Chapter Thirty-Four
Now that the family and Gina were aware that he and Rico were dating, it gave Franco great pride to slip Rico’s hand in his as the three of them walked up the sidewalk to his childhood home.
“Feels strange to make our entrance hand-in-hand,” Franco couldn’t help but comment.
“Seems perfectly natural to me. I’ve never felt more comfortable about anything in my life.”
Rico’s confidence eased any wayward concerns. His family had accepted him, and they’d always loved Rico too. Why was he holding on to his fears from the past? They only had their present and future to think about now.
“Hurry up, guys! It’s cold out here!” Gina tugged at Rico’s other hand, practically dragging them both forward.
The two men shared a grin. “Bossy little thing, isn’t she?” Rico joked.
“Runs in the family,” Franco said.
“Now who’s being the brat?”
Franco leaned in to whisper, “Careful, boi. I could have made you wear your vibrators today.”
His eyes opened wider. “You wouldn’t dare. Not in front of Mama J.”
“Try me next time.” Franco grinned at the thought of Rico trying to suppress an orgasm surrounded by the entire Giardano family. Franco wouldn’t put him through that with Gina around, though. The kid was too inquisitive for her own good.
But did Rico know that? No.
Ever since they’d told Gina they were dating, Franco had been enjoying openly touching, hugging, and kissing him in front of her. Of course, they were discreet when it came to sex, but demonstrating their love in other ways was perfectly natural.
Rico released her, and Gina broke away from the slowpokes and ran onto the porch, opening the front door as if she owned the place before disappearing inside. Rather than follow immediately, Rico pulled Franco closer and placed a quick kiss on his lips. “I’m so proud of you, Sir. Hard to believe you were in the closet a month ago.”
Caught off guard, Franco’s throat closed up a little. “I’m ready to let my family, any nosy neighbors, hell, the whole world know how I feel about you, Rico.”
“Hey, lovebirds, get in here,” Tony called out from the open doorway. “You’ll freeze your asses off out there, and then where will you be?”
Franco rolled his eyes as they walked hand in hand onto the porch. Tony man hugged each of them, and Franco asked, “Shouldn’t you be looking after your pregnant wife rather than hassling us?”
“Don’t you worry. I’m taking great care of Carm,” Tony said, pulling away. Then he sobered. “Well, when she lets me. She’s so damned independent.”
Franco gave Rico the side-eye. “I’m afraid all of us Giardano brothers chose independent partners.” The three younger ones, at least. Have to wait and see in Rafe’s case. Franco wasn’t sure his eldest brother would ever find someone to love more than he did the fire service.
“And every one of you love it,” Rico tossed back at him, pursing his lips in a kissing gesture. “No doubt Rafe will find himself in the same type of relationship, too, because you were all raised by Mama J.”
“Point taken,” the brothers said at the same time, then laughed.
“I’m sure Mama had all three of us written off romantically at some point,” Tony said as he stepped aside to let them into the house, “so she must be thrilled three of her boys are settling down.”
All this talk of commitment and settling down gave Franco pause. He and Rico weren’t there yet, although he hoped they would be someday.
The look on Franco’s face when Tony included him as being one of the brothers who had settled down was priceless. While Rico had little doubt they would only grow closer and more serious in the coming months, this status was all too new to Franco to be ready to accept being part of a couple.
No hurry. I’m a patient man. And you’re mine, Sir.
“Zio Franco, sit here by me,” Gina announced, pointing to the chair next to her as they entered the dining room minutes later. “And Zio Rico, you’re on this side of me.”
Rico tried to hide his disappointment that he wouldn’t be seated next to or across from Franco, but they’d have time alone later when they went back to his place. Gina planned to stay the night at Marc and Angie’s, and the girls, along with Mama J, were going Black Friday shopping in the morning. Of course, Gina’s doting uncles would do anything she asked of them.
As the meal commenced, Rico had a hard time keeping up with all the conversations going on around him. The Giardanos were more boisterous than usual. Rico couldn’t remember any Thanksgivings with anyone other than his mama, so he wasn’t used to all the noise or this much food. Usually, Gina and Michelle had gone to Chicago, but occasionally they stayed in Colorado and went to his mama’s house in Aspen Corners. Mama had always had a soft spot for Michelle. For all intents and purposes, she had been a single mom raising him, because Rico’s dad had died when he was barely four.
After dinner, the other guys, along with Gina, went out to the backyard to toss a football, but Franco and Rico chose to load the dishwasher while the ladies put their feet up and talked about the soon-to-be-here babies. It didn’t take long to have the kitchen in shape.
“Come with me, boi,” Franco said as he took Rico’s hand. “I want to show you something.”
“My, my, aren’t we bold, Sir?” Had Franco lowered his guard on the kink front as well?
They turned to find Angie staring at them from across the room before she quickly started laying out the desserts before everyone came inside after the touch football game. Franco gripped his hand tightly before abruptly letting go. Had she heard their exchange? If she had, she gave nothing away. But Franco’s discomfort was palpable. He made his exit without saying anything to Angie.
This was more Franco’s problem than his. Rico and Angie had already talked about kink at length, mostly about her enjoyment of it. Yet another closet for Franco to come out of, but he would have to decide if and when that would happen.
Rico smiled at her as he walked by Angie, though. “Welcome to the club,” she whispered as she swatted him quietly on the ass. So she had overheard them. He gave her a wink and a smile.
But Rico put that private exchange behind him immediately. He couldn’t wait to find out what Franco had in store for him. Near the end of the hall, Franco opened a door, took his hand again, and pulled him inside a darkened room. Was this a closet? The temperature dropped about twenty degrees in here, so the room must not have the heat turned on.
No matter. Franco would keep him warm.
Only Stud Muffin didn’t kiss or touch him after they entered the room. Instead, he flipped on a light switch, and Rico blinked until his eyes adjusted to see they appeared to be in Franco and Rafe’s childhood bedroom. You’d think it was some kind of shrine in the Smithsonian, because it probably hadn’t changed a bit since they were teens.
“Does Rafe have a problem letting go of the past?” Rico asked.
Franco laughed. “Not sure, but this is the way Mama left it. Rafe can’t be bothered with mundane things like redecorating rooms he doesn’t use. As long as the kitchen, his bedroom, bathroom, and the man cave he built on suit him, he’s content. He’s told us a few times to take anything sentimental or important to us before he throws the rest out, but we never do, and he hasn’t tossed anything yet. I think he has a sentimental streak, but he also just doesn’t have time.”
Besides the twin beds, there were two student desks in opposite corners. Rico drew closer and saw Franco’s 1500-meter track medal draped over their team’s portrait. Bending down to take a closer look, but not sure he should touch anything, Rico scrutinized the photo. Franco was three years ahead of Rico and stood proudly at the end of the back row. They’d been teammates, so Rico searched for and found himself at the opposite end and in the middle row.
Rico had been treated pretty badly his first year in high school after boldly coming out. He’d wanted to leave the team after all the harassment, but his mama hadn’t let him. ‘This will make you stronger, bambino. These aren’t the only bigots you will have to put up with in your life.’ Fitting in was of premier importance to most kids that age, but he’d put on a front to make them all think he didn’t really care what they thought of him.
Only I did care.
Still lost in his own thoughts, Franco picked up the team photo. “I’m surprised you paid much attention to me. We weren’t friends, given our age difference.”
Rico gave him a lopsided grin. “You were a hot senior and the biggest boy on the team. What’s not to fantasize about?”
But Rico didn’t want to reminisce about that mostly dark part of his past, so he grew silent. It had taken several years of therapy before Rico could put sophomore year behind him. If not for the love and support of his family—and an intervention with Doug Williams just before graduation—he might not be here today.
Franco set down the photo and picked up the medal. “It’s sometimes nice to come in here and see the things I thought were important back then.”
“If you say so.” Rico would prefer being outside tossing a football to continuing this trip down memory lane. “I didn’t hold onto much from my high-school years.”
As if finally picking up on Rico’s dampened mood, Franco stared at him hard, which made him squirm a bit on the inside. Was this what Angie called the Dom stare?
“You had it a lot harder than you’ve let on, didn’t you?”
Rico refused to let those times define him, and never had. He didn’t want to go back there, either. He shrugged nonchalantly. “Doesn’t matter anymore.” But his heart pounded loudly in his ears. Did he want to talk with Franco about it? Was this Rico’s closet?
“Your pulse is racing like a fire chief headed to a two-alarm blaze.” Franco pulled Rico into his arms and held him tightly. “I’m sorry you didn’t have the same experience I did in high school,” he whispered into Rico’s ear. “All this time, I thought you didn’t care what those dicks said.”
Rico swallowed hard. Sounded like Franco had at least been aware of locker room talk during his senior year. “I didn’t.” Rico had tried to let the words roll off his back. Perhaps Franco’s witnessing what Rico had gone through cemented his decision to keep his authentic self hidden from others all these years.
Unfortunately, words hadn’t done the worst damage to Rico. Did Franco know what had happened the next school year after he’d gone off to college? Not unless his brothers or Angie said something, and they’re sworn to him they wouldn’t tell anyone, which should include Franco.
Did Rico want to open up and tell him about that October night?
Hell no.
Not today, at least. This was supposed to be a happy day with family. Rico didn’t want to dredge up the painful past after he had fought so hard to put it behind him. So few people knew about the incident—probably only those present that night or who had helped Rico recover in the aftermath.
“What do you need to tell me?”
“Nothing. Not here or now, anyway.”
A shadow seemed to have fallen on the day, and Franco realized his plan to make out with Rico in his teenage bedroom hadn’t been as sexy as it sounded. Or at all.
Franco stepped back and took Rico’s hand to kiss it. “Enough of the past. Let’s go see if they’re cutting those pies and that cake yet.”
“Can’t believe you can think of eating anything else after that meal,” Rico said, his stance a little less stiff, “but sounds good to me.” Before they left the room, he added, “I’ll save room for your cock, though.” Rico’s grin lit up the room, and everything seemed to be back to normal. Still, Franco couldn’t shake the feeling that something worse than locker room taunts had happened to Rico in high school.
While he wanted Rico to open up to him about it, he wouldn’t press him. Franco knew all about keeping some things private and not revealing information until he was ready. As long as the past didn’t wreak havoc on the present, Franco would be patient.
The drive back to the house was a quiet one. Rico’s mood leaving Rafe’s was noticeably different from when they’d arrived, and that shift had occurred in his bedroom talking about high school. Rico always seemed not to care about those days, but perhaps he had good reason not to look back.
What had happened to him after Franco had graduated and moved on? Rico seemed to be dealing with bad memories. Of course, lots of people hated reflecting on their high-school days, but Franco had a feeling this was more serious. Would Rico tell him if he asked? He probably should simply wait for Rico to bring it up. When or if Rico ever wanted to talk about what had happened, Franco vowed to be ready to listen.
But come to think of it, Matteo was a freshman the same year as Rico. Would he remember anything? Maybe Franco should speak with him first.
Once inside Rico’s place, Franco started the gas fire then turned to Rico. “Why don’t you sit here and relax while I pour us some drinks?”
“Don’t be too long. I’m ravenous. For you.”
Franco gave a low growl and picked up a sherpa throw to wrap around Rico before pressing him into the loveseat near the fire and kissing him on the forehead. “Sit. Relax. I’ll be right back.”
“How can I relax with all these clothes on?” Rico stood again, shed the blanket, slipped off his shoes, and began to strip.
“You tempt me to stay and watch, boi, but then you’ll never get that drink.”
“That’s not what I want to drink most.”
Franco chuckled as he left Rico. In the kitchen, he poured a gin and tonic with a twist of lime for each of them. He certainly wanted something stronger than wine tonight. Before returning to Rico, he texted Mama to apologize for leaving without saying goodbye, but didn’t explain why. Only that Rico wasn’t feeling well. She responded quickly.
MAMA: Is he OK? Call me if you need anything.
FRANCO: Thanks, Mama. Tell Angelina Rico will call Gina later tonight.
Setting the phone down, he decided to leave it in here, notifications turned off. He wanted to be with Rico.
“Here you go.” He handed Rico his cocktail.
Rico’s face lit up after taking a quick sip. “Perfect.” After a few more sips, Rico set the glass on the coffee table.
“Thanks. I needed that.”
Franco took a long swig of his own before sitting down next to Rico, wrapping an arm around him. Rico rested his head in the crook of Franco’s shoulder and arm. They watched the flames dance in the fireplace a few minutes in silence until Franco felt the need to say something.
“Sorry if I stirred up some bad memories.” Franco stroked Rico’s cheek. “I wasn’t thinking when I dragged you into my old bedroom for a walk down memory lane.”
“How could you have known?” Rico squeezed Franco’s thigh. “But you know what I want from you right now.” He inched up to stroke Franco’s cock through his pants. Apparently, all Rico wanted was to be intimate, and Franco wouldn’t deny either of them that closeness.
He set down his glass, turned toward Rico, and took his face in his hands. “Tell me what you need.”
Rico grasped the length of his cock. “This. Inside me. Now.”
“Say no more.”
The next morning, when Rico left for the pub to see how things were going, Franco called Matteo and asked if he could talk with him before he and Dakota returned to their ranch.
“What’s up, bro?” Matteo asked as they sat down at the table in Rico’s kitchen.
“How well did you know Rico in high school?”
“We didn’t really hang out more than in classes together and weren’t teammates or anything like you were, but I always liked him. You’re a lucky guy.”
“Don’t I know it.”
Matteo took a sip of coffee before adding, “Got to know him a little better in Angelina’s freshman year when Rico and I were seniors. They got on really well.”
Of course. Angelina would know if something had happened. “Did she ever mention any problems Rico might have had with guys at school?”
Matteo averted his gaze then picked up his coffee mug and took another sip. When he set the mug down again, he simply stared at it. Franco had the impression he was weighing whether to say anything.
Finally, he met Franco’s gaze. “There were some creeps who tried to hurt Rico once. I didn’t hear about that until senior year—from Angelina—but those guys were dealt with. Nothing you have to worry about.”
This had all become so cloak and dagger. Dealt with? His little brother sounded like he’d put out a hit on them Cosa Nostra style.
“What did you do?”
“Not sure about the statute of limitations,” Matteo tried to joke, “so I plead the Fifth.”
“Matteo.” His Dom voice might not work, but his big-brother one might. “What did you do to the guys who hurt Rico?”
“Sorry, Bro, but that’s for Rico to tell. All I’m going to say about this is that I doubt they tried it again with anyone else.”
Franco hadn’t gotten any more answers than he’d started with, other than knowing the assholes had been taken care of. While that was some consolation, it still left him with more questions than answers.