Chapter 14
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
Kendall
Roger, Arnie, and I had the bloody mess cleaned up in no time. I didn’t want any of it remaining when Francis got back.
I was still in shock from what he’d told us, but he seemed to be handling all of this remarkably well. I knew he’d had more than a year to come to terms with everything, but the thought of this Robin guy putting his hands on my Francis?
“Kinda wish we would have caught that guy in the act, feel me?” Roger cracked his knuckles.
“The techs said the guy is such a dumbass,” Arnie added. “Apparently, he took a swing at Officer Davidson after he got him out of the car. The guy didn’t look too pretty by the time Tommy got him to the station.”
I exhaled, watching as Francis and Derek went inside their moms’ place.
“Did you know?” Arnie asked me. “Had Francis told you?”
“Not about the assault, no. Just the basics. I was kind of a dick about him having money in the beginning, so he told me about the settlement. You can imagine I felt like shit.”
“I’m glad he’s here,” Roger said. “Derek really looks up to him. They’re hella close.”
“Speaking of,” Arnie said. “Derek was off this morning, even before we heard what happened. Did he say anything to you?” he asked Roger.
Roger frowned. “No. What’s wrong, do you think? He seemed good before we fell asleep.”
My two buddies exchanged worried looks.
“Patience, guys. You’ve gotta take it easy with him.”
“I know,” Roger said, taking Arnie’s hand. “We just need to talk to him.”
Arnie nodded, still looking at the ground. “I’ve got it so bad for him.”
Roger pulled him in and kissed his temple. “We both do.”
“There’s a lot of that going around,” I said, grabbing them both by the shoulders. “And we’ve got the rest of the day to be lovesick puppies, then tomorrow we’re on shift, and we’ve got one day to prep for the worst holiday ever.”
They groaned with me.
“Fucking Fourth of July,” Rog muttered. “You make sure you’ve got defensible space on the other side of your property?”
I frowned. “I should probably take another pass over there. I’ll get Francis settled in and take a run at it with the riding mower.” So much for our lazy day.
We met Francis and Derek back inside. Derek, Roger, and Arnie collected their things from upstairs, said their goodbyes, and headed out to their cars. Francis led me upstairs.
“Derek okay?”
“He is, just a little spooked.” Francis gave me a sad look. “He hasn’t really done the serious relationship thing and never with two guys. I think I convinced him to talk to them about it. He just needs some time.”
I sighed and rubbed his back. “Yeah, I keep telling them that they get so intense. I hope they haven’t scared him away.”
Francis shook his head. “I don’t think so. I think the situation is just farther outside his realm of understanding, and he also struggles a bit with self-esteem. He’s so used to being the wallflower, he can’t imagine they both want him, much less want him for more than sex.”
“I hope they work it out,” Kendall said. “Your moms were okay?”
“Yeah, they’re fine. Pissed but fine. I’m so glad I upgraded all the alarm systems around this place.
I’m going to add some more cameras. I want to make sure I get the entrance to the property and the road going toward the highway.
I can’t believe that dumbass came all the way out here. He really needs a life.”
“Well, he’s going to have plenty of time to think about it sitting in jail. With the holiday, he won’t go before a judge until a minimum of four days from now.”
Francis shuddered. “Anyone else in that position, I might feel sorry for, but he brought all of this on himself. He ruined my career and wrecked my life for a time. He can take a few days to think about it.”
“You’re so damned strong, Francis. I’m in awe of you.”
We’d reached his bedroom, and he turned to face me. “In awe of me, huh? Enough to let me have my way with you again?”
“Whatever you want…” I winced. “But I do have to run home for a bit later on.”
“Later. Yes. But right now, get out of those clothes and back into my bed.”
I complied, and he awed me senseless once more.
Then I returned the favor until we were so wrecked we slept the rest of the afternoon.
We ate leftover snacks from the night before for dinner in the kitchen, dressed in bathrobes.
Francis threw my clothes in the wash and was telling me all about the retreat that would start the day after tomorrow.
“I’m going to have twelve romance authors here for four days.
I can’t wait. Mom and Auntie Judy will cook lunches and dinners, and I’ll take breakfasts and keep them in snacks.
It’s my trial run, so I’m hoping everything works out, but even more than that, I bet I’m going to hear some enlightening conversations. ”
I slid my hand under his robe and up his thigh. “Think you might get some pointers?”
He took my hand and moved it higher. “If I do, shall I share them with you?”
I couldn’t believe we’d had sex three times in the past twenty-four hours, and I was ready to go again. Francis was, too. He hopped down off the stool and was ready to pull my robe off, but he looked to the front door.
“I think we better keep our nudity upstairs. I hadn’t thought about that with all these windows.”
“Such a hardship,” I said, chuckling as he took my hand to lead me back upstairs.
I had a niggling thought that I was forgetting something, but all I could think of was Francis. How much I loved his mind and craved his body, and how much I was going to have to up my cardio if I was going to keep up with him.
It would be so worth it.
Two days later, Arnie and I were in charge of the grill for the Foggy Basin annual Fire Department Fourth of July BBQ, and we were arguing over how much sauce to put on the chicken.
“All I’m saying is, if you put too much, the sugar is going to burn. Go easy, my friend.”
Arnie grumbled at me, but he put the sauce aside.
Sauce.
My Francis.
It had only been a day and a half since I’d left him, but man, he was all I could think of.
Last night, we’d had to put out a fire in the park started by some kids with firecrackers, and I nearly got distracted thinking about sitting by the fireplace with Francis the second evening we’d spent together.
We watched a movie and talked for hours.
I hated leaving that night, but I knew I needed a full night’s sleep, especially after all our activity.
I was counting the hours until I could see him again and so damned happy.
Arnie, on the other hand, was bummed. Roger kept passing by and whispering to him.
At one point, I walked in on them holding each other in the locker room.
I closed the door and covered for them with the captain.
I knew they’d be all right if they could just be patient, but I also knew how hard it was when your heart was flapping in the wind.
I wanted them to be happy, and I knew Derek made them happy, but it was complicated.
As much as folks were opening up about their queerness, there was still a lot of stigma surrounding polyamory, which made me sad for them.
Whatever had Derek worried about being with them, I hoped they were able to work through it.
We served probably about two hundred meals that day in the baking sun, with the help of our opposite shift and some of the guys from the police department.
Chief Mike worked alongside our fire chief, grilling hot dogs for the kids, while his daughter and her friends scooped out potato and fruit salads.
He made his way over to me as we were cleaning up that afternoon.
“How’s Francis doing?”
My grin made him laugh.
“He’s good. He was in great spirits when I talked to him last night. His first big retreat started this morning, so he has plenty to keep him busy.”
“That’s good. Great guy. Love what he’s brought to the town.”
“Me, too.”
We both chuckled.
“Sometimes it’s hard not to be cynical at our age, but I’m happy for the two of you. I hope it’s the last time he has to deal with his past.” He patted me on the shoulder and strolled over to help his daughter and her friends.
I hoped so too. I was glad he’d let me be there for him. I worried about leaving to go to work, but he’d told me that he was fine being alone overnight and would be so busy the next few days with his guests, he wouldn’t have time to even worry about it.
So far, he really did seem okay with my schedule and my absence.
I knew what we had was so different than my previous relationships, but there was still that little voice in my head asking me, what if it wasn’t enough?
What if he needed more than I could give him?
What if he got sick of me having to work, or having to deal with my creatures, and decided I wasn’t worth the work?
Speaking of my creatures, I’d had several messages from Alberto during the past two days, which was more than usual.
Thankfully, the animals had all been fine, but first he thought the three rhino iguana eggs that were viable were about to hatch in a couple of days, and he’d let me know he’d found a nesting spot where some of the radiata tortoises had lain eggs.
I had to decide if I wanted to allow them to hatch.
I hadn’t wanted to be a breeder, and I could always feed the eggs to my other creatures—the circle of life and whatnot.
The rhinos, though, I would allow just this once, to have the experience.
I’d give them to friends, or I’d keep them all.
I had plenty of space, and they were just so cool.
Those decisions were more things to take care of when I was back home, I knew, but like a teenager in love, all I wanted was to be back in Francis’s arms.
Then Shay called to remind me she’d be flying in day after tomorrow, and I was preoccupied with all I needed to do to get her room ready. I was excited to see her, but that was one more thing that would keep me from being alone with Francis.
Being with him made everything else fall away.
I felt lighter than I had in years, more hopeful, too.
I could see how some people gave up on everything else in their lives when they fell in love.
At my age, however, it was even more tempting.
I loved my job, but I’d worked so hard for so many years…
Maybe I would retire at fifty. That was just over two years away.
I wasn’t sure what that would look like financially, now that I had the big place and the animals, but it was more tempting than ever.
I’d have so much more time, more energy…
Whoa, but then I’d be the way older retired guy dating someone not much older than my kids.
I needed to stop that line of thinking before I started to get ridiculous.
We’d addressed the age difference multiple times, and I was the only one who seemed to have an issue with it.
I’d more than kept up with him in bed, and he was so competent.
So smart. Even when he’d needed help with his toilet, he’d asked for help and had me show him what to do so he could fix it on his own if it happened again.
My phone buzzed, and on my screen was a picture of Francis giving a thumbs up. Behind him, his dining room table was full of people smiling and toasting the camera with glasses of wine.
Saucy Boyfriend: So far, so good.
I was so busy smiling at the picture of Francis looking happy that it took me a minute to notice he’d changed his contact name in my phone.
Boyfriend.
I hadn’t had one of those before. It filled me with even more joy. I was so damned giddy, I was going to start pumping my fist in the air and doing a victory dance.
Saucy Boyfriend: I can’t use the same naming convention on yours, though. Reptile Boyfriend doesn’t have the same ring to it.
Saucy Boyfriend: Wait! I got it.
He texted a picture of my contact, with a picture of my face and—
“Oh, God.”
I burst out laughing so hard, Mercy frowned at me from the sink where she was doing dishes.
Saucy Boyfriend: Hot Pants Boyfriend kinda works. You’re a fire boy, you look hot in fire boy pants… Hmm. I’ll keep workshopping it. Perhaps the romance writers can help me.
“Kendall, are you feeling all right?”
“I… yeah. Hey, Mercy? What does Ophelia have in her phone for your contact?”
“‘Hose Ho.’ Why?”
I coughed out a laugh and felt my face get hot. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked at the fire station.
“What do you call her?”
“‘Hot Slice.’ She was ‘Active Yeast,’ but she said that was just gross.”
This was going downhill fast.
“What’s gross?” Arnie came in carrying more dirty pans from outside.
“No, don’t ask—”
“Kendall was asking what Ophelia has as my contact in her phone.”
“I still think ‘Hose Ho’ is hilarious.”
“What does Rog have down for you?” Mercy asked him.
“‘Wet Spot.’ What?”
“As in, you make it or you sleep in it?” Mercy asked him, laughing so hard she held her stomach.
Arnie grinned. “Depends.”
“Oh God, no more.” I so regretted asking.
“And Rog is ‘Pole Hole’—”
The bell rang, which I rarely thought of as saving me, but from this conversation? I’d take it.
We suited up, and, as was my habit, I prayed for the safe return of my team. We climbed on the rig, and Mercy pulled out of the driveway, lights and sirens going.
“Medical Emergency at the inn. Female, seventy-two, potential heat stroke or cardiac event.”
We were there within minutes, and the staff medics had her in a wheelchair out front waiting for us. She was a petite woman in a tennis skirt who looked really pissed her game had been interrupted.
Roger and Arnie got to work taking her vitals, and I got her information from the medics.
The ambulance pulled up, and I said hello to Shannon the EMT as he went to help Rog and Arnie load the woman onto the gurney.
The whole time she was saying, “I’m fine, I’m fine,” but her daughter insisted we take her in.
“Mom, last time you were ‘fine,’ it required two stents!”
Just as they got her into the ambulance, we got another call, and Mercy hollered for us to load back up. The hits kept coming from there.
The first was a couple of guys who’d stuck bottle rockets into watermelons and blew them up. Only one guy got hit in the face pretty hard with melon carcass, likely breaking his nose and potentially damaging his eye.
But the worst was a little girl who’d bumped into her daddy’s charcoal BBQ grill, and some briquettes tumbled onto her. She ended up with second-degree burns. They were lucky it wasn’t so much worse.
We finished up with the little girl after eleven, and I thought for sure the Fourth would release us from its clutches.
But then we got the call that reminded me of what I’d forgotten to do before reporting in for my shift.