Chapter Eleven
Quentin closed his book and dropped it on his desk. He took a quick shower, got dressed and let himself out of the condo. He even hummed as he climbed into his car. Maybe it was because of James, but he felt different, lighter, almost as if his life had taken on a whole new meaning. Instead of questioning it, Quentin tapped his fingers to the imaginary music inside his head. As he made his way to a late lunch with James and Jordan, he steadily built the lyrics to another rap.
This time, it wasn’t hard. This time he had more than enough motivation to pick from. Sure, it wasn’t like anything else he’d written or produced—but James seemed to have that affect on him.
It took a little over half an hour to reach the restaurant. He found a parking spot a little distance from the door but he didn’t mind. The sky looked like rain but it hadn’t started yet so he merely dropped his keys into his pocket and jogged across the lot. When he let himself in the front door, a hostess smiled and led him over to where James and Jordan were seated, speaking and looking out the glass at the city around them.
Jordan saw him first but Quentin pressed a finger to his lips. Quentin snuck up behind James, leant over and kissed his neck.
When James jerked around, Quentin laughed and kissed his nose. “Hi.”
“Quentin.”
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist. I didn’t overstep did I?”
Jordan smirked. “Not at all.”
Quentin fell into a seat between both of them and after their orders were taken, he allowed himself to fall into conversation with them. Jordan did most of the speaking—he was excited and nervous about his new school. From time to time, Quentin would reach over and touch James. It was as if he couldn’t go through the moment together without feeling James’ heat under his fingertips.
They were supposed to meet for dinner but impatience on Quentin’s part, brought the trio together earlier. He’d missed James but was afraid of saying so. Lunch quickly turned into dinner and James and Jordan agreed to follow him back to his place. There, while Jordan mused over the Grammys and all the other awards and gold records Quentin had, he took that moment to pull James into his arms.
“I know, you may not want Jordan to know about us but, Jesus, James you are so damn sexy,” Quentin whispered.
“Jordan knows. We’ve spoken about you.”
“Good. Tell me…when can I have you in my arms again?”
James smiled and caressed Quentin’s cheek. “When do you want me again?”
“Right after the first time I had you.” Quentin cleared his throat. “Right now. Right here. I know—we have to behave. But how am I supposed to resist you?”
“Well, Jordan and I will talk and I’ll see if I can spend some time with you this weekend.” James promised. “I have to keep reminding myself that he doesn’t need a babysitter. As long as the fridge has soda and there’s food and a television he’s happy.”
Quentin laughed.
“Quentin?” Jordan called, as he entered the room. “Question.”
“I might have an answer,” Quentin said.
Jordan flopped on the floor before them and curled his legs beneath him. “Your brother sings for you sometimes, right?”
“Sometimes. When I can talk him into it.”
“He doesn’t like it?”
“He does. But he gets really shy when people recognize him.” Quentin turned to brush his lips against the side of James’ head. “He likes the art not the attention.”
“Can I sing for you sometime?” Jordan asked.
“You sing?”
Jordan’s cheeks pinkened. “I’m not as good as Tanjay. This wouldn’t be for a record or anything. It’d just be with us.”
“I’d be honoured.” Quentin reached forward to tap Jordan’s nose affectionately.
The three of them then explored Quentin’s place. Jordan did most of the talking but Quentin didn’t mind. It seemed the teenager knew more about Quentin than even Quentin knew about himself. He basked in the presence of this teenager, loving the sound of his laughter and admiring the way Jordan and James interacted. It was strange the way their relationship seemed as if Jordan was never taken away for over ten years.
When the time came for them to go home, Quentin wasn’t ready. Still, he walked them down to the car and after hugging Jordan, the teen climbed into the vehicle and closed the door. Quentin took a quiet moment to pull James into his embrace.
“I’ll see you soon?” Quentin asked.
“Sooner than you think,” James promised. He then pressed his mouth to Quentin’s ear to whisper to him. “I kinda need you to fuck me.”
Quentin growled. “In that case, I will wait for you, impatiently.”
After a few more kisses, Quentin stepped back and watched as James drove away from the condo. Long after the vehicle was gone, Quentin finally managed to unglue himself from the spot he’d been standing and headed back to his place. Inside the door, he could smell James’ cologne and see Jordan flittering from one framed thing on the wall to another.
He called his brother then, needing desperately to unburden.
“Hey brother,” Tanjay said. “What you up to?”
“I just spent the better part of my day with James and his son.”
“Wait—James has a son?”
Quentin went on to tell his brother the story of James’ life. When he was finished, he could almost feel Tanjay frowning over the phone.
“They did that to him?” Tanjay asked. “I barely know the guy and I want to cut them.”
“Right? He tried helping them and they ripped his heart out.”
“See? You can’t trust people. Some of them don’t deserve it. Most often than not, you put your faith in the wrong ones and wind up suffering.”
“I can’t disagree with you there.” Quentin shared out some ice-cream and made his way to his bedroom.
“What’s the deal with the two of you anyway?”
Quentin shrugged while shoving some of the cold desert into his mouth. “We’re seeing each other,” he replied.
“What does that mean? Seeing each other…”
“Every relationship has to start somewhere, right? We’re at the part where we’re beginning—figuring out what we want from each other.”
“I see. And the son? If things work out he’ll be your son. Are you ready for that?”
Quentin trembled at how ready he was to be a father. “I would be. But, I’m not going to think about that yet. Jordan doesn’t need any more drama in his life right now. At the moment, he’s basking in a new life—a life that will make him happy and be a kid. Whatever he needs from me, I will try and give it but I’m sure James doesn’t need my help.”
“Come on, Rin Tin. Every kid would be proud to have two loving parents. I’m positive Jordan wouldn’t mind having you as well. Take it a step at a time, like you said. Just, don’t turn into the evil step-father.”
Quentin chuckled. “Never. He’s a good kid. Lord knows, he’s been through enough shit to last a life time. Listen, I have an idea for a new song. I’m gonna see if I can find some music for it in the bunch they sent me when I told them I was going on a break.”
“You’re gonna need me?”
“Always,” Quentin said. “Jordan might be a singer. I haven’t heard him sing yet but if he can carry a tune I’m pretty sure he’d be able to help—if I can get James to agree with it.”
“Well, you could use it as a bonding thing between the two of you.” Tanjay suggested. “The public doesn’t have to know who he is. He could be the next Sia—without those wigs.”
“Precisely. Tanjay, you don’t mind, do you?”
“Why would I mind?” Tanjay sighed. “Rin Tin—I love you, but you worry too much.”
“I want you to always feel welcomed and a part of my life.”
“And I do feel like that. Just because you might collaborate with Jordan from time to time doesn’t mean I’m going to freak out and start making heavy breathing calls. I’m your brother and I know no matter what, you’re here and you’re mine.”
Quentin laughed. “I’m yours.”
“Yup. As long as I get to keep singing with you, I’m golden.”
“You will always. I swear.”
“Well, big brother. I have to go. I promised Lester I’d take him to dinner if he got over a seventy on a test. He got a ninety three.”
“You still think that kid isn’t into you?”
Tanjay groaned.
“Being gay isn’t a bad thing.”
“I know that, Rin Tin. I get it. But, I don’t think I’m gay. I’ve never had the urge to be with a man that way. I’m still young—who knows.”
Quentin laughed. “That’s not how it works, TJ.”
“Oh yeah? What would you know?”
“Ass. Go take Lester out. I need to finish reading James’ book. We can talk later.”