Chapter 28

 

 

Shannon climbed off the plane and headed for the baggage claim while he thought about what to say when he called Ryan. It wasn’t that he wanted to avoid him, but he already knew he probably wouldn’t be free once he made it to the hospital. Shelley would demand all his attention for the next few days.

And he would still find time to get on the phone with Ryan.

But he needed to show his father he kept his word, and that he was there for Shelley, regardless of what he wanted.

Didn’t mean the bastard would sway a single one of his decisions, but he was giving the trip exactly one week. That was it. He could stay away longer, but really, he wanted to be back in LA. He had ideas on how he could expand the business he built with Peter.

Man, he felt like a bastard, hoping his father would hurry up and die so he wouldn’t feel bad if he had to leave before the death. If Shelley was right, he had days, if that.

The tumor had wrapped around his trachea and was slowly closing off his airway. Surgery was out. Dad refused radiation. There was nothing to be done but wait and die. Especially since the cancer had spread through his lymph nodes, his spinal column, and probably more. It was a miracle he was still breathing at all.

Shelley would strangle him for saying as much. And the bastard had managed to drag Mom into it. But she was taking it graciously.

His bag came and he grabbed that and went to pick up the car. He didn’t dial Ryan until he closed the door and started the engine, as if he worried some random person would figure out who he was calling.

Ryan picked up almost immediately. “How was the flight?”

Shannon chuckled. “Uneventful. What are you doing? Still packing?”

“Nah, I’m done with that. I’m memorizing more of the script.”

“Oh, shit, did I keep you from that?” He rubbed at his head.

“Not too much. Besides, I do best under pressure. Now, if I had you here, applying the right kind of pressure, things would be so much better.”

Shannon grinned. “Oh, there’s plenty of pressure I’d love to apply to you.”

“Shit, it’s a good thing I’m alone.”

“Damn it, don’t start. I’m driving to the hotel. At least wait for me.”

He groaned. “Fine. Hurry. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“I’ll call you when I get there.” He hung up and focused on the road. He knew Ryan could work him up just by getting himself off on the phone.

Maybe he should have called his sister, but he wasn’t ready to deal with her just yet. He wanted to settle in first. Then he would focus on his family. At least his mother was staying in the same hotel.

 

* * * *

 

Ryan lay on the bed he’d shared with Shannon for the last month. He’d call, they’d get off. And he’d probably miss him even more.

He was in so much trouble.

His phone rang, and he rolled over to grab it.

Mom. He closed his eyes and hit talk. “Hi, Mom. What’s up?”

“Tell me about your new man? The one you’re falling for.”

“How do you know about that?” Ryan asked slowly.

“Manny mentioned you were seeing someone. That he might be the one.”

Ryan grinned. “Shannon O’Neil. And don’t get excited. He’s all man. And I’m in love.”

“I’m happy for you.” Sounded like the truth.

Relief flooded Ryan. “Thank you.”

“Besides, you have a brother and sister who can give me grandkids.”

“Jesus, Mom. You know, there is such a thing as adoption. Or surrogates. There are other options.”

“You’d want kids with a man?” She seemed perplexed.

“I’m just saying, I have options. It’s only been a month. And I was never going to choose a woman. So yeah, I’ve considered my options.”

“Would it always be a secret?” she asked.

He sighed. “I told him I would tell everyone, and he convinced me to wait, at least until this movie is over. With a new franchise in the making, he’s probably right.”

“You would take it public?” She balked.

“Eventually, yes. Why?”

“That makes sense.” Though she didn’t sound so sure.

“Mom, you’re freaking me out. Are you really going back to that crazy mentality where I might wake up straight?”

She sighed. “No. I’m really happy you found someone who is right for you. My head doesn’t wrap around it, but I don’t think less of you. You’re still my boy, and I still love you.”

“Good.” Because sometimes, he wondered if she was disappointed in him.

“I want to meet him.”

“Well, that’s definitely not happening until after I get back from filming.”

“I suppose not. What’s he like?”

Ryan smiled and rubbed his face. “Mom, he’s everything. But I don’t have a lot of time until he calls. He left this morning to visit his dying father, and be there for his sister.”

“Wow, what happened to his father?”

“Cancer.” He wouldn’t mention how much of an asshole the guy seemed to be. “I need to get going, though. Can I call you later?”

“Sure. I’m not doing anything. In fact, I was going to see if you wanted to come to dinner.”

“An early dinner?”

“That can be arranged. I miss you. So does your sister.”

He rolled his eyes. That usually meant one of Gemma’s friends wanted to meet him. “I’ll let you know what’s going on a little later. I do want to see you all before I go.”

“Manny is bringing Aubrey.”

“Well, I can’t bring my guy since he’s out of town. Unfortunately.”

“That’s fine. Maybe bring Raven?”

He laughed. “I’ll ask, but she may have plans.”

“Oh, fine. I’ll talk to you later.”

He hung up and dropped the phone on the bed.

Two seconds later, Shannon called. He smiled as he rolled over and pressed talk. “Thought you’d never get there.”

“Yeah, well, it was a circus in the hotel lobby. I don’t know if there was some kind of event going on, but it seemed everyone was checking in or out at the same damned time.”

“Well, you’re in your room now. Right?”

“Yeah, I am. And I’m sliding my jeans off now. Already kicked my shoes off, threw my shirt on the chair, and I’m getting on the bed.” He sucked in a breath.

Ryan licked his lips. “Already here. Ready for you.”

Shannon groaned. “That is one thing I love about you. Always ready for anything.”

“For you, yeah.” He trailed his fingers down his chest.

“What are you doing right now, Ryan?”

“Sliding my hand down my abs.”

“I want to follow the path with my tongue,” Shannon replied.

“Fuck, I wish you were here.”

“You don’t have any idea how bad I wish I were.”

“I’m so hard just thinking about you.”

“Me too.”

Ryan groaned. “I grabbed the lube.”

 

* * * *

 

The cap snapped, and Shannon spat into his hand. He hadn’t thought to bring anything.

“Oh damn, I can just see you taking that big hand and wrapping it around your hard dick,” Ryan murmured, then hissed. “Now I’ve got a hold of myself.”

Shannon chuckled, his eyes closing as he imagined what a gorgeous sight Ryan made.

“I’d wrap my mouth around you right now and suck until you come.”

“I love your dirty mouth.”

Shannon’s other line went off and he sent it away.

“Who’s that?” Ryan asked, his breath speeding up.

“Didn’t look. I’m all yours right now.”

“Love you so damned hard,” Ryan answered.

“I’d love you hard right now.” He pumped his hand up and down faster, imagining the way he would slide into Ryan’s perfect ass.

Ryan came, Shannon’s name on his lips.

Shannon followed. And to think they’d made love just that morning. And they wouldn’t have the chance to do it again for months.

Other than on the phone or on video call. Ryan let out a long sigh. “You have to go, don’t you?”

Shannon closed his eyes. “Yeah. I do. I’ll call you tonight, but it might be late. I promised I would spend time with my sister. If I can get her away from the damned hospital.”

“I don’t envy you. I wish I were there to lean on.”

“Me too, but you have a big budget film to star in.”

“Raven’s the star. I’m just the love interest and sidekick.” He chuckled. “Uh, you know I’m going to have to get practically naked with her, right?”

“Not worried. Please tell me the guys you’ve been with haven’t been assholes about who you’ve starred with.”

He snorted. “No. They know better, and most of them have acted, or been around actors. They get it.”

“Good. Look, I’m not worried. Not until you give me a real reason to be.”

“Not a chance in hell. Oh, my mom wants to meet you. Manny mentioned I met a man and that I’m falling in love.”

“Oh?” Shannon rubbed at his face. “Thought you said your mom wanted you to be straight.”

He sighed. “I think she’s been hoping I would switch teams until I found someone I can say I love. You know, grandkids and all that.”

Shannon’s breath paused. “Okay, wow. Um…”

“Don’t worry, I only pointed out there were other options for that. And we’ve only known each other a month. That’s not even on the table for discussion. Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“No. You just caught me off guard.”

Ryan didn’t say anything.

“Damn it, don’t even think I want to put distance between us. I’m just pointing out that I hadn’t even thought about kids. And can you blame me?”

“I didn’t until she brought it up, and not in a let’s-have-them-now sort of way.”

“All right then. Sorry.”

Ryan laughed softly. “Don’t. You’re fine. I’m not thinking about them either.”

“I love you, Ryan. I really do need to go, though.”

“I’ll talk to you later.”

“You will.” He hung up and got dressed.