Page 17

Chapter 17

Henry

“You okay?” My hand on his thigh did little to stop the bouncing of Jack’s knee as we rode into the city in the extended cab of Lance’s truck. Signs of his anxiety were easy to spot when you knew him.

Jack took a deep breath and nodded, the collar of his sweatshirt pinched between his fingers as he rubbed it on his chin. “Yeah, sorry.” He bent slightly to stare out the window as the truck edged into the downtown area. “I know it’s not the same city, but the skywalkers remind me of where I used to live.”

“The what now?” Curiosity laced Hudson’s words.

“Skywalkers?” Jack repeated, his gaze bouncing from Hudson to Lance to me. “The big buildings?”

I traced my thumb in circles on the back of his neck and tucked him closer to me.

“What?” Jack asked.

“Umm… ”

Jack’s cheeks flamed, and he buried his face in my shoulder. “Oh god, is this another bubble bee thing?”

“A what what?” Hudson asked.

Jack groaned. “Nothing. I’m so ridiculous.”

I chuckled and kissed the top of his head. “You’re not ridiculous. It’s cute.”

“It’s not cute. I’m a fucking grown-ass man, and I don’t even know the real words for everyday things.”

“I like the words you have for things,” I said. “Tell me how skywalkers came about.”

Jack groaned again. “I used to be scared of the buildings when Mom would take me into the city. I’ve always called them skywalkers.” He sobered. “I guess she didn’t correct me. She died before I learned the right word.”

I pulled him close. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s weird how the buildings have so much connected to them in my mind. I’m fascinated by them now that I’m older, but I still get a vaguely threatening vibe from them because they remind me of living with Joseph and Douglas.” He glanced out the window. “I’m sure I should know this, but what are they really called?”

Shooting a warning look at Hudson, I said, “They’re usually called skyscrapers.”

Jack studied the buildings. “Yeah, that makes sense; I’m sure I’ve even heard that word before.” He sighed. “I wonder why Mom didn’t correct me.”

I nuzzled his temple. “Probably because she adored you, thought skywalkers was cute, and didn’t want to stifle your creativity. ”

Jack huffed. “I remember drawing pictures of the buildings walking through the city. She hung them on the fridge.”

“Skywalkers is a lot more fun,” Hudson said. “Speaking of, we’re in that one right there.” He pointed to a medium-sized silver and glass building that housed the hotel we’d be staying at for the weekend.

Grateful for my brother’s charming way of taking the spotlight off Jack, I pressed another kiss to his head before nuzzling his ear and whispering, “I love you.”

Jack sighed and cuddled into me. “I love you. Thank you for not making me feel any more ignorant than I already do.”

“Don’t. We all have shit in our past and things that make us unique. I love you for you, and that includes everything about you.” I dropped a kiss on his cheek, his nose, and then his mouth. “Let’s have a good weekend, huh?”

Jack smiled. “Yeah. A good weekend sounds perfect.”

Lance maneuvered the truck off the interstate and took a right toward downtown. “You know the song ‘Every Time I Close My Eyes’ by Babyface?” When the three of us gave him a blank look, Lance sighed. “Tell me you’re the oldest one in the friend group without telling me,” he muttered.

Hudson reached over and patted Lance’s knee. “It’s okay, babe. Your experience is part of your appeal.” My brother laughed and pressed up against the window to escape Lance’s far-reaching arm.

“ Anyway ,” Lance grumbled. “The song has a line in it that says Every time I think of it, I pinch myself , but for the longest time—like, I’m not even going to admit how old I was when I figured it out—I thought it said I piss myself .” He shook his head, laughing at himself. “Why in the world I thought those lyrics even made sense, I’ll never know.”

Hudson leaned over and rested his head on Lance’s shoulder. “Oh my god, that’s adorable—even if also hilarious. Let’s not forget about my ill-fated understanding of the term jailbait .”

Jack giggled which told me he’d definitely heard the story.

Hudson pretended to scowl at Jack over his shoulder which sent Jack into a another fit of giggles. When he finally got himself under control, Hudson went on. “You think skywalkers is bad? How about me calling them Rice Christmas Treats until I was in like eighth grade and some kid made fun of me for it?”

A wad of emotion knotted in my chest. “In your defense, we only got those around Christmas time when the bakery had them, so it made sense.”

Hudson’s eyes softened. “Thanks. Speaking of, we should definitely make some Rice Krispie Treats, don’t even have to wait until Christmas time.” He turned to catch Jack’s eye. “See? We all have our own mess ups.”

“Yeah, well, how about me thinking those big ol’ bees were just in movies, and that they were called bubble bees because they have bubble butts?” Jack groaned and held his head in his hands. A giggle escaped him when Hudson’s mouth dropped open like a fish, and his eyes blinked rapidly as if trying to decide whether Jack was serious.

“But like,” Hudson started, a sparkle in his eyes, “they do have little bubble butts.”

“Right?” Excitement coursed through Jack as he wriggled upright, and I’d forever be grateful to my baby brother for giving Jack the friendship he so desperately needed.

“They’re totally bubble bees from now on,” Hudson declared, and Jack whooped.

“Yes!”

“I’ll even give you skywalkers if you want,” Hudson said. “It’s cute as fuck.”

Jack’s cheeks pinked.

“What about you, Henry?” Lance asked, his twinkling eyes catching me in the rear-view mirror.

I grumbled under my breath. Lance knew very well I had a couple words and phrases I’d mixed up as a kid, and some of them had lasted well into adulthood.

“What was that?” Lance asked, a good-natured smirk filling his face and letting me know if I didn’t spill an embarrassing story soon, he’d do it for me.

Jack bit his lip, a giggle escaping as he watched me in anticipation.

“Fine,” I growled. “For the longest time, I said from the gecko instead of from the get-go .”

“Awww,” Jack cooed. “That’s cute.”

Hudson chuckled. “Tell him about the drier sheep.”

I reached up and flicked my brother’s ear, laughing when he yelped .

“Come on, I had bubble bees and skywalkers,” Jack said. “At least give me your two.”

Leaning in and nuzzling Jack’s ear, I whispered, “Only because I love you.”

Jack shivered against me and turned those gorgeous blue eyes my way, trust and joy dancing across his features. “I love you too,” he murmured against my lips.

Running a hand over my beard, I cleared my throat. “I used to call drier sheets drier sheep . But I played the long game, and they eventually came out with those wool drier balls, so I like to think I was just ahead of my time.” I couldn’t help busting into laughter with the rest of the gang as Lance turned the truck onto the street in front of our hotel.

We were all still grinning ear-to-ear when Lance parked on the first level of the parking garage connected to our hotel. Climbing from the truck, we all stretched despite the drive taking just under an hour.

Once we had our bags hoisted on our shoulders, Hudson glanced at the bank of elevators and the stairs. “Last ones to the top buy dinner,” he said before grabbing Lance’s hand and yanking him toward the stairs.

Jack stood, gaping like a fish, until I tugged him toward the stairs. “Come on, we can’t let them win.”

I swore Lance and Hudson slowed way down until Jack caught on to the game, but then we were racing neck-and-neck up the stairs to the walkway on the third floor. By the time we burst through the door, all four of us were breathing like we’d run a marathon, and Jack’s eyes sparkled like a kid on Christmas morning.

Lance glanced at the empty enclosed walkway that stretched over the busy city street below before taking Hudson’s overnight bag and hefting it over his neck. “Jump on,” he instructed Hudson. “Let’s see if we can get drinks from them too.”

Hudson’s evil grin spurred me into action, and I yanked Jack’s bag from him, threw it over my shoulder and gave him my back while my brother climbed onto Lance’s back. “Come on, piggyback. I’m not buying them dinner and drinks.”

Jack was quicker this time after watching Hudson take his position, and we were barreling down the empty walkway only half a pace behind Lance and Hudson within no time. Jack’s laughter echoed through the narrow corridor, his arms and legs wrapped tightly around me.

Hudson’s long legs were what eventually did them in, and he and Lance nearly toppled to the ground just before we reached the doorway into the hotel.

“No fair,” Hudson yelled, laughter lacing his words. “Ouch!” He and Lance cracked up, peals of laughter filling the air as they leaned against the glass wall.

“Damn you and your long legs,” Lance grumbled as he shifted the bags and accepted a kiss from Hudson.

When I eased Jack from my back and turned to give him a high five, the shine of threatening tears caught me off guard. “Hey,” I murmured, stepping close and cupping his cheek. “What’s wrong?”

He shook his head and huffed. “Nothing.”

“Then what is it?”

Jack sniffled and used his sleeve to dash away the tears. “This.” He gestured between the four of us.

“We wouldn’t have been fuckin’ around if there’d been people in the walkway—at least not as much,” I said, feeling bad if he’d thought we were out of line.

“No,” Jack said. “Nothing like that. All my life, I’ve wanted a brother or friends to do this kind of shit with. Started thinking it was one of those fictional things you only saw on movies or read about in books.” He tucked his face into my neck when I pulled him close and rubbed his back. “But then I met you guys, and I found the family I’ve wanted for so long.”

Fuck.

This man.

Shredding my heart day after day with all the shit he lived through.

Then putting it back together piece by piece with his zest for life and huge heart.

I ran my hand up and down his back and pressed a kiss to his head. “You’ve got us forever, like it or not.”

Jack looked up at me, something clouding his face for a moment. “What if what we have doesn’t work out?”

Shaking my head, I nuzzled my nose to his. “Nothin’ doin’. You’ve got me forever. If you choose to walk away, that’s a different story. If we decide we’re better off as just friends, that’s something we’ll work out together. But losing me because what we’ve got here doesn’t work for me anymore? Not a chance.” I tipped his chin and brought my lips down to his in a butterfly kiss. “We’re your family now. Don’t ever forget that.”

Tears shimmered in Jack’s eyes once again, but he nodded and smiled.

We eventually made our way up to the eleventh floor where we found our adjoining rooms. Lance had made the reservations, and when I’d asked why we didn’t just share a room, Hudson had piped up and said, “Don’t know about you, but I’d rather not listen to my brother having sex.”

Lance’s cheeks had burned bright pink, but he’d smiled. “That.” He pointed to Hudson. “And the fact I figured maybe Jack would be more comfortable rooming with just you rather than all four of us sharing a room.”

Hudson had wrapped his arms around Lance’s neck. “And he doesn’t want you to have front row seats to him boning your baby brother.”

So, the adjoining room was a nice gesture, and we had an amazing view of the city as a bonus. Hudson had already opened the doors between our rooms, and the four of us found ourselves lounging on the balcony. We towered over the streets and some of the buildings, but several of the others stood tall, shadowing us in the late afternoon sun.

“The show is at eight,” Lance said while scrolling through his phone. “I made our reservation for five-thirty, so we’ll have plenty of time to enjoy dinner and not have to rush.”

Jack’s knee had returned to its bouncing, and he worried his bottom lip between his teeth.

“You okay?”

He nodded. “Yeah, just nervous I’m not going to be dressed as nice as you guys.”

Hudson reached over and slapped Jack on the thigh, giving a rough squeeze that had Jack yelping. “No way,” my brother said. “I helped you pick it out, I wouldn’t underdress you. Plus, neither the show or restaurant are black tie.”

Lance shook his head. “Not at all. I’d say both lean much more toward the casual side if anything. You’ll look great, but we’ll see people in jeans and T-shirts all the way to tuxes and evening gowns.”

Jack relaxed slightly, leaning into me with sigh.

The four of us relaxed for a bit before Hudson stood and stretched. “I wanna shower before we head to dinner.” His pointed look directed at Lance didn’t go unnoticed, but I was pretty sure my brother didn’t care.

Lance stood with a grin. “I’ll, um, come check the water pressure.”

Hudson wrinkled his nose. “What? That was so lame.”

I snorted, and Jack giggled as we watched the two of them disappear into their room. When the bathroom door slammed shut, I pulled Jack close. “You want to get ready? Nap? Sit here for a while longer?”

Jack snuggled into me. “Yes.”

I kissed the top of his head. “We have time for sitting here and then getting ready or taking a power nap before we get ready.”

He sighed. “I think a power nap without the nap.” Jack stood and reached for me, pulling me up from my seat.

“How can you power nap without the?—”

Jack snaked his arms around me and pressed kisses along my jaw. “I want the bed, but no sleeping.” He nipped at the sensitive skin of my neck. “Want a reason to need to clean up before we leave.”

“Oh,” I murmured, my arms full of Jack as I maneuvered us through the balcony door. “Good plan. ”

When my legs bumped into the king-sized bed, Jack slid down my body, his thick cock brushing against my own. Deep groans reverberated from our chests, heat blooming between us as Jack pressed his forehead to the hollow of my neck. His breath caught, a shudder running through his body.

Tipping his chin up so I could see his eyes, I feathered my thumbs over his cheeks. “What’s wrong?”

Jack shook his head. “Nothing. I don’t think anything in my life has felt this right since before my mom died.” He leaned into my palm, closing his eyes as if savoring my touch. “You, your home, your family—” Jack cut himself off, his voice cracking.

“ Our home.” I kissed his forehead. “ Our family.” Kisses to his eyelids. “ Our business.” A soft press of lips to his pretty pink mouth. “Us. You and me, Jack. I wasn’t looking, but that’s only because I didn’t know how badly I needed you in my life.”

Tears spilled down Jack’s cheeks. “My mom dying was the worst thing that ever happened to me. My uncle was the added insult to injury.” He took a deep shuddering breath. “But if those things both brought me to you, I’ll believe in silver linings and fate forever.”

Hugging him close, loving the way our bodies melted into each other, I let him just be silent with his thoughts for a moment. When I finally spoke, my words rasped thickly in my throat. “I’d give anything for you to have your mom back, even if it meant us never meeting.”

Jack pulled back, a tiny scowl on his pretty face.

Cupping his cheek, I nuzzled our noses together. “Not because I don’t want what we’ve found, but I hate the way your mom’s death hurt you. Hate that you had to live with those assholes. As much as I love you, I’d give you up in a heartbeat if it meant you got to have your mom back.”

He shook his head, eyes shiny with tears. “You have no idea the number of times I’ve tried to bargain a way to get her back. The pain never goes away, but it’s not as sharp and all-consuming as it once was.” A pained look crossed his face. “The memories of her aren’t as sharp either. I think that’s what I hate the most.” Jack closed his eyes and leaned into my touch, moisture sparkling on his lashes. “She would have loved you.”

I cocked my head and raised a brow. “Yeah?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I was her world. I don’t say that to brag, it’s just the truth. She made sure everything revolved around me. I wasn’t spoiled, but I was loved beyond measure, and she spent every moment available making sure I knew how loved I was.” Jack’s fingers curled into my beard, lightly scratching. “And I know she’s thrilled I found you. You’re the most protective, caring man I’ve ever met.” His thumb traced over my bottom lip, his voice catching when he spoke. “I wish you could have met her.”

Gathering Jack close again, savoring the simultaneous beat of our hearts between us, I rocked him back and forth. “I would have loved to meet her. But I got to meet you, and I think you’re a pretty damn good extension of her. Bright, creative, talented—I have a feeling you took after her.”

“That may be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me,” Jack said, tears rolling again. “Being a reflection of my mom would be the highlight of my life. ”

“She was the best person in your life, and now you’re taking after her.”

A soft smile dance on Jack’s lips. “You’re the best person in my life now.”

“I’d never try to replace her,” I started, but Jack put his finger to my lips.

“Not replacing, just joining her. No one could ever take her place, and I never thought anyone could stand beside her, but then I met you.” Tears dampened his lips as our mouths met in a slow, sensual kiss. Heat and longing poured between us until Jack broke away and hooked his thumbs in the waistband of my pants.

The cool air of the hotel room hit my skin as he pulled everything down to my ankles. When he pushed me to sit on the edge of the bed, I quickly kicked the clothing to the side and spread my legs.

The wet heat of Jack’s mouth and his hands caressing up and down my thighs nearly did me in before we even got started. With the sweet suction of his mouth around me, I shoved the fingers of one hand into his hair and gripped his shoulder with the other. “Oh god, Jack.” The gruff words sounded desperate even to my lust-addled brain, but I couldn’t have cared less. That was what this beautiful man did to me. He owned me, heart and soul.

When he swallowed me down after several long moments of worshipping my cock, I lost any semblance of control, and unloaded in his throat with a groan I had no doubt could be heard next door if they weren’t busy doing the same thing we were.

Jack looked up at me, his lips spread, and his mouth stuffed with my cock, his eyes glassy like he was drunk on my release. When he smiled, and my cum dribbled from the corner of his mouth, I’d never moved so damn fast in my life.

Yanking him to stand, I kissed him hard and deep, savoring the taste of me on his tongue as I shoved his pants down. Breaking away to tear his shirt over his head, I stripped my own off and climbed onto the bed with my back against the headboard.

“Straddle me,” I demanded, a palm to my chest and one hand reaching for him.

Desire flared in Jack’s eyes as he knee-walked his way up my body, his legs spread to accommodate my broadness, his gorgeous cock leaking and bobbing enticingly. When he reached the perfect spot, I gripped his ass cheeks and pulled him forward the last couple inches until his cockhead bounced against my lips.

“Hold on to the headboard and give me that cock,” I murmured before spreading my lips and teasing his slit with my tongue.

Jack whimpered and took hold of his dick, smearing precum over my lips before sliding into my greedy mouth. He groaned the most precious of groans and reached for the headboard, adjusting his hips so his thrusts fucked perfectly between my lips.

His rhythm only faltered once when I released his ass long enough to slip a finger into his mouth. When it was good and wet, I returned to his ass and spread his spit over his hole.

“Oh shit. Oh god, Henry.” Jack rolled his hips, pressing forward to sink deep into my mouth, and retreating backward, his ass seeking the pressure of my teasing finger. When I slipped the tip into his tight pucker, Jack cried out and squeezed around me.

Groaning around his cock, loving the way the vibrations made him shiver, I pressed into him deeper. We needed more than spit, and I wanted him under me when I made love to him, but I greedily sucked him down and worked him open. We’d get off, have some fun in the shower, and then have something to look forward to after dinner and the show.

Moving to caress the sensitive spot behind his balls, I swirled my tongue around his cockhead, and let Jack use my mouth in whatever way he wanted. Pressing gently on his taint, I moaned around Jack’s shaft when he whimpered and pumped his hips harder and faster.

When Jack locked his arms and tensed above me, his cock pulsed his sweet release onto my tongue, and I greedily swallowed down his load as his whimpered cry echoed through the room. With a final gentle thrust of his hips, Jack slipped from my mouth and collapsed onto my chest, both of us spent and content.

A handful of heavy-breathing-moments later, Hudson pounded on the connecting door. “Get ready! We have to leave soon.”

Jack chuckled into my neck, our bodies slick with quickly-drying sweat as the cool air pebbled our skin. “I guess we took too long, no time to enjoy our shower.”

I ran my hands down his back and over the perfect curve of his gorgeous ass while glancing at the clock. “We can shower together to save time. All we have to do is get dressed. ”

Jack scrambled from the bed and raced toward the bathroom.

By the time I joined him, the hot water was steaming up the bathroom, and Jack had climbed into the luxurious stream. I stood mesmerized for several moments, taking in his lithe body on display behind the frosted glass.

When he reached out a hand for me, I broke from my trance and stepped into the shower stall behind him. Jack turned and stepped into my arms. “Thank you for this weekend,” he murmured against my mouth. “I didn’t realize I needed it.”

Our tongues mated as our bodies melted together and hot water sluiced over our skin. Breaking the kiss, I cupped the back of his head. “We both did.” I kissed him again. “I love you.”

Jack’s eyes flamed. “I love you.”

Instead of pressing our cocks together or giving me another filthy kiss, Jack wrapped his arms around me and rested his face in my neck in a full body embrace. “The sex is nice, but I love you just as much without it.” Sighing, he tucked himself tighter against me. “Just wanted to make sure you know that.”

I chuckled against his wet hair. “The sex is nice.” His giggle lit up my insides like a Christmas tree. “But I agree. I love you for you, with or without the sex.”

Jack pulled away and looked at me. “Do you think most people feel that way? Love someone sex or no sex? Or do most people feel like the sex is the most important part?”

I gave his question some thought before shrugging. “I think there’s probably as many answers to that question as there are people. Everyone’s a bit different.”

He nodded. “Guess we’re lucky we feel the same.”

Lifting his chin with my finger, I brushed a wet kiss over his lips. “We’re definitely lucky.” Before the kiss could go any further, Hudson pounded on the door again, and we laughed.

With a quick wash and rinse of bodies and hair, we finished our shower and dried off. There was no way we were both fitting at the sink, so I slapped Jack’s ass, loving the way his yelp dissolved into giggles. “You go get dressed. I’ll use the sink, then we’ll switch.”

He hurried from the bathroom while I set to work brushing my teeth, combing my hair, and putting on deodorant. A few moments later, I exited the bathroom only to find Jack sitting on the bed looking sad and defeated.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked, tossing my towel over the back of the desk chair and pulling on a pair of boxers.

Jack, dressed in dark gray slacks, black dress socks, and a black dress shirt, flipped a silk necktie through the air. “I don’t even know how to tie a tie.”

The defeat in his words tugged at my heart. I slipped into a pair of black dress pants, pulled on a pair of socks, and held out my hand for Jack.

He sighed and let me yank him to a standing position.

“I feel like such a loser. The few times I had to wear a tie in college, I had a clip on because I didn’t know anyone well enough to feel comfortable asking them for help.”

I lifted his chin and pressed a kiss to his lips. “It’s no problem. I’ll teach you. You’ve got me—hell, you’ve got all of us—and we can always help.”

“It just sucks to have to be the one always needing someone to teach me things.” His eyes widened. “Not that I don’t appreciate you all taking the time to teach me, I do.”

Kissing him again, I took the tie from his hand. “I know you do. And we appreciate you teaching us all about cake. Having you around has helped Dad more than you know. No one should feel bad about not knowing something; we’re all lucky to have each other to learn from.” I slipped the tie around his neck and pulled him close. “Now, come here.”

We ended up in front of the mirror, my hands guiding Jack’s as he practiced tying the tie several times. When he finally gave up with a huff, I tied it for him and whispered in his ear, “You’ll get it. Nothing wrong with needing practice. You bake cakes perfectly the first time?”

He sighed and leaned into me. “No.”

“There ya go.” I kissed his cheek. “Practice makes perfect.”

Jack’s shiny purple tie picked up the bits of purple in my tie’s paisley design. We didn’t match , but we definitely complemented each other. By the time we were slipping into our dress shoes—Jack’s a sleek pair of black ankle boots and mine a bit stockier pair of black boots to complement the heavier weight of my pants—Hudson was about to knock down the door.

“Damn man,” I said when I unlocked our side of the door. “Chill out.”

Hudson rushed in, taking in Jack and me with a whistle. “I thought maybe Jack needed help, but I see you both got yourselves put together perfectly. Damn, we look good .”

Lance insisted on a picture to send to Dad, but I had a feeling he wanted it for himself as well. Hell, who was I kidding, I wanted a copy for me too.

The four of us made our way to the elevator ready for our night out on the town. Friendship and love sparking hot and bright between us. And yeah, maybe a few tears. At least on my part.