“Yes, and I promised I’d come to you. And I messed up. Again.”
“Not if you admit it now. You didn’t try to hide it, so that’s a start.” Akira patted his hands and pushed off her chair. “If you don’t want money from us, what about a loan from the bank? If you lay out your plans for renovations well they might consider it a good investment.”
He had considered that. He owned the building, a definite plus, but he’d never gone to a bank for something like this. He didn’t have the first idea where to begin.
But she did.
His lips curved. “You did all that for the rink. Do you think you could walk me through it?”
“Absolutely.” She smiled at him. “I’ll call in my contractor so we can get some estimates. And you know Silver would have a blast helping you redesign the place. She has a good eye for things like that.”
“She really does.” He looked over at Cort. “I still need to keep this place open until we get things rolling. Do you think you could help me check this fridge?”
Cort grinned, coming around the bar and looping his arm around Ford’s neck. “He can be taught!”
Ford chuckled, then watched as Cort bent down, easily pulling the fridge out. Five minutes later, he wasn’t laughing anymore. The fridge was done for. The cost of the parts and repairs were more than what the fridge was worth.
“Might as well get a new one.” Cort patted the top of the fridge, then straightened. “I’ll grab my truck and head to the store in a bit.” He held up a hand before Ford could voice his protest. “Say thank you. That’s it.”
“Thank you.” Ford slipped out from the bar with him, grabbing a few of the beers he’d pulled out of the fridge and placed in ice buckets along the bar. He handed one to Cort, then another to Akira, before uncapping his own. “Has Oriana called? Is she sure about keeping Jaxon overnight? He hasn’t been away from me for this long for the last month and this might be—”
“Really good for him.” Cort pulled Ford’s phone out of Ford’s back pocket and handed it to him. “I paid the bill. You owe me.”
Blinking, Ford took his phone. Set it on the bar. “I owe you for the phone bill, but not the fridge or renovations?”
“I didn’t have to find out about those while calling to see if you were okay, asshole.” Cort folded his arms over his chest. “I knew things had gotten rough after you lost your job at the forum, but…damn it, Ford. You’re my man. I want to know when you’re going through shit.”
“We both do.” Akira wrapped her arm around Ford’s waist. “I’m glad you put our numbers as contacts for the school though. His teacher got in touch with me when he couldn’t reach you. Asked if we got the note about the teacher-parent meeting next week.”
“I haven’t gotten anything…” Ford sighed. “Do you think Jaxon’s worried about us speaking to his teachers? I thought he was doing well. He’s gotten high marks on all the tests he brings home. He’s making friends.”
“We’ll find out at the meeting.” Cort hesitated, then put his hand on Ford’s shoulder. “If you want us to come, that is. I know we consider Jaxon our son, but you’re his father.”
“Blood means nothing. You’re both just as important to him. Of course I want you there.”
“All right, so that’s settled.” Cort’s lips slanted. “Now about that payment…” His hand curved around the side of Ford’s neck and Ford’s pulse quickened. “You mentioned you were feeling better.”
“Much.”
“Good. Go lock the door.”
Ford had never gotten across the bar so fast. He returned to Cort, glancing over as Akira pulled up a chair, sipping her beer as though ready to enjoy a show. He grinned when she winked at him.
Latching on to the bottom of Ford’s shirt, Cort pulled it off and tossed it aside. He brought his hand to Ford’s waist, brushing his thumb under the scar of the bullet wound, his calloused skin on Ford’s flesh lighting up all the nerves beneath.
“You’re not allowed to get hurt anymore.” Cort stared at the scar, then met Ford’s eyes. “That’s a fucking order.”
Lips quirking, Ford nodded, even though they both knew he couldn’t promise that. “Yes, sir.”
“I prefer you say that when you’re on your knees.”
Lowering to his knees, Ford tipped his head back. “Like this…sir?”
“Yeah, just like that.” Cort undid his belt, then his zipper. His dick was already nice and hard, thick and veiny, the head a dark shade of red that always made Ford’s mouth water for some reason. His lips parted as Cort pressed it into his mouth, cupping the back of his head as he eased in. “Fuck yeah. You know, Akira told me she loved watching you like this. Last time I fucked her I reminded her how you looked, taking my dick, then another man’s then another… She came so fucking hard I was sure it would wake you up.”
Damn pain meds made me miss all the fun. Ford relaxed his throat as Cort pressed in even deeper.
Akira let out a soft moan. “What would I have to do to see that again?”
“Come here.” Cort moved faster in and out of Ford’s mouth, pulling Akira against him as she came to his side. He kissed her, tugging her shirt open and baring her breasts. “It’s wrong that I’ve had to wait to have both of you. Let’s fix that.”
Drawing away from Ford, Cort lifted Akira to the edge of the bar, flipping up her skirt and shoving her panties aside. He made a hungry sound as he licked over her pussy. Holding her open with two fingers so Ford could see how pink and wet she was.
As Cort continued to fuck Akira with his tongue, Ford leaned forward, taking Cort’s dick in as deep as he could, swallowing as Cort thrust forward. His own cock throbbed as it pressed against the front of his jeans, but he kept his hands at his sides out of habit. He loved it when Cort would make him wait until it was Cort’s hands on him.
Hopefully, he wouldn’t make him wait too long.
“I need this beautiful pussy.” Cort pulled out of Ford’s mouth, lowering Akira to a stool for better access. He pressed his dick into her, one hand fisted at the base of his cock so he didn’t go deeper than she could take. “Help me make her come, Ford. She’s so close.”
Rising to his feet, Ford helped Akira lean back against the bar, leaving enough space for him to reach where she and Cort were joined. He licked where Cort’s thick cock spread her open, then flicked his tongue over her clit. Using his lips and teeth, he toyed with her, his balls tightening as she cried out, growing even slicker around Cort’s dick.
Cort combed his fingers into Ford’s hair, pulling him up, then tugging his jeans open. His dick left Akira as he pushed Ford forward to take his place.
Wet heat surrounded Ford and he groaned as Akira pulsed around him. He pulled her closer, kissed her as she gasped, her hands on his shoulders, nails digging into his flesh. Behind him, Cort dragged down Ford’s jeans, kicking his thighs apart. One hand on Ford’s hip, he pressed his dick into him, using the slickness from Akira’s body to ease the way.
The sensation was rougher than when Cort had taken him with so much lube, but he enjoyed the slight burn as the head of Cort’s dick penetrated. Letting out harsh breaths against Akira’s parted lips, he braced and pressed back. Shuddered as Cort’s dick slid all the way in.
“Oh God, this is fucking perfect.” Cort pressed his lips to Ford’s throat. “Be careful with her. But I won’t be careful with you.”
Bracing one hand on the bar, one arm around Akira’s waist, Ford did his best to take Cort’s pistoning thrust, and move into Akira at a gentler pace. Her pussy gripped him, and her nails dug in deeper as she met his eyes.
“More! I want to feel what he’s doing to you.” She cried out as he let Cort take complete control of how fast and hard they moved together. “Oh fuck, Ford!”
“Mmm, you’re so wet, baby.” Ford loved the slickness of her, covering him as he pounded into her. “I’d have done this sooner if I knew how much it turned you on.”
Akira laughed, then whimpered.
“Don’t stop.”
“I couldn’t if I wanted to.” A rough sounded escaped him as Cort pulled out completely, then slammed back in. “I won’t last long if you keep doing that.”
“Good, because I want to hear you. Now.” Cort pulled out, then thrust in, over and over until the sensation of him stretching Ford, and Akira gripping him tight, overwhelmed all his senses.
He shouted in time with Akira’s scream, his hand almost slipping off the bar. Ecstasy hit him in a violent, mind-numbing rush, cascading along his nerves, down his spine, and along the length of his dick as he came. His legs shook as he rode the aftermath, panting and struggling to hold himself up. He grunted as Cort thrust into him one last time, pulsing within in a way that kept Ford riding on the hazy edge of pleasure until he slowly eased away.
Cort pressed a kiss to Ford’s temple, helping him stand, then wrapping his arms around Akira and letting her lean against him.
He let out a shaky laugh. “Fuck, now I remember why I like doing this closer to a bed. I just want to hold you both and crash.”
“There’s still a bed upstairs.” Ford pulled up his jeans, realizing a bed wasn’t the only thing he needed. “And a shower.”
Akira gave him a sleepy smile. “Damn, it’s nice to finally have someone else in this relationship who knows what that feels like. Imagine when both of you come inside me. It’s fucking hot…until it’s not.”
For a second, Cort looked confused. Then he chuckled. “Ah…yes, let’s go upstairs. I need some rest before I make you both messy again.”
“Cort, I love you, but I need some time to recover.” Ford winced as his ass throbbed in agreement. “A lot of time.”
Lifting his shoulders, Cort swooped Akira up in his arms. “But you don’t, do you, my love?”
She let out a fake scream, reaching back for Ford. “I will! Help!”
He grinned as he followed them out the back, then up the stairs to the apartment he’d once lived in alone. This place had once been so full of pain, but he’d never wanted to let it go. He’d found his independence here. All that truly belonged to him had been in this building.
Now he had more than he’d ever imagined. Even though he’d slipped up, afraid the life he’d built, the love he’d found, would all be taken away, he finally realized the most important thing.
He wasn’t fighting for any of it alone.
And he never would be again.
Epilogue
Screaming and crying and strange smells that didn’t seem quite human surrounded Ford. He didn’t remember elementary school being this insane. The place had been nice when he’d come for the first meetings with the principal to give her a heads up about Jaxon’s living situation, but he wasn’t sure he’d have brought him back if he’d seen it like this.
“I should be sending him to private school.” Ford grumbled, checking to make sure Jaxon was close to his side and didn’t get run down by the stampede of kids who’d come out of nowhere. And didn’t seem to have keepers. “Is it always like this?”
“You know it isn’t.” Cort squeezed his shoulder, leaning close and speaking low. “And don’t be a snob. We can’t afford private school. Jaxon’s doing great here.”
“Then why do we have to meet the teacher again?”
“To discuss his progress, most likely.” Akira took Ford’s hand, smiling as Jaxon bolted ahead, tightening her grip on Ford’s hand when he moved to run after him. “He’s fine, he’s just going to see Casey. Look, she’s right there with Becky, Zach, and Scott.”
All right, seeing familiar faces made him feel a bit better. He forced himself to walk at a normal, adult-like pace, nodding to the men as they approached.
Becky gave him a sympathetic smile. “It’s a lot at first, but you’ll get used to it. This isn’t half as bad as nights when there’s a play or a game.” She turned to Jaxon. “Speaking of which, I heard you got the part of the Nutcracker Prince. Congratulations!”
Jaxon’s face went red. He ducked his head and shrugged. “Casey asked me to try out. I kinda wanted to be a tree.”
“No one’s being a tree.” Casey giggled, pulling the sleeves of her Cobras jersey over her hands. “And since I’m the princess, we can practice together! You’re really good and it’s fun. Admit it.”
“I guess.” Jaxon glanced up at Ford. “Are you gonna come watch?”
“You’re damn right I will. You’re gonna be awesome, buddy.” Ford ruffled Jaxon’s hair. “Akira’s been working hard on the costume and I can’t wait for you to try it on. You’re going to make the rest of the boys look like nothing but scenery.”
“Way to teach him to be a team player, Ford.” Cort shook his head, then turned his focus to his son. “We’ll all be there, Jaxon. And I’m sure you and all the kids will do great.”
“I hope so. I don’t wanna have to do all the work.” Jaxon nodded as Casey whispered something to him, then stuffed his hands in his pockets, rocking on his sneakers. “Can I have a couple bucks for the bake sale, Dad?”
Shit, I was supposed to bring money? Ford never kept change on him. But Akira did. He looked over at her, relieved to see she was already pulling out her coin purse.
She handed Jaxon a few toonies. “Get something for Casey too.” She waved Becky off when the other woman reached in her purse. “I got this. I still owe you for making cookies for Jaxon to bring in.”
“Scott made them with Casey, but we were happy to help.” Becky laughed as the kids took off together, then shot Ford a knowing look when Cort forced him to stay put. “They’ll be all right, it’s just down the hall in front of the gym.”
“But I know exactly how you feel.” Scott folded his arms over his chest, shaking his head. “There’s so many freaking people at these things, I’d be holding Casey’s hand the whole time if I had my way.”
“You did last year.” Zach curved his hand around the back of Scott’s neck, rubbing lightly. “Then our sweet daughter sat you down and explained she’s a big girl and it’s embarrassing to have one of her dads hold her hand like she’s a toddler.”
Ford’s cheeks heated. Jaxon had given him that same talk the last time he’d wanted to play soccer with some of his friends at the park. But Ford couldn’t help the sick feeling he got in his stomach whenever Jaxon was out of sight. Dropping him off at school every morning had been pure hell at first, but visiting the school a few times and seeing how they checked each person in helped. They took security very seriously.
But there weren’t usually so many people around. He took a deep breath, checking the time on his phone. “We better go find the classroom. The appointment’s in ten minutes.”
Akira took his hand, not commenting when he strode down the hall as fast as he could without running, dodging crowds of parents and kids until they reached the even more crowded area around the bake sale.
Relaxing as he spotted Jaxon, Ford watched as his son waited patiently while Casey picked out three cupcakes with little crowns on them, all different colors. When she hesitated, Jaxon grabbed a fourth, making sure she had one of each color.
Coming to his side, Cort put his hand on the small of Ford’s back, letting out a soft laugh. “That little girl had your son wrapped around her finger.”
Casey hugged Jaxon with one arm, balancing her plate in one hand, saying something that made Jaxon blush as he paid for all their treats.
A few minutes later, on the way to the classroom, Ford asked Jaxon what she’d said.
Jaxon wrinkled his nose. “She said I’m like a real prince. Girls are weird.”
Ford bit back a laugh. He noticed Jaxon’s pace slow as they got closer to the class and put his hand on his shoulder, stopping him a few feet away from the door, crouching down to put himself on his son’s level. “You look nervous. Tell me what’s bothering you.”
Staring at his sneaker, Jaxon shrugged. “I’ve been working really hard, but what if it isn’t good enough? Uncle Kyle always said if I did bad in school, someone would take me
away. And someone always did.”
“Son, I don’t think that had anything to do with how you were doing in school. You’ve always had pretty good grades.”
“I guess…”
“If you’re having trouble with anything, we’ll work on it together, okay? No one’s ever taking you away from me.” He pulled Jaxon in for a hug. “Do you hear me?”
“Yeah.” Jaxon stiffened as the door open. He took Ford’s hand as he straightened, holding it tight as the teacher, an older man Ford had only spoken with briefly on the first day, came out to greet them.
“Hello, Jaxon. Mr. Delgado.” The teacher held out his hand, shaking Ford’s, then motioning them into the classroom. “I’m Mr. Martin, Jaxon’s homeroom teacher.” He gestured for Cort and Akira to join them. “You must be Jaxon’s other guardians. I’m pleased that you were able to come.”
Cort inclined his head. “We’re eager to hear how Jaxon’s been doing.”
“Of course.” Mr. Martin had set up several chairs in a semi-circle, and settled down in one, facing them as they all sat. “Since I know Jaxon has been apprehensive about this meeting, let me start off with saying he’s an exemplary student. Things started off a bit rocky, but once he became more comfortable here he easily caught up, then excelled, even at what he’d struggled with. He always has his work in on time, and he’s scored high on every test. The reason I wanted to talk to you was because I’d like Jaxon to take some advanced classes. Things are becoming a bit too easy for him.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Ford was tempted to give his son a high five, but he managed to contain himself. Besides, he wasn’t sure how Jaxon would feel about having more work because he was doing well. “I don’t want him to be overwhelmed.”
“He won’t be. I’m more concerned with him being bored.” Mr. Martin reached back to his desk and picked up a math workbook. He handed it to Ford. “He finishes before all the other students and has an excessive amount of time on his hands. This workbook will need to be replaced. I didn’t want to make an issue of it because your son’s been doing so well, but he will need to find a better place, and time, to explore his talents.”
OverTime (The Dartmouth Cobras Book 9) Page 38
