Daddy's Home

by Landon Rockwell

  If I drink this, where’s this going to end? I’m pretty sure I’ve been depressed for the past two weeks, and alcohol sure as hell is only going to make shit even worse. I push the drink away, throw a twenty dollar bill down on the bar, and leave.

  For the first time in two weeks, I think I know what I need to do, think being the operative word here.

  In less than two hours, we break ground on the Long Tower Plaza project, and as long as things go as planned, I should do pretty well for myself moving forward. So, I should be extremely happy, right? There's just one major problem; I went and did something that no man with even half a brain would do. But I did it… I texted Reese earlier this morning and asked him to meet me here at 935 Commonwealth Avenue, the address where Long Tower will start being built as of tomorrow morning.

  I haven't heard back from him yet, and I don't blame him for a second. I walked away from him, and from us, even though I thought I was doing the right thing at the time Gordon Davenport gave me that ultimatum.

  I still don't know what I'm doing, but I have to at least try and listen to what my heart is telling me for once in a really long time. I doubt he'll show considering I acted like a such a dick to him, twice in one weekend. He deserved so much more than I gave him, and he definitely deserved a different kind of ending to our weekend together. And that's why I texted him, so I could maybe give him that different kind of ending now. I just want the chance to tell him what's really on my mind. Jesus, listen to me think... I feel like I'm turning into a woman, all soft and flowery.

  My plan today is simple, talk to Reese and see if we can work something out, even if it's on the sly and Gordon doesn't know about it. I don't give a fuck anymore; to me it feels worth the risk. I've been completely miserable without Reese, there's no denying that. As cheesy as this sounds, I've felt like a wilted flower since the moment he vanished from my life, unable to stand tall and reach for the sun without him around. If I didn’t at least try to reach him, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.

  I check my phone about every three or four seconds, no text from him. I asked if he could come and meet me at 9 o'clock; it's already 9:15. There's still hope, I tell myself, even though I know there really isn't.

  After checking my phone compulsively for another five minutes, still no sign of Reese. I need to face it, he ain't showing up. Gordon, along with one of the city council members and the CEO of the construction team we agreed to work with are scheduled to meet me here at ten. There will probably be someone from the media here too to snap a few pics considering how big this project is set to be.

  I feel a mixture of exhaustion and hyperness at the same time, knowing that if everything goes as planned with this project, I'll have what I need in terms of being able to successfully launch my new company. But if I don't have Reese too, none of that seems to matter. Hence the exhaustion part.

  Man, how far I've fallen. I've always told myself I would never depend on another human being after everything that happened with Jill. But the minute Reese walked out of my life, I crumbled inside. Honestly, it hurt ten, maybe even a hundred times more than watching my marriage with Jill crumble to pieces. I've never experienced anything like the pain I felt after being away from him. Pretty fucked up, considering I hardly spent much time with him to begin with.

  "Did you call me down here for career advice? You look like a wreck all curled up on the sidewalk like that," the familiar voice says to me. I look up, and it's Reese. He actually fucking came down here.

  I smile and say, "I feel like a wreck."

  Reese isn't smiling at all. I have my work cut out for me right now, but I'm beyond ecstatic that he showed up.

  I get up from the sidewalk and walk towards him. He looks incredible right now. His hair has grown in a little bit since I last saw him two weeks ago. He's got on a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a dark pair of designer jeans, and brown leather sandals. He looks a little more distinguished for some reason, maybe it's because of everything that happened between us.

  "You showed up," I say. I can't stop smiling and looking him up and down, even though he looks like he wants to knock my fucking teeth out.

  He takes a step back from me. "What do you want, Cruz? I don't have a lot of time."

  "I know. I need to explain myself. This whole building behind me, it's getting demolished tomorrow morning. My new life will begin, and all of the shadows from my past will disappear. All but one… I need you in my life, Reese."

  He looks at me like I have three heads. "You're out of your mind. I'm not living a double life with you. You heard my father, this project will be off if we're together. He gave you a choice, and you chose money over me."

  "I'm sorry. I lost my way, that's all I can say. But these last two weeks have been horrible without you. You turn something on in me that I didn't even know existed, Reese. Something I don't want to see get turned off ever again. We can make this work, your father doesn't have to know for a while-"

  He puts his hand out and says, "Wait, what? That's your solution? Are you kidding me?"

  Before I can respond and try to salvage this mess, a black SUV pulls up in front of this soon-to-be construction site. Both Reese and I turn to see who it is, and three men get out of the car, all wearing expensive-looking suits. One of them is Gordon Davenport himself, one of them is the CEO of the construction company, Jake Blaine, and one of them is the chairman and most conservative member of the city council, Walt Turner. Fuck, they're really early.

  Gordon doesn't look happy from the get-go. "Can you please tell me what the hell is going on here, gentlemen?" the old man says, looking straight at me as the other two men stand in their own puddles of confusion.

  I take a deep breath, and I know what I have to do here. I walk over to Reese and grab his hand. "Gordon, I love what I do for work. I'm one of the best there is in this industry, and you know that. That's why you decided to invest in me. I have principles, principles that you believe in. Every project I've ever managed has succeeded, and I never short-changed our city along the way. You can put your money somewhere else, but you'll never get back what you're going to get back if you invest in this new project. But with all of that said, I love your son."

  I turn and look deeply into Reese's eyes. "Reese, I love you. I'm not afraid to say that. I've never felt a love this strong in my entire life, and I don't think I ever will. If your father doesn't want to work with me..." my voice trails off as I look at all three men in their suits. "So be it."

  "Son, are you sure you've thought this through? Do you know what this could mean?" Gordon says to me.

  I hold out both of my hands. "I'm done thinking so much, Gordon. I don't know what to tell you. I think it's a little outdated to base the merits of our business partnership on whether or not I have feelings for your son. I know you think I'm making a big mistake, but I think you would be the one making a big mistake if you were to jeopardize our project moving forward. I believe in our partnership, and I'm going to make you a lot of money. But not at the expense of my feelings for Reese. The ball's in your court, Gordon," I say, looking behind me and gesturing towards the old, run-down six-story library that's scheduled to be demolished in less than twenty-four hours.

  I look back over at Reese, no longer bothering to pay attention to the other three men, including Gordon. "Reese, I'm sorry. I know that you felt the same thing I did. What do you say, are you willing to give us a chance?"

  Reese shakes his head and looks at me like I've lost my mind. And maybe I have, but it feels more right than wrong, and that's all that matters. "I think you're crazy," he says.

  I nod and say, "I'm not going to argue against that."

  "The thing is, crazy is sexy on you. You should lose your mind more often," he says.

  I laugh, literally forgetting all about the three men standing there who hold the key to my company's future. I suddenly feel like the entire world has disappeared, apart from Reese and I. "Maybe I will then if you think
it's sexy. So that's a yes? You'll give us a try?" I say.

  Reese hesitates for what feels like the longest moment in my life. His eyes are still as he ponders the risks in his mind. Finally, he says, "Maybe, but I'm going to take it one day at a time. I have to make sure you don't bail on me within the next twenty-four hours before I can commit to anything longer than that."

  I smile. "Understood, Reese. When you walked into my life, everything changed. That's all I know for now."

  I glance over at Gordon. He looks horrified, confused, shocked, and embarrassed. I don't know what to make of it, and honestly, his expression is making me nervous as fucking hell. But I don't have a choice. I need to go for this thing that I have with Reese, whatever it is. I need to see where it leads.

  Gordon holds up his hands. "I don't know what to say, I need to think this over. While I can appreciate going after what you really want in life, I don't think it's a good idea mixing business with family."

  "I understand, Gordon. Do what you have to do. Take all the time you need," I say.

  "Not sure we have a lot of time on our hands here," Gordon adds.

  Jake Blaine, the CEO of Blaine Construction, looks over at me. "Son, my crew is scheduled to start breaking down that old building by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. We made a deal. So if you two boys bail on this project, you don't get your deposit back," he says, looking at both Gordon and me.

  We had to secure Blaine's construction crew with a $70 million non-refundable deposit. I'm sure we could litigate getting our deposit back in court, and bring that down to about 20 million, but what a shit storm that would be. That would mean Gordon would be out twenty million, and I would unquestionably be finished in this industry.

  I look at Jake Blaine and say, "I understand, Mr. Blaine. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do about that right now. It's all in Gordon's hands. I'm on board for this project, from start to finish. And when it's done, with your leadership and with what your team can do, this project will set the tone for all future commercial real estate projects this size on the East Coast. The ball's in your court, Gordon."

  Gordon looks frazzled. I glance at Reese, and he's smiling from ear to ear, loving every last bit of this. I'll take that as a good sign, I think.

  Gordon starts to walk away, but then turns back one last time and says, "Let's be clear, I'll lose money on this if I have to. So don't think for a second that I'll let that stop me from making the right decision." I give him a simple nod, and then he's on his way.

  The other two men in suits look dumbfounded. And right now, I don't give a flying fuck. Well, that's an exaggeration, I actually care a lot. But there's nothing I can do about it. For the first time in my life, I'm choosing love over everything else. As terrifying as it feels, nothing has ever felt more right.

  All three men leave, and it's just Reese and me standing face-to-face after being apart for two whole weeks. I decide to take a chance and wrap my arms around his back and then pull him towards me. Sweet relief sets in when he doesn't move away or slap me across my face. "If you want to tell me to fuck off, I'll understand. But there's no way in hell I'm letting you go before I get another kiss."

  His cheeks lift with a smile, bringing more joy to my heart than I felt in a long, long time. "You know what happens when we kiss, it doesn't seem to end there," he jokes.

  "I can deal with those consequences. If I have to prove my love to you, I'll happily rip all of your clothes off right here, right in front of this old library here."

  He laughs, threads his hands through my arms and then wraps them around the small of my back. "I don't think so. If anyone's getting naked first, in front of the entire city, it's going to be you. That's the least you could do to make up for being a such a fuck towards me."

  I reach down and pretend to start undoing the front button of my dress pants. "Just say the word," I say.

  He holds out his hand to stop me. “Stop, I don’t want anyone else seeing the best cock in Boston.” Reese slides his hands down the back of my ass. The two of us start to kiss, and I swear to fucking God everything in this city evaporates except for the sweet taste of his tongue in my mouth.

  I pull away and look down at the leather bag he’s carrying. “A briefcase? What the hell’s going on with you?”

  “It’s not a goddamn briefcase. It’s called a computer bag. Man, your age is really showing," he teases. "I just started taking some classes for an MBA.”

  “Are you fucking with me?”

  “Not you, Daddy. I wouldn’t do that to you,” he says, smiling. “You weren’t wrong about everything. I do need to grow up a little and get my shit together.”

  I cover my mouth in an attempt to hide my shock. “What do you want to do?”

  “Don’t laugh,” he says.

  “Scout’s honor,” I say, holding up my hand and pretending to take an oath.

  “I’ve loved real estate since I was a little kid. The idea of transforming cities with the right buildings and creating places that produce jobs for locals and lifelong memories for people all over the world who go to those places, that kind of shit gets me off. Well, you know what I mean.”

  I’m speechless for a moment as I look down at his bag again, and then back up at him. His sandy blonde hair is even lighter than when I last saw him. The sun must be doing its job on him. “You are not the kid I thought you were when you gave me the runaround that night at the airport.”

  He chuckles. “I guess I feel the same way about you. Maybe we've both grown up a little bit in the last couple of weeks.”

  I reach down for his hand. Happiness soaks through every cell in my body. “So, are you down for giving us a real chance?”

  Reese grabs his bag and slings it over his shoulder. He leans in and plants a soft, warm kiss on my forehead. “Come on, Daddy. I have something I want to show you. But we need a little more privacy so we don't end up arrested,” he says, winking at me as he gives my ass a quick slap.

  One year later…

  “Can you believe that bitch had the nerve to come ask us for a job after she tried to destroy me six times over?”

  Reese’s eyes are glued to his phone. He’s shaking his head. “Unbelievable, Boston.com just reported that Kline Partners officially got bumped to number two in Boston's commercial market. At least that Vega chick had the foresight to go work for number one. I’ll give her that.”

  I laugh and walk over to the massive window in our brand new executive office suite. It’s got to be one of the best views in the city, with the State House facing our office head on. We’ve been in this building for two months already, and I still can’t believe it. Most of the biggest players in Boston are nestled somewhere amidst the forty stories below my feet. “She’s got balls alright. I was never really that convinced that she was a woman in the first place.”

  Reese chuckles. “Whatever. Fuck Kline Partners, and fuck her.”

  I turn to face him and pretend to raise a glass to celebrate our huge success. “Here, here!”

  Reese pulls out a black folder with several building sketches along with our latest development proposals and spreads the papers across the table he’s sitting at. “We still have to go through these. I’m presenting to city council tomorrow.”

  I walk over to him, shove the documents to the side, and sit on the table with my legs spread in front of him. “Relax, babe. We got them wrapped around our finger now. Long Tower alone has already done more for this city's economy than twenty companies combined this fiscal year. They can't deny us, even if they wanted to.”

  He stands up and moves in between my legs. We kiss, and Reese steps back and looks down at the gold ring on his finger. “Maybe our engagement has made you soft. How did I suddenly become the responsible one around here?” he says.

  I reach for a handful of my fiancé’s cock. Reese bites down on his lip and looks around as though he’s contemplating the idea of the two of us making love with our office staff on the other side of these walls. “Our engag
ement has made me a lot of things, but soft isn’t one of them,” I say.

  His devilish eyes look down at my crotch. Reese slides his hand up my thigh and onto my balls. “Is that true?”

  Fuck, he somehow paralyzes me every time.

  “Tonight, babe. We have to hold off until tonight.”

  He pulls away sharply. “You little tease. I keep hearing about tonight. You better make it worth all this hype.”

  “You have no idea.”

  “I’ve never seen you this excited,” Reese says, adjusting his bowtie just minutes before his father is about to show up.

  I give him the elevator eyes. “Damn, babe, you look delicious in a tux.”

  “Ah, that makes sense. I’m so fucking hot you can’t stay still for a second. Is that it?” I chuckle and give myself the pleasure of a quick nibble on Reese’s lip. “Daddy seems hungry tonight, am I right?” he hisses.

  “Daddy’s hungry every night,” I say, restraining myself from ripping Reese’s clothes off in our bathroom. If his father wasn’t due to arrive any second, he’d be stark naked already, with me inside of him.

  The buzzer to my condo rings and I can’t fight back a smile as I head down the hallway to let Gordon in. Reese’s dad knows exactly why I invited him to stop by for a few minutes before our bachelor party at the Prudential Building.

  I open the door for Gordon, and Reese is stunned to see his dad. “What going on?” my fiancé says, his eyes darting back and forth between the two of us as he fishes for an answer out of us.

  Gordon walks up to his son and hugs him. Reese starts a long-winded ramble, “Jesus, Dad, where the hell did that come from? Please don’t tell me you have cancer. No wait, that wouldn’t make sense.”

  His eyes dart to me, “Cruz, you’ve been acting like a freak all night. I’m pretty sure you’re not the happiest I’ve ever seen you because my father has cancer. That’d be twisted-”

  “Reese, relax,” Gordon interrupts him. “Everything’s fine. Everything’s great actually. Cruz invited me here because he thought I should be a part of some very important news.”