Page 16 of Having HIs Back

C hapter N ine

“Is Mr. Brian coming to play with us?” Phillip asked as Kerry got ready for an evening out.

He smiled in the mirror in Caroline’s room.

He’d spent the last couple of days on the phone with the managing partners of the practice, and they had come to an agreement.

Kerry would work three days a week at the Olympia office, and two days a week at the Seattle office to ensure that he didn’t leave any of his current clients.

Over about six months, he would transition full-time to the Olympia office.

If everything went well, then once Kerry transitioned, he was going to head the Olympia office, which didn’t have a managing director at the moment.

Apparently, they had been wondering if Kerry would be interested in the position before all this happened.

So, it seemed everything was going to work out.

“No. Miss Karen is coming over to stay with you.”

Phillip seemed happy with that answer, and Kerry finished getting ready. There was still so much running through his head. He needed to find another place for all of them to live. Caroline’s lease was up in two months, and Kerry didn’t want to renew it.

The doorbell rang, and he slipped on his shoes, hurried to the front, and opened it to Karen, who gave him the once-over. “Don’t you clean up nice.”

“Thanks.” He closed the door and checked himself in the mirror one last time.

“The boys should be in bed by nine, and there’s plenty of food in the house.

Help yourself to anything.” He was so excited, he hadn’t seen the plastic container she carried.

The boys, followed by Pebbles, all raced out to greet her and asked for cookies.

They all knew. She offered him one, but Kerry thanked her and declined.

The boys led her off to show her things as the doorbell rang again. This time, Kerry opened it to Brian, looking nearly edible in tan trousers and a light blue shirt, open at the collar. “Are you ready to go?”

Kerry swallowed hard, words escaping him. Damn, Brian looked good. Finally, he nodded, and Brian grinned.

“I like that I was able to make you speechless. That says a lot… so to speak. And you look really nice.”

“Thanks,” Kerry said after clearing his throat. “Where are we going?”

“Well, you made it pretty clear. No pizza, mac and cheese, or chicken fingers, so there isn’t much left.”

“Funny…,” Kerry quipped.

“There’s a really good steakhouse, and I made reservations. I’ve eaten there a few times for special occasions, and I thought this qualified. They do a nice job.”

“I’m glad.” He was really getting tired of eating what the boys wanted.

He liked pizza and things, but there were times when he really wanted grown-up food.

Kerry approached Brian’s deep-red Mustang.

Brian opened the door, and he slid into the passenger seat.

By the time he had his seatbelt on, Brian was in the driver’s seat, pressing a button and lowering the top.

“I never pictured you as a convertible kind of guy. Muscle car, yes, but….”

“I love this car. I got it a few years ago. Mostly, I drive what I’m assigned at work, and this sits in my garage. But it’s a wonderful night and warm enough that we won’t freeze with the top down.”

“Do you get to tool around like this very often?” Kerry asked as Brian pulled away from the curb, the breeze rustling his hair.

“Not as much as I like. But this time of year, when it isn’t raining, it’s so much fun.” He drove through the city, ambient lighting down by their feet and along the dash. It only added to the coolness of the experience. “But it is fun having this.”

Brian turned on some cruising music, and Kerry settled back to enjoy the ride. It was fun being out like this. “You know the boys would love riding in here.” As soon as he said it, he almost put his hand over his mouth. “I’m sorry.”

“Why?” Brian asked. “The boys are the center of your life. They have to be.” He rested his hand on Kerry’s leg, and his attention immediately settled at that touch. “It’s how it should be. They’re kids.”

“Yeah, I know. But one night out and….”

“Don’t worry about it. You’ve been a parent for, what… two weeks now? It’s something that is going to be on your mind. Just relax. And yes, some afternoon, I’ll come over, and we can all take the ’Stang out for a ride. Maybe to get ice cream or something.”

“But no eating in the car,” they both said at the same time and then laughed.

“Yeah, you know you’re a parent when that’s the first thing that comes to mind,” Brian said, and Kerry had to agree. In such a short time, the entire focus of his life had shifted.

“Does it make me stupid if I said that I was worried?”

“No. But I’m sure the boys are fine. They know Karen and they obviously like her. If you want to send a message or call, go ahead.”

Kerry knew he was worrying for nothing, but he sent Karen a message and got a response almost right away that they were playing fort in the living room.

She even sent a picture of the blankets stretched over the furniture and the boys grinning.

He thanked her and slipped his phone in his pocket as Brian pulled into the parking lot of the steakhouse.

They went inside, and Brian was a perfect gentleman, waiting for him, even lightly touching his back as they walked to their table.

And the dinner was amazing. They ate and talked the entire time, and not about work or the boys, but about vacations, family outings, or embarrassing childhood moments that had them both laughing.

There was no pressure, no worry, just companionship, and Kerry didn’t feel like he had to put on a front.

He could be just the person he was. It had been a long time since he didn’t feel on edge on a date, especially a first date, which this definitely was.

And the food… it was grown-up and so good.

He loved his appetizer, steak tartare. It was a favorite of Kerry’s.

Brian had never had it, so he shared a bite, and then they finished it off together.

That was followed by steak and veggies, then finally a dessert to share, because they were huge and chocolatey.

By the time they were done and the bill had been paid—Brian insisted on paying—they waddled back to the car, stuffed and happy. Then Brian drove him home.

Kerry had expected Brian to take him to his place and was a little confused. “I guess I thought….”

“You have two boys at home, so I thought that maybe this weekend, since I have a few days off, we could do something, the four of us… and then once the boys are in bed and we can lock the door, you and I could have a sleepover.” Brian leaned close. “An adult sleepover… very adult.”

Kerry shivered and nodded. “Okay.”

“Good.” He kissed him, and Kerry got out of the car, closing the door before half floating up the walk and inside the house.

“I saw you kiss Mr. Brian,” Henry said as a greeting. “Kissing is yucky.”

Kerry rolled his eyes. “You won’t think so when you’re older.” He looked over at the fort that had taken over the living room. “Did you and Miss Karen have fun?”

“Yes. Can we sleep in the tent?” Phillip asked. Kerry didn’t see any reason why not. He thanked Karen and saw her to the door.

“You’re a lifesaver.”

“Any time. I miss her, too, but I see Caroline in those boys.”

“The lease is up in a few months, and I’m looking for a house to rent.

My aunt has one that will become available, and I’m going to look at that one to start.

I’d very much like to stay in this area.

I’m planning to relocate here so the boys can stay near their friends and people who knew their mother.

They deserve as much continuity as possible. ”

Karen nodded. “If that one doesn’t work out for you, then I know of a few homes that might be available soon.”

“I’m going to sell my place, and I’d like to buy a house, put down roots, and really build a life for all of us.” He had done well and saved a good amount of money over the years. His needs had never been all that great.

“I’ll let you know if I hear of anything.” Karen patted his shoulder. “I’m glad you’ll be staying here. I’d very much like to see the boys grow up. I never had children of my own, and your nephews are as close as I’ve ever gotten.”

“They love you too,” Kerry told her, and then she headed home, and Kerry got the boys settled in their tent. He was about to turn out the lights when a soft knock sounded on the door. Kerry peered outside and opened the door slowly to let Brian in.

“I thought you were going home.” He was surprised he was back so soon. Pleased as well, but part of him wondered what was wrong, and he felt himself tense.

“I’m sorry for being stupid,” he whispered, and Kerry closed the door and led Brian down the hall, away from the boys, who were already mostly asleep.

He got Brian to the bedroom and closed the door.

“I thought I was doing the right thing by leaving you and going home. But I didn’t want to. I wanted to be here with you and them.”

“Then you should have just stayed.” That was what he had wanted, but Brian had seemed reluctant. Kerry had thought that maybe he had changed his mind or something.

“Uncle Kerry,” Phillip called from outside the door. He opened it, and Phillip rushed in and jumped on the bed. “I wanna sleep in here.”

Kerry groaned softly.

“Aren’t you sleeping in your living room tent?” Brian asked. “I used of have one of those when I was a boy, but my daddy never let me sleep in it, so I think you’re pretty lucky.”

“Go on and sleep in your tent. Tomorrow, we have to take it down, so you only get tonight.”

Phillip hurried away, and Kerry sighed in relief. “I need to make sure that he gets to sleep. But I’ll be back soon.” Kerry left the room and closed the door. Then he got Phillip settled, with Pebbles, in his blankets. He made sure he was falling to sleep before quietly leaving the room.

The light was out when he returned, but he could see Brian in bed, his golden skin catching the light through the window. “Damn….”

“Come on,” Brian told him, pushing down the bedding to give Kerry a glimpse of what he was missing.

He got undressed and slipped into the bed, with Brian tugging him into his arms. “I don’t want to be apart.

For some reason, it doesn’t feel right. My place seems empty and kind of cold.

I’m very much alone when I’m there, but here, with you… I’m happy.”

“Then stay. But you know that in the morning, there will be two boys who will be in here to wake us up. Oh, and don’t forget about Pebbles, who decides that the bed is his.”

Brian pressed Kerry onto his back. “That sounds perfect to me. I always wanted to family of my own, and being gay, I figured it wouldn’t happen. I might have met someone who could put up with my irregular hours, but having kids… that was something I didn’t think would happen for me.”

“So, you want us? All of us?” Kerry asked.

“Yes. I want to see where things go. I want to take all of you to the movies and to the park, maybe get another dog that will get along with Pebbles. Have a home of our own, maybe a house with a play structure in the backyard.” He nestled closer.

“Somewhere the boys can have all the fun in the world… and somewhere with a big master bedroom so we can have just as much fun.” The wonderful wickedness in his voice had Kerry grinning.

“I want to see this through too.” He ran his hands over Brian’s back before cupping that amazing ass. “As long as you’re sure.”

Brian took a deep breath, and Kerry waited for his answer. “Yeah, I am, sweetheart.” He lowered himself until his lips touched Kerry’s, and then it was all fiery passion that made Kerry hope it never ended.