by Royal Blue
“Let’s see if you can adapt to this.” I chuckle, rolling until he’s on his back.
For the first time in a long time, I feel like life is going just as I want it. Things are finally starting to fall into place. I just might be okay after all.
CHAPTER TWENTY: A LOVING FAMILY
Andy
I’VE TAKEN this long to bring Kyle around my family because they’re all crazy. Tara is the closest one to being sane, and that’s only when she’s not around the rest of the family. We’re a close-knit family. We’re loving and supportive, but you never know what you’ll hear come out of one of their mouths.
I don’t know how they’ll manage to embarrass me tonight. I just know one of them will, but I wouldn’t trade a single one of them for the world. The fact that I can trust them with something so important to me is enough to endure whatever they throw my way.
“Why do you look so nervous?” Kyle asks, holding a sleeping Mason on his hip.
The poor kid passed out during the drive here. I wish I could have relaxed enough to sleep during the long drive. I didn’t sleep last night as it is. I kept playing in my head all the ways this night could go south.
“They’re crazy. I told you this,” I say, trying not to pout like a child.
“It can’t be that bad.” He squints at me.
I purse my lips. “Hopefully you won’t understand half of what they say,” I reply.
Kyle’s laugh rumbles through the air. My parents retrained their Northern Irish accents although they will dial it back when around others. Mitch, being the oldest, tends to fall back on our parents’ speech habits. John, Tara, and I don’t slip up nearly as much, but it is known to happen, especially when we’re all together.
I mutter to myself about the disaster this will be. Just as we enter the house and clear the foyer into the family room, Kyle places a hand on the small of my back and kisses my temple. The gesture is met by a loud welcoming cheer from my family as they come into view.
“Hey! Andy,” my brothers shout in unison.
I roll my eyes and laugh at them. Sure, that never gets old. Mitch rushes me, lifting me into a bear hug. My other brother, John, pulls me into a headlock, messing my hair.
“Well, who do we have here?” Mitch booms.
I push John off to find Mason awake with his eyes bouncing between me and my brothers. My heart warms to see his little face calculating whether I’m in danger, as if he plans to help or come to my rescue. Mitch holds up his hand for a high five.
“Put it there, kid,” my oldest brother says to Mason. “The name is Mitch.”
Mason’s eyes flicker to me to see if I’ll give the approval. I give him a reassuring wink. His face lights up.
“My name is Mason,” he replies, giving Mitch a high five.
“Nice to meet you, big guy. You like sports?”
“Yeah, I can play basketball like Uncle Kyle, but I like playing kickball and baseball with Uncle Andy too,” Mason says enthusiastically.
“Jeez, kid. If my little brother is the one teaching you baseball you’re in trouble,” Mitch teases.
“Aye, he would teach you kickball and not soccer,” John says, trying not to laugh.
Mitch stifles a laugh at the same time. Kyle stiffens next to me, not understanding the joke. I frown at my brothers and reach to rub my head.
“Oh shit, did you see that?” John bursts into laughter.
“Sure did, I did.” Mitch doubles over, choking on his own laugh.
My brothers are like bulls in a china shop. They say what they feel and mean what they say. If it hurts that’s your problem. When it comes to me, they’ll kick my ass and tell me to get over it. Yet they’ll sit with me to make sure that I indeed get over it. It’s weird, I know, but I love them for it.
“Stop torturing my babe in front of his company,” my mother says as she and my father join us. “The lad has turned red in front of his beau, he has. Cut it out.”
“All we did was point out he’s not too keen on football,” Mitch says through his laughter.
My frown deepens as my mother’s cheeks redden and her eyes sprinkle with mirth while she tries to suppress her own laughter. My dad doesn’t even try. He lets it roar, holding his stomach.
“I’m sorry, lad. I’m sorry,” my father says as he tries to compose himself.
“So, our dear brother here was actually awesome at football in grade school. He was on a team and one of the star players, he was,” Mitch starts.
“Aye, the kid had talent,” my father says proudly.
“He was also a little shit that broke my bike and tried to hide it. I wanted to get back at him. He was just about to score the winning goal,” Mitch continues.
“I really should have battered your arse for this,” my dad says to Mitch, with tears of mirth now rolling out of his eyes.
“It was too funny to,” my mother blurts out, her words taking on that musical sound of hers.
Mitch shrugs. “He deserved it. Always breaking my stuff.”
“See what you have to understand is Andy likes to take things apart and put them back together. He was always taking our shit apart and then running off when he couldn’t put it back together,” John explains.
“Watch ya mouth in front of the wee lad,” my mother chides, popping John in the back of the head.
“Ouch,” John hisses, rubbing the back of his head. “I want to see how long you all keep your gubs clean.”
“Stook,” my dad mumbles, always good for calling one of us an idiot.
“Anyway, Andy is about to score the winning goal. The ball is headed right for him. I jump up from the grass on the sidelines and start screaming at the top of my lungs.” Mitch starts to laugh so hard he can’t continue.
“‘Andy, Andy. Oh my God, Andy. Look out.’ He’s screaming out,” John tries to finish.
“The poor thing. He starts to look around for the danger. He couldn’t have been more than eight or nine. He was so confused,” my mother giggles.
“Meanwhile, the ball is still sailing towards him,” Mitch starts again.
“Can we not?” I groan.
“Oh no. They have to finish,” Kyle says.
“He turns around just in time for the ball to cobber him in the noodle. I mean, it bounces off his face like two times. He wasn’t hurt or anything, but the look of confusion on his face. Priceless. His team lost and he was pissed. He wouldn’t talk to me for weeks. I only felt bad after he started flinching whenever the ball looked like it was coming for his bake,” Mitch finishes.
“He’s lucky it didn’t break his nose. Absolutely should have beat ya arse,” my father adds.
“It’s funnier if you see the videotape,” Tara says as she joins us out of nowhere. “And as much as we may seem like jerks for laughing at him. We found out about a year ago that as good as he was at the game, he hated it. He played because Mitch and John did, and he thought Da wanted him to. The flinching was BS. He used it to get out of playing.”
I blush as my sister outs me. Kyle’s mouth falls open in shock before he joins my brothers in laughter. He’s holding his own stomach. Well, if this is the least of the embarrassment for the night, I guess I can handle it. At least it’s out of the way.
“Do ya know how many years I felt guilty over that?” Mitch says, but his eyes tell me he’s over it.
“You didn’t feel too bad,” I grumble.
“Absolutely didn’t,” my mother huffs. “I did batter ya for taunting him with footballs after that. Forgive my lot. They’re a bunch of muppets.”
“I can’t speak for these three, but I’m no one’s fool, Ma.” Mitch winks.
“I think I love your family,” Kyle moves to say in my ear.
“You can have them,” I mumble.
“Come on. Let your Uncle Mitch and Uncle John show ya how to play some real football,” Mitch says to Mason.
“Damn right.” John nods.
“Assholes,” I mutter to myself.
“I heard that, pr
ick. Just for that yer playing after dinner,” Mitch calls over his shoulder as he tosses a squealing Mason in the air.
“I tell one more of ya to watch ya gub, I’ll be doin’ a number on ya,” Mom snaps, her Irish accent showing through.
This time I don’t think Kyle fully catches what she says. The Northern Irish tend to speak faster. When it’s just us around, most would be lost in the speed and the slang of it all. When we visit our family in Belfast, I find myself lost at times.
“See, now you’ve pissed her off,” Tara hisses at Mitch as she follows my brothers to play with Mason.
“The name is Oscar. We do have manners, we do,” my father says with a smile, holding his hand out to Kyle.
My father is down-to-earth. Having money has never changed him. He still works hard side by side with his workers every day. Same as before he came into his first million, he has a beer every night as soon as he walks into the house. He’s loyal to his friends and protective of his family.
“It’s all right, sir. I feel like I know you all already,” Kyle replies taking his hand.
“Aye, my lad hasn’t smiled so much since he was a wee babe,” my mother says, waving Kyle in for a hug. “Family ya be. I’m Honoria.”
My mother is much the same as my father. She’s fierce about her children and can’t stand to see one of us hurting. The only reason she wasn’t there for my intervention with my sister and father was because she’d made herself sick with worry. She cursed me out good for stressing her out when I got myself together.
“Nice to meet you, Honoria,” Kyle says, bending to give my mother a hug.
I think her tight embrace surprises him. She holds him for a few beats, squeezes him the way she does her children. I know and understand that hug. It’s tighter than you’d expect from someone so tiny but comforting just the same. It’s her way of showing unconditional love.
I smile with pride, my heart swelling with love. That hug is the Connor stamp of approval. Kyle has just received the official family welcome.
Kyle
ANDY IS right. His family is crazy. I love them. I haven’t laughed so hard in years and the way they’ve taken to Mason—treating him just like family—it is more than I expected.
Andy is a totally different person around his family. He’s so much more sure of himself and assertive. Listening to the banter between him and his brothers has revealed so much about him.
John is like a big kid. He and Mason just ran out to get gummy bears for their ice cream once they found out they have the preference of the combination in common. Tara has been bugging Andy about modeling for one of her upcoming shows or something.
I just came out back to the grill on the deck to grab another burger. It’s the first time Andy has given me space. It’s like he’s been shielding me all night. I chuckle mentally at the fact that he thinks he needs to protect me from his family.
“I give him a hard time, but I love that kid,” Mitch says as he walks up beside me.
“I can tell,” I say around a bite of burger.
“My question to ya is are ya hiding ya relationship because of the shit Andy has told us? Or are ya doing it because he’s fucked-up?”
I turn to glare at him, tossing my burger back on the plate. Mitch is about six feet tall, just a bit taller than Andy. I have to look down at him. He narrows his eyes, glaring back at me. All good feelings go out the window. I toss the plate down on the nearby table when he squares up with me.
“First, you don’t know me like that, to be up in my face. Back up. Second, there’s nothing fucked-up about Andy. I have no reason to hide him,” I say through clenched teeth and a tight jaw. “I choose to keep my personal life to myself. That has nothing to do with Andy or how I feel about him.”
“How do ya feel about him?” he asks, moving farther into my space.
“That’s also none of your business. But since you’re the brother of the man I love, I’ll keep it hundred with you. Andy and Mason are the most important people in my life. I’d lie down my life for them and you best believe I’ll lay out anyone that tried to hurt either of them,” I say, looking down at him pointedly.
“Hey, what the hell?” Andy rushes out the back sliding doors of the house, pushing Mitch back.
Mitch smiles, nodding his head, but I don’t return it. I’m still ready to whip his ass for calling Andy fucked-up and getting in my face. I flex my fists at my sides. My entire body is coiled to fight.
“Neil Patterson,” Mitch says and nods.
My brows furrow. I know the name. I just don’t know how or why Mitch is bringing it up. I rub my chin, trying to calm myself.
“Who? What the fuck are ya talking about?” Andy snarls, the Irish lilt I’ve been hearing his family use appearing. “I warned ya ass I’d beat the fuck out of ya if ya tried this shit.”
My head whips back. I look Andy over, and he looks just as ready for a fight as I am. His fists are tight at his sides; his chest is heaving. That accent, though. Yeah, I like that too. Here for it all day. Something to think about later.
“His husband works for me. Neil comes to the office parties and always brags about knowing you as a kid and how you used to protect him and beat the other kids up for messing with him. Says you were a stand-up kid. You protect what’s yours,” Mitch explains. “I needed to make sure that’s still true.”
“Are ya fucking kidding me?” Andy growls.
Mitch turns to Andy and glares. They have a stare down as Andy glares back. They look like two pits sizing each other up for a fight.
“Aye, I know I taught ya how to kick ass,” Mitch snaps. “But if he wants my baby brother, he better have ya fucking back. Now shut ya bake. He’s a good guy and he loves ya. That’s all I needed to know. I’m grand.”
“Is that you?” Andy bites out.
“Aye, I’m done,” Mitch grumbles. “I told ya. I’m grand.”
“Asshole,” Andy snaps.
Mitch shrugs, turning to me he tips an imaginary hat. I relax and nod back. No hard feelings. I was the same way with Savanna.
“So were you about to fight your brother for me?” I say with a grin.
“Shut up,” Andy mutters, the corners of his mouth twitching up.
“Andy’s a scrapper. Noted.” I chuckle.
“Don’t forget it,” he tosses back and winks.
“Don’t plan to, babe.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: BITTER EX
Kyle
“TO OUR new interests, good times, and some fun.” Javier lifts his glass to give our customary toast.
“Salud,” we say as one.
This party is the first time in months my crew has all been in one place at the same time. With the seven of us all playing one professional sport or another, it’s hard to link up. Beau is the only one of us who’s retired. Although, I hope someday he’ll get back in the ring.
As I look around Javier’s office at my friends, I count myself lucky. These guys have accepted me as I am. When I need support, they’re always there. Each knows if they need me, I’ll do the same.
We’re dressed to impress tonight, each one of us in a black tux. I have to say, I’m in some damn good-looking company. Darwin likes to call us his den of dimes, seven perfect tens. At first glance, most would probably think that, but there’s a lot of pain, struggles, and scars in this room.
“It’s good to see you all in one place,” Javier says, speaking my own thoughts.
“It has been too long.” Jordan nods.
“Tell me about it,” Chris agrees. “I feel like I’ve been doing nothing but running. It’s good to have a down moment with family. Kyle, how’s Mas? I want to spend some time with you guys after the playoffs.”
“He’s good. He’s happy and healthy. That’s what’s most important to me,” I reply.
“The kid is a beast. I think he may end up in the ring,” Beau says proudly.
Ray groans. “You’re letting him in the gym with this guy. You know you’re going to be u
p at the school every week for him kicking someone’s ass.”
“Exactly what I was thinking,” Chris snorts. “Beau probably didn’t even bother to teach him not to go around knocking kids out.”
“Bite me,” Beau grunts. “He knows better. The kid has talent and he’s still young.”
“Nah, I think he likes baseball,” I say with some disappointment.
“All right, the niño has taste,” Javier croons.
“Whatever.” I laugh.
“Doesn’t he have a birthday coming?” Daniel asks.
“Sure does.” I nod.
“Emma is going nuts on the party.” Beau shakes his head. “Has my mama helping her.”
“Oh, this is going to be one for the books,” Javier says, with mirth in his voice.
“Wait, so we just going to skip over Kyle walking in here with Bae? You don’t walk in here with someone as fine as that and just think we’re going to skate right over it like it didn’t happen,” Daniel says.
“Okay, it’s not just me,” Jordan chortles.
I grin. I was surprised when Andy said he’s never been to Club Refuge. Darwin is known for parading pretty boys around the club. That is unless you’re one of his boys. Darwin has a group of us he looks out for and treats like sons. From listening to Andy, I can see he’s a part of that group.
“What do you want to know?”
That gets everyone’s attention. I never open up so easily. Fine, I’ll admit it. I kind of do want to show Andy off. It’s odd. That’s so unlike me, but my closet friends are in attendance and I want them to know Andy.
Tonight, Javier is throwing a black-and-white affair. I thought it would be cool to bring Andy. It’ll be sort of a celebration.
Mas has made it through kindergarten without me breaking him or scarring him for life, I made the playoffs without killing any of my teammates, and Andy was offered a position as vice principal at his school. This seemed like something fun to kick back and look at all that we’ve accomplished.
Daniel gives a long low whistle. “This must be serious,” he says.
