by J. P. Scott
I noticed several missed calls from my publisher and that there was a voicemail. I listened to the details of a writer’s conference I was invited to attend in two weeks. I would not be giving a keynote speech, but would be on a panel each day of the conference and two writing workshops. I had been trying for a couple years to do this. It was more than just exposure but the chance to connect with other writers and to be reminded of what it was like to be just starting and struggling to break through.
My heart beat sped up with excitement. What would I talk about? I had been keeping a journal of ideas—did I pack that or had I left it in Phoenix? I might have to head down to the Valley to prepare.
I looked at the closed bedroom door. What about Cody? He might like the chance to go on a trip. But could he? Now that the twins were born, Molly and Jim needed him to work at the restaurant. This was what they had been planning for when they hired him. If I went on my own would he understand or would he think I had changed my mind? After last night, he should feel secure. Would distance time apart unravel what we had just put back together?
To distract myself from my thoughts I opened the refrigerator to see what I could pull together for breakfast and started pulling ingredients out to the counter. An omelet with sautéed vegetables and bacon was just coming out of the pan onto a plate when Cody stepped out of the bedroom.
“Good morning, handsome. Hungry?”
He nodded and stepped into the kitchen, kissing me gently on the lips.
“Veggies and bacon. But if you’d like something else, I can make yours to order….as long as it is some combination of veggies and bacon.”
He smiled. “This is perfect. Any news on the twins?”
“Born this morning, mother and boys are doing fine. I was thinking about driving down today to check in on everyone. I wasn’t sure if you were able to join me.”
“I don’t think I can. It will be a long day at the restaurant without Jim there. I’ll need to do some of the back-office duties.”
I was disappointed, but I had anticipated this news.
I thought about the email and hesitated bringing up the conference. We would need to discuss it at some point and I did not know when his schedule would give him much time to get into deep topics. Now might be the only time we had before I left when he was not neck deep in duties at the restaurant.
“I’ve got some news. There’s a writer’s conference in two weeks that I’ve been invited to attend. There was a last-minute invite when one of the original authors had to bow out. I’ve been trying to snag an invite for years.”
“You’re leaving? How long will you be gone?” A forkful of omelet returned to the plate, uneaten.
“I don’t know exact details yet. I may have to go back down to Phoenix to prep—I’m not sure I have what I need up here. I could be gone a week and a half, but maybe more. I wouldn’t be surprised if my editor wants to meet up in person.”
Cody took a bite of his omelet and I worked on whisking the eggs for mine.
“Wow. I didn’t anticipate you having to go anywhere until the end of summer.”
“I know. Neither did I.” I poured the eggs into the pan. “I’ll be a phone call away. And maybe you’ll be able to sneak away for a day or two to see me in Phoenix. I’d even buy you a ticket to fly out to the conference if you think you can swing it.”
He shook his head. “I don’t see how that would be possible.”
“I know.” I added the veggies and bacon to the omelet and folded the egg over to make the half circle in the pan. “Two weeks will fly by.”
“It’ll be grueling without you.” I heard him stand and in moments felt him wrap his arms around me from behind. “But I think I’ll survive two weeks.”
Beau, jealous for attention came up and sniffed at our legs.
“I’ll need someone to watch him.”
“I can do that.” Cody reached down to pet Beau.
“I was talking to Beau about watching you.” I turned to face Cody. As he looked up to me, I leaned down to kiss him. “I love you, Cody.”
“I love you, too.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
I knocked on George’s door, hoping that Josh was in the office working. I was not ready to see him. I peeked in to find George working on a puzzle at the kitchen table. He waved me in.
“I’ve got news about Molly and the twins. They were born this morning. Two boys. She named one after Gray.” I had not originally planned to tell him the last bit, unsure if the mention of Gray Whitlock would be welcome.
“I guess we live on in our children and our grandchildren. Seems only right.”
I sat across from him and surveyed the work George was doing with the puzzle. The box to the side showed the puzzle was a picture of crayons of all colors and sizes in a jumbled mess.
“How are you ever going to finish this?”
“One piece at a time. I imagine that’s the same as when you write your books—looks like it will never come together, but little by little you find the right place for the right piece and the picture gets a little more complete.”
It seemed like an interesting theory that I would need to think about later.
“I wanted to check in on you. Besides the news with the twins, it looks like I am going to have to be gone for a couple weeks.”
“Are you now?”
“Yeah, there’s a great opportunity, otherwise I would stick around and push through with finishing the draft of my book like normal.”
George nodded, “Well, congratulations. But if you’re worried about me, don’t be. I’ll manage.”
“Well, George, I’m pretty sure you will. That’s not why I came. I wanted to talk to you—about Cody.”
“Ah, yes. Josh wouldn’t tell me how and why he got that black eye, but I figured it had something to do with the kid and the dinner at your cabin.”
“That’s between Josh and me and we will sort that out when the time comes.” I cleared my throat and continued, “I understand Cody had a past and a reputation. I’m not sure everything you know, but I know you have an opinion about him.”
“That I do.” He spun a puzzle piece between his fingers as he looked at me.
“I wanted to tell you that his reputation or past doesn’t matter to me. We’ve all done things we regret—things that we wish we could erase. Cody is no different. He’s a good guy and I love him. When I’m gone, if you happen to see him, I want you to treat him with respect. If you’re so moved, I’d like you to even apologize to him. When I get back, I think the three of us should spend some time together. I want you to see what I see in him, and I want him to know what a good friend you can be.”
George exhaled a long, slow breath through his nose. He tossed the puzzle piece down and crossed his arms. “I suppose I could do that for you. You are my friend.”
I nodded and looked him with a direct, firm stare. “Don’t do it because we’re friends.”
“What?”
“Don’t do it for me. Instead, when you see Cody, I’d like you to picture Gray’s face. When you hear Cody’s name, I want you to hear Gray’s name. I want you to remember the young man that you mentored and became friends with. The young man that had a secret he did not want anyone to know. A secret that tormented him and isolated him…and eventually killed him. Show Cody the kindness that Gray would have wanted and that he deserved.”
George wiped at the moisture forming around his eyes.
Neither of us said anything for several minutes. I hoped my message had gotten through to George and he would change his actions going forward. Did I need anything else from him? I decided that I did not.
I stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’re a good guy, George. Know that I’ll always be your friend.”
He continued to wipe at his eyes but remained silent.
I walked to the door and left without any further exchange.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jim smile
so much.”
Molly and I looked at her husband as he cradled Calvin in his arms. Carter was sleeping in his mother’s arms, content from a recent feeding.
“I think he’s wanted kids more than I did—especially when he found out it would be twin boys.”
“One for football and one for baseball,” Jim laughed.
“Or maybe band, or drama, or…writing?” I had to plug my own craft as I reminded him that not all boys liked sports as much as their dad did.
“Sure, sure,” Jim said. He leaned closer to the baby, “But I think you’re going to be a quarterback.”
Molly rolled her eyes. “Thank you for your help in getting us here safely. I know you stayed late, too. I talked with my mom.”
“It was a good talk. I’m glad we got the chance to clear up some things.”
“So, what now? Are you going to finish your book now that you are done snooping around the past?” Molly’s tone said she was kidding, but there was certainly a nugget of resentment behind her question.
“I should be able to get it knocked out in no time. Unless there’s something else in your past that I’m going to discover. Or maybe it’s Jim’s family’s turn?” I could not resist the opportunity to tease back.
“I doubt my family is that interesting.”
“Well, you know how to find me if anything comes up.” I waited a few moments then said, “I’ll actually be heading out of town for a couple weeks. I got a last-minute invite to speak and teach at a writer’s conference.”
“That’s awesome! You’ve been trying to do that for years.” Molly was tired but the news had her forehead wrinkled in thought. “What does this mean for you and Cody? You’re not taking him with you, are you?”
“Don’t worry about the restaurant. Cody isn’t going anywhere. He’s got too much of a work ethic to leave the two of you hanging.”
Jim busied himself with putting the babies in the cribs now they had both fallen asleep.
“Everything’s good with the two of you, right?”
“Better than good.” I blushed picturing Cody, the young kid that was older and wiser than me in so many ways. In a short amount of time we had known the intense heat of a new relationship, but also the questions and worry of a love in jeopardy. The other side of troubles had proved to be a deeper love and connection.
I kissed Molly on the forehead. “Who knows, maybe Cody and I will be starting a family someday.”
“Well, labor’s a bitch. Good luck with that.”
“Get some rest. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Molly adjusted herself on the bed and settled in for a nap. I shook Jim’s hand as I made my exit.
I walked out to the hospital parking lot and thought about how happy Jim and Molly were. Their kids were strong and healthy babies that had a bright future. Could that really be my future with Cody?
Where had this idea of kids come from? Was that something Cody even wanted? A spark of an idea that someday could become something big.
So many questions…and the answers could wait for another day. Today, I wanted to get back up the Rim where Cody was working hard at the restaurant. Before I had to take off, I wanted to spend as much time with him as a I could. Even if he was working, I could sit at the bar with some wine, and catch a moment with him or even a smile from across the room.
Small moments like those…what would they eventually become? A phone number left in a notebook…a simple act had led us to a young and promising relationship. A spark that had ignited a flame. I wanted to keep that fire going. A two-week hiatus would not be fun, but I knew it would not diminish what had started.
Coming Soon from J. P. Scott
Flame – Burning Desire, Book 2
Josh's world has fallen apart. He is stuck in rural Arizona trying to keep his uncle's business afloat while his uncle's health continues to get worse. His boyfriend has left him and the man he loves wants nothing to do with him. All he has are the tricks that come over and keep him entertained.
Then Jonathan walks into his life. There to help make the necessary repairs to make the cabins ready to sell. More than that, he's there to teach Josh to love again.
But what secrets does this Silver Daddy have in his past? Can he get the job done and get out before the flame of desire becomes a raging fire?
Body Conscious—Body Heat, Book 1
Ollie is after the perfect body. That's the way to get the perfect boyfriend and the perfect life, right?
Stuck in the same routine every day, Ollie is not expecting to fall for a man who does not conform to the gay ideals of perfection. Still, he's confident and sexy. Can Ollie get past what he thinks he wants to love what he needs?
Jeremy is a man that knows what he wants. He has his sights on Ollie. Can he get Ollie to be okay with himself and let love in?
* * *
[JP1]
