Nothing Special V, page 34
part #5 of Nothing Special Series
“Careful.” Charles’ head snapped up, his eyes locking in on Curtis. “I can make this an official write-up of inappropriate conduct.”
“What is it you want from me, damnit? I’m here every day, weekends too. Putting in the work and time with these kids. Why are you here? I’m here because I care. Why? Why are you even here, Charles?!” Curtis fumed.
Charles shot up and pointed to the door. “I suggest you close your mouth and take the rest of the day off. Before I decide to not allow you back.”
Curtis wanted to dump that desk on Charles’ head, but if there’s one thing he’d learned over the years, it was to not let anyone control your life. That’s what his boss was trying to do. Curtis couldn’t walk away. Couldn’t tell his boss to shove it, even though that’s what he wanted Curtis to do. He couldn’t let this bully chase him away. Those kids needed Curtis here. Jamal needed him here. He had another test to pass to get that C and Curtis was going to make sure he was here to help him. Jamal had a real shot at getting into college by way of football and passing grades, a chance to get an education and a way to help his single mother, who worked two jobs to support them. They’d earned this, they’d put in their dues. Curtis thought about the B+ in Jamal’s hand and clamped his mouth closed on the tirade of slurs and curses on the tip of his tongue, turning around and storming out the door. He went back to the rec room and quickly gathered his belongings. Susan looked at him with confusion, standing to walk him to the door.
“What happened? Curtis, are you okay?”
“Curtis, what’s up, man. You leaving?” Jamal asked. “Did you get fired?”
Curtis couldn’t talk because of the massive boulder in his throat but he could hear the worry in Jamal’s voice. He reached his hand out to pat Jamal on his shoulder to let him know he was alright but yanked it back quickly. Having to do that shot a world of hurt through Curtis’ chest strong enough to make him double over, but he held his spine rigid and barely whispered that he’d see them tomorrow and turned to hurry back down the hall.
When he was in his car, he dropped his forehead on the steering wheel and beat his hand on the dashboard, releasing all the anger and frustration he’d wanted to unload on his boss. He cried angry tears into his shaking hands. He’d never been accused of anything so vile and degrading. The thought of anyone getting wind of the accusation his boss had made was making his stomach cramp up.
He put the key in the ignition, but his hands were trembling so badly he knew it was dangerous to try to drive, so he sat back and rested his head against the headrest and tried to calm himself down. After a couple minutes, his phone rang in his backpack. Tears still streaming down his face, he tapped the speaker button and tried to put a little cheer in his voice when he answered his dad’s call. “Hey, Dad. How’s it going?”
“What’s the matter, Curtis?” Green asked.
His father knew him too well. Green was the one that always could pick up on even his slightest discomfort. “I’m fine, Dad.”
“No, you’re not. You’re crying. What’s wrong, Curtis?” Green’s voice was getting louder, his anxiety coming through the line and making Curtis wish he was there so his dad could wrap him in his arms. But he was grown. He didn’t need his dads coming to his rescue. He’d be a man like they’d taught him to be.
“Crying. Curtis is crying? For what?”
Curtis sighed at the sound of Ruxs’ deep voice in the background. He heard shuffling then Ruxs’ angry voice blasted through the speaker. “Curtis?! Buddy, what’s going on? Where are you?”
“I’m alright, Dad, calm down. It was just a really shitty day at work. One of the… the kids, he… the director….”
“Curtis calm down, just tell us slowly.”
He could hear Green’s compassionate voice mixing with Ruxs’ pissed one.
“What did that motherfucker do? Tell me!”
“Mark, chill out, let him talk. Go on, Curtis, nice and slow,” Green said softly.
“He said I was inappropriate with some kid. All the kid did was hug me because he was happy about me helping him pass his test. It’s disgusting, Dad. That asshole knows it wasn’t like that. He wants me to quit, but I’m not quitting. I’m not gonna quit!” Curtis yelled, trying to hold in more frustrated tears that only welled up in his eyes and spilled over anyway.
“Oh, he’s dead. He’s fuckin’ dead!”
Curtis squeezed his temples. He knew Ruxs would go there. “Dad. I can handle it. Will you just let me handle it, please?”
“Okay, okay. We know you can handle it, son. I just hate this guy is doing this to you and getting away with it. He has a boss too ya know,” Green said.
“It’s alright to fight fire with fire, Curtis,” Ruxs added.
“He sent me home for the day, okay. I just want to go home and forget this happened and come back tomorrow to help Jamal with his next test. I promised Shelia I’d help her with her food chain project on Wednesday. I told the kids last week if all of them brought in items to donate to the Goodwill, that I’d bring Krispy Kreme on Friday and I’m not going back on any of that. Most of them have brought bags full of stuff already. I am a man of my word and that’s why those kids trust me. I know the director’s just pissed because they like me and hate him.”
“I’m so proud of you, Curtis. I know you’ll figure this out,” Green said, but Curtis could still hear the pain in his voice. His dad wanted to intervene, to come in and crack some skulls, but he didn’t need them to do that for him anymore.
“I’m proud of you, too. But say the word, buddy, and we’ll be there first thing in the morning.”
“I know. Trust me, though. I’ll handle it.” Curtis said goodbye, sagging down in the seat of his Malibu.
He hoped Genesis wasn’t still mad about him ruining their vacation and was willing to have a quiet night with him. He needed him desperately.
Genesis
It was a little after three and he was just about finished making his wonder burger surprise. It was one of Curtis’ favorites. He always went on and on about how juicy it was with all the rich, infused flavors. His favorite part was how Curtis begged for the recipe anytime he made it, offering up all kinds of sexual favors for it. Little did his partner know, all Genesis added to the fresh ground beef was A1 Steakhouse and a little Heinz 57. Nothing more, nothing less. He’d done it by mistake one day when Genesis couldn’t remember which steak sauce he’d used the first time and ended up adding them both, only for it to come out tasting delicious. He smiled at the memory and formed the last patty, tucking it into the refrigerator to marinate. He’d throw them on the grill a few minutes before Curtis was supposed to be home.
Genesis took off his Falcons apron and hung it on the hook next to the pantry door, just as his cell phone rang. Please don’t be calling to say you’re working late. Genesis hurried to the living room and yanked his phone off the table. He slumped when he saw it was Ruxs. Swiping the screen, he answered cautiously, never knowing what his partner’s intimidating fathers were going to say.
“What the fuck, Gen? Why’s my boy still getting the business at that goddamn center?”
“Hi Ruxs, it’s nice to hear from you, too.” Genesis sighed. Terrifying was a gross understatement to describe Ruxs’ voice at that moment.
“Cut the crap. I asked you to handle that prick months ago,” Ruxs growled.
“Curtis is a grown man, Ruxs. You know he doesn’t like anyone stepping in to fight his battles. He may be smaller than us, but he can solve his own problems.”
“I know he can! You think I don’t know that? He’s the strong man we helped him become, but Curtis will keep taking the abuse from that dick because he’ll do anything for those kids. He’ll never risk losing that job. Did you know he’s sitting in his car right now, angry and upset because that motherfucker had the audacity to say Curtis touched one of the kids inappropriately?”
“What?” Genesis jerked back like Ruxs had virtually sucker punched him.
“Yes. You fuckin’ heard me right. So now, I want you to go and put the fear of God in that piece of shit. He’s probably treating him like this because he’s gay or who the hell knows, I don’t give a damn. Just handle it, Gen… without Curtis knowing.”
“Alright,” Genesis growled back, his own anger bubbling to the surface so fast his body heated and sweat started to trickle down his temples.
“I mean it. I don’t want to hear him so upset again. Either you do it… or we’re coming to do it,” Ruxs snarled.
“No! No, no, no. I like this city. I can handle it,” Genesis said quickly. He didn’t need the Enforcers coming to DC. No damn way.
“Good,” Ruxs conceded. “Hold on, someone wants to talk to you.”
Genesis walked back and forth across the soft beige area rug in their living room while he thought about how he was going to manage this. He could only imagine how his baby was feeling. That crooked boss had gone too far now.
“Hello. Good afternoon to you.”
Genesis frowned at the slight British accent. “Hello. Um, who’s this?”
“It’s Lennox. Lennox Freeman. You can call me Free. I work with Ruxs and Green. I met you at the wedding this weekend, albeit briefly. Sorry to barge in on the conversation like this.”
The guy’s accent wasn’t as thick as some he’d heard, just enough for it to be smooth and fun to listen too if Genesis weren’t in such a foul mood. “I remember, yes.”
“Well, Green was telling me about this director at that community center and what he’s been doing to your boyfriend. Being rude and rejecting his proposals. So I took a couple minutes and did a little digging. There is plenty of money available for that center that’s just sitting there not being used. Federal and state, I’m afraid. Three point two million dollars to be exact, available to those young lads to better their center. I don’t see where this director – Charles McMillian – approved any funds for upgrades or programs in the last eighteen months, but I did find some other interesting things. Like, he has a daughter that goes to a pretty impressive private school in Massachusetts and a wife that took him to the cleaners in a divorce two years ago. I’m sure if I keep going I’ll find something he doesn’t want anyone to ever know, especially the police.”
Genesis’ eyes got wider the more the hot Brit spoke.
“And, since Mr. McMillian is so good with tossing around accusations, Genesis, I thought I’d give you one to toss back at him. How can a pay band 3 State employee afford his daughter’s nineteen thousand dollars a year tuition and also pay out two thousand dollars a month in alimony to his ex-wife, while still being able to afford a 2016 Mustang GT? He probably couldn’t, unless he was embezzling money from his place of employment.”
Genesis was stunned. Shocked that one, this guy could get this kind of information in only a couple minutes, and two, Curtis’ boss was a damn thief. Now it was all making sense. “Holy shit.”
“Holy shit, indeed,” Free said smoothly.
“You know what. Next time I’m in Atlanta, Free, I’m taking you out for drinks. Thank you so much. I gotta go. Tell Ruxs and Green I’m on it.”
“Will do.”
Genesis hung up and went back to preparing their dinner. Tomorrow, he’d surprise his heart at work with a nice lunch to eat in the park, but before they did that, he’d make sure to introduce himself to Curtis’ boss and maybe have a little discussion with him.
All during dinner, Genesis was extra sensitive to Curtis’ mood. He’d only told Genesis he’d had a bad day and wasn’t feeling well. Genesis didn’t like that Curtis wasn’t being completely honest with him, but he’d let him have his time. He couldn’t imagine how it felt to be accused of such a thing. It was deplorable for his boss to do that.
Curtis barely ate his burger, never commenting on the flavors or teasingly offering up his body in exchange for the recipe. After they finished cleaning the kitchen, Genesis offered to run him a bath and rub him down good before bed. Curtis turned and hugged him tight, tucking his smaller body into his, and Genesis could feel him shaking, could sense the overwhelming heartache and disappointment pouring off him.
“Whatever it is, you can tell me, Curtis. What happened today?” Genesis tried to pull back to look in Curtis’ eyes but his lover wouldn’t let him, holding him in a death grip.
“Not right now, okay. But I swear I’ll tell you. I just need a couple Motrin and some rest, my head feels like it’s about to explode.”
Genesis rubbed Curtis’ back and turned to guide him to their bedroom. “Sure. I’ll get the bath started and bring you the pain reliever.”
“I love you, Genny.”
“I love you too. I’m sorry I fell asleep in the den last night, I didn’t mean to,” Genesis confessed.
“You’re not mad anymore?” Curtis looked up at him, his pretty eyes red and swollen from the challenging day.
“I just want you to be alright. I’m not mad at you, I’m mad at the situation. We’ll discuss it tomorrow after you’ve rested. I hate seeing you like this. Come on.”
While Curtis laid there in his arms, his body soft and warm from his long bath, Genesis wished he could make him feel good. They lay on their sides facing each other. Genesis had one arm around Curtis’ back while he soothingly caressed his head and shoulder with the other until Curtis was almost asleep.
“I know you want to make love,” Curtis said softly. “I’m sorry, I’m not—”
“Shh.” Genesis kissed Curtis’ forehead, tucking his head back into his chest. “It’s not about that. We have a lifetime to do that. Try to relax, okay.”
“Okay.”
Curtis
“You didn’t have to take me to work today; I could’ve driven and met you at the shop during my lunch.” Curtis smiled over at Genesis. He’d been adamant about taking Curtis to work today, something about wanting to get his car tuned up and detailed. Curtis kept his car clean enough, he didn’t need it detailed, but it was overdue for a little maintenance.
“I don’t have anything else to do, so why not. That way, you don’t have to lose your break. How about I come back in your nice clean car and take you to that Mediterranean place on 9th that you liked.” Genesis held his hand while he easily steered the car with the other.
“Oh, I loved that place.” Curtis sighed. “Might not be a good idea, though, I don’t want to get back from lunch late.”
“I’ll make us a reservation.”
Curtis didn’t want to keep refusing all of Genesis’ nice gestures so he’d agreed. Genesis pulled up to the door of the center and pulled him to him before he could reach for the handle.
“I hope your day is better.” Genesis kissed him on his lips, pulling back a fraction to stare at him before he leaned back in again and licked his tongue out to swipe it across Curtis’ bottom lip. His neglected cock jerked in his jeans at the feel of Genesis’ firm lips on his. He couldn’t help leaning in a little further, wanting more, wanting to start his day off on a better note than yesterday in hopes he didn’t constantly think about his boss’ nasty comments. Genesis slanted his mouth, giving Curtis a deeper taste before pulling back and whispering against his parted lips, “I’ll see you at lunch. I love you.”
“Love you too,” Curtis answered and took his backpack from between his legs. When he got out of the car, he took his hoodie and pulled it down as far as he could to cover his half-hard erection. Genesis leaned over the passenger seat, smiling devilishly before he pulled off.
Curtis was feeling lighter when he walked inside the center. He didn’t know how he landed a man as great as Genesis Godfrey, but he was thankful every day. He hurried past Charles’ office and straight to the recreation room to get ready for the first of the high school students to arrive. He was working on his sociology law and conflicts research paper when Jamal and a couple of his buddies came barreling through the door.
“Hey, where’s the fire?” Curtis asked, grinning up at them.
“We didn’t think you’d be here,” one of the other seniors said, taking off his letterman jacket and hanging it on the back of one of the chairs.
“What happened yesterday, man?” Jamal asked, looking serious.
“Nothing you need to concern yourself with. Doesn’t your mom always tell you to stay outta grown folks’ business?” Curtis laughed, remembering Jamal’s mom’s favorite quote from the one dinner he’d had at their house with his family.
“Shut up.” Jamal shoved and horsed around with his teammates.
“Hey, calm down in here,” Charles said from the door, his hands on his hips. “Don’t you all have homework to do? You should.”
None of the guys budged. Curtis couldn’t even bear to look at his boss, but the guys scowled back, none of them moving from standing around Curtis like bodyguards.
“Alright, guys. Let’s get those books out and get started on securing your futures. Markus, you have a Biology test on Friday, hop to it,” Curtis said, closing his laptop. The boys immediately moved over to the long table and began opening up their backpacks.
The afternoon went smoothly, the other volunteers showing up and helping Curtis with study period before the kids were allowed to have some fun. He didn’t see Charles again and he was glad about that because he didn’t want anyone picking up on his discomfort and change of demeanor when he was around.
“It’s the G-Man!” He heard one of the guys yell.
Curtis looked up to see Genesis standing in the door of the game room, wearing light blue jeans and a green collared shirt that molded wonderfully to his thick chest and made his already stimulating green eyes appear even brighter. He looked like a ray of sunshine, his smile full and cheerful. Curtis let several of the high school football players crowd around Genesis while he stood back and watched. His partner was always a huge hit wherever they went. It was rare that there wasn’t at least one guy that recognized him.
