Unexpected Love

by J. O Mantel

  He changed into his uniform and headed out into the kitchen and put on some coffee. He stared out the window, at nothing in particular, as countless thoughts wandered through his brain. As he sipped from his mug, he heard a noise behind him, with a wide smile on his face, he spun around, expecting to find Lili waiting for him, but instead his eyes met with … “Morning.”

  Andy.

  “Hey,” Hunter replied casually. “Sorry, I thought Lili was awake.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you,” Andy replied, walking past him and reaching for the coffee. Andy was dressed in his uniform, which was now fitting more snugly than ever as he’d built up muscle through his chest, abs, and arms. Hunter kept his eyes focused on what Andy was wearing, rather than meeting the eyes he could feel were peering all over him. Things were still tense between them, but just as Andy promised, he was giving Hunter the space and time he needed to sort himself out.

  “I’ll see you at work,” Andy said.

  “Wait, you’re heading into work now? It’s only seven thirty.”

  “I have an appointment with the doctor this morning, so I’ll be heading to work afterward.”

  “Well, would you like me to come with you?” Hunter asked.

  “No, it’s okay. I’ll be fine. Besides, Lili’s not awake yet.”

  Hunter knew this was Andy’s way of giving him space and keeping his distance. And while it was exactly what Hunter had asked for, it pained him to know it had now caused an even bigger distance between them.

  “Okay, I’ll see you there, then?” Hunter asked.

  “You bet,” Andy replied, walking over to the door. As he reached for the handle, he heard Hunter call to him. He stopped and turned around. “Yeah?”

  Hunter walked out of the kitchen toward Andy. “Can we ah … talk … maybe later tonight when we both get home?” Hunter questioned.

  “Sure! If that’s what you want?”

  “It is,” Hunter stated.

  “I’ll look forward to it.” Andy smiled as he turned the handle and walked through the door.

  “Hunter, you’re here.” Carter’s reverberating voice echoed through Hunter’s office.

  Hunter looked up from his desk at Carter. “Is there something you needed, Carter?” he asked.

  Carter took a step into the office, and as he leaned over Hunter’s desk, he dropped a white envelope in front of him.

  “What’s this?” Hunter asked.

  “Vanessa dropped them off a few minutes ago.”

  Hunter picked up the envelope and flipped it over, sliding his fingers under the seal and tearing it open. He peeked inside, and a smile brushed over him as he pulled out the limited-edition calendar.

  “Have you seen it?” Hunter asked Carter.

  “Not yet. I wanted to wait for you. It’s the proof copy.”

  Carter pulled up a chair, and dragged it toward the desk, and the two of them stared at the image on the cover. The entire team spread out on the front page, with the fire truck behind them. In the center stood Andy, Alex, Carter, and Hunter, who had Thunder resting over his left shoulder, and lying down in front of them, was Daisy.

  “Wow! That really is an amazing shot.” Carter smiled.

  “Yeah,” Hunter agreed.

  There was a knock on the door, and Carter turned around, as Hunter raised his head.

  “There you are, Andy. I was just showing Hunter the calendar from the photoshoot.”

  “The calendar? It’s here?” he asked.

  The two of them nodded as Andy grabbed a chair from the corner and brought it toward them. Hunter flipped the first page to reveal the photo of Carter with the words Mr. January in bright red letters written beside him. Smiles tipped their lips, as Hunter flipped over the next page.

  “Wow! Mr. February, I mean, Mr. Valentine, you are damn fine.” Carter whistled with mock amusement, looking at the photo of Hunter and Thunder on the page marked Mr. February. They continued flicking through the rest of the calendar, and when they reached Mrs. July, the three of them smiled at the image of Alexandra, or Alex as she was better known to everyone at the station. With her tall frame and long blonde locks, she really looked a million dollars in the photo. As Hunter turned the final page, his mouth curved into a smile when he saw Andy as Mr. December. He was standing in his fireman pants, with the suspenders drawn over his broad shoulders, and on top of his head, he wore a Santa hat.

  “Just an FYI,” Carter began as he turned to face Andy, “I’ve been a very good boy this year.” He gave Andy a flirtatious wink. After they finished their banter and looking through the calendar a few more times, Carter stood up and walked out of the office, leaving Hunter and Andy alone. A part of Hunter was drawn back to the image of Andy as Mr. December, and he wanted to punch himself for having such ridiculous thoughts. But the more he thought about it, the more he came to realize that maybe they weren’t so ridiculous after all. His house, not to mention his life, had been so empty for years without Bree, but that was until Andy came to stay with him during his recovery. He had Lili, and her presence was always a constant reminder of Bree, but it wasn’t the same. He missed her stories, he missed her jokes, he even missed her terrible cooking most nights, but the thing he missed the most, was having someone in his bed at night. Someone who he could curl up with each night and talk about what a crap day he’d had, someone who understood him like she had, someone like … Andy.

  “Hunter?” He heard Andy’s voice break through his thoughts.

  “Huh?”

  “Your phone’s ringing,” Andy said.

  Answering the phone, Hunter said, “Uh … hello?”

  “Hello, sweetheart,” his mother’s voice carried through the phone.

  “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”

  “I’m sorry to bother you at work, dear, but you didn’t answer your cell.”

  “No, that’s okay. What’s the matter? Is Lili all right?”

  “She’s fine.”

  Hunter waited for her to continue, but when she said nothing, he asked, “What is it, Mom?”

  Hunter could hear her heavy breathing through the phone, and as she delivered her next words, her voice became frail and barely audible. “It’s your father, he’s in town.”

  Hunter’s eyes widened, his fingers almost released the grip he had on the phone, and he felt the blood drain from his face. Andy looked up and noticed his pale expression.

  “Hunter?” But when Hunter didn’t reply, he asked again, “Hunter? What is it? What’s wrong?”

  Hunter then heard his mother’s voice through the phone. “Sweetheart?” she called.

  “What the fuck is he doing here?” Was Hunter’s first reaction.

  “He … he wants to see you.”

  “I thought he was in Australia?” Hunter asked, raising his voice.

  “He is … was … I don’t know, Hunter. He’s asked to see you.”

  “Wait … what do you mean he’s asked to see me? You’ve spoken to him?”

  The line went silent, and Hunter wondered if the call had been disconnected, but when he pulled his desk phone away from his ear and saw the timer still clicking over on the base, he brought it back to his ear and said, “Mom?”

  “He came to see me, yes.”

  “What do you mean, he came to see you? How does he even know where you live?”

  “Honey, let’s not talk about this right now. How about I come over for dinner tonight, and we can discuss it then?”

  “What the hell is there to discuss? The guy hasn’t been a part of my life for what … almost twenty years, and now all of a sudden he shows up and wants to ‘see’ me?”

  “I know you have questions—”

  “Yeah! I sure do. Here’s a question for you, why didn’t you tell him to fuck off?”

  “Hunter!” His mother’s shaky voice admonished.

  “I have to go, Mom; I can’t deal with this now. I’ll be home around seven. You can drop Li
li off then.”

  “Hunter—” But before she managed to get another word in, Hunter ended the call.

  Hunter clenched his teeth and slammed his fists on the desk. His father coming to town was the last thing he needed right now. The question he kept asking himself was “why?” Why had he waited almost twenty years to make his presence known? He’d done a perfectly good job of staying hidden and unreachable all this time, so what was he doing here, and why did he want to meet with Hunter? Closing his eyes, he tried to think of anything but the man who’d made his, and his mother’s lives, a living hell. Without thinking, Andy reached out and placed a hand on top of Hunter’s.

  Startled, Hunter’s eyes flew open and stared into Andy’s, and they smiled.

  “Want to talk about it?” Andy asked.

  “Not really, no,” Hunter replied firmly.

  “Well, whatever it is, it’s definitely affecting you. I’ve never seen you so pale before.”

  Hunter started tapping his fingers on the desk, he really wanted to phone Carter and tell him he was sick so he could have the rest of the day off. He didn’t want to deal with the shit storm his mother had just placed him in. And why was she calling him to tell him that his father was in town? He was the one who left her in the first place. He was the one who chose a younger woman, a woman he’d happily whisked away to the other side of the world and forgotten about the family he left behind. If he had called Hunter, he would have hung up the phone in an instant.

  “My father’s in town,” Hunter said.

  “Your father? Didn’t he move to Australia?”

  “Supposedly. Well, that’s what my mother told me anyway.”

  “But it’s been … years, why is he suddenly making contact now?” Andy questioned.

  “That’s what I want to know.”

  Andy desperately wanted to leap over the desk and throw his arms around Hunter, but instead he lifted his head and stayed right where he was, wondering what he could do to help him.

  “God, I feel sick. Just the mere mention of his name makes me want to vomit. He was the one who made the decision to pack up his life and leave, it’s the life he chose, no one else. As far as I’m concerned, he’s made his bed and now he needs to lie in it.”

  Andy sat there in total silence, listening to everything Hunter was saying, and he tried to figure out the words he could say to make him feel better. But nothing came.

  “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Not unless you know how to get away with murder,” Hunter said.

  He felt choked up, and ready to strangle someone. After all these years, he wasn’t even sure he’d remember what his father looked like. Hunter was just fresh out of college when he left, and so much had changed since then, not to mention, there was someone else he needed to think about … Lili. As far as he was aware, his father had no idea Hunter had a child, more to the point, he probably didn’t even know Hunter was once married. He shifted in his chair and wondered just how much his mother was actually telling him. How long had she known about this? Had there been other occasions when he’d tried to make contact and she’d refused? Why was now any different?

  Andy reached out and touched Hunter’s cheek with his hand. Touching him as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and as Hunter cocked his head to the side, Andy saw that it wasn’t making him uncomfortable.

  “Can you cover for me?” Hunter asked.

  “Cover?” Andy questioned.

  “I can’t deal with this here. I need to leave. I need answers. Just tell Carter I’m sick or something.”

  As Hunter headed out of the office, he stopped and turned to face Andy, and when their gazes met, he gave him a warm smile before he turned and walked out the door.

  Hunter focused his attention to whatever was playing on the television, while at the same time, trying not to think about what insults he wanted to throw at his … what, father? How can I even call him that after all these years? He knew that if he wanted answers, he’d have to talk to his mother sooner or later. She was the only one who was going to have the answers to his questions. But what was unsettling as hell was that the only other person he could talk to right now, was the only person he was also shutting out, and the only person he was finding himself more and more attracted to each day. A worm of guilt slithered its way through his chest as he closed his eyes and placed his head in his hands.

  Being around Andy did strange and somewhat crazy things to his mind. It clouded his brain, feelings, and even his judgment. Maybe it was … “don’t say it, Hunter,” he whispered to himself. “Don’t say the L word.” He knew what love was, and what it felt like, he and Bree had been in love for years, and their love was nothing like he’d ever experienced before. He was staring into space, lost in the depths of his mind, and completely oblivious to what was happening around him. He hadn’t heard the door open, or the sound of Andy’s footsteps, and it wasn’t until he was standing within a few feet of him, that Hunter became aware of his presence.

  “Hey,” Andy whispered.

  “Hey. How long have you been standing there?” Hunter asked.

  “Just a few seconds.”

  Hunter couldn’t draw his eyes away from Andy. Dressed in his uniform, and even with his messy helmet hair, he was still a beautiful sight. Hunter’s eyes traveled the length of Andy’s body, taking in the muscle that was molding his shirt to his chest. Andy didn’t really work out much, but he and Hunter visited the gym occasionally, and it wasn’t until recent weeks, when he’d really allowed himself to study Andy, that he realized just how much sexier he’d gotten.

  “Everything okay?” Andy asked, pulling Hunter back to the present.

  “Uh, yeah. I’ve just been … preoccupied, thinking, about everything.”

  “Have you spoken to your mom?”

  “No, she hasn’t come over yet.”

  “What are you going to do?” Andy asked.

  “I don’t know, but I need answers,” Hunter replied.

  Andy broke Hunter’s gaze and sat down beside him. This was the closest they’d been since the night of that kiss and Hunter had told him to give him space. But as Andy relaxed into the cushion, the warmth of his body stirred even more feelings deep down in Hunter’s stomach … not to mention causing a slight reaction between his legs.

  “I’m sorry, Andy. I’m sorry for creating distance and making things weird between us.”

  “You don’t have to apologize. I understand. Trust me, I do.”

  Although he was being totally honest, Andy had known for many years that he was gay. He’d never entertained the idea of marrying a woman, or being with anyone other than a man, and both his parents were supportive of him. He knew that declaring his feelings for Hunter was going to come with consequences, questions rather, and he wanted to explore all of that, with him.

  Hunter looked up at Andy, but their gaze was quickly interrupted by the sound of a latch and a door being pushed open.

  “We’re home,” his mother’s voice sounded through the living room.

  Hunter and Andy stood up off the couch, and as Hunter kneeled down, he opened his arms and welcomed his daughter in a warm and tight embrace.

  “Hello, pumpkin,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.

  “Hello, Daddy,” she replied with a wide smile.

  She then pulled herself away from Hunter and wrapped her tiny arms around Andy’s muscular frame, both of them grinning at the other.

  “Hello, princess.”

  “Hello, Andy.”

  Judith placed her purse on the kitchen counter and walked over toward them.

  “Hello, Andy.”

  “Hi, Judith,” he replied.

  “Mom, could you get Lili ready for dinner, please?” Hunter asked.

  “Of course, dear.”

  She took her granddaughter by the hand, and the two of them walked toward Lili’s bedroom. When the door closed behind them, Hunter turned to
Andy.

  “Can I ask a favor?” Hunter said.

  “Of course.”

  “I need to talk to Mom … tonight, but I can’t do it with Lili here. Would you mind taking her out for a couple of hours? Maybe a movie? She’s been talking about how much she wants to go and see that new Pixar movie.”

  Hunter’s voice didn’t sound like his own. It was cold, distant, as if it was coming from someone else within him. Andy knew what this meant to Hunter, and if it was going to get him the answers he deserved, he wasn’t about to stand in the way.

  “Of course,” he replied with a warm smile.

  “Thank you,” he whispered and pulled his wallet from his back pocket. “Here’s some money,” he said, flipping open his wallet.

  “Put that away. I’ve got this.”

  “No, Andy, really I—”

  “Stop being a stubborn ass and put your money away. It would be an honor to take Lili out, and it’s my treat.” Andy returned a smile of his own.

  A few minutes later, Judith and Lili re-appeared in the living room. Andy walked over to them and kneeled down in front of Lili.

  “How about you and me go and watch a movie, missy? Would you like that?” Andy asked her.

  “Yay!” She beamed, her face lighting up with the biggest smile.

  “Go put your shoes and jacket on, sweetheart,” Hunter told her.

  Lili returned a few seconds later with her coat and sparkly red ballet shoes. Andy helped with her coat and held her by the hand. Together, they walked over to Hunter, who planted a kiss on her cheek before he looked into her eyes and said, “You be a good girl for Andy, okay?”

  She nodded.

  “And not too much candy, it’s bad for your teeth,” he told her. “I love you,” he said, wrapping his arms around her tiny waist.