Chapter Nine
Orsen blew out the candle on his cake and smiled.
He’d never had a birthday cake before, or an actual party, and discovered he liked it.
“Make a wish!” Orsen closed his eyes and thought about Santino.
He’d been called to the city to work on a case and would miss Orsen’s big day.
He’d called that morning to wish him a happy birthday and to apologize for not being there.
It would have been nice to have him there at TJ and Cody’s place.
Charlie being there did help and Orsen had planned to sneak a kiss now that he’d turned eighteen, but it wasn’t meant to be.
When he came back, Santino had promised to treat him to the takeout meal of his choice and Orsen couldn’t wait for that to happen.
He liked how Santino made him feel inside, and how he made his body hard.
Orsen hadn’t come across any other man who’d made him feel that way, and the few men he’d had to hide from had been greasy and smelly and had this look in their eyes that made Orsen tremble in fear. Every time he’d run away, Ambrose had punished him when he returned.
Selling his virginity would have net Ambrose a lot of money and Orsen had ruined his plans.
Not like Orsen might have wanted to save that for someone special.
That didn’t matter. Ambrose getting his money had been more important.
Orsen hadn’t done what Ambrose demanded.
Now that he’d met someone who made his body tighten with the need to touch, he was glad he’d hidden from those men.
Before he’d left, Santino had kept his distance, kept their relationship almost professional, which Orsen could admit hurt him a little, but he understood the reasons why. His age, but that was no longer an issue and Orsen had decided he wanted all his firsts with Santino.
Cody nodded to him as he walked toward the house, and Orsen followed, smiling at Crompton, who scowled at him.
Crompton sat with Macy asleep on his lap.
How that had happened, Orsen didn’t know, but Macy had taken one look at Crompton and stuck to him like glue.
Toni and Carter had tried multiple times to move her away, but in the end, admitted defeat.
Arthur and Lincoln were stuffing themselves with food, and TJ held Christian as he slept.
Cassy, Cody’s sister, kept telling the boys not to be so greedy, but they ignored her.
A strange family setup to Orsen, but one that worked.
Entering the kitchen with Cody, Orsen watched Cody pull a chair out and waited for him to sit.
“How are you doing? You look a little overwhelmed.”
“I think I am. I didn’t expect all this. A cake and presents. It’s nice.”
“Yeah, I had lots of those when I was growing up, but with Cass’ friends, not mine. My parties were all about making connections, not celebrating my big day.” Cody shrugged. “Doesn’t matter now. He’s where he belongs.”
“Do you think you’ll ever visit him?”
“Why would I? He’s not my father. Jedson is. In those three years I lived with them, they showed me more about family and trust and love than I had after fifteen years with Cass and Emily. He can rot in prison for all I care now.”
“At least he’s alive.”
“You did what you had to do to survive. If you hadn’t, we wouldn’t be having this conversation, and you would never have met Santino.”
Orsen felt the blush rise in his cheeks. “He’s nice.”
“He’s back in three days. Is he taking you anywhere?” Cody sipped his water and grinned. “Somewhere nice?”
“Oh no. I don’t want that. Just getting takeout would be nice.” Nothing worse than people watching them, which Cody appeared to understand.
“Yeah, I know that feeling. The first time TJ and I went out to one of the restaurants in town, I could feel all these beady little eyes watching us. Wasn’t like I was fucking him over the table.
We were only having a meal. Toni told me we were the highlight of the week for the local gossips.
” Cody coughed, then spoke in a nasal voice.
“Oh, look at that Cody. The way he treated his poor parents, and he comes back like nothing happened and took that poor TJ. TJ only wants to help people, and Cody took advantage of him.” Cody rolled his eyes. “Bitches.”
“I went into town. They saw me.”
“Damn. Bet that was fun,” Cody muttered. “Not like that Lillybet’s husband was found balls deep in a man or Terrice’s daughter was caught being spit roasted.”
Orsen’s eyebrows shot up. “Spit roasted? Really?”
“Oh yeah, and it’s been posted online for all to see.” Cody grinned. “She has good taste in men.”
“You watched it?” Orsen gasped. Cody had watched a woman with two men? Did he like women as well?
“Did nothing for me, but considering all the shit her mom said about me and TJ, I felt I had to, and I did. TJ wasn’t impressed.”
“I don’t want to see any girl naked.”
“Me neither, but it had to be done.” Cody placed his bottle on the table. “Santino.”
Orsen opened his mouth, then closed it, then blurted, “What if he doesn’t like me? He’s from the city and I’m just a kid and he’s had lots of men and threesomes and he’s so mature and smart and I’m a stupid dumb kid who knows nothing and what could he see—”
“Stop.” Cody held up his hand and Orsen panted, his heart racing. “He wanted to be here for you today. I know he’s pissed that he missed it.”
“You do?” Why hadn’t Santino said that to him? Orsen nibbled his bottom lip. “I’m scared.”
“Why?”
Orsen fidgeted in the chair. “I don’t know much compared to him.”
Cody sighed softly and gave Orsen a soft smile. “You know I ran away from home.” Orsen nodded. “I did everything. I drank and smoked and did drugs and had sex. A lot of sex.” Orsen nodded. “You understand what I mean.”
“You slept around. But that doesn’t mean much because TJ is older, so he’s slept with men as well.”
“TJ has slept with three men and I’m one of them.
I have slept with so many men I’ve lost count.
I’ve done threesomes. Fuck, I’ve done fivesome and even tensomes.
If that word exists. Now I’m with him. A part of me wishes I hadn’t done all of that.
That I’d saved myself for TJ, but life takes us on a journey, and we have to learn the lessons that journey provides. ”
“I didn’t know.” Cody was so young, and he’d had that much sex. “Why did you have so much sex?” Cody pursed his lips and Orsen shook his head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“I don’t mind you asking. I’m thinking how to explain. I hated who I was, Orsen. I hated being gay and Cass hated me, but by that point I hated him as well. I did so much damage to myself, and then one day I realized I wanted to live. I almost didn’t make it, but I’m here now.
“Santino won’t care that you’re not experienced. If he is a decent man, he’ll show you what you need to know and take his time with you. You don’t want to rush. Enjoy all the moments.”
“I just worry. I kissed him, and he told me to wait until I was eighteen.” Thinking back to that made Orsen’s cheeks heat up.
“That shows he’s a good guy. I fucked a guy when I was fifteen. Just turned, too. Keep it for someone who will cherish it as the gift it is.” Cody grinned. “Make sure you come a lot before then. Like a lot.”
Orsen giggled, then whispered, “I get so horny around him.”
Cody burst out laughing, then whispered back. “Me too with TJ.”
“Even now?”
Cody smiled wistfully. “I always wanted him. From the moment I met TJ, I knew I had to make him mine, but I was young and still figuring my life out. Then I went off the rails.” Cody looked at Orsen. “Even now he’s the only one who I want to be with.”
“I don’t know about Santino. He’s the only one I’ve looked at and liked.
” Orsen shrugged, wet his lips. “Ambrose wanted me to be some rent boy. I think that’s what you call it, where he’d have men pay for me.
I would see them and cringe, then run away.
It was worth it, even if it meant Ambrose would hit me. ”
“That’s good, isn’t it? He’s the one who makes your heart beat a little faster.” Cody waggled his eyebrows. “And your dick a bit harder.”
“More than a bit,” Orsen mumbled. “I really like him.”
“He likes you too, but he needs time as well. He is older than you and he will want you to live life.”
“He said that, so I told him I’m not the same as other people. I want to be safe and loved.” Orsen ducked his head, his fingers moving over the table. “It sounds silly now.”
“No, it doesn’t. I get it. You want stability and someone who will love you and keep you safe from harm. I have that with TJ, and I’m only a couple of years older than you. These men of ours need to forget numbers where we’re concerned. We’ve lived a lot in our lives already.”
“That’s what I want. I want to meet people and make friends, but in my own time when I’m ready, and I want something with Santino. He makes me smile when I think about him.”
“Good, and tell him. Repeatedly. These men can be a little slow on the uptake.”
“We might take our time getting used to changes, but we do, eventually.” TJ opened the fridge door and pulled out a tray of mini cakes.
“More food needed. Orsen. My advice? After dealing with Cody, who is confident and knows what he wants, you have to stand firm with Santino and not back down even if you think you should. If you want to have a relationship with him, you need to make him see it, too. He’ll see your age, your experiences and believe you should go out and be swinging from the chandeliers.
” TJ turned to Cody. “Did you ever do that?”
Cody pulled a face, shrugged. “Maybe? Who knows? I did a lot when I was younger.” A huge grin spread over his face. “There’s a place in the city that has rooms with chandeliers.”
TJ’s face went blank. “I have a bad back?”
Cody burst out laughing, stood, and hugged TJ. “Love you and I can rub it better later, if you want.”
TJ’s eyes flickered to Orsen, then he nudged Cody to one side. As he walked outside, he glanced back at Cody. “I want.”
Orsen gasped, then giggled, and saw Cody adjusting himself, and looked away. “You get to have that too.” Orsen looked up at Cody. “He gets me all the fucking time, and I love it.”
“I want that too,” Orsen whispered.
“Yeah? Then we need to get your man, don’t we?” Cody held the back door open. “Let’s enjoy the party and then we can put our heads together and think.”
“Will he like it?” Orsen followed Cody outside, gave Charlie a stroke then squinted his eyes in the sunlight. Shading them, he walked over to the table and groaned when he saw the mini-sized cakes. Charlie sat next to the table, tongue falling out the side of his mouth as his tail wagged.
Cody nudged him. “Who will tell him?” He arched an eyebrow and pointed to a carrot cake. “They are delicious. Try one. It’s your party, after all.” He quickly looked around, then dropped a mini cake on the ground. It was gone a second later.
Orsen smiled, watching Charlie lick his lips. “I think I like you.”
“Yeah? I like you too, Orsen, and you’re welcome here anytime. Just knock first. Loudly. We might be busy.”
“Cody.”
“TJ.”
Sighing, TJ shook his head, then kissed his man. “Your turn to hold Macy. Crompton’s grumbling.” Cody kissed TJ back, his hand sliding over his ass, then he grinned at Orsen and went over to Crompton.
“What should I do about him?” TJ murmured, a soft look on his face as he watched Cody pick Macy up.
Orsen smiled and picked up his piece of cake. Cody and TJ’s relationship was what he wanted, and maybe Santino would give it to him.