Chapter Sixteen

 

 

MAN, DID he feel different than the last time he’d walked up to this restaurant. Jerry felt the warmth of Mick’s big body next to him. No hand holding. Taking this slow.

“Yoo-hoo. Hey, darling, we’re here. The gang’s all here.” Rodney leaned over the edge of the outside porch of Rick’s and waved. Jerry waved back. He looked up at Mick. “You ready?”

Mick looked scared shitless, but he nodded.

Jerry put his hand on that bulging bicep. “If you want to come out, you might as well do it among friends first.”

Mick nodded again, but his eyes were still wide.

Jerry laughed and guided Mick up the steps. Inside the noisy restaurant, he leaned down to the hostess. “We’re with the big party on the deck. I know the way.”

She smiled and nodded.

They started onto the outdoor eating area, and Mick stopped.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, just the last time I was here, it wasn’t with friends.”

“I hope this will make up for it.” Mick’s arm felt tense, but he let Jerry guide him over to the big table in the corner that was made up of a lot of smaller tables pushed together. Rick’s had gone out of their way for their famous painter. Or maybe the environmentalist. And it didn’t hurt to have the champion volleyball players who looked like movie stars. Eight dudes sat around the table, and each was a hunk in his own way. He and Mick stopped beside the table. All their faces were upturned and looking right at Mick. Jerry smiled. “Okay, guys, this is my friend, Mick Cassidy.” He looked at the group. Might as well start with the toughest ones first. “Mick, you know Hunter, and you kind of know Rodney.”

Mick’s ears turned that flaming shade of scarlet that was so endearing. He cleared his throat and nodded. “I don’t think there’s any way I can make up for how awful I was to you.”

Well, hell, the guy was going straight for the apology. Good for him.

Hunter got up. At a table of gorgeous guys, he still stood out. “Jerry told us about your family and what happened to you. I’m just glad you were able to get out of there.”

Mick nodded. “Me too.”

Rodney stood. He came up to Mick’s chest. “I should apologize for beating you up, darling. But of course I won’t. Let’s just hug and be friends.” He stretched his arms up. Mick looked startled, then leaned over and hugged him. Somewhere in the middle, he got this funny smile. Well, damn. He picked Rodney right off the ground. Rod looked down at him. “Okay, point taken.” Mick put the little fireball back on the ground.

Everyone laughed, and Jerry could hear the ice breaking.

Jerry stretched out a hand to Sky. The tall, thin environmentalist stood up.

“Good to see you, man. Where’s Adam?”

“Good to see you too. He’s traveling on business, but he sent his love.” He stretched out a hand to Mick. “I’m Sky Mickeljohn.”

Jerry smiled. “I don’t know how I got mixed up with this band of nerds. Painters and college professors and PhDs and stuff. Mick, this is JJ La Rousse.”

JJ stood up. He was nearly as tall and muscular as Mick. “I’m a mere interior decorator, darling. But I’m so delighted to meet you.”

Mick looked a little surprised. Yep, JJ was more queen than quarterback, but he gave him a firm handshake.

Jerry moved down the table. “These three hunks are David Underwood of the Underwood Gallery, and his partners, Gareth and Edge.” Edge stood up beside Mick.

Jerry looked at David. “See? I told you, man, they could be brothers.”

“Pleased to meet ya, mate.”

Mick looked a little overwhelmed.

“Hey, you don’t have to remember everyone all at once. Let’s sit.”

They tucked themselves into chairs with their backs to the outside rail. The waiter showed, and they both ordered beer. When he’d gone, Jerry put his hand over Mick’s. Good, he didn’t even pull away. “See, Mick? Gay guys come in all shapes and sizes.”

Mick looked wide-eyed. “But apparently all gorgeous.”

JJ chuckled and flipped his scarf. “Ah yes, it’s what we tell the straight world so they’ll perish with jealousy.” Okay. Here goes. He leaned in. “I wanted you all to meet Mick because he’s my new, uh, roommate.”

Rod dropped his water glass. Jerry laughed. “Not cool, my brother.”

“When did this happen?”

“Yesterday evening. After we nearly got killed together, we decided Mick should move in.”

Hunter frowned. “Got killed?”

“We’ll explain in detail.”

Mick put his hand on Jerry’s arm. “But you know we’re not just roommates, right? We’re lovers.”

All the guys stared at him and burst into laughter together.

Mick look surprised.

Hunter smiled at Mick. “Welcome to the world of gay euphemisms.”

Rodney folded his hands in front of him. “And now we want to hear your entire love story. Don’t skip a minute.”

Jerry smiled at the big guy. “You want to tell them? Or shall I?”

Mick nodded. “It’s funny. For me it kind of started with you, Hunter.”

David rolled his eyes. “Be careful. Rodney’s still lethal.”

Mick looked worried. “Oh, I didn’t mean—” Then he looked at David’s face and smiled. “Yeah, he kicked some sense into me once—he can do it again.” He looked at Hunter. “But really, I was so confused because you were the first gay man I’d met who was open about it. I’d always heard such horrible things from my father. I’m smart in some ways, but I don’t get people very well. Still, you didn’t seem like what I’d been told you’d be. I think that’s why I was so awful to you. Everything I’d ever known was crumbling under me, and I was trying to hold on. I’m so sorry.”

Hunter smiled. “Hey, I understand about trying to live somebody else’s life.”

Rodney rubbed his hands together. “Yes, get to the good part. Get to the sex.”

Mick shook his head. “The sex didn’t happen for a while. But after that terrible time when you beat some sense into me, Jerry came to the firehouse. Right off, I knew this was the nicest guy I’d ever met. He was everything I wanted to be.”

JJ leaned in. “This is sounding like a song.”

Rodney bounced in his chair. “And the sex?”

Jerry pointed. “You can tell when his ears turn pink we’re getting to the good stuff.”

Mick stared at the tablecloth, but he grinned. “And that’s when I started noticing he had a pretty great ass.”

“Yayyyy.” Rod clapped.

The waiter brought their beers. “What would you like for dinner?”

Rodney waved a hand at the menus. “Hurry and order. I don’t want to miss a minute.”

After they’d all ordered and the waiter left, Jerry sipped his beer. “Talk about great asses. Even when I was thinking I was in love with someone else, I kept staring at Mick. He was awful to me—”

Mick clasped his arm. “I’m so sorry.”

Jerry covered Mick’s hand with his own. “But I kept looking. Then came the day when he was nice to me, and I was toast.”

Mick looked at him with the wide green eyes. “I still don’t understand why?”

Jerry touched that strong jaw. The other guys were staring, and that was fine with him. It would take a lot of love to make up for what Mick had lived through. “You’re my hero. You got shoveled hate from the time you were born and still found a way to help people, man. You’re so brainy, but you see the brains in other people. You make me feel—good.”

Gareth cocked his head. “What does that mean, Jerry?”

“Like powerful, and good, and important, and—smart.” Damn, that was right. He looked at Mick. “You make me feel smart. I’m honored that you love me.”

Sky sat forward in his chair. He was definitely the strong, silent one, so when he talked, people listened. “I never would have realized I loved Adam if it wasn’t for you, Jerry. You made me look at my feelings. That’s pretty damned smart, I’d say.”

Rod leaned over and took Jerry’s hand. “And Hunter and I would never have gotten together without you.”

Jerry laughed. “Without me being so dumb, you mean.”

Rod looked perfectly serious. “No, without you being so kind and wise.”

Mick nudged him. “See? I told you.”

He looked around at the group. Who ever had better friends? Yeah, maybe he’d helped them a little, but never as much as they helped him. He laughed. “Okay, okay. You all make me feel smart.”

Mick leaned over and spoke softly in Jerry’s ear. “I know why you don’t need that family back east. Your family is right here.”

Talk about speaking the truth, man.

Rod leaned his head on Hunter’s shoulder. “Oh God, has anybody got a tissue?”

 

 

THIS WAS it. The real test. Mick stared out the windshield of the car as he pulled into the parking space at the station with Jerry beside him.

Jerry touched his arm. “Did you have fun last night? I didn’t ask since we started sucking in the car right after.”

Would he always blush? “Yeah, I had the best time ever, if you don’t count being alone with you.”

“Good. I want you to like my friends. I want us all to be friends.”

“I’ve never had any friends.”

Jerry’s hand tightened. “That’s over.”

“I’d really like that.” He glanced in the mirror. Did he look different? His father had always said you could tell a fag a mile away. “How do I act?”

“Any way you want. I’m with you. Do what feels right.”

“Okay.”

They both got out of the car. Jerry had graduated to one crutch. It might have been self-graduated, but he seemed to be doing great. Mick waited for him, and they walked into the station together at Jerry’s pace. A couple of other guys were arriving, and they waved. They were probably waving at Jerry, but Mick waved back.

Checking in was just the usual, but he felt different. He was so aware of everything Jerry did. Of course, Jerry was just himself.

Guys crowded around Jerry. “How you feeling, man?”

“Hey, Jerry.”

Jerry nodded. “Good. I need to check in with the cap on my new duties. I’m going to be desk jockeying you guys for a couple of weeks till the doc gives me clearance.”

The cap. Mick caught his breath. Holy God, he needed to change his address. And the address he changed it to would be Jerry’s.

Jerry started toward the cap’s office. Mick grabbed a mouthful of air and walked beside him. Jerry smiled. “What’s up?”

“I need to change my contact with the cap.”

“Oh yeah.” Jerry bumped his hand against his head and stopped walking. “I didn’t think this through. Will they let us work together if we come clean?”

“I don’t know.”

“I’d hate to leave Laguna.”

“Hell yeah. Me too.”

“I guess we should tell.”

Mick nodded. Jerry was so honest. He loved that.

They walked side by side to the office, and Jerry tapped on the door. The captain looked up. “Come on in. You together?” He looked surprised.

Jerry nodded. “Yes, sir. I need my new assignment, and Mick needs to change his address, and we both have something to tell you.”

The captain leaned back in his chair and scratched his head. “Close the door.”

Mick closed it. Damn. He had butterflies.

The captain frowned. “Are you two, uh, dating?”

Mick shook his head. “No, sir, we live together. That’s my new address.”

“I see.”

Jerry grinned. “How did you know, sir?”

“I figured a man might risk his life for a friend, but he doesn’t usually cry after he saves him.”

Jerry looked up at Mick. Mick could feel the blush rising. “That’s what Donovan said too. Did you cry?”

“Just for a minute.”

Jerry looked like some cat that got a big fat mouse. “Anyway, Cap, I know you don’t encourage fraternization, but we both want to stay here.”

The captain sighed. “I thought about this. I need both of you. You’re among my best men. Plus, gay firemen can be at risk in some cities. I think it’s in the best interest of the service to keep you both here.”

Mick couldn’t stop smiling. “Thank you, sir.”

“And Mick.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Congratulations. That goes for both of you. Now get out of here so I can give this guy his new job.”

“Yes, sir.” Mick walked out of the office grinning. Was he allowed to have this many things go right for him?

He walked into the equipment room and pulled out the RIT bag. After the last time, he wanted to check it.

“Hey, Cassidy.”

He turned. The rookie, Donovan, smiled up at him. “Jezebel told me about you and Jerry. Congratulations.”

Mick glanced to the side. Guys were all around. His heart beat so hard he could barely hear over it. “Thanks.” He didn’t lower his voice. “Yeah, I moved in with Jerry yesterday. I hope Jezebel likes the place.”

“She’s happy as a clam. I took her to dinner last night to celebrate.”

Son of a gun. “Sounds like she’s got a new life, just like me.”

“Yeah. I think you’re both extremely brave.”

“Jerry makes being brave easy.” And that was true.

One of the other guys, Wilson, stepped up beside Donovan. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but are you and Jerry, uh, an item?”

Mick nodded. “Yeah. We just moved in together.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that you—uh.”

Mick felt his shoulders ease a little. “That’s okay, Wilson, I didn’t either.”

He went to work, but he could practically feel the story spreading around the station. A few guys went up to Jerry and congratulated him. That made sense, since he was so easy to talk to. Mick got little smiles and a few frowns, but hell, that wasn’t too different from usual.

He’d always been a loner. He looked over at Jerry at his new desk. Not a loner anymore.

He washed the pumper and sorted through gear until his eyes crossed. He needed a shower.

Walking toward the locker room, he looked in at the blond head bent over the desk. Jerry was sorting some cards and tapping out a few things on the computer. Mick’s heart didn’t want to stay in his chest. He followed it across the room.

“Hi.”

Jerry looked up with his beautiful blue eyes. “Hi, big guy.”

“I’m gonna go take a shower, but I wanted to say I love you.”

Jerry beamed at him. That beam lit up the whole room, and every guy in a hundred yards turned to look. “I love you too.”

And that made the day perfect.

Mick walked back toward the showers and opened his locker. He pulled off his uniform shirt and started on the belt.

“Cassidy, how are you, butt fucker? You got your pretty boy out there waiting to suck your disgusting cock?”

Mick froze. He stared over at TL Durry standing by the entrance to the lockers. He felt his hands ball into fists. Then he looked up. Jerry had just hobbled up behind Durry. Jerry had no idea what the asshole had said. He just gazed at Mick like the sun rose in him.

Mick stared at TL and started to laugh. He laughed so hard he had to sit down. He finally knew why Jerry had never punched him out when he’d been so hateful. Because Jerry was happy. And finally, so was Mick.