8. Chapter Eight #2
“You’re probably friends with most of them.”
“Maybe.”
Henry leaned over the table and kissed him. “Plus, it’s darn sexy that you stood up for me. No one’s ever done that, and I want to show everyone you’re my man.”
“I’m sorry to hear you haven’t been treated with respect, but I’m not sorry I did it. I protect my business and my partner,” Jack said. “All the way.”
“I can hold my own but thank you.” He kissed Jack again. “Finish up and we’ll grab supper, then make our next debut as a couple. I’m proud to have you on my arm.”
“I’m falling for you,” Jack said. “Hard.”
“Wonderful, because the feeling is mutual.” Life was going in the right direction for a change and he wasn’t about to argue his good luck.
An hour and a half later, Jack still wasn’t sure what to expect when he’d agreed to attend the support group meeting.
Would it be something like a twelve-step thing?
He’d avoided going at all costs. His ex-boyfriend, Tab, has been part of the group and Jack wasn’t sure he wanted to show his face.
God. He had no idea what Tab might have told them, but his ex loved to talk shit.
For all he knew, Tab had made him look like a jackass.
Would they laugh at him? Turn him away? Christ. And he needed to tell Henry, but he wasn’t sure how.
“Nervous?” Henry asked. “I am.”
“A little.” He ventured away from the car and into the community center.
Thank goodness he had Henry beside him. He might have turned back.
When he and Henry made their way into the community room, Jack stopped short.
He spotted a few kids, some teens, but mostly adults.
Some of the faces were familiar—Farin Baker and his husband, Steve, Colt Harrison and his partner Ashley.
Colin Baker strode right up to Henry and Jack.
“Hi. Welcome. Good to see you,” Colin said. “It’s very informal because the group got so big.”
“Remy told me to come,” Henry said. “He thought it’d do us good.”
“Sure. Remy’s going to be here. He and Bobby are probably running late—as usual.” Colin grinned. “If you want a nametag, we have them somewhere. Most everyone just mingles.” He turned to Jack. “Question for you. You’re part of the chamber of commerce, yes?”
“I am.” He let go of Henry’s hand. He appreciated Henry’s suggestion to wear one of his shop shirts as a walking advertisement. “We haven’t had many meetings.” He couldn’t recall the last chamber meeting.
“No, because it got swept under the rug.” Colin folded his arms. “Farin and I are trying to get it regrouped. We’re having decals made for placement in each establishment’s window.”
“Good idea.” He glanced over at Henry. He sort of missed Henry, but liked seeing him happy and in the wild.
Henry grinned and winked at him, then resumed his conversation with a guy Jack didn’t recognize from the back.
Jack couldn’t help but be impressed with himself.
He didn’t feel threatened by someone else chatting with Henry.
“So you and Henry Lord.” Colin stepped between Jack and his view of Henry. “I never thought you’d settle down.”
“Because I’m old?”
“You’re only five years older than me and no.”
“Oh? Then why?” He could have sworn he was older than Colin by a lot more.
“You never leave the safety of your shop,” Colin said. “You keep yourself hidden in plain sight.”
“I like flying under the radar.” But he had to admit he did hide a lot.
“You looked so lonely.”
“I dated a lot.” Sort of.
“I heard and saw. Everyone who visits your shop comes to the bookstore, too. The town isn’t that big.” Colin laughed. “I’m sure we could share war stories about the gossip we’ve heard and not even share names.”
“We probably could.” Jack paused. “People talked about me?” Why? He wasn’t exciting.
“A few asked if you’d settle down.” Colin shrugged. “For a while, people thought this group was a gigantic dating pool. It’s not, but whatever. A guy told me you dated too much. I mentioned it wasn’t any of his business.”
“Charlie?”
“Oh God.” Colin snorted. “He’s a nice kid, but don’t get me started. He loves to gossip.”
“He does,” Jack said. “Did he pull something?”
“He told a huge lie to cause trouble. Said Jordan had been thrown off the force.” Colin shook his head. “Jordan can be stubborn, but he’s not that bad.”
“We’re all that way.” He had his moments. “Why’d Charlie do it?”
“It never came out. His lies aren’t that elaborate,” Colin said. “But enough to get tongues wagging. He said something about you?”
“Told Henry I’d been involved with someone at the shop. It was an ex and the visit went pear-shaped fast.”
“Ouch.”
Jack shrugged. “Henry and I are working on things. We’re both set in our ways, a little mistrusting and cautious, but in over our heads, too. I really like him.”
“I heard he works with you at the shop now.”
“He’s my cashier,” Jack said. Pride swelled in his chest. “It brought us together.”
“Great. How about that job offer with the paper? I heard Remy’s really into it.”
“That’s all between him and Henry,” Jack said. “But I hope Henry does it. He’s a gifted writer.”
Colin bowed his head. “I’m glad you’re here. You’re a great member of the community and addition to the group—both of you.”
“Thanks. I though you all didn’t need me down here. You don’t, but it’s nice to have a place to belong.” Why did admitting all that seem so monumental?
“We’re a stronger community when we work together,” Colin said. “And we always need one another.” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Why would you think we wouldn’t want you in the group?”
“I’m old compared to some here. I don’t have kids and I don’t want them…I’m always busy.” He shrugged to hide his nervousness. “And Tab was part. I figured he did to this group what he’s done to others we ran with—cut me out and talked shit.”
“Tab?” Colin laughed. “I’m sorry, but really? He’s a terrible reason to stay away. You do know he showed up, tried to get in Farin’s pants, came on to Ashley and threw himself at a couple other guys? He also thought it was a dating pool. When he struck out, he left.”
He’d been afraid of nothing. Jesus. He’d kept another secret from Henry, too.
“Don’t sweat it. We’ve all made mistakes and we’re all a little scared.” Colin clapped him on the back. “Besides, Henry must really like you. He keeps looking over at us.”
He tensed. Was it a good look? Why was he worried?
“I haven’t seen such hunger in my life—except when Jordan looks at me.” Colin laughed again. “Go get him.”
“Thanks.” Relief washed over him. He feared too much. Henry was right—they needed to forget the past and move on. He joined Henry in another group of people. Henry introduced him and he felt like part of a real couple. This thing he’d started with Henry was meant to last.
After an hour, Henry tapped Jack on the shoulder. “Are you ready to go?”
“It’s been a long day.” He held Henry’s hand. “Thanks for suggesting tonight.”
“Welcome.”
“Why don’t you drive?” Once they were in the car, Jack stared straight ahead. He had to tell Henry why he’d been hesitant. “I was afraid to come.” He had to lay his soul bare. “My ex-boyfriend was a member, and I was afraid he’d ruined my reputation to all those people.”
“And?” Henry backed out of the parking spot. “You blew it all up in your mind, making it more than it was, didn’t you?”
“How’d you guess?” He palmed Henry’s thigh.
“I know you. When you’re extra nervous or scared, you tend to worry yourself into a frenzy.” Henry drove across town to Jack’s house. “I sort of expected something like this when I suggested the group, and you put up a fight.”
“You still pushed.” He stayed in his seat although Henry had parked. “You knew—maybe not the truth, but you knew something.”
“Because I know you. We’re scared but we’re good together.” Henry reached across the console. “No one told me about anything from your past or what happened, but I had a feeling.”
Henry kept telling him to trust him and he couldn’t keep going not quite halfway. Jack nodded.
“I pushed and I shouldn’t have,” Henry said. “I understand if you’re upset.”
“I’m not.” He’d changed in a good way. “Thanks for helping me grow.”
“You helped me find my heart and my purpose.” Henry kissed him. “I’m in over my head and I like it.”
“I do, too.” He kissed Henry. “Come inside with me.”
“You need sleep,” Henry said. “You’ve got work in the morning, and I need to write. I’ll come over tomorrow.”
“You’re inspired?”
“Of course, but you’re the most.” Henry grinned. “I’ll be over when you’re done with work.”
“And we’ll finally watch that movie we keep putting off.” He had no idea what movie they’d watch, but whatever. “I love it.” He slid his palm over the bulge in Henry’s pants. “Night.”
“’Night, handsome.” Henry groaned. “I should’ve parked this in the garage.”
“You’ve still got to drive home. I’ll put it away.” He left the car and walked with Henry to his vehicle. “Go or, I’ll con you into staying.”
Henry kissed him once more, then climbed behind the wheel of his car.
He backed down the driveway and sped off.
Jack pulled his car into the garage and parked, then put the door down.
He hurried inside, but Henry was already down the street and nearly out of sight.
He sank into his armchair. He’d said he loved something.
Sure, it was Henry’s suggestion, but still.
Henry was important to him. Did he love Henry?
He cared about him more than he had about anyone outside of his family.
He laughed and his stress dissipated. He’d fallen for Henry Lord. Yeah, I love Henry. He wanted to shout it from the roof. He loved Henry.
He couldn’t tell his lover in a text, though. He needed to do it in person. It was too late to rush over to Henry’s tonight. No, he’d tell him tomorrow. He’d plan out a nice evening and make it a date with good food, too. He’d show Henry how he felt.
In love.