by Zoey Marcel
None of that mattered when Malachi Brodie was in the building, leading everything in a suit. He looked amazing in a suit, in anything he wore. He probably looked perfect naked.
Sean cleared his throat and adjusted his pants. None of that now.
Lacy Henderson’s stepdad had agreed to let her move out. Neither she nor Sean knew why, but at least he was more agreeable now.
“I love how the tough bikers are unloading toys for kids. It looks funny seeing big guys holding stuffed animals,” Lacy said to him.
Sean grinned. “I just like that there are big, tough bikers here.”
She giggled and nudged his side. “Yeah, I bet you do. Oh.”
“See something you like?”
“Four o’clock. Your other four o’clock.”
He snorted. “That would be eight o’ clock.”
“Don’t look. She’ll see you.”
“How the hell am I supposed to see what you’re looking at? Ah.”
He saw a curvaceous, short woman with a little pudge and a cute, round face with an alabaster complexion. Her hair was short and black with green streaked through it. Her attire would suggest she dug the Goth and heavy metal scene.
“Not bad. I’ve seen her before. I think her name is Tali. You should talk to her.”
Lacy squirmed. “No. I’ll just look.”
“Looking is not as fun.” He lowered his tone and drew near her ear. “Besides, your boyfriend is giving you permission to hit her up. I’m not even gonna be looking. I wouldn’t know if you snogged her.”
Lacy gave him a coy smile. “I guess we could just talk.”
“Exactly. Have at her, then.”
She gave his hand a squeeze and then walked toward the other woman. The rocker lass smiled big at her and they started talking.
Sean smiled and turned his attention to the object of his interest. God, the preacher was killing him in that suit. How was it possible for a man to be so incredibly handsome and so painfully fit?
Noticing a commotion, he turned to see his mate, Percy Gibbons, at the door—his very openly gay mate. He’d known some gay men who were flamboyant and others who appeared so straight one would never know they weren’t.
Percy was definitely the former with his bright turquoise hair that stood up with gel in the middle like something out of Whoville, his androgynous appearance, and his distinctly feminine vocals. He had no problem telling people about his preferences either. Sean admired his openness and sometimes wished he could just be out with it already, although he didn’t have any inclination to make any radical changes to his looks.
Someone stopped Percy and scowled at him.
Sean rolled his eyes and got up to intervene. Moving through the crowd was difficult, but he heard some of the conversation as he drew near.
“I brought some toys for the kids and some canned goods, too,” Percy explained, chewing gum with his mouth open and not seeming offended.
“We have enough,” a man said. “This isn’t the place to pick someone up.”
Percy smirked. “Well, damn. I was kind of hoping you’d go home with me.”
The man’s jaw dropped and he looked speechless.
Percy blew him a kiss, grinning when the guy stormed off in a huff.
“Oh, just let the twink in,” a stout woman with a familiar voice said. It sounded like Abigail Barnaby. Sean had always liked her. “God is love.”
“He’s also holy,” someone retorted.
“Not like you, huh?” Abigail threw back at him.
Sean wanted to laugh.
Percy smirked. “Just pray over the toys so the gay demons go away.”
A woman gasped.
Malachi came over. “What’s going on?”
“It’s him again,” a man complained.
Abigail sounded annoyed. “Oh, for the love of God. Percy, hon, we’d be happy to take those for you.” She elbowed a man in the ribs. “Take the stuff from him, you Philistine.”
The man looked embarrassed and obeyed.
“Thank you for your donation,” Malachi said. “Is there anything else?”
“I figured I’d stay and bid on some of the stuff at the charity auction,” Percy explained. “I promise to behave.”
Sean smiled at his friend’s sass, trying to get the person in front of him to move so he could get through.
“He’s gonna hit on the bikers,” a man complained.
“You jealous?” Abigail threw back at him.
The man snorted his indignation.
Malachi’s voice cooled. “Your donation was generous enough. You should be on your way.”
“No, wait.” Sean shoved the rude oaf out of his way and went to stand by Percy. “He’s with me.”
Something unreadable passed through Malachi’s eyes. “You two are together?”
Sean’s heart sped up. “Not like that.”
Percy put his arm around him. “We’re just friends. He’s as straight as the stick up most of your asses.”
Concern for Malachi’s opinion of him kept the laughter at bay. “Please, Malachi. He’s a good guy.”
Malachi exhaled slowly, features softening. “Fine, he can stay.”
Someone sounded like they about hyperventilated. “But, preacher—”
“But nothing. Sean has good taste in friends,” Malachi said. “The colorful young man wants to give. Let him.”
“You preach it, preacher,” Abigail said. She hip-checked someone out of her way and waved Percy over. “Come on, honey. I’ll show you around. You’re like the son I never had, and you’ve got a mouth on you as if we were related. I like that.”
Percy grinned and put his arm around her as they walked. “You’re pretty great, too, Abby.”
The crowd moved along and Sean tugged Malachi’s arm to stop him. His heart fluttered in his chest at the older man’s nearness and the intoxicating essence of his cologne. He stood at six feet tall compared to Sean’s five foot eight, and his seasoned face was perfect. His steel-blue eyes were expressive and deep with crow’s feet near the edges that creased whenever the man smiled. His face was clean-shaven with an attractive, flesh-toned mole on his right cheek, and his light brown hair was parted on one side with the front sweeping to the left. He had a solid medium build and wonderful big hands that Sean liked to fantasize about.
It took him a moment to remember what he wanted to say. “Thanks for letting him stay. He means well.”
“He’s your friend,” Malachi said in that masculine, baritone voice that always made his heart beat a little faster and felt like coming home. “I trust your judgment.”
“I appreciate that.”
Oh my God, kiss me.
“Will you let me come and see you...after I move in with my uncle?”
The preacher smiled. “You’ll always be welcome in my house, Sean.”
Sean’s breath caught and his pulse skyrocketed when Malachi lightly brushed his arm. “I’ll miss you.”
Malachi’s lips tugged at the corner in a sad motion. “I’ll miss you, too. Come and see me when you can.”
“I will.”
He smiled and touched Sean’s arm in a mindless pat before wandering off.
Sean almost whimpered and followed him like a puppy.
Marry me, please, like right now. You’re wonderful and gorgeous.
He strolled over to where Percy and Abigail were organizing the toys.
“There you are,” Percy said. “I was wondering when you were gonna pry yourself away.”
Sean blinked, heart skipping a beat. Did Percy know?
Abigail nudged Percy in the side. “Uh-oh, that big biker won’t stop looking at you.”
Percy smirked a little and glanced over at the Princes of Hell MC mob across the room. “Which one?”
“That bald, brown-bearded teddy bear-looking one.”
He peeked over at the man she nodded toward and then quickly looked down, cheeks pink and smile mischievous. “Abby, you naughty girl, you’re go
nna get me in trouble. You know I only came here to help out.”
“So did I, hon, so did I. You know I can’t stop playing matchmaker. Sean, don’t you think Percy should be with the hunky thug over there?”
Percy smirked. “What makes you think he’s a thug?”
“Just look at him, hon. I can only imagine the wicked things he’s done.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
Percy grinned. “You’re so bad.”
She laughed and put her hand on his back. “You boys behave yourselves while I go and get you some punch. I’ll see if I can find out his name for you.”
Percy shook his head and smiled. “He is dreamy, but going up and talking to him is just gonna make everybody think that’s what I came here for, which it’s not.” When they were alone he said, “When are you gonna come out?”
Sean’s eyes widened and his heart stammered. “You know?”
“I’m on top of these things. You know that. I hope you’re not using poor Lacy as a beard. Coming out isn’t easy, but I’d lose respect for you if you did that to her. I’d still love ya, though.”
“She agreed to it.”
“That explains it. I was trying to figure out how to tell you that she was a lesbian.” Percy smiled and popped a cherry into his mouth. “That worked out well.”
“You’re not gonna say anything, are you? My da is like some of the people in this town, and so is hers.”
“No. I’m not gonna say anything. I had a hard time with it at first, too. I’ve got this straight friend, Justin, who lives in McKenna Downs. He helped me gain the courage to come out. He’s a good guy. I can introduce you if you want.”
“You just said he was straight.”
Percy smiled slowly. “He thinks he is. Personally I think he’s bi, possibly gay, and doesn’t quite realize it yet. He looks like a pop star. If it turns out I’m right, you want to meet him?”
Sean smiled and glanced around, looking for Malachi. “That’s all right. He sounds great, but I can’t really have a boyfriend right now. Flings are safer.”
“Aw, that’s sad. Flings are fun, but boyfriends are more likely to cuddle.” Percy rolled his eyes, nibbling on a strawberry. “Well, some of them. There’s always some jerk out there that’s all ‘Yeah, you were great. See ya.’ We don’t call those twits again.”
“Good on you, lad.”
“Ogling the preacher again. Very nice.”
“What?” Sean’s head jerked.
“Oh please, shawty, you’ve got it so bad for that man it’s not even funny. I feel bad for you. I really do, but I’ve always said the man protests too much.”
“You think Malachi is gay?”
If only.
Percy bobbed his head a little while chewing. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I can usually tell, even with the ones who are in the closet, but he’s a tough one to read. He’s so hostile toward them, he’s either really, really homophobic, or super freakin’ gay.”
Sean rolled his eyes. “Well, that helps, mate.”
“Sorry. I’m surprised he let me in here. I think he did that for you.”
“Of course he did it for me. I’m like a son to him.”
“Yeah, that’s why he did it.” Percy wiped his hands. “Where did that bulky ball of love run off to?”
“Huh, that’s weird.”
“What’s that?”
“I think I just saw my da.”
Abigail came back with their drinks. “His name is Bear.”
Percy grinned. “You bad thing, I didn’t tell you to ask. Did you find out anything else about him?”
“His name is Bear.”
He chuckled. “Well, that’s something. I think he left. Maybe I’ll run into him sometime somewhere else.”
“That’s the spirit.” She patted his arm. “Have you been eating from the food baskets for the auction?”
Percy paused, his mouth full of mixed nuts. He began to chew again with a sheepish smile. “Crap.”
Abigail laughed. “It’s all good. I’ll just move the stuff around so nobody misses it. Might want to wipe the juice off your face. The buffet is over there.”
“My bad.”
Sean set his drink down. “I’m gonna go see if that was my da.”
“Have fun,” Percy replied.
* * * *
Aiden Friel roamed through the crowd, annoyed by all the people. He could count the number of appealing people on one hand. The rest irritated him and they were in his fecking way.
He walked into another room and saw his son, Sean’s girlfriend, Lacy, French kissing someone else—a woman. The bitch pawed at Lacy’s breasts and the slapper moaned.
No. No. No.
Infuriated, Aiden grabbed Lacy by the arm and yanked her away from the Gothic whore. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Oh God.” Lacy’s hands shook. “I can explain.”
“Oh, can you?” He threw a nasty glare at the other wench. “Scram.”
The dark-haired bitch looked intimidated briefly before squaring her shoulders. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
“Someone who isn’t too happy about finding his son’s girl attached to your fuckin’ mouth.”
She frowned. “Sorry. I didn’t know.”
Lacy watched her leave and then looked up at him like a guilty kid. “Mr. Friel, I—”
“What sort of game are you playin’ at?” His grip on her arm tightened and she made a face. “You want to break my son’s heart? Are you tryin’ to make a fool out of him?”
“No. I was just curious. I’m over it. I really am sorry.”
“No. You’re gonna break up with him is what you’re gonna do. You’re not usin’ my son as a beard. Nobody is putting him through that.”
“Please don’t say anything to my stepdad.”
“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t.”
“Sean said I could kiss a girl so I would know what it’s like. That’s all. No more after this.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not. Just ask him. Ow,” she mewled.
“Da?” Sean stood in the doorway, seeming confused, possibly startled. “What’s going on?”
Aiden let go of her. “Your girlfriend here was after shiftin’ a woman.”
“Excuse me.” Lacy hurried off.
Sean turned his head to watch her leave before refocusing on his father. “Was she?”
“She’s a lesbian.”
“I doubt that. She was probably just curious. I’ll talk with her and we’ll get things sorted out.”
Aiden took a few steps toward him. “She said you gave her permission to do that.”
Sean swallowed. “Did she? Maybe she was worried you would say something.”
“She said to ask you to verify what she said.” Aiden stepped closer, noting the guilty way his son stepped backward. “Now why would she say that if she was lying?”
“I might have told her she could, but I didn’t want to say anything because I knew you’d get upset.”
“You wouldn’t allow someone you fancied to do that. Who’s the real person you want?”
Sean’s eyes dropped and his mouth opened, like he’d been cornered. “What do you—”
“Who is she?” Aiden jerked his chin up, making the boy look at him. “It is a she, yeah?”
Sean gulped. “Of course.”
“Then why this charade with Lacy? What are you hiding? If it was a woman you fancied, you’d be with her.”
His son didn’t say anything. He kept his eyes lowered.
“Look at me.”
Sean obeyed.
Aiden raised his brows in question.
Sean looked cornered, but he wasn’t talking.
“Tell me who it is.”
“It’s Lacy.”
Aiden pursed his lips and shook his head once slowly. “No. See, the way you act with her is the way mates act with each other, not lovers.”
“We kiss and show affection.”
“It looks force
d, unnatural, like you two are tryin’ to cover something up.”
Sean stepped back and pushed his hand down. “Always paranoid, aren’t you? Lighten up, old man.”
Aiden tugged on his shirt, jerking him to a halt. “Watch y’rself. I’ve seen couples in love and I’ve seen men with beards.”
Sean ducked his eyes.
Aiden bent his head and squatted a few inches to be closer to eye level with his son. “Is that what this is?”
Sean looked him in the eye. “What would you do if it was?”
Aiden felt both dread and anger smolder from within. Not Sean. His eyes set in warning and he softened his tone. “Whatever it takes.”
Sean averted his gaze, eyes weak and jaw taut. “You want to know what’s going on?” He met Aiden’s cool gaze. “I care about someone I can’t be with, someone older. She’s taken.”
“You’re in love with a married woman?”
“I am. That’s why I asked Lacy out. I figured it was better to date someone my age than to lust after a married woman.”
“Lust?”
“Love...purely.”
Right.
Aiden heaved a weighty sigh and placed his hand on Sean’s shoulder. “You did the right thing. Don’t settle for Lacy if you want someone else. Just be single and wait for someone better for you to come along.”
“I like Lacy.”
“Ah, she’s no good for you, Sean. You should be with someone who wants you.”
“I don’t mind if she’s curious.”
“She’s not curious. She knows exactly who she is.”
“You said I was only curious back when I was twelve.”
Aiden threw him a warning look and came back over to him. “That was different. You were just a wee fella. I set you straight and you got past it, didn’t you?” When Sean didn’t answer he clipped his tone to get his point across. “Didn’t you?”
Sean nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Atta boy.” Aiden smiled. “Dump your girlfriend. Move in with your uncle. You’re going to school.”
“But—”
“Good chat.” He patted his son’s cheek and then strode out, refusing to say anything more on the subject.
Sean was evidently a naughty boy lusting after the Mrs. Robinson older woman type, but he hadn’t acted on it. He was a good lad.
