Where He Belongs: Gay Romance, page 13
"OK," Josh said.
"You should have called out as soon as you saw that man," Gus told him.
"He was just there all of a sudden. I was looking at these big mushrooms, and I looked up, and he was right there. He said the mushrooms might be poisonous or maybe not, and he was smiling. That's when I heard Jack call me, but I couldn't talk," Josh said then he looked up at Jack. "You were brave."
"You should have backed off," Gus told Jack.
"I used my judgment," Jack insisted.
It worked out, so maybe Jack was right not to back down too soon. If it wasn't for Josh, Gus might have stood his ground too. He could remember a few confrontations from his younger days when he was reckless with his own safety. But Jack hadn't been reckless. Without hesitation, he had turned protective as soon as he saw that Gus and Josh were in danger.
As Gus buckled Josh in the back seat of the convertible, Jack looked back into the woods that surrounded the river. It was as if he was standing guard over them. He then got behind the wheel, and they drove to the nearest police station to make a report. The man might not be a danger to them any more, but they had to think of the next person who might run into him.
Josh was delighted to see a real police station, though he was a little disappointed that it was mostly just desks and offices. They did get to look at mug shots. When they didn't find their guy among them, a sketch artist was called in.
It took a while to get through all that, but then they were ready to be on their way again. Gus breathed a big sigh of relief as they left the police station. Being back outside felt nice. From the small town police station steps, he could see green hills in the distance.
Once they were back in the car, Jack wanted to know which way to go.
"Do you want to go home?" he asked Gus.
"No!" Josh yelled from the back seat.
"He's up for more adventures," Gus said to Jack. "How about you?"
Jack looked over at him in surprise. "If you guys want to keep going, we'll keep going," Jack said.
"Yes! The Dwyers want to keep going," Josh said, putting in the vote for both of them.
"You heard my boy," Gus said. Then he remembered that Jack was planning to leave. "What about your trip?"
"Trip?" Jack asked as if he had no idea what Gus was talking about.
"The phone call, the urgent business," Gus reminded him.
"Oh, no. I'm not going," Jack said.
"Because of what happened?" Gus asked. Though he was glad Jack wasn't leaving, he just couldn't help questioning his motives.
"I'm just not going," Jack said, stubbornly not looking at Gus.
*
As he drove, Jack thought about why he couldn't leave. He didn't want to explain how he felt. He wanted to stay and protect the two most important people in his life. It hit him hard just how much Gus and Josh meant to him. He would do anything for them. Postponing some business matter was nothing compared to what he was willing to give up to keep them safe.
There was something else too. Jack wanted to share this day with them. He was reminded that their time together was precious. Today was never going to come back. It couldn't be replaced by tomorrow or any other day. Where Gus and Josh were concerned, Jack didn't want to have any regrets.
They still followed the road that ran along the river. It had changed names a few times already. The road was cutting through green fields with only glimpses of the river when they hit a small rise. The sun was dipping toward the horizon and starting to turn a deeper gold. That reminded Jack that evening was coming.
"Are you guys hungry," Jack asked.
"I am," Josh piped up from the back.
"Have something in mind?" Gus said.
"Sweet Meadow Inn. It's right up ahead." When Jack had researched this area, he had come across the inn. Its name and quiet, homely setting seemed right after the day they had.
"That's a nice place," Gus said.
"It's not very exciting," Jack admitted. "But I'm in the mood for something civilized."
Gus agreed, "I'm with you on that. We've had enough wild times for one day."
The inn was a squat, red roofed building with two stories and tall windows. Its wraparound porch had tables and lounge chairs for the guests. A pleasant garden surrounded it. In front, a fountain had a statue of a small boy fishing while water cascaded around him. Gus took pictures of Josh in front of it.
Inside, the inn's dining room had a family atmosphere. As they were seated, Josh spotted the kids at the other tables right away. Looking at the menu, Josh took no time at all to choose a hamburger. When their food arrived, he wrapped both hands around the thick burger and took a big bite.
"Did you work up an appetite?" Jack asked him.
Josh only nodded and started wolfing down his burger.
"Slow down," Gus told him.
"I'm a growing boy," Josh said.
As soon as he was done eating, Josh joined a group of kids who were staying at the inn with their parents. Soon they got a little too rambunctious for the dining room. When they wanted to go outside, Jack and Gus left their table and went out too. After what happened today when Josh was out of their sight for only a minute, they weren't taking any chances. The two of them walked the grounds while the kids played. It was a nice evening, but night was coming on quickly. Sweet smelling shrubs in the inn garden scented the air.
The sounds of kids laughing and shrieking broke the silence between Jack and Gus. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, but it was tense with all the things Jack wanted to say. Other people would pass by from time to time, so Jack didn't feel free to say much. He watched Josh as he played, looking so carefree.
"Why wasn't he more rattled? For that matter, why aren't you?" he asked Gus. Jack couldn't let go of the fear that gripped him when he saw Josh in danger.
"Josh isn't rattled because we were there, and it all turned out OK. As for me, I'm more rattled than I look. And I'm grateful you were there with us," Gus told him and took his hand.
"I always want to be there for you," Jack said. That was one of the things he was dying to tell Gus.
"That's why you changed your mind about your business trip," Gus said.
"What seemed important then doesn't seem important now. Someone else will handle it."
"I'm glad you're staying, but you were right when you said I was afraid you wouldn't come back. Sorry. Next time you need to go away, I won't make a fuss. I have faith in you," Gus said and smiled at him. Jack could see real trust in his eyes.
Jack turned to him more fully. "I promise I won't use a business trip as an excuse to leave you. This is where I want to be. With you," Jack said and kissed him.
A little later, the kids dispersed and Josh ran back to Gus and Jack with a big smile on his face. They ended their excursion by lying on the blanket in the field that stretched from the back of the inn to the river. The field was gently sloping and grassy right up to the river's edge. Night had fallen and the moon was out. Moonlight made the sky glow and gave the water a silvery glint. Here the river was wide and slow. As the river flowed by quietly, the waves lapped against the riverbank with a whisper. As waves rippled gently over the surface of the river, they reflected the moon.
The inn rose above the three of them where they were stretched out on the grass. The first floor was lit up and all the porch lights were on, but on the floors above, only some of the windows were lit. Sometimes they could see a light go on or off.
Some guests were sitting on the porch, enjoying the view and the cool night air. Jack could sometimes hear their voices carried on the wind. Below them a few people strolled on the lighted path that ran along the riverbank. Though it was dark, the signs of life around them were comforting but not intrusive.
Gus and Jack were next to each other on the blanket while Josh chose to lie in the grass. It was a warm night with a cool wind that picked up now and then but didn't last. Gus still made Josh wear his blue and red jacket.
Josh was lying back in the grass, counting the stars as wisps of clouds drifted by. Hearing splashing in the water, he sat up. Some fish were jumping and Josh watched them, cheering for them.
Since Gus and Jack had the blanket to themselves, Gus put his arms around him and pulled him close. Shifting a little, Jack settled against him so they could lie comfortably together. Being held at the end of the day felt so natural and good.
Jack couldn't remember the last time he had let a man just hold him like this. He had denied himself all signs of tenderness. They were dangerous precursors to heartbreak. Jack knew he might suffer for it, but right now he didn't care. He was in Gus's arms and he was happy. Jack turned his face up and, with a look, demanded that Gus kiss him. Gus smiled, leaned down and kissed him long and slow. Jack was already addicted to his kisses, to everything about him.
Some time during their drive home, Josh had fallen asleep. He didn't wake up even when Gus lifted him and carried him inside the house. At Josh's bedroom door, Gus edged through the doorway carefully with Josh cradled in his arms, still asleep with his mouth open. Setting him down slowly, Gus took his shoes and jacket off but let him sleep in his clothes.
"He didn't even wake up," Jack said looking at him finally snug in his own bed. "Poor, little guy."
"That means he had a blast. And so did I," Gus whispered when he joined Jack in the hallway.
"Even with the knife wielding madman?" Jack asked.
"Josh is going to have quite a story to tell the kids at school Monday. And you'll be the hero of the piece," Gus predicted.
Jack groaned then he had to admit, "I had a good time too." It was the best day of his life.
"You're staying over, right?"
"Yes," Jack said. It was where he needed to be tonight.
Every day Jack found it more difficult to go to his hotel room alone especially when Gus didn't want him to. Gus's smile when Jack said yes was irresistible.
"Then come here," Gus said. He opened his arms to him, and Jack stepped into the tightest embrace of his life.
Chapter 17
All next week after their river outing, Jack stuck close to them. They had dinner together most nights and Jack stayed over. Gus loved every minute of it. Their days at the bistro were spent together too. Gus worried that Jack would get sick of seeing him so much.
As Gus brought Josh to the bistro from school, Jack was getting ready to go to a lunch meeting. Josh wanted to know where he was going.
"A business lunch," Jack told him. "Do you want to come to work with me?"
"Yes," Josh said immediately, even before Jack told him where they would be going.
They both looked at Gus for his approval.
"Hey, you're supposed to be working with me," Gus said to Josh.
"Going to work with me involves going to lunch at Gilbertina's," Jack said to one-up him.
Gus watched Josh's eyes light up, and he scowled at Jack. "Don't tell me you are investing in that place? Investing in Gilbertina's is the same as cheating on me?" Gus claimed.
"Really?" Jack asked. "I'm not investing. I'm meeting a business contact."
"The bistro isn't good enough?" Gus asked, determined to give him a hard time. Meanwhile Josh was getting impatient.
"She picked the venue," Jack said.
"Fine. You can go," Gus said to Josh and pouted.
Josh went over to him to console him. "I'll try not to have too much fun," he promised and gave him a hug and a kiss.
Gus hugged him back tightly. "My loyal boy. You have all the fun you want." He then turned to Jack. "And you, see that gummy grin?" Gus said to him while pointing at Josh. "Don't fall for that."
He was a little worried that Josh might be a handful.
"How am I not supposed to fall for that?" Jack said. He was such a softie under that icy, hard exterior.
"I know," Gus grumbled. "You're not irresistible," he said to Josh. Josh laughed. The little stinker knew he was irresistible.
"I have a joke," Josh announced. "What do you call a bear with no teeth? A gummy bear!" Josh then pointed to his own missing teeth.
They left as Gus shook his head. He figured Josh wouldn't be too much trouble during a lunch meeting if he spent all his time with his nose pressed to the aquarium glass. He was still smiling at the thought of Jack taking Josh to a business lunch when Brenda knocked on the doorjamb of his office door. She stood there with her perfectly straight hair and her gray pantsuit, and folded her arms disapprovingly.
"Are you ever going to wipe that stupid grin off your face?" she asked him.
"No. That man is mine. Did you see him just now with Josh?" Gus asked. He figured she might have run into them in the parking lot.
Brenda frowned. "It was the most adorable thing I ever saw," she said and rolled her eyes. "And I guess you weren't lying when you said Jack was getting serious. Do you really think you can make it work with that guy?"
"I have to. I've never felt anything like this," Gus said to her as she came to sit across from him in Josh's chair. "There is only one other person I've ever loved so much that it hurts."
"Josh?" she guessed.
Gus only nodded. "It's a weird, sweet pain that never goes away."
"And it can make you do anything no matter how crazy?" Brenda said.
Gus nodded again while Brenda shook her head.
"But don't you see? Jack and I are in it together," Gus said to her earnestly and leaned forward. "We're both being crazy, taking a chance on each other. That's why it's going to work out."
"Jack is rich. He does have that going for him," Brenda said thoughtfully.
"Whatever it takes to get you on our side," Gus said.
"I am on your side," she said defensively. "I was just worried when you got so reckless over someone who was so closed off."
"I appreciate it," Gus told her. He got up and went around the desk to give her a kiss on the cheek. "You are the voice of reason."
"You mean the wet blanket?"
"No, I don't," Gus told her. To prove it, he took her to the kitchen to see what sweet goodies they had for her.
While Gus was at work, Jack texted him to ask if he could take Josh shopping and then home. When Gus got home, he found them together in his kitchen. Josh greeted him enthusiastically and stepped off the stepstool he was standing on to come and give him a hug. He was wearing the kid's sized apron Gus had gotten him.
"We're cooking," Josh informed him as he stepped back onto the stepstool next to Jack.
"Looks like you're cooking salad," Gus said seeing the greens in a big bowl in front of them.
"I can't cook. This is all I know how to make," Jack said.
"Good thing you're not in the restaurant business or anything."
"I can cook, but Dad won't let me turn anything on," Josh complained. "Not even the blender."
"You didn't wait till I put the lid on. You pushed the button and there was stuff flying everywhere," Gus said and Josh giggled.
"Sounds like our skill levels are about the same," Jack said and leaned over toward Gus for a kiss.
"This is a good-looking salad. We make a good team," Josh said to Jack.
"Me too right," Gus said, feeling left out.
Josh sighed, "Yes."
Gus made some chicken to go with the salad. Over dinner, Josh told him all about his lunch with Jack, and Jack called him an asset.
After dinner. Jack and Gus sat entwined on the couch. Josh was in bed. As Gus ran his hand up and down Jack's side, enjoying the feel of him in his arms, Jack looked thoughtful. Noticing his heavy mood, Gus squeezed him tighter.
Jack turned to him. "You know, taking a child to a business lunch was unthinkable to me not so long ago. Now it makes sense to me. That's because of you." After he said that, Jack looked far away. "Coming here, I feel like I fell into a trap and now I don't want to get out."
"A trap?" Gus said. He wasn't sure what Jack meant, but he already felt a little hurt.
Jack turned to him again. The melting look in his eyes took away the sting in his words. "I didn't mean it like that. It's a very appealing trap."
"So you are talking about me," Gus said, but then he couldn't help but laugh remembering his own words. "I called you a beautiful trap a while ago."
"Me? You're the trap," Jack said, glaring at him. "You and your whole life call to me. I wonder if I'm trying to regain everything I lost by being with you, and that would be wrong."
"I can't give you back what you lost. I can only give you myself," Gus told him simply.
"I'm worrying about my motives because I want to move here to be close to you," Jack confessed.
"You would consider moving here?" Gus said, surprised and overjoyed. He expected to have to ask him to do that and then fight him until he agreed. Now he kissed Jack starting with his mouth then every piece of skin he could reach.
Jack smiled shyly in response. "I can live anywhere," he said with a shrug then he looked at Gus intently and changed his tune. "That's not true. I need to live where you are."
"OK," Gus said nonchalantly and shrugged. Then he grabbed Jack and squeezed him in his arms. "Damn, you make me happy," he told him and then kissed him again with even more passion than before.
"We better move this to your bedroom," Jack said, starting to breathe hard.
"Is it too soon to ask you to move in?" Gus asked.
"Yes," Jack said and dragged him off the couch and to the bedroom.
Jack locked the door, grabbed Gus and kissed him. Pretending to be reluctant, Gus allowed Jack to pull him toward the bed.
"I want to fuck," Jack said as he pulled Gus's shirt off and started unbuckling his belt.
At Jack's words, Gus's blood pumped harder and his cock stiffened even more. He still looked toward the door with concern.
"We've had some practice being quiet. Maybe we can risk it," Jack said.
