Chapter Seven
Life turned quieter than Court expected. His parents were strangely silent. Court had no clue why Heath bothered paying Court’s house payment. He hadn’t been back in the five months since they returned from New Orleans, except to grab clothes and Tom. Tom prowled Heath’s huge house like he owned the place now. He definitely treated Heath like he owned him. If Heath was bothered by his furry houseguest, he never showed it. There were simply days of peace and nights of fire with the occasional obligatory social outing. And sports. Jesus. So many fucking sports. Heath played everything. He was the most athletic person Court had ever met. Of course, that was how he had caught Court’s eye in school. Honestly, it wasn’t hard to watch Heath’s sexy body flex and move with every play he made.
Court chewed the side of his nail and watched Heath run, dribble, and elbow his way from one end of the basketball court to the other. He jumped to make a shot. Court stood. Someone checked Heath, knocking him to the floor. Court winced as Heath’s body hit the unforgiving wooden floor. A whistle blew.
“That’s two.”
Heath popped to his feet. His gaze shot Court’s way. He was all smiles. When he winked, Court’s heart sighed. Heath held up one finger, asking for a moment from the ref. Since it was purely locals being overly competitive, they allowed Heath to jog his way. Sweat ran down Heath’s face.
“I need a kiss for good luck.”
Court curled his nose, but he couldn’t stop smiling.
Heath didn’t give him a chance to say no. He snagged Court’s face and placed loud, wet kisses all over Court’s face, dripping sweat all over him in the process. He didn’t stop until Court laughed and begged for mercy.
“There. Now I can’t miss.” He jogged away just as quickly as he had attacked.
Court smiled like an idiot, and he couldn’t stop. Sure enough, Heath made both shots. Court watched with pride and so many other emotions, he forgot where he was. All he saw was Heath. Heath was proud to be with him. He never missed an opportunity to make him feel special while also letting everyone see they were together. For real. A real couple. Court was a little ashamed to admit he hadn’t actually signed anything after the sixty-day contract ended. Heath’s lawyer and accountant had gotten with Court’s lawyer and accountant. Court’s bills were paid. Money went into his account. Heath always took care of everything to the point that Court never even thought about it. He didn’t need a contract. Court didn’t want one. In fact, since he hadn’t bailed out his dad this last time, for once, he had a truly hefty savings account. If he didn’t get another dime from Heath, he could afford to find another job. One that wouldn’t ruin them. There was such a weight gone from his chest. No one could possibly understand. He needed this normalcy.
“It’s been a while.”
Court startled at the unexpected words against his ear. He turned. Portland stood behind him. Court patted his chest. “Hey. You startled me. What are you doing here?”
Portland shrugged. “There’re a lot of bets on this game. You know I can’t miss an opportunity to win.”
That was weird, but the elite were a strange bunch. “Are you betting for or against Heath?”
Portland’s light blue gaze moved over Court’s face. “You’ve changed since the last time we spoke. I thought you were dead set against being trapped in a contract with Heath.”
Court shrugged. “I’m not in a contract.”
A smile stretched Portland’s lips. It wasn’t exactly comfortable. “Good. That means you’re free to attend the charity cruise with me later this year.”
“Actually, no.” Court winced. He didn’t want to sound harsh. “I’m not free. Not anymore.” He cleared his throat. “Not ever. I’m out.”
Portland had a closed expression Court always found a bit disturbing. He liked Portland, but the guy was still waters. Court had never been exactly sure what lay beneath. “So, you’re in an actual relationship with Heath.”
It wasn’t a question, but Court chose to treat it as one. “Yes.”
“How are you supporting yourself?”
Court found the question a little rude, but he let it go. “I get by.”
“I see.”
Fuck. Things were getting more than slightly uncomfortable. There was something in Portland’s tone. Court didn’t understand. A loud buzzer nearly made Court jump out of his skin. He turned. The game was over. Heath was headed his way, wearing his biggest smile. He had won. Of course he had. Court glanced over to commiserate with Portland. He was gone. Court let it go and focused on Heath. The entire encounter with Portland had been odd as hell. Court didn’t know why, but it dropped a seed of worry in the back of Court’s brain. It didn’t take long for Heath to make him forget.
Heath felt so light—like he breathed freer than ever before. He had always filled his life with nonstop activities so he wouldn’t go insane. Now he had someone to share his life with and he still went nonstop, but now he smiled everywhere he went.
“What do you want to do now?”
Court looked exasperated. “Aren’t you tired?”
Heath twirled Court on the way to the car like they were dancing. “Nope.” He wrapped his arms around Court and dipped before stealing a bunch of quick kisses. “I’ve got you. I’m on top of the world. Do you want to get something to eat?” He walked, still holding Court against his chest, so he was basically dragging him. Court was smiling. That was all that mattered to Heath.
“You probably are starving after that workout. What are you in the mood for?”
Heath waggled his eyebrows at Court.
Court punched him in the arm. “Idiot.”
His phone buzzed. He blew out a raspberry. “Hold that thought.” Heath freed one arm only long enough to check his phone. He barely skimmed the text before shoving the device back in his coat pocket and returning to annoying Court. “Oh no. Change of plans. We’ve been summoned to dinner with my parents.”
Court looked horrified. “We?”
“Yes, we.” He kissed the corner of Court’s mouth, being as lovingly gross and obnoxious as possible. “I don’t keep you a secret. Nom. Nom.” He chewed Court’s bottom lip. Then he set him aside as if he hadn’t been driving the guy crazy. He unlocked the car and opened the passenger side door, motioning Court inside. “Would you like a ride, little boy? I have candy.”
“Oh no. I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.” Court jumped in. “But candy? Yum.”
With a laugh, Heath closed the door and circled the car. He had been ridiculously happy since New Orleans and it never got old.
Court turned serious when Heath climbed behind the wheel. “Am I dressed okay? Should we go home and change first?”
Heath shook his head. “You’re adorable.” He stole a kiss. It turned heated without a plan. Heath simply felt too much. He forced himself to pull away. “You’re perfect. We’re just going to their house. Nothing formal.” Heath knew Court was comfortable in almost all situations, except where he expected to be judged harshly. In this case, Heath didn’t care what his parents thought, and it was time for them to recognize Court as a part of his life. Heath had been slowly moving him in. It was almost funny the way even Court didn’t notice. Heath wanted to laugh. Court had walked past the bookshelf from his living room for three weeks without realizing it.
“Come on.” He kissed the tip of Court’s nose. “You’ve got this.”
“If you say so.” Court already sounded defeated, and they hadn’t gotten there yet.
Heath shook his head and backed from his parking spot. Truthfully, he didn’t know what to expect. They had avoided the major holidays with his family, since his parents had decided to do a European tour as a gift to each other, so Court had been spared this until now. Unfortunately, his parents were either extremely pretentious or totally oblivious to other people, or both. He wasn’t sure what he hoped would happen, but it was best to get it out of the way. Court would have to meet them, eventually.
It bothered him how tightly Court held his hand. Heath was determined this would go well for his sake. Court already had his own parents seemingly set against him. This likely looked daunting as hell. Thankfully, his mom was all smiles as they came through the door. She greeted Court warmly. Heath breathed a sigh of relief.
“You have a lovely home.”
Sharon smiled. “Thank you. I believe your mother used the same decorator.” His mom took Court’s arm and led him to the table. “You got here just in time. Dinner has just been served.”
Court wore his most charming smile. The one he used professionally. Heath hated it. That smile gnawed at his gut. As he sat, he glanced around the table and a sadness washed over him. He had added a new player to their absolutely fake family. Court squeezed his hand beneath the table. Heath’s shoulders eased. Court was still real. They were in this together. He ate and made conversation. It was the usual bland stuff about the weather, golf, and their friends. Court’s hand on his knee saved him. That and the wine. His parents drank with obvious purpose, loosening their usual stiff personalities.
By the time dessert rolled around, they had consumed way more alcohol than usual, and his mother had already excused herself to rest. His dad polished off the last of their fourth bottle.
“We still have dessert to finish. Why don’t you grab us another bottle, son? A red this time.”
Court flashed him a sweet smile.
Heath grabbed the empty bottle so he could trash it on the way to the wine cellar. As he passed his dad, he noticed he looked a little too friendly. Something about his expression gave Heath pause. The moment he was out of sight, Heath hesitated before choosing to stick close and listen.
“Okay. Now that we’re alone. How much to make you go away?”
Court’s nervous laughter filled the air. “I’m sorry, what?”
“You are embarrassing our family. I don’t care what you do to support yourself, but do it elsewhere. So, give me a number. What’ll it take to break your contract?”
Heath couldn’t move. His chest hurt.
“We don’t have a contract. I’m with Heath because I want to be.”
His dad scoffed. “We don’t have time for you to lie to me to negotiate a higher price. Just throw out a number so I can write you a check and you can be gone by the end of the night.”
Court’s voice hardened. “I can’t be bought. If you have a problem with our relationship, you need to address it with your son.”
“If you truly care about him, you won’t make me go that far. You either accept a check now or get nothing because I will disown him before I allow him to blow this family’s fortune on a gold-digging whore.”
Something inside Heath snapped. His feet carried him back into the room. He slammed the empty bottle back on the table with enough force, he was surprised it didn’t crack. “I know I didn’t hear what I think I just heard.” Heath stared at his dad with murder in his eyes and heart.
“I’m sorry, Heath, but this is too much. Your grandfather would—”
Heath sliced his hand through the air, cutting him off. “There’s absolutely nothing you can say to me right now. For the first time in my life, I’m genuinely happy. You trying to ruin that tells me everything I need to know. We are done.”
Heath grabbed Court’s hand and headed for the door.
His dad was hot on his heels. “Don’t do anything stupid. I was only looking out for my father’s legacy.”
Heath didn’t slow.
Court didn’t make a sound until they were in the car. “I don’t want this.”
Heath’s head snapped around. He would not let Court blow up what they had built over his shitty family. “Don’t you start. I would rather have you than all the fake-ass family in the world. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I have never been this happy. You can’t take that from me because of them.” Heath took a breath. He realized shouting made him sound like a controlling asshole. Truthfully, he was terrified. He tried again. Calmer this time. “Seriously. Please don’t do this.”
Court looked on the verge of tears. “How long will it take before you resent me after your parents cut you off? When you’re out here working a job because of me, you’ll hate me.”
Despite everything, a smile exploded across Heath’s face. “Baby, everything you witnessed tonight is theater. My parents never wanted kids. They only had me to please my grandfather. Thankfully, I was a boy to carry on the family name so they could stop with me. But if it was up to them, they would’ve walked away from me the day I turned eighteen with their obligation complete.” Heath kissed Court’s nose before he continued. He couldn’t stop himself. His heart needed comforting. “There’s a reason we lived in this house with my grandfather until he died. My grandfather’s house. My dad is a black hole when it comes to money and my grandfather couldn’t trust him. He refused to support him unless we stayed under his roof where he could keep an eye on every cent. Everything is mine. My grandfather left it all to me. Without me, they’ll be in the streets. I control every dime. My grandfather trusted me to keep my dad from running everything into the ground. My dad can’t do shit to me.”
Court looked stunned.
Heath kept his finances private because that was what old money did. But no one would be cutting him off and Court didn’t have a damn thing to worry about.
“Are we good? Because really. You’re the only real thing in my life. I’m so fucking in love with you that I’m pretty sure I’ll just wither away and die if you walk away.”
Court’s features softened. “You love me?”
Heath shrugged. “I thought it was obvious, but maybe not since you just planned to dump me.”
Court leaned across the console and brushed a light kiss across Heath’s lips. “I love you too. If you honestly think you won’t regret me over tonight, then I’m not going anywhere.”
A smile had stretched Heath’s lips at Court saying he loved him and only got bigger by the second. “I swear. You mean everything to me.”
Court buckled his seatbelt. “Then we might want to go home. Your mom is headed this way.”
Heath threw the car in reverse without another thought. He hadn’t been joking. Heath was done with his parents. He would keep up their household, because that was what his grandfather would have wanted. Otherwise, they had burned this bridge. Heath chose love.