Hunks of the Month

Chapter 12

CONNOR’S PHONE rang, and he picked it up off his desk. He had gone to his office to try to get some work done. The paper he’d been working on had been coming along but was now at a complete halt, and he had hoped that a change of scenery might help get the words flowing again. But it wasn’t working. When he saw the call was from Sterling, he smiled, a little warmth running through him. “Hey, how’s it going?”

“I finished the pictures, checked all the copy, and got your great-aunt’s approval. I just sent the files off to the printer, and I was wondering if you might want to celebrate?” He sounded so upbeat.

Connor looked at his screen with that damn blinking cursor that was going nowhere. “Sounds good. I’m trying to finish up this paper.” He was determined to get this draft completed. “It’s Thursday, right?” He blinked as he pulled his attention back fully into the real world. Sometimes the days ran together when he was working. Hell, sometimes weeks did when he was deep into a writing project.

Sterling chuckled. “Yes. How about we get together on Saturday for dinner? I can grill some steaks, and we can eat in the backyard.”

“Sounds really good.” Connor sighed to himself and smiled. He liked that Sterling hadn’t backed away and that even though the project was over, he was still interested. That was nice. Connor had wondered if, when they were done with the calendar, Sterling’s interest would cool and they would drift back to their separate worlds. That could still happen, but it was nice that Sterling was making an effort.

“Then I’ll see you Saturday at six.” They agreed as Connor got another call. He said goodbye to Sterling and took the call, expecting it to be a pain-in-the-butt telemarketer. They had become the bane of his existence lately.

“Hello.” He expected to hear nothing or maybe a few clicks.

“Connor Hillyard?”

“Yes,” he said warily, looking at his screen, where the cursor still blinked at him like a mocking schoolboy.

“I’m Weston Marcus, the current deputy mayor, and I wanted to approach you to see if you might be interested in running for office.” That got Connor’s attention. “As you know, the current mayor, Phillip Randall, is not going to seek the office again, and we see this as a chance for fresh ideas and younger blood in city government. You’re a much-loved professor, and you have a very vocal champion.” Connor rolled his eyes as he wondered, sarcastically, who that could be. Aunt Lucille had to be at it again. “We know of your community-mindedness and would like to have you in a leadership position.”

Connor was flattered. “But mayor?” he asked as his heart beat faster. Connor had always been interested in his community, and he could do a great deal of good as mayor. Excitement at the idea raced through him.

“Yes. I’m not interested in the position.” Weston paused. “I was approached to run, but my wife is expecting our second child, and our oldest has health issues that require a great deal of care. I don’t feel as though I’m able to give more than I already am. We have an excellent council with experienced members who care about this community, but none of them is in a position to step into the mayoral role. When your name was mentioned as a possibility, we looked into your background and interests and thought you would be an excellent choice.” He seemed so positive.

“You do know that I’m gay?” Connor said matter-of-factly. “I won’t hide that or go back into the closet.”

“One of the other council members is gay. It hasn’t been an issue, and no one would ask you to be anyone other than who you are.”

Connor swallowed hard as he thought it over. “But I don’t know how to run a borough.”

“You don’t have to. The mayor heads the council and presides over meetings, has the power to declare an emergency, and signs ordinances. The council as a body hires a borough manager to run the day-to-day business of the borough. The mayor is an important position and one of leadership and being the public face of the borough.” He paused. “May I be frank?”

“Of course,” Connor agreed.

“Up until now, the face of Carlisle has been a man who’s been in the office for twenty years and isn’t up to the job. When he was elected, the government was organized differently, and the mayor didn’t have a huge role in borough government. The council ran the government, and he had an ancillary role. He’s proven he isn’t able to handle the position it became. The council doesn’t trust him and is being bogged down in petty issues rather than the ones that are truly important. His not seeking office is a godsend, but we need new blood and new ideas. Will you at least consider it?”

Connor’s heart beat a mile a minute, and he was too excited to sit. This had been what he had always hoped to do: be a leader and be able to give back to the community. “Of course I will.” He had taught a History of Local Governments course a few years earlier, so he understood how they worked historically. The modern incarnation couldn’t be all that different. “But what about my job?”

“The mayor isn’t a full-time position. It’s a council leadership position. The borough manager runs things day to day. You will be part of the various committees, which have regular meetings once a month. I know it’s a commitment, but part of what I’m here for is to work with you and support you.” Connor liked Weston already. “Please say you’ll consider it.”

Thoughts and alternatives raced through his mind. This was something he wanted to do, and it would allow him to give back to the community in a meaningful way. He had hoped that someday the opportunity would present itself, and here it was. Part of him urged caution, while another argued for him to jump at what he wanted. “What do I need to do to get on the ballot?” he asked, and Wesley whooped a little before going into the details about gathering signatures and contacting people to help him. “Okay, let me think about it and I’ll get back to you on Monday.” There was a lot to think about, and no matter how much he might want to jump in with both feet, this was a decision that would require some thought. He needed to take the time to consider his options.

“Thank you. Please let me know if you have any questions.” Weston gave him his number to make sure Connor had it, and they ended the call.

Connor set down his phone and wondered what Sterling would think about this development. It took him a second to realize that his first thought wasn’t what he wanted, but what Sterling might think of what he wanted to do. Connor knew he had a history of throwing himself into his work and ignoring the other things in his life, but this felt different. He worried that Sterling would be unhappy and not like that he was considering running for mayor. He wanted Sterling to be happy, and he wanted—“Jesus Christ,” he said out loud as he realized he not only wanted Sterling to be happy, he wanted to be the one to make him happy. Damn it all to hell, why couldn’t things just be simple for once in his life? Was that too much to ask for?

He sighed and turned his attention to the damned mocking cursor and tried to make some headway, but thoughts of Sterling kept getting in the way.

FOR THE next two nights, Connor tossed and turned. During the day he tried to work and managed to make progress, but the idea of running for mayor and his attempts to finish his article, combined with thoughts of Sterling, kept his mind on a weird Ferris wheel that wouldn’t stop turning.

Shortly before he was supposed to meet Sterling, Connor dressed and got ready to go. He hoped Sterling would understand why he wanted to run for office. Maybe it was a little farfetched. After all, he was delving into local politics in a big way, but the mayor’s position was what was available, and Connor thought he could do a good job.

He checked himself in the mirror and then left the house. He decided to walk to Sterling’s and took his time going through town. The sun was out, and as he passed through the downtown, the town seemed different to him. He saw the things that made it different and special, like the old courthouse and the church on the square where George Washington had once worshipped. Connor turned down Pomfret Street and then toward Sterling’s, where he walked around the side and to the studio. Sterling was moving around inside, and Connor knocked before going in.

“Hey, Connor, look at this,” he said brightly, practically bouncing as he came over to hug him. “I got an electronic mock-up of the calendar earlier today. Your great-aunt approved it, and I’m told the printing has begun.” He grinned and sat down, paging through the calendar for next year.

When they came to April, Sterling paused and took Connor’s hand. “I think I’m most proud of that picture because it was your idea.” He squeezed Connor’s fingers, but Connor could only stare at the image.

“Oh God.” He hadn’t given the calendar a thought. “I should have called you, but I wanted to surprise you in person, and I didn’t think about the calendar because I didn’t know it had moved this fast, but… I have some big news… that’s going to make a real mess.”

Sterling turned. “Don’t tell me the college said you can’t do the calendar. I thought they were fine with it since it was for the community.” He got to his feet. “I can’t turn this back now. It’s already in the printing process, and it would cost the club more money to pull it back, and then everything would need to be redone.” Sterling’s eyes were almost cartoonishly wide, and Connor might have seen smoke coming out of his ears.

“It isn’t that. And I haven’t even told Aunt Lucille because I haven’t made up my mind, but I guess I have now.” He slumped into the chair near the desk. “I was asked to run for mayor. The current mayor, Phillip Randall, isn’t running for reelection, and the deputy mayor asked me to run for the office.”

Relief seemed to wash over Sterling, and then he grinned. “I think that’s a great idea. You should do it.”

Connor gaped at him. He’d had this whole speech prepared to try to convince Sterling that it was a good thing, and here Sterling was on board already. It left him a little speechless.

“I mean it.” Sterling was up and had him in his arms before Connor could process everything. “You’d be a great mayor, and I’d help you. I bet your great-aunt would too.” His enthusiasm was almost overwhelming.

“Hold it,” Connor said. “I haven’t made up my mind yet, and if you recall, we were just going over the sexy gay calendar that I’m in. It’s bad enough that I know I’m going to have students who will want me to sign their calendars as Mr. April, but do you really think Carlisle is ready for a pin-up mayor? Those are words I never thought I’d utter.”

Sterling rolled his eyes. “Are you going to let that stop you? It was for the community and the garden club. You weren’t paid for it. You donated your image and your time to do this for the club and your great-aunt.”

“I know. But can you hear what the news will make of this?”

“Look, go on down to Borough Hall and into the council chamber. On the wall are pictures of the former mayors. Let me tell you, some of those guys should have worked in a dairy, because they could have curdled the milk to make cottage cheese just by looking at it.” He shivered. “Heck, we could have that picture framed and put on the wall for your picture. That room could use a little sexiness, because it’s about as interesting as my dentist’s office.” Sterling grinned. “Come on. I know you want to do this. You put aside your misgivings to do this calendar because it would help the community, and now you have a chance to make a difference in a huge way. You can’t turn it down.”

Connor was speechless. Sterling actually understood what was important to him. Damn, no one else ever had. He jumped into his arms without a second thought. “You really think I should?”

“Hell yes.” Sterling smirked and then took his lips. “Just think—I could be kissing a future mayor.”

“YOU KNOW, we really should get something to eat,” Connor said a couple hours later. They had ended up in Sterling’s bedroom and were both sweaty, sticky, and sated. At least Connor hoped so. He was deliciously sore in a number of places and stretched languidly after sitting up. His stomach rumbled.

Sterling tugged him back down on the bed. “So, Your Honor, was that good for you?”

Connor groaned. “I’m not Your Honor yet, and yes, that was wonderful.” He tried not to yawn. “You really think I should do this?” He had asked before, but it was a huge decision. “It’s going to mean a lot of extra time and dedication.” He worried he might not be up to the job. “I always figured at some point I’d run for council, but this seems like a big step.”

Sterling closed his arms around him. “This is your decision. If you want to do it, then I say go for it. You’d do a great job and would be a wonderful representative for this town. But if it isn’t something you really want to do, then don’t. I know someone came to you, but that doesn’t mean you have to say yes just because you were asked.” Sterling lightly stroked his arm. “Make your decision about what you want, and then go for it. And if you decide to run, I’ll take pictures of you for the campaign in front of Borough Hall and around town. My dad has had experience with this sort of thing. He was on the school board a number of years ago. So maybe he can give you some advice.”

Connor smiled and snuggled closer. He hadn’t expected this kind of support from Sterling… or anyone else. His great-aunt would probably tell him to wait. Connor hadn’t made up his mind what he wanted to do, but knowing Sterling had his back went a long way. “I need to tell my Aunt Lucille.”

Sterling’s belly rumbled. “How about you call her and see what she says? I’m going to dress and get the grill started.” He leaned over and gave Connor a kiss. “You go ahead and make your call. Then come on down.” He climbed out of bed and found his clothes, which were spread around the floor, and then left the room.

Connor located his phone in the pocket of his pants, which he’d flung over the back of a chair, and called his great-aunt.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” she said.

“As if you didn’t know,” Connor retorted.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said, evidently confused.

“You haven’t been talking to someone on the council?” he asked. “Because I got a call two days ago.” He had suspected that she had been talking him up, but apparently not. “You really didn’t use your network of friends to put a bug in the ear of someone on the council?”

“No. What’s this all about?” she asked a little tersely. “You’re accusing me of something that I haven’t done.”

“Hardly, Auntie,” he said gently. “I got a call a few days ago from the deputy mayor, and I’ve been asked to run.”

“For what? I know the mayor isn’t running again. Is the deputy going to run, and did he ask you to step in as deputy?”

“No. He asked me to run for mayor. Weston has family issues and doesn’t feel he can take the higher office. He asked if I’d run for the top job, and I’m tempted.” He wasn’t sure about her reaction. “I thought at first that you might have put me up for it, but you haven’t.” Which meant that he truly had done this on his own. Connor didn’t know who had mentioned him, but he was very pleased that someone had thought enough of him on his own merits.

“I didn’t and I wouldn’t,” Aunt Lucille said flatly. “I know this is something you’d like to do, but is the timing right? Your tenure review process will start soon, and there will be plenty of work to get that ready. You have your classes. And what about Sterling? If you do this, you aren’t going to have much time for anything else.”

Connor was a little taken aback. He had expected resistance from Sterling, but his great-aunt had always been supportive of what he wanted, sometimes pushing him into things when he was hesitant. To have her take the other approach was a little surprising. “You think I shouldn’t run?”

“I didn’t say that. I just want you to make sure you aren’t spreading yourself too thin. What does Sterling think?”

“That he’s been kissing a future mayor, and he’s pretty excited about it. Sterling offered to help take pictures through town that I can use, and to design fliers and other campaign posters and literature. He also said he’d get in touch with Grant for some help. He was on the school board.” Connor’s excitement rose again. “I think I really want to do it. But I can’t without support. I know it’s going to take time and effort, but as far as tenure goes, this is going to help me, not hurt. You know I’m all about helping the community—you taught me that.”

“Yes, I know.” Aunt Lucille seemed strung tight. “And I’m not telling you not to do it but to make a careful decision. If you want to run, I’ll support it. You know that. And Sterling seems like he’ll be there in your corner.”

Connor put the phone on speaker and began getting dressed. Talking to his great-aunt while he was naked just seemed wrong on so many levels. “I think he will be. But this is my decision.”

Aunt Lucille cleared her throat. “Yes, it is. But are you running away again? Sterling is a nice young man. I like him, and I think he’s good for you. I’d hate—”

“Auntie, I’m not running away, and if I were, it would be my business. I know you think I’m lonely and desperate, but—”

“I do not,” she snapped. “What I think is that I saw the way he looked at you and how you looked at him. I was there taking those pictures, and the two of you steamed up the lens. Do you know how rare that is?” She cleared her throat again, and Connor wondered if she was coming down with a cold. “I never found that, and I would have given anything, when I was younger, to have had someone look at me like I was the center of the universe and everything revolved around me.” She rarely opened up about her love life or her romantic past, so Connor was getting a glimpse into a life he knew little about.

“I understand. But Sterling was supportive, and he said I should do it.” The truth was that Connor had been worried about the same thing. The reason his great-aunt’s words hurt so much was because he had asked himself those questions. Maybe she was right, and running would be biting off more than he could chew. Connor didn’t know. “There’s no one else running, and it’s a great chance for me to really make our community better. When I walked to Sterling’s, I looked at the town differently. I see things now that I haven’t before. Like how the areas around the college and the downtown are so separate. We need to more fully integrate the college into the town. The college has a lot to offer, and so does the town. But they keep things to themselves and don’t support each other the way they should. They need each other, but they’re separate in many ways. The trees downtown are a mess. The streets need work…. There’s a huge number of things that need to be done, but they aren’t happening. I’m not sure why, but I want to help. I know I don’t know everything, but I’ll get up to speed. I’m a good study.” He smiled as Aunt Lucille chuckled.

“I know you’d do a good job. But take some time and think about what you want. I won’t stand in your way and will be out beating my drum to help you if you decide to run.”

Connor sighed. “But you don’t think I should.”

Aunt Lucille didn’t answer right away. “This is one of those areas where I don’t think I should have an opinion. I know what I would decide, but that’s what would be right for me and not you.”

Damn. Connor pulled on his pants and then wiped his eyes. How in the hell did he get so lucky as to have her in his life?

“I’ll only ask that you think about it hard, plan it out the way you would one of your classes—with alternatives depending on how things work out—and once you know what you want to do, then go for it with your usual energy and enthusiasm.”

“I will. You know that. But if I decide to do this, I wanted to be the one to tell you.”

“Then you’ve decided already?” Aunt Lucille said. “You had made up your mind before you called me.” She didn’t sound disappointed. “Let me guess, it was Sterling’s support that tipped the balance.” And just like that, he could almost hear the smile in her voice.

“I know what I want to do, but there are ramifications that need to be considered. I told Weston that I’d give him an answer on Monday, and if I go forward, then I have to gather signatures to get myself on the ballot.” At that point, the work would begin.

“Let me know what you decide,” she said, and Connor promised that he would before ending the call and finishing getting dressed.

CONNOR FOUND Sterling manning the grill. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No. I have some fresh vegetables and a fruit salad all ready to go.” He turned the steaks and closed the lid of the grill. “What did your great-aunt say?”

“That she would support whatever my decision was.” That was as close a summation as he wanted to give. And it sufficed. His great-aunt would be there if he decided to make a run for the mayor’s office. That was what counted. The rest would fall into line. “I still need to make up my mind.” He slipped his arms around Sterling. “But I appreciate your support.” Now he needed to figure out what his future could possibly look like.

Sterling snorted softly. “I know what you want to do. I can see it in your eyes when you talk about running. They light up. So go ahead, make your decision, and then go forward. We can talk to my father tomorrow and put together a strategy for your campaign.”

“You think you know me so well.” He leaned his head on Sterling’s back.

“I know when your eyes go as deep as a well. It’s pretty obvious that this is what you want, so do it. If someone else enters the race and you lose, then you tried. And if you win, you’ll do a fantastic job. Go for it, and let the chips fall where they may.”

Connor swallowed hard. “But the calendar, and….”

“You know about it. The calendar isn’t going to be a surprise. Figure out how you want to deal with it.” Sterling slowly turned in his arms. “We’ll build your campaign around a desire to serve the community. The calendar is only another way you’ve been supportive. If someone wants to go after you for it, then we’ll turn it back on them.”

This was what he really wanted, and Connor felt his decision settle around him like a warm coat. Once he had decided to go for it, his indecision and nervousness fell away. This was right, and with everyone’s support, he might just get elected and everything could work out.