Hunks of the Month

Chapter 13

“THE CALENDAR is for sale,” Lucille said as soon as Sterling picked up the phone. “We got the first batch today, and the preordered copies have been delivered and paid for. We have it on the club website, and one of the ladies is good with Facebook and all that social media stuff. She put it up, and we’re getting emails already. The outlets have the calendars, and we’re sending people there. I’m not expecting a run on them, but it’s good to know that they’re out. I’ve also been told that there will be an article in the Carlisle Observer tonight, and apparently the Mechanicsburg paper is going to print something as well, since a lot of our members are from that area. That should help us too.”

“Excellent.” He sat back in his desk chair. “Have you told Connor, or should I let him know?” Over the past month, Connor had been a very busy man. He and Sterling’s father, along with a number of people from his dad’s community, had been out gathering signatures. Sterling had canvassed his own neighborhood. “He’s out at the farmer’s market meeting people and shaking hands.” Connor had been doing that each week.

“I know he’s been busy.”

“Yes, he has. He turned in the petitions to the election commission, and they called to certify that he had enough and would be on the ballot. So the campaign has really started. He makes sure to attend any public gatherings and goes to the farmer’s market each week.” Sometimes Sterling went as well, just to watch Connor in his full Scottish regalia.

“And how are things for you?” Aunt Lucille asked, and Sterling hummed softly.

“Going well. I’m busy.” He knew exactly what she was fishing for and purposely didn’t give her any information. He and Connor saw each other at least three times a week, and Connor usually stopped by the house once the market was over. Sterling liked that they had a routine. It meant that even though they were both busy, they had special times when they could see each other.

“I meant how are you and Connor getting on?” she pressed.

“We get along great, though I contend that Connor should wear pants sometimes, especially when it’s raining cats and dogs and it’s windy. We don’t need another Marilyn Monroe moment. I was afraid that Connor was going to get a ticket for indecent exposure. How would that look in the papers?” He grinned at how he’d sidestepped her question.

Speaking of Connor, he heard the side door open, and then the man himself stood in front of him, windblown hair, skin kissed by the sun, eyes bright with excitement, cheeks flushed, a smile on his lips.

“No, I meant has there been any tension between you? I know that things like this can put a strain on things, especially something new.” It was sweet that she was concerned, while maddening as all hell at the same time.

“I understand, and if Connor wishes to speak with you about our relationship, that’s his business. But if you want to know something, you should ask him. I’m not going to tell tales out of school.” There were enough balls in the air already—they didn’t need secret communications and back-alley talks. Even though Connor was in the room, he still didn’t feel comfortable talking about their relationship with her. It was private and special, and he didn’t want anyone intruding. Sterling was damned possessive about what they had.

“Fair enough,” Lucille said rather happily, and for a second before she hung up, Sterling thought he might have just passed some sort of test.

“Was my great-aunt giving you the third degree?” Connor seemed amused. “You know she’s like the Spanish Inquisition when it comes to extracting information. And the worst part is that she does it with a damned smile.”

“Tell me about it. She asked, but I gave her the runaround. I’m pretty sure she liked it.” He grinned, and Connor came around behind him and placed his hands on his shoulders.

“Don’t be so sure of that. Sometimes with Aunt Lucille, it’s what you don’t say that has more meaning. As a kid I was almost scared to tell her anything, and I could never hide anything from her, ever. I swear she has ESP or something. But I did hear what you said at the end, and I’m grateful for it.” He leaned closer, and his scent filled Sterling’s nose. “I feel the same way. I don’t want her interfering or butting into what we have.”

Sterling sighed and closed his eyes, reveling in the calm that came over him when they were together. “How did meet-the-public go?”

“Good. I shook quite a few hands and talked to a lot of people. There are a huge number of folks who feel like I do, that things have been stagnant for a long time and that they need to change and move forward. People want parks with working playground equipment and streets that are cleaned and in good repair, not potholes and ruts. They want the borough to manage the street trees rather than just letting them go.” He sighed. “And they want more jobs, good ones, and to somehow bring people back downtown. They love their town and want it to be better, but they aren’t sure how to do it.”

“Sounds like a big job,” Sterling whispered. “It’s a good thing the guy running for mayor has lots of energy. He’s going to need it.”

“Actually, I need some energy now. I’m really hungry, and I thought you and I could go out for dinner. I’ve talked to people for three hours. My throat is parched and my stomach thinks my throat’s been cut.”

“Colorful,” Sterling commented. He saved what he was working on and locked the computer. “Why don’t we walk over to the Molly.” He checked his calendar, grateful he didn’t have an appointment this evening, locked the door, and they left through the house, with Sterling grabbing his wallet and a cap. Then they walked the three blocks to the tap room.

Inside they had to wait for a table, and one opened up by the front window. They sat down and looked over the beer selection. When their server approached, they ordered their drinks and then glanced at the food menu.

“Oh my God!” An excited female voice cut through the restaurant like a knife. Then she drew closer, carrying a bag. “It’s you—both of you.” She grinned and pulled one of the calendars out of the bag. “I just saw it at the bookstore down the street and bought it because it was so hot .” She fanned herself. “And then here you are.” She opened the calendar to April. “Would you sign it for me?” She passed it over, and Connor took the calendar and the pen she thrust in front of him and signed it. Sterling did the same.

“I’m glad you like it,” Connor said.

“Are you two, like, a couple? Are all these guys couples?”

Connor smiled. “Yes, we are dating, and the calendar brought us together.” As soon as he said that, she sighed. “But not all of the guys are couples, though a number of them are. All of the guys are local.” He smiled again as the server brought their beers.

Sterling hoped the lady would excuse herself, but she stood near the table, bouncing on her heels. “How long have you been dating?”

“A few months. Tonight is our date night,” Connor answered patiently. Sterling loved how he gently asked her to move on without saying the words.

“Of course. You guys have a great evening, and thank you.” She held the calendar to her chest. “You guys are really hot, and I love this. I can’t wait to tell my roommates that I met you.” She hurried away.

Connor’s smile faded, and he seemed to pull into himself as soon as they were alone again. “I hope that doesn’t keep happening all over town. I expected this to happen a few times, but not right away.” Connor seemed a little pale.

“Come on. She was excited, and you can’t tell me that wasn’t a little fun. How many times in your life do you get squeed over something?” Sterling couldn’t help smiling, and even Connor couldn’t keep the corners of his mouth from turning up. “It’s one heck of an ego boost.”

“Yeah.” Then the smile slipped from his lips. “Can you imagine how my students are going to react?” he asked morosely. “I’m going to have to put up with that for months.”

Sterling lightly bumped Connor’s leg under the table. “Drama queen much? It was one person, and she just bought the calendar and happened to see us. It’s not that bad, and it isn’t like everyone who gets one is going to go through town looking for the guys. It’s meant to be fun.” He leaned over the table, hating that Connor wasn’t happy. “And we did have fun. Remember the day that picture was taken? That was one of the hottest things ever. People like it, and if there’s some excitement about the calendar, then that helps your great-aunt, who is hoping to sell five hundred of them.” That seemed like a lot to Sterling. He hoped things turned out well.

“You’re right. I’m probably overreacting. It isn’t like I’m one of the Beatles and people are trying to rip my clothes off.” Finally he smiled again.

“Maybe just a little,” Sterling told him. “Relax. We did something good, and it will help the town in the end. That’s the goal.” He was quickly realizing just how private a person Connor was. He wondered how he was going to survive in the public eye if he got elected. “I was just thinking… when is the election filing deadline?”

“For mayor, ten days. So far I’m told that no one else has inquired about running.” Connor seemed to relax. “So if I wait it out just ten more days, then that’s pretty much it. Someone could try to mount a write-in campaign, but those so rarely work.” He bounced in his seat a little. “I want this so bad. I’ve been walking through town, and there are so many things that need attention.” He sipped his beer and put the glass down again, leaning forward. “Your dad has been a huge help.” He seemed to remember something. “Oh, did I tell you? Apparently your dad and my great-aunt went out gathering signatures together.”

Sterling nodded. “I take it Aunt Lucille didn’t tell you that she and my dad also went to dinner last week.” He bit his lower lip. “It seems your great-aunt is tight-lipped, and my father gossips like crazy.” He smiled. “Dad took her to the Outback Steakhouse.” He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I know, but Dad’s kind of clueless when it comes to food. Your great-aunt had a good time, from what he said, and then afterward Dad took her for a walk by the creek to look at the stars. He says it was very nice and declined to go into any more detail.” That alone was telling.

“They were making eyes at each other when they were at your place for the photoshoot. I saw your dad watching her like a hawk.”

Sterling groaned. “God, I hope my father isn’t playing games like he does at the home.”

Connor lifted his beer, and Sterling envied the glass as it contacted Connor’s lips. Damn, he wanted to taste him right now. Sterling shifted to get things more comfortable and drank his own beer. When the server returned, they ordered dinner and resumed their conversation when he left.

“Do you really think they’re serious?” Connor asked. “I know I should stay out of it. Aunt Lucille is an adult, and Lord knows she’s capable of taking care of herself. But you said your dad is kind of the community stud, and I don’t want him studding all over my great-aunt.” Connor cocked his eyebrows.

“I don’t want to think of my dad studding it up with anyone. I mean, he’s my dad. I much prefer to believe that I was delivered by the stork than thinking about my father doing the horizontal hula with anyone.” He shivered. “I know it’s a stereotype, but I don’t want to consider that aspect of him and my mom. It’s just squicky. I know they must have done it because they had me. But….”

“Yeah… I know.” Connor finished his beer and ordered another as the food began to arrive. “There’s something unsettling about the people who read you bedtime stories and kissed your knees to make the hurts better actually having sex.” He shivered. “They’re people, and of course they had sex. It’s fun and hot and, well, everything. But….”

Sterling put his hands up. “Okay, that’s enough. Let’s talk about something more pleasant.”

Connor thought a second. “I agree. I have an appointment for a root canal next week. Let’s talk about that.” He flashed a smile. “Or we could talk about the campaign. Regardless of whether I have an opponent, I want to run some kind of campaign so I can meet the people of the borough and learn what their concerns are. Your dad suggested an interview with the paper and maybe a meet-and-greet somewhere that’s open to everyone interested. He said that he’d look into a location we could use.”

“That’s awesome. And I think we should get you dressed up in your best tartan and take some pictures in front of the old courthouse and Borough Hall. Make you look like mayoral material. We can build a campaign website. It will give you a forum to get your message out and to respond to things that are happening in town. Make your positions clear. Though if I’m being honest, there’s one particular position I’m interested in.” Sterling leered, and Connor set down his sandwich with an exaggerated roll of his eyes.

“You’re always thinking about that. Not that I’m complaining, but I don’t want to be overheard.” He continued eating, and Sterling dug into his chicken sandwich as a throat cleared nearby.

“Can I help you?” Connor asked with more genuineness than Sterling could have managed. All he wanted was a quiet evening out together. Sterling figured he was going to have to get used to this.

“Phillip Randall,” the man who’d interrupted said without extending his hand.

Sterling narrowed his gaze. He was a little perturbed at yet another interruption. “Do you know us?”

“I’m the current mayor,” he said, and Sterling met Connor’s gaze.

“That’s nice. Is there something you wanted?” This guy seemed to think he was important enough that everyone should know who he was, or else he was playing dumb. “I don’t know of any business you could have with us.”

Randall seemed a little taken aback, which was exactly what Sterling was hoping for. “I understand that Mr. Hillyard here has decided to run for mayor.”

“Yes, I have. I filed my petition for the office a few weeks ago.” He set down his glass. “Is there something you wanted? Do you have any advice on the office?” He smiled, but Sterling knew it was cold. Outwardly Connor was being nice, but there was nothing beneath.

“I….” Suddenly the man didn’t seem to know what he wanted to say.

“It’s nice to meet you. My great-aunt has told me a lot about you.” He grinned with a hint of devilry. Connor’s great-aunt probably had, and Sterling was sure that she had had nothing nice to say. “I’m here with my friend, and we were just enjoying our dinner. It was nice of you to stop by. Maybe we can have a chance to speak soon.”

The mayor didn’t take the hint. “I’ve seen you in the square talking to people and meeting folks. You need to know that there are many obligations in this community and that nothing is as easy as you seem to believe it will be. But then, if you’re elected, you’ll learn just the kind of tightrope the mayor’s job can be.”

“I’m sure I will. Though I believe that listening to the people of Carlisle and making sure the business of the people is what gets done will lead to the right outcomes.” Connor’s jaw hardened. “I believe that the mayor and all the town leaders should be interested in what’s best for the town. There will be difficult decisions, and some of them won’t be popular, but there are times when hard choices have to be made whether they are popular at the time or not.” Damn, Sterling loved the way Connor held himself. It was sexy seeing him standing toe to toe with this guy.

“I wish you well,” he finally said and turned away from the table. He walked back across the restaurant with a piece of toilet paper stuck to the bottom of his shoe. Sterling did his best not to pay attention to it. Laughing was adolescent, and yet it was still funny.

“That was weird. I wonder what the heck that was about,” Connor commented softly. “Did he seem kind of creepy to you? Your dad said he ran unopposed the last time, and a couple of elections ago he had a worthy challenger who ended up dropping out a few weeks before the election. He thought there was something to it, but didn’t know what it was.” He held Sterling’s gaze. “I get the idea that he’s one of those guys who will play dirty if he thinks it will get him what he wants.”

“That’s been the rumor for a long time. I think that’s part of how he keeps getting reelected. There aren’t many people who want to go up against him. And I’m a little surprised that there aren’t more people getting into the race, since he’s said he isn’t running.” Sterling leaned closer. “If you talk to him again, be nice but not friendly. You don’t need him as an ally—or an enemy either.”

“Aunt Lucille told me that he and his wife want to relocate to Florida, so I doubt he’s going to be around here for very much longer. Which is a relief. The last thing the town needs is a former mayor making trouble whenever the town decides to go in a different direction.” Connor asked for the check when the server returned, and he brought it right away. Connor grabbed it first and paid with his credit card.

“Do you want to go for a walk?” Sterling asked once they were out on the sidewalk. It had been a sweltering hot day, but with the setting sun, the temperature had eased back and the sidewalk was in the shade.

“Sure,” Connor agreed, and they headed toward the college, stepping off the sidewalk and under the huge trees that shaded the quad. “I love this part of campus. It’s beautifully shaded and so green.”

“I haven’t spent much time on campus.” Sterling turned to Connor. “I’ve been thinking, and I have to ask. Are you really sure you want to delve into politics? It’s not that I don’t think you should do it. I just want to make sure you’re okay with all it’s going to entail.” He was proud of Connor for what he was doing, but he wanted to be sure he was comfortable opening his life to scrutiny.

“Let me explain. These red Adirondack chairs are a staple of the campus. They move all over as the students gather.” Connor ran his hand over the back of one of the chairs. “The previous president thought of the idea, and it has been a huge hit.”

“I see.”

Connor sighed. “The current president didn’t like them and wanted to remove them because they tear up the lawn. The students made their desires known, and the chairs stayed.” He grinned. “Sometimes the people just need to stand up and say what they want. Of course, the current leader of the college is an idiot, in my opinion. Thankfully, the board of governors is excellent, so they keep her in line.”

“Why not fire her?”

“Too big a payout of the contract. She has a year and a half and then she’ll be gone.” Connor sounded happy. “There’s politics everywhere. The faculty didn’t like this candidate for president, but the board did, and now the board is paying the price for their decision. But it’s the right thing to do because they love the college and want it to be successful.” He paused. “See, politics is everywhere whenever you deal with other people. When I go for tenure, it’s another political exercise.” He shrugged.

“I get it.” Politics was part of Connor’s everyday life. To Sterling it was something mysterious and daunting, but to Connor it was business as usual. “This is something you thrive on.” And he supposed that if Connor wanted to do some good in the community, there was going to be a political aspect to it. He even supposed that Connor’s great-aunt had to deal with politics when it came to the garden club.

“And I bet there was a great deal of politics in the modeling world. Some people are in, others are out, groups and cliques form to advance themselves and hold others back. Politics is part of daily life.”

Sterling nodded, realizing he had gotten on the bad side of the politics. “I suppose.” He hated that Connor understood what had been happening maybe better than he did. Heck, if Sterling had understood the situation at the time and how he’d appear, he might have acted differently. Then maybe he’d still have his career and Alexander would be on the outs. He rolled his eyes at his own naiveté. Alexander was one of the super-beautiful people, and that carried a ton of weight in that world. It was what everyone made their money on.

Sterling didn’t realize he was brooding until Connor snapped him out of his thoughts. “I’m sorry,” Connor whispered. “I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“It’s not your fault. And I see your point.”

Connor stepped back, his hand over his mouth. “Oh God, was I just mansplaining? If I was, I didn’t mean to.”

Sterling gawked. “Mansplaining?” That was a new one.

“Yeah. It usually happens with women, but I suppose it can be with guys too. Let’s say someone doesn’t understand something… to make it simple, say Aunt Lucille has an issue, and whether she asked for my help or not, I explain her problem to her and what I think she should do like I have all the answers. You know, like on one of those Master Mind quiz shows where the experts have to explain their answers because they’re soooo smart.” His voice went up an octave, and Sterling laughed. “Sometimes I have a way of slipping into educator mode.”

“Sweetheart, I promise you, if I find you mansplaining, or gaysplaining… or any kind of ’splaining—God, I just sounded like Ricky Ricardo—” He put his hands on his head for a second. “—I promise I’ll tell you.” He smiled and tugged Connor to him. “Come on, let’s keep walking and you can ’splain all you want.” He chuckled and took Connor’s hand for the rest of their walk.