Nixon: An m/m bodyguard romance (Hunter Security), page 17
Only time will tell.
“Good morning,” Anna grumbles as I flip another pancake, then pour her a cup of coffee. “You’re never allowed to move out again. Breakfast and coffee I don’t have to make is the way to this girl’s heart,” she jokes, and I chuckle.
“Really? I thought it was toe-curling kisses to the lips between your legs,” Brittany teases, joining her girlfriend at the island.
Anna giggles and pecks Brittany on the lips. “That too. Obviously, penis does nothing for me, but I still want to live with Nixon forever. Or maybe when we find our own place, we can hire a personal chef,” she suggests with a big toothy grin.
“Good idea. You know I suck at cooking.”
I smile at the two women and how comfortable they are with each other. Dante and I are like that when it’s just us and in front of Brittany and Anna, but anything else, Dante clams up. I get why, but I hope that will eventually settle.
“Dante still sleeping?” Anna questions as I hand Brittany a cup of coffee.
“Yup. When I asked him if he wanted breakfast, he responded with, ‘Sleep first.’ ”
She nods in understanding. “Sounds like Dante. Even without a crazy hectic couple of days, he likes his beauty sleep.”
“Mel said she was going to stop over this afternoon to visit. She wants to be here in case Dante needs to talk,” Brittany shares.
“That’s a great idea. They seem like they’ve gotten close.”
“They really have. For the past few weeks, we’ve had her over regularly for movie night. I figured Dante needed more people in his life, especially after he pushed you out. Obviously, Mel isn’t a replacement for you, but it’s not healthy to be so secluded all the time.”
“I appreciate you guys being here for him when I couldn’t. I’m just happy he’s letting me back in.”
“Us too. You guys are perfect together,” Anna voices with a cheeky grin.
I continue making breakfast, trying to stay as busy as possible so my thoughts don’t drift to my time apart from Dante. Especially since there is this lingering doubt in the back of my mind saying that might happen again.
“There better be coffee,” Dante murmurs as I’m plating the bacon.
“There is. Lots of food too.” I fix a coffee for him the way he likes it. “How are you feeling?” I ask, placing the mug in front of him.
“Still exhausted… but I’ll live.”
“You did so good last night,” Anna encourages in a cheery tone, but he doesn’t even look at her.
“Yup… and my father still found a way to make it about what a heathen I am,” he grumbles. “Have you checked the internet yet? I did before I came out here. There are literally groups being formed around how to not be like me.”
“Why do you care what those people think?” Anna demands. “You know there isn’t anything wrong with you. People are going to say shit… they always do. You can’t change that. But the opinions of strangers and assholes don’t matter. You know who you need to listen to? The people who actually care about you… like me, Brittany, Mel, and Nixon. Fuck everyone else.”
Dante doesn’t respond. His focus stays solely on something outside the kitchen window while he sips his coffee.
“Do you need anything?” I ask, setting a plate of food in front of him.
“I’m actually not hungry.” He stands. “And I’d like to be alone for a little bit.” With those parting words, he heads to our room, taking his cup with him.
“I thought he was doing fine with coming out,” Anna whispers.
“Mel told us to expect a bunch of things. Numbness, anger, and sadness are some of them,” Brittany reminds her.
“I’ll check on him once I’ve cleaned up,” I tell them before turning around, busying myself again.
“Are you sure you’re not hungry?” I ask Dante as I close the bedroom door behind me.
He’s sitting on the bed, staring at his phone, and I have this urge to rip it out of his hands, but I won’t.
“I was so certain coming out yesterday was the right move,” he whispers, not lifting his head. “But now I’m not so sure…”
“Your father was going to leak those photos no matter what,” I remind him. “I’m sorry you didn’t have a choice.”
“I know what Anna said is right… I shouldn’t care what people have to say… but I do. When you grow up being told that image is everything, something like this is a real kick in the nuts. What hurts even more is my father… my own fucking blood… was willing to tarnish my image to better his.”
I make my way to the bed and sit next to Dante, wrapping my arm around his shoulder. “I’m sorry you’re going through this, but you have people who actually love you and want to support you in this. I know it’s easier said than done to erase everything you’ve been through and to let go of those lies that were fed to you, but we’re here. I’m not going anywhere. If you need to fall, you can crash into my arms. I’m here to catch you, Treasure.”
That’s when the damn breaks, and he lets it all out, crumpling forward to cover his face with his hands. I rub his back while he sobs, not saying anything, just comforting him. Letting him know I’ll always be here.
It takes a while for his tears to slow. I think it’s because his body is finally releasing everything he’s held onto for far too long, but I don’t care how long it takes. I’ll be here all day if that’s what he needs.
“Eww… my hands are snotty,” Dante murmurs, wiping them on his pants after he’s taken a few deep breaths.
“Good thing you can wash them,” I tease as he sits up and looks at me.
Swiping my thumb under his eye, I wipe away the last few stragglers of tears.
“I don’t think I’ve ever cried like that before.”
“It was well overdue, then. You know it’s okay to cry, right?” I ask, and he rolls his eyes.
“Of course, I know it’s okay to cry. I also know it’s okay to be gay. Doesn’t always make it an easy thing to accept, but I’m working on it.”
“That’s a good thing. We all have things we need to deal with, and it’s often easier to bury those issues than to face them head-on. It makes you strong to actually be putting in the work.”
“It helps having a support system too,” he replies. “I’m happy you’re back.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I remind him, and it’s a promise I intend to keep.
Dante rests his head on my shoulder, and I rub his back again, relishing having him with me again, where he belongs.
It doesn’t take long before Dante’s stomach grumbles, and I can’t help but chuckle. “I guess someone is hungry, after all,” I tease, my smile growing as he laughs.
“Feed me, lover boy,” he jokes.
Nothing has ever felt more right, but we’ve always been good behind closed doors.
What happens when we step out of this house?
Chapter 26
Dante
Nixon’s phone blares on the nightstand, pulling a low growl from my lips before I shove him and roll over. “Tell whoever it is to fuck off,” I grumble. “It’s too early for calls.”
He chuckles and answers the call. I let out a contented sigh as the annoying ringtone shuts off, and the room becomes mostly quiet except for Nixon’s low voice.
“I’ll let him know,” he says. “Anything else I should be aware of?” He goes quiet again, obviously listening to the caller. “Okay, thank you, please keep me updated.”
“What was that about?” I ask after Nixon sets his phone down.
The moment he’s back under the covers, I roll over to cuddle into his side, resting my head on his chest.
“Your father was arrested.”
I gasp, propping myself up on my elbow. “Holy shit! For real?”
He nods and kisses me softly. “I doubt he’ll be in jail for long, seeing who he is, but we’ll make sure you can get a restraining order against him,” Nixon says as I resume my cuddle position.
“I should call my lawyers,” I whisper as my phone rings. “Or they’ll call me.” I twist and glance at the caller ID.
“Hello?” I answer, sitting up and leaning against the headboard.
Nixon does the same, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, offering me support.
“Your father was arrested,” Greg informs me.
“I’m aware. Nixon just told me.”
Greg chuckles. “Figures he’d get the information first. Your father’s bail hearing is already scheduled for this afternoon. We will be present to demand as much as we can, but you already know the chances of him being held are extremely low.”
We went over all of this when we first met about everything going on three days ago. The day after I came out.
“But you’ll be able to get a restraining order, right?” I ask, even though I know it’s just a piece of paper.
“Absolutely,” he assures me. “There is more than enough evidence to keep him away from you. But it’s highly likely the judge is going to say something along the lines of since these are the first allegations against your father and with a restraining order in place, there would be no reason to keep him in jail until we return before a jury.”
“Keep me posted, please.” He agrees, and I end the call. “I still can’t believe they actually arrested him,” I murmur, leaning my head against Nixon’s shoulder.
“Guys like your father should get arrested a hell of a lot more than they do.”
I couldn’t agree more, but money gets people out of a lot of shit.
“Well, I’m awake now, might as well get a workout in. I want to look extra hot for the red carpet tonight,” I tell Nixon, sitting up straighter and winking.
“You’re still wanting to go?”
I roll my eyes without even thinking. It’s the arched eyebrow and Nixon holding up one finger that alerts me to my mistake. Well, at least I’ll get an endorphin release from the spanking tonight after the event.
“I have to live my life, Nixon. Besides, Bennett and Denver will be by my side the entire time. I’ll be safe,” I remind him, but his brows pull together, and his jaw ticks, clearly not happy.
“I’ll be by your side,” he corrects me, but I shake my head as I stand.
“No, you’ll wait in the car.”
“Like fuck I will.”
“Don’t talk to me like that.”
“Why the hell don’t you want me by your side?” His voice is getting louder by the second, and his face is red with anger.
Shit, I didn’t think he would react like this.
“The photos of us are everywhere. People are going to connect the dots. You’ll start getting bombarded with questions and pestering. You didn’t sign up to be a celebrity. You don’t need this.”
He throws his hands up in frustration. “You don’t get to make that decision for me.”
“I’m trying to protect your personal space,” I yell, my patience thinning.
“Are you really? Or do you just not want me with you?” His tone is dripping with venom, but then I realize he’s reading into this more than I thought he would.
Letting out a sigh, I get on the bed again and move over to my man to kiss his cheek.
“I don’t want to keep you my dirty little secret,” I assure him.
“Then why haven’t we announced our relationship yet?” he asks without looking at me.
We should have had this conversation sooner, but life has been hectic, to say the least.
“Because when we do, your life is going to change,” I explain. “I was hoping we could give the leaked photos some time to die down first. That would also give you some time to wrap your head around everything. When we appear on a red carpet together, I want it to be as boyfriends. I want us to be prepared. I want us to be in control, not the interviewers and paparazzi. Tonight is already going to be a shit show, but I can handle it. It’s not fair to put you through it too. I promise you’ll be by my side at the next event.”
His eyes stay on the ceiling as he inhales deeply, then exhales slowly and finally turns to face me.
“Really?” he asks, appearing a lot calmer now.
“Really. I should have realized that me asking you to stay back would trigger you. With how I’ve acted in the past, it makes sense, especially since we haven’t spoken about us announcing our relationship yet. I understand you thinking I still want us to be a secret, but I don’t. I’m sorry I didn’t bring this up sooner.”
“I’m sorry for acting like a duck,” he whispers.
I stare at him like he’s grown a second head. “I think you mean dick.”
He smirks, shaking his head. “No, I don’t. Have you ever been close to a duck? They’re fucking assholes.”
I can’t help but laugh, and the tension between us fades.
“Are we good?” I ask after a few moments.
“We’re good. Even though I’ll hate every minute of it, I’ll stay in the limo and only come out if something crazy happens.”
I smack his chest and glare at him. “Don’t say shit like that. The last red-carpet event I was at, I almost died. You’re just trying to bring on bad luck by putting that out into the universe.”
Nixon chuckles but pulls me into his arms, where I feel the safest.
“I’m sorry.”
“Prove it,” I goad him, waggling my brows.
He growls and pins me to the bed, devouring my mouth.
This man is far too good for me.
“You could probably bail on this event,” Anna says, nibbling on her nails. I smack her hand, forcing her to stop.
“You just got your nails done. You don’t want to ruin them,” I chide, trying to change the subject.
“I’m nervous for you.”
“I have to get out in public one day, Anna. Besides, you’ll be there, along with Brittany, Nixon, Denver, Bennett, and the other bodyguards. I’ll be safe.”
“It’s not your physical well-being I’m worried about.”
This is the first red carpet I will be walking alone. She knows how much that terrifies me. Anna has always kept my anxiety at bay. Without her by my side each step of the way, I’m not sure how I’m going to handle it. She’s also worried about everyone bombarding me with questions about everything going on in my life But honestly, my queerness is the least of my fears tonight. Having a panic attack in the middle of a red carpet is the biggest one.
Part of me wants to change my mind and ask Nixon to walk with me. But I meant what I told him earlier—he needs time. I refuse to throw him to the wolves.
“Hey, handsome, are you ready to walk the red carpet?” Mel asks, startling me as she walks out with Brittany.
“What are you doing here?” I question, taking in how elegant she looks.
“Figured you might want a friend by your side tonight. You told me how Anna has always been your rock, so I’m here.” She twirls in her gorgeous emerald-green dress, and I chuckle and pull her in for a hug.
“Thank you,” I whisper into her neck.
“Ready to go?” Nixon asks after he gets off a call and kisses my cheek.
I beam at him and nod. “Come on, ladies, let’s go rock that red carpet,” I call out, and we make our way to the limo.
The event goes by smoothly, with Amara making it clear any questions about my sexuality or father will be ignored, and we will move on. So thankfully, I get to talk about my work and upcoming projects while Mel keeps my anxiety under control.
It was a pretty amazing night, but I won’t lie and say I didn’t wish Nixon was by my side. It would have been a fantastic night had it not been for the worry in the pit of my stomach.
When the event is over, we climb into the limo, and I hug Nixon.
“How did it go?” he asks, then gently presses his lips to mine.
“Better than I thought it would, but Amara was a boss bitch. I missed you, though.”
He smiles and nods. “Me too. Why don’t we get together with Amara in the next couple of days to make a plan to announce our relationship officially? That way, I won’t have to stay back again.”
I beam at him and lean in for another kiss. “I love that idea.”
I lean into Nixon’s side as we make our way home, everyone falling into easy conversations. I love how comfortable this feels right now. Yet it also dawns on me we’ve only been able to have moments like this with my friends so far. Now that I’m out, that doesn’t seem fair to Nixon anymore.
As we drive, an idea pops into my head. Now to put it into motion.
“What are you doing here?” Nixon asks as his friends and employees walk through our front door.
“Didn’t you get the memo? It’s game night,” Denver teases with a soft shove.
Nixon looks at me, and I shrug. “I figured it would be nice to hang out with your friends too, so I got Denver to send out the invites.”
“Second time you’ve kept a secret from me.” Nixon growls at Denver, who bristles before Nixon slaps him on the shoulder. “But it’s fine. I get why you did it.”
“Anyone want to help me with this food?” a guy I don’t recognize shouts, coming inside with platters of food.
“On it,” Bennett replies, racing outside to help.
“You can put that in the kitchen,” I tell him.
He nods in thanks. “I’m Ford, by the way. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” I say with a tight smile as more people I don’t recognize enter the house. “I told you to only invite those close to Nixon,” I whisper to Denver, my tone letting him know I’m not joking around.
“I did,” he assures me. “Ford is my friend and is crashing at my house right now since his girlfriend kicked him out. The good-looking dude and the pretty brunette are old clients of Nixon’s that he grew close to. Other than that, it’s just the crew from work. Is that too much?” He now looks unsure of himself.
I take a deep breath and shake my head. “It’s fine. Sorry, I guess seeing everyone is just triggering my anxiety. Don’t let Nixon know I’m freaking out a little.”
