A Whole Latte Sass

by Marguerite Labbe

  Trask grinned, and Felipe’s eyes narrowed dangerously as his alarm chimed again. “If you give me any kind of hippie bullshit right now, I will end you along with the phone.”

  “Early bird gets the worm?” Trask asked, lifting one eyebrow as Felipe glared. He was a joy to tease. “It’s a new day so shine on?”

  Felipe grabbed a pillow and thwapped Trask with it. “A new day means a new opportunity for mayhem and murder. I have lots of trees in the backyard. I’m pretty sure I could find a spot for your body.”

  Trask laughed and caught the pillow before Felipe could smack him again. He leaned up and kissed Felipe’s lips. “Come on, imp. A shower will wake you right up, and you can text me all of your amusing observations from your steel cage later.”

  The alarm abruptly silenced as Felipe found the phone. He propped himself up on his hands, the sheets tangling around his naked waist. It was a sexy sight and one that gave Trask thoughts of lingering a little while longer in Felipe’s bed. But he didn’t want to be the cause of him being late, and he sat up with more than a little regret.

  It wasn’t that bright outside, so Trask figured it was shy of seven. If he hit the road immediately, he’d be at the shop in plenty of time to unload from the show.

  “Why are you so cheerful in the morning?” Felipe threw back the covers, got out of bed, and stretched luxuriously, rising up on his toes.

  Trask knelt up, slid his arm around Felipe’s waist, and kissed his shoulder. “After how we spent last night, can you blame me?”

  Felipe turned and kissed Trask with that cat’s smile playing on his lips. “Good point. Last night was rather spectacular.” He caught Trask’s hand. “Come on, if we hit the shower together, the hot water may last.”

  It was a damn shame there was not enough time or water for shower sex. The shower was tiny, giving them little room to maneuver but an excellent reason to be all over each other. The water smelled faintly sulfurous, but Felipe’s soap drove off the scent of the well. By the time they got each other washed off, the water was cooling rapidly, and they rushed through rinsing off with breathless laughs.

  Felipe took one look at the clock as they were toweling each other dry and began cursing again. “Fuck, Tin Man. I’ve got to run. I’m going to be late. Fuck, don’t even have time to go to town for my coffee.”

  Trask followed the cussing tornado as Felipe scrambled, searching for clothes and shoes. “I’ll feed Lady for you,” he called, stopping by the kitchen and locating the kibble.

  “Thank you,” came a muffled, heartfelt cry from the bedroom. “Can you top off her water too?”

  By the time Trask had attended to the little chores and put the dishes they used last night in the sink, Felipe had emerged from the bedroom with a slightly harried expression. “Sorry to run out on you like this, but I cannot be late again this month. My supervisor will burst a vein. I’ll text you later.”

  Felipe dropped a kiss on Trask’s mouth and left, the door slapping shut behind him and letting in a cold draft of air. He took the outer stairs with a speed that made Trask wince. He hoped Felipe didn’t try that in the middle of winter when ice formed overnight. He’d break his damn neck.

  Felipe hadn’t even grabbed a snack or a slice of leftover pizza. “Does he do this every morning?” he asked Lady, who settled herself by the doorway with a sigh. Lady thumped her tail but ignored him. Poor girl was missing Felipe already. So was he if he was honest about it.

  Trask got dressed and finished straightening up, leaving the clean dishes to dry on the rack and the bed neatly made. He’d pick up Felipe’s favorite coffee and something for him to eat or Felipe would be one cranky bastard by the time lunch rolled around. He thought he saw a coffee shop in town last night as they went to dinner. He managed to get a wiggling Sophie into her harness as Lady slipped out the dog door.

  As they were walking down the stairs, the back door to the main house opened. Trask eyed the emerging older man and young woman with trepidation. There was no mistaking they were related to Felipe. He had Felipe’s proud profile, and she had his laughing, expressive eyes.

  “Sophie!” The young woman dropped her bookbag and held out her arms. “I missed you, baby. Look at how big you’ve gotten.”

  Sophie let out a soft cry of delight and scrambled down the stairs impatiently. Despite Trask’s reluctance to meet Felipe’s family without him present, he hurried his steps before Sophie wiggled herself off the stairs.

  Damn, this was awkward. If he’d left five minutes earlier or waited for another ten, he would not be having to go through this. “Good morning.” Trask touched the brim of his ball cap. He really hoped he and Felipe had not made too much noise last night. “You must be Mr. Suero.” He held out his hand. “I’m Trask Briscoe.”

  Mr. Suero’s cool gaze flicked over Trask, and for a moment Trask thought he wouldn’t shake his hand in return. “Mariana, get in the car. You’re going to be late for your appointment,” he said with a quick sideways glance at his daughter before clasping Trask’s hand firmly.

  Mariana rose, a protest in her gaze. It struck Trask again how much those eyes reminded him of Felipe. “Good luck with your appointment,” Trask murmured as Sophie watched Mariana retrieve her bag with a little whine for attention. Trask comforted her with a hand on her head. “It’s okay, Sophie. I’m sure you’ll see her again soon.”

  Mr. Suero waited until she was out of earshot. “Are you a friend or a date?”

  “I’d like to think I’m both.” In a short amount of time, Felipe had managed to get himself solidly placed among the handful that Trask called true friends and not one of the mere acquaintances he enjoyed seeing on occasion.

  Mr. Suero’s frown deepened. “I have to say, you’re the oddest one yet. And Felipe’s brought home some doozies.” Trask knew that tone, knew it intimately, the disapproval and instant judgment. He met Mr. Suero’s hard gaze with an even look in return and refused to comment. “How old are you?”

  Well, Trask couldn’t blame the man for asking that. He’d probably do the same if circumstances were reversed. “Forty-two, sir.”

  A cynical light appeared in Mr. Suero’s eyes. “Look more like fifty.” There really wasn’t much Trask could say to that except offer him his driver’s license, but he wasn’t about to prove that he was telling the truth. He knew he shouldn’t let Mr. Suero’s attitude irritate him, but he couldn’t help but compare Felipe’s dad with his own old man. “You look like an ex-con, rock star, or gang member, so which is it?”

  “You’ve got one of them right.” It was a fight to keep his tone even. The man was only being protective of his son and Trask couldn’t really blame him, but it opened up painful memories and longings. “I’ve never been tempted to join a gang.” Even in the midst of his drug-induced nightmares, he’d known doing that would have him heading for a body bag. Sophie picked up on his rising tension and pawed at his leg with a little whine. Trask half crouched to pet her in wordless reassurance.

  “I’m guessing not a rock star either or I would’ve heard music late into the night,” Mr. Suero said with a weighing glance. “Felipe would’ve had you rocking out.”

  Trask assessed the other man’s wary demeanor. Might as well be upfront now and save them all a headache later. “As much as I’d like to play an instrument, I just don’t have the ear for it. I did some time back when I was about Felipe’s age for something stupid, and it never happened again.”

  Mr. Suero nodded, and his gaze flicked down to Trask’s hands. “And all the decoration? You get that while in jail?”

  Trask held out his hands in fists, studying the words emblazoned across his knuckles. “Clean,” “Life,” “Death,” “Love.” They were vows, promises, and warnings. “No, some I picked up before, many after. Nothing to symbolize that time. It’s a period I’d rather not revisit.”

  “I think you might want to reconsider sniffing around here.” Mr. Suero definitely did not have his children’s expressive eyes, but the word
s and tone were plain enough, and his stance screamed how unwelcome Trask was.

  Trask considered his response carefully. If what Felipe told him was true, Mr. Suero was a man who gave others a chance to pull themselves out of the pit. Trask appreciated that. He’d done the same himself for a couple people at the Magick Den a few times. Maybe his experiences had jaded Mr. Suero, and maybe it was just protectiveness that would ease when he got to know Trask. So it would be best just to stand his ground, but not in a way to make it ugly. If it got to be too unpleasant later on down the road, well then Trask would reevaluate. He wouldn’t want to get between Felipe and family. Just because he didn’t have one of his own didn’t mean he didn’t understand the value of them.

  “With all due respect, that’s not your decision to make.” Trask had no doubt Felipe would go off at the top of his lungs if he knew about this conversation. “I know Felipe’s only twenty-two, and I’m very aware of our age difference. I also know he’s a grown man who essentially works two jobs, goes to school on top of it, and pays his bills. So I think he’s capable of making his own decisions.” Trask forced his defensive reaction to chill as Mr. Suero’s brows climbed to his hairline.

  “Is that so?” There was no way to tell from Mr. Suero’s tone or expression how he took that announcement.

  “That’s about how I see it. I’m not looking to hurt him or change him. I enjoy his company, and for some reason he enjoys mine.” Trask straightened and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I also know what a rare man he is and one who ran out of here without his breakfast, so I’m going to go take care of that if you don’t mind.”

  He touched his cap and called to Sophie as he turned toward his truck. “Have a good day, sir.”

  Trask felt Mr. Suero’s gaze on him the whole way to the truck as he replayed the conversation or lack thereof in his mind. He could’ve handled that better. Hell, he’d probably fucked it up every way he could. He had his faults, many of them, but he was not some kind of old lecher preying on boys, and the insinuation pissed him off.

  The way the man had looked at him awoke a slow fire of anger. Trask tried to avoid that anger. Once lit he had a hard time putting it out, and he didn’t want to ruin the fine mood that Felipe left him in with a brood.

  He got Sophie nestled in her harness, though it took some doing because she kept licking his face with soft whines. “It’s okay, baby. I’m okay.”

  But he wasn’t. After he got her settled, he slid in behind the wheel and spied Mr. Suero in his own car, watching him with Mariana in the seat beside him. Jesus, what did the man think he was going to do? It was clear he wasn’t going to leave until Trask did.

  Trask tightened his jaw and pulled out. The scenery around him was one of stark beauty, acres of trees, bare limbs reaching toward the sky with only a few clinging leaves to break up the long outlines, but Trask barely saw it. He reached the main road and headed into town. He needed some time to think before he saw Felipe again. Maybe it was time to pull things back and take them a little slower. He just didn’t know.

  He didn’t want to be the cause of any discord between Felipe and his family. As much as he regretted it, he’d have to take a pass on the Thanksgiving offer. He’d find a way to break it to Felipe. Trask had been through enough uncomfortable family holidays of his own. He had zero desire to go through that again with someone else’s. If they were still a thing by the New Year, maybe Felipe’s dad would relax some. At least by then, the holidays would be over.

  By the time Trask found the coffee shop and ordered them both food and coffees, he felt better. That would be the right way to handle it. He’d check with Jason, see if he needed a place to go for Thanksgiving dinner. The young man had elected to stay with his old sponsor. Still, Trask had offered to lend his ear as well. It wouldn’t hurt to ask. He could look in on Joe too, though he’d likely be with his grandkids.

  Trask headed toward the sleepy little toll bridge and took a gamble, aiming for one of the middle lanes in the hopes of spotting Felipe. He had to go over the bridge one more time before he found Felipe’s booth.

  Felipe stuck his head out the window with a grin. “I thought that was your truck, and I was disappointed I wouldn’t get to see you again.”

  “Here you go.” Trask handed out the largest latte he could get and the bag with Felipe’s breakfast. “Now I’m going to go before I’m accused of bribing a government worker and am hauled in.”

  Felipe’s eyes widened, and he inhaled a sniff of the brew. Trask smiled as he pulled off, and he had to laugh as he saw Felipe half hanging out of his booth, blowing kisses. “Trask Briscoe!” he called out after him. “I’m going to marry you.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  FELIPE UNFURLED his whip and assumed a dangerous and sultry pose as Abby took up her spot beside him. He might have just found a signature costume. Catwoman suited him perfectly, and he knew he was turning heads in the form-fitting getup. Though it was a sore point that even in his black leather stiletto boots, he still didn’t match Abby in height. His instincts had been right about her. She was made to be Wonder Woman. Together the two of them looked ready to kick comic book ass.

  The one damper to his day was that Trask couldn’t see how awesome he looked. Felipe sent pictures, but it wasn’t the same. When he pranced by the Magick Den’s table, he got Mr. Surly Ryan, not his sexy Tin Man.

  That was the problem when there were several cons running on the same weekend. Felipe missed dropping in on people he wanted to see. Jackie was at the con in Gaithersburg, and Felipe had needed to talk to her about designing the new Creatures & Cosplay webpage banner he wanted to surprise Abby with since she’d gone ahead and gotten them a domain name. That had been cool of her, and he had to reciprocate.

  Then there was a collectible con in Tyson’s Corner, and Trask was at that. Trask was the owner of the Den. He had all the cash. So it made sense that he went to see what he could score for their store. But that con had no real use for cosplayers, and Felipe had gotten into this one for free. The prize for best costume was dank as fuck. So here he was. All those factors, though, meant no Trask-ogling for him.

  Soon there would be a moratorium on convention life until after the holidays. Probably for the best because finals would be coming up soon. And his budget was taking a beating. He should’ve recycled his Link costume instead of staying up all night to finish the Catwoman one and blowing too much money on the boots. But the idea was so cool, and he was killing it. He’d handed out a good number of his business cards and taken a commission for his mask.

  “Okay,” Abby said, cutting into his thoughts as the cameras finally lowered. “Let’s split up until it’s time to register for the contest. I want to watch the quick-draw panel. It’s always fun, despite what you think.”

  “If I wanted to watch someone draw, I’d go hang out with Morris.” Felipe eyed the concession stand and shifted his stance. The boots were killer-looking and killer on his feet. “I think I’m going to go invest in something decadent.”

  “You might want to ease up on the sweets.” Abby flashed him her dimples. “You don’t want to pop a seam before the judges.”

  Felipe waved his hand in unconcern. “I’ll share the wealth with Morris. After all, everybody knows that calories shared meant they are practically zero.”

  Abby sighed and shook her head. “Don’t I wish that were true. Some of us have to live in reality, Short Round.”

  Please, the woman was literally an Amazon, and it showed. If Felipe had her height, he’d never have to worry about his waistline. Besides, he absolutely refused to be concerned about such things until he was at least in his thirties. Then he could angst for a decade or two before saying screw it, you only live once, and enjoy the fuck out of his old age.

  Okay, a situation like this called for double chocolate brownies. Felipe crossed his arms as he stared up at the menu that sadly lacked anything remotely resembling brownies of any kind, though the oversized snickerdoodles were a nice con
solation prize. As he stepped up to the counter to make his order, the guy behind the counter let out a low whistle. “Nice Catwoman.”

  Felipe smirked and pirouetted on the killer stilettos. “Thanks.” Damn, cons were so good for his ego. He took his cookies and snuck off to the corner of the hall where he could have a few moments of quiet and watch the other attendees. He found the mix of people fascinating. He eased down onto a bench, pulled out a cookie and his phone. He wanted a little Trask time before diving back into the fray.

  Hey, for Thanksgiving, want to come down the night before?

  They could have breakfast in bed and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They could go for a hike, and he’d show Trask the extent of their property. There were some beautiful spots out along the trails, and it was cold enough that Felipe didn’t have to worry about ticks. The four-legged critters didn’t bother him, but he hated the creepy-crawly ones.

  I’m so sorry, Felipe. I can’t commit to Thanksgiving at your place this year. Please don’t get mad. I wanted to tell you in person this weekend.

  Felipe stared at the message with acute disappointment as his day soured. He’d been so sure he had Trask convinced. What happened? I thought I’d changed your mind.

  Something came up. We’ll talk this weekend. I promise.

  Felipe broke off a piece of another cookie and bit into it savagely. It only made him feel marginally better. Too bad all life problems couldn’t be solved with carbs. Fine…. Trask wanted to be that way. Felipe could wait until the game next weekend, and he’d corner Trask then. He gave a moment’s consideration to calling him, but it would be an exercise in frustration to pull words out of him. Trask was not a phone fan. Felipe could usually get him to talk in person. On a phone, he heard grunts and mmhmms.

  A shadow fell across him, and he glared up at Dakota as he took the seat beside him and had the fucking balls to steal one of his snickerdoodles.