Where He Belongs: Gay Romance, page 12
"Shut up. I know," Jack told him. He could see Gus smiling at him in the faint moonlight that came in through the blinds.
"So romantic," Gus teased him.
Pulling him up, he wrapped Jack in a tight embrace. Jack fell asleep as soon as his head rested against Gus's chest.
*
Morning sun made its way through the blinds evilly stabbing Gus in the eye. He was irritated until he opened his eyes fully and saw that Jack was in his bed. That was worth waking up for. The way the sun came in in the morning was why Gus liked the other side of the bed, but that's where Jack was sleeping like an angel. Gus kissed his shoulder then heard a noise. Jack had stirred slightly at the touch of his lips, but now he jumped awake.
"Good morning. This is every morning in the Dwyer house," Gus said. "Josh has been my alarm clock for years. Listen to the pitter patter of little feet."
Jack described what they were hearing more accurately. "You mean the banging," They could hear Josh running through the house.
"That boy is energetic," Gus said with a grin as he got out of bed and put some clothes on. "If he's making that much noise, he's ready for breakfast."
After the two of them made themselves decent, they went into the living room. Josh was nowhere in sight, but a crash coming from the kitchen told them where he was. Jack looked worried.
Gus recognized the noise. "Josh probably made a tower with pots and pans and it fell over. That kid is irrepressible."
"Have you ever considered calling things what they are?" Jack asked.
Gus gave him an unequivocal no to that. Josh now poked his head out of the swinging doors to the kitchen.
"Did you hear it?" he asked, grinning.
"Oh, yeah. We heard," Gus assured him as he went into the kitchen. The evidence of what he was doing lay strewn all over the floor.
"It was this big," Josh motioned above his head proudly.
"Why didn't you wake me up so I could take a picture?" That's what Josh had done once before.
"I wanted to make it bigger, but it fell."
"That's ambition for you," Gus said.
Jack looked between him and Josh like he thought someone should be punished, but he wasn't sure who.
"Try and put them back in the cupboard the way they were, not all topsy-turvy like last time," Gus told Josh.
Josh laughed. Last time he put them away, they fell out as soon as Gus opened the cabinet door.
After Josh put the cupboard in order with Jack's help, he had to be convinced to get ready for school.
"I'll go to work with you and Jack. I don't need to go to school, I know everything already," Josh claimed.
"Jack, quiz him," Gus said.
Josh had an answer for every one of his questions, but none of them were right.
"Sorry, I think you still have a few things to learn," Jack told him.
With a sigh, Josh went to get his book bag in order. Gus was making coffee and he turned to Jack.
"You think I'm too permissive with him," he guessed.
"How can you live with the constant threat of pots and pans crashing?" Jack asked.
"I think I went deaf during Josh's teething stage."
Jack looked distant for a moment, and Gus knew he had reminded him of his little girl.
"Gina had a nanny," Jack said. "She and Nancy stayed up with her when she cried at night. I worked through too much of her life then she was gone. I remember the nanny taking her away when she would start to cry so she wouldn't disturb me."
"It's probably good that you weren't a hands-on dad considering what happened," Gus said.
"I don't know. I can still see her looking up at me, smiling."
"I'm sure she's smiling wherever she is."
Jack nodded.
Gus knew that being around him and Josh was bringing it all back. He hoped Jack could handle it. Gus wanted them to wake up every morning in messy sheets, elbow each other at the bathroom sink, argue about how strong coffee should be and who was supposed to buy milk while trying to keep Josh from putting M&M's in his cereal. He wanted them to share all the stupid little moments that make up a life.
Chapter 16
These days Jack was coming to do his work at the bistro again, but it wasn't like before. For one thing, everyone was giving them knowing looks. Being naturally reserved, Jack wanted to keep things professional and keep their relationship under wraps. Gus wasn't very good at that, or maybe he wanted everyone to know. More than that, he wanted to have Jack sleep over every night, and then they could drive in to work together. At the end of the day, they would get to go home together as well. Gus was restrained by his promise not to rush Jack so he kept the news to himself for now.
He looked over at Jack at his desk. Thinking back to the way he looked in bed – dark hair mussed, sleepy eyed and naked in tangled sheets – Gus had to suppress a groan. Under the influence of that vision, Gus had trouble not going over there and getting his hands on him.
He turned back to his own work, but after memorizing every inch of Jack, Gus didn't need to turn his head to see him. The slim, defined body with smooth, warm skin over tight muscles was right there in front of him. Gus could trace the dark hair on Jack's legs, the long scar running up his thigh and the one on his shoulder. He could feel Jack's nipples harden under his tongue, Jack's long fingers tangled in his hair and wrapped around his cock.
A text from Brenda snapped him out of it and told him that their relationship was no secret. Brenda was asking Gus why he swore her to secrecy about him and Jack when Doug was bragging about getting them back together.
He shared the news with Jack. "Sounds like Doug is taking credit for reuniting us," Gus told him.
"Thanks for letting me know so I can kill him," Jack said in an even tone. He sounded more irritated when he turned to Gus. "You need to stop updating Doug on the state of our relationship."
"It wasn't me." Gus had only told Brenda, who knew how to be discreet. "You've been coming in here every day. Anyone in this place could have told Doug about us."
"I don't suppose we could fire everyone," Jack wondered and glanced threateningly toward the kitchen.
"No. Especially since I just got Johanna to fill in for me Sunday. I'm all yours. Let's make plans."
It didn't take Jack long to come up with an idea. "Do you think Josh would like it if we went picnicking?" Jack asked. "We can drive along the river and stop wherever we like. I can rent us a convertible."
"You're the man," Gus praised him. "Josh will love it. There are some great spots along the way plus the old railroad cars on display at Limpet Junction."
"So it's a plan," Jack said and smiled at Gus.
Gus couldn't get enough of his smiles. They weren't as guarded as before but more open and genuinely happy. Jack still carried a veil of sadness around him, but something had changed in his eyes. They were the eyes of someone waiting for happy news after years of sorrow. Gus couldn't wait to take away every bit of sadness and see Jack truly happy.
Early Sunday morning, Jack showed up in front of the house in a classic, baby blue, Pontiac Bonneville convertible, and Josh jumped up and down with excitement. Gus shifted the booster seat over from his Jeep while Josh helped Jack bring out the picnic blanket and a cooler with some drinks and snacks.
While Jack drove, Gus looked over at him. The wind was messing up his hair and rippling through his shirt. He was a beautiful sight.
"I wonder if we are going to get any alone time today?" Gus wanted to know. As the car sped along the highway leading out of town, Gus had to lean in close to Jack to be heard over the whipping of the wind, but not to be overheard by Josh.
"Don't bother the driver," Josh told him, leaning forward.
"I was just talking to him," Gus said.
"You were teasing him," Josh accused him.
"I'm his boyfriend. I'm allowed."
"Is that true?" Josh asked Jack.
Jack smiled to himself and said grudgingly, "Yes. He's allowed."
"Jack is a good boyfriend. You better be nice to him," Josh lectured Gus. "I'm watching you, mister."
Gus reached back and tickled him. Squirming, Josh let out peels of laughter. Teaming up against him, that's what Gus had to look forward to. Gus grinned at the thought while Josh still giggled.
They were out of town now and taking Millery Road as it snaked along the riverbank. There was farmland on the other side with farm equipment clustered around sheds. Lines of crops alternated with dark, rich soil. Further on, they passed fishermen with their lines in the water. Josh caught sigh of a fish being caught and reeled in by one of the fishermen, and he clapped excitedly.
Gus chose their first stop, the Apple A Day Pancake House. A vast apple orchard stretched out behind the parking lot. Seeing that the place was crowded, they got a bag of apple fritters and fried, battered apple rings and went for a walk in the old orchard.
The old orchard with its gnarly, ancient trees was open to the public. A few other visitors meandered between the rows of old trees. Finding himself among so many craggy, enticing trees, Josh had to climb them.
"Be careful," Gus told him. "And don't be surprised if we eat all the apple fritters while you're up there."
Turning back, Josh grabbed one fritter and one apple ring and stuffed them in his mouth before he left. Gus and Josh watched him climb one tree after another. Sunlight filtered through the branches as they looked up to see Josh peering down from among new, bright green leaves. Gus reached over and took Jack's hand. Jack gave him a look.
"What, you think holding hands is corny?" Gus asked him.
"Yes," Jack said and squeezed his hand.
Gus pulled him close and kissed him. The sun was bright in a clear blue sky. The trees were vibrant with new leaves. Gus sneaked a kiss whenever no one was in sight. Mainly he just enjoyed the simple pleasure of walking hand in hand with the one he loved while his kid tried to climb every tree he saw. Finding a really big tree, all three of them sat down to finish off the fried goodies.
Limpet Junction wasn't far from there. There were several antique railroad cars to walk through. They took the tour using the pamphlet as their guide.
Staring at an imposing silver locomotive, Josh wanted to know, "Do I need a license to drive a train, like I do for a car?"
"No. You can go right ahead," Gus told him and pointed to the front of the locomotive.
After frowning at him with skepticism, Josh pointed a finger at Gus. "Don't kid a kidder!"
"Is that something your grandfather used to say?" Jack asked Gus.
"Everything he says is something my grandfather used to say," Gus confirmed while Josh peered at the locomotive thoughtfully.
He turned to them to announce, "Cars are nice, but I decided I'm going drive a locomotive when I'm a grown-up, but no rush."
"No rush?" Jack said.
"Pop Pop said, 'Don't be in a rush to be a grown-up. Once you're a grown-up, you can never go back.'"
"That's some good Pop Pop wisdom," Gus told him.
"I have a million of them," Josh bragged.
"Listen to tiny grandpa over there," Gus said to Jack.
Josh grinned at them.
Back in the convertible, they followed the road as it went up into the hills. When the road turned back toward the riverbank, the terrain was rocky and the river had narrowed. The road was less traveled here and the roadside was thick with trees.
Gus knew there was an old mill somewhere around there, but they would have to walk to find it. They switched to a dirt road and came to a stop in a little clearing. Other cars were parked there, and they saw signs pointing them to the campgrounds, hiking trails and the old mill.
With signs pointing the way, it didn't take them long to find the mill. The wheel still turned noisily. When they went inside, Josh covered his ears.
From there they walked over a footbridge to the other side of the river. They stopped in the middle of the creaky, wooden bridge and looked down. The river was swift and lively as it flowed under the weathered wooden planks.
"Pick me up and hold me up high so I can look down," Josh said to Gus and jumped in place.
"No. What if I drop you?" Gus said, pretending to be worried.
"You won't drop me. You're strong," Josh told him with complete confidence.
Basking in his words, Gus looked over at Jack and smiled. "I think I need Jack to help me," Gus said. They lifted Josh together and held him over the railing. Gus could feel how securely Jack held onto Josh. There was no doubt that he knew that they held something precious between them.
On the other side of the river, they walked through the sun-dappled woods. Ahead of them was a small clearing with a huge stump in its center. Josh ran toward it and climbed on it. Gus heard Jack's phone ring. It did that often, but until now Jack ignored all calls and only checked the texts. This time Jack answered. Gus stepped away to let him talk and joined Josh who was counting the rings on the tree stump. Gus had him stand on the stump so he could take some pictures of him.
Jack stayed back, deep in conversation. When he was done with his phone call, he looked serious. Gus went over to join him.
"How do you even have reception out here?" Gus looked at his own phone. He had no bars.
"I might need to cut this short, I have to leave town," Jack told him.
"Like hell," Gus said, already mad. "It's Sunday. Whatever it is, it can wait till tomorrow."
"Some things can't wait. You should know that," Jack told him calmly. "I have an investor ready to pull millions from a project at a crucial stage. I have to talk to her in person. That means I have to leave now. By Monday morning, it might be too late."
Gus knew this kind of thing could happen, that Jack might have to leave on business any time. What he was really afraid of was that once Jack left, he wouldn't come back.
"When would you be back?" Gus asked him, still frowning.
"I don't know."
Gus shut his eyes and gritted his teeth. That wasn't the answer he wanted to hear.
"You don't trust me to come back," Jack realized. Now he was the one getting angry, but worse than that was the hurt look on his face when Gus didn't deny it.
"Fuck," Gus cursed.
Jack looked around for Josh to make sure he hadn't heard that.
Not seeing him, Jack called out, "Josh!"
When Josh didn't answer, Gus felt himself go cold inside. He yelled out for Josh too. That's when they heard a voice. It was low – a man's voice, not Josh's. They ran in the direction where the voice had come from.
Just past the edge of the clearing, they saw Josh standing only a few feet from an unkempt looking man. The man was thin and unhealthy looking. His clothes were dirty. His hair was matted. His beard was overgrown, and he was scratching at it compulsively with one hand. His other hand was hooked around the back of his belt. Gus ran over to Josh and told the man to back off.
"I was just talking to the boy," the man said. He looked from Gus to Jack. His eyes stayed on Jack, who had come to stand between Gus and Josh and the man.
"You need to leave," Jack told the man evenly.
"You don't tell me what to do," the man said and showed Jack what he had in the back of his belt. He brought out a large, hunting knife. Gus backed away with Josh, shielding him with his body.
The man had a smile on his face and a wild look in his eyes. His attention was focused on Jack.
"OK, we can leave," Gus told the man. He meant Jack too, but he didn't budge. "Jack," Gus called to him sharply, but he still didn't move.
There was no telling what the man might do. Gus was worried about Jack, who hadn't backed down at all from that knife. This man obviously didn't like being challenged, and that's exactly what Jack was doing.
"Jack, you have to come too!" Josh yelled as Gus started taking him away.
"I'll be right there," Jack said. He sounded perfectly calm. Gus could tell that Jack was going to keep himself between Gus and Josh and that knife as long as the man looked ready to use it.
First Gus had to get Josh away from there, but he was fighting him.
"Jack! We can't go without Jack!" he insisted while Gus tried to get him to a safer distance.
As Josh kept calling for Jack, Gus picked him up, ready to carry him away. If only Jack would back down, but he just stared at that man like he would take him apart, knife or not.
Suddenly, the man laughed, showing his brown teeth. He turned the point of the knife away from Jack and scratched his beard with it.
"Jack!" Josh called out again, and Jack started to back away slowly. He joined Gus and Josh.
They kept an eye on the man as they retreated. When they lost sight of him among the trees, they could hear him start to whistle. The sound of his whistling grew more faint, and they knew he was leaving too. They headed toward the bridge and then to where they had left the car. Josh let Gus hold him until they crossed to the other side of the river.
"I can walk," Josh said impatiently. Until then, he had his arms around Gus and held on tightly.
Gus put him down though he didn't want to. He wanted to hold on to him and never let go. He could tell Josh was less scared now, especially since they were all together. As soon as he was on his own feet, Josh took Gus's hand and Jack's too.
"You weren't scared enough, either one of you," Gus said to both Josh and Jack as they walked toward the open space where the car was parked.
"I was scared," Josh said.
"Me too," Jack admitted. "Why didn't you answer when we called you?" he asked Josh.
"My mouth wouldn't work," Josh said.
"That's because you were scared," Jack told him. "If you're scared and your mouth or your legs won't work, you have to push past that, and yell for help and run and fight. OK?" Jack looked at Gus to see if he agreed.
"That's right," Gus said to confirm what Jack was saying.
