Appeal to the Heart

by David Horne

  Alex was going to have to choose things carefully with him. He didn’t want to lose completely, but he knew that would be close to a miracle if he did win.

  Again, why did he take this case?

  “Alex?”

  A woman in her fifties with bright purple hair was looking into his office. Alex had to blink as his eyes got used to the brightness.

  “You do know your hair seriously clashes with your outfit, Mary.”

  “Don’t really care.” Mary Gregg shrugged. “My hair. I can do what I want with it.”

  “But purple?”

  Mary grinned.

  “Keeps things interesting.”

  She did have a point. His colleague had been in law for thirty years since passing the bar. As one of the partners of the law practice Alex worked for, she was certainly one of the most experienced. And it was like Mary had no fucks to give. She was happy to walk around in a prim business suit with her hair being different colors of the rainbow every other week. Alex had heard of the menopause making people go barmy, but not like this.

  “I heard most of that from my office.” Mary leaned on the doorframe. “How do you manage to deal with her and not lose your temper?”

  “Don’t have a clue.” Alex slumped back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. “I feel like I need a straitjacket or rubber wallpaper after dealing with her. She’s so damn set on what she wants and doesn’t seem to realize that she’s up in dreamland.”

  “Lots of people are like that in custody cases. Especially the woman.” Mary sighed. “It’s a sexist way of thinking. The mother is the one who looks after the kids so no matter what they’ve done, they must have the children. Even if they’re totally crazy and unprepared for single parenthood.”

  It was the twenty-first century, but people’s mentality was still stuck in the fifties. Alex’s parents had been in that mentality, and that had fucked him over. He respected people who had that opinion and it worked, but it didn’t mean everyone had to obey it. He certainly didn’t.

  “I should have checked her case before I took her on.” Alex grumbled. “Because now I’m stuck with her. And I’m not sure if I can manage with her longer than one court appearance if she decides to drag this out.”

  Mary chuckled.

  “Serves you right for not doing your homework first. But if you’re beginning to feel like you’re going crazy, pass her to me and I’ll take her case. I have no problems telling her where to shove it.”

  “I know you don’t.” Alex would bear that in mind. He had a feeling he was going to need to use that favor. He looked at the clock. It was coming up to his time to leave. Thank God for that. “I need a drink.”

  “I can tell.” Mary pushed off the doorframe and gave a wave as she left. “Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  Alex bit back a laugh. For someone heading toward sixty, Mary was the most outrageous woman he had ever met. It would be pretty impressive to do something as outrageous as a senior partner.

  But a drink certainly sounded good. Perhaps he could get blind drunk. Although turning up to mediation with a hangover probably wasn’t a good idea. Maybe just one or two and then stagger home to bed.

  Yes. That sounded like a very good idea.

  Chapter Two

  “I didn’t think I’d be having a drink with you, after everything.” Joe chuckled as he finished the rest of his beer, setting the bottle down. It was his third and he was beginning to feel nicely tipsy.

  Sitting across from him, Mark grinned.

  “Sometimes you meet friends in the most unlikely places.”

  “I can certainly agree with that.”

  It had been a very pleasant evening. Mark had agreed to meet Joe at a bar in the nightclub area of Northridge for a meal and a few drinks. Joe couldn’t believe he was actually doing this, having a meal with a CPS worker. He didn’t have much of a high opinion of them before, but there was something about Mark that changed that opinion ever so slightly. The two of them just clicked. Odd, but true.

  Joe couldn’t remember the last time he went out with friends without the children. He was so focused on raising his kids and working to provide for them that he barely interacted with his friends anymore. That needed to be changed, once the custody disagreement was over. Joe needed to get out more.

  “What do you think your supervisor is going to say when he hears about this?” He asked.

  Mark snorted and sipped at his water.

  “He can hardly talk. That guy has broken so many rules and walked away from any disciplinary action squeaky clean it’s unreal. Mostly to do with harassment of female coworkers and being very inappropriate. Paperwork doesn’t get filed on time, which is understandable with a job like ours - hell, I struggle to file on time - but he doesn’t even bother to try. Just sits at his desk preening or wandering around chatting up the ladies. Or, at least, attempting to.”

  Joe stared.

  “Your supervisor does that. How is he still working? Hasn’t anyone filed a complaint?”

  “Oh, they file. For the worse.” Mark scowled. “One of my colleagues tried to report him to HR, but because the bastard’s got a lot of clout, she was the one who got fired. She took it to court for unfair dismissal, and won, but she’s still seen as the bad guy by the higher-uppers.”

  “Shit.” Joe whistled. “I’m glad I don’t work in that job. Give me solitude and a computer and I’m fine.”

  “There are days when I wish I had your job. But…” Mark shrugged and finished off the last of his fries. “Someone needs to advocate for the kids. I’d like to think that can be me.”

  “Is that why you do your job? To be the voice for the children?”

  “Exactly.” Mark wiped his mouth on a napkin. “Sometimes they’re not able to do it themselves, either because they can’t articulate it or they’re too little to talk. They need a friendly face when things go outside of what they know is normal. I want to be that anchor.”

  There was a lot of passion in that. Joe peered at Mark, wondering if he had been one of those children at some point. Loving kids and wanting to protect them was one thing, but personal experience of a bad system was a big factor. From the way he said it, Mark was in that second category.

  “It’s not the most harmonious job,” Mark went on, “and we’re not often looked at favorably, but I like to think I’m doing some good. Even if I keep bothering those who don’t need to be looked at.”

  Joe grunted.

  “Well, as long as I don’t get another bogus visit from CPS, you’ve not got a problem with me.”

  Mark’s mouth twitched. He laid his knife and fork in a cross on his plate and sat back.

  “I did put that note in your file. Told my supervisor that you would be filing a complaint for harassment if there was another unsubstantiated allegation. Also, that things would be discussed through your lawyer if it did happen again.”

  “I’ve already spoken to Stephen about that.”

  They already knew who had been calling. Tracey. At a stretch, her mother. Although Joe wouldn’t be surprised if Tracey’s mother was the driving force behind it. When she was away from the old woman, Tracey was a good person. Loving and caring. But in close proximity and having consistent phone calls calling her a bad daughter for not visiting more than once a day was more than any normal person could take.

  That and the suspected postpartum made it little wonder that Tracey had turned into how she was now. Joe did have some sympathy for her with all that, but it faded the more Tracey kept coming after him believing he was the bad guy.

  It was hard to imagine that they had been a team at one point. Now he didn’t recognize the woman he had married.

  “I’d better get going.” Mark rose to his feet. “One of my foster kids isn’t well, and I said I wouldn’t be out for long.”

  “Okay.” Joe signaled a waiter. “I’ll pay for this. You get going.”

  “You sure?”

  “Just as long as you pay next t
ime.”

  Mark raised an eyebrow.

  “If I didn’t know better, Joe Swarbrick, I’d say you were asking me on a date.”

  Joe grinned.

  “You couldn’t handle me, Mark. Trust me.”

  Mark threw back his head and laughed.

  “I was going to say the same about me. Anyway, take care.” He shook Joe’s hand. “Thanks for the food.”

  “Thanks for letting me vent.”

  “I like to think I’m useful for something.” Mark’s eyes twinkled as he pulled back. “You need anything else, you let me know. I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Thanks.”

  Mark walked away, and Joe found himself watching him go. Mark did have a nice backside, and those jeans did fit well on him. Joe rolled his eyes and looked away. Don’t go eyeing up a CPS worker, for God’s sake. Now is not the time.

  That really would have Mark in a disciplinary situation.

  Although Joe wouldn’t object if Mark wanted anything further than being friends. He was certainly a handsome man, and he had proven to be a lot of fun. Joe enjoyed his company. But even though dating Mark would be fun, there wasn’t really a spark. Joe could appreciate a good-looking man, but when there wasn’t a spark of attraction, that would make it all fall flat.

  It was probably for the best to keep him as a friend instead of anything more. Joe didn’t want this to get more complicated.

  The waiter finally came over and Joe paid the bill, tipping the waiter handsomely. That was the best steak he had eaten in a while. Lily had decided that she was going to go vegetarian at home, which was fine, and Joe had found himself making meals more vegetarian-friendly. James liked them - he could eat practically anything - and Joe had seen some weight coming off him. He didn’t feel so bloated after having meat, but he did miss it. Having an occasional steak wasn’t going to hurt anyone.

  It did taste good.

  His beer bottle was empty. And Joe was thirsty. Maybe another drink and he would head home to rest for tomorrow. Mediation was happening, and Joe didn’t want to be hungover or late to it. Tracey would certainly pounce on that if she smelled booze in the air.

  He headed to the bar. It was getting a little crowded now with students coming in, preparing to drink to excess before going out dancing the night away. Joe had to step around them gingerly as they crowded around the counter.

  Someone jostled him from behind, hard, and Joe found himself getting catapulted forward, knocking into the man sitting at the bar with his own drink. They connected, and the other man’s drink spilled across the counter. Joe turned and glared at the burly student who had knocked him, and only received a sneer in return, a snigger and then he turned away. Cocky little shit.

  Joe turned to the man he had knocked into, ready to give an apology, and faltered. The man had swiveled around on his barstool, now glaring at him. Even sitting on the stool, Joe could tell he was tall. He was lean but solid in appearance, dark hair with a dusting of a beard on his jaw. His dark eyes practically gleamed as he looked Joe over.

  Damn, he was handsome. And Joe felt a stirring in his belly. Heat seemed to have been ignited, and it was building. It took Joe a moment to realize what it was.

  That was a spark. A pretty intense one as well.

  They were now staring at each other, the other guy’s anger dissipating as he took Joe in. His eyes were still gleaming, but with something else. Joe cleared his throat and moved closer to the bar, aware that his jeans were feeling decidedly tighter around the groin.

  “I’m really sorry about that, I…”

  “It’s fine.” The guy jerked his head at the student, who was now talking to three girls giving him their rapt attention. “Students are dicks, aren’t they?”

  “I won’t argue with that.” Joe winced when he saw the empty glass and the wet counter. “Shit. Let me get you another one.”

  “There’s no…”

  “It’s the least I can do.”

  They were still staring at each other as the barman came over and started wiping the counter down with a shake of his head. He glowered at them, but Joe held up a hand and gestured at the handsome stranger.

  “Same again for him. And another Bud Light for me.”

  The barman sighed and moved away. Joe hopped up on the nearest stool and held out his hand.

  “I’m Joe, by the way.”

  There was the briefest of hesitations, and then the stranger smiled. That woke Joe’s cock up. Wow, that smile was beautiful. He reached out and clasped Joe’s hand in a warm, firm grip.

  “Alex.”

  Joe felt the warmth trickling up his arm. Even as Alex moved his hand away, his fingers were still tingling. It had been a long time since he had reacted in such a way to someone, anyone. Tracey had been the last, but that attraction had died a long time ago. With Alex, though, it seemed to burn a little brighter. More intense.

  Maybe this was his body’s way of saying he hadn’t had sex in a while, and any good-looking person who crossed his path was tempting him.

  This is supposed to be my night off, so to speak. Why not spend it naked and sweaty with someone else?

  Joe hadn’t chatted anyone up in a long time. Tracey had been the one to first approach him. He had attempted to date since the divorce, but either he was bad at connecting or Tracey found out and sabotaged the date. Joe gave up after the fifth time that happened; it wasn’t worth it.

  But she wasn’t here. And he wasn’t looking for a date.

  Their drinks arrived, and Joe paid, slipping an extra bill to the barman. This time he got a nod of appreciation and the barman moved away. Alex picked up his glass and took a sip, glancing over at Joe with an easy smile.

  “You come here often?”

  Joe chuckled.

  “Not really. Was just meeting a friend for food and a bit of company.” He picked up his bottle and took a hefty gulp. “I don’t get much of a chance to go out and have fun, so I made the most of it with a workfree dinner.”

  “Work’s a bitch, isn’t it?”

  “Work and kids.”

  Joe bit back a wince. Why had he mentioned his children? Even if this was going to be a one-off thing, talking about kids was a sure way of getting the other person turned off. No one wanted to be reminded of children.

  “I see.” Alex arched an eyebrow. “Wife looking after them tonight?”

  “No wife. I’m a single dad.”

  Alex’s eyes flashed. Was that fresh interest? Joe could only hope so. He was already thinking about getting Alex out of that suit he was wearing. He looked to be one of those corporate types who spent all day at a desk and wanted something to help him let loose. If he’s up for it, I can do that. From the way Alex was now looking at Joe, he looked like he was warming up to the idea.

  “I see. So, this is a rare outing for you, sans kids?”

  “My mom takes them for a sleepover every now and then. Helps out with childcare.” Joe smiled. “She’s a lifesaver.”

  “Sounds like she is.” Alex regarded him thoughtfully. “I applaud single parents. It has to be tough to find that balance.”

  “In more ways than one. But it is fulfilling.” Joe felt his chest swelling with pride. “My kids are angels, and I’m not saying that because they’re mine.”

  Why was he still talking about his children? It wasn’t exactly sexy talk. Alex sipped his drink.

  “My ex-boyfriend absolutely hates kids. I wanted to adopt, but he said he would leave me if I tried.”

  “He didn’t.”

  “He did, sadly.”

  Joe whistled.

  “That is one weird ultimatum.”

  “He was a narcissistic bastard, anyway. It’s a good thing I told him to fuck off out of my life. Although it was after I caught him cheating on me.” Alex shook his head. “Eighteen months since that day, and it still hurts.”

  “You learned eventually. I wish I’d known the same with my ex.” Joe chose his words carefully. “I won’t be disrespectful
to her and say bad things. That’s not going to make me feel any better, if I’m honest.”

  “You’re a better man than I am.” Alex declared. “I’d happily rant and rave about my ex. He deserves it after what he put me through.”

  Joe would love to bitch about Tracey. But Alex was, essentially, a stranger, and the last time he talked badly about Tracey it had somehow gotten back to her during the divorce and Joe had had his reputation dented with the things Tracey spread about him. It was too much of a headache, so he chose not to discuss it unless with a few trusted friends.

  Not exactly the way he was planning on chatting up a guy in a bar, but at least they were talking and Alex hadn’t run away yet. He might be onto something. If Alex felt the spark as much as Joe did, perhaps they could end up somewhere a bit more private.

  This was not how Joe behaved. He was a meticulous person, someone who planned everything. He did not pick up random strangers in a bar for the idea of fucking them until they couldn’t move. But tonight, Joe felt like living a little dangerously, do something he would not normally do. At least he would be able to walk away with a smile on his face.

  “So,” Alex leaned forward, setting his glass aside, “what are you going to do with yourself for the rest of your night off?”

  Here it came. Joe’s heart was now racing. From his body language, Alex knew exactly what he was asking for. And he seemed more than willing. Joe licked his lips.

  “I... I haven’t completely decided yet. But I... I’m open to suggestions.”

  He had stumbled because Alex was now touching his thigh, pressing his hand firmly on his leg. Wow, he had not expected Alex to be that forward. His cock stirred again and pressed against his zipper to the point of painful. Joe shifted on the stool, which resulted in Alex’s hand shifting a little more up his thigh. Thank God it was dimly lit here, or they might have gotten into trouble for something obscene.