Happy Endings [Cedar Falls 20] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Shea Balik

  He never should have left Campaign Inc. Gabriel may have hated his job, not that he’d ever admit it to Lakyn, but at least he didn’t have to worry the person he was working for was psychotic. Underhanded, dirty, money-grubbing, sure, but not certifiably insane.

  Chapter Eight

  “Can you drop us off in front of Sierra Breeze, Griffith?” Jesse asked quietly.

  There was something in Jesse’s tone that would have raised a flag with Gabriel if he hadn’t been too preoccupied with what had just happened. In less than an hour, Jesse had taken a situation that seemed dire and not only potentially saved a farm that had been a part of the area for two hundred years, but possibly many other lives.

  What Gabriel wasn’t sure of was how. Even with his intelligence and quick thinking, Gabriel would never have come up with the solution that swiftly, if at all. Stumped by how it all had happened, Gabriel turned to face Jesse in the backseat. “How did you know Cooper would be willing to take in those kids?”

  There was a knowing grin that sent a tendril of fear down Gabriel’s spine. He just couldn’t pinpoint why he had that reaction to it. “Simple,” Jesse said. “Cooper had recently graduated with his masters in social work, specializing in troubled youth.”

  Huh? That had never come up during the meeting. “How did you know that?”

  That grin only grew, causing more than just a tendril of fear to work its way through Gabriel. But it was Griffith who answered. “Jesse makes it his business to know everything there is to know about those that live in Cedar Falls.”

  Yep. Gabriel was right to be afraid. “What do you know about me?” he asked, curious to know if Jesse had done a background check on him.

  At that moment, they stopped and Jesse opened his door to get out. Not even knowing where they were, Gabriel did the same, only to find himself in front of a holistic shop called Sierra Breeze, right next door to Happy Endings.

  When Jesse stopped him from shutting his door and hopped into the seat he’d just vacated, Gabriel was confused. Why would Jesse want to get in the front seat one street from Nice ’n’ Rosy? That didn’t make any sense.

  His confusion must have shown because Jesse chuckled. “Let’s just say that I am fully aware of where your interests lie.” Jesse’s glance went to Happy Endings and Gabriel feared he knew that Gabriel liked Lakyn. “After the stressful day you’ve just had, I made an appointment for you with Lakyn.”

  Jesse glanced at his wrist as if checking the time, but that didn’t make sense since Jesse didn’t wear a watch. “And you’re late. So get in there. And when you’re done, you can insist that Lakyn join you at the barbecue at Vail’s. Lakyn keeps refusing to come because he would feel like a fifth wheel.” That grin appeared again, and Gabriel got the feeling it was regarding his own life this time. “But if he comes with you, he can’t use that excuse.”

  Gabriel opened his mouth to protest but Jesse just waved and shut the door before he could speak. As the SUV pulled away from the curb, the window rolled down and he heard Jesse say, “I’ll expect you both there at six.” Then they were gone.

  Gabriel stared at them as Griffith made a U-turn and then a right onto Main Street before disappearing.

  What just happened?

  “Are you planning on standing out there all day?” Lakyn called from behind him. “Your appointment started five minutes ago.”

  Gabriel shook his head absently as he went inside, following Lakyn to the same room he’d been in before. As if he were on automatic pilot, Gabriel found himself undressing when Lakyn had left the room and shut the door. It wasn’t until he was lying on the table and staring at the ceiling that the full impact of what Jesse had done hit him.

  Ready to scramble off the table and make his excuses as to why he couldn’t do this, Gabriel missed his chance when a knock sounded on the door just before it opened to reveal a sexy as sin Lakyn. Like Pavlov’s dog, Gabriel felt his cock swell. He was so screwed.

  Just as he feared, Lakyn’s eyes went to Gabriel’s groin under the too thin sheet. He should have kept his pants on. At the very least his underwear. It wouldn’t have been much, but it might have helped.

  “So Jesse said you’ve been under a lot of stress and that I should work my magic on you,” Lakyn said. If Gabriel weren’t hearing things, he could swear Lakyn’s voice was deeper, huskier.

  “Oh, um, I…” Gabriel was not the kind of person to get tongue-tied, yet around Lakyn he just couldn’t make his brain work.

  Lakyn gave a soft laugh that went straight to Gabriel’s balls, making them roll in their sac. If he didn’t watch it, Gabriel would find himself coming without even touching himself. It was bad enough having wet dreams every night about this man and being forced to visit the coin laundry with his sheets every couple of days. The last thing he needed was to embarrass himself in front of Lakyn by orgasming from just the sound of his voice.

  The moment he felt Lakyn’s hands touch his head, fingers gently massaging his scalp, Gabriel had to fight back the need to come. He knew without looking that the sheets were fully tented at his groin, but there was nothing Gabriel could do about it. Lakyn’s hands on him were just too damn good.

  Desperate to get his mind off the lewd thoughts about what he’d prefer Lakyn were doing to him at the moment, Gabriel racked his brain for something to talk about. His need to know more about Lakyn had him asking, “So what made you decide to become a massage therapist?”

  “I’ve always wanted to help people,” Lakyn said, his hands continuing to work their magic along his scalp and inching their way toward his neck. “I couldn’t afford to go to college but there was a trade school about an hour away. After looking at their programs, I decided on massage therapy.”

  “Do you like it?” Gabriel knew the question was a bit ironic since he’d lost his shit when Lakyn had suggested he didn’t like politics the last time he was there, but he hoped Lakyn would answer anyway.

  For a moment, Lakyn was silent, making Gabriel think he wasn’t going to reply. But then he said, “For the most part. I mean, I love giving massages and helping people to feel better.”

  Gabriel felt his lips curve upward a bit. “I think I hear a ‘but’ in there somewhere.”

  When Lakyn didn’t reply right away, Gabriel opened his eyes to stare into those pretty, light blue eyes. He could so easily get lost in them without even trying.

  “I guess, if there was anything I don’t like about my job, it’s that there are some people who feel this is a dumping ground for all their hate and bitching,” Lakyn finally said. “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind people wanting to talk about their problems or wanting someone to talk to, but the need complain, whine, or bitch too much gets to me, especially when they feel they can say whatever they want and don’t even take who I am into consideration.”

  Gabriel could imagine hearing all that negativity couldn’t be easy. But he wasn’t sure what he meant about the last part. “I’m sorry that happens, but I’m confused,” Gabriel admitted. “What do they say that would impact you?”

  Again, he wasn’t sure Lakyn was going to answer as he remained silent for several minutes. But as Lakyn moved from Gabriel’s neck to his shoulders, he sighed. “I have one client who hates gays. He comes in and complains the entire session about the gay couples in the town. What’s worse, he assumes I’m straight.”

  Lakyn gave a snort of derision. “If he knew I was gay, he would be horrified. Probably claim I didn’t tell him on purpose just so I could touch him. Like I want to touch the hairy jerk.”

  Anger surged within Gabriel that anyone would treat Lakyn that way. “Who is he?”

  Lakyn shook his head. “Sorry, but my clients are confidential. And as much as I’d like to say he’s the only one who felt that way, it would be a lie. There are a couple that I suspect would drop me like a hot potato if they knew I was gay.”

  “You aren’t out?” Gabriel couldn’t blame Lakyn if he wasn’t. A small southern town, even one as acceptin
g as Cedar Falls appeared to be, still wasn’t always as tolerant as it could be. Considering some of Lakyn’s clients, coming out would be detrimental to his business.

  “I don’t hide I’m gay, but I’m not like Jesse either,” Lakyn said as he moved to Gabriel’s right arm. “I’ve even dated a guy in the next town. We went out on dates both in Cedar Falls and Blareston.” Lakyn moved a shoulder up and down. “Either no one paid us any attention, or they didn’t realize we were dating.”

  Gabriel couldn’t explain why he was relieved to know Lakyn wasn’t in the closet. It would definitely make it easier to date him.

  Wait.

  What was he thinking? Gabriel couldn’t get involved with Lakyn. Could he? Actually, now that he thought about it, Gabriel wasn’t entirely sure why he’d been resisting. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. He often fought dating anyone in the beginning. The thought of having to deal with his mother’s reactions made seeing someone less than appealing.

  Not that it stopped him from doing so when he found someone he thought worth it. His mother wasn’t easy to deal with on a good day and forcing her to accept Gabriel was gay was never a good day in their lives. Still, she had always come around in the past and she would again.

  “Do you want to go a barbecue with me tonight?” he asked Lakyn, not mentioning Jesse’s ultimatum that they attend. Gabriel wanted this to be a date, not something forced.

  Lakyn smiled over at him. “I’d like that.”

  “Are you sure?” Gabriel asked, praying Lakyn didn’t change his mind. “If you don’t want anyone in town to know you’re gay, I would understand.”

  “Thank you for that, but I really don’t hide who I am. Like I said, I just don’t advertise it like Jesse does.” Then Lakyn scowled. “Maybe if I did, I wouldn’t have to deal with assholes who think it’s okay to hate.”

  Gabriel wasn’t sure there would ever be a time when there wasn’t hate. He lived in the world of politicians. Hate was their life’s blood. He was often amazed at the lengths they would go to in order to make the world continue to care. Too bad it was to line their pockets instead of for the good of their constituents.

  Chapter Nine

  “Lakyn, Gabriel,” Jesse shouted from the yard where he and Jake were blowing bubbles with Jesse’s niece Lily and Jake’s one-and-a-half-year-old twins, Jaret and Jalyn. “You made it.”

  The sight was so adorable, Lakyn couldn’t help but grin. He wanted kids so bad, his arms actually ached to hold his son or daughter. Lakyn didn’t care which, although if he had his pick he’d have at least one of each.

  He grinned over at Gabriel. “Want to play with bubbles?” he asked, hoping the stuffy man would be up for a little fun.

  “Oh, um, I don’t think I’d be good at it,” Gabriel said uncomfortably.

  As far as Lakyn was concerned, that wasn’t a no. “Come on,” he insisted as he grabbed onto Gabriel’s hand and dragged him across the back porch and down the steps to the lawn where the others were happily chasing bubbles.

  Jesse gladly handed over the wand and bottle of bubbles, as his clothes were wet with the soapy liquid. Coordination had never been Jesse’s forte, and the bright pink platform flip-flops he was wearing didn’t help. He kept teetering from side to side.

  Lakyn bent down and blew bubbles from the wand so that the kids could chase them. Their giggles made everything better in the world. He turned to look up at Gabriel, to see just how uncomfortable the man appeared. It was as if he were afraid to move for fear of the kids seeing him and attacking him.

  “Kneel down next to me,” Lakyn ordered. He wasn’t sure if Gabriel would and was pleasantly surprised when he did in fact squat next to Lakyn, making sure only his feet touched the grass.

  It wasn’t quite what Lakyn had in mind to get Gabriel to relax and have some fun, but it was a start. He dipped the wand into the bottle. When he pulled it out, he held it in front of Gabriel, who looked at it like it might just bite him.

  Lakyn chuckled. “Haven’t you ever blown bubbles?”

  When Gabriel shook his head, Lakyn’s was stunned. “No. I wasn’t allowed to play as a child.” Then Gabriel shrugged. “And I haven’t had a need to do this as an adult.”

  Not allowed to play? Lakyn’s heart ached for the child Gabriel was. No wonder he didn’t seem to know how to have fun. He leaned closer so their heads were tilted together. “Just blow. Like this.” Lakyn pursed his lips together and blew into the wand.

  When the last of the soap disappeared as a bubble, he dipped the wand in again. Once more, he held it before Gabriel. “Now you try.”

  The amber specks in Gabriel’s eyes were on fire as he stared at Lakyn. They burned so hot, Lakyn swore he could feel their heat. He watched, completely mesmerized as Gabriel pursed his lips and blew out.

  But he blew too hard. Firm lips turned down into a frown when the bubbles didn’t form. Lakyn was caught between wanting to kiss Gabriel to see if he could get rid of that frown, to wanting to laugh.

  He settled for sticking the wand into the bottle once more. “You blew too hard,” he said as he held the wand in front of Gabriel’s mouth once more. “You aren’t trying to blow out candles on a cake. Just create a steady breeze.”

  Bubbles started pouring out of the filmy soap. The smile that formed on Gabriel’s face had Lakyn’s pulse speeding up and his breath catching in his throat. He couldn’t help himself. Lakyn leaned closer and pressed a kiss against Gabriel’s firm lips.

  He must have surprised Gabriel, for he suddenly tilted backward and sat his butt on the ground taking Lakyn with him. Their momentum had them tumbling until Gabriel’s back was on the ground with Lakyn half sprawled on top of him.

  “Dog pile,” Jake laughed. It was the only warning they got when giggles exploded around them as three kids suddenly launched themselves on top of them.

  Joining in on the fun, Lakyn tickled the nearest kid, which happened to be Jaret. His giggles turned into a belly laugh and Jalyn yelled, “I get ’em.” Her little fingers found Lakyn’s neck and wiggled around as she tried to tickle Lakyn.

  Lakyn turned to Gabriel, who was staring at their antics in fascination. “Come on, there’s three against two, you have to help me.”

  For a moment, Lakyn feared Gabriel was about to bolt, but then Lily launched herself onto Gabriel. “I tickle Unc Gabe,” she yelled as she dug her fingers into Gabriel’s side. Clearly her Uncle Jesse or Uncle Parker had been teaching her how to tickle, for she found a spot on Gabriel that had him laughing in seconds while trying to squirm away.

  With Lakyn still sprawled over him, there wasn’t anywhere for Gabriel to go. Tears were pouring from Gabriel’s face as he continued to laugh. The sound was so raw sounding, Lakyn was sure Gabriel hadn’t laughed in a very long time, if ever based on what he’d said about his childhood.

  With each passing minute, Gabriel’s laughter sounded more natural. He also was starting to turn the tables on Lily, as Gabriel must have figured out what to do. Her giggles soon drowned out their own laughter until she was begging her Unc Parker to come save her.

  “All right, munchkins,” Parker said as he picked Lily up out of Gabriel’s arms. “It’s time for dinner. Let’s get you cleaned up so we can eat.”

  Jake lifted Jaret from Lakyn’s arms, while Jesse did the same with Jalyn. “Thanks for wearing them out,” Jesse winked at Gabriel and Lakyn. “Now maybe they’ll sit still long enough to eat more than a bite or two.”

  Lakyn grinned. “Anytime.”

  “I’ll remember that next time I need a babysitter,” Jesse joked.

  But Lakyn had meant it. One day he’d have kids of his own. He glanced over at Gabriel, who still wore a smile. Maybe he’d even found someone to have kids with. Who would have thought this uptight, way-too-serious man, could roll around on the ground like a kid? By the way Gabriel’s smile was morphing into amazement, Gabriel was just as surprised as he was.

  “It’s good to see you can laugh,” Lakyn teased.

&n
bsp; Gabriel sat up and wiped a few blades of grass from his shirt. “I honestly wasn’t sure I knew how,” Gabriel admitted.

  “Were you really not allowed to play as a child?” That seemed harsh to Lakyn.

  “Yeah. My mom had hired nannies for me to educate me, not play with me. According to her, fun was frivolous and without purpose.” A sad smile replaced the happier one that had been there a moment ago. “She loved me, but she also wanted me to make something of myself.”

  Lakyn couldn’t image growing up like that. His parents hadn’t had much, but they taught him to find his own fun by hiking in the woods, camping out, building a campfire, and roasting marshmallows. Just about anything really, so long as it didn’t involve money. It wasn’t always easy not having things the other kids did, but Lakyn had learned to be inventive and use his imagination.

  “She must be pretty proud of you,” Lakyn said, unsure what else he could say.

  He was surprised when Gabriel moved his head back and forth. “Not really.”

  “What?” That seemed impossible. Gabriel was so…well, perfect. “But you graduated from Harvard Law. You’re running a mayoral campaign. You even worked for that fancy campaign company. How can she not be proud?”

  One of Gabriel’s shoulders lifted sadly. “But I didn’t graduate as valedictorian and I got a job instead of going home to run for office like she wanted. Plus, she wants me to be president of the United States and I just want…” Gabriel didn’t finish.

  Lakyn put a hand on his. “What do you want?” he asked, curious to know what Gabriel’s dreams were.

  “Honestly?” Those honey-brown eyes looked right into his with so much despair, Lakyn wanted to wrap Gabriel up in his arms. “I just want to find someone I can love, who loves me. I want to settle down, find a job I enjoy, and stay as far from public life as possible.”

  Lakyn smiled and squeezed his hand. “Then you are in luck because I don’t want to be in the limelight either. We can leave the spotlight on Jesse where it belongs.”