Chapter 13 #2
Tucker lunges across the breakfast bar, slamming a hand over Callum’s mouth to stop the stream of words from finishing.
“I swear to God, Callum, I will cut out your tongue and feed it to the dogs if you don't stop talking. Just be normal today. Sebastian’s not like us,” he says, raising his eyebrows and nodding his head in my direction.
“Stop with the innuendo and performance. He doesn't want it any more than I do.”
Oh, thank God he doesn’t want this attention from Callum.
The knot in my stomach uncoils, and my muscles relax, knowing more definitively how he feels about the other man.
I stand straighter as I look between Tucker and Callum with less of the insane jealousy that had overwhelmed me.
Jesus, this back and forth is exhausting. I wish I knew why I even care at all.
“Boo, you whore. You’re no fun,” Callum says when he pulls away from Tucker’s hand, pouting. “If you’re going to bring the sexiest man candy over, I at least want to play with it.” He makes a clawing motion at me and gives me growl befitting a kitten that’s scarier than most hockey team enforcers.
My cheeks flame at his comment. Tucker closes his eyes tightly, clearly embarrassed for us both. I don't even know what to say. I’ve never had a flamboyantly gay guy hit on me. This is a surreal moment all around. I don't know what to do with it.
“Why are you here, Callum?” Tucker growls, planting his hands on the breakfast bar and leaning toward the slighter man, looking like an intimidating wall of mean-ass strength and terror. Even I would shrink back at that look.
Callum preens, smiling gleefully as he leans toward Tucker and boops his nose with a ringed finger that’s sporting neon blue nail polish.
“I love it when you get all growly with me, bear daddy. You know that doesn't have the effect you’re hoping for, it just makes me want you even more. I love a grumpy man who can throw me around and would put me under his arm in public.”
Tucker pushes off the bar with an exasperated huff. “Just get to the point. I know you have one. You wouldn't be up this early on a weekend and missing brunch otherwise.”
Callum throws his arms out to the sides, smacking me in the chest in the process, and gives us both a look like we should be so happy to see him.
“I’m here to take measurements of the barn for the new kennels we’re putting in. The renovation starts this week, silly!” he says, like Tucker forgot the details.
“There’s never a start date or a timeline that I can trust when you’re involved,” Tucker grumbles, walking over to an old-school wall calendar with a photo of a dog and pointing at the month.
“See, there’s a circle around the entire month and a note that says CJI remodel at some point on it.
You never gave me a specific date, so you can’t play this bullshit card with me now, you Kellogg’s flakey motherfucker. ”
Callum laughs like Tucker just said the funniest thing to him.
“God, you’re so hot when you get bossy and frustrated.
I can tell you didn’t get laid last night, or you’d be much happier this morning.
” He looks over at me with pursed lips and eyes me up and down again with more speculation this time.
Does he think I stayed over to sleep with Tucker? I mean, we technically fell asleep in the same bed, but we didn’t sleep together. Why would I sleep with a guy?
Because you already fantasized about him sucking you off, and you want to kiss him, so what’s the difference between that and sleeping with him?
Yeah, I’m not sure what to do with that new voice in my head.
“Go take your measurements. You know where the barn is and what needs to be done.
Don't you dare make a mess out there before you even start on the project. I know how you are with your piles. I don't know why you’re in here harassing me if you have work to do,” Tucker says, arms crossed as he glares at Callum.
“Alright, alright, I’ll go. I just wanted to see you and get my fill of the hottest country boy this side of the Mississippi.
One day, you’ll fulfill my fantasy and tear me apart, but until then, I’ll keep reminding you that you’re wanted.
” He blows a kiss to Tucker before he turns toward me with a more serious look.
“Being hot is not a free pass to this guy’s heart.
Just look at me,” he says, gesturing at his face, which is objectively gorgeous, if more delicate than my preferences.
“So if you’re trying to get in his bed on looks alone, that won’t work.
You have to show him you care and you’re willing to stick around for the long haul, which is what he deserves.
If that’s not your vibe, get the fuck out of here and don't waste his time, or I’ll kick your ass myself. ”
My eyes are about to fall out of my face with how wide they’ve gone at his threat. I could totally take him, but how am I supposed to respond to that? I lift my hands in a sign of peace. “I’m just here for the beer and the quiet.”
“Callum, get out,” Tucker rumbles in exasperation.
“I have work to do, which is why I’m leaving.
Not because you insisted.” Callum rises from his stool gracefully and does a little spin on his way to the back door, giving us both a smile and a finger-slapping wave as he walks through it.
When the door closes, there’s a heavy, awkward silence left in the flamboyant man’s wake.
“I’m so sorry,” Tucker starts.
“That was interesting,” I say at the same time. He shakes his head, and I continue. “So, do all your friends greet you with,” I point at my face, “kisses and jumping into your arms?”
Tucker laughs awkwardly, his cheeks turning pink.
“No. Callum just wishes he were my type and likes to remind me he’s available should I ever change my mind.
But most of our friends in the community are pretty affectionate, so we hug a lot, and some of them do kiss hello, but not as enthusiastically as Callum. ”
In the community? What does that even mean? I guess that Tucker’s saying they’re from the same community, as in the gay community.
“So…what is your type?” I ask curiously.
Tucker looks down shyly, rubbing the back of his head and smiling softly before he answers with the red spreading down his neck and to the tips of his ears now.
“I like ‘em a little thicker, I guess. Less—” he makes a hand motion by his head, “—fast-talking and scattered. Someone who’d enjoy it out here, maybe fish, and hang out with me quietly. But I’m not too worried about that.
” His explanation sounds oddly specific and reminiscent of the evening we spent together last night.
Am I more Tucker’s type than Callum? Callum seemed to think so when he was warning me off.
“So you’re gay?” I ask, wanting to be certain we’re on the same page and I’m not reading into things.
“Yeah, I am,” he says, looking oddly insecure.
“Oh.”
Holyshitmotherfucker he’s gay? He’s gay!
Oh my God, he’s gay. Should I be happy about this?
My dick is feeling some kind of way about it, as it twitches in my pants, that’s for sure.
I cuddled him, and it felt good. Should I have liked it as much as I did?
Now that I know he’s gay, does that change anything for me?
I have no fucking idea. My head is spinning.
“Surprised?”
“I guess. Not that it’s bad, just not what I expected with everything else.
” I gesture at his torso, which I just now realize is shirtless and massive, his broad shoulders widening as he straightens under my perusal.
His dark sleeve of tattoos down one arm is fully on display, while I’m just noticing a shoulder tattoo on the other arm.
He doesn’t have a defined six-pack or muscles for days, but you can see the strength in his body, regardless.
I notice a faded, puckered scar on his lower abdomen above the waistband of his jeans.
My stomach tightens. How does someone get a scar like that?
He laughs. “I can be a good ol’ Georgia boy, like being out in the woods, doing all the manly stuff, and still like men.
So I guess there are stereotypes, but there are plenty of people who break them.
” He pauses and crosses his arms over his chest, rolling his shoulders in and shifting on his bare feet like he’s not sure what to say next.
“You don’t have to stay if that makes you uncomfortable.
” He’s looking at the floor as he says it, and I hate that he feels like he can’t look me in the eye now.
“I’m not uncomfortable,” I insist, raising a hand to my chest for emphasis, not sure why it makes me defensive that he would call me out for any discomfort I could feel about this new knowledge regarding his sexual orientation.
I’m not homophobic. Everyone should have the right to love who they want without interference.
It doesn't bother me at all. I have gay friends, like Knox, Ryder’s husband, and Ryder himself, who’s proudly bi.
And I obviously like this news for selfish reasons, even if I haven't quite figured that out yet.
“You sure look uncomfortable,” Tucker remarks, carefully keeping his face neutral. His arms are still across his chest, and I get the feeling he’s using them as a physical barrier against any hatred that could come from me. I don't want him to feel like that.
I cross the kitchen to show him I mean every word, standing in front of him so he has to look at me.
“Just getting used to new information, but I’m not uncomfortable,” I insist.
“You won't hurt my feelings if you don't want to hang out now. I know my way of life isn’t for everyone. I’ve lost enough friends to be used to it by now.” Tucker turns his back on me, but I don't miss the flicker of pain that crosses his face before it’s hidden.
He returns to the coffeepot and busies himself fixing another cup, even though I notice his first one is abandoned nearby, still full.
“Fuck no, Tucker. You’re not going to push me away because of who you want to love. That’s the stupidest fucking thing I’ve heard. I don't care about that.”
I move around him and settle my hand gently on his shoulder. He freezes under the touch but slowly leans into the support, so I take a little of his weight. Good, I like him leaning on me, for a change, even in such a small way.
“I like being here with you. I can just be myself, and I’m finally able to breathe without feeling like I have to hold up the sky for everyone else.
I won't sacrifice that peace for anything, especially not because of something as small as what you do in the bedroom. Just let me stay. You already let me in, I’m not leaving now. ”
He looks up at me with a shy smile. “Suit yourself, City Boy.”