Chapter Ten
Quentin woke to the smell of bacon. That was nothing new. Over the years, either his mother or his brother would show up early and take over the kitchen. With a mental shrug, Quentin rolled over and reached for James. They’d had an amazing time the night before and he found he loved the warmth of James’ body next to him when he slept. But his hand hit nothing but empty bed. He pushed a puff of air out his mouth and sat up. The clock flashed seven in the morning. Why would James wake up at such an ungodly hour in the morning when he didn’t have work or anything else?
“Ugh.” He flopped to his back.
The night before had been magical. Quentin couldn’t remember feeling so wild in a man’s arms. There was just something about being with James, of having James towering above him, wrapped around him, while surging deep. There was something more than just the physical of it.
As he remained there, staring up at the ceiling Quentin couldn’t help but think he could see himself with James McLaren—for the long term. Though that thought should scare him, all Quentin felt then was happiness and an excitement of what the future held. Sure, James was much older than he was. But as they always said, age was just a number. And besides, James McLaren was sexy as hell.
The sex blew his mind too and wasn’t that half the battle?
No, Quentin wouldn’t let a little thing like age get in the way of this. The happiness James gave him was real and he had every intention of holding onto that for dear life. He would fight to build something special with James—and Jordan—and hopefully, in the end it would all be worth it.
With that thought firmly in place, Quentin climbed from the bed, used the bathroom and washed his face and brushed his teeth. After pulling on a pair of boxers and the discarded track pants from the night before, he made his way into the open concept kitchen. James stood over the stove, full dressed and peering into a frying pot.
“Good morning,” Quentin said.
When James turned to smile at him, Quentin approached him, wrapped his arms around James from behind and kissed the back of his neck.
“Morning,” James said.
“While I’m happy with you making me breakfast, and as sexy as you look in my kitchen—I would have much rather you in my bed when I woke up.”
James laughed. “I know. But I have to head over to my sister’s to pick up my son.”
“You’re not running, are you?”
“No. I’m not running. Today is going to be a long one.”
“How so?” Quentin kissed his shoulder before letting James go to snag a sausage from a pile on the island.
“Well, I have to go register him for school. He’s excited but I’m terrified.”
“What about his mother?”
“She—died recently.”
“Oh…I’m sorry.”
“No. It’s okay.” James sighed as if contemplating his next words carefully. “Look, Quentin. If we’re going to do this whole dating thing—there are some things you should know before the media gets a hold of it.”
“Like?”
“Like…” James turned off the stove, moved the bacon pieces atop a pile of paper towels set on a plate. Quentin had to smile at that since his mother did the same thing. That was their way of getting the paper towel to soak up some of the oil from the bacon.
Quentin looked up and by then James was focused on him.
“The fact that I hadn’t seen Jordan since he was a baby. That I was only supposed to be a sperm donor to my best friend and her husband. That he, her husband, had no clue I was gay until after my best friend became pregnant and he didn’t take that well…”
“So you helped them out and they stabbed you in the back by taking your baby away because of who you sleep with?”
James nodded. “Pretty much.”
“How did Jordan come to be in your custody now?”
“There was a car accident. Marie and Felix didn’t make it and the sheriff couldn’t, in good conscience, send him to live with Felix’s family. So, he did some digging and called me.”
“And you just dropped everything to go for him?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re a good man, Mac.”
James’ cheeks reddened. “Thanks. But I was lost when they took Jordan away. I looked at it as my only chance to have a child and that was stolen from me. But, now I have him back and I have to put him first—you know?”
“I understand.” Quentin made his way across the space between them and pulled James into his arms. “I get it. I would have done the same thing you’re doing. So, after we have some breakfast together, get your son and go do all that crazy adulty stuff. Then both of you can meet me for lunch or dinner.”
“You sure? I mean you know how Jordan gets when he sees you.”
Quentin grinned. “I know. But, like you said, if we’re going to do this dating thing, don’t you think he and I should start getting to know each other?”
“Yes,” James said. He kissed Quentin then. “About last night…”
“Hmm?”
“When can we do that again?”
Quentin sighed and snuggled into James’ chest. “Anytime you want. I was kinda hoping we would have a chance to go another round when we woke up.”
“I’m sorry I ruined that for you.”
Quentin blew him a kiss.
The two of them settled into a morning together. Everything from footsies under the table, to stolen kisses and jokes that were on the raunchier side of things, Quentin allowed himself to enjoy it all. After setting all the plates in the sink, the two said goodbye a hundred times. Each time James headed for the door, Quentin would distract him with kisses until finally, James moaned and pulled away.
“I really have to go.”
“I know.” Quentin nipped at his neck. “I’ll see you later for dinner or lunch?”
“Yes. I’ll call you after registration.”
With another round of heated smooches, James stepped through the door and pulled it closed behind him. Quentin moaned in frustration and spent the next few moments leaning against it, breathing deeply. When he could finally walk properly, he headed into the kitchen and set up the dishwasher. While it hummed, he washed the pots and set them to drain then hurried for the shower.
Though he had no real plans for the day, he let the condo and wandered down to visit his mother at the shop. He stopped into Uncommon Grounds to grab her and her staff coffee and treats. As he stepped through the door, someone covered his eyes from behind. At first, panic rose inside him like a tidal wave. But the familiar smell of Alex filled his nose. Quentin laughed.
“Alex!” Quentin said. “Seriously? You never sneak up on a brotha like that.”
“You can’t fault a guy for wanting to have some fun.” Alex guffawed.
“Right—you came close to never being able to use your junk again.”
“Quen, please. You would never do that to a friend.”
Quentin laughed as they joined the ever present line to order. “So, how’ve you been?”
“Good. I’m here to grab Rafe some coffee and surprise him.”
“How’s the baby?”
“He’s doing well. We’re very happy.” Alex squinted and leaned in to peer at Quentin’s neck. “You have a hickey. How’d you get a hickey? Are you seeing someone already?”
“What do you mean already? I haven’t been with a man in years.”
“I get that but you just got back to New York.”
Quentin grinned. “I am seeing someone—yes. He’s gorgeous, and sexy and naughty and older…”
“You always did like the finer wines.”
“It’s not like that. I didn’t go out there looking for him.” Quentin took a couple steps up as the line moved. “I met him at the airport in Boise when I was coming back from that fan meet and greet thing. I don’t know—I was immediately attracted to him. So, we’ve decided to give it a go. He has a kid though.”
“How old?”
“Fifteen—I think.”
“Is he bi?”
Quentin shook his head. “There’s a long-ass story behind that. One that broke his heart but I think it’s more of his story to tell. He told me in confidence.”
“I get it. Just—go in with your eyes open, huh?”
“Wide. I promise.” Quentin rubbed the back of his neck. “We both want something serious without the games, you know? And he put himself out there for me, opened up a part of himself that I don’t think he’s shown anyone else.”
“I bet.” Alex wiggled his brows.
Quentin laughed. “That too. But, I mean when it comes to his son.”
“I figured. I was being a dork.”
After their orders were filled, Quentin hugged Alex and the two parted ways. He hurried to his mother’s shop and when he entered she grinned before hurrying over to drop a kiss to his nose. “I brought you goodies,” Quentin said.
“You okay, Rin Tin?”
Quentin nodded. “Yeah…I wanted to talk to you about James—if you got a second.”
“For you, baby? I got two whole seconds.”
Quentin laughed.
Dealing with school administration and the like was a pain and a half. Most of the teachers James met at the school for Jordan all wanted autographs. Though annoyed, he obliged them and once all the paperwork was signed, he escaped with Jordan as quickly as he could. To breathe before calling Quentin, James brought Jordan to a nearby ice-cream shop. They then took their orders to the patio and slumped at a table.
“That was something,” Jordan said.
James laughed. “That’s what you’re going with, huh?”
“Thanks for doing that,” Jordan said. “I know it couldn’t have been easy.”
“I don’t want easy, Jordan. I want you.”
The teen smiled and nodded. “Thanks—dad.”
“You’re very welcome. Listen, I know this is a whole adjustment for you.” James leaned forward. “New York isn’t an easy place to navigate on the best of days. I need you to know that you can come to me—with anything.”
“I will.”
“Jordan I’m serious.”
“I know.”
“And when you’re ready to talk to me about Felix and Marie—I’m here too.”
Jordan nodded. “Like I said—I wasn’t molested or anything like that. They were just not good parents, you know?”
“Yeah.”
“Look, dad.” Jordan’s eyes became serious as he shifted closer. “I’ve thought about everything—a lot. There is nothing here for you to feel guilty about. You did what you thought was right—you helped them bring me into this world with the agreement that you’d be around. I’m going to assume you did that because you wanted me too.”
“I did—I do—so much.”
Jordan smiled. “Wanna know what I’ve learned over the last few years with them? People don’t always do what they’re supposed to. They don’t always keep their word and they don’t care who they hurt. I just—I don’t want you to turn out like them.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
“Good. Then we’re okay. We build.”
James smiled before reaching over to hug his son. He’d been so scared Jordan wouldn’t understand, that Jordan would blame him for whatever hell the teenager had gone though. But as he’d looked into Jordan’s eyes, James knew his son merely wanted to move on and be happy.”
“Now.” He released Jordan. “I wanted to talk to you about Quentin.”
“Okay.” Jordan licked a trail of ice-cream that had been running down the side of his cone. “What about him?”
“He and I have decided to try dating,” James said. “We’re going to give it a good go. So, he’s invited us for lunch or dinner with him today. What do you think?”
“We have to go home first.”
“Why?”
“I need to change.”
James blinked. He leaned in to look at his son’s black jeans and blue top and tilted his head. “What’s wrong with what you’re wearing?”
“Dad! Seriously?” Jordan sighed as if James had just asked the dumbest question known to man. “I can’t show up to dinner with Quentin Lauder looking like I just rolled out of bed. I have to clean it up.”
James laughed. “Son, I don’t think Quentin cares what you’re wearing. We’re just going to have a nice evening out, talking, a good meal—it will be laid back.”
Jordan didn’t look convinced so James inhaled and licked at his ice-cream.
“Okay, fine.” James relented. “I’ll let Quentin know we’ll be there for dinner. Then take you back home so you can change. Happy?”
“Woo!”
James shook his head but couldn’t fight the grin that spread his face. He leaned back in his chair, simply breathing and watching Jordan who was looking out over to the road. It was astonishing how much Jordan resembled him. In that moment, James realized that a part of him was in that child—a strong part of him. His heart swelled then broke at the thought he’d missed fifteen years of his son’s life. “What do you like, Jordan?” James asked. “To do, read, eat, listen to…”
“Dad—we have years to figure all those stuff out.”
“I know. But I bet Felix and Marie knew the answers to those questions.”
“I doubt it. Let’s see.” Jordan bit into the cone and chewed. “I love pizza—cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms. I could drink soda for days! I know—it’s bad for me. I sing, a little. And I read just about anything. But, my favorite rapper is Tin Man—er—Quentin.”
“Why?”
“His music means something,” Jordan said with a shrug. “He doesn’t just whip up some formulaic song and put it out, you know? And he doesn’t sing about how many men he’s been with—none of that junk. It’s like—every song he records, he puts his soul into.”
“I see. Is that why you love Broken Symphonies?”
“Yeah. Listen, we’re not going to learn all there is about each other right away,” Jordan explained. “I know that. And, again stop feeling bad about this whole mess. You did a nice thing for people who didn’t deserve it but look what you get out of it? Aren’t I fantastic?”
James laughed and shook his head. “Yeah, that ego you got from Beth.”
“Score!”
“Seriously?” James laughed harder. “I’ve been meaning to ask—what do you think of Ellie?”
Ellie is the most fantastic cousin ever!” Jordan exclaimed. “She accepts me, you know?”
“I know.”
“It’s nice to have so many people caring,” Jordan said, his voice sad. “I’m going to try my best to make you guys be proud of me. I know what it’s like to be around people who didn’t care if you lived or died—people who would rather drink that make sure I did my homework.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be making sure you do all your homework.”
Jordan groaned.
James smirked.