five fabulous days here. Jody just wanted the whole thing to be over and done with. He was aware Clark needed closure for his peace of mind, but Jody would have preferred to forget the trauma and violence, and no longer be haunted by the aftereffects.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of his lover walking toward him with nothing on but a towel draped around his neck. Naked Clark still made his heart thump wildly, causing an instant reaction in his groin.
“Well, you’ve made yourself at home in no time.”
Clark grinned. “You want to play?”
Jody smiled and started to strip off his clothes in the living room. He made record time in going from fully clothed to nude, and he let Clark take him by the hand and lead him to the hot tub. He had already set up the bucket of iced beers along with the chips and salsa.
“How long have you been planning this?”
“I’ve been thinking about hot tubs all winter long.”
Jody laughed. “I told you. Chicago winters are for shit!”
“They’re pretty intense, but it’s been a good experience. Now, get your body over here and come play with me.”
Jody made his way to Clark and entered the tub gingerly. It took a minute to adjust to the temperature, but he was comfortable in no time, and he and Clark sipped their drinks and enjoyed the amazing view.
“Jo?”
“Hmm?” he replied, basking in the warmth of his lover’s gaze and the pulsing jets of water.
“Sit on my lap.”
Jody noticed Clark was more than ready for him.
“You really do want to play, don’t you?”
“Uh-huh.” He pulled Jody toward him and made him straddle his lap, wrapping his arms around his waist. They kissed and pressed against each other in a gentle, languorous, swaying of their hips. This wasn’t going to be a frantic fuck, but more of a sensual dance, a perfect combination of sex and love. “I love you, Kit,” Jody whispered in his ear, and he felt the intensity of Clark’s desire pressing against his stomach.
“I need to get inside you, Jo.”
“Okay.”
“Can we do it this way?”
“I told you a long time ago that we could be as creative as you want. Fucking in a hot tub ranks high on my bucket list,” Jody informed him. He spread his legs and hoisted his hips, guiding Clark’s cock into him. The warm water lessened the sting, and they moaned out a duet of contentment as his body blossomed for his fully aroused partner.
“God, you feel so fucking good,” Clark sighed.
“You should be on my end,” Jody teased.
They slowly rocked against each other, picking up the pace as the urgency grew. Soon they were moving frantically, chasing the orgasm they both craved. Clark gripped Jody’s hips, easing his movements in a steady push and pull, while Jody hung on for the ride. The finale was as intense as the buildup; Clark felt Jody pulsing against his stomach, even as he let go deep within his lover’s body. The release felt that much better by being surrounded in warm water that fizzed and bubbled around them.
“Love you,” Clark whispered, pressing his forehead against Jody’s. “So much.”
THE wedding was over. Nikki and her new husband stood in the reception line, greeting their guests. She looked radiant in her white gown, made even more beautiful by the smile that seemed to come from deep within. She seemed genuinely happy, and I couldn’t have been more pleased.
The most awkward moment came when I had to face my father as
he escorted Nikki to the front of the chapel. He looked at me, and I acknowledged him with a nod.
Jody and I had made it through the picture taking and the media frenzy. It wasn’t every day that professional football players gathered en masse, and the press was going nuts. As usual, we were bombarded by questions, and I pointed them in the direction of the newlyweds, reminding the photographers and everyone else why they were here.
“Are you and Dr. Williams getting married soon?” one of the guys with the press tag on his chest asked.
“Why don’t you guys just wait to find out?”
“Aww, come on, throw us a bone, will ya?”
I grabbed Jody’s hand and moved away from the group. The last thing I wanted was to take the spotlight away from Nikki. We were standing around the buffet table drinking champagne when my father and mother walked up to us.
I felt a rush of tenderness when I saw her. She’d aged tremendously, and one side of her face still drooped a bit, but her blue eyes lit when she saw me. She opened her arms, and I flew into them and held her against me, loving her for the woman she used to be, and not the woman who had gone off the deep end those many months ago.
I turned and was relieved to see Dad and Jody shaking hands and being civil. Instinctively, I ambled over to them, threw an arm around Jody, and drew him closer. I waited for the inevitable reaction but amazingly, Dad just narrowed his eyes and began to talk.
“Are you doing okay?” he asked.
“Fine.”
“You had a great season.”
“I know.”
“Sticking with the Bears?”
“We’ll see.”
He nodded. “I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.”
“We will,” I said pointedly, reminding him that Jody would weigh in on all my future decisions. Dad walked away with his arm around my mother. Zach was at the other side of the garden and never approached me. Who knew if he’d ever get over this, but right now I didn’t care. What I did care about was the surprising words that had come out of my father’s mouth; his fucked-up way of apologizing and acknowledging that I’d been right all along.
Horizons Page 22
