Chapter 16
Slade
Days Later
“I’ve worked with Mason Sutton. I’m storin’ his eggs, but I don’t know him,” Kitt said, somewhere behind Austin, not within the screen’s frame.
“But for the refuge, pick an animal to start with. Learn the ropes before addin’ additional kinds of animals.
There are grants he can use to get it off the ground. ”
Kitt came into view, taking the seat next to Austin.
The cowboy vibe radiated off Kitt, because he was absolutely the real deal.
Austin had westerned up too. As he spoke, he went in and out of a professional neutral business tone to a distinct Texas accent.
His deep tan, the small wrinkles at the corner of his eyes and mouth, and the cowboy hats sitting ready to go showed how much Austin had changed.
The two were fascinating together. They fit like puzzle pieces.
More than thinking on the same level, they appeared physically in sync.
The connection had me wondering and watching.
Kitt sat with his hands in his lap, mirroring Austin’s physical stance.
Austin then leaned back, draping an arm over Kitt’s chair.
I couldn’t see the hand, but I’d bet this house that Austin was touching Kitt’s back.
I followed suit and sat back in my seat, trying to listen, but also confused as to why I even cared what Austin’s hand was doing.
It had never happened before. Actually, I had come to believe a coupling with anyone created a limit-filled life.
Yet my entire perspective changed the second I saw Mace for the first time.
“I’ll help if you need it,” Kitt offered. I was certain I’d be taking that offer soon enough. “I feel like Mace knows what he wants to do. We need to stick to his vision.”
“I’ll likely take you up on that after I talk to Mace. I feel confident that we’ll need initial financial investments too,” I said, turning to stare in Austin’s direction. I knew he got what I was going for when he burst out with laughter.
“Get your ass over here. Let’s talk business. That’ll dictate the size of my investment into the refuge.”
“Bring Mace,” Kitt said, elbowing Austin. “He and I can talk and put together a layout of what he’s looking for. If you do need investors, I’ll connect him to people and walk him through the grant process.”
My frown was instant. “He and I are both hiding. We aren’t out as a couple. I don’t even know if we’re a real couple. My filming schedule requires I leave here soon.”
“As long as you two aren’t touchy, which I am with Kitt, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about,” Austin said.
Kitt nodded. “You two should be fine within the ranch. Everyone here’s bound by a pretty aggressive NDA.”
I nodded even with loads of doubt. Social media made it too easy to transmit any picture or video that might be captured. But I also recognized that I cared less and less about my identity in the world and more about taking Mace on an official date.
“Let me talk with Mace tonight. I don’t know if he’ll come with me, but I’ll let you know,” I said.
“Well, stop putting me off about our other business and let’s talk. I think you’ll like what I have to say,” Austin said. At the same time, Kitt’s face morphed into concern.
“Tell Mace that we’ll keep him safe,” Kitt insisted. I nodded in appreciation, feeling they’d go out of their way to keep his visit private.
“What did you mean about the eggs?” I asked.
“Hang on, Dash Richmond’s callin’. He’s the attorney that’s been workin’ with your team. Hang on.” Austin leaned toward the screen.
Dash’s image appeared moments later. “Hi, you three,” Dash said, lifting a hand.
He wasn’t in normal attorney attire, and a pack of kids played in the swimming pool behind him.
What Austin did better than anyone else I knew was to hire from the LGBTQ+ community, if the man inside the swimming pool was in fact Dash’s partner.
“It’s vacation time. We’re all home together. If they’re too loud, I’ll move inside.”
I counted at least six kids in the background who all had similar features to each other. “It’s fine. We’re all casual. You’re here to help me pressure Slade to make the trip to come see us.”
“The next meeting we schedule will have to come with trip insurance, canceling and rescheduling’s costing Austin quite a bit of money. I’m not cheap and I fly private these days,” Dash said, a professional sense of humor had him fighting the grin he clearly wanted to give. Austin chuckled.
“It’s funny because it’s true,” Austin said dryly. “But please, let Slade’s love life cost me thousands of dollars.”
I had canceled our meeting twice because I didn’t want to jeopardize the balance Mace and I had created by leaving for any length of time.
What I should have done was promise to keep the next meeting no matter what happened.
I didn’t do that, knowing full well that I still wasn’t ready to leave my cocoon.
So I nodded a good convincing shake of my head.
“Dash, after I talk to Mace, we may need more of your services,” Kitt said.
“Sure, what’re you needing?” Dash asked and sat back. A notebook rested on one thigh, a pen in hand.
“He’s seven hundred dollars an hour, Slade. Do you really need him, or would a cheaper legal advisor be enough?” Austin asked.
“Hey. I’m giving you my friends and family discount,” Dash countered.
“I pay him enough a year to put all of those kids through college,” Austin shot back.
“Slade and his partner Mace are lookin’ to start an animal refuge. They’ll need help and someone who is really watchin’ their back. You take care of us so it seems we could extend your services to Mace,” Kitt explained to Dash, clearly the voice of reason in Austin’s life.
“Slade has an attorney,” Austin explained, showing his profile as he turned to say those words directly to Kitt.
“I suspect Mace is overwhelmed. Dash has that way about him that makes you feel better,” Kitt explained to the screen, refusing to look at Austin.
“You don’t know the man,” Austin said, still facing Kitt. That was enough of a statement to frustrate Kitt, who jerked his head Austin’s direction.
“You’re a cheapskate. This guy’s been through it,” Kitt said, shaking his head dismissively. “I’ll pay for it.”
“We share everything. What’s yours is mine,” Austin said, defensively.
“Slade, I’ll happily handle whatever you need,” Dash said, talking loudly to cut through their disagreement, directly to me.
“Thank you. Kitt’s not wrong, Mace’s had a difficult time. He needs someone on his side. I’ll pay but it’s probably best if you’re willing to represent Mace’s interests,” I said, wanting my guy to feel safe and informed every step of the way.
“Sure. I’ll handle this myself, although I’m semi-retired. That just means I work forty hours a week and no more,” Dash explained. “Also, only as a heads up, if I travel overnight, my family comes with me.”
“Daddy, daddy,” a small chestnut-haired little girl in a ruffled bathing suit ran toward Dash with a squeal of happiness. “Paw’s going to tickle me when he tosses me in the water. Daddy, tell him no. Tell him no.”
The paw in the equation must be Dash’s arm candy, because the ripped guy came running after the little girl, scooping her up to her continued shrieks. “Daddy, save me.”
“Amelia, I’m in a meeting, remember,” Dash disciplined in a calm, forceful tone. His words didn’t match the way he drew her in for a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek from where she was held in the other man’s arms.
“Millie, come on, babe,” Paw said and jogged back to the pool with her in his arms. “Sorry, guys. We’re in family time. It’s hard for the little ones to remember the rules.”
“How many kids do you have?” I asked Dash. Kids were something I had never considered having before.
“We have eight kids with another on their way. We’re stopping at ten children.
We have four boys and four girls. The one on its way is a boy,” Dash explained.
“Talk to Mace and let’s get something scheduled.
I’m in Texas. We’ll work something out to meet in person to ensure that I’m a good fit for him, if necessary. ”
“That’ll be great,” I said, feeling good that Dash was willing to take careful steps to help Mace. “I think they’ll continue to argue.”
“Austin’s cheap in many parts of his life, but his production company has everything it needs for continued success,” Dash explained. “I’ll have my assistant reach out to you to give you my information for Mace. Let me know how it works out.”
“Sure. I appreciate you,” I said. I hadn’t gotten this mentally far in the plan to absorb the idea that Mace might need protection, even from me.
My heart gave a small ache. Mace’s temperament was that of a casual self-made man who rarely used the help of anyone to get through his life.
My staff of attorneys was as mean as they were effective, and they’d eat Mace for lunch if given a chance.
“I’ll be back in touch after talking to Mace.
” I lifted a hand in a wave goodbye to everyone.
“I’m hanging up now. Look for my return email. ”
I had so much to consider.
How did I present this to Mace in a favorable way?
The guy said no more than anyone I had ever known.
=?=
Mace
A Few Days Later
“Lori, you’re makin’ me fuckin’ crazy. Pick a spot,” I said with all the piss and vinegar I had to offer. My sister was a basket case. This insane crib took two hours to assemble and had been lifted and scooted across every inch of the nursery’s floor to find the right place.
“Mace, she’s with child. Her brain’s all about nestin’.
Let her do it,” my mom said, painting the walls in a pastel pink.
The entire goal of today was to have this done before Max got home from work.
He was handy, sort of, but didn’t work well with chores inside the home.
We were in a time crunch and Lori was being too picky. Shocker.
“The window’s open for ventilation, and we’re in the summer heat of Texas.
It’s got to be a hundred and ten degrees outside.
The crib’s stayin’ in this corner. They can rearrange for the next two months until the baby arrives,” I said, and pushed the crib in the closest corner.
“Did you buy the heaviest crib on the market on purpose?”
Lori stared critically at me. “Mace’s datin’ someone.”
Omigod. A small puff of breath escaped my lips at her sheer audacity. I’d spent hours here being the grunt in an effort to just be helpful. Fuck her.
“Mace, you’re datin’? When did that happen? Is it serious?” my mom asked. My father took a seat in one of my rocking chairs as stunned by the news as my mom. “Who is she?”
“Lori’s tryin’ to get under my skin. I’m not seein’ anyone,” I said, and started out of the nursery. I glared at Lori as I went.
“He’s lyin’” she said, driving my secrets to the forefront.
So what did I do now? Lori was playing with fire over something she knew nothing about.
“Mace, stop,” my mom called. I didn’t until I made it into the cooler part of the house and grabbed a water bottle from the refrigerator. “Why are you hidin’ it from us?”
I continued gulping while my mind raced.
What did I say in return? No lie sounded believable.
“Lori’s bein’ purposefully mean. The guy that owns the big house y’all cleaned, I’ve been hangin’ with him.
He might invest in the refuge. Which, if he did, that would come with acreage from his land for me to lease.
His land butts up against Natalie’s. I’d be able to take in horses. ”
“Mace, that’s great. You needed to get out of your own head.” My mom scooted onto a barstool, sitting directly across from me on the other side of the small island. “Who is he?”
“I think he’s successful in the stock market. He doesn’t want to be identified here but I don’t think anyone would know him.” I stopped speaking for fear all my rambling would give away the parts that were lies.
“I was messin’ with Mace,” Lori announced as she waddled into the room. “I’m sorry I said that.”
She stared at me and I shot laser beams back at her but kept my mouth closed.
“I noticed you were participating more with life. It’s encouraging, son. After so much time, we thought this was your new normal,” his father added, following Lori. “You need friends and a purpose. The sanctuary will give you that. We’ll free you up at the bar to give you time.”
“It’s the guy that ordered all the alcohol. We met them when they came to pick it up. He bought Mace’s rockin’ chairs. We delivered them, and it turns out, it was a match made in heaven. The guy’s friends were here to go campin’. Mace fit well with them.”
There was zero question in my mind that Lori knew my truth.
How did I feel about that?
My focused gaze landed on my sister again. She mouthed another quick apology.
“That’s great,” my mom said, still staring at me. Her face morphed into one of deep concern. My father’s did too. I didn’t know what it meant and didn’t like the way I regularly put that same look on their faces over the years.
Change of subject.
“If my refuge gets off the ground, it’ll change everything for me.” I felt reasonably sure this was a great diversion. I crossed my arms over my chest. Maybe that would be enough to ping their worry into something positive.
The sweet smile my mom gave eased the anxiety and worry. “That’s excellent, son. How can we help?”
I pushed off the counter, deciding this was the moment I’d leave, heading back to my shift at the bar.
“I need you guys to give me room right now. Lori was wrong to say anything to you until I was sure all this was gonna stick.” I dug my hand inside my pocket, reaching for my truck keys.
“I’ll update you myself. I promise. Like everything we do, I’ll need regular help and support. Rest now ’cause it’s comin’.”
“Babe, I won’t bother you if you promise to keep me updated,” my mom said. “I just want to add, reconcilin’ the past doesn’t mean you can’t have a good future. People need friends and relationships. We’re programmed that way.”
“He knows, Mama,” my father said. “We’re glad for the update and we’ll be here for you when you need us.”
“Dad, when you and I both call her mom, people think you’re a hillbilly,” I said, reaching for the doorknob. “Get back to work. Time’s tickin’ for Max to be home.”
I stepped out of the house and shut the door before the heavy weight of the conversation landed like a wet blanket on top of me.
Tunnel vision led me to my truck. The balance I’d created over the last few weeks now seemed fragile, built to crumble under my feet.
Fuck. Something strong inside me wanted to duck and hide.
The urge was so powerful the next few minutes were going to decide if I slid back inside my shell or somehow manage to keep exploring this new reality.
Fuck Lori, but not really.