Next Best Thing

by Charity Parkerson

  He felt Tucker tense. “Are you going to renew?”

  Orion shrugged. “I don’t know. My landlord doesn’t require any specific notice. So,” he shrugged again. “I don’t know.”

  Tucker went back to trailing his fingertips up and down Orion’s hip. “You could always move in with me. I like having you in my bed.”

  Orion bit his bottom lip, trying to squelch his happiness before it grew too big. “I suppose I could, if you’re really sure you want me here full time.” The room spun. Orion found himself on his back with a huge Tucker squashing him to the bed.

  “Are you being serious? Are you telling me yes right now?”

  Orion blinked at the sudden change. “Yeah, that’s what I heard myself say.”

  Tucker didn’t soften. “Don’t fuck with me here, Orion. Are you really going to let me keep you?”

  He didn’t fully understand Tucker’s mood. He had been the one to ask, but he sounded like he couldn’t believe Orion would agree. “Yeah. I mean, that’s typically what yes means, in this case, I suppose. Not that I love you making me sound like I’m a stray dog or something you’re taking in, but I guess I am a stray in a way, so yeah.”

  A sexy sounding chuckle escaped Tucker. “There’s the sexy cranky pants I fell in love with.”

  A hint of petulance set in. “I’m not cranky. I’m logical and tired a lot.”

  Tucker kissed Orion’s neck, making it hard for him to think straight. “Why are you tired?”

  “Um.” He chased his thoughts. “I have to get up early every day and work with assholes. It’s mentally exhausting.”

  “You should quit,” Tucker said, settling down next to Orion again.

  A snort escaped Orion. “I can’t quit.”

  “Of course, you can. You’ve got me. If you want, you never have to work again.” Tucker snapped his fingers. His excitement sounded in his voice. “You could stay home with me and I’ll pay you to be my assistant. I’ll write. You do the online marketing. Books don’t sell themselves, you know.”

  Orion was grateful for the darkness hiding his eye roll. “I don’t know a damn thing about online marketing.”

  He felt Tucker shrug. “You can learn on the job. Just think about it, okay? I’m not trying to take over your life or anything. It’s just that it’s my job to make you happy. I love seeing you smile. So, when you’re ready, tell that place to fuck off and come home to me. I’ll find something for you to do.”

  Orion was too tired to argue tonight. Plus, he needed to get up early for work. “I’ll think about it, sexy.” Even to Orion’s ears, he sounded like he was falling asleep. He snuggled closer. “I promised myself I would throw everything into this without holding back.” Orion’s voice slurred. Sleep tugged him deeper, pulling him away from Tucker. His eyes were too heavy to fight now that his questions had been answered. He was finally home.

  Tucker couldn’t stop watching Orion sleep. Never in a million years had Tucker believed he would convince Orion to move in with him. He definitely never expected it to be easy. Orion’s half-asleep confession about throwing everything into this relationship wouldn’t leave Tucker’s mind. He had never thought Orion would move in with him, so he didn’t know why he had pressed by asking Orion to quit his job too. That would never happen, and he didn’t want to take advantage of Orion giving this his all. But still, he hated the idea of Orion working a job he hated. It seemed wrong for Orion to go to work at all when Tucker could give him anything he wanted. From the day they met, he had felt like whatever was his was also Orion’s. His home had felt like Orion’s. Orion’s home had been open to him. They were a pair. A team. He had to find a way to fix this.

  Quietly, Tucker rolled and grabbed his phone. He checked the time and then sent off a quick text.

  Tucker: Are you home?

  Toby: Yep. I’m in the kitchen.

  Tucker: I’m on my way down. I need to talk to you about something.

  Toby: Okay. I’ll be here.

  With one eye locked on Orion, Tucker slipped from the bed. He didn’t want to wake Orion, but he needed to talk to Toby. If Tucker knew nothing else, he knew Toby could help. Toby was the craftiest person Tucker knew. If anyone could convince Orion to walk away from everything for them, it was the brother who always saved him.

  The usual sound of Orion’s phone, sounding the alarm for him to get up, blared through the room. For a moment, Orion scrambled to find his bedside table before he remembered he was at Tucker’s. After three weeks of staying every night with Tucker, Orion should have adjusted somewhat. For the most part, he guessed he had. Except for at odd moments—like now.

  Orion hurriedly silenced his phone, hoping not to wake Tucker. As usual, Tucker didn’t move. He was the heaviest sleeper Orion had ever seen. Orion smiled at the sight of him sleeping peacefully before slipping from the bed. Orion made his way downstairs. The house was silent. He loved that this place was every bit as peaceful as his home. There was never a TV blaring. It was simply quiet. For someone like him, someone raised with constant noise, nonstop yelling and screaming, the silence was comforting. He understood—from reading Tucker’s books—why the triplets didn’t have a busy house. They had been raised in the middle of the woods without technology. Not having background noise was normal for them.

  Now they lived in a huge gray stone piece of art. It was only two stories, but it was sprawling. More than that, it was in the perfect and most beautiful location. Surrounded by trees and on the edge of Lake Travis, it was secluded and quiet. The guys had the most gorgeous pool Orion had ever seen. It looked like a natural body of water with rocks and a waterfall but was all manmade. Tucker’s house was a little slice of Heaven.

  As Orion cleared the kitchen door, he found Toby sitting at the kitchen table, staring into space. A mug of coffee was cupped between his hands. Steam rose from the cup. He obviously hadn’t been sitting there long, but if he noticed Orion at all, he didn’t react. Orion watched him for a moment, hoping not to startle him. It was funny. When he had first met the triplets, he had met Tanner first. Back then, he hadn’t been able to tell the triplets apart. Now, he had no trouble distinguishing them. Tanner was the too-serious one. Tucker was the jokester. Toby... he was the caretaker. The nurturer. He worried Orion.

  “Are you okay?” Orion kept his voice soft, hoping not to startle him.

  Toby blinked, as if coming back to himself. He smiled sweetly. “I’m good. How are you this morning?”

  “Good. Is it okay if I have some coffee?”

  “Of course. This is your home,” Toby said, moving as if to stand.

  Orion motioned for him to stay. “It isn’t, but I get what you’re saying. I’ve been here enough times to find my way around.”

  Toby chuckled. “I suppose you have. When will you be moving in permanently?”

  Orion concentrated on pouring his coffee to hide his surprise. Toby didn’t pull any punches. He was always one to jump right in. “In a couple of weeks,” Orion answered honestly, setting the pot aside. He headed to the table to join Toby. “That’s when the lease runs out on my house.”

  Toby nodded. His serious expression never changed. “I’m glad. Tucker always looks like a lost puppy when you’re not here. How much do you make working for the city?” Before Orion had time to respond or adjust to the sudden topic change, Toby clarified. “I’m not being nosy or questioning your worth. There’s a legitimate reason for my inquiry.”

  Talking about money didn’t bother Orion. He wasn’t one to be easily offended. “Sixty-two thousand a year. Why?” he asked as he brought his cup to his lips.

  “I’ll pay you eighty thousand to work for Cubs for Rent.”

  Orion froze mid sip. He set his cup aside. “No one wants to date me. I don’t think I would be a good candidate for this.”

  A smile exploded across Toby’s face. “I didn’t mean as an escort, but now I’m curious. Why do you think no one would want you for a date?”

  Orion shrugged. “I su
ppose I’m not a typical candidate. Also, I’m awkward. I don’t know how to make small talk nor can I flirt. There’s no category for me. I’m not muscular and perfectly styled. No one would consider me a bubbly twink.” Orion gestured wildly, searching for a way to describe himself. “I don’t know. I’m not like Tucker. He’s gorgeous and funny. People want to be around him. No one rushes to be near me.”

  “Tucker does.”

  Orion snorted. “Yeah, well. He’s a weirdo.”

  The silent laughter in Toby’s eyes and his smile was nice to see. “You’re exactly what he needs.” Toby’s smile slipped away. “You do realize, the people who laugh and joke, the ones who always do and say whatever it takes to make other people smile—people like Tucker—are the unhappiest, right? Those are the ones that need other people to laugh, so they know happiness exists, even if they never feel it. They know what real pain and loneliness is like. Those are the ones trying to save everyone else from what they suffer. Tucker needs you.” Toby straightened in his chair and blinked, as if coming back to himself. “Besides, you are gorgeous, and anyone would love to have you on their arm, but you have something else I need. You can look at a situation and think outside the box. Creatively. We need that. Plus, I’ll need you to go with us to a charity ball tonight. I’ll get you a tux later today.”

  “I’m sorry. What?” Orion wasn’t going to a ball. No one was pulling him into that bullshit.

  Toby nodded, as if it was already settled. “Tucker and I have clients already. I talked to Mister and he’ll join us there. It’s the perfect event to introduce him and get people excited for his services. I need you to stick to his side and chat with people. There will be a ton of escorts there. This is one of those events where everyone will want to be seen with the hottest date and will pay any amount to ensure they have it. I want those escorts on our site. If they see Mister getting a ton of interest, then maybe we’ll catch their eye.” Orion scrambled to find an argument. Toby kept talking, refusing to give him a chance. “Tucker and I need to move into management roles and stop taking clients. When we go to events, it needs to be because we’re keeping an eye on our employees and not because we’ve been hired to be there. We can’t do that until we have more escorts at our disposal. So, really, you need to come work for us. After all, when he starts attending all these events as management, you’ll want to be there too. You know, so he’s not left standing on the sidelines, looking awkward and alone.”

  Orion wanted to growl. Toby just had to tack on that last bit. He would never want anyone to stand on the sidelines, feeling awkward. That was usually him. “I’ll consider your offer.”

  Toby smiled. “That’s all I can ask. You have an appointment at one today to get your tux.”

  A huff escaped Orion without his permission. The Kodiak brothers were maddening. They never quit until they had their way. Everyone else was just road debris. “I have to work today.”

  “I know you do. You’re working for me.”

  Orion bit back a growl. “I’m telling you, you’ll be sorry. When I get there tonight and no one talks to me, you’ll see. I don’t fit in anywhere.”

  “You’ll be great. I believe in you.”

  Orion shook his head. “You’re such a pain. Is this how you treat Loyal every day when you go to see him? Do you just make him do whatever you think is best?”

  Toby didn’t look the least bit guilty. Not that Orion was very good at guilt tripping anyone. Toby shrugged and sipped his coffee. “This is how I treat everyone who needs a kick in the pants to see their worth. You’ll get used to it. So, eighty thousand a year... is that what we’re shaking on?”

  “Jesus,” Orion breathed, trying to keep up. He had no idea how he had landed in this mess. One day, a crazy Kodiak brother had chased him through the parking lot of a bar. The next, another brother chased him down the driveway of this house. Now, he was exhausted from all the running and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. These men, they were completely insane. He loved them all so damn much. Tucker was right. This was the family he had chosen. He would do anything to keep them, even if that meant taking eighty grand and putting on a tux. Fuck his life.

  Nine

  Every time Tucker glanced Orion’s way, he was smiling and laughing at something Mister said. He was completely focused on the guy. Jealousy roiled in Tucker’s gut. The harder he tried not to look their way, the more often his face turned that way. Orion looked gorgeous. He was supposed to be with Tucker. Tucker tried telling himself it wasn’t real. They were drumming up business. Putting on a show. Gathering interest in Mister. The thing was, everyone was looking at Orion.

  Orion was so fucking beautiful. He was like a tiny sprite with those sexy eyes. The accents on his tux matched those gorgeous eyes to perfection, making them pop. There wasn’t a man there who hadn’t rushed Orion’s way at least once, including the guy paying Tucker to be there. The possessiveness burning through Tucker’s veins turned uglier by the minute, especially once the alcohol started flowing. Tucker wasn’t much of a drinker, but he hoped the liquor would cool the rage that grew bigger by the minute. The opposite happened.

  As Tucker looked on, Mister’s hand slid across the small of Orion’s back and he leaned close to Orion’s ear. Orion nodded and they headed for the door together. Tucker’s eye twitched.

  “Are you ready to go? It looks like other people are leaving already and we won’t be accused of skipping out.”

  Tucker’s gaze swung Kevin’s way. The guy hired him more than any other, so Tucker felt twice the pressure to be professional. “Sounds good.” He tried for a smile and hoped it wasn’t too feral. Mister was about to get his arms ripped off.

  As they headed for the door, Kevin moved closer, and motioned Orion’s way. “I believe I heard that guy right there works for the same company as you do. Um, the little one with the dark hair.”

  Tucker thought he might have cracked a back tooth in his bid for restraint. “Yes, but he’s in management. He doesn’t accept dates.” It was the best story Tucker could come up with without killing anyone.

  Kevin flashed him a luminous smile. “Actually, I’m a bit relieved to hear that. I don’t wish to seem rude, or to impose upon our friendship, but could I trouble you to pass along my card to him? If he’s willing, I’d love to take him to dinner. For real. Not as a business arrangement.”

  Tucker’s left eye twitched again. He pressed against it, hoping to make it stop. “He’s getting married soon.”

  “Oh.” Kevin’s disappointment was palpable.

  A hint of guilt sneaked in. “The blond guy with him might be interested. He’s also not offering dates as part of his services.”

  Kevin shook his head. “No, thank you. I actually know him very well. He’s not a good person.”

  Shit. Orion was leaving with him and there was nothing Tucker could do without harming their business. He scrambled for a way to go to Orion. “Should I be worried about Orion? I mean, should I warn him about something specific or be concerned about his safety?”

  “Orion,” Kevin repeated with a smile. “That’s a fitting name. I don’t think he’s in any physical danger. Haven is more of a serial seducer than anything else.”

  The rage was back. Tucker would destroy Mister if he touched Orion. They ended up standing at Mister and Orion’s back, waiting their turn for the valet to bring Kevin’s car. Orion glanced over his shoulder and winked. Tucker’s heart twisted in his chest. Orion belonged to him.

  Kevin touched Orion’s shoulder, bringing his gaze back his way. “Excuse me. Would you like a ride home?” His gaze slid Mister’s way before returning to Orion. “We would see you home safely,” he said, leaving no doubt he didn’t think Mister would leave Orion at his door untouched.

  Orion took Mister’s arm. “No, thank you. I have a ride.”

  Tucker’s mood darkened, turning pitch black. He could have ridden home with Kevin and Tucker, leaving Mister free to go home. He was openly choosing to go with Mist
er instead. Tucker seethed as he watched Orion leave with another man. It didn’t matter to his heart that it was work related. One of his black moods was brewing. All the way to the house, he stewed. Orion was supposed to move in with him in less than two weeks. They were real. This was permanent. Mister didn’t get to waltz in with his practiced smiles, whips, and chains and steal what belonged to Tucker.

  Still, as Kevin dropped him at his door, Tucker managed a smile and small talk. He thanked the man for a nice evening. Then, he went inside with murder on his mind. Orion wasn’t there. He headed back toward the door, texting Orion along the way.

  Tucker: Where are you?

  Orion: Home.

  The eye twitch was back.

  Tucker: No, you’re not. I’m home and you’re not here.

  Orion: My home. Not yours.

  Tucker: This is our home.

  Orion: Not for two more weeks. For now, I still live here. This is where all my things are.

  Tucker: Is one of those things Mister?

  Orion: He’s here too, if that’s what you’re asking.

  Tucker would fucking kill him. He wasn’t playing. Since he had been drinking—like a dumbass—he couldn’t drive. He was mad at everyone, including himself. His phone buzzed again.

  Orion: Why do I get the feeling you’re mad at me?

  He didn’t bother answering. After all, there weren’t any men at his house. Tucker had come home alone. He wasn’t the one entertaining someone else. It seemed he was the only one who recognized this was just a job, after all. Toby walked through the door, smiling brightly.

  “Hey, bro. Things went great tonight. Orion was amazing.”

  Tucker pried his back teeth apart. “Yep. Amazing. Can you give me a lift to his place? I’ve been drinking.”

  Toby eyed him, as if trying to decipher his tone. Tucker flashed him a smile, hiding his rage. He knew his brother. If Toby knew what was in his head, he would try to save Tucker from himself by refusing to help. After a moment, he shrugged. “Sure. I’ve got nothing else going on. Did you want to change or anything?”