He felt a smirk tug at his lips at how much Landon loved him and his kink. His man could come just by him sucking up a hickey on his body. He might ignore Landon and show up for lunch.

  “Landon loves every second, now I got shit to do and you need to walk away.”

  “You’re turning me down to be with that cute little—”

  “I’d turn you down even if I wasn’t with him. You hated every fucking minute we were together. I don’t even know why the fuck we stayed together. Just because you’re a sore loser and now that I’ve moved on you’re throwing a fucking tantrum. Landon is it for me and you better get that through your head.” He turned away ignoring the rage in Ron’s gaze. “Heidi, I’m headed out, thanks.”

  “Anytime, Zerk, bring Landon in this weekend, Fran is making his favorite.”

  “Lemon Meringue, he’ll be waiting outside when y’all open.”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time,” Heidi laughed as she took the money he left on the counter. “I’ll be right back with your—”

  “Keep it.” He slipped his sketchpad into his bag and zipped it up, he slung one strap over his shoulder as he stood. Ron followed and stood too close.

  “Thanks, such a sweet boy, you want coffee to go?”

  “No, my energy drinks await.” He turned away and headed for the door.

  Ron was close on his heels and he glared over his shoulder.

  “Ron, I fucking swear, you better leave me alone. I was over this months ago, long before you left me and my stuff sitting in an empty house.”

  “I’m sorry, Brian.” He hated when Ron called him by his name like he wanted to forget what and who he was.

  When he stepped outside he spun on his toes, “No, you’re not, you could barely stand when I touched you. What the fuck do you think will happen if we get back together: nothing it would be the same. I’m done and you need to move on.”

  “I can make it work, I can deal with—”

  “Bye, and don’t fucking follow me.”

  He turned to walk back towards the shop and was thankful when Ron didn’t pursue him. He hoped like hell this wasn’t going to be a problem. Tonight, he’d talk to Landon about it, he didn’t think it was a big deal, but he also didn’t want to keep anything from Landon. He’d finally gotten who he wanted and he wasn’t going to fuck that up by keeping secrets no matter how innocent. Although if Ron was going to make a nuisance of himself he wanted Landon prepared. If he knew one thing about his ex the man had a mean streak a mile wide and he knew exactly where to fucking kick someone when they were down. Zerk knew it a little too well.

  14 Oh Shit, This was Serious!

  Zerk’s I love you played through his mind all day. Holy shit, this was serious, Zerk said the L-word and he’d said it first. He shook his head as she pulled into the driveway of his parents’ house and quickly turned off the engine. Pushing open the door, he exited and jogged to the front door, he opened it without knocking.

  “You better be decent,” He yelled as he closed the door behind him.

  “Is this close enough,” Peaches asked as she came out of the kitchen in her apron and nothing else.

  “Why did I get nudist parents?”

  “There’s no shame in the human body, Landon.”

  He didn’t want to get into the old argument of bodies being completely natural and all were beautiful. Landon grew used to his parents’ refusal to wear clothes around the house long before he learned nudity was something to be ashamed of. He’d sort of been shocked when he learned his friends’ parents didn’t believe in nudity being natural.

  “Yea, yea, is dad around?”

  “Backyard and just as naked.”

  “I already figured that, I was only announcing myself so I didn’t walk in on late afternoon coitus.”

  Peaches turned and disappeared back into the kitchen. He followed and then took a seat at the kitchen table.

  “Thirty minutes earlier and you would’ve been traumatized. So, what do we owe for this surprise visit?” Peaches stood at the stove stirring a pot of what smelled like her awesome homemade sauce.

  “Zerk told me he loved me.”

  “And?”

  Peaches asked as if this wasn’t a life-changing event. He’d known for a long time what he wanted in life and that was Zerk. There were just some things in life you didn’t want to hope for too much.

  “Don’t be so glib about it.”

  “Son, you two have been dancing around this since you two met. Is it freaking you out because he said it or that he said it first?”

  “How do you know I didn’t—”

  “Because you were scared to say it and then not receive a response in kind. If that sexy Bear had given you even a hint that he wanted more you two would already be married.”

  “Who said—”

  “Don’t fuck with me. You want a ring on his thick finger.”

  “Doesn’t mean you gotta call me on it.” Peaches being right all the damn time was getting on his nerves. He did want his claim on Zerk to be visible to everyone, but they hadn’t been dating more than three months. Wasn’t there some rule about not throwing around proposals for at least a year of dating and cohabitation?

  “Have I ever done anything else?”

  “No, I think you started it when I first started talking.”

  “True.”

  “Landon, Zerk let you out of bed.” Gib asked as he walked through the open back patio door scratching his bare, colorful chest.

  “I need a break on occasion.”

  “When your mother and I got together we didn’t leave the bedroom for weeks.”

  “Yea, that’s why my birthday is five months after your wedding anniversary.”

  “Happy commitments don’t have anything to do with a piece of paper. So, what the hell are you doing here and not at home?”

  Peaches didn’t give him a chance to answer himself. “Zerk told Landon he loved him first and our son is having a crisis.”

  “Son, don’t break that boy’s heart because you're not ready to—”

  “I didn’t say I wasn’t willing to commit. It’s just weird.”

  “What the fuck's strange about it? You two love each other even if you both were too fucking dumb to get your shit together years ago.”

  Leave it to his parents to be brutally honest. Don’t dare spare the beloved only child’s feelings. He dropped his head back and scrubbed his hands over his face.

  “It happened so fast though. One minute we’re our usual fun flirty friendship and the next the teasing gets out of control one morning.” He lifted his head to huff quickly through his nose.

  “Answer me this,” Gib took the seat beside his and stared at him. “If you had the opportunity would you go back to the way it was before?”

  “Hell no,” He didn’t even have to think about the answer. “I’m being an idiot,” He groaned and buried his face in his hands, then lifted his gaze to watch his parents stare at him with not an ounce of pity. He was so feeling the love.

  “Yes, you are, but the question is why,” Peaches asked and settled herself on Gib’s lap.

  “I don’t want to screw this up.” He placed his elbow on the table, and rested his chin on his palm.

  “You won’t, you and Zerk were made for each other.”

  His dad was right, but he was scared. He’d never had a long-term relationship in his life.

  “You staying for dinner?”

  “No, Zerk had several appointments today and Herc hates being at home alone for long stretches of time.”

  “You and that dog, won’t we get grandchildren of the non-hairy version, well, at least until Zerk Jr hits puberty.” The query came from his dad.

  “No, no breeding. Maybe one of the other crew will carry out your plans for Twirled World Domination.”

  “We can only hope.”

  It was an old argument that none of them took seriously. He wouldn’t say no if his mind changed in the future, but he didn’t see himself as the dad type.

  “While you plot and plan how to get your adopted sons, minus Zerk, of course to spread their seed, I’m going home.”

  “Fine, but Sunday dinner and bring Zerk.”

  “You know Sundays are for the guys, but I’ll ask him.”

  He stood and leaned over to kiss his parents’ cheeks, then straightened to head for the door. He was a moron, yes he freaked out, but it was completely natural. Not every day did the man of his dreams confess he loved him. It didn’t matter he was feeling stupid because of his minor breakdown. He pulled out his phone as he got back in his car, he tapped out a quick text.

  Landon: On my way home.

  He tossed his phone onto the passenger seat and headed for home.

  # # #

  A plate was in the microwave for when Zerk got home and everything cleaned up. He curled up on Zerk’s ratty recliner and flipped through the Guide looking for something to watch. Herc was taking up the whole couch. The click of the lock had him turning his head towards the door.

  “How was work?”

  Zerk placed one hand on the back of the chair and the other on the opposite arm. Zerk leaned down to kiss him, he tilted his chin up to press their lips together. He rested his forehead to Zerk’s and lifted his hands to rub the man’s broad chest.

  “Lucky pissed off some good ol’ boy who wanted an Iron Cross—”

  “Even Nazis should know what a pride flag looks like.”

  “You’d think they’d recognize the so-called enemy.” Zerk crouched down until they were eye-level.

  “How bad is Lucky hurt?”

  “He got a black eye before I got to him, I left him in Priest’s capable hands to be fussed at.”

  “Priest is excellent at that.” Landon chuckled. They knew Lucky and Priest’s antics well. The gorgeous ginger bear admonished the hyper hippie at every turn. “They are cute as fuck together.”

  “Don’t even hold your breath on that one.”

  They’d discussed starting a pool for when Lucky and Priest would get their shit together. It wasn’t as if no one assumed the two opposite men were already an item. Although, no one pushed because Priest timidity made it feel like they were kicking a puppy. He adored Priest though and if the two men were happy as best friends no one was going to call them on their obliviousness.

  “But they’re so weirdly perfect for each other.”

  “We both know Priest has some serious issues, and he sure as fuck isn’t going to let a crazy like Lucky near him.”

  “True. Radical Honesty aside the man practically screams mentally imbalanced.”

  “But don’t we love that about him?”

  “Yes, we do. I left you dinner in the microwave.”

  “Thanks, what you make?”

  “That extra-cheesy chili hash brown casserole you like. Sour cream is in the fridge.”

  “You’re the best. What we watching?”

  “Countless channels and nothing to watch.”

  “True, but there’s a gore-fest going on,” Zerk took the remote from his hand and turned to a bad slasher flick they both liked.

  The worse the movie the better they liked it.

  “I’m going to get my plate; I’ll be right back. Do you need anything?”

  “Nope, I’ll vacate the chair when you come back so that I may take my usual post on your lap.”

  “You got it,” Zerk gave him a quick kiss and headed for the kitchen.

  It was always easy for them. It seemed almost too easy and maybe it was, but he wasn’t going to complain. They’d always just fit together as friends and now lovers. Nothing was ever completely perfect, but he was looking forward to the fights and he was damn sure the making up would be fun too.

  “Move it, baby,” Zerk called out.

  “And the spark is gone.” Landon got to his feet and let Zerk sit down, then he took his usual spot on Zerk’s lap. It quickly became his favorite place after they met and three years hadn’t changed it.

  “Yea, yea, I’m the worst boyfriend in the history of boyfriends.”

  “Completely are, I should start looking for another one, a newer and cuter model.”

  “Fuck you, you love me, you said it and now you’re stuck with me.”

  “I am, now eat your damn dinner so I can snuggle and play with your beard while I try to tempt you into taking advantage of me.”

  “Your wish and all that shit.”

  “You’re so sweet,” He grumbled.

  He lifted his arm to cradle his head on his bicep as they watched a movie and Zerk ate. It didn’t get much better than right now.

  15 Dammit, did he have a Stalker?

  What the fuck, he stared across the street watching Ron sitting on a bench across the street staring at the shop. He’d already ignored five phone calls and a so-called accidental run in at the grocery story. If he didn’t think it was beneath Ron he’d think Ron was stalking him.

  “Still got a fan I see. Must have laid the D pretty good. Didn’t know big men had that—”

  “Finish that statement, Lucky, and I’ll stuff you in the dumpster out back.”

  “So, cranky, I still say plentiful sex should make you more relaxed. Has Landon wised up and decided to break up with you?”

  “Landon and I are just fine. Ron is making himself a fucking nuisance though. He made it clear I wouldn’t fit in his new life.”

  Trouble plopped down beside him. “Man, you’re a great catch maybe he realized his mistake or whatever, or he’s just gotten desperate.”

  “Now, I’m going to get it from the both of you?”

  “No, definitely cuddly enough and you got a sexy ass, but you’re like a brother that’s just wrong,” Lucky shuddered and took a seat on Zerk’s other side.

  “Why the fuck would you ever—never say that again.”

  “Definitely not, I may need Priest cuddles so I can find my happy place.”

  “You ever going to tell Priest—”

  “Not up for discussion.”

  “This isn’t getting us anywhere,” Trouble snapped his fingers between them. “Have you told him you’re not interested and you’re dating Landon?”

  “Of course I did. Said to me I’d grow tired of slumming and come back to him.” He shoved his fingers through his hair and tugged at the thick strands.

  “He had to know you and Landon were a sure thing. I mean, fuck, man, you and Landon can’t stay away from each other when you’re in the same damn room.” Trouble leaned back and propped his booted feet on the coffee table.

  “Yea, that came up in a conversation. Nothing happened though until after Ron broke up with me. Landon and I were safely in the friend compartment.”

  “No you weren’t,” Lucky barked out. “Dude, the first time I saw you two I totally thought you two were fucking until I saw Landon bring that guy he was dating in.”

  “You three done with gossiping, you coming to the bar,” Scary stopped in front of them putting his jacket on.

  Scary was six-feet-eight-inches of perpetually pissed off man. If Scary wasn’t one of his best friends he’d be terrified of him. Scary’s life was about three things, ink, fighting and fucking, he didn’t give a shit about much of anything else. To be honest, Scary gave some prime advice, he might have to get a minute with him to ask what to do about the Ron situation.

  “We’re in,” Trouble and Lucky said in unison and surged to their feet.

  “Priest,” Scary looked at Lucky.

  “Naw, man, he said he was gonna just relax at home tonight.” Lucky slipped on his backpack and went to stand beside the door, quickly joined by Trouble.

  “Let me call Landon and see what he’s up to, but he’s been putting in a lot of hours on a new account.”

  “Okay, we’ll wait outside.”

  They left him alone as he pulled his phone from his back pocket and quickly hit the speed dial for Landon.

  “Hey, what are you up to?”

  He could hear the smile in Landon’s voice. He loved how Landon seemed to brighten when he didn’t do anything more than walk into a room. Not with any of his past boyfriends or friends with benefits did he have someone who was just happy to be around him. They didn’t have to be doing anything special. Sitting around watching a movie or simply having dinner, it was enough they were together.

  “Heading out to Brawlers, want to join?”

  “No, I’ve got at least another hour before I can get out of here. Go have fun with the guys.”

  “You sure, I can go home and make you dinner.”

  “No reason to wait around the house for me. Just because we’re a couple now doesn’t mean—”

  “Yea, yea, you just want the house to yourself.”

  “You know it,” Landon laughter filled his ear.

  “I’m so not feeling the love. Weren’t you just saying not long ago that the spark was gone.”

  “The spark is fine, but I’m not the clingy type and I know you won’t fuck around. Jealousy is also not in my nature.”

  “I know that. So, no way I can talk you into meeting us there?”

  “You probably could, but I’m not. Just be careful coming home and make sure I don’t get called to bail y’all out.”

  “We’re not that bad.”

  “You’re like big kids when the crew gets together.”

  “Okay, I’ve got Scary glaring at me through the window. Love you.”

  “Love you too and have fun.”

  He disconnected the call and grabbed his jacket from the coat rack. He set the alarm, locked the door, and closed it behind him. Within minutes they were speeding out of town toward Brawlers.

  # # #

  Landon was asleep with the sheet bunched around his waist. He leaned his shoulder against the door to watch his man sleep. It was weird to come home and have Landon already in bed, but it was after midnight. Several times he’d thought he’d seen Ron in the crowd, but it had to be a moment of paranoia.

  Not even to fuck with him would Ron show up a place like Brawlers. He swore the fucker was stalking him though. He laughed at himself as he reached over his head and fisted the back of his shirt to pull it over his head. Zerk tossed it in the laundry basket as he passed. He stopped beside the bed and stripped off his jeans, then crawled in naked beside Landon.

 

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