by A J Jarrett
“Yeah, I know.” Holden walked toward the door that led to his bathroom. “But I thought you might like to shower before we left.” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down suggestively.
That had Ethan throwing the covers off his legs and jumping from the bed. Holden laughed as Ethan chased him into the bathroom. Ethan wrapped his arms low on Holden’s waist, letting his hands rest on the top curve of Holden’s ass.
“I can’t believe I almost walked away from you.” Ethan’s smile fell from his face.
“Well,” Holden said in a teasing tone, trying to get Ethan to smile again. A dressed Ethan was good for no one. “I never said you were the smartest man I ever met. Yes, I love you, but you’re just a little slow sometimes.”
“Oh yeah?” Ethan grinned.
“Totally.” Holden sighed loudly and rolled his eyes upward. “But I think you’re worth it.”
“I know you’re worth it.” Ethan tilted his head to the side and came in for a kiss.
Holden groaned into his mouth as his cock started to fill. If they kept this up, they’d never get to Silver Creek in time to pick up Carson.
They made it to Silver Creek in eighteen minutes. Ethan drove and promised he’d get them there on time. Their shower ran longer than Holden had anticipated. One kiss lead to fondling and that led to him down on his knees sucking Ethan off while jerking his own cock to completion.
“Just pull around to this circle drive.” Holden pointed to where Ethan needed to get in line behind the other cars waiting to pick up kids.
“It’s like an assembly line,” Ethan said as he parked behind a minivan. “You pull up and they give you a kid.”
“Well, only your kid, not just some random student.”
“Really?” Ethan looked shocked. “You mean I can’t just pull up and order the perfect kid I’ve always wanted like at a drive through?” Ethan started to laugh.
“Uh, no.” Holden pushed his sunglasses up on his forehead. “Do you ever think about having kids one day, Ethan?”
“Not really.” Ethan shrugged.
“Oh.” Holden nibbled on his lower lips, uncertain how to say the words chomping at the bit to spurt from his mouth.
“What?” Ethan asked.
“Nothing, it’s just that I always thought someday I’d have kids of my own.” He pulled his sunglasses down back over his eyes, trying to hide the disappointment he knew was there.
“Holden, look at me.” Holden turned toward Ethan but left his glasses on. Ethan rolled his eyes and pushed the sunglasses up onto Holden’s forehead. “Holden, yes I never thought kids were in my future and up until a few hours ago I also thought falling in love wasn’t a possibility, but look at me now. I’m not saying no to kids, but let’s give it some time. Get to know one another better, than we can explore the decision to have children. Okay?”
“Okay.” It wasn’t a no and that was all Holden could hope for right now. He understood Ethan had some more healing to do, but he also knew Ethan had a lot of love to give and one day would make a great dad.
The bell rang and kids filed out the double doors, the teachers ushering them into lines to wait for their parents to pull up. Holden rolled his window down so Carson could see him, since he wasn’t driving his truck. If Carson didn’t see him he knew that his nephew would be able to scent him. Another plus to being a wolf shifter.
“Uncle Holden!” Carson walked toward the car, a huge smile on his young face.
“Hey, buddy.” Holden hopped out of the car and opened the back door for Carson. One of the teachers called out a hello to him and Holden waved in return. Noah and Skyler made sure the school knew who Holden was and that he was always welcome to visit Carson whenever he wanted. It also helped that he was a firefighter and did yearly assemblies at the school.
“Carson, you remember meeting Ethan the other night?” Holden turned around in his seat as Ethan pulled out of the circle drive of the school.
“Yeah. Hey, Ethan.” Carson smiled up at Ethan.
“Hello again, young sir.” Ethan brought his hand to his forehead as if he were tipping a hat.
“I like him.” Carson laughed. “So where we going to eat? I’m starving.”
* * * *
After leaving the school, Holden gave Ethan directions to the Early Bean Café. It was still too early for dinner but Holden promised Carson they’d get him a snack.
Ethan hadn’t talked much with Carson the other night but he thought he kid seemed pretty intelligent. He had never been around kids a lot before and had to imagine not many of them were as well-spoken as Carson. He didn’t whine or complain. Carson talked about his day and was very enthusiastic about a book he was reading. The kid was only in the fifth grade but read at an eighth-grade level. With Ethan being a writer and his love of books, he found that quite impressive.
Ethan pulled into a parking spot right in front of the building and they all got out. The building next to it appeared to be under construction and he saw a white truck with the Carsten and Sons logo on it. Holden explained that Damon, one of the members of the Nehalem pack, was renovating that side of the building to expand the café.
“Margie is the owner of the Early Bean. She’s wanting to retire so she sold the shop and the building next door to Shane and Damon. They’re going to run it together.”
Carson walked ahead of them and the bell rang overhead as they stepped through the door. It was a quaint little café and Ethan thought the coffee was delicious. Carson sat at the counter and ate a cookie and drank a strawberry smoothie. Ethan and Holden sat on either side of him and chatted with Shane.
“I swear, you are always hungry.” Holden shook his head at his nephew.
“I can’t help it.” Carson took another bite of his cookie and smiled as Shane put another one in front of him.
“He is a growing boy,” Ethan offered. Carson smiled up at him and Ethan couldn’t help reaching out to ruffle the kid’s hair. He looked so much like Holden. The big blue eyes and dark brown hair were a carbon copy of Holden’s. Ethan wouldn’t mind having a little boy or girl that looked like Holden running around. Maybe the idea of children wasn’t as scary as he had originally thought.
“So where are you all going to eat at tonight?” Shane asked as he wiped down the countertop.
“I was thinking the steakhouse over off of Crescent Street,” Holden answered. “This growing boy needs some red meat.” Holden patted his stomach.
“Wait!” Ethan reached over Carson’s head to grab Holden’s shoulder. “I’m a vegetarian.”
“You can’t be serious?” Holden sputtered. He had just taken a drink of his coffee and he started to choke on it.
Carson stared wide eyed up at him and Ethan winked in response.
“Yep, only veggies and tofu for this guy.” Ethan found it hard to keep a straight face. Holden stared at him, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed deeply. “I hope that won’t be a problem?” he asked innocently. It had been ages since he’d been able to joke around with a lover and Ethan was having fun messing with Holden.
“Well…Uh…” Holden motioned with his hands as if trying to find a way around the revelation Ethan just dropped. His brow was pinched and his lips were pressed tightly together.
“I’m messing with you. Jeez.” Ethan took a drink of his coffee, smiling over the rim at Holden.
Holden blew out a breath. His shoulders relaxed and he sat hunched over in his seat.
“That was a good one, Ethan.” Carson laughed as he held out his hand for Ethan to smack it. “You totally had him going there. Did you see his face?”
“Very funny.” Holden looked out the corner of his eye at Ethan then took a drink from his mug. “I was starting to worry us being mates wasn’t going to work out if you didn’t eat meat.”
“Wait a minute!” Carson slammed his hands down on the counter. “You’re mates? How come you didn’t tell me the other night?”
“Congratulations, boys.” Shane put his hand out to sh
ake Ethan’s, then Holden’s. “That’s awesome news. Does everyone else know yet?”
Holden answered Shane while Ethan sat quietly and listened, smiling the whole time. It felt good to be the other part of a couple again. The fear still clung in the shadows but Holden and Jensen were both right. The way he’d being going about his life wasn’t living. He’d been given this opportunity to be happy again and needed to grab onto it with both hands and not let go.
“So you’re like my uncle now, too, huh, Ethan?” Carson spun the high bar stool he was sitting on around to face him.
Ethan sat back and looked out over Carson’s head. He hadn’t thought of that. He guessed he was. Ethan could feel Holden’s and Shane’s eyes on him, holding their breath, waiting for him to answer the little boy.
“You know what, Carson?” Ethan leaned down until he was eye level with him. “I guess it kind of does. Is that okay with you?”
Carson made a show of chewing on the side of his cheek as if he were really contemplating it then finally smiled. “Yeah, I think it is. It looks like you make my uncle happy and that’s all that really matters.” Caron shrugged. “And a person can never have too many family members, so I’d be honored to have you for an uncle.”
Ethan didn’t know what to say. Once again he thought Carson seemed wiser beyond his ten years. As he looked into Carson’s big blue eyes, Ethan felt a lump developing in his throat. He’d only ever had his mother and father and now he had a whole slew of friends and family members. It all seemed too good to be true.
Holden saved him from having to say anything by suggesting they take Carson to the book store. They said good-bye to Shane and headed out the door.
The weather was still nice and they decided to walk. The sun beaming down on Ethan’s head kept him warm against the slight chill in the spring breeze. As they walked, Carson was going on about a book he wanted to read. Something about a maze and a runner. It sounded interesting and he thought they just might have to buy two.
“Hey, Carson, did you know that Ethan’s a writer?” Holden pulled open the door to the book store.
“No freaking way!” Carson gaped up at him. “Have you written anything I might have read?” The eager look in his eyes almost had Ethan wishing he wrote some sort of young adult novels, but he liked to add too much romance and passion between his characters.
“No. I write adult romance novels.” Carson opened his mouth to say something and Ethan held a hand up. “And don’t even ask if you can read one. Too much adult content for young minds to be reading.” He tapped his finger on the tip of Caron’s nose.
“Fine, but when I get old enough I’m reading them,” Carson promised, then took off running off toward the section for teens.
“You know.” Holden put his arm over Ethan’s shoulders. “I think I should get one of your books. Maybe even have you sign it for me.” Holden smacked him on the butt as he walked past him.
“Anything you want, my love, anything you want.” Ethan shook his head as he followed Holden down the aisle.
Holden walked slowly. His hips had a little sway to them as he moved. His tan-colored cargo shorts were a little baggy and hung low on his hips, but Ethan could make out the shape of his hard, tight ass under the material. Ethan took a deep breath, trying to get his cock under control as it started to stir in his jeans. He reached down to arrange his thick shaft and took a few calming breaths. Holden glanced over his shoulder, giving Ethan a knowing look as his eyes drifted down his body. He then winked at Ethan and mouthed later to him. Ethan smiled and he couldn’t wait to get his lover alone again.
As they looked at books and picked a few out, Ethan couldn’t help but think he was one of the luckiest people on the face of the planet. After all the bad shit he had suffered through, he was finally catching a break.
Chapter Eleven
After leaving the book store, they went back to pick up Ethan’s car, then headed to the restaurant. The hostess sat them at a table in the back and laid their menus out in front of them.
“Hey, I’m going to step outside and give Noah a call.” Holden stood up. “If the waitress comes around, can you order me an iced tea?”
“You bet.” Ethan smiled at Holden, then made a shooing motion and the man took off. “So what’s good here, Carson?”
“I love their filet mignon, rare. It’s the best.” Carson made a show of smacking his lips together. “But really all their steaks are good.”
Ethan looked over the menu trying to decide just how hungry he was. Did he want a big steak or a small one?
“Oh no,” Carson muttered.
Ethan put his menu down to see Carson slouching in his chair. He looked in the direction Carson was staring to see the kid from the other morning that had jumped the fence, Ryan.
“What’s the matter, Carson?” Ethan remembered Ryan saying that he and Carson weren’t friends and he said it with a scowl on his face. For the life of him he couldn’t imagine someone not liking Carson. The kid was sweet and kind and he loved to read. A perfect trifecta in Ethan’s opinion.
“Have you ever liked someone who didn’t like you back?” Carson looked up at him, still sliding further down in his chair.
Ethan nodded his head. It seemed a little clearer now. Ryan was older than Carson and probably didn’t like to have the younger boy hanging around. It made sense. Kids were like that.
“Sure, that’s just part of life, kiddo.” Ethan patted his shoulder. “But keep in mind if that person you like and want to be friends with isn’t nice to you then don’t waste your time on them.”
“That’s what my dads and uncle Holden say but…” Carson rubbed his hand over his forehead.
“But what?” Ethan put his menu down and lowered his head, giving Carson the option to whisper his response.
“Let’s say there’s this guy and he’s tried and tried to be friends with this other guy, but that guy is always rude to him. He ignores him and goes out of his way to not be around him. But this other guy, he just can’t seem to stay away. The harder the other guy pushes, the harder he tries to be friends with the jerk.” Carson met Ethan’s stare. “Then what is a person to do?”
Ethan thought about what Carson had said. Had it come from someone a little older, he’d think the one guy had a crush on the other, but that couldn’t be the case here. Carson was too young and, Ethan had to imagine, didn’t think of those sorts of things yet. In his opinion, Carson seemed like one of those rare souls that felt the need to be friends with everyone no matter what. He had a good heart and wanted everyone to feel included. That had to be the case with Ryan. Caron probably wasn’t used to someone not liking him and it baffled him to the point of obsession. It pissed Ethan off that Ryan would put Carson through that. Teenagers could be real assholes at times, or so he thought. He remembered being a kid and he wasn’t always the nicest one on the playground.
“You say screw it and move on.” Ethan made a waving gesture with his hand. “Some people are worth your time and some aren’t. Remember that, Carson. I know it’s easier said than done, but don’t let someone else drag you down and make you feel like you’re less than what you truly are.”
Carson sat there for a moment then nodded his head. “You’re right. Screw it.”
“Excuse me?” Holden had just come back to the table and looked between Carson and Ethan.
“Oh, it’s nothing.” Ethan looked down at Carson and winked.
“Okay.” Holden sat down.
“Holden, I thought that was you.” A man with short brown hair came walking over. A little blond-haired boy followed behind him.
It took Ethan a moment to remember their names.
“Hey, Caleb.” Holden stood up to greet the man. “How’s it going, Kamden? You guys just sitting down to eat? You should join us.”
“No, we just finished up. Seth and Ryan are using the restroom, then we’re heading out.” Caleb turned his attention to Ethan. “Ethan, right?” Caleb leaned across the table to shake
his hand.
“Yes, nice seeing you again.” He stood and took Caleb’s hand.
Just then, Caleb’s boyfriend, Seth, and Ryan came to stand beside Caleb. Ethan said hello.
“The special tonight was outstanding.” Seth rubbed a hand over his stomach. “A porterhouse with the largest baked potato I’ve ever seen.”
Holden and Ethan talked to Seth and Caleb for a few minutes. Ryan stood leaning against the chair, a bored look on his face. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Carson and Kamden talking. He noticed that Carson kept shooting glances toward Ryan but Ryan never said anything. The only time Ryan looked in Carson’s direction was to shoot him a dirty look. Ethan was starting to wish he hadn’t helped the little punk out the other day when he missed the bus.
“Well we better get going.” Caleb waved for Kamden to come over to them. “Hey, Ryan, did you say hi to Carson, Holden, and Ethan?”
“Nope.” Ryan stood up and started to walk away.
“I swear you need to write a child’s book about a kid who gets his ass handed to him for being a bully,” Caleb said to Seth.
“Yeah, babe, I can’t write about violence against kids. My agent would drop me and I’d have a whole lot of angry parents after my butt.” Seth placed one of his large hands on the back of Caleb’s neck.
“You’re a writer?” Ethan asked. “So am I.”
“Yeah, Jensen told us that.” Seth smiled. “I write children’s books, so not the same genre as you.”
Ethan stood there talking to Seth for a few minutes more. He’d heard of the series Seth wrote, The Wondrous Wolf, and thought it was extremely funny that a wolf shifter actually wrote those books. If the world only knew.
“Can we go?” Ryan stormed over and interrupted. “I’ve got homework to do.”
“Hey, watch the attitude, mister.” Seth pointed a finger at Ryan. Ryan huffed and walked back toward the front entrance. “Hormones, I tell ya. I don’t remember being that bad.”
“Of course you don’t.” Holden chuckled. “Because you’re so perfect.” Seth growled at him. “He’s getting into those teens years. Everything is changing for him. Just give it some time. I mean, you could always beat it out of him,” Holden teased.
