Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jericho
I sat staring at Mom after Kenny Langer and Sean went to the barn.
My head was spinning over the idea that she wanted to move.
It was her home. Always had been. If anyone was interfering in anyone’s life, it would be me in hers.
She was right. I didn’t really let her do anything because I was afraid she’d fall and seriously hurt herself like she did when she fell off Trixie.
“Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t happy here, Mom?” I was crushed that she was unhappy in her own home. I hadn’t noticed it because I’d been too damn self-absorbed, but things flashed through my mind that probably should have been a clue.
There were times when she just sat on the porch and looked off into the distance. I thought she was just missing Dad, but I didn’t ask, thinking she needed time to grieve. Obviously, I was an idiot.
I felt the sting behind my eyes as those thoughts raced through my mind, so I crossed my arms and put my head down.
I’d been a burden to her, making her worry about whether I’d fall back into the bottle or if I’d need another surgery because my foot was rubbing the wrong way.
The idea of her giving up any idea of being happy so she could take care of me made me sick.
Warm arms touched my shoulders and a kiss was delivered to the back of my head.
“You stop that right now, Jericho. I’ve been happy here for as long as I can remember, and now I want you and Sean to be happy here.
This is where you grew up, and this house is full of enough memories for you to tell Sean about for years to come.
It’s time I made some new memories of my own, honey. ”
I turned in the chair and held my mother around the waist, tears soaking the front of her top.
I was consumed with guilt about leaving her to deal with Dad because I was too fucking selfish after my discharge and decided I was the only one who had lost everything.
What kind of son was I that I didn’t put my own shit aside and try to see what Mom was going through?
“I’m so sorry I let you down, Mom. I was too dependent on you to help me after Dad died. I should have made sure you were okay.”
She gently slapped my shoulder. “No, Jer, you did what you needed to do, son. I’m sorry for what you went through, and I wish you’da made different choices instead of just holin’ up in that drafty old cabin by yourself and drinkin’, but that’s all over now.
You need to make your own life too, son.
Sean is a good man, and I know the two of you will be happy.
We just have a few adjustments to make so we’re all happy, and now is the time.
Now, go wash your face and take a few deep breaths.
I think we’ll order pizza tonight, you, Sean and me. I’d like to start movin’ tomorrow.”
And that was it. Mom had made her decision, and I wouldn’t stand in her way. All of us being happy was what she wanted, and I couldn’t argue with her.
The next morning, Sean and I went to the U-Haul office in town to pick up boxes, packing tape, and rent a small trailer.
Mom decided to leave most of the furniture for us.
Her new one-bedroom apartment was furnished with a living room set and a dining set, so the kitchen table was mine to keep, which was fine.
Growing up, I’d had a lot of important conversations—one of which was when I decided to enlist right out of high school—with my parents at that table.
I was looking forward to having important conversations with Sean at that same table.
I decided to donate Mom and Dad’s old bedroom furniture and buy a new set for Sean and me. We could sleep in my old bed until we were able to shop, and we could store Sean’s things in the empty primary bedroom for now.
As we were boxing up the things she wanted, Mom told us stories about every knick-knack and picture. When she opened the hall closet and hauled out a box, she opened it and smiled.
“You boys don’t want my old wedding china, do ya?
The new place has a pretty china cabinet in the dining room for me to display it, which I’ve always wanted to do.
Sean, honey, talk him into making some changes to this old house.
The rooms are too small, there’s barely enough cabinet space, and you’ll be on top of each other if you don’t make some changes. ”
Kenny laughed. “Gayle, I think that’s the idea, isn’t it?”
We all had a good laugh as Sean nodded. I’d definitely remember his full agreement when we had the place to ourselves.
We packed Mom’s boxes into the small U-Haul and took it over to Mom’s new apartment.
After we unloaded everything and put her box spring and mattress on her new bed frame, she turned to Sean and me.
“Okay, boys, skedaddle. I’ve got things to do, and you do too.
I’ll have you boys over for dinner after I get everything settled.
Thank you for helping me move. Love you. ”
Basically, my mother threw us out of her apartment with a smile on her face. I turned to Sean. “Can you believe that shit?”
Sean laughed. “Come on, cowboy. I can think of a lot of ways to get your mind off your mother sprouting her wings and flying away, and now, we can be as loud as we want.”
He made a good point. I nearly dragged him to the truck.
When we got home, I tossed him over my shoulder and ran to the house, Sean giggling the whole time. I locked the front door in case John Langer came by, and I took Sean back to my bedroom, tossing him on the bed.
“Clothes off right now.”
Sean smirked and then proceeded to slowly strip off his shirt and shorts. The boxer briefs were the last to come off, and I was salivating for that beautiful body.
“How do you want—” I didn’t get to finish the sentence before he pushed me onto the bed and opened the drawer of the nightstand to retrieve the lube.
“We’re gonna do something I’ve never done before. You’d better take off your prosthetic. I don’t want it to get bent in any way.”
I was filled with equal parts fear and excitement as I unstrapped it and put it on the floor under the bed. I was so grateful he’d adjusted to my stump.
We’d showered together several times, with him encouraging me to lean on him instead of me having to use the bench. I could definitely attest that shower blowjobs were incredible—both giving and receiving.
Rolling onto my side, I started to reach for the condom on the nightstand when Sean touched my hand. “I don’t want to use condoms anymore, Jeri.” He went to his messenger bag hanging from the bedroom doorknob and returned with a piece of paper.
I opened it, not sure what it could be. When I glanced down, I realized it was the results from blood tests he’d somehow fit into his hectic schedule. It was the best news in the world.
“Get in bed on your hands and knees. I’m gonna get you ready the way I want.” I winked, and Sean laughed, doing as I requested.
My hands gently pulled his ass cheeks apart so I could see his puckered hole. I flattened my tongue and gave a lick, pulling back to see his entrance throbbing. That was because of me. I was damn proud of that.
I dove in, face-first, and pushed my tongue against his hole until he relaxed to let me inside. His skin smelled incredible—my body wash and his own musk. I couldn’t get enough of him. I added a finger to loosen him up faster because my dick was in a hurry to feel him without a condom in the way.
After kissing and licking every nook and cranny of his body, I pushed his legs apart and slid under him. I glanced up at him and grinned. His eyes were glazed, and his little freckles that I adored were brighter, it seemed.
“Wanna go for a ride?” I waggled my eyebrows at him, making him laugh. I picked up the lube and poured it into my hand, slicking my cock before pressing some inside him.
“Save a horse, ride a cowboy?” His eyes were shining, and my heart clenched. I’d get to have him like that for the rest of my life.
“Trixie, girl, let’s ride down and see how John’s doing with the helipad.” I finished tightening the cinch and adjusted the fender before putting my foot in the stirrup and hoisting myself up.
Sean was in Baltimore to meet with a councilman he wanted to run for the House seat that was opening up due to the current representative’s retirement announcement.
He was using my truck, having ordered an SUV the previous week.
My truck still had a lot of miles left on her, so she’d be able to pull the horse trailer when I needed it.
I liked the Lincoln Aviator he’d chosen. It was sharp-looking.
Trixie and I rode to the far-right pasture where John and Cody Langer were busy turning dirt at the spot I’d chosen for the helipad that Sean could use when he went to or came home from DC. We’d already cut down trees and moved the fence to allow the clearance required by the FAA.
A certified builder was going to pour the concrete and make sure it was up to code, and then another company was coming to install all of the required lighting so the pad could be licensed by the proper authorities. I couldn’t wait to surprise Sean with it.
It would all be done by the time he was set to go back to work in DC, not that he didn’t work at the house every day. The best part was that when I broke for lunch, we fucked first and ate after. I was living my best damn life ever.
When Trixie and I got to the spot, I saw that John was on his phone by the backhoe, while Cody sat on the tailgate of John’s truck, typing into his phone.
John planned to come out the next week to put up a new fence to close off the rest of the pasture that wasn’t needed for the area around the helipad, and I’d ordered a cute shed to house the Gator that would be delivered in a few days to keep there so Sean could drive it to the house when he came home and leave it there when he went back to DC.
It was the end of August, and I was dreading Sean being gone three nights a week.
He’d decided to leave early on Tuesday mornings and return on Friday mornings unless he had a business engagement.
With my boarding business picking up because winter was approaching, it would be nearly impossible for me to go to DC with him very often, but we’d find a way.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I asked Cody as I dismounted and took off Trixie’s bridle so she could graze while I waited for John to finish his call.
Cody stared at me for a moment before he nodded. “Hey, Jeri. You and Sean live here together now, right?”
I nodded and sat on the tailgate, opening the cooler that was always filled with water. I’d forgotten my canteen when I left the barn. It was too fucking hot not to have access to cold water.
“We sure do. His office is in DC, but he’s staying here full-time until September. After that he’ll go back to the office three days a week and spend weekends here at home. Will you have time to work here when school starts? You’ve done a great job for us, and I’d like to keep you on if I can.”
I followed Cody’s gaze to see him staring at his father.
He glanced at the prairie grass swaying in the hot summer breeze before he turned back to me.
“Do you have a need for someone else to work here too? He’s a friend of mine, and we’re trying to save money to get a place together after we graduate. ”
“Are you planning to go to college?” College hadn’t been for me, but maybe Cody was a good student and would get a scholarship?
He grinned. “No college for me. I’m not a brain like my best friend, Pinky.
I’m going to apprentice with his dad. He’s a plumber, and he’s agreed to let me learn on the job.
Pinky’s still trying to figure out what he wants to do for a career, but if we can make enough money to get our own place, I’ll be able to support him by working as a plumber if his parents pay for his college tuition. ”
“Why do you call him Pinky?”
Cody’s face turned a little pink, ironically. “He dyes his hair pink. It’s his favorite color, and it looks good on him. He’s been my best friend since grade school. So, you got a spot for him?”
I had the feeling there was more to his relationship with Pinky, but Cody didn’t volunteer anything, and I didn’t feel right prying into his business, even though his father had asked if I’d answer any questions he had.
“A plumber, huh? I hear they make good money. What’s your father say about you not wanting to follow him into the construction business?”
“He says it’s smart because his business can be lean at times. Dad says everybody needs a shitter and running water.” We both laughed. John Langer had a damn good sense of humor.
“Tell your friend to come out. I’ve always got work if he doesn’t mind getting a little dirty. What’s his given name?” I didn’t see myself calling the young man Pinky.
“Riley. Riley Singer.” His face flushed again.
The way he said the guy’s name gave away his affection, and it was sweet. Kinda the way I said Sean’s name. It was easy to tell Cody was in love. I hoped Pinky returned his feelings.
“Okay. Give me your phone, and I’ll give you my number. I’ll wait for his call.”
Cody grinned and grabbed his phone from the truck bed to hand it to me.
I made a contact for myself and gave him my number.
“By the way, Cody, if you ever wanna talk about anything, you can use this number too. It can be hard to be a young guy, and maybe you don’t wanna talk to your parents about everything, but if you have any questions or just want to bitch about something, I’m just a phone call away. ” That was all I could do.
He stared at me for a moment before taking his phone and extending his right hand for me to shake. “Thank you, Jericho. I’ll keep that in mind.”
John was headed in our direction, so I took a drink of water. Cody looked as though he had something more to say, so I waited.
“You think you and Sean will ever get married?”
I smirked. “If I’m lucky, maybe someday.” And I meant it.