“Hell is empty and the devils are here.”
~William Shakespeare
“Bill said it best.”
~Romeo Bradley
One hand went to cup Julius’s head while the other went to his waist. Energy pulsed through Julius’s body making him tremble. I wanted to think it was lust, but the desperation I tasted on his lips was mixed with something else. Fear?
I broke our kiss after several minutes and leaned my forehead against his while I sucked air into my lungs. “Maybe you should run off at parties more often if you’re going to kiss me like that when we reunite.”
“Run off?” Julius asked, pulling away from me. His hazel eyes turned a darker shade of brown as his temper rose. “I’m not the one who hid away with my buddy while leaving me with those people.”
“I’m sorry, love. Were they terrible?”
I shrugged. “Not when Heather was with me.”
“She’s good people,” I said softly.
“Except when she’s trying to fix you up with other men,” Julius said. I loved the flash of possessiveness I saw in his eyes and his fingers flexing against the small of my back.
“That was all Frank. Heather gave up on trying to find someone for me to love a long time ago.” Jules took a shaky breath, and I hated being the reason he was so unhappy. “I’ll fix this,” I said, pulling out my phone from my jacket pocket.
“Who are you calling? The Party Etiquette Police? The Douchebag Collector? If so, they’re going to need a bus to haul all of them away.”
“I’m hiring a Lyft to pick us up. These people have clearly made you uncomfortable, and I—”
Jules took the phone out of my hand and slid it back inside my pocket. “Huh-uh. They’re not running me off. You’ve chosen me. I’m the one you love, and they’ll need to get used to it. Especially, Ted. He’s not going to find himself between your sheets by Thanksgiving or sooner.”
“Jules, what the hell are you talking about?”
“Just a little conversation I overheard between Cybil and Ted while I was looking for the bathroom,” he said. “I’ve caught many snippets of conversation tonight, and the consensus between them is that you’re going through a midlife crisis.” Jules had kept his voice light, but the humor didn’t reach his eyes and his gorgeous smile didn’t greet me.
“Fuck them and the horse they rode here on.”
“Horse?” Jules asked. This time his hazel brown eyes sparkled with mirth.
“Fine. They would’ve arrived in luxury sedans to flaunt their wealth and make up for other things that aren’t as impressive. You’ve heard of little dick syndrome.”
“I’ve heard of short man syndrome,” Jules countered.
“Same logic applies. Overcompensating.” We shared a quick chuckle, but I knew the situation called for more than laughter, and we weren’t leaving the bathroom until I set the record straight. “The only two people here I consider my friends are Frank and Heather. At times, Frank is a little disconnected from reality because of his wealth, but he’s a good man. You don’t find a more warm-hearted woman than Heather. I was excited for them to meet the man I love, but I realize now this isn’t the right setting. The demands of hosting a party aren’t allowing them to really get to know you. I don’t give a damn about what the rest of those people think. This isn’t my scene. You know the real me, Jules. I’m the guy who likes to listen to scratchy records and read literature written more than a hundred years ago. I’m the man who is crazy about you. Let’s just say our goodbyes to Frank and Heather and head back to our hotel. Did you see the size of that bathtub? It’s big enough for two.”
“Backing down from a challenge isn’t my thing, Rome. I’m not saying I want to go out there and pick a fight or flaunt that I’m the man sharing your bed in front of Ted, but… Okay, I might want to rub our love in Cybil’s and Ted’s faces a little bit, but I’m better than that. I’m better than them.”
“You are,” I agreed wholeheartedly. “What is the point of staying when neither of us want to be here? It’s not like our livelihoods depend on our attendance. We both know how precious time truly is, and we won’t get these hours back, baby. I could be drinking wine with you in a tub, touching you, loving you. This isn’t retreating or backing down from a challenge. This is us thumbing our noses at their pompous bullshit to do what we really want. That’s the ultimate freedom.”
I saw the moment when my words sank in because the tension melted from his body, and his eyes softened. “I want to hear more about your life before we met. I want to hear about your life with Peter.”
“I’ll tell you anything you want to know. I just thought talking about Peter might be uncomfortable for you.”
“Not talking about him makes me feel like you’re not as ready to move on as you say. Like maybe it hurts too much. That’s how it was with my dad for a long time. I couldn’t look at his picture or talk about the memories without feeling like someone fed me through a paper shredder. Now, I find comfort in reliving those memories with my mom and Marc.”
I nodded because he was right. I’d gone through those same phases of grief after losing Peter. “Frank took me to his study to show me a new piece of artwork. I thought that was code for wanting to grill me about the new man in my life, but he really did have a new piece of artwork. He’s going on and on about the painter’s genius technique and the raw power in every stroke. I saw an ordinary sailboat riding the waves, so I tuned him out. That’s when I noticed the crude metal sculpture Peter had made for him in shop class during their senior year of high school. I was drawn to it like a magnet and forgot I was in the same room with Frank. I left him yammering about his painting and hoisted the heavy piece off the shelf. None of us come from wealthy backgrounds, but Frank had lofty dreams. Peter bent and shaped a piece of metal to look like a horseshoe and welded it to a base. It’s crude as hell, but it’s Frank’s prized possession. Peter told him horseshoes were a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Frank wanted those things, and Peter wanted him to have them.
“A few years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to look at that statue let alone pick it up. Tonight, I held it in my hands and smiled as memories of conversations about the statue replayed in my mind. Peter wanted him to get rid of it or at least let him make a nicer piece, but Frank only wanted the original one. It was his lucky charm. Anyway, Frank left the room at some point during my trip down memory lane. I don’t know how long I was alone before Cybil and Ted found me.”
“Cybil thinks she saw a spark between you and Ted.”
“Not a chance,” I said firmly. “The huge smile I had on my face was all for you, love.”
“I thought you were reminiscing about your life with Peter.”
“I was at first, and then like always, my thoughts turned to you. Peter was my past, and you are my future, Julius. I’m always going to choose you.”
Tears swam in Julius’s eyes and his voice sounded husky when he said, “Damn, you English lit guys have serious game.”
Someone knocked loudly on the bathroom door. “Rome, are you in there?” Heather asked.
“Maybe,” I replied. “Who is looking for me?”
“No one,” she said sassily. “I’m looking for my new best friend. You get to see Julius all the time, and I’ve only just met him. Either send him out or let me hide in there with you.”
Julius tipped his head back and laughed before he pulled from my embrace to open the door. Heather slipped inside the bathroom, and Julius tucked her beneath his arm. “Miss me?”
“For Christ’s sake,” Heather groused. “I get called into the kitchen to put out the stupidest fire and—”
“Literal or figurative?” I asked.
“Really, Rome?” Heather didn’t bother hiding her annoyance with me as she cuddled closer to Julius. “There was a mix-up with the menu that apparently had a huge impact on the world. We have starving kids in this country, but these caterers only care about appetizers I can’t even pronounce. Anyway, I returned to the party and my Julius is gone.”
“My Julius,” I reminded her. “How do you know the caterers aren’t as concerned as you are about the plight of starving children just because they’re wanting to please you? People can be upset about more than one thing.”
Heather tipped her head back and looked at Julius. “Why do you put up with him?”
Julius looked away from Heather and locked his gaze on mine. “I love him.”
“Awww,” Heather said. “He’s easy to love, even if it’s annoying that he’s always right.”
“I’m not always right.”
“You’re planning your escape, aren’t you?” Heather asked, changing the subject. “I know how much you loathe these parties, but can’t you stay a little longer?”
“How about we make a deal?” I offered. “Julius and I leave now before I say things to these people that I’ve repressed for twenty years, and we’ll come back when it can just be the four of us. I know you’ve missed me, and I’ve missed you too. This party isn’t how I’d choose to spend time with you and Frank.”
“Are you telling me the truth, Romeo Bradley, or are you saying anything to escape?”
“While it’s true I’d chew my own leg off to free myself from the shackles of this party, I’d never lie to you. I’m sorry I’ve pulled away from you guys since moving to Blissville, and I—”
“It started before then,” Heather stated.
“Okay, yes,” I admitted, “but it doesn’t have to be that way. I can have my new life and still keep the best parts of my old one too.”
Heather dropped her arm from around Julius’s waist and launched herself into my arms. “I’m holding you to your promise.”
“I love you, Heather. I’m sorry if I ever gave you reason to doubt it.”
She sniffled against my chest. “You can make it up to me when I come stay at your house.”
“What’s that?” I asked, looking to Julius for answers. He grinned sheepishly.
“Julius invited me for a weekend visit. I get to wear leggings, my ratty sweatshirt, and curl up in a chair and read. Doesn’t that sound like heaven?”
“It does,” I agreed. “You’re welcome anytime.”
Another knock sounded on the door. “Heather, are you in there?” Frank asked. Julius snorted then opened the door for Frank. Instead of coming in, my big bear of a friend assessed the situation from the doorway. “Who made you cry?” he asked his wife. “I’ll throw them out on their ass.”
Heather released me and walked into her husband’s strong arms. They reminded me of Kong and Ann Darrow. “These are happy tears,” she said to her husband. “Rome and Julius have another party to get to, but they assured me that the four of us will get together soon so we can get to know the man who stole Rome’s heart.”
Frank quirked a brow. He knew damn well I didn’t have someplace else to be unless it was a private party for two. “That sounds perfect,” he said to me then turned his attention to his wife. “Sweetheart, the caterer is looking for you.”
“Not again,” she grumbled. “I’m ordering pizza and wings for our next party.” She rose up on her toes and gave Frank a quick kiss. “You promised, Rome,” she tossed over her shoulder as she exited the room.
“Everything okay?” Frank asked, looking first at Jules and then me.
“Everything is perfect. Don’t let us keep you from your party. I’m going to order a ride through my handy app.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Frank said firmly. “Stevens will take you anywhere you want to go.”
“It’s very thoughtful of you to offer your driver, but Stevens might be enjoying a night off.”
“Nonsense,” Frank said, fishing his phone out of his pirate’s coat. I recognized that tone of voice. It was no use arguing with him. “Stevens, I need you to give Rome and his boyfriend a ride back to their hotel.” Frank listened to his driver’s response then thanked him before hanging up. “He’ll pull the car around in ten minutes.”
“How do you know we’re going back to our hotel and not another party?” I asked.
Frank’s answer was an eye roll and a snort. “It was really nice to meet you, Julius. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.”
“I’m looking forward to it too, Frank,” Jules said, shaking the man’s hand.
“I guess I better head back to the party where I’ll either receive unsolicited investment advice or ignore attempts to solicit my backing for the next big thing. You guys have a good night.”
Frank wrapped me up in a bear hug before he left Julius and me alone.
“What exactly does Frank do for a living?” Julius asked me once we were waiting on the front porch for Stevens to pick us up.
I pulled Julius into my arms to offer him my warmth. “Software and cybersecurity development. He could be every bit as rich as the big guys if he moved to Silicon Valley, but he didn’t want to uproot the life he built here.”
“Neither of them sounds very happy,” Julius said. “Maybe a change of pace and scenery is what they need.” Jules’s insightfulness amazed me. He’d pointed out something to me that I should’ve seen a long time ago. “It sure worked out for us.”
“Who’s the charmer now?” I asked as Stevens pulled up in front of the house in a black, Mercedes SUV.
“I’ll show you charm.”