15. Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Oak
I was in trouble. I just didn’t know how much until Law was suddenly kissing me.
For about three seconds, I froze, then the part of me that was pining realized what was going on, and I kissed him back. My hands found his hip and his jaw, and I felt a head rush like I’d never had before from just kissing. Everything in me wanted to crawl inside this man. It was as if my skin was too tight and only being closer to him, being skin to skin with him, would help me feel better.
Of course, that was when there was a banging sound in the kitchen and Dana laughed louder than I’d heard in ages.
I jerked back, the back of my head banging against the wall behind me. Law looked shocked, his lips wet and red, just like mine would be, too.
“I… uh….” The shock was quickly replaced with something wilder, and I didn’t have time to figure out what kind of wild it was before Tristan hollered at him from the kitchen. “I gotta go—”
“Go, go,” I said quickly, wanting more, but needing space suddenly.
I watched him go, my head spinning with conflicting emotions and thoughts.
Did that just happen? Does he actually want me? He can’t want me. There’s no way. This was a moment of temporary insanity on his part. He’s straight. But he just kissed me?
All the while, I was half hard in my jeans just from one really good kiss. So I was twenty-one, but I hadn’t thought myself that easy.
I tried to remember what I’d been doing when I’d heard Law and Marlie’s conversation. Right. I’d been going to grab the office trash.
I slipped into Charlie’s domain, glad that he wasn’t there. Salem’s cage was empty, so he was either working with his other dad today—the thought of the cat becoming a mascot for Gramps and Uncle Teague’s company was still funny to me—or out with Charlie somewhere. That meant I had no way of knowing when my best friend would be back, so I grabbed the trash and quickly retreated back to my cart.
Phew. This turmoil was something Charlie would see immediately, and he was the one person I couldn’t talk to about it. Hell, I couldn’t talk to anyone about this.
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath and didn’t even feel bad about it.
I was done with my workday as soon as I took all the accumulated trash out, and I needed to get away from Black Dog for a while.
Forty-five minutes later, I was sitting at a bistro table in Sugar Rush with a pain au chocolat in my hand. Because I was family, Aunt Regan had gotten me a cup of coffee as well, even though they didn’t serve drinks for customers. That was why there were only two of those tables by the wall with four chairs total. It wasn’t a hanging out place unless you wanted a quick treat or to sit while you waited for your order.
“Do you know if Felix is working today?” I asked, nodding toward the windows where we could just see Nostalgia Nook across the street.
“Yeah, but I only know that because Mom went to Plattsburgh with Loreena. Some sort of ladies’ trip with a couple of their friends. They should be back late tonight,” they answered as they filled the display case with more goodies.
“You don’t happen to have any of Felix’s favorites by any chance?” I batted my lashes at them.
They closed the case and tilted their head at me. “Oak Mulligan, do you need a boy to talk to about some boy stuff?”
They made it sound as if I was a teenager who had had their first erection or something. I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt.
“If it was something like that, wouldn’t I rather go to Charlie or Uncle Teague?”
“Ah-ha!” Aunt Regan pointed a finger at me. “Then it’s not something you can talk to either of them about!”
Well I’d walked right into that one, hadn’t I?
“Maaaybe….” I sounded like one of Law’s kids.
“I’m too busy today to figure this out and if it’s anything romance related, I’m not your person for that talk, so I’m gonna go box up some eclairs. He loves Gargoyle’s Wings, but I don’t have those at hand.”
I beamed at them. “Awesome. Thank you, Aunt Regan.”
They made a distinct “Aww” face, but said nothing, just bustled into the back to get me the eclairs.
I insisted on paying for the goodies, and they tried to give me a glare, but I glared right back until they caved. It felt like a small victory, if I was completely honest. I didn’t even have to pull the “I’m a grown up with my own money” card, which was a plus.
I walked across the street with my pastry box in hand and smiled when I glanced through the big window and saw Felix behind the counter, nose deep in his eReader.
As the bell tinkled above the door, his gaze snapped up and he smiled.
“Hey, Oak.” Then he saw the pastry box and rolled his eyes. “What is it with you Mulligan men and bribing me with baked goods?” he asked, but he was still smiling so I decided I was good.
“Sometimes there are things we can only talk to you about.” I put the box on the counter and gave him the puppy eyes.
“At least it’s safe to say you’re not coming to me with the same stuff Teague came to me when he had Charlie on the brain.” Felix pulled the box closer and opened it. “Go make me a cup of coffee while you’re on your feet.”
I knew where his pod coffee maker was in the tiny staff room in the back, so I started toward it. “Are you saying he doesn’t have Charlie on the brain anymore?” I called over my shoulder.
Felix snorted. “I’m definitely not saying that, because Loreena didn’t raise a liar.”
I came back with coffees for both of us a while later. “This might not be a good idea; I’m over my caffeine limit already, but oh well.”
“Yolo,” Felix deadpanned, then grabbed an éclair.
“I also might’ve already had a pain au chocolat, but….”
His eyebrows jumped at my confession. “This must be a heavy subject, then?”
I sighed and took a bite of my second treat of a day. Third if I counted the kiss which I definitely counted.
“Stop stalling, Oak.” Felix sipped at his coffee and gave me a mock-stern look.
I waited until his mouth was empty and said, “Law kissed me.”
He still choked on air and put his mug down in a way that almost sloshed the coffee on the counter. “He what ?”
Widening my eyes, I drank my own coffee and tried not to let the caffeine—or the nerves—vibrate me out of my skin.
“How did this happen?” Felix asked once he had gathered his faculties a bit.
“So you know when there’s a hot twink and a single dad and they like each other very, very—”
“I will fucking throw you out.”
I grinned, then let my expression fall off my face and settled into perturbed confusion. “I guess the vibe I’ve been getting a couple of times before wasn’t all in my head, you know.”
“Now I definitely see why you couldn’t go to Teague or Charlie about this. Jesus, Oak.” He mused on my words for a bit, then smiled slightly. “Congrats, I suppose. He’s hot as hell if you like dad types.”
Shrugging, I said, “I haven’t really had any big thoughts on my type, other than likely older and someone who feels safe and whoa boy….”
“He’s definitely both of those things.” Felix nodded. “Your uncle will have a conniption though.”
I shook my head. “I mean, he will freak out for two seconds but he’ll be fine. I’m more worried about Charlie.”
“Wait, is Law even queer?”
I widened my eyes again and gave him a “duh” look.
“I know, I know, but like, is he out?” he asked.
“Not that I know of and it’s not like I can ask anyone. Well, I could ask him but right now I’m letting us both have some distance after how much we both might’ve freaked out.”
“You freaked out? He freaked out? Explain,” he commanded, gesturing with an éclair.
I explained to him about hearing the conversation between him and Marlie, then how he’d grabbed my arm and I’d freaked out for a second, just to be pushed into a secluded corner and… yeah.
“For one, sounds kind of hot,” Felix mused. “But also, give the man the benefit of a doubt. Maybe he didn’t freak out as much as he realized he practically mauled you with his kids so close?”
I thought about it for a moment. “Could be. Tristan interrupted us before I could decipher whether he looked like he wanted to run or fuck.”
Felix snorted. “Those are the two options?”
I giggled. “Well, with how wild he looked….”
He shook his head and finished his treats, then leveled me with a look. “What do you want to happen here? Best case scenario?”
This time I didn’t have to widen my eyes on purpose. I hadn’t even thought of that. “I didn’t even think of that yet.”
A teenager popped into the store then, and asked Felix about some books, and I pondered on his question while they did their thing.
Once we were alone again, I sighed. “I don’t know. Genuinely. Would I love to have a man like that? Absolutely. He’s hot as sin in that safe way that’s like catnip to me. But there’s the kids. The fact that my grandparents are now grandparenting his kids.” I kind of gigglesnorted at the absurdity. “I just don’t want to fuck anything up between me and him or me and the kids or hell, anyone in our circle, you know?”
Felix hummed. “I don’t really know what to say, other than maybe talk to the man? See if this was a one off mauling and what he might want. Tell him what you’re ready for.”
I pouted. “So you’re saying I need to be an adult about this and use my words?”
He chuckled. “Welcome to adulthood, buddy.”
I managed to dodge Law—very adultlike of me, I know—for the next day. Then the weekend was there, and Charlie dropped off Salem for me to watch over the weekend when he’d take Uncle Teague on their little getaway to Lake Placid.
“What’s going on with you?” Charlie squinted at me when he let Salem out of the carrier the cat didn’t need, because he knew not to run away. It was a precaution to have it though, for emergencies and such, so Salem tolerated the occasional trip inside it, just so he wouldn’t forget about it.
“What do you mean?” I asked, all innocent and wide-eyed.
“You’ve been quieter. Like you’re musing on something.” He went to pile Salem’s food tins on my counter. “Anything I can help with?”
Definitely not. “No, not really. I’m just trying to wrap my brain around something.” Like how plausible it would be for me to get to wrap my legs around your brother.
“Well, just know I’m here whenever you need me.” He grinned at me, looking carefree and beautiful like he did so often these days. “Except this weekend. This weekend I’ll keep my phone on mute and only check it once a day.”
I went to hug him tightly. He really was the best guy. Not just for my uncle, but as a friend, too.
“I love you, Charlie.”
“Love you too, Oak.” He squeezed me back tightly. “Take care of our boy?”
“I will. We’ll have fun. I’ll have Cricket watch him while we’re outside. I have the weekend off too, so I might skate tomorrow if the weather holds. I bet he’ll find that fascinating for like two minutes.”
Charlie chuckled and went to grab his furry son for kisses and cuddles. “You be good for Uncle Oak, okay? Daddies will be back to get you on Monday morning.”
“I’ll bring him to the office with me,” I promised. “Now go. He’ll be fine.”
Charlie frowned slightly, then smooched Salem’s head and set him on the shelf above the couch. “I know it’s silly to feel bad leaving him, but….”
“You’re his dad. I get it.” A car horn honked outside, and I grinned. “Uncle Teague is waiting.”
He hadn’t come in; instead he’d chosen to wait in the SUV. We all knew it was because he would’ve been even worse about leaving Salem than Charlie had been so far.
“Go.” I pushed Charlie to the door. “I have all the numbers and I have wheels for emergencies and I have everything under control. Go. ”
“Okay, okay.” He steeled himself, wiped under his eyes, and slipped outside.
I gave Uncle Teague a two-finger salute and he smiled back. “Have fun!” I mouthed, and he nodded, then concentrated on Charlie who was strapping himself in.
I spent my Friday night by cleaning my own place with Salem’s help. That mostly meant he was chatting at me, and then fell asleep on my lap as soon as I sat down to eat my dinner in front of the TV.
The next morning, I woke up to Salem pawing at my face.
“What?” I grunted, catching his paw before he could hit me again. “What’s the rush? It’s Saturday.”
“Mrrow.”
“Oh, okay then.” I stretched and scratched my treasure trail, then got out of bed and went to give Salem his breakfast.
I took care of morning business and cleaned his litterbox while I was in the bathroom, then made myself some quick breakfast.
It felt odd not to have work, but since I worked every morning-to-afternoon and then every evening during the weekends, Dana had insisted I skip the dinner service in lieu of babysitting Salem. She was as fond of the little beasty as everyone else, and none of us wanted to leave him alone for long.
Once I felt human and Salem was raring to go, I got dressed and we went outside. It was so damn bright out with the sun shining from a cloudless sky, that I squinted for a while. Then I went to fetch my shades and decided that I could get my exercise in.
Cricket ambled over to the soundtrack of Salem’s delighted chirps.
“Are you telling her about your morning?” I asked him as I tied my skates.
She thwacked him with her tail, and I grinned. I put a blanket on the edge of the ice in case Salem wanted to sit there, and then told Cricket to not come on the ice at all. I didn’t want any mishaps with the furry friends and my skates, and Salem especially could get a little wild.
I started with a leisurely circle around the pond. The feeling of peace that washed over me was incredible. I got into a zone and kept moving, gliding over the ice, changing directions on occasion so I wouldn’t make myself dizzy.
After maybe half an hour, Cricket got up from where she’d been lying next to the blanket. Salem was napping on the fleece, but he stretched and got up when she turned her head to listen to something.
Soon, my grandparents’ car drove into view. It had to be Grams going to the Yellow House.
To my surprise, she slowed down and then left the car at the crossroad before walking over.
“So this is the great ice rink I’ve heard all about!” She smiled widely as she came to a stop by the animals.
I skated to her and gave her a hug, then pushed my shades up so she could see my eyes. “Morning, Grams. What’s up?”
“I noticed you and had to come say hi. And give you this.” She held out a bag. “Loreena and I got it for you.”
I took it and peered in. There were a few different colors of very nice looking yarn inside.
“Thank you, that’s very thoughtful of you guys.” I hugged her again.
“Of course.” She kissed my cheek and then chuckled at the sudden, insistent meowing. “Okay, okay, let Grams give you a hug, too.” She scooped Salem up, and he headbutted her face. Without taking her eyes off him, she asked, “You look like you have something on your mind, Oak.”
Aw, damn it. Why was I such an open book to the people who loved me the most?
“I do. It’s….” I sighed and tied the handles of the bag together before putting it on top of the snow next to the blanket. I didn’t need Salem getting into the yarn, after all.
“Matters of the heart?”
I guess it was an educated guess, but I groaned. “This being an adult sh—thing isn’t what it’s hyped up to be. Did you know you’re supposed to like, communicate and all?”
She laughed heartily. “Oh sweet boy, how do you think your Gramps and I have stayed mostly happily married for so long?”
“Pure stubbornness and luck?” I snarked, then caught what she’d just said. “Wait, ‘mostly?’”
Her expression turned gentle. “Every relationship has its ups and downs. But communication is the key.”
I groaned again, making her giggle. “Okay fine. I’ll be an adult about it.” Then, to move the attention from myself, I asked, “So where are you going?”
“I’m picking up the kiddos from Law. He needs a night off and we’ll return them in the morning.”
“Oh, that’s nice.”
She smiled. “It seems like it’s a whole boys’ weekend off.”
“Seems so, yes,” I replied, hoping that my face wasn’t betraying me again.
At Salem’s meow, she handed him to me and patted my cheek. “It’s going to be okay. Trust me, I’m old.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re not that old.”
“Old enough to know these things.” She tapped the side of her nose. “Talk to you later, Oak. Salem. Cricket.” She grinned as she petted the dog on her way out of our rink area.
Soon, she was in the car and turned to drive the rest of the way to Law’s place.
Where he would be alone all evening and night. Like I was in my cabin. Shit.