RUPERT

 

Watching Nolan walk out of my office nearly gutted me. I think it was only the residual adrenalin from our argument that kept me standing and not running after him. You want to know you’re alive? Fall in love. Sure, the euphoria of it makes you giddy as fuck, but the pain of it when things go to shit? That’s when you really know you’re human. It also makes things crystal fucking clear as to where your priorities are, and what’s most important to you.

Letting out a deep breath, I lean down and pick up the papers that had fallen to the floor. Pushing them together in a messy pile, I drop them on the table in front of me. As I go to walk back to my desk, something catches my eye. Separating a sheet from the others, I notice initials at the bottom of it that I don’t recognize. I feel the table vibrate beneath my fingers, and know that it’s the vibrating buzz that comes just prior to my phone ringing. Grabbing it, before the first notes of the ringer even finish, I answer the call.

“Steve,” the relief in my voice at finally having the building inspector on the phone is obvious, even to my own ears. “Thanks for calling back.”

I’m trying to remain calm, after all this guy is just doing his job and the sooner I can work with him to sort this mess out, the better it is for everyone.

“Rupert, sorry I couldn’t take your calls earlier, I’ve been on a site visit over in Bannister. You callin’ about the high school shut down?”

“Yeah, I am. I’ve had a quick meeting with Nolan, so I’m in the loop on the infringement. I can assure you that the problem must be out of this office and PC are not at fault.”

“Look, I want to see that project back up just as quickly as you do. My kids go to that school.”

He sighs and I get the feeling issuing the shutdown was not something he wanted to do, but rather that he didn’t have a choice.

Steve continues, “If you can get all the contracts, plans and permits square over the next few days, I’ll make time to do the site inspection again on Tuesday morning. After that, I’m on vacation for two weeks and you’ll get the hard-ass inspector from Beaver Falls instead. So, Tuesday? That work for you?”

I let out the breath I’d been holding as he was talking. I recognized the hail-Mary pass I had just been thrown; and I am not fucking dropping the ball again.

“Absolutely. I’ll make sure of it. I’ll confirm with you on Monday that we’re ready to go. Thanks Steve, I appreciate it.”

Hanging up the phone, I call Nolan to let him know that I’ve started to move things in the right direction. It rings twice and gets sent to voicemail. Fuck. My stomach flips, and I feel stinging in the back of my eyes. I hang up without leaving a message. Running my hand over my face, I pull myself together. Clearly, he needs time, and me dwelling on him being pissed at me is not a good use of mine.

Getting to the bottom of this shit-storm is.

******

“Beth!” I yell through my open office door out to where she’s sitting at her desk. I’m burning out and I need caffeine. Between not sleeping and not eating, I’m running on empty.

Missing Nolan is a constant ache in my body, but as painful as it is, I welcome it. It pushes me to focus, to work quickly and accurately. To get everything with the project back on track, so I can then get us back on track. It’s coming up to lunchtime on Friday and since yesterday, I’ve only left the office for an hour to go home for a shower and change my suit. I’ve got everything ready on the blueprints and I’ve triple checked that all the permit applications match the corresponding plans.  No longer trusting just myself, I then had Beth check everything too. Doubt is a nagging bitch. Poking at me here and there, whispering to me that this is my fuck up, despite the fact that in my stronger moments, I know it isn’t.

“Yes?” she asks quietly from my doorway, which only serves to remind me how loud I just called her name. I instantly feel shitty.

“I’m sorry Beth, I didn’t mean to yell out to you like that, I apologize.”

She smiles a little and looks down at her feet before meeting my eyes, “It’s okay Rupert, I get that you’re under pressure here. How can I help?”

“I’ve got all the applications ready to go upstairs for approval and sign off. Can you take them up for me please? I want to start working on the contracts,” I tell her, waving my arm toward the pile on the corner of my desk.

“No problem. How about I bring you a coffee when I get back. Some lunch too maybe?” she asks.

“Coffee would be great, but I’ll grab something to eat later. Thanks Beth.” I’m pretty sure if I ate anything right now I’d throw up. She gathers the folders and turns to leave, “Oh, and would you shut my door?”

Once the door is closed I grab my phone and call Nolan again, you never know fifth time is the charm, right? As soon as the call connects and I hear it ringing, my heart lurches in my chest. Please pick up you beautiful stubborn bastard; just give me a sign that we’re going to be ok, that we can work through this. My prayer is unanswered as the call again goes to voicemail. I don’t leave a message, choosing to text him instead.

RH: Just wanted to update you on the project. Everything is on track so far. I know how this must look to you, but I swear I didn’t fuck this up.

Pressing send, I keep my phone in my hand, eyes fixed on the screen. I would give anything to see those three bubbles pop up right now.

They don’t.  

Giving up, I pick up the landline on my desk to call Dornan, one of the three owners of Plantain Construction. As if things couldn’t be more fucked up, he’s also Nolan’s dad. Oh, and let’s not forget, I’d clumsily deflowered his eldest daughter and used her as a shield for three years. You’d think all of this would put me on at least three of Dornan’s shit lists at a minimum, but he’s been cool to deal with. I’ve called him each time I’d had something completed, making sure to keep PC in the loop and be as transparent as I can. As he picks up and starts to speak, my single thought is; at least there’s one Frederickson man that answers when I call. What I wouldn’t give for his eldest son to do the same.

***

I’ve worked most of the weekend, everything is nearly finished and will be ready to courier to PC first thing Monday morning. Once they have the paperwork, I’ll call Steve and confirm that Tuesday is a go for the site reassessment. I could’ve made that call when I’d spoken with Dornan last night, but I didn’t want to jinx myself.

Lying on the day bed in my parent’s sunroom, I’m staring at the ceiling fan, contemplating what I’m going to do next. It’s early Sunday morning and Nolan still hasn’t responded to any of my calls or text messages. I’m beginning to think that is a message in itself. I know he’s probably still got Connor with him because Irys is sick, but if he wanted to touch base he would’ve found the time somewhere. I’ve got to start facing fact’s here. Yeah, I grew up in Plantain, but I made a break away from it once. I could do it again. It would kill a part of me to do it, but this place is Nolan’s home. His family, his friends, his business – they’re all here in Plantain.  Maybe I should start looking for another job? I’ve only saved the one I have by the skin of my teeth, so I doubt they’d be sad to see me go. 

I hear my phone ping over on the coffee table with an incoming message, but I can’t reach it from where I am, so I don’t move. 

At some point during watching the blades rotate, and thinking about how maybe the best thing I could do for the man I love is to leave; for the first time in three days, I fall asleep.

Naturally, I dream of Nolan.

******

Monday morning I’m letting myself into the municipal building when I see a dark sedan pull over to the sidewalk and a passenger gets out. It looks like the dark sedan I saw idling at the end of Nolan’s drive a few weeks back. Just as I walk through the door I look back at the man who’s now walking towards the building.  William Patrick. No wonder he knew about Nolan and I being together, he’d seen it well before the gala. Well, he doesn’t have to worry about being repulsed by us now, not only are we no longer together; this morning I’m handing in my resignation.

Reaching my office I head straight to the worktable and start to pack up all the things I’ve been working on over the past few days. As I move a stack of papers, the one I’d found a few days back catches my attention again. I’d completely forgotten about it. So intent on just fixing the mega-fuckup we were all in, I didn’t give another thought to what this might be. Taking it with me, I bring it back over to my desk.

“Good Morning Rupert,” Beth says as she walks into my office, stopping in front of my desk. “The courier has just picked up everything for PC. They should have it in about twenty minutes.”

Thank fuck for that. That’s the first item achieved on today’s long list of things to do before resigning.

“Brilliant, thanks Beth. And thanks again for all your extra work over the last few days, I really couldn’t have done it without you.”

Even though I’m still a little tired, and a fuck of a lot heartbroken, I muster up a genuine smile, which she returns. She’s been invaluable to me, having worked for the city since she left high school, she really knows her way around this place. Which reminds me, “Before you go, can you take a look at this, there’s a signature at the bottom?” I pass it over, to her, pointing at where I want her to look, “Do you know who’s it is?”

“Yes,” she says. “That’s Shelia’s. She works for Mr. Patrick.”

Without realizing the holy-shit bomb she’s just dropped, Beth picks up the pile of paperwork I have in my outbox and leaves the office.

MOTHERFUCKER! William fucking Patrick.

All the pieces fall into place for me now, and I know without a shadow of a doubt, that I did nothing wrong. That conniving bastard set me up.

I pull my phone out from my jacket pocket to call Nolan, finding I have an unopened message from him. This must have been the one that came through yesterday before I fell asleep.

My heart galloping in my chest, I’m near frantic as I read it, inhaling every single one of his words. What has me up and out of my chair though are not technically his words at all. Those two XX’s at the end of his message are all the fucking sign I need, and I’ve never loved a letter of the alphabet more in my life. Energized, I stride out of my office; I have only two things left to do now.

Kill the career of William Patrick and get my fucking man back.

******

Walking right into William’s office, and straight up to the front of the desk he’s sitting behind, I unleash, “You hateful motherfucker! How could you do this? Do you know how much damage you could’ve caused?”

“I beg your pardon!” He spits indignantly, “I have no idea what you’re talking about. And, you can’t be in here, I have a meeting in a few minutes.”

“Cut the shit Bill, you were the one who fucked with the paperwork for the PC High School project!” I yell.

“That’s a lie!” he retorts, pushing back and standing from his chair, “And you can’t prove a thing.”

I huff out an incredulous laugh, “You’re not all that bright are you Bill? One, if it’s a lie, why would I need to prove anything?” I take a breath, “And two, your admin clerk’s initials were on the bottom of the contract. Right where all admin clerks sign when they’ve altered a document… for their boss!”

I watch as realization flickers across his toad-like face, and I want to punch his fucking lights out.

“Did you even consider the consequences of this? I get you wanted me gone, but what about the high school? The reputation of Plantain Construction?” I challenge him, watching as his eyes start to bug out of his head.

“Plantain Construction is run by a bunch of barely legitimate biker hoodlums and criminals, and the high school gym contract would’ve been given to a much more suitable construction crew after you were all gone!” William near screams at me, the rage in his body evident, as the hands he’s waving around form fists. “But you, you industrious little faggot, had to be the big hero and save the day and get the project back on track for your equally filthy boyfriend!”

Jesus, this guy is unhinged.

“What in the actual fuck is your problem with me? I did my job! Saving that contract was my job!” I growl.

“Yes, and it damn well shouldn’t have been!!” He seethes, “It should have gone to my nephew! My straight, married with two children, pillar of the community nephew. Your kind disgusts me, you take decent jobs from decent people, all because it’s politically correct to have diversity on the staff.” He sneers as he finger quotes the word diversity, “Well, homosexuality is not diverse, it’s down right perverse!”

“H-hmm,” a throat clears behind us, and shocked, both William and I look towards the sound, not realizing someone else had walked into the room.

“Sorry I’m a little late William, but my aide wasn’t feeling well and went home, so I decided to keep this meeting myself. I think that may have been fortuitous. This way, we can also discuss your, shall we say, sudden decision to take an early retirement? Yes, that sounds right, don’t you agree?”

 

Holy fuck! Roger Chadwick, the long serving and beloved Mayor of Plantain had just heard our whole argument. More importantly, William’s hatred had been exposed, his outburst seemingly torpedoing his own career, and the Mayor looked in no mood to negotiate. I note that as I come to terms with this epic turn of events, William’s face is Casper the fucking homophobic Ghost white, and his mouth is opening and closing like a goldfish out of it’s bowl.

Shifting toward me, Mayor Chadwick holds out his hand for me to shake, his other hand gripping my shoulder. “Thank you for getting the gymnasium project back on track Mr. Harrington, particularly in light of the obstacles it would seem you were unknowingly up against at the time. Your work ethic has been noted and it’s greatly appreciated. You’re an asset to the City of Plantain, Rupert.” He nods his head as if finalizing the pleasantries, “Now, if you would leave us please, I’ll come by your office before I leave the building.”

“Of course, sir. And thank you.”

Closing the door behind me as I leave William’s office, I realize I’m glad the Mayor will be stopping by. Not because I want to rehash all the shit with William, although I know I will have to answer questions at some point, and certainly not to hand him my resignation. Actually, as it turns out, I have a huge favor to ask.

******

Shaking the hand of our newest member of council, a forty-something woman in a bi-racial relationship, wouldn’t that piss William off, I make my way to the side exit leading to the backstage area.  I’m half way there when I see Evan coming back from the bar, a glass of iced sparkling water in his hand.  I’ve never seen Evan in a suit, and while it looks sexy as hell on him, I can see that he’s counting the hours until he can take it off.  My guess is that the jacket and tie won’t make it past the walk to the car when it’s time to leave.

“Evan,” I say, smiling at him and shaking his hand, “How’s Irys feeling?  It’s good to see she could make it.”

“Much better, thank fuck. It kills me when I see her sick or in pain,” he says, the relief evident on his face.

As he’s talking I catch sight of Nolan, standing across the room, and my heart moves from its place in my chest, right up into the back of my throat. He’s the picture of masculine perfection, the face of a God and the body of a Viking, but it’s the whole package I’m drawn to.

Stubborn, loyal, passionate, sarcastic, patient, vulnerable… it’s all of these things and many more that light me up from the inside out. He’d texted me this morning letting me know the construction site had reopened, something I’d already known, but I recognized the text for the olive branch that it was. Letting my eyes roam over his face, I’m lost to my memories of his touch, his smell and his taste.  

“He’s been pouting.”

Shit. I was talking to Evan and had clearly tuned out.

“Huh?”

Tipping his head slightly in Nolan’s direction, he repeats, “He’s been pouting.”

Not taking my eyes from their caress of Nolan’s face, I announce, “I love him.”

“Figured.” Man of few words, Evan says all that needs to be said.

“He’s mine.” It’s not just a statement it’s a declaration.

“Figured that too.” Evan says, “You doin’ anything about it?”

“Yup. Right fucking now.”

******

I’m so nervous my palms are sweaty and I can’t stand still. I think I’ve walked the same path on the parquetry floor so many times; I’ve made a track.

Hearing the applause settle down, I know that I’m up next. I hear the host do some banter and the crowd laugh at the appropriate times, but I couldn’t tell you a single word he’s said. He then leads into the next award being presented, and he says my name.

When I asked Mayor Chadwick if I could be the one to present Plantain Construction with their Outstanding Achievement Award, I assume he thought that it was because of everything that had happened with the near derailment of the project. That was only part of it. What I was about to do would hopefully show Nolan once and for all, that I was not running scared, and that I was not afraid to be out in the City of Plantain. Mostly, I planned to show him that I was absolutely, one hundred percent, heart-eyes motherfucker for life, in love with him.

Fuck, I hope this works.

Taking the microphone at the podium and adjusting it up to my height, I look out over the faces in the crowd. Despite the room being full of people, my eyes hit exactly the one person’s I’m looking for. Jesus, those Fredrickson’s give good ‘fuck me’ eyes. Piercing blue orbs are staring back at me, intense and full of love, and I feel it from my heart to my cock.  Shit, now I’m getting hard. While it’s inconvenient, I’m also a little relieved. I’d thought in the last few days that the miserable appendage had died.

I speak with confidence about the work of Plantain Construction and their contribution to our community. The room feels electrified, full of an energy that pulses against me as I talk; an energy that I know is coming from Nolan. Shifting back slightly, I pause and wait for the applause to quiet down. Leaning back into the microphone, my voice strong and clear I state, “Ladies and Gentlemen, would you please welcome to the stage, from Plantain Construction, Nolan Fredrickson. The love of my life.”

I know the crowd is applauding, and I hear whooping and hollering from somewhere on the PC table - Irys really must be feeling better - but I only have eyes for the man walking up the steps towards me.  Thank fuck he’s smiling, brighter than the sun, and I know in my gut that we’re going to be ok. He reaches out his hand to shake mine, as is customary during an awards presentation, but I push it aside.

“Oh fuck that.”

Grabbing him by the back of the neck, I pull him straight into my body, and with my mouth slammed to his; I kiss the ever-loving shit outta him. Finally pulling apart, we just stare at each other, smiling. My hand is still holding the back of Nolan’s head, while the fingers of my other hand brush down along his tie. The tie. He has a hand pressed to the side of my face, so I turn my head into his palm, placing a kiss there.

“You done?” he asks with laughter in his voice.

“Yeah, I’m done.” I reply, “For now.”

“I love you,” he tells me, kissing my lips gently once more.

“I love you too, but you should probably accept your award before we get arrested for fucking in public. I have big plans for that tie.”