- 13 This Wasn’t Going Like Bull Planned
Bull set on a beach chair as he watched the moon shimmer over the gentle waves. Too many years of working at the bar ruined his ability to sleep at night. Part of him hoped Gregory would join him, but a sleepless night and the flight had Gregory going to bed early.
“Still not sleeping at night, old man? Aren’t you little old for the party all night shit?”
He surged to his feet and wrapped Hank in his arms. Hank was an exact younger version of him, except Hank’s eyes were all Polly. He pushed Hank gently back to look at him. The lines beside Hank’s eyes and mouth were deeper than the last time he’d seen his son. He definitely looked tired.
“Don’t even say hello and already giving me shit.”
“Did you expect anything else?”
“Not a damn chance, how was your trip?”
Hank stepped away and took the chair beside his, then let out a long weary sigh. Bull retook his seat as well.
“Long and one screw up after another. I never thought I’d get here.”
“But you finally did make it.”
The silence drew out between them as they stared off into the moonlit night.
Bull knew they’d avoid discussion of what happened while he was in country. None of them would push. He hadn’t wanted the military life for Hank, but that had been his son’s choice, and he wouldn’t question it. Bull could only wish that if things went well with the woman his son was seeing, he’d take another course with his life.
“And do you know what I find out when I go to the guest room to jump on the bed like I used to when I was a kid.”
“Oh, shit, did you wake Gregory?”
“If my reflexes weren’t honed to perfection he would’ve stripped me of my manhood. For a pretty one, he’s got a helluva kick.”
“I should—”
“He said and I quote, tell the stubborn man not to check on me and spend time with you.”
“Sounds like him. He was terrified to meet Polly.”
“This is the first time we’re meeting a boyfriend.”
“Not a boyfriend, he’s a friend. He’s only been separated a few months. His husband was an asshole, and I told Gregory he was coming to live with me. I also said he needed a vacation and he was coming with me.”
“You tell him what to do a lot, why does he put up with you?”
“I don’t have much choice.” Gregory leaned over the back of the chair.
He wondered how much of the conversation Gregory heard. He hadn’t said anything that would hurt the man, so he didn’t understand why he was worried.
“Damn right, what are you doing?”
“I figured you’d two wanted to catch up some, I brought coffee.”
“Who drinks coffee in the middle of the night,” Hank asked.
“It’s only four a.m., and normally this is the time we’re just relaxing for the evening. Here.” Gregory moved between the chairs and extended the mugs.
He and Hank took them and thanked Gregory.
“You work with Dad?”
“Oh no, I’m a legal researcher. I’ve just gotten used to the hours, but I’m going to leave you two alone. Don’t fall asleep out here, Bull, you’ll be all cranky and stiff. Your poor old body and all.”
Bull struck when Gregory turned to walk away and smacked Gregory’s ass. “Don’t be an asshole.”
“I learned from the best,” Gregory said and disappeared back toward the house.
“Spankings, and he’s not your boyfriend?”
The amusement was thick in Hank’s voice. He was thankful his son got Polly’s personality because, to be honest, Bull didn’t want Hank to turn out like him.
“The shit was asking for it.”
“Uh-huh, whatever you say. You just wanted your hand on his ass.”
“Shit,” Bull groaned and tipped his head back.
“Does he know,” Hank asked.
Bull didn’t need to ask what Hank was talking about. He wouldn’t even pretend he didn’t know. The only answer he could give Hank was the truth.
“Way too young for me.”
“How much younger?”
“You’re older.”
Hank let out a loud laugh. “Damn, robbing the cradle with that one.”
“Thanks, and he accused me of being an asshole.”
“What the hell is the problem?”
“His ex was abusive.”
Bull didn’t know if he could get passed that. He’d tried his best to keep his dominant personality under control. Yes, he was stubborn and bossy, he couldn’t pretend he wasn’t, but the things he wanted to do to Gregory couldn’t occur.
“Did you take him out?”
“No, but I was damn tempted. Instead, I told him Gregory was mine and don’t mess with him.”
“Staking a claim, nice.”
“I brought him here for a vacation so don’t start interrogating him.”
“Would I do that,” Hank asked innocently.
“Yes, you would, both you and Polly are relentless.”
“We just want you happy, it’s been a long time since you could say that. And if we’re honest with each other, have you ever been happy?”
“I was happy with you and Polly, just not in the way I could’ve been.”
“Dad, you’re gay, you love men, pretending to be some fucked up expectation of you ended up with you drinking away decades of your life. Mom’s happy with Hal. It’s about damn time you found someone of your own.”
“I know, but his ex is an abusive fucker with a temper and addictions, not exactly sure if I’m a safe bet in the partner area.”
“Safe is boring. Why don’t you try this, ask him what he wants and quit assuming,” Hank said.
“When the hell did you grow up?”
He loved living in Powers. He’d called it home for a long time now, but he occasionally wished he lived closer to Polly and Hank. Although Hank’s life was wherever he was ordered to go. He couldn’t give up the Brawlers Crew. Those boys were like his sons.
“Sooner than your boyfriend.”
“Ouch, thanks, am I in for the cradle robber jokes?” He knew the answer, but he asked the question anyway.
“Definitely, what else did you expect?”
“True, you are your mother’s son.”
“As much as I’d love to stay up with you all night, I gotta crash.”
“Yeah, me too. Polly doesn’t give a shit if I sleep all day, but I hate to do that.”
“Go curl up with your man, but keep it down.”
“Nothing’s going on.”
“Not yet,” Hank quipped as he pushed up from the chair.
Bull followed and reached out to pull his son into his arms. They hugged each other tightly without saying a word. That was more than he deserved. He’d lost himself in the oblivion of a bottle for most of Hank’s life. Bull had been surly and closed off, but he’d loved Polly and their son.
“Quit with the regret bullshit, Pop. There ain’t a damn thing for you to be forgiven for, so stop punishing yourself.”
Bull nodded and released him, Hank turned and deftly strode across the expanse of sand toward the house. He bent to pick up the two mugs and followed. He slipped his fingers through both handles and slid the sliding door closed. The room was dark except for the hood light on the stove.
Being alone turned into his natural state over the last few years. The house was crowded and never quiet, he interacted, joked, worked, but in the end, he’d kept himself separate. Finding someone especially became something he’d avoided. That changed when a gorgeous, younger man came up to him at Brawlers and bought him a coffee.
Bull took one look at Gregory when he’d walked through the door. He’d been out of place in his designer clothes, and the look on his face showed he was ready to run. The intensity of Bull’s need to claim him made turning that double down at the end of the night damn near impossible. That good-looking man not meant for him. At least that’s what he kept telling himself, yet his heart wasn’t listening to his head.
He rinsed the mugs and started to turn when he knew he wasn’t alone.
“Thought you’d be out longer.” Gregory stepped up to his side and turned to lean back against the counter.
“Hank needed rest.”
“What’s wrong,” Gregory asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Come on, Archer.” Gregory mouth tilted into a smile. “When you’re thinking too much you get this little tic in your jaw right here,” Gregory stroked right beneath his ear.
“I do?”
“Yeah, and you’re still answering questions with questions.”
“I just don’t see how they forgave me for what I put them through. The drinking. The anger.”
“Maybe because there’s nothing to forgive you for, yes, you made mistakes out the ass. No one can deny that. But you weren't you, Bull. You cheated them out of the real Archer Woods.”
“The surly asshole who busts heads for a living.”
“Some of your better qualities.”
“We’ve definitely warped your brain.”
“Possibly, but I don’t mind in the least. Now, it’s time for you to get some rest, I know you.” Gregory lifted his chin and brushed his lips to the corner of Bull’s mouth. “You’re going to get up early no matter how tired you are.”
Bull wanted to grab the man and pull his mouth in for a real kiss. One filled with passion and lust, one which ended with Gregory under him. Each fucking second that passed, Bull found it harder to resist the lure that was Gregory Charles. He wanted the whole package, more than wanted, he needed to own Gregory. And it terrified him.
“Speaking of rest, what are you still doing up?”
“Well, I was rudely awakened by a grown ass man jumping up and down on the bed giggling like a maniacal toddler repeating Daddy.”
Bull forgot it was early and everyone else was sleeping as he let out loud guffaws. Gregory’s hands covered his mouth but barely muffled it. The smaller man rested his head on Bull’s chest as Gregory shook with laughter.
“It wasn’t that funny,” An offended baritone sounded from the couch.
That just made them louder, especially when Polly and Hal yelled shut up from their bedroom upstairs. Okay, life was pretty damn good and got better with Gregory. Maybe he’d punished himself enough, and it was finally time for him to be happy with someone. He couldn’t deny he needed that someone to be the man chuckling loudly in his arms.