The Hideaway (Lavender Shores Book 5)

by Rosalind Abel

  “Yeah?” The corner of Moses’s lips curved slightly. “You know, I was actually thinking about them the other day. I kinda think Adrian has a crush on Charlie.”

  I barely caught myself before pointing out the “pray the gay away” his parents were using must not be working so well if Moses was playing mental matchmaker between the single gays of Lavender Shores. “Actually, I’ll fill you in on a secret, but you gotta keep it between us. If Adrian hears I’m spreading gossip, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

  Despite himself, Moses’s eyes twinkled. “Yeah, sure.”

  “You know the redhead who owns the bookstore?”

  He nodded.

  “That’s the guy Adrian’s wanting to—” Shit, almost said fuck. “That’s the guy Adrian’s crushing on.”

  Moses’s eyes narrowed as he considered. “I can kinda see them together. The redhead is pretty cute.”

  “Really? You have a thing for redheads too?”

  Moses started to nod, but then his grin faded, undeniable guilt crossing his face.

  Well, shit, I’d fucked that one up. Silence fell between us. It felt like we had been off to a good start. A couple of laughs. A smile or two. Now… nothing. I couldn’t think of anything to say.

  Luckily I didn’t have to. “You got new ink.” I hadn’t even noticed Moses looking at me.

  “Yeah.” I took the opening and extended my forearm. “Pretty sweet, right?”

  Moses leaned in, genuinely interested. “It’s beautiful. Connor knocked that one out of the park.”

  “He sure did.” Again the conversation ran dry. There had to be an opening there, if only I could find it. Then I did. At least I hoped. “And you? Created any new superheroes lately?”

  He shook his head but didn’t elaborate.

  “That’s too bad. You’re so good at it. I kinda thought you’d give Marvel and DC Comics a run for their money one day.”

  He scoffed, but when he glanced at me, there was a glimmer of hope. “Really?”

  “Yeah. Really.”

  Moses nodded and another smile played at his lips.

  Again the conversation evaporated. I tried to think of something else quippy or fun, but it felt forced. And if Moses had decided to return, maybe things weren’t on such thin ice. Who knew what his time with the Clarks had been like. What had made him willing to keep talking to Mom. My gut told me going down that path wasn’t the right direction. That maybe Connor had been right. Moses was going to make his own decisions and that being direct and upfront would be the best way to go. “Mind if I talk about what you saw, about Connor and me?”

  Though he shifted in his seat, he gave a little nod. “Sure.”

  Here went nothing. “Connor has been part of my family since I was a kid. And without a doubt, he is truly Gilbert, Lacy, and Hayley’s brother. And he is Patrick and Regina Bryant’s son. Either of them would die for him in a heartbeat. And though he’s always been my family, Connor has never been my brother.” Moses’s gaze stayed on me as I searched for the right words. “I think part of what kept us apart for so long was that he’d been taught the same things as you. He was afraid he was hurting me. That the love he felt for me was evil or wrong. I bet you can understand why he felt that way. But ever since I knew what love was, I knew that Connor wasn’t my brother, that he was my soulmate.”

  He studied me for minute. “Your mom said the whole family knows. That everyone’s okay with it.”

  I nodded. “They are.” I reached out to touch his arm, hesitated, then followed through on the impulse. “Connor and I don’t expect you to be okay with it. You can feel however you feel. It won’t change things. Whether you’re at the Clarks, here with my mom, or living with—” I almost said us, but maybe he didn’t know about Connor living with me yet. “—with Connor, you’re family. And we love you. I’m just glad you’re back, that you’re safe.”

  His lip trembled, but he squared his shoulders and nodded.

  Maybe I shouldn’t push, but I couldn’t keep from it. “You are back, right?”

  Moses didn’t hesitate. “Yeah. I’m back.” He blinked, looking close to tears again, and I could almost imagine what he’d been through, both with the Clarks and whatever he’d been thinking since he’d seen Connor and me together. “I’m sorry if I overreacted. I just….”

  “You have nothing to be sorry about.” I squeezed his arm, then released him. “I simply hate you found out in the way you did. Connor and I were planning on telling you… we were just figuring out the best way to do it.”

  Another nod.

  A clatter of dishes wafted in from the kitchen. “Mom thought you might need to talk to me before Connor. Is there anything you need to ask me? Are you worried about… Connor?”

  “No.” He shook his head, then spoke again, more emphatically. “No. I can’t say it won’t be weird to see the two of you differently, but I’m not worried about….” Another shake and his words trailed off.

  I pushed again. “Then how about I call Connor.” God, he was going to be beside himself. I gestured toward the spread of food. “You know he’s the only way you and I are going to make a dent in all of this.”

  Moses snorted out a laugh, and though he looked nervous, he nodded a final time. “Good idea.”

  Twenty-Two

  Connor

  In what was probably the thousandth occurrence over the past year, time folded in upon itself. I looked around my old bedroom in the Bryant house, and almost felt like I was in high school again. Like Gilbert would be home any minute, and we’d fall asleep shooting the shit on either side of the room. Only now, there was one bed, and the desk was covered in superhero drawings instead of my designs.

  “You sure you don’t mind me staying here while the renovations happen?”

  I placed the drawing I’d been holding back on his desk and sat beside Moses on the bed, making sure to leave enough space that it wouldn’t become uncomfortable. “Of course not. I think you’ll enjoy living with Regina and Patrick for a few weeks. Plus, Mom’s going to feel like she’s in hog heaven having one of her boys under her roof for a while. You’ll gain about thirty pounds, which wouldn’t be a bad thing.”

  He’d lost weight in his time away. It was the first thing I’d noticed when I saw him the day before. I’d been tempted to ask about what he’d been through with his parents, but I didn’t feel like I should push. I didn’t see any bruises, so that was a good sign.

  Even though it had been twenty-four hours, I still couldn’t quite wrap my head around the fact he was actually back. That once again, Micah had been right. Things really would work out. Part of me had been tempted to move back into the apartment above Lavender Ink so things would go back to normal. I wasn’t sure if it was selfish or not, but I wasn’t going to put that strain on Micah and me. We weren’t taking a step back.

  I leveled my gaze on Moses. “I want to make clear that nothing will make me happier than you living with Micah and me, but if you decide that you aren’t comfortable with it, and you’d rather stay here, even if we’re done renovating your room, you just say the word.”

  He chewed his lip, then shrugged. “I want to be with you. I just need to get used to it first.”

  I wasn’t about to argue with that. I wasn’t about to argue with anything.

  It was taking all my willpower not to pepper Moses with a billion questions, about his time away, about how he was really feeling about Micah and me, about how he was feeling about being gay, about a billion things. I had to bite my tongue to keep from spewing it all forth. I knew enough to know that I needed to go slowly.

  “I was thinking, instead of painting your room a color, once it’s ready, we could just leave it blank and you can have a free canvas, fill the entire thing with superheroes or—” I shrugged. “—whatever.”

  His eyes widened, and a smile grew. “That would be awesome.” He looked nervous again. “But I’ve only got one more year left in school. I don’t want to ruin your room.”
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br />   “Moses, it won’t matter if you’re there only till the end of your senior year or if you decide you want to stay for the next several years and go to college, whatever you want.” I gestured around the room. “Gilbert and I haven’t lived in this room in forever, and it’s exactly the same as when we left. All of our rooms are. Mom and Dad have made it clear that there is always a place for us, no matter what happens. That’ll be true for you in Micah and my house. That room will always be yours.”

  He smiled nervously, and his eyes glistened, but he didn’t respond.

  The tension grew between us, more uncomfortable than anything. It was going to take us a while to fall back in sync. I was fine. He could have all the time he needed, just as long as he was back. I told him how much I loved him yesterday, and how glad I was he was back. It was taking all my willpower not to simply repeat that on an endless loop. Though I was certain he could see it in my eyes every time he looked at me. Instead, I gave him a quick smack on his knee and stood. “Well, I should probably let you get some rest. Call me whenever you want. For anything.” I decided to push a little. “We can always do a movie marathon, even before your room is ready.”

  “I will.” He offered me another of his nervous smiles as I turned to walk out his bedroom door. “Connor?”

  I hesitated, making sure my emotions were in check. “Yeah?” I looked back at him, pausing in the doorway.

  “Would Saturday work? Maybe start with Wonder Woman?”

  Damn, he was trying to bring me to my knees. I nodded and couldn’t suppress what was probably a ridiculous grin. “You know it.”

  When he called my name again, I was already out of his room, and I poked my head back in. “Micah can join too, if he wants.”

  We really were going to be fine after all. “Thanks. I’ll ask him.”

  I stopped by the Green Violin. I needed to see Micah. Just to be near him. Everything was turning out better than I could’ve imagined, but I felt raw and on edge. Micah always seemed to take that feeling away.

  As I stepped into the shop, I halted, instantly realizing it had been a mistake. Seth was leaning on the counter, talking to Micah. Stupid or not, jealousy ripped through me. I knew I should turn around and leave before I said something I’d regret, but I couldn’t. Instead, I strode toward them, ready to rip the pretty boy’s head off.

  Micah noticed me first and looked up over Seth’s shoulder, his smile fading to an expression of concern. Who knew what I looked like in that moment.

  Seth turned and smiled when he saw me. “Hey. I’m glad you’re here. I was just dropping off a bottle of wine to congratulate you two. White, of course.”

  I halted, having to replay Seth’s words as they’d been muffled by the furious pounding of blood in my ears. He was dropping off wine. To congratulate us. I glanced at the counter. Sure enough, a bottle with a purple ribbon sat between them.

  Maybe he was trying to get Micah drunk and take advantage of him.

  Seth laughed. “I wish you could see your face right now, you big idiot. I’m not here to steal your man. I was the one to tell you to pull your head out of your ass, if you recall.”

  Oh, right. I had forgotten that. I shook myself. “Sorry. You’re right. Things are just a little all over the place right now.”

  “Whatever. No big deal.” Seth shrugged it off. “Besides, I’ve got my pride.” He motioned his thumb over his shoulder at Micah. “Even if this one comes to his senses and realizes I’m the better man, this ship has sailed. My playground is closed for business. My Italian stallion is back in the stable. The tickets for this ride are—”

  “Oh my God, stop!” Micah leaned across the counter and swatted at Seth’s back.

  “What?” Seth winked. “Don’t act like you’ll ever get over my personal thunder from down under.”

  I laughed, despite myself, and cast a wink at Micah. “You know, if this is the type of shmuck that was my competition, maybe I shouldn’t have been as jealous as I was all these years.”

  “Rude!” Seth swiped the wine off the counter. “I’m taking back my congratulatory present.” He walked over toward the wall of crates and snagged a couple of large eggplants. “And these as well.”

  I snagged the wine out of his arms. “Take all the produce you want. But I could sure use some wine.”

  Seth rolled his eyes. “Please. Like you can identify wine from horse piss. Micah is the one with an elevated palate.”

  “Good point.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “I thought you said the present was for both of us. Shouldn’t there be a bottle of beer at least for me?”

  Ignoring me, he looked back at Micah. “Your taste in wine is superb, can’t say the same for your choice in men.” Seth grabbed another eggplant. “I actually am taking these. Thank you. And I’ll leave you two alone now.” He walked past and patted me on the shoulder, though he didn’t pause. “Come see me at the bar sometime. I miss my friend.”

  I stared after him, all jealousy truly fading. “I’ll do that.”

  Micah called out before Seth got to the door. “I’ll send him with a bill for the eggplants.”

  Without looking back, Seth flipped the bird with his free hand and left the shop.

  Micah didn’t waste a second. “You really were jealous.” He walked around the counter, heading toward me. “You actually had me worried for a second that I might need to tell Seth to run.”

  “Well. Now you’re mine, I’m going to make sure you stay that way.”

  He lifted the wine bottle from my hands and gave me a quick kiss. “Like you have to worry about that.”

  I didn’t think it would ever make sense that someone like Micah would love someone like me. But I suppose that was the story of my life. After all these years, it still amazed me how much love I had been given. Moses returning home and being wrapped in my family’s arms was only more overwhelming proof.

  I followed Micah to the counter as he set down the wine, and then turned him gently around to face me. “How can I thank you for never giving up on me? For hanging in there when I kept pushing you away.”

  The smile he gave was almost sad. “You don’t have to thank me. I don’t think I ever had a choice. If it couldn’t be you, then it wouldn’t be anyone.”

  Though it had taken me way too long to admit it, at least that I understood. I felt the exact same way about him. “I love you.”

  “I know. I’ve always known. It just took you long enough to pull your head out of your ass, like Seth said. I didn’t realize that conversation ever happened.” Whatever sadness there had been left his smile, the teasing joy that was better suited to Micah returning. “I think I’m the one who owes Seth a bottle of wine.” He ran his hand over my chest and then slowly down my stomach. “You know, if you really wanted to start trying to thank me in adequate ways, you could begin by locking the door.”

  “Locking the door?” No sooner had the words left my lips than I realized what he meant, and I felt a smile of my own attempt to match his. “Oh. Yes. Yes, that I can do.” I pulled away from him and headed to the door.

  “While you’re there, pull down the shades. We broke in Ms. Westfield’s desk, and your tattoo chair. I think it’s high time my shop gets the same treatment.” He smacked the butcher-block counter. By the time the door was locked and the shades were pulled, Micah was yanking off his shirt.

  “What would the health inspector think?” I returned to him, unbuckling my belt as I walked. “Pretty sure us fucking on the countertop would be a health code violation.”

  “I won’t tell if you don’t.” He laughed again, his smile changing from sultry to mischievous once more. “Actually, I’ll wait until Adrian comes in tomorrow morning. I’ll mention it in passing. He’ll probably bleach the whole place.”

  Epilogue - Part One

  Micah

  October

  I caught my reflection in the mirror as I walked into the house. Leaning closer, I scowled and tilted my head. I had dirt in my ears—in my ears! Af
ter all these years, I still couldn’t figure out how that happened. It wasn’t like I was standing out there in the field digging for earwax. That was definitely one advantage to the violin; you didn’t end up covered in grime at the end of every day. Still, it felt good. With Moses returning to school the month before, Adrian and I were shorthanded again. We truly were going to have to hire more people. A good problem to have.

  “Connor?” I leaned through the doorway of the kitchen, expecting to see him there, though I didn’t smell dinner cooking like I’d anticipated. He’d taken the afternoon off to help Dad and Debbra with something for the town council. He said he would get dinner ready for us after so we could have the evening to ourselves since Moses was babysitting Shawn and Tiffany Carlisle’s kids.

  Must be running late.

  No, his car had been in the driveway.

  Maybe upstairs taking a shower.

  I needed one anyway, desperately. Might as well join him. Dinner could wait.

  I walked upstairs, casting a glance around as I passed through our bedroom. It had come together nicely. The color combination Connor had chosen was something I never would’ve dreamed up. Leave it to a tattoo artist to come up with a color palette a little left of center. Made me excited for the rest of the house.

  Connor wasn’t in our bathroom either. Though a glance into the shower revealed he’d been there recently; it was damp. Then I noticed the note by the sink.

  M,

  Hope you had a good day at the farm. Take your time cleaning up, then put on your suit and meet me at the place.

  C

  A suit?

  I turned the paper over, expecting to see just kidding, or a note saying Connor had been kidnapped and they were holding him for ransom. It was blank. A suit? Since when had Connor ever willingly put on a suit?