CHAPTER 1 - THE EAVESDROP

THE BIG BUTLER FAIR - JUNE 2017

STABLES

MEL

Sighing, I pull out my phone and dial his number, hoping against hope he will at least pick up. My heart sinks as it goes to voicemail. I scratch my scalp whilst trying not to cry. “Hey, it’s Mel. I, look, I really think that you need to...well, quite frankly, forgive yourself! It was an accident! It has been 18 months. He is missing you terribly, and if you could just…”

“Excuse me, um, you should not be back here.” I turn to the voice behind me, which although authoritative, it is gentle. 

“I will call you back. We will have this discussion!” I paste a smile on my face. “Sorry about that, had to find a secluded place, and....” I pause as she sticks out her hand. Although surprised, I do take it.

“Daphne, Daphne Chanders. Nice to meet you, Mel.” She grins. Then, without releasing me, pulls me into the office I passed as I sought some privacy. “You want some coffee?” She asks as she presses me to sit down. “Gonna go with black, no sugar?”

“Uh, yes, please.” I reply. Less than two minutes later, there is a cup in front of me and silence. “Um, do you normally do this?”

“Nope. Cookie? Chocolate fudge brownies, in case you were wondering.” She looks over her mug at me, then at the plate of cookies. “Melt in the middle squidginess guaranteed. I should know, I baked them this morning. It is the only thing that keeps him from going from a grump to annoying fucktard, but I love him!”

“So why are you doing this?” I ask, gratefully reaching for a cookie, as I could not face what was laughingly called breakfast this morning!

“Because, when I saw you were upset, I followed you. I am very nosy, and your friends were making faces I didn’t like when you were talking about whoever you were trying to get in touch with.”

“Uh…” I feel the tears prickle again. “...how much did you hear?”

“Shall we get him a colostomy sack and get it over with? It’s not as if he uses them for anything else!”

DAPHNE

It takes a few seconds, but the tears slide down her face. As she sobs, I press the intercom and wait for her to compose herself. “So what happened?” I hand her a tissue.

“He had an accident on...he’s his...well, I hope someday he will be again...his horse, but he’s not been to see him in 18 months, since he recovered from the accident. He hasn’t even told anybody where he is, not even...”

“Can we please have proper names for a call this fucking early?!” I cringe as the annoying fucktard’s voice booms into the room. 

“Early?” Mel frowns.

“Yeah, in the pantheon that he lives in…” I check the time. “...are we alone?”

“Hang on…” There is swearing, a door slam, then silence before he clears his throat. “...now we are. So why?”

“Her name is Mel, and the problem is…” I prompt.

“Zeus, the name of the horse is Zeus, but he’s not the problem. It’s his owner, and my best friend, Justin.” She has another bite of cookie. “Oh, so good, he would love these! Sorry. They had an accident 18 months ago. He has never forgiven himself. Zeus was sent to a sanctuary to recover, he has closed the stables at home, and...”

“Never visited him since?” She shakes her head, and my heart races. “How is Justin?”

“Been in bed since it happened.” She sighs. “He’s not...he’s not, disabled physically, but the guilt of it all has crippled him, so he confines himself to bed or to his chair. But then there’s Gus…”

“And he is?” I smile at her, her eyes light up before she looks like she is going to cry again.

“Our son. Mine and my wife’s. You see, we wanted a baby, and he agreed to it, but he was there when the accident happened...they used to horse ride together, and now they don’t do anything…” Mel hiccups and starts to sob. “...every day, every damn day, he goes to his room to beg him, beg him to at least use his chair to come out to the garden, just something to get him out of the room, but he…” 

“What horse is he, Zeus I mean?” My best friend asks quietly.

“Friesan. Black, absolutely beautiful.” Mel smiles. “They have something in common, in that they both have a deep affection for strawberries. I mean, Zeus will come to a halt if he passes a field of them, won't move again until he has at least ten...” She sighs. “...but Justin doesn’t eat them anymore, says he doesn’t deserve them.”

“Everyone deserves strawberries, what bullshit is that?!” I smile at the click of the lighter, followed by the pull on his morning blunt. “Okay, I am done with this. Gonna triple S...shower, shit and shave. Chat later.”

MEL

During all of that slightly bizarre call, my phone was buzzing. “Can you excuse me a second, just need to check…” She nods. My heart sinks. I have a slew of messages from the other protagonists in my life: Lindsay and her friend, Michael. 

Now this is a friendship I do not understand! But he was with her when we met, and has not let go of her since. If he was straight, I would be wary, but he’s ‘1000% for the dick’, which, to be frank, the women of the world are very thankful for! They met in college, becoming fast friends in rebellion. Her being from the country set, and him from the rougher side of town, but both wanting to piss their mothers off; as neither approved of the other, which has not changed over the years. Despite what I keep saying, to both mothers, that this is what ‘keeps them together’, they remain disapproving. 

“Sorry…” I mouth at Daphne, which she waves away. Sighing, I accept the call from Lindsay. “...hey, babe, how’s it going out there? You three having fun?” I clench my fist as she rattles out moan after moan about having tired feet, it being too hot, Gus taking ages over every little horse thing. “Lindsay! He is your son too! For God sake, you and Michael were away for two weeks in Cabo! A day out with his mother and his uncle is...now just a minute!” I grip the table. “Cabo is in Mexico, not Outer Monfuckinggolia! Besides, you tried to swap from your original flight on purpose, hoping to avoid today! Yes, you did, but it backfired as today’s one was full! How do I know that? Because Michael was in Justin’s room, complaining to one of his friends! He thought Justin was asleep. He wasn’t. After Mikey left, Justin told me!” Her silence is telling. As much as she loves Gus, she doesn’t like the responsibility of having a child of 13, who is all his father. 

Justin Taylor is one of the most stubborn men I have ever met. Like Lindsay and Michael, we met in our youth, but unlike them, it is a friendship that all approve of. Yes, he’s from the WASP set as well, but he will tell people to ‘fuck off’ if needs be. Well, he used to, now he’s become cowed and just not the Justin we all knew and still absolutely love, well some of us. Not even the ball bustingness that is Debbie Novotny, who rules Liberty Avenue with a loving iron fist, could get him out of bed!

“Want to take them home with you?” Daphne’s voice has me looking up in confusion. “The cookies. He will eat three at most; you said that he would love them…”

“Seriously?” I am already reaching for the plate. She snickers softly, reminding me of Zeus and his love of strawberries. “Thank you, but um…”

“Let me get you a tub.” She gets up and goes into another room. She doesn’t take long. “I will select the choicest ones if you don’t mind.” I lean back in the chair and close my eyes for a second. “All done.”

“Thanks.” I take the tub before, once more, my phone rings. “Hey, Gus, where are you? Okay, will be there in five minutes.” I scratch my scalp in irritation. “They’ve managed to moan the fun out of today, so he wants to go home.” 

“Ah, I see. Well, it was lovely to meet you, Mel. Here’s my card, in case you ever are in need of a person to purge at, or that cookie recipe.” 

“Thank you, Daphne, for everything. And here's mine, so you can recognise the number when I call, because I know I will. The moment he tastes them, he will want them regularly.” I squeeze her hand and leave before I cry again. 

CAR PARK -  TEN MINUTES LATER

GUS

I glower at Mom and Uncle Michael as they scan the crowds for Momma.

“Oh, there she is!” Mom cries and starts waving, but Momma doesn’t wave back. “Let me handle this, Mikey!”

“Okay, Lindz.” He hops on the trunk to bask in the sun, like the lizard I think him to be. 

“Hi, look…”

“Let’s just get home.” Momma bites out as she unlocks the car. “Gus, you’re up front.”

OFFICE - SAME TIME

DAPHNE

I look up as the door opens. He slides onto the sofa. “Well, Brian, your thoughts?”

“Cookie first.” He demands. Once he lifts his legs so I can sit down, I put the plate on his chest. He chews thoughtfully. “I knew there was something about Zeus. Nobody leaves a horse of that calibre alone and like that without good reason.”

“Uh huh. So now what?” I snag a cookie.

“She gave you her card?” He asks, I nod. “Good, but wait for her to call.”

“Okay.”

BRITIN - TWO HOURS LATER

KITCHEN

MEL

Having had a for shit day since Mikey cooked us breakfast, I never expected things to turn out this way! First, Mikey took the ‘we are angry' hints from Gus and I, and asked to be dropped off at his place first. Secondly, like I said to Daphne, Justin loved the cookies. He shared a couple with a very happy Gus, so I need to call her for the recipe. But the most important thing is him having expressed an interest in what Gus bought at the fair! Digging in my bag, I find her card and smile.

“Well your mood has improved.” Lindsay simpers. “What’s brought on that…”

“My mood with you has not improved. Now, I have a call to make.” I am about to leave, when I turn back and grab the tub. “You aren’t deserving of these!”

STUDY - A MINUTE LATER

I hum as I wait for the call to connect. When it does, I put her on speaker. “Hey, Mel, take it he liked them then?!”

“Immensely, so can you email me the recipe, please?!” I laugh.

“With pleasure. Give me a few seconds. There, you should have it now.”

“Thanks, Daphne! Talk later.”

“No problem. Later.”

I hang up smiling. It falls when Lindsey's shadow falls across the desk. “Who’s Daphne?”

“A new friend I made today. She sent me a cookie recipe.” 

“They look so good...” She reaches for the tub, but I move it out of reach. “...Mel, I would like to…”

“They are for me, Justin, and Gus. Now I need to print this out for Nancy, she would do a better job than me!” She stops smirking at my raised eyebrow. Whilst it is true that my cooking skills are not great, she is not in a position to confirm that! “Now, could you check with our son what he wants for dinner, so we can order it and pick it up on the way home?”

“Fine.” She snipes before flouncing out.

I shrug at her victimhood, then open up the email. Daphne’s one has two attachments. I click the recipe first, phew it seems simple enough, I might give it a go. Then I open the picture and freeze, I am brought back out of my stupur by my phone ringing again. I hit speaker “Hello? Um, Daph, why do you…”

“Can you show him and call me back, please?” Again, there is that authorative but gentle tone. 

“I will try.” I whisper before hanging up and taking the stairs two at a time.

JUSTIN’S ROOM - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

JUSTIN

Despite my objections, my very loud objections, Mel finally persuaded me to look at the picture she forwarded to me before turning her cell off. And it’s him, it’s Zeus. “There’s not a mark on him.” I whisper, then think back to the accident. When I last saw him, he was unconscious and covered in blood. “So…” I pause as I hear the floorboards creak. “...go away, Lindsay! You have already upset Gus by ruining his day! Why not go meet Michael and bitch your sorrows away?!”

“I heard shouting!” She calls back. “I wanted to make sure you are okay, and is Mel in there with you?”

“I was having a nightmare, I am fine. No, she’s not!” 

“Oh, okay, do you need water or anything?” We watch the handle go down. “Why is your door locked?!”

“Because I didn’t want to be disturbed!” I yell back. “I have taken a pill and will be back to sleep soon enough!”

“Alright...oh, hi, Lamb...Gus, have you seen your Momma?” I can’t hear what Gus is saying, but can definitely hear the angry sighing. “ Justin?!”

“What now?” I am almost crying with laughter at her frustration, as it doesn’t manifest itself very often where I am concerned..

“Mel is, like you, behind a locked door. I am going to take Gus home. Can you let her know that?”

“And you can’t text your wife, because?” I demand. “As I just said, I have taken a sleeping pill, so…”

“Fine, I will text her! Gus, come on, let’s go home!” She snaps.

Ten minutes later, Mel sighs in relief. “She’s gone.” She smiles as I lift the blankets, then quickly gets in. “Can I call her?” She just about keeps the plea out of her tone.

“Yes.” 

“Hey, Daphne, okay Daph, I have Justin with me...oh sure, no problem.” She frowns at me. “Says she’s gotta go get someone. Think it might be the guy from earlier.”

“It is the guy from earlier.” A deep voice floats up. “Name’s Kinney, Brian Kinney. And we need to talk about child support.”

“Child support?” We repeat

“Yeah, your boy knocked up my girl. Disgraceful behaviour.” He chuckles in an insanely sexy way. “We’re going to have to meet, so we can talk about who gets custody of the foal.” 

CHAPTER 2 - BRAGGING AND DRAGGING

JUSTIN’S ROOM - TEN MINUTES LATER

JUSTIN

“Hello, are you still there?” Mr Sexy Voice demands as we are both in shock.

“Yes, yes we are. Um, a foal, really? He’s going to be a dad?” Mel grins at me. “We have to tell Gus!” 

NO!” I hiss at her, then put him on mute. 

“Why not?” She frowns. I wring my hands and try to marshall my thoughts. “Hold on…” She unmutes him. “I am so sorry, Brian, can we call you back in about half an hour?”

“Nope. I am not going to be available. Call Daph, give her your address and shit like that. I want to get this resolved as quickly as possible…” He rustles some papers. “...he’s a purebred, and so is she.”

“What kind of purebred?” I ask, finally pushing the image of him whispering in my ear out of my head; what is wrong with me?!

“Akhal Theke. Her name is Odin.” I hear the love when he says that. 

“What colour is she?” I ask.

“Daph will send you a photo of her…” He goes quiet for a few seconds. “...you feeling a bit better?” 

“Who are you talking to?” Mel and I exchange looks.

“Justin.” The way he says my name sends ripples down my spine...seriously, what is this?!

“Me?! I am, well I…” I stammer to a halt.

“So why were you crying?” 

“I wasn’t…” I glare Mel into silence.

“Okay, the first rule for me is not to lie. I heard you sniffing when she asked if you could call me back. It’s too early for hayfever season, you didn’t sound like you had a cold, ergo you were crying. So why?”

“I know he hates me. I hurt him, and…” I whimper before breaking down entirely, Mel holds me whilst I weep, and if he is saying anything then I can’t hear him over my tears. It must have been a good fifteen minutes until I stopped. “...I think he’s gone.” I take the tissue from her.

“Yes he has. Hi, Justin, this is Daphne. Feel better having gotten that a bit out of your system?” I loudly blow my nose. “Eurgh! And that bit! So can we come over?” 

“Yes, yes you can.” I smile at a teary Mel. “Can we call you in the morning?”

“Sure. Have a lovely evening, both of you.”

“You too!” We chorus before dissolving into giggles after hanging up.

“I should go.” Mel sighs as she looks out the window.

“You should, but we both know you don’t want to.” I point out.

“No I don’t.” She admits.

“Then don’t. Call her and say I have had a ‘turn’ and you’re staying to keep an eye on me.”

“But what about…” She begins.

“He can come over first thing. It’s time for her to be the mother that she schemed to be!” I fume. 

“She didn’t…”

“Oh please! He’s her ‘ride or die’ bestie, remember?!” I exclaim. “But she knew he would not provide in the long run! I am sick of being a piggy bank for those two…” I have no idea where this is coming from! “...like Brian said, don’t lie, especially to yourself! For years, fucking years, whilst I was ‘compis mentis’, they were the epitome of charm of sophistication, well as much as he could be! But after the accident happened, slowly but surely their true colours started to show! For them to ruin Gus’s day today, considering they haven’t seen him for two weeks, was really shitty! She’s his mother!” 

“You’re right, it was…” She reaches for her phone. “...you’ve done a couple of big things today, I am so proud of you. And they say three is a charm, so…

“You’re going to order in, right?” I interject quickly. As much as I love her, she cannot cook!

“Yes, I am going to order in!” She laughs. “I was going to suggest a glass of wine with dinner.”

“Please. Now gimme the cookies!”

MEL AND LINDSEY'S HOUSE - LATE EVENING

LINDSAY

Gus hasn’t said a word since we got in the car. I am finding it wearisome that one of the traits he has picked up from Justin is his ability to power-sulk as Michael calls it, which, quite frankly, he’s been doing ever since he fell off that horse! Steeling myself, I head up to his room. Pushing open the door, I find him going through his ‘horse box’.

“Hi.” He stares for a few seconds then goes back to rummaging. “I did knock.”

“No you didn’t, because I would’ve said you can’t come in.” He retorts.

“Your Momma is…”

“Mom is staying with Dad tonight, who is sending a car to pick me up first thing. I know because she already texted me.” 

“I see.” I step further in. “What are you doing?”

“Fixing the day you ruined. Have your feet recovered from the trauma?” The doorbell going surprises me. “I’ll get it.”

“It’s very late. I will…”

“It’s for me!” He shouts back as he bounds down the stairs. “Hey!”

“Hello, darling!” I frown on hearing my Mother’s voice. 

“Mother, what are you doing…” I ask from the landing. 

“Picking our Handsome up.” Daddy answers as he shuts the door behind them. “How are you, how was Cabo?”

“I am a bit tired, and Cabo was great....”

“So great she wanted to spend another day there.” Gus tattles.

“I see.” Mother sighs. “Well, Handsome you go and pack. Lindsay, your father and I would love a coffee.” She heads to the kitchen. Daddy follows, shaking his head. “Lindsay! The coffee, now please!”

KITCHEN

NANCY

I despair of that child! I flick the switch on the kettle, as it takes her forever to join us. Here she is with a lovely home, wonderful wife, our Handsome in Gus, and she treats him like an inconvenience! Ronald is drumming his fingers, a sure sign that he is going to lose his temper in a few seconds.

“Please be calm, let’s at least hear her out.”

“Have you ever known Gus to text us? Us?! He knows us and technology. Thank goodness, he prefaced it with ‘find the instructions on opening a text now’!” His countenance softens briefly, but switches once she finally joins us. “Well, do you want to explain, or should I take a guess and you nod?”

“Daddy…”

“So, according to Handsome up there, you tried to change your flight to today. When that didn’t work, you spent the entire time with Mikey, complaining about the heat. Did it rain in Cabo? I thought it was supposed to be sunny this time of year! Or maybe the terrible jet lag made you grumpy. It’s funny how you managed to go straight to dinner in the Hamptons after a nine hour, with two changes, flight. But a seven hour flight with one stop knocks you almost flat. And then there were the crowds. The smell….” He breathes deep. “....you were at a horse fair, they are his favourite animals in the world…”

“Ronald, this is not calm.” I admonish before putting the mug of coffee down.

“I know, darling, but for fuck sake...which was directed at Lindsay, not you...get your act together!” He takes a sip and grimaces. “And better coffee!” He heads to the sink and pours both mugs out. “Can you check on him? I will be in the car." 

"No, you will go and check on him, Granddaddy…” I relish his small smile at the use of Gus’s moniker for him. “...while I have a little mother-oh-I-so-want-to-be-a-mother chat with her." 

“Fine.” He mutters darkly as he leaves.

I sigh deeply and look at her, asking myself for the umpteenth time, what we did wrong?! 

"So!" I drawl sarcastically. "Care to elaborate how you got nominated for the 'Mother of the Year' award for putting your son's needs before yours? Oh, wait! You didn’t, because that's what real mothers are doing. You, on the other hand, seem to think it was enough to push him out of your twat!” I enjoy her flinch. “Which you didn't do, you had that planned c-section, 4 weeks early, so as to be able to attend that friend's wedding. Anyway, please try to explain to me why you think giving birth and then treating your child like an inconvenience or a bargaining chip makes you a mother! Also, please stop crossing your arms like that. You remind me of the twerp you choose to remain friends with. So explain!"

"Mother, I see once again, you are taking the wrong side.” Lindsay sits down then fluffs out her hair. “Not for the first time, Mel has lit a fire under you, and only told half truths and twisted them through jealousy... “

“Jealousy?” I can feel my dander going right up!

“Yes, she panders to his every whim, just like she does for Justin, who is pining over a…”

“Don’t you fucking dare!” I explode. “He suffered great trauma! He’s had Zeus since he was a foal! Can you, for once, imagine how it felt to see that? To see Gus reacting to seeing then both like that? And let me guess, this jealousy of Mel’s is because you can carry, but she can’t? Well, guess what, being able to carry does not make you a mother! Acting like one does! And if anyone has pandered to anybody, it is me to you! You have had your way from the day you could speak. Well, that bullshit stops now! Either you buck your ideas up, or I will sell this house from under you, you know since we, not you, own it. Naturally, Mel will live in that massive mansion with Justin. You know, Justin, her best friend and Gus’s father who has not given up his rights; and who just loves you and the way you treat Handsome! So you would end up with Mikey in a two bedroom fleapit, listening to him get fucked or wank! Now the question is, do you want to test my mettle, Lindsay? But before you answer, bear in mind that you will be cut off from everything. There will be no Mel, no Gus, no Justin, and no us! So again, want to try me?!”

LINDSAY

I can feel the blood draining to my feet. Judging by that expression on her face, she is serious.

“Mother, I apologise…”

“Of course you do...” She rises from the table. “...but only when pushed into a corner, and only a financial one. It's getting late, we need to take Handsome home.”

“He is home.” I point out.

“Oh, I think not.” She rifles in the fridge and finds some wine. “This will do. I need something to smack that godawful taste out of my mouth.” She gargles and swills, before spitting it into the sink, then stalks out. I follow, and we are both surprised to see Daddy. “Ronny, what are you doing here?” She laughs. “She is not worth jail time, now go and get Handsome. I will be in the car!”  

GUS’S ROOM

GUS

I chuckle at the familiar sharp rap on my door. “Come in, Granddaddy!” I call out before barrelling into his arms, almost knocking him into the wall. “Thank you! I just can’t...I was so angry, but enough about that. Guess what happened today with Dad?!” 

“Well…” He gasps. “...if you let me get my breath back and stop jumping around, I could hazard a guess.”

“Sorry, Granddaddy, come, come sit.” I drag him to the bed and wait for him to get comfortable before taking out one of the bridle badges that I bought and placing it in his hand. He looks confused. “I bought that and showed Dad.”

“Great, and…”

“No, not great, excellent! I bought it today and showed Dad!” He gapes at me. “And he ate cookies!”

“Cook...cookies? Justin ate cookies? And how did he react to the badge.”

“He was really interested in them! And before you say it, no, he hadn’t had a pill…” I settle next to him. “...when I got to his room, he was sketching. Okay, sketching is stretching, it was more of a doodle, but he’s not picked up a pencil in almost a year, which wasn’t used to say what he wanted when he was not talking to us!” He wraps his arm around me before kissing my head. “But, he kinda hid it, so I haven’t told Mom, so…”

“She would not be interested anyway!” He snipes.

“She would! She’s his best friend!” I start to pull away but he holds me tight.

“Gus, how long have you been referring to Mel as Mom?” 

“In my head, a while, but today was the first time I’ve ever said it out loud to my other Mother.”

“I see, well, I think you need to speak to Mel about that. You don’t want her to blindside her with it and make it her fault do you?”

“No, I hadn’t thought of that.” I scramble off the bed to get my rucksack, smiling when I find the cookies. “These are so good. We can have them with hot milk when we get home, maybe?”

“Not maybe, definitely.” He grins. “Now let’s go. Grandmammy is in the car, I couldn’t hear much, but as eviscerations go, it was up there.”

I giggle as I grab my rucksack and overnight bag. “So when do I actually get to see this happen?”

“When you are 21!” He ruffles my hair before taking me to my second most favourite home in the world, after my dad’s….my grandparents'!

CHAPTER 3 - BEAUTIES ARE IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDERS

BRITIN - NEXT MORNING

MEL’S ROOM

MEL

“Oh my, she is beautiful!” I gasp at the picture that Daphne sent. They will be here later this afternoon. I pull on my robe, and, after freshening up, dash to Justin’s room, but he’s not there. 

I head downstairs calling his name. “We’re in the sunroom, Darling!” I am surprised and delighted to hear Ronald’s voice. “How are you doing, my gorgeous girl?!” He kisses me on both cheeks, as does Nancy. Gus gives me a hug, but Justin is looking thoughtful.

“You’re right, you know, Mel?” Justin takes Gus’s hand. “Gus, I need you to listen. Let us finish, then ask questions, okay?” He nods. “Zeus is fine, he’s more than fine. In fact, he is coming home…” I gape at him. “...so we’re going to open the stables up to prepare for that. Mel, please explain how this came about.” I am still staring at him in shock. “I am serious. I might not ever ride him again, but he needs to come home.” 

“Wow.” Gus mutters. “So when does that happen, how did this happen?”

“Mel, the floor is yours.” Justin smiles.

“Uh, you know the fair we went to? Well it seems that the rehabilitation centre that Zeus was sent to had been trying to track down Zeus’s owner, and weren’t having much luck, but such was their determination, they went around every horse fair in the Pennsylvania area to try and find them…”

“Just the two of them?” Justin frowns.

“No, there’s a team of seven…”

“Why didn’t they just call?” Nancy pulls out her Justin folder. “It would’ve...oh.”

“Nancy? What’s wrong?” Ronald leans over to read. “Ah.”

“This is my fault. I am so sorry. I didn’t update our contact details when we got our new phones and email addresses. I had wondered why they hadn’t been in touch with updates, but you said you didn’t want to hear about him, Justin, so…”

“It’s fine, honest, I did say that. But like I said, seeing him last night, it’s time.” Justin pats her hand. “However, we do have another issue to address. As I didn't get Zeus fixed, when he met up with a lady he knocked her up.”

“Knocked her...he’s going to be a dad?!” Gus exclaims. 

“Yeah, and as a purebred, both of them, the foal is going to be worth a mint. I haven’t seen…”

“Here she is!” I declare.

“Oh my goodness!” Ronald gasps. “Can we see the photo of Zeus? After all, you never know they could be…”

“Ronald, how many horses do you know that look like that and love strawberries?”

“He looks so good, Dad!” Gus cries, taking his phone off him to look closer. “Can you send this to me?!” 

“No.” Gus’s face falls. “Send it yourself, you know since you have the phone in your hand already.” Justin grins as Gus quickly does that before hugging himself, his eyes shining.

“So what brought this on?” I ask. “Yesterday you were hellbent on this not happening.”

“This text.” 

I take his phone. “There is a strawberry field behind the paddock, some days he would just stare at them before turning away. So this is your thing. He remembers and misses you, you both miss strawberries, you need to eat. Who is that from, is it Daphne?”

“Yes but no, she sent it to me but said it was from Brian. He’s the mare’s owner.” He explains. “So they are coming this afternoon to discuss this. Ronald, do you think your attorney would be able to come over for the meeting?”

“Yes, I am sure I could get him here, but why not use yours?”

“Because Lindsay knows what he looks like, and after…”

“Let me make a call. What time is the meeting?” Ronald reaches for his phone. 

“Four.” 

“Dad, I won’t tell Momma about this, but why don’t you want her to know?” 

“Because…” He sighs. “...look, I am not sure why you’ve swapped the Mom and Momma monikers around, you can tell me when you are ready. But for this, she is too cache-familiar with Jennifer and Craig still, and...”

“Ah, good idea. You don’t want to give them another way to you now that that door is closed.” Nancy declares. “Disgusting behaviour.”

“Door is closed? I don't understand.” I look at Justin who looks equally puzzled.

“Seems that since their business is not doing so well, they have been selling your early works…”

“So I am good enough to be a gay artist, but not a gay son?!” He sighs bitterly.

“But every cloud, especially that toxic, pompous plastic cloud, has a silver lining. I took the liberty of cornering the market.” Nancy grins. “Be right back!” When she is, she has a large portfolio. “So, for years I have kept an eye on them. Ever since you came out then gave us Gus.” She beams as she opens it up. “...there, all yours.” 

JUSTIN

Nancy takes out numerous sketches and puts them in my lap. Slowly, I flick through them. Some are from before Gus was born! 

“Nancy! How much do I owe you?! I can’t believe you have done this!”

“Nothing. You gave us Handsome, besides, desperation weakens your bargaining power. Got them for a song. They sold through a third party as well, so with a knock down price, plus the commission, they would have to have paid…” 

“Hi, anybody home?!” Lindsey's voice shatters the joy.

“Hide them, don’t let her see!” Ronald orders. “I will hold her off!” He dashes out to do just that.

Quickly we put them away. “Where can I hide it?!” Mel demands. 

“Gus’s no...um, in the wardrobe in my room!” I whisper, and she takes the elevator up, which I had installed after the accident, but very few know about. And by very few, I mean not her or him!

“But, Daddy, I want to speak to Gus and Mel! We parted on such bad…”

“Go make some coffee!” Ronald barks. “And take him with you! But before you do that, keys!” 

“Keys?” She repeats.

“Actions have consequences. Your mother and I lambasted you. Justin, who I am representing, has not, so as such, you need to hand over the keys to this place. You are undeserving of them…”

“But Gus lives…”

“Comes but does not live here. He resides with you and Mel, remember, at your insistence? And Michael, why do you have a set anyway?” Gus, Nancy, and I gawk at each other. “Hand them over.” The jangling ramps up the fury as she must have given him to them, which explains his ease of coming and going! “Not your house, not your place, learn to knock, both of you!”

“What’s happened?” Mel whispers as she comes back.

“Did you know the Upchuck Michael had keys to here? Granddaddy has just taken them off him and Momma.” Gus whispers back, judging by that expression, nope she didn’t! “What do I do about mine? I always leave them in my bowl. She is going to notice if they are not there.” We ruminate on this before Nancy starts to grin, then rummage in her purse. “Grandmammy?” Gus prompts.

“Quickly, take it off and put this on!” She orders. “So this is the key to the lock up in Scranton. It kind of looks the same, right?” We nod, then I see where she is going as does Mel. “And when they try and use a ‘false’ key in that oh-so-fancy lock of yours…”

“The alarm goes off.” Mel snickers. “And they get in more trouble. How delightful!”

KINNETIC REHABILITATION CENTRE - EARLY AFTERNOON

OFFICE

DAPH

Nobody says a word as Brian comes in. He looks red eyed. “How’s he doing?” I ask.

“Yesterday was always gonna be tough, and in three months we have to go through it again. You think it would…”

“It never will, sweetheart. The anniversary of her death then her birthday. Like you said, always tough.” Emmett is on hand with coffee. “And she was as stubborn as you, but determined to make you a dad, which she knew you wanted above all else. Hunter is a credit to the pair of you. You fought so hard for that little boy, and in the eyes of the law and God himself, he is yours. Now what do you want first, coffee or a hug?” 

“A hug.” He replies, so we all gather around him. Me, Emmett, Ted, Blake, Ben, Winston and Drew. For ten minutes, we hold him tight as he weeps for the loss of his other best friend and mother of Hunter, Cynthia. 

When they first agreed to have and raise Hunter, and she took on the first try, all was good, but then they found out she had ovarian cancer. The only way to save her was to terminate the pregnancy, but she said no. She lived long enough to see him one time. Literally two days after his birth, she was gone, but before she left, she made us promise to raise Hunter together. All was great until her family decided to petition for custody of Hunter. Turned out that despite knowing Brian for all these years, they hadn’t noticed he is gay, and that is against their principles. For principles, read money, for they were also asking for support from him but wanted to restrict his access because of his deviant behaviour! Thankfully, the judge saw through their greed, now Hunter is his and his alone. In fact, he’s not seen them since the outcome of the trial. 

“Can I come in too?” I turn to see Hunter in the doorway, and we make room for him. It takes another fifteen minutes for us to all stop crying. “Dad?”

“Hmm?” Brian gives us ‘the shrug’ so we let them out. 

“Are you really sending Zeus home?”

“Yeah, we found the owner. It’s time.” Brian hands him a tissue. “He goes next week, want to come with so you can make double sure he’s okay?”

“Double sure? Seriously?! I am fourteen, not five!” 

“So it wasn’t you asking for stuffed crust pizza and to make double sure that it was mozzarella, and if they didn’t have that to go to KFC instead, and to make double sure that they have the extra spicy hot sauce before I order, and if they don't go to the Chinese and get duck with extra pancakes, no spring onion, and swap the hoisin for plum, make double sure, dad, and double check before you leave any place!” Brian teases.

“I am going to tack out!” Hunter declares before departing red faced.

“Really, dude?” Ben laughs before following Hunter out. They are so close.

“So, the meeting this afternoon is going to be interesting, but this could provide a solution to the custody issue.” Drew declares, as he looks at the latest scan from Odin. We gather around to see what he sees.

BRITIN - AN HOUR LATER

LOUNGE

LINDSAY

“What’s going on out there?” Michael calls over his shoulder as he heads to the window. “I can see your Daddy heading the stables, why is he doing that?”

“Don’t know. I am still smarting from him taking the keys off of us, but it’s okay. We will get another set.”

“Yeah, that sucked. And how? Seriously, why is he going in there? It’s not like anybody’s gone there for months.” Curiosity gets the better of me, and I am surprised to see Mother following him. “How did he seem to you, Justin I mean?”

“His usual sulky self, whenever Mel or Gus spins their yarns, you should have heard the threats last night.” I grumble.

“Well, at least we won’t have to suffer that power-sulking this evening, as he will most likely stay in his room. Actually, why don’t we go out, so we don’t have to suffer it at all? I think Ma would be working, so we won’t have to pay for supper.” I give this some thought before nodding. “Excellent!” 

“Let’s go before they notice!” I order, and with one last look at the stables, we head out.

APPOINTMENT TIME

STUDY

JUSTIN

I am so pleased that they both scurried away like the brats they are. Ronald was being kind when he said I don’t like Lindsay. In fact, I find her repulsive and him even more so. They both leech off Mel and me, but for the sake of Gus, I’ve kept a lid on it. But now the pan has boiled dry. I wheel myself next to the sofa and catch the slightly reproachful look on Mel’s face.

“One metaphorical step at a time, okay?” I ask, feeling relieved when she nods.

“They’re here.” She looks up at the security screen as a car pulls up. “Going to let them in, okay?” 

“Did you remember?” I am so nervous but hopeful!

“To ask her to bring cookies? Yes I did! Now calm down, it’s not going to be bad. I feel nothing but good about this!”

Ten minutes later, I can hear the familiar voices of Daphne and Mr Sexy...I mean Brian, and brace myself. I need my head on straight for this! 

“So, Justin, this is Daphne, and this is Brian.” Mel introduces them.

“Nice to meet you.” Daphne smiles. “These are yours.” She hands me a tub of cookies. 

“Why are you in that?” Brian asks, staring at me. “From what I’ve heard, you suffered no neck or spinal injuries or anything that should impact your mobility.”

“Um...because…” I trail off as truthfully I have no reason to be in the chair. “What are you doing?!” I gasp as he whips the blanket off my legs.

“Freeing your mind, the rest will follow.” He returns before walking back across the room, still carrying my blanket. “So, shall we begin the negotiations?” I am very embarrassed, as I hadn’t put any long pants on, so I am sitting in my chair in my boxers, a shirt and tie. He pulls out an envelope before holding something up then turning it to me. “So this solves the custody issue, we just need to discuss visitation.”

“You are kidding?!” I gasp, before grabbing the picture from him. “Twins! She’s having twins?!”

“Nice boxers.” His smile is as slow and sexy as his voice. When he takes both my elbows, I frown at him. “And nice legs.” He adds. I look down and realise that for the first time since I was discharged, I am standing and start to wobble. “I got you.” Brian tightens his grip. “Want to go back in your chair?” I look back at it before shaking my head. “I think you have done enough today. Brace yourself.” Before I can react, he scoops me up and deposits me on the sofa. “This okay?” He asks, whilst tucking the blanket back around me.

“Yes, it’s fine, thank you, but it would be better if I could have trousers.” I look across at Mel who seems to be frozen in shock. “Mel! Pants, please!”

“Why can’t you get them?” Daphne queries. “You know, since your legs now work.”

“Because he has a fantastic ass, which for reasons best known to himself, he doesn’t show off to anybody, ever.” Mel picks this time to be truthful and eloquent...seriously?!

I go crimson as she and Daphne leave us alone, chuckling. “So the twins thing…” I prompt for want of a conversational point.

“Okay, let's do it your way.” Brian lifts my legs into his lap. “Let’s talk about the ‘T’ and make our way down to the ‘A’.

I take a couple of deep breaths, put a cushion in my lap, and ignore his snickering!

BRIAN

He is absolutely gorgeous! These negotiations are going to take time. I see us working long, hard hours… sometimes deep into the night!

CHAPTER 4 - QUICK, QUICK AND IT’S WHO SHE KNOWS

THIRTY MINUTES LATER

JUSTIN

I take great, heaving breaths before I sit back on the sofa. “What the hell was that?!” 

“I don’t know, but it was fun...right? You thought it was fun. I am basing this solely on the squirming in my lap, you allowing me to palm your ass, which, by feel alone, Mel is right about. Mighty fine.” He rakes a look down my dishevelled self. “And that…”

“What?” I demand.

“Wet patch.” He whispers.

“I think it’s best if you…”

“Get you where you need to be.” He murmurs, and before I could stop him, not that I was going to, his large warm hand is down my boxers. “Want me to stop?”

“No, but kiss me at the same time!” I plead.

“Nope, I want to hear what you sound like since I fully intend to hear that again.” He rearranges us so that I am spooned against him. “Ready?” 

“Wait! The door...Daph and Mel, they could…”

“Been her best friend since forever, they won’t. Now, back to this.” He whispers before kissing my ear. Then his hand starts to move, at first it's good, then it is great, and then excellent! 

“Oh God! Oh God!” I alternate between grinding my ass and pumping my hips. “Please, please, kiss me! Please!”

“No.” He growls before he speeds up his strokes,

“Why?!” I wail, before thinking 'fuck this' and yanking his head down so I can kiss him instead. That’s when everything changes. His hand goes in tandem with his tongue, everything pools in the base of my spine. I maneuver myself so that we are chest to chest, but with my leg over him. He covers us with the blanket. “Slower.” I moan, and for the next thirty minutes he brings me to the brink and back before finally tipping me over. “Aieeee!” I shriek, then shudder out my release. I am about to say something when he growls into my neck. “So, again, what the hell was that?!”

“A kiss, a handjob, more kisses, tossing, then we came…” He lifts his head and puffs the damp hair off of his forehead. “...but as to why the hell? Well you pounced on me! Ah-ah-ah, you did. I was sitting here, meek as a little lamb, just talking about the twins, suddenly you clambered over me like some voracious wolf and started to kiss me. I was shocked, stunned into submission.” His eyes dance with laughter and I snort. 

“Well that’s a reaction I have never heard to fainting before. You okay?” Mel asks...Mel? When did she return, and how long has she been back?! “Justin, are you okay now?” Mel looks so worried, I slowly nod then look down, I am on the sofa still dressed and dry!

“Now? What do you mean now? What time is it?” I croak as I try to sit up, but am stopped by who I am resting on. “Why?” I repeat as I  look into hazel eyes.

“You fainted.” Brian slowly helps me into a better position. “Drink this. By drink, I mean sip.” He orders before handing me some water.

“I did? Why? And thank you.”

“You were telling Gus about the twins, Zeus and Odin…”

“I was…”

“And Gus was jumping up and down with excitement. You joined in, then fainted.” Mel continues.

“Oh shit! How’s Gus, where is he?!” 

“Calm down, he’s fine. He's gone to muck out the stables, couldn’t stop him. Ronald and Nancy’s attorney is talking with Daph. They were going over paperwork when you passed out. I am going to join them, are you two going to be okay?”

“Sure.” Brian answers. “But if he could have the pants, that would be good.”

“Oh yes, of course!” She goes to hand them to me, but he takes them.

I wait for her to leave before he puts them on the back of the sofa. “Gonna put them on, or would you like to continue to subtly rut against my hand?”

“Rut against…” I trail off mortified and stop rutting. “...I am so sorry, I…”

“Don’t apologise, it’s a compliment that you were subconsciously thinking about me like that, after just one meeting.” He drops the pants in my lap. “Need help, or will you be able to get the beast back in the cage by thinking of snatch?” I am saved answering by his phone ringing. Quickly, I scurry around behind the sofa to put them on and calm myself down...thank goodness the majority of that was a faint-dream! 

“Hi, what’s up? Oh you have, have you? She made you, did she? Well tell her that we Kinney men honour our word, and we will be there. What time? Yes, I double chocolate cookie promise. Stay there, I will pick you up.” He has such a sweet look on his face, before turning to me. “Beast back in the cage?”

“Yes.” I can’t help return his grin. “I am not normally…”

“Like I said, a compliment.”

“So, um, double chocolate cookie promise?” I question. Now it is his turn to blush. 

“My son, Hunter. He wants to go see his Grandma for dinner this weekend. We’ve not been in a while. Can’t really refuse, specially not this week.”

“This week?”

“Anniversary of his mom’s death. She had a choice: take the treatment to cure the cancer, or go ahead with the pregnancy and take a chance that she and Hunter would survive. She did for three days; saw him, held him, then died.” 

“I am so, so sorry! How old is he?”

“Fourteen. Loves horses. Is gonna be sad to see Zeus go, he’s been looking after him.” He looks very proud. “But you are now both ready for…”

“He can visit, if you would be okay with that.”

“That’s very kind, but you don’t need to…”

“Want to.” I interject, then sigh as my phone beeps. “Sorry, I have to reply to this, she will only keep texting until I do.” But before I can, an exasperated Gus comes storming in. “Let me guess, she’s texted you.”

“Seventeen times! Just tell her that we can host it here! You know that’s what she wants to do, then that’s the end of it!” He grumbles, but is smiling. “She’s not been here in months. Please.”

“I suppose a couple of hours won’t hurt, and besides, it will provide some amusement as she slaps him around the head!”

“Exactly! He’s due a few!” Gus chortles, before running back out. 

“So who’s pitching, and who’s receiving?” Brian twirls his phone. “The head slaps I mean, obviously.”

“My ‘Ma’. See, Lindsay is Gus’s mother, and my “Ma” is the mother of her best friend. I can’t stand him, but I adore her. My Ma, not Lindsay. She can be a bit bossy, but like I said, I adore her.”

“Hi, guys, is everything okay?” Mel asks, as she and Daphne return.

“Yeah, fine. Justin has said that Hunter can visit Zeus when he’s back here.” Brian smiles and stands. “Gonna collect him now...he’s at the diner.” 

“Oooh. Can he order take out?” Daphne pleads.

“Could I stop you two?” Brian puts on his jacket.

“Nope, but at least I asked first! Let me call him! Getting you a loaded hotdog and fries, end of.” 

“Fine, but no onion and extra bacon!” 

“Why do you feel the need to tell me that? Remember, best friend, I know this! You wrap this up, will be in the car.” She tells him with a smile. “Ah, Hunter darling, take out order, you ready?” 

He chuckles, then nods down at my phone. “Oh, for heaven sake!” I gripe as it beeps again. “Mel, can you give Brian my number so we can arrange visits for Hunter?”

“Sure.” Mel smiles as again it beeps. “Now answer her before she comes to the house and brings that with her!”

DINER - TEN MINUTES LATER

DEBS

Oh, I love that boy! I almost hug myself as he finally replies, saying we can all come to his for dinner on Sunday. I head to the table, where Hunter has tucked himself, and put down his drink. “Here you go, sweetness, one coke float. Your Dad or Daph coming in?” 

“Dad.” He replies, which makes me smile wider. “You know he likes to check the order before we take it home.”

“That he does.” I chuckle. “How you holding up? This is me, so don’t be saying okay. Be honest!”

“Better. You heard about Zeus?”

“Yeah, Ted told me. How do you feel about that?” I sigh, disbelieving that this is part of my life. 

“He doesn't go until next week, so I'm going to spend as much with him as I can.” 

“Good. Now we’ve had a few new intakes this week. What people do to animals is horrific, and then have the nerve to call themselves human. They have been kicked off of LA!” 

“Ben and I will be there tomorrow, is that alright?” He asks between sips. “What are they?”

“Two wolf dogs, a bengal, a parrot, an owl, and three ducks.” He stares at me for a few seconds. 

“Ducks?” He repeats.

“Ducks. All male, and…”

“Debs!” Kiki hisses, which means only one, or maybe two things. Michael and Lindsay. 

“Be right back!” I whisper before heading to meet the banes of my life! 

“Hey, you two, you staying long?” I gesture around. “We’re pretty rammed right now, and…”

“Ma, come on, I couldn't walk another step!” Michael dramatises before wilting like a flower! “I just want a coffee and a burger. Look, that table there is free.”

“No it isn’t…” I assert. “...twinks have just gone to the bathroom.” The disdain ripples towards me, he hates twinks. “You can use the ante room, or…”

“I can drop you off!” Sirius, one of the busboys, declares. “My shift is done, and you are on my way.”

“What do you think, Lindz?” He asks then she pretends to dwell on his question. 

“Can we order and get it delivered? By the time we get wine…”

“Fine. Thank you, Sirius.” I make a mental note to add $50 to his tips. I decide to make $70 when they take ten fucking minutes ordering what they normally do!

“So, where are we on Sunday?” Michael asks.

“Britin.” I reply.

“How did you persuade Wheelie Boy to...ouch!” He rubs his shin where I kicked him; have taken to mixing it up as to where I nail him.

“Told you about that!” I snarl. “I am throwing a thank you dinner, and mine is too small, so he said we could come there. And I would advise you two to be super duper nice to all of us, or those keys won't be returned anytime soon!” 

“Let’s get you home, Michael, so we can put some ice on that.” Lindsay orders, then helps him to hobble out. “Sirius, are you parked far?”

“No, just coming.” He grits out.

“Whatever you put in his tips, here’s another $20.” Kiki declares. “Anyone else?!”

HUNTER

I have sent the text to Ben. He is, as usual, down for anything that involves animals. I feel the relief sweep through the room as those two leave. I don’t understand why she doesn’t kick his ass more, am just grateful I have never met them!

My phone beeping heralds a text from Dad to say they are stuck in traffic, to get Grandma to hold off the order for another forty minutes...and I am not to load up on fries or cheesy toast in the meantime! I am about to ignore that when Grandma laughs. “I can’t believe he texted you too!” I grumble as she comes back with...cheesy toast. “Thank you!” 

“So about Sunday. Look, we’re going to be at the place of a friend of mine, known him for years, but he was in an accident and is in a wheelchair.” 

“Okay, so why do I need to know that?”

“The Wheelie Boy comment. He has a good head on his shoulders. He knows about my animal rescue service, why wouldn’t he? And has always wanted to help me, but in order to do that, I would need to disconnect from you guys. I don't want to, but it is too far for me to go every weekend, and with the diner…so I figured, maybe you all could just meet and work something out.”

Before I can answer,  the diner goes quiet, which means one thing: Dad has arrived. “You told him forty minutes.” `Grandma states heading towards him whilst I hide the plate.

“I can deadlift you!” He smirks, before proving his point. “Is there any left? He queries as he sits down, I take the plate out of my lap. “Another order of these for Daph, please. You know she will be pissed if she doesn’t get it, and get it hot!” Grandma nods and heads, smiling, to sort out our order. “You okay?”

“Yeah, but Grandma’s doing that nervous-weird thing, so be nice, please?”

“What about?” He looks worriedly at her. “She seems fine.”

“We’re not at hers for dinner, some friend she’s known for years, but is also talking about splitting from the rehab centre. She doesn’t want to, but you know what little space she has, and where the centre is, it’s too far for her to travel to check on them as much as she’d like, and with the diner…”

“She has no time. Alright, leave it with me.” He kisses my cheek just as she puts the bag down. “So the address for Sunday is, and what do I call our benevolent host?”

“Thank you, Hunter, I knew you could say it better than me! I gabble when nervous, which is never often, but you, Mr Kinney, have the ability in the two years I have known you to make me nervous!” Dad doffs his imaginary cap. “So I call him Sunshine. He’s got a smile that could light up the universe, but his actual name is Justin Taylor. He lives in this wonderful mansion called Britin, so nice! But you also get to meet Michael, Lindsay and Mel. Oh, he has a son called Gus, so at least there will be someone your age, Hunter.”

“Dad, are you alright?” I shake his shoulder.

“Oh yeah, everything is perfect. Ready to go?”

CHAPTER 5 - DEBS CONNECTS THE DOTS

DEBS

I smile as they leave with Brian still munching on the toast. I made sure to double foil the ones for Daph separately, not only does she like it hot, she also doesn’t like it too sweaty. He is not wrong about that oh-so-considerable temper she has on her.  I think back to two years ago when I first met them. Hunter and his Dad were trying to avoid driving down Liberty Avenue and Bakers, but fate was not feeling kind. Man, it was pissing down as I was walking back to the house, but then something caught my eye. A car whose blinkers were flashing, but parked in an odd way, so I headed over...

Start of flashback 

CORNER OF LIBERTY AVENUE AND BAKERS - LATE NIGHT, DECEMBER 2014

DEBS

I can’t see much inside, but there are two people. One is very young, but holding the older man. I keep hammering on the window, finally he winds it down. “Are you guys...no you are not! Come on, get out there!”

“No! Have to get him home!” The older man retorts, but I snatch the keys out of the ignition.

“Not this way, you won’t - both ends being shut down. Some fucker decided to commit merry hell one end, and there’s a gas leak at the top! You, young-one, get in the back. You, handsome, into his seat. Have a place we can go!” 

DINER - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

“So, I am Debs, Debs Novotny, and you two are?”

“Am Hunter, he’s my Dad. His name is Brian.”

“Well, pleased to meet you. Let’s start with tea and some food before we get to what ails you.”

“Where are we?” Brian asks, shivering a bit. It took longer to open up than I thought, so they both got a bit wet. I hand them the towels. “Thanks.” He smiles before sorting out Hunter, then himself. “And this is?”

“Liberty Avenue Diner, of whom I am a proud employee. Gonna go with the quickest and easiest: bacon and sunnyside egg sandwich. You get a choice of bread but nothing else.” I call over my shoulder as I click the kettle on then head to the kitchen. “So, the bread?!”

“Brown for me. You want a bagel, Hunter?” Brian asks as he strolls around the counter to make the tea. “What tea do you want, Debs?”

“Assam, splash of milk.” I call back in surprise. I am even more surprised when he brings it in. 

“Anniversary of her death. She loved the rain.” He sets it down. “He was three days old when she died. Don’t know why it hit me so hard, just did.”

“Grief does that.” I sip my tea. “How?”

“Cancer.” His eyes fill, now it is time to do what I do best, sometimes whether folks like it or not! I turn off the burner and pull him into my arms, we sink to the floor.

“She should’ve saved herself. We could’ve tried again!” He weeps.

“Honey. I don’t know her, or the stages she was at, but may I ask a question before I give my opinion?” He nods. “Ovarian.” His yes is muffled, so I hold him tighter. “Then that was likely her one chance. Had it myself, just after my son was born. Shocked the hell out of us. Ruined the marriage, he could not cope with a baby and a sick wife, so bailed.”

“Wow, what an ass…” 

“Who the hell is that?!” I scramble up at the hammering on the shutters.

“Sorry, Debs, it’s our team.” Hunter explains. “They have been calling. Dad’s phone is in the car I think.”

“Team?” I frown when I go to let them in. I spot a young man running up the street with a box, who I know all too well. 

“Debs! Please! Please take them, Debs. If I leave them alone with him, he will kill them!” Winston pleads. He has a black eye and a cut lip. Seems Andy has been getting handsy!

“Who are you, and who is going to kill what?” A dark haired man demands before taking the box off of him. When he lifts the lid, I hear hearts melting as three kittens' heads pop up. “Why would he need you to take them? I am Ted. Left to right is Daph, Blake, Ben, Ems and Drew. So why?”

“I run a kinda ramshackled animal rescue service, taking in the furball waifs and strays that drop through the cracks of society.”

“So many animals would be in a kill shelter if...oh shit!” Winston gasps as Andy strides up.

“Darling, what are you doing here this late at night? You know how I worry.”

“One of the kittens had a cough, so I brought them to Debs to see if she could take them to the vets.”

“That’s not necessary. Let’s all go home.” Andy reaches for the box, but I block him. “Excuse me, Debs.” 

“No.” I tell him. “Leave them and Winston with me.” 

“Keep the pussies.” Andy’s demeanour changes to the thuggy bully I know him to be. “But you are coming home. Now!” He jabs his finger at Winston.

“No he isn’t.” I assert. “He stays here, you’ve already had some fun. Get off on that!” 

“You are making it worse for him.” Andy snarls. But before I can say anything, Daph is shoulder to shoulder with me. “And you can do what?” He sneers before yeping in pain as Daph puts him on the ground.

“And if he is stupid enough to stay with you, I will teach him to do that and much worse! It is your screams they will hear, your painfully bloodied face they will see! Now, Winston, you and I are going to your house. We will be taking everything you own and taking it to mine. I have lots of spare room. Ben is a doctor, okay of animals, but a doctor nevertheless. He can patch you up. He is a very caring guy.”

“If you do that, Winston…” Andy wheezes as he sits up. “...I will…”

“What? What will you do that you haven't done already?! You’ve beaten and bullied me...I am sick of it! I have done nothing but tried to love you in the way that made you happy, but nothing, nothing makes you happy!”

“You are supposed to focus on me and me alone, no-one else!” He spits as he stands. “How hard is that to understand? How many times did I have to beat it into you that it is to be you and me...not these fucking fleabags?!”

“Lipsey, Hipsey and Dipsey are not fleabags!” Winston shouts balling his fists. “And they were here first!”

Then all hell breaks loose! Winston leaps on Andy, pummelling for all he’s worth, I am trying to get him off of him and stop Daph from joining in. Ted is retreating with the spitting and hissing kittens who want to defend their Daddy when briefly Andy gets the better of him, but then Ben and Drew get involved! Drew is whaling in on Andy, whilst Ben is running back into the diner with Daph and Winston in his arms. 

“EVERYONE STOP!” Someone yells out, and everyone does. “Off! Get off! Get off now, he’s got the message! Helps if he’s alive to heed it! You, you asswipe, don’t move or I will let them have you!” I push my wig back, which had gotten knocked into my eyes in the melee, and am staring at Emmett. “Yeah, don’t look like much…” He grins at me before levelling a hateful look at Andy. “ ...but you would rather me than him!” He nods to the door where Hunter is in front of Brian, I can’t hear what he is saying, but whatever it is, is keeping him there. Slowly, we all give Andy room to get up and back off.

“Find a rock to sleep under tonight!” Brian orders. “If either of them come back looking anything other than they do now or not at all. I will end you.”

Two hours later, we are having coffees, teas, or hot chocolate, plus bacon and sunnyside egg bagels. The kittens are at my shelter, and word on the street is that Andy has stayed away from the apartment. “So, want to tell me about that reaction, Brian? I am all for knights in shining armour, but...”

“My parents were fuckers.” Brian grimaces. “Spent most of their time snockered or sober beating me up. We had a puppy, a cute little thing. They said that I could euthanise it or watch them kill him as brutally as they could, either way, it was gonna die. So she gave me a syringe. She was, ironically, a nurse, and they watched. I didn’t cry or anything, just put him in a box and asked if I could bury him at least. They said yes, so I waited until they were dead ass drunk, packed my bag, then walked out. Never went back.” He closes my mouth. “I just wanted to find somewhere nice where he could be forever. Was sitting on the bus, went to sleep when someone woke me up and cussed me out for treating an animal like that. I had no idea what he was talking about, then I heard it scritching and yipping. He wasn’t dead, she’d given me an anaesthesia. Like I said, fuckers.” He hands me napkins. “I explained to him what I thought had happened.”

“And that’s when he met us.” Ben explains, as he gently tends to Winston’s wounds.

“Can you let me out, please? Need the bathroom.” They let him out. “Daphne, can you come with?”

“What do you mean, ‘met us’, and what was that about?” I demand as a giggling Winston and Daphne head to the bathroom. “Oh, got it.” 

“Meet the lost boys and girls...Cyn’s still with us. We were all fosters or abandoned by our kinfolk.” Emmett states. “The man he met on the bus was the head of the foster home. Brought him and Whistler back that night, we’ve never been apart since. He may be old, but Whistler is still going strong, but the centre is too much for him. Spends most of his days with Elliott.”

“Still bitter.” Brian grumbles, but he’s smiling.

“Elliott?” I question. “Oh got it.”

“In answer to your unasked question, Brian’s fuckers of parents took a week to realise he wasn’t home, then placed a missing persons report.” Blake seethes. 

“And he became a ward of the state within three months, remember?” Drew chuckles before he wraps his arms around a shivering Emmett. “Need my jacket, babe?”

“Please.” He sighs before putting it on. “Much better.”

“So who is with who?” I ask as I pour more coffee.

“Me and Blake, Emmett and Drew. Daph and Brian are best friends...he’s gay, as is Ben. Both are single, though I am not sure how long that is going to be for!” Ted joshes as Ben blushes. “I don’t believe it. After all of this time, you like?!”

“Guys, keep it down!” Brian orders, before covering a sleeping Hunter with his coat. “Volunteered at a veterinary service, we all did, but Elliott saw something in us. And thus, with his backing, Kinnetik Animal Rehabilitation Centre was born. Paid him back in a year. So this ramshackled rescue service of yours, tell me about it…”

And that’s how I found myself looking at an agreement between myself and them, and the start of beautiful friendships, which I want to keep to myself as long as I can; but Ted was right, by the end of the following week, Winston, Lipsey, Dipsey and Hipsey, were purrfectly, yes I went there, ensconced with thieir new man..Ben.

End of flashback

BRITIN - SUNDAY AFTERNOON

LOUNGE

MICHAEL

I flick the page of the comic noisily, Ma doesn’t even look up from her magazine. Whilst she picked me up for dinner, I haven’t seen her since our diner visit, I still  have a massive bruise on my leg where she kicked me. But something feels off...Mel and Gus are too happy. Lindz said she noticed the same, but neither would say what’s got them so ‘giddy’.  

Also Ma seems a little nervous, but I have to admit whilst it’s not often we listen to her where Wheelie Boy is concerned, but when she mentioned the keys, we knew that Ronald or Nancy had been talking to her, so we stayed away not we were even invited!

“So, Ma, Mel stayed here again last night, I take it?”

“Yes, I did.” Mel replies. “As you know, Lindsay had to look after Nancy, as she wasn’t well, but has recovered, thankfully. They will be here soon.”

“I was speaking to Ma…” I return sweetly.

“I know that, but she’s not speaking to you, remember? But you really should, Debs, it is no longer a valid comment.”

“No, Mel, I’m not speaking to him until he apologises for saying it in the first place.”

“Fair enough.” Mel chuckles. “Want red or white?”

“Grandma!” Gus shouts as he comes in.

“Lounge!” She laughs, then gasps as he lands in her lap. “Hello, sweetheart!”

“You’ve not told her have you, Mom?”

“Mom? Don’t you mean Momma?” I point out.

“No I don’t, the reasons why are not a discussion which concerns you. It is for my Mom, my Momma and me to have, but I’ve not seen her as she was looking after Grandmammy.” Blue-green eyes spit anger at me. “Now, Grandma, what have you gotten Maya to cook?! Please tell me one of the dishes is the chicken thigh and pork belly layered filo pie? Oh, and who won the cookie fight?”

“Two, one for the freezer, and we tied because Grandmammy is doing the original...” Ma laughs, which really annoys me, as I could smell cookies on the way up, but she kept the tub on her lap. ”...and I am doing the twist.”

“Twist?” Both he and Mel question.

“I added...strawberries. Nan...sorry Grandmammy, is bringing the dough for the freezer. Mine is already in there, but Maya will do originals when...and here they are!”

MEL

He is out like a streak of lightning! I hope he at least says hi to Lindsay, as he didn't say goodbye to her when she had to go to look after Nancy. He was too mad, again, when she got caught trying to hide her shopping. I don’t have a problem with her shopping, I do have a problem with her pretending she hasn’t!

“Debs, are you alright?” I have noticed that she keeps looking out the window, specifically the gate.

“Yes, I am just hoping that my other friends aren’t much longer.”

“Other friends? What other friends?” Michael puts his comic down. 

“So, Mel, as you know, I teamed up with a nice group of people to run my shelter better, but the more I think about Sunshine’s offer to have some animals here, the more it makes sense. They are really good people, and at least I get to see some of them.”

“Really? You promise, Grandma?!” Gus exclaims, I suppress my laughter at the roll of cookie dough that he is squeezing out of shape. When I point at it, he giggles. “Wait, not another word! Let me get this to Maya!” 

He doesn’t take long, and after pulling Ronald to the sofa with Nancy and Debs, stretches across all three of their laps.

“Hi, Lindz.” Michael rises as she comes in. They hug and kiss. “Want wine?”

“Oh, please, how have you been? It seems like ages since I saw you.” She joins him on the chaise, like always.

“Alright, it is so good to be back at our second home.” He replies, thankfully Gus doesn’t react. Why Michael enjoys needling him so much is beyond my ken, as Ronald says, 

“They’re here!” Debs declares, as a coach pulls down the drive. “Gus, go get your dad!” 

“No need.” Justin declares, and the room goes quiet.

“Wa...walk...walking...you’re walking!” Ronald gasps. Debs and Nancy are mute with shock, as are those two. Oh, how I enjoyed that with the latter...no more Wheelie Boy jibes from them! Justin is up and about, so will be putting an end to people’s shenanigans!

“Now you know why that name no longer applies to him, Debs.” I smirk. 

“When?” Nancy slowly gets up and approaches him. “Are you in pain? Anything?”

“Nope. Someone ordered me to free my mind, so I did. As for when, the same day I decided that I needed my boy home.”

“Oh, that’s won...wonderful!” Debs weeps, then the doorbell goes.

“I’ll get it.” Justin kisses Debs’s sodden cheek. “You get yourself together.”

JUSTIN

I leave Mel and Gus to help with the grandparents. As usual, once they are in each other’s orbits, the sole mission of Lindsay and Michael is to piss off their parents, father of ‘her’ child, and her son/his honorary nephew-when-it-suits. But I need to focus, to focus on her business partners and see how we can work together.

“Hel...oh!” There are at least seven people on my doorstep, but it’s the one with the hazel eyes that I am focused on. 

“We meet again.” Brian smiles. “Debs! Daph also cooked, where do we put it?!”

“Okay, first let them in, Justin, then I will do introductions. As for food...Gus, can you take whatever smells so good in there to Maya, please? Gus, this is Hunter. Hunter, this is Gus.”

“Hi.” They say shyly. 

“Come on, you two!” Maya calls out. “Need tasters for the cookies!” Them and Daphne’s hamper disappear in a flash.

“You have an extraordinary reach, Debs.” Brian drawls. “We know each other, only a recent connection though.”

“You do? How?” Debs frowns.

“Zeus. He’s his horse.” Brian is close behind me, not touching, but oh I can feel his warmth!

“What?!” Debs gasps, then sniffs. “He always calls him ‘my boy’, Zeus I mean. Right, everyone in the lounge. More people to meet, and much to discuss!”

I am about to follow them, when Brian ahems. I make myself remain where I turned. If I step back, it shows weakness, as my dear old twat of a dad would say. “So what do you prefer? Justin or Sunshine?”

I decide on mirroring, so put my hands in my pockets too...seems we are of the same accord, which is that we fancy each other! “Depends on what we are doing. If it’s business, then it’s Justin; if it’s pleasure, then it’s Sunshine.” He smiles. “And this is what it looks like…” I call over my shoulder as I walk away from him. 

“Damn!” He mutters before following me into the lounge. 

“What would you like to drink, Brian?” I ask when I see everyone else has wine and are chattering happily.

“Nine and half cut, two inches wide.” He whispers as he passes. “I would love a nice, thick, full bodied glass of throbbing red, please. Such an unusual name for a bottle of wine. Fill her to the top. The name is Brian, who don’t I know?”

“I am Michael, this is my best friend, Lindz.” His voice is like an ice dagger to my dick. “I can’t believe you’ve been hiding these wonderful people from us, Ma. So many new friends, now who to start to get to know…”

“Nobody, not in the way you mean. All except Daph and Brian are coupled up.” Nancy snaps. “Before either of you take that train to downtown Delusionville, Daph is not bi, and I have plans for Brian.”

“Does Brian get a say in this?” I laugh.

“Nope.” Nancy smiles. “And neither do you!”

CHAPTER 6 - THE EYES HAVE IT AND OTTER HONESTY

DEBS

“Okay then! So let’s get to chatting about things…”

Four hours later, not only do we have full bellies and new friendships, some more wanted than others, but Justin has ordered me to use the old barns in the back paddock for my sanctuary. As in move the entire thing there! Gus has not stopped grinning. Truth be told, neither have I, especially since he and Hunter seem to have connected over cookies.

“Grandma? So can he?” Hunter asks.

“Sorry, can who do what?” I smile.

“Why do you call her grandma? I am her only son, and…”

“She said I could, so I do.” Hunter responds, effectively shutting Michael down. “Can Gus take us to the back paddock, so we can see what we are working with?”

“Now, Hunter, how would you feel about calling myself and Ronald, Grandmammy and Grandaddy? Having met such a nice young man, second only to Handsome, it would...”

“Absolutely!” Hunter exclaims, then assumes the same across our laps position that Gus is in. “But we go after we digest, okay?”

“Okay, H!” Gus grins, before bumping his shoulder with this foot. 

“H? I like that!” He declares, then bumps him back.

NANCY

Oh, how I despise that boil on my butt, as I once heard Gus describe him, but now is not the time. I have two plots brewing in my cauldron, again overheard to describe me by Lindsay to her bestie. I look across at Debs, nod quickly at Brian, then Justin. She blinks twice, ah, she is of the...wait, why are Mel’s eyes wide? She stares at Brian, then Justin, and winks, Got it, we three need to talk!

“You okay, Dad?” Gus asks as he has been leaning against the sill. “Do you need…”

“Shall I get your wheelchair for you?!” Michael declares. “He’s only been out of it since…” 

“Baby, take my seat.” Emmett gets up, before helping him sit down. “Better?” 

“Yes, thanks. I…ouch!” He winces. Immediately Gus is by his side. “It’s...ow...it’s just pins and needles. Doctor said that this would happen.”

“When did you speak to the doctors?” Michael frowns.

“Since when do you care?” Gus scowls. Oh, how I love my little feisty Handsome!

“We need to elevate his legs a bit.” Brian orders. “Please, you two need to get off the chaise, so that…”

“How does that elevate his legs?” Lindsay queries. Neither of them move.

“Well, if you would vacate it, I could show you.” Brian calls out over his shoulder before lifting Justin up and striding over. “Not that I have a problem holding him, but your selfishness is showing.” I enjoy their expressions as he puts Justin down, plumps the cushions behind his back, and, after placing one in his lap, putting Justin’s feet on it. “Still having tingles, or is it a cramp? Yeah, that's a cramp-face! Okay, bend your foot back whilst stretching out your leg…”

“Ow, ow, ouch! How is...” Justin gripes before his pained expression slowly melts away. “Oh, that is so much better, thank you!” 

“You’re welcome. Now shall we go? Will you be able to make it?” Brian asks.

“Why don't you and the kids stay here, Justin? Lindz and I could show our new friends the…”

“Got your chair, Justin!” Lindsay tinkles. 

“Thank you, Michael and Lindsay, but he doesn’t need to stay or sit in that.” Mel gets up, then rifles in a drawer. “I know it is in here somewhere.” She mutters.

“Mom?” Gus joins her. “What are you looking for?” 

“Aha! Got them.” She pulls out a set of keys. “The golf cart!”

“Of course!” I cry. “Gus, can you see if it’s fully charged?” 

“It is, Grandmammy! I used it last weekend, but charged it up afterwards. I thought...” 

“You’ve been told about putting things back in their proper place before.”

“Did you want to use it, Michael?” Ronald asks.

“No, but that’s not the point.” Michael bridles. “He should’ve put them back in the key cupboard, and...one second, why did you look in the drawer first, Mel?”

“Because he didn’t put the keys in here, I did. He gave them to me to put away, as he needed to do his homework. I saw them here when I was getting a business card for Brian. Now, apologise to Gus.”

“No, Mom, that’s not…”

“Down, tiger mom, you know how he feels about that, right? Justin chuckles as he sits up. “The cart is a great idea. Gus, can you start it, and by the...hey!” He cries, as once more Brian picks him up. “If you are going to keep doing that, please give me a word of warning!” 

“How about I say ‘oupa’, then do it?” Brian laughs.

“Fine!” Justin giggles. “Gus, lead the way!” 

THE BARNS - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

LINDSAY

“Don’t know about you…” I whisper to Michael. “...but I am cold and bored!”

“Me too, but…” He looks over his shoulder. “...I am going to start helping Ma out more with the animals.” He grins at my incredulous expression. “One, that gets me back in the house and into Wheelie Boy’s good books…” I nod. “...and two, have you seen the hunks here? I caught the eyes that Ben and Emmett were giving me. I am going to have my pick, although my long term aim is Brian.”

“Hmm, he is a fine looking man, but right now he seems to have been taken in by the weak-as-a-kitten act of Wheelie. Look at him…” I sneer as they trundle around in the cart with Gus and Mel in the back seats. “...when did the miracle happen?” 

“The miracle? Oh, the walking? No idea. Have you gotten your keys back yet?”

“No, I haven’t, but why was Mel looking for a card for Brian?” 

“Good point. Well...” He stops as a shriek, followed by raucous laughter rings out. “...we need to get closer!” 

It takes us less than a minute to catch up, when we do, the golf cart is stopped, everyone is still laughing, as Winston is almost on Drew’s shoulders.

“Where’d it go?!” Winston squeals.

“Winston, will you stop?! You are being ridiculous!” Drew shouts as he tries to get him down, but he clings on tighter. “You have seen rats before!”

“Not rats that can be saddled and ridden in a derby!” Winston declares. “Not coming down until it is confirmed gone!”

“Jeez, what a wuss! Which way did his shriek send it?!” Daphne looks around. When Debs points to one of the barns, she heads in that direction. For five minutes there is silence, then she is beckoning us towards her quietly...he can suddenly walk unaided I notice! “Okay, it was not a rat.” She whispers as she waves us forward. This barn is waterlogged, so not conducive to sandals! Oh well, will just have to replace them, it is his fault we are here after all!

“What is it, Aunt Daph?” Hunter frowns, then smiles. “It can’t be bad, as you’ve gone derpy, so what?”

“Very quiet!” She orders, before leading us to a hole in the barn wall, through which we see the stream. “Do you see them?” She points at something.

“Oh wow!” Hunter sighs. “Dad, come look!” 

“Okay, at what...jeepers. Justin, did you know about these?” 

“About what?” He gets down next to him before gasping. “They are adorable!” 

“What are?” Daddy demands.

“Otters. There is a family of otters!” Daphne grins. “In fact…” She peers through the hole before stepping outside. “...wow, just wow, come out here!” She orders.

EMMETT

“A little help, please!” Drew demands, I try not to laugh as Winston is still clinging to his shoulders. “Not funny!” Drew grouses. “Get him down!” 

It takes five minutes for Winston to be transferred to Ben’s, so he carries him outside. We are greeted by a massive stream, but one that stops flowing about thirty foot away from us. 

“I was wrong...families, look at that.” Daph points up.

“How the hell didn’t we know about this?!” Justin exclaims as we take in the full dam structure. “Is this why the creek had gone dry? Why didn’t Ethan tell us?! I can’t understand how that could’ve been missed!” 

“You said nobody was to be up here, so don’t go blaming Ethan!” Michael fumes. “So how do we fix this?”

“What do you mean fix?” I ask, adding Little Mr Pissy, under my breath.

“That was one of the things that helped me sleep, even before my...our accident...the sound of the water flowing into the duck pond.” Justin looks sad. “It would create a little creek and water the vegetable patch, but when I came back from the hospital, the pond had dried up…”

“Let me see here.” Blake steps forward. “Oh, that should be easy enough. Come on, boys, let’s break it down!”

“You can’t do that!” Gus yells. “This is their home! If you…”

“G! Calm and listen…” Hunter takes his shoulders. “...we’re just gonna let some water out. Not sure where you were when this was said, but Uncle Blake knows animal habitats. The camping trips we’ve been on were amazing. We’ve been to India, the Amazon, South Africa, all over the world! He knows what he’s doing.”

“Can I proceed, Gus?” Blake asks. It takes a few, but he nods. Blake wades into the water and examines the master dam. “So the main source is the waterfall up there. If we loosen it a bit, the natural pressure would be enough to flow, but not break, so they can keep their home, and you get your creek and pond back.”

“I have a waterfall in my backyard?” Justin tries to see where Blake pointed.

“Oupa!” Brian swings him onto his back, without hesitation, he clambers onto his shoulders. “Can you see it?!”

“Yes! Let me down! Gus, you need to get up here!!” He helps him up. “Do you see it?” 

“Dad, can we go up there, when you’re stronger, walk wise, but can we?” 

“Yes, a picnic and...oh my god!” He gasps. We all look down. “What do I do?” 

“Nothing.” Blake smiles. “They are very inquisitive, so just stay still. It will most likely head back to the water.” After a few seconds of chirping, sniffing, and nibbling on his trainer, the otter yawns, then rests his head on his foot. “Or not.”

“Now what?” Justin whispers as we watch the baby slowly doze off.

“Mommy’s coming.” Blake nods at a movement in the water. She pauses before she gets out, as if waiting for Justin to do something. “Just keep still.” She chirps and calls. Slowly, the baby opens its eyes. She chirps some more, but still it doesn’t move. “Keep still, Justin, let her take the baby.” Who decides to get more comfortable! “Okay, he’s a little tyke! Now, there are two ways to do this: she takes, or you flick...”

“Dad, do not flick!”

“I wasn’t going to! Now, come on sweetness, you need to go back with your mommy.” Justin cajoles as he gets down on one knee. “She’s right there, you just need to go. So what I am going to do is move your pillow, but you stay here okay?” Slowly he shifts his foot, then we all back off whilst holding our breath, which we let out seconds later after they disappear into the water. 

“So, Uncle Blake, how do we do this?” Hunter demands. 

OUTSIDE JUSTIN’S BEDROOM - TWO HOURS LATER

NANCY

“Right, Justin! Can you hear it?!” I yell up to the window. 

“Not yet!” He replies.

“Need more flow!” Ronald shouts. They adjust the branches, whilst anxious, but oh-so-cute faces pop up and down. Finally, ten minutes later, the bottom half of the stream is filling, but more importantly, the dam is holding. “How about now?!” 

“Well, Justin, can you?!” I question.

INSIDE JUSTIN’S BEDROOM - A SECOND LATER

JUSTIN

Oh, I can hear something! It is me moaning into his mouth. One minute, we were at the window, well he was leaning through it, and his tee rode up. Gently, I traced my finger along the exposed bare skin, just above his jeans, then he turned around. 

“What are you doing?”

“Do you have a problem with what I am doing?” I hook my finger into a loop and pull us back to the bed, then flip him onto it. “You have three seconds to stop me.” I whisper against his soft cranberry lips.

BRIAN

“Yowsers.” I am snapped out of my primal lust induced fog by the awed voice of Hunter! 

I look at Justin, he looks at Mel, who looks at Gus, who looks at Hunter, who is looking at Daph. “I can explain.” I swallow hard as Hunter has never seen me with a guy. “You know that I am gay, and…”

“You were kissing.” Hunter is wide eyed.

“I know, and…”

“You don’t kiss. It’s like that movie Pretty Woman, you don’t kiss!” Hunter is now grinning.

“In fair…”

“Don’t even try it.” Daph hoots. “It doesn’t matter who instigates, it's the reciprocation that is important, and that was reciprocation!” 

“Please, may I take my best friend to the bathroom so he can explain himself?” Mel titters. Once I get off of Justin, he pelts away. “Daph, you get his side of things. Gus and Hunter, run interference!”

“Sure!” They chime, and close the door behind them.

“Well! Can I call in the troops?” She continues when I frown at her. “Michael has designs on a few, but long term is you.” 

“Eurgh!” I shudder. “God, I must look rough!”

“You don’t, and you know it, but he clearly doesn't like Justin or Gus, and with what you did today, he is going to want to cockblock.” She presses her finger to my lips. “I saw his face when you whispered in Justin’s ear earlier. I know you, you pick up guys, but you literally don’t pick up guys, or speak Greek, you know, since you are of American-Irish descent.” 

“Shut up.” I grumble. “I need a hit.” 

“Can it wait until we are alone? I mean, alone-alone?” I turn to Justin’s voice.

“It can, though what do you have?” 

“Grade A Kush.” He replies, looking at the floor.

“Were you on it when…”

“No, of course not! I was with Gus. I only toke up when he's not here.” 

“Why?” 

“Why? Because he’s a child, and…”

“So is Hunter, but he knows everything that I do.” He and Mel look shocked. “And no, I don’t smoke in front of him either, but I’m truthful with him because I would rather he found out things about me from me, as opposed to anyone else. I don’t kiss, I don’t bring guys home, as that is that...our home. I haven’t kissed a guy in years. At least five I think.” I get off the bed and straighten it up. “If you want to talk, you have my number.”

“Me too. And it was the worst in the world. All sweat, slobber, and teeth!” 

“So where do I rank then?” I smirk. “I mean, out of ten, as there was definitely no slobber or teeth clashing.”

“A four, no a five.” He nods.

“What?!” 

“Hmmm. Whilst there was no slobber or clashing, there was no stroking of the face, no tangling fingers in the hair, and definitely…” 

JUSTIN

His mouth is warm and sweet. He has me pinned against the wall, our tongues slip and slide against each other. He tastes of wine...oh, so divine! This is insane! Each time I see this man, I am on fire with lust, behaving like a monk on day release! I am not sure who moved first once the ‘scores on the doors’ were mentioned, but now we are back on the bed. This needs to stop! I start to push against him, but his hands just gently clasp mine.

“Please stop.” I sigh.

“Point of order, Mr Chairman. You are on top of me.”

“I am not normally like this.” I mutter as I scramble off him

“It’s fine…”

“But just how have you gone five years without sex? I mean, it must be…”

“I said five years without kissing a guy, I have had sex during that time. I am only human, after all. In fact, I had a rather exquisite encounter a few days back.”

I spring off the bed and adjust my clothes. “I would like you to leave, but before you do, why would tell me that?!”

He tidies himself up then stands. “Because it was with you.”  

CHAPTER 7 - LISTING, SCHEMING AND HEALING

KITCHEN - TWENTY MINUTES LATER

JUSTIN

We were all in the garden, watching the pond fill. I was happily making a list with Maya of what fruits, herbs and vegetables we want replanted. Hunter and Gus volunteered to dig the planters out in readiness. 

“I am going to call him, so he can come back…” Michael declares.

“Call who?” Lindsay frowns.

“Ethan. He was the best groundsman until Justin let him leave. You can’t deny you didn’t try and stop him.” Michael looks coldly at me. “Then you have the nerve to try and blame him for your pond drying up, now we know it was those weasels…”

“Otters.” Nancy corrects him. “And if he was doing such a sterling job, how did he not spot a massive waterfall with a raft of otters behind the barns?”

“Justin said nobody was to go up there!” Michael spouts.

“Michael.” I rub my hip. “I was in the hospital for four months after the accident, and no, I didn't try and stop him from leaving, because that’s what he wanted to do. Besides, the garden wasn't being maintained to his, and my, high standards, so mentally he was obviously on his way out.” As usual, he goes to say something. “Let me finish! As you rightly said, I didn’t want anybody being back there, but that was after I was discharged and had been home for a month.” I can feel the pinching of my spine so rub the base. “If Ethan wants to come back, then I don’t have a problem with it, as long as he maintains the standards that got him the job in the first place.”

“Really?!” Michael’s face breaks into a smile when I nod. “Great, I am going to call him now!”

“Good. And to ensure that he does, you can watch over him.” I smile sweetly. “You are serious about helping Debs with the sanctuary, aren’t you?” He lowers his phone. “So the barns should be the first thing that you and Ethan tackle.” 

I wink at Nancy, for it was her who overheard what he said about getting back into Wheelie Boy’s good books. Well you’re going to have to work a lot harder than you think!

“Baby.” I turn to Emmett. “Can you look at me straight on, please?” When I do so, he rests his hands on my shoulders, running them across from my neck outwards. “You are right, Ted, one is lower than the other by about an inch. Can you put your left foot down flat?” I try, but then feel that familiar jag of pain. “Hmm, did you do physio whilst you were in there, or when you came back?” 

“No. I…”

“Reasons aren’t important. Let me fix you.” Emmett smiles. “Drew, please get the table. Is there somewhere I can set up something that is seven foot long? And Teddy, the rest of my things...” 

“Yes, we can move the chairs back in the lounge.” Rodney replies. “Come along, Michael, you can help too, get you used to heavy lifting.”

“Boys, why don’t you come and check the waterfall with me?” Blake suggests.

“But I want to go with Dad first.” Gus explains, however, I know my son.

“If you go with Blake and Hunter, then you can be my guide when we hike up, can’t you?”

“Thanks, Dad! H, with me, I am sure I can find some boots to fit you!” He hollers over his shoulder. 

“Mel, darling, why don’t you, me, Debs, and Daphne go discuss the aesthetics?” Nancy asks, as she takes the wine out of the fridge. “And…”

“I can bring the glasses, Mother.” Lindsay volunteers.

“Oh, no thank you, dear. I think the best thing for you is to help Maya with the dishes.” Nancy returns. “In fact, I think it is the key thing for you to be doing.”

“Come on, Baby, lean on me. Let’s get you semi-sorted.” Emmett wraps his arm around my waist, then walks me towards the door before stopping. “Okay, now what you need to do is put your hand right here, Brian.” It feels like a branding iron. “Every step he takes, press and get a level of pain out of ten. Bet it gets worse when you are tired; also does it go up your neck sometimes too?” 

“Sciatica you think?” Brian asks as I lean closer to him then hiss. “Where was that?”

“Seven.” I reply as we head toward the lounge.

“Cramp-face was an eight I figure?” 

“And a half.” I admit. “Um, what are you doing, Emmett?” 

He is adjusting levers as he watches me walk in. “I fix the body....” He smiles at me. “...as the osteopath. Okay, first take off your top, then get on your front, head in hole.” Grinning, I do as I am told; then my trainers and socks are swiftly removed. “Actually, it’s proper name is face port, but I prefer ‘hole’. My, don’t you have pretty feet!” I jolt slightly as warm hands take them and put them together. “At least three quarters of an inch. Now everyone who isn’t on the table, having anything to do with his feet or me, out you get.”

SUNROOM - FIVE MINUTES LATER

MEL

I try not to laugh at the expression on Michael’s face as he trudges after Rodney, who has ordered him to follow the rest of them up to start taking measurements and to call Ethan on the way. 

“Oh, I did enjoy that!” Nancy chuckles as she tops up our glasses. “Now, tell me everything!” 

I look at Daph and she’s grinning. “Not sure how the first kiss happened…”

“First?!”

“Nancy, shush!” Debs joshes.

“But the second kiss, that came about because Justin said that he was only a four, but did change it to a five.” 

“Ouch!” Debs grins. “I have told him before that kissing is an essential thing in intimacy, no matter how brief that intimacy is.”

“I told him that too! Does he listen?! Nope!” Daph grumbles.

“Brian should not be upset.” I stretch out on the lounger. 

“Why not?” Daph is clearly affronted on her bestie's behalf. “Someone gives him five out of ten on the kissing scale…”

“Out of seven.” I smile.

“What is out of seven?” Daph looks confused.

“Justin’s scale. It’s out seven, because it’s his lucky number.” Nancy beams. “Now let’s see how we can push that up a bit, shall we?”

BARNS - TEN MINUTES LATER

RONALD

The rest of them are already at the barns, Michael, of course, has been dawdling, but now has a burst of speed and passes me!

“Blake! Boys! Wait up!” He calls out. “I think I should come with you.” He looks over at me, I do not understand that look on his face. “I was a Boy Scout, and Gus, you can be sometimes forgetful. So I would be able to confirm the path to your Dad.”

Even the otters don’t believe that! I can see Blake is giving this some serious thought, but before he can reply, we are all saved by the bell when Michael’s phone rings. 

“One second. Don’t leave!” He orders. “Hell...Ethan, dude, how are you?! Great, great! Look, I have some news. Justin wants you to come back. Yes, I am serious!” An idea hits me. Quickly, and much to his surprise, I take his phone off of him. “Ron…”

“Ethan, it’s Ronald, Lindsey's father, you remember? Good, good. How are you? Excellent, excellent. Yes, what he said is true. Now, how soon can you get back? I see. Well, there is going to be a sanctuary in the back barns, which Michael will be helping Debs with. Yes, it was a surprise to everyone else as well! One of the barns is badly damaged, and…” I look across at Michael and roll my eyes. “...I see. Well, no, he didn’t. Okay then, we will see you in a couple of weeks.” I hang up, shaking my head. 

“Ronald, I do not appreciate you…” Michael begins.

“Granddaddy, are you alright?” Gus asks, tapping my arm to get me to focus on him.

“Yes. Am fine. Blake, go on and take the boys. Michael will not be joining you.” 

“Why not?!” Michael snatches his phone back. “Mind telling me what Ethan said on my phone?!”

“Sure. You’re not going because Ethan had told you about the water damage to the barn; he asked you to tell Justin about it before he left. Why didn’t you?”

“Justin’s accident happened and it slipped my mind!”   

“Dad’s accident was two months after Ethan left!” Gus seethes, causing Michael to step back a foot or so. “We’re going up there without you, you only want to be a Boy Scout because you don’t want to graft. Well tough, in this case, otter dookie, you aren’t getting out of this!”

“Gus, you will not speak to me like that!” Michael rebukes him.

“Too late!” Gus bites back over his shoulder as he strides away. Blake and Hunter quickly catch him up, soon they are almost out of sight.

“You let him get away with too much!” Michael carps. “I am going back to the house!”

“You aren’t, because you know damn full well that when Justin finds out, he will make you pay for the repairs from your pocket. You know, like he did when you damaged the golf cart?” 

He comes to a surprised halt. “How do you know about that?”

“Who do you think told him about it?” I smirk. “It could’ve been any of us, even Lindsay. I seem to recall around that time, you two had fallen out and weren’t speaking. Now, go and help them with the measuring.” 

As I watch him trudge towards the barn, I smile. Not only because I have him right where I need him to be for now, but also because he’s wearing cut offs, which is most unfortunate as he had been standing in poison ivy, and it seems he’s already starting to itch! 

LOUNGE - SAME TIME

JUSTIN

I have been answering a litany of questions from Emmett. I am feeling nice and warm now, he had put one of the blankets on me when I started to shiver. This is not the warmest of rooms at the best of times. “So, Baby, oh do you mind Baby?” My head shoots up as Emmett is smiling at me. 

I rest my chin on my wrists. “No, not at all. I actually like it.” 

“Okay, I am going to lower the blanket, as we need to see your spine in all its glory. I think it starts from the bottom and kinks up.” 

“We?” I look up at the same time as my blanket is slid down to my waist.

“Yes, we are the A-team of the...team. I am the osteopath, Brian is the healer…”

“Brian?” I look over my shoulder, he is still staring at my feet.

“Yes, Brian. He can manipulate a body like no other. Shall we begin?”

“Sure.” Brian’s voice floats up. “You lead, I follow.” 

At first, the clanking of the levers and pulling of my body is disconcerting, but forty minutes later, I am almost purring. “You should bottle yourself…” I murmur as the blanket is draped back over me. “...I would buy you.”

“Not for sale.” Brian laughs. I slowly turn over, it’s just the two of us. “Resume the position, I need to check your alignment.”

“Where did Emmett go?” I ask, lying back down, then trying not to groan when he retakes my feet. “Brian?”

“Yes, Baby?”

“Why did you call me that?”

“You said you liked it to Ems.” He is stroking my ankles, I am biting back my moans. “And he’s right, they are pretty.”

“So, my alignment.” I need him to stop! 

“You’re about a quarter of an inch off, but that’s easily corrected with the exercises that I am going to show you. Can you stand up, please?”

Of course I can stand up, I just really would rather I didn’t right now!

“Baby, you gonna stand for me?” 

I get onto my elbows before looking over my shoulder. “Can you please leave that moniker with Ems? It sounds weird, you saying that, especially after…”

“Okay, how about Moró?” He kneels in front of me. “Would that be better?”

“Yeah, I like that...what does it mean?”

“It’s Greek, it means Baby.”

CHAPTER 8 - EXERCISING AND GIVING PERMISSION

BRIAN

“Let’s go to your room.” I slide the blanket off.

“Why?” He slowly sits up.

“Because, I doubt you want Michael to watch you exercise.” I reply whilst folding the blanket.

“Good point, he is an insufferable prig!” He grumbles as he stands. 

“Seems like he and Lindsay feed off each other.” I return, picking up my bag. “Walk ahead of me, please; before you ask why, it is for two reasons. One, I need to see if you are limping or dragging your foot; and two, you’ve already checked out my ass. It’s my turn!” 

“You are so cheeky!” He lectures, but does lead the way back to his room.

FORTY MINUTES LATER

JUSTIN

He has shown me the stretching exercises I need to do both morning and night, now he is walking around.

“Can you fit in here?” He opens an empty built in wardrobe. “Can we take the doors off?

“Of course I can.” I snort. “But why?” I bat my eyes.

“Funny. And I meant laying on the floor. This is the perfect place for the harness. See, ready made at a perfect height hook.” I lean against the wall to check it out. “And it is not that kind of harness…” He opens his bag and pulls a contraption out. “...so I am going to set this up whilst you make this comfortable.”

“Comfortable?” I frown.

“Yep. Clear the floor and cover it with some of those many, many...why do you have so many cushions!” I look dubiously at the space. “Trust me, just do it; though you might want to clean said floor first, as well as check for spiders.”

“Spiders!” I gasp backing away. “I hate spiders!” 

“You live on an estate, which for sure does have rats that could be saddled and ridden in the derby. Spiders are nothing!” 

“Nope, we need to find somewhere else for whatever that is for!” 

“There is nowhere else outside of your room. Most spiders are small and harmless…”

“It gave me nightmares for days!” I shudder at the memory of being forced to ‘man up’ and watch it.

“Let me guess, Arachnophobia?” I nod. “Okay, how about this: I check then you clean?”

“Deal.” I sigh in relief, but still back further away.

“So what do you normally do when you see a spider?” He asks.

“Scream-text until someone comes and takes it out into the garden.” I admit.

“Scream-text?” He looks bemused.

“Well, for the last year or so, with me being confined, albeit in my head alone. Before the accident, I would just walk very quickly to get someone to remove it. My grandmother had a saying: if you want to live and thrive, let the spider run alive. Said it was because they served a household purpose in olden times.”

“So if you saw one in your room, you would text a screaming face emoji?”

“And a spider one, so they knew to come quickly. Could we get the laughter over with?!” I pout.

“It’s not funny, a fear is a fear. What you need to do is overcome it. How you overcome it is down to you; you either do it alone or with help.” 

I ponder this. “Are there any in there?” 

“Not that I can see. Ready to get this sorted out?” In answer, I start to pull out the cushions.

BARNS - FIVE MINUTES LATER

MICHAEL

My calves, which after my arms and face are my best feature, are red and covered in blisters. “Oh my! No, don’t touch it!” Ted exclaims, peering at them. “Where were you?”

“Right here with you guys. This is agony!” I whimper.

“No, before that.” He sighs. “Ever since you’ve gotten in here, you’ve done nothing, literally nothing, but walk slowly and bitch loudly.” 

“Over there with Ronald! Right Ron…” I begin, but he's on the phone. When Ted looks out, I take that opportunity to have a bit of a scratch. “Aren’t you going over there?”

“And stand in poison ivy? Oh no, thank you.” 

“Poison ivy?!” 

“Yep, so you need to go and rinse the oils off…”

“I knew I should’ve gone back to the house!” I snap. I start to leave, but Ted grabs my arm. “I am in pain, and…”

“And there is a massive body of water over there, which will ease said pain!” His loud grousing attracts the attention of everyone else. 

“What’s going on?” Ronald asks as he enters. 

“Michael has poison ivy; he wants to go back to the house to wash it off, when…”

“When there is a river in front of him. Got it. Michael, you walking back there will take at least 15 minutes, by which time the oils would’ve absorbed and made that so much worse. So just wade in, up to where the level of the rash is, and let the water cool you down.” With all eyes on me, I make my way back to the water’s edge. “Remember to take off your shoes!” 

“Thank you, Ronald.” I smile thinly, then take them off. I look into the water to make sure there are no otters, and take another step. When my foot squelches into something, I look down. “Oh my god! That’s not mud, is it?!” I scream, whilst scraping my foot along the grass trying to get the crap off. 

“Michael, just rinse it off when you get in!” Ronald sighs crossly.

“I just…” I snarl before feeling myself toppling backwards. “...Nooooo!!” I scream before I plunge into the icy water. Spluttering and coughing, I resurface and flail my way back towards the bank. “Help me!” I demand, but they are too busy laughing!

“Well, at least you can say that the oils should be washed off now!” Ted guffaws before approaching. I put out my hand, but he doesn’t take it.. “You know what?” He searches the bankside. “Ah, yes, here!” He waves me towards him. “This has rocks, you can stand on them to get yourself out.” It takes me about five minutes to wade towards him, but thankfully only a couple to get out. He examines my legs. “Yep, see, it’s already starting to come down.” 

“At least that’s something!” I shudder. “It was freezing in there! I am going back to the house, and…”

“Michael?” Ronald hands me my shoes. “Where did you put your phone?” I groan when I realise it is still in my pocket.  “Ah, that is most unfortunate, and I would rinse your foot again. It’s not quite clean.”

“I was going to do that!” I snipe. He doesn’t need to know that I wasn’t! I can’t wait to get back and have a shower! 

“May I suggest rice?” Ted asks.

“No you may not! You're a brand of helpful I can do without!” I snap, before heading back to the house. Their laughter, unlike my annoyance, soon fades. 

RONALD

“Uh, Ted, rice?”

“Yes, putting a waterlogged phone in a bag of rice is proven to dry it out, which is why we always pack one when we go camping. You’d think, as a Boy Scout, he’d know that.”

TWENTY MINUTES LATER

JUSTIN’S ROOM

JUSTIN

Brian and I are stifling our laughter. We heard the commotion that was Michael’s shrieking, and went downstairs. By the time he got to him falling into the river, we had to go back to my room.

“Okay, come on…” Brian chortles. “...let me show you what you need to do in here.” I look dubiously at the harness. “What I need you to do is to lie down, but rest on your elbows, with your head inside, but not touching the harness.” I get into position. “Now, lower your head, then put your arms across your chest.” I hesitate. “I promise you, it will feel so good.”

“Is this right? It feels weird.” 

“Yep, and it will for the first few times. Now keep straight, and let me get the adjustment right. Can you keep still?” Before I can answer, he stands astrides me and I quickly close my eyes. “OK, you can look now. How does that feel, is your neck comfortable?”

“It’s rubbing on my ear, the left one.” Once more, he’s handling my feet as he pulls me down slightly. “Oh, that’s so much better.” I sigh, as I feel my neck gently stretch out.

“Better than earlier?” 

“Hmm.”

“Now, you need to do this after the evening session, but you must not fall asleep in there.”

“Okay.” I yawn, then feel my eyes starting to close, but force them back open. “I need to get up.”

“And go to bed.” He orders. Within five minutes, I am tucked under the duvet, whilst he is packing away his things. “I will let them know you are going to be resting for a couple of hours at least.”

“Thanks.” I yawn again. “For everything.” 

“Anytime. Sleep well, Moró.” His whispers before placing a kiss on my ear

KITCHEN - TEN MINUTES LATER

BRIAN

I can’t believe I sat there watching him sleep! I had to leave before I crawled into bed with him! I chuckle at the excited jabbering of Hunter and Gus as they go up to his room. Seems that ‘up the Taylor Trail is really awesome’. 

“Where is Justin?” Michael demands as he enters.

“In his room…”

“Oh, right, I won’t be long then. He and I need to have a word about something.”

“Can it wait until the morning? He’s having a nap now. He had a taxing physio session, so needs to recover from that.” I look across at Maya. “When he wakes up, just light foods, and straight back to bed for him. Nothing stimulating.”

“As if he would react in the first place!” Michael mutters. 

“Sorry, what was that?” Emmett’s tone is deadly.

“Nothing, but no, it cannot wait for the morning. “ He asserts, heading for the stairs. “I need to get this in place now.”

“Michael.” Nancy sighs. “Let him sleep. You know what he’s like if he’s woken when tired, right? He will be very unco-operative, and will stick to that decision.”

“True. I will catch him tomorrow then.”

“No, you won’t.” I state. “He has a morning appointment at the centre, followed by another physio session with Emmett, then he has to go over the paperwork for the return of Zeus. So, all in all, tomorrow will be a very emotional and physical day for him. May I ask a question? What is it that you do for a job?”

“I don’t. I won some money on the lottery soon after we graduated. I live off that, and the investments I make in stocks and shares. Why? In need of tips?”

“Nope. Just wondered. Right, guys, come on. As I just said, we’ve got a busy day tomorrow…”

“Wait a minute, Brian.” Maya smiles, before handing me a punnet of blackberries and blueberries. “I had noticed you picking at them earlier. We’re never going to get through all of them.”

“Thanks! They’re my favourite fruits.” I shrug on my jacket. “Which one is Gus’s room?”

“I can…”

“Michael, you are not going upstairs!” Ronald snaps. “It’s on the opposite side of the staircase to Justin’s.”

“Thanks, Ronald.” I take the stairs two at a time, I spot that his door is ajar. “Gus, may I come in?”

“Sure!” He calls out. When I get inside, I am astonished. “What? It’s kinda tidy!” He blushes.

“Come on, Hunter, we’ve got to go. You can see Gus tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” They chorus.

“Yep, we’ve got to sort out the release for Zeus, and also to introduce the three of you to Odin. Emmett wants you and your Mom to sit in his appointment with your Dad, so that if he cramps up you will be able to help ease that.” 

“Oh great, then I can take him to the house. We can talk about the garden and stuff.”

“Sounds like a perfect plan to me. Now, your Dad is asleep. Do me a favour. Your Uncle Michael wants to talk to him about something. Whilst we’ve managed to keep him at bay, once everyone is gone, I think....”

“Say no more.” Gus growls. “I will stay there all night if I have to, just in case...hmm, I think I’ll go via the en suite and studio. His bedroom door only creaks when it’s opened from the inside! See you tomorrow!” 

“See you.” Hunter calls back as he swiftly disappears.

“You got everything?” I ask, after a quick look around he nods. We are brought up short by Emmett leaning against the bannister. “You alright?”

“Oh, fine, fine. Hunter, can you go help with the packing of the car?”

“Sure.” He bounds down the stairs.

Emmett checks that he is out of sight before turning back to me. “So you want to do this yourself, or can I tell the syntrófous that they can help too?”

“Syntrófous?” 

“Oh, don’t do coy.” He grins  so I shrug. “You know it's Greek for matchmakers, who are Daph, Mel, Debs and Nancy. They want to help you raise your point score.” 

“Five, he gave me a five!” I grumble as we head to join the others. “I have never half assed anything!”

“And you didn’t. It was five out of seven, so you’re almost three quarters perfect at kissing.”

“How do you know all of this?!” 

“Well, whilst you were watching him sleep, in the lounge, I decided to join the girls. We shared theories…”

“Could I stop any of you?”

“Aha, we have a yes. And no, you couldn’t!” 

CHAPTER 9 - HELLO AND A HOLDALL

MICHAEL’S APARTMENT - NEXT MORNING

KITCHEN

DEBS 

I wince as he slams down the coffee jug. “So you don’t think he does either?!”

“No, Michael, I don’t.” I sigh for the fourth time, whilst trying not to gag at the smell of what he calls that 'best coffee in the world', which, in reality, smells like fox dung. “But I was told to bring this for you.” I put the bag of rice on the table. “He said the quicker you use it, the better the results…”

“Who did?!” 

“Ted. Said it’s a proven method for drying out phones. Or, if you don’t want to go down that route, just buy another phone. You have the money, you have backed it up, correct?”

“Every day; morning and night without fail. It’s common sense, anyone that doesn’t is a fool.” 

“Then what’s the problem?! Just buy a damn phone!”

“I think…” Lindsay moves the rice to the floor. “...it is the principle that because nobody was permitted to go up there that it became overgrown, which meant it was allowed to spread, and…”

“Do shut up!” I put the rice back in my shopping bag. “He does not owe you a phone, and you, Lindsay, had better not buy him one out of the support money that Justin gives you. That is for Gus, not on your whims and fancies! Especially the one that is my son!” I gather up my things and head to the door, sighing at their behaviour; as I leave the building I have an idea. A so-bad-it's-good idea!

LINDSAY

“How are your legs?” I ask. They look a lot better than yesterday.

“Oh, fine. Rather annoyingly, Mr Boresome not Awesome was right about the water. Cooled it right down.” He grimaces. “So what are we going to do today? I mean, apart from buying a phone?”

“Well, I was thinking since he and Gus are going to be out, and with Mel at work all day, we could lounge around by the pool when we get back.”

“Looks like a great day for it, do you still have Maya’s work rota? That way we can have her let us in, and knock up a snack or two. I hate for her to be hanging about most likely reporting back!”

“Yes, I do, give me a minute.” I place a call to Maya, when I hang up I am delighted. “She’s not working until this evening.” 

“Crap!” Michael grouses. “I suppose Ma would’ve calmed down by the time we’re done shopping. So we could hang around the diner or check out that new bar.”

“We will be going to Britin once we finish shopping, because I have keys.” I jangle them with a smile. 

“When did you get them back?!”  He looks aggrieved. 

“I didn’t, these are my second set. We can get one cut for you whilst in town!”

“Perfect!” He beams. “Let me just get my wallet!” He takes another ten minutes to get himself sorted out. “Sorry for the wait, I was trying to find the card for the tax...actually let’s go back to yours.”

“Why?”

“The service, of course! He’s still not put my address back on as a pick up or drop off after his previous histrionics…”

“We have the best ideas!” I trill and follow him out.

KINNETIC REHABILITATION CENTRE - AN HOUR LATER

GUS

I am so excited! We get to see Zeus! Blake came to collect us, and we’re about ten minutes away, according to Hunter, but Dad on the other hand has been looking nervous. “You okay?” I link arms with him.

“Yeah, but…”

“When I told him you were coming...” Hunter turns in to face us from the front. “...his ears pricked up. I think the first port of call should be the stables, so he doesn’t think I told a fib.”

“Dad, you have his two favourite things, don’t worry!”

“What are they?” He nibbles his thumb.

“Them and you.” Blake replies. “Okay, we’re here.”

STABLES

ZEUS

I know that smell, no smells! I stick my head out and look towards the door. I know that voice too! I nose the latch up and step out. It’s not very light in here, but I would know that mane anywhere! It's him! Justin! I buck and whinny in delight, then trot towards him. He stops walking. He looks scared, why would he be scared of me? 

“He...hey boy.” He whispers. “I got you something. They say you remember these, but haven’t been eating them. Neither have I.” He holds out a boober! He’s here and brought a boober! I close the distance between my muzzle and his palm, and take it as gently as I remember he taught me. “Want another?” 

“Get closer.” Someone says, and I turn to the voice. “Hey, Zeus, it’s Gus. Do you remember me?” 

Of course I do, but there’s a boober! I turn back to Justin and take it, but leave my muzzle in his hand. “Oh, Zeus, I am so sorry I haven‘t come to see you!” He cries. “Eat!” I chomp happily, then rest my head over his shoulder, like I used to before we both got hurt. Slowly, his arms come around my neck and he buries his face in my mane. 

GUS

Dad is sobbing and apologising. Zeus has his eyes closed, just gently whickering. I swallow down the tears. I have missed that sight and sound, as he always greeted Dad like that. “Do you want to be alone for a bit, Dad?” I whisper.

“No.” He sniffs, then uses his mane to wipe his eyes. Yes! This is good! He always did that with him, but those were tears of anger and frustration. Annoyance at the antics of Momma, as I now referred to her as, and Uncle Spiteful, as Hunter named him when we hiked to the top of the waterfall! “He looks great, doesn’t he?” He runs his hands down his back, and his flank. He checks his fetlocks and his hooves. “They’ve recently been trimmed.” Then he looks around the stables. Wow, this place is incredible. I can’t…oh my gosh!” He gasps as another head pokes out. “She is even more beautiful in the flesh! You have excellent taste!”

“He does indeed.” Brian laughs as he enters. “So, want to meet her?” We both nod. “We thought it was best they were stabled together. Not sure how he got out to knock her up in the first place though. There was no damage, and…”

“He can let himself out.” Dad explains. “Of any stable, no matter what lock, he will figure out how to open it. I was so close to putting an electric one on, but realised it added to his stimulation. He would never go very far, just to the orchard or round the track.”

“I see.” He grins. “Okay, now no laughing, she’s very sensitive.” He orders, looking totally serious.

When he brings her out, I can see why; she is enormous! She’s like a barrel stilts. I close Dad’s jaw. “And it’s just two in there? May I touch it?”

“Yes and yes.”  

At first Odin is wary and backs away, but when Brian talks quietly and Zeus whickers, she goes still. 

“Dad, a boober, give her a boober! No, give Zeus one first, then she can see it’s okay!” I state.

“Boober?” Brian questions as Dad selects two nice strawberries.

“It’s what I called them when I was little.” He blushes. “Passed it onto Gus.”

“Ah. So go to it.” 

“Hey, Zeus, here boy.” He gobbles it up. “See, girl, it’s all good. All good.” She still looks unsure. “Oh, I know. Zeus, give. Give.” Both Brian and I are puzzled, whilst Zeus is just staring at Dad. “Give.” 

Zeus sighs before taking the boober by the stem, then offering it to Odin!

“Well I’ll be damned!” Brian gasps. “Double damned!” He cries as she takes it from him. 

“Here, girl. Good Odin, come and take it.” Dad holds out another one. It takes her a few seconds, and although she doesn’t come any further forward, she does stretch out her neck enough to take it. 

JUSTIN

Her muzzle is like silk, and she shimmers like gold in the dappled light. Slowly, I approach her, at first she shifts, but I keep my voice low and gentle until she stops moving. When I touch her belly, I am taken straight back to when I first got Zeus. I got him as a 6 month old foal, but I had been ‘with him’ since before he was born. “So beautiful, you are gonna be a good momma.” I check her underside. “Good, this is good. Can I see her stable?” Brian just points. When I get inside, I smell the sweetness of the fresh hay, then check out her bed. “Gus!” I holler and he comes rushing in. “Grab your phone, let’s make a list! We need to recreate this at ours!”

“Yes, Dad!”

TREATMENT ROOM - FOUR HOURS LATER

BRIAN

Blue tear filled eyes lock onto mine. “I know it hurts. I know. Okay, you ready? Grab my hands and grip really hard, you understand? I can take it. Now squeeze when you are ready.”

I feel the squeeze, then nod at Emmett. I don’t know what sounds worse, the clang of the lever or his cry of pain. 

“How did this happen?” Daph demands.

“It was my fault, I overexerted myself.” Justin sniffles. “I just wanted to make it perfect for them, their stables, then I didn’t notice the barrow and fell over it.” 

“Let me call Mel, she can....”

“No, tell her to just go to Britin and wait for him there.” Emmett asserts. “Brian, go and set them up.”

“Shit!” I hiss, then rush out of the room.

FIFTY MINUTES LATER

JUSTIN

I have been having deep tissue massages as well as cold and hot compresses, and although initially agonising, especially on my lower back, my muscles and nerves are starting to relax and spasm less. I felt so embarrassed to be crying and yelping, but now I’m feeling more human. Once again, I am covered with a blanket, but this time it is a weighted electric one. 

“You need to turn, then you’ve got another ten minutes.” Brian advises as he checks the temperature. 

“I feel like a spit roast!” I snicker, then realise what I have said. “Not a word!” He just resets the timer. “So now what happens?” I have to fight the temptation to burrow under the blanket. 

“You get dressed and we go through the paperwork.” He puts a cold compress on my head, and after checking the door, he gives me a quick kiss. “So we’re going to discharge Zeus on Saturday. Hunter, Gus, Drew and Ben will get the stable ready. Just them. You need to rest.”

“Can you tell me where you got this from, and bring me the holdall, please?”

“I will get Daph to send the details.” He calls over his shoulder. “One holdall, what the hell is in here?” I start to shuffle up, but he shakes his head. I am confused as to why, until he holds up my boxers! “It wasn’t me! Emmett took them off. Here you go.” He turns his back whilst I put them back on. “In answer to the unasked question, he noticed one cheek was a little...how can I put this? Clenched.”

“Clenched?” I query.

“Seems that you managed to trap a nerve in your left buttock. I didn’t follow his lead, he relaxed that by himself.”

“Why not?” 

“Because, Moro, when I touch you there, I don’t want to be relieving pain.” He still has his back to me, only turning when he feels my arms around him. “What is it about you?” 

“What is it about you?” I counter.

“We have to get ourselves under control.” He walks me back to the treatment bench, nodding that I should sit back down. “Come on, let’s get you dressed, don’t want you to get a chill.” 

Ten minutes later, I am reading the paperwork for Zeus’ return. Gus and Hunter are at their house, which is fifteen minutes away. The soft clearing of his throat has me looking up, he hands me a mug. “Chamomile and spearmint tea.” He sits down. “Drink it whilst it’s hot, and when you get home tonight, no stretching or using the sling.”

“Yes, boss.” I take a sip. “Oh, this is nice. I don’t normally like chamomile.”

“Personally, I think it smells like piss. The spearmint takes that edge off.” He smirks then taps the holdall with his foot. “So what’s in the bag?” I go to hand him my mug, but he just brings the holdall closer. “I’ll open then you can explain. And invest in a rucksack with a hard frame, it will help your posture.”

“Double yes, boss.”

“Right.” He unzips the bag, then pulls out the jar. “And this is?”

“Blueberry vinaigrette...can you take everything out first, then I will tell you why?” Nodding, he pulls out a large bottle and a tub. “So the tub contains chocolate and strawberry…”

“Boober.” He teases.

“Fine, chocolate and boober cookies, and the bottle is blackberry whisky.”

“Nice. And when and why did Maya make these?” He snaffles a cookie. “Oh, these are good! I must hide them from Hunter! So, answer my question.”

“She didn’t. I got up early this morning and did them, to say thank you for everything you’ve done looking after Zeus so well, just everything. Nancy happened to mention that those are your favourite fruits and casually left the recipes, Maya had already done the cookies.”

“And this?” He pulls out a box.

“That’s the Grade A.” He looks disappointed. “What?”

“I thought we would…”

“Oh, we are.” I interrupt quickly. “But there are different blends. So you can mix your own, and when we’re ready, then…” He smiles then opens the box. “...so, there are eight in here. Starting with the strongest and most popular OG, Hindu, Bubba, Purple, Master, Skywalker, Afghan and Vanilla.”

“Where on earth did you get this from?” He marvels, before closing it. “Are you the Walter White of the art world?”

“Nope.” I snicker. “I have a farm in Colorado. I grow them there.”

“Why not California?”

“Colorado is closer.” I rummage in the bag before handing him a key. “For the box, to....”

“Thanks, but Hunter wouldn’t go in this, so I don’t need to lock it.” 

“I wasn’t suggesting that he would. The reason for locking it, is to allow the blends to co-mingle, so you need to take off the lids first. Although it is best to keep them sealed in the glass jars, I found that letting them play together a bit helps create a nicer ambiance.” He looks astonished. “Let me guess, you keep yours in a baggie?” He nods. “Disgraceful! There are two spare jars in there, use them. So back to the melding: when you first open it, you get that earthy rich first clean hit, which can sometimes take the edge off the need to light up. I know my stuff.” I stand up, testing a small stretch, no twinging, then look at the time. “It’s that late? We should be going?” 

“Yeah. Come on, I will drop you off.” 

BRIAN AND HUNTER’S HOUSE

HUNTER’S ROOM

HUNTER

“She’s so pretty.” Gus puts the picture carefully back. “When was this taken?”

“In the fourth month. And yes, she was. And so brave.”

“And unselfish, which is more than I can say for my birth mother.” He gripes. “The pair of them are utterly selfish, they stay on the right side of ‘good’ so they can live the life they are living. Can’t wait until I’m 16!”

“Why? And have you told her why you’re calling her Momma yet?” 

“Because the support payments stop. It was going to be when I was 18, but then I saw their behaviour, so asked if it could be changed? Surprisingly, Dad took more persuading. He argued that she could go to court to say that he wasn’t of sound mind. And she’s not asked, so until she does I’m not telling.”

“Of sound mind? Let me guess? Just after the accident?” I sigh, getting more cross when he nods. “But on the plus side, you get Zeus back soon, and on Monday, we get to find out what she’s having. What are you hoping for?”

“One of each.” He grins, then pulls out his phone. “Our Dads are on our way up, I should start packing.”

“Yeah, so about that, what do you think is going to happen there?”

“Dunno, but whatever happens we are still going to be buds, right?”

“Absolutely!” I reply.

OUTSIDE BRITIN - AN HOUR LATER

MICHAEL

It’s not often that it is just me and Lindz here, so I’m looking forward to it! I’m a bit mad at myself for not thinking to get another key cut, but then again, I didn't realise that Ronald knew I had one in the first place! “Hey, Lindz, wait a second…”

“What’s wrong?” Lindsay frowns as she shuts the car door.

“Are you sure that Justin doesn’t get alerted when the service is called?” 

“Yes, I am sure.” She sighs. I have asked her this at least three times today.

“Best check with Gus what time he’s coming back, then we can time our ‘arrival’ accordingly. So I’m going to leave these in the trunk.” I tap the driver’s window. “Park in the garage, but stay by the car. We’re not sure when we are leaving.”

“Of course.” He replies.

“Okay, Lindz, let’s go. I am parched!”

LINDSAY

I’m feeling smug that Daddy, for all his ‘smarts’, didn’t think to check that I had another set of keys. As I have often said, ‘never send a man to do a woman’s job’ as Mother would’ve checked that. “So where are we going to go first? Do you think there are any of those cookies about?” Once inside, I put in the code. We pause to listen for signs of life. There is nothing but silence.

“Right, first things first, coffee and cookies!” Michael decides. “Could you believe it when Maya put them on just as we were leaving?” 

“She is employed to be a yes-woman. She knows what side her bread is buttered.” I reply.

“What the hell is wrong with this machine?” He grouses as it doesn’t seem to be working. 

I look around the kitchen. “Michael. I think there’s been a power cut. Michael! A power cut! We need to get out of here!”

“Can’t have been, the door alarm is working...”

“And is on a different circuit board to the one that the house is on. You know what happens with a power…”

“Shit!” He gasps, and we rush out. “That was close!”

“Too close!” I giggle, more in relief, as we get in the car. “Shall we go to the country club?”

“Yeah, okay.” But he looks a little deflated.

“The cookies?”

“Yeah, the cookies! I don’t care how I do it, but I will be having some of them by the weekend!”

NINETY MINUTES LATER

MICHAEL 

Traffic was horrific, so it took a lot longer than we anticipated. That combined with the warmth of the car and blacked out windows, meant we both ended dozing off. 

“We’re here.” The driver’s voice crackles over the intercom.

As we step out, I’m surprised to be outside Lindz’s house. “Why are we here?” I demand. “This is not where we told you to take us!”

“I overrode your supposed authority!” We both jump as Ma comes around the corner. 

“What are you doing here, let alone us?!” I fume.

“Did you seriously think I would forget how sneaky and mean you two are? Give me the keys!” She glares at Lindz, who hands hers over with a scowl. “I saw that flash of smugness when Nancy told you to help Maya with the dishes. I knew you had to be plotting something! Your turn, Michael. You may have been stupid enough not to have had the first set cut, but I bet you weren’t stupid the second time? Give!”

I want to toss them at her feet, but I daren’t. “It was a good job that we did ‘plot’ something; there’s been a power cut at Britin and…”

“No, there hasn’t, Michael. As I said just now, I know you two. I had Maya shut the house down, pity you remembered the lockdown timer. The explanation you would’ve given to Mel and Justin would’ve been fun to hear.” She strides past us and gets in the car. “As a matter of interest, did you get yourself a new phone, Michael?”

“Yes, why?”

“Oh, that means that Lindz will have to call you a cab…”

“A cab, why? The service is right here!” I object.

“Because…”

“Jesus, Justin is being so unnecessary. I threw up once!”

“And never cleaned it! He had to get it entirely reupholstered. Besides, the person in charge of the service is me, not Justin. I cut you off, Michael, and if you don’t watch yourself, Lindsay, the same will happen to you.” We look at each other in astonishment. “Right, take me home, Raven!” She demands before leaving me, her son, stranded.

Chocolate and strawberry cookies: https://therecipecritic.com/strawberry-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Blackberry whisky: https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/blackberry-whisky

Blueberry vinaigrette: http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/40988/blueberry-vinaigrette.aspx

CHAPTER 10 - RECLAIMING THE THRONE...WITH THE HELP OF HONEY

BRITIN - SAME TIME

KITCHEN

JUSTIN

“Could’ve sworn I turned that off this morning.” I frown at the coffee machine before taking out the filter and sniffing the contents. “Ugh! Yes, I most definitely did! I hate this coffee!” 

“Hi, Justin, oh and Brian. Is Gus in his room?” Maya asks as she enters.

“Yes, he is. Why did you put this coffee in here?” 

“I didn’t, it  was Michael. He and Lindsay were here a couple of hours ago, didn’t stay long.”

“They were? Why not? What did they want?” I can feel my shoulders rising.

“I don’t know, I wasn’t here. Seems that Lindsay had gotten another key cut and used that to get in, but Debs, like Nancy, thought she gave her key up too easily. And when she didn’t try and use Gus’s…

“Gus’s key?” I frown.

“Yes, the one he keeps in his bowl. She never touched it. It wouldn’t have worked anyway, as it was the key to Nancy’s lock up garage. Debs said that she had to have another key, odd they pick a day when everyone would be out to use it.”

“Very.” I growl, before noticing her smile. “What did you two plot?”

“Shut down power to the house, once they got inside.”

“What good would that do?” Brian sniffs the filter before throwing it swiftly away. “Where’s the proper stuff?!” I point to the caddies. We watch, amused, as he investigates before settling on one. “You were saying, Maya.”

“If you’re in the house when there’s no main power, then you have ten minutes to override the system or get out. If you don’t, the front and back door deploy their deadlocks, and all windows get shuttered by steel blinds, effectively trapping you in.” He looks impressed. “Will you be staying for the evening, Brian?”

“No, just the coffee. Thanks for doing the cookies.” 

“My pleasure. Oh, and Justin, it’s set. I will leave you to it. Let me know when you’re ready for me to start dinner.” 

Soon it is just us and the smell of coffee. “Oh, the whisky needs to ferment for at least a month.” As I pull cups out, he takes a seat. 

“Great. So when do I get mine?” I turn to him in confusion. “I am owed, well I think I am.”

“You would need to speak to Nancy about the bill. She handled all of that. Did she give you her new details?”

“Yes, she did, but that’s not what I’m talking about, unless you have gone off me?”

“Gone off...of course, what was I thinking?!” I tilt up his chin and reciprocate his kiss from earlier. “Better? Is the debt paid?”

“Mmm. So what’s set?” 

“Oh yes, hang on!” I trot to the back kitchen and bring in the tray. He joins me at the counter just as the machine pings off. “This is a coffee honeycomb crunch. I love anything to do with honey, so when I found this I had to make it. And it will be perfect with the coffee you selected, just a small bit in the bottom of the mug, no milk, perfect.” I find the toffee hammer and break it up, before watching him do as I just said. “Now pour.” 

He carries the mugs to the table, then nods at the jar of cookies. I start to laugh. “What?”

“Well…” I begin as I join him. “...as well as that disgrace in the bin being his favourite coffee, which he insists on having here, this jar of cookies wasn’t out when I left this morning.”

“I see.” He sips his, then sighs. “Beautiful. Can I take some with me, or you email Daph the recipe? She’s the baker in our family, but I cook a mean steak.” 

“Yes to both.” 

“I don’t want to upset you, but I am curious as to why you aren’t king in your own castle?”  

“What do you mean?” 

“Well, you have other people fight your battles. I am not talking about Zeus, that I understand, but this is your home, not anyone else’s. Why are you allowing them to come and go as they please until they are stopped by anyone but you?”

I’m about to furiously object, when I think about it; before finally voicing my fear. “Even though I still have my rights, she could make seeing Gus very difficult.”

“How?!” He scoffs. “Neither Gus nor Mel would let that happen.”

“I know, but....” I mutter.

“But what?” He frowns. “Talk to me, help me to understand, please?”

“It all stems from my estranged parents. When I came out as a teenager, they were disgusted and told me to either be straight or get out. I was 15, but I knew I couldn’t lie to myself, let alone the world, so I left. Mel’s folks were great and took me in. After about a year, my folks changed their minds and said I could move back. I was so pleased, I thought they had accepted me. He even let me go to PIFA, which was my dream instead of his Dartmouth one. Everything was fine for a few years, until I graduated and got my first show. It was a great success, so naturally, they played proud parents.” He breaks a cookie in half and we cheers. “But then granddad got sick. He lasted about six months before he passed away. I had just turned 20.”

“Sorry for your loss, Moro. He supported you from the get go, right?”

“Yes. He made it a condition of his will that I was to remain in the family home until I was 21. The day after my birthday, they kicked me out to ‘live my degenerate life with my pitiful inheritance...if he loved you he would’ve left you more, wouldn’t he?’. They were so pleased that they got the company. I have to admit that those words hurt, as I really thought he did love me for me. So, I just got on with things. I moved to New York and built up my profile, gaining more and more recognition. The day after my 23rd birthday, I was summoned back to Pittsburgh. When Craig and Jennifer were made Presidents of Taylor Electronics, they had to keep the company profitable, which they just about managed to do, despite their innate laziness and lack of business sense!” 

“Taylor Electronics, wow!”

“Oh yeah, but what none of us knew was that there was a second caveat, which was that when I reached 23 years and one day old, I became the majority shareholder. The first meeting was tempestuous to say the least, especially as I could barely recognise Jennifer. Talk about plastic, not fantastic!” 

I notice him twirl his foot for the fourth time, so reach down and place it on my lap. He’s transfixed as I slowly take his trainer and sock off.

 “What are you doing?” His voice is low; his gaze doesn’t shift.

“Reflexology. You are not the only one good with his hands. May I continue?”

“Yes to both.” He sighs.

“They were furious; even tried to contest it. I really tried to work with them, but they weren’t having it, so I just got on with dragging it into the 21st century, whilst also trying to do my art. A couple of years later, the profits had quadrupled, but I was exhausted. I was sick and tired of doing it by myself. Of course, they wouldn’t sell to me. Instead, they got together a consortium to buy me out. When I saw who their partners were, I was horrified: far right nutjobs, homophobes, the worst of the worst. I knew my grandfather would be turning in his grave if the company he built from the dust up went to them…” 

I look up at his soft moan as I press away a ‘tension ball’. “...one of their consortium was George Schickel. He and Granddad had been rivals from the moment they met, and he had a fuckton of money, so one hostile takeover later, I had millions but was kicked out again. I felt I had failed him. Oh, they were so smug, especially when they continued to follow the plan I had instigated, but not with the right people. It didn’t take long for the business and share price to plummet, or for them to reach out to me for help. I refused, so it’s been declining ever since.”

He halves, then feeds me another piece of cookie. “You ever thought of buying the company back?”

“No. Once I was booted out, I stayed out. Yes, I kept it in my peripheral, but that’s their mess now, not mine.”

“Hmm. You going to strip it or shall I?”

“What?”

“My left foot.” He waves it at me.

“Place in lap.” Whilst he does that, he doesn’t lower his right, just wiggles his toes against my tummy. 

“Have I upset you?” 

“No, I just never thought of that. Did I tell you that they’ve been selling my early works? I mean, like from when I was a teenager up until my third show. Nancy had been buying them, so now I have them back. You see, when they kicked me out, it was just in what I was wearing.”

“Give it some thought. You can save your Granddad’s legacy. “ I stop massaging as that idea sinks in. “Could you think about it after you’ve finished?” I chuckle and restart. “And you also need to think of another thing…”

“Flóga.” I interrupt, having already been trying to think of something to call him. “It means…”

“Flame. Now is it because of how hot and bothered I get you, or because of my hair?”

“Yes to both.” 

Coffee honeycomb crunch: 

https://www.saveur.com/coffee-honeycomb-crunch-recipe/

CHAPTER 11 - SHOOTING THEN CALLING THE SHOTS

MICHAEL’S APARTMENT - SAME TIME

MICHAEL

I toss my keys on the counter, then pull out a beer. “Once more she protects him!” I bitch. “I just don’t understand her affection for the cripple!” I drain the beer, then pull out another. “But the silver linings are the guys I’ve now met.” I’m about to do a bit of googling when I remember it was destroyed by Gus. “Another demerit!” I grumble before heading to the lounge to sort out my new phone.

BRITIN - TEN MINUTES LATER

BRIAN

I am struggling. What he is doing to my feet feels very good. I need a distraction. “How does he live off of it?”

“Who off what?” He stops, thank goodness, and looks up. “Oh, Michael? He has a broker that he utilises, and…”

“Do you know how much he won?” I ask, and he sits back with a frown. “Does Debs know?” I tug my feet out of his lap before putting my socks and trainers back on.

“Yes I do, it was about a quarter of a mil…” He looks disgruntled. “...although, I’m not sure why you want to discuss this now.” 

“Because, Debs has been nothing but good to us. Starting with Hunter and me, before spreading that good to the rest of the guys. So why hasn’t he supported her before?”

“Oh I see. He fancies you, sees this as a way to get closer, and he always gets the man he wants. Well, except one of course.”

I frown, then gape. “You’re kidding?!”

“In his mind, I am a constipated eunuch, who should be grateful for what little attention I get. However, this constipated eunuch has standards. My dick retreated behind my adenoids.”

“Ah so his resentment is also ego based? In that case, you most definitely need to speak to them both tomorrow. Lay down the law with this place. They don’t get in without your permission, and…”

“Why does it bother you?” 

“Because it does.” I assert.

“Not good enough.” He returns. “Why does it bother you?” 

“Debs has always lamented about how meanspirited he was to Wheelie…”

JUSTIN

He stops talking when I straddle him. “My knight in shining armour.” I murmur before licking his top lip. “Even when I didn’t know you.” I press a kiss against his ‘third eye’. Soon we are planting butterfly kisses against lips, eyes and throats. “Brian, do...do you want...can we go upstairs?” 

“We can, but tell me why.” He husks in my ear. 

“Because, I would rather...oh good God!” I shudder against him, feeling both relief and embarrassment at how quick that was to light my fire. 

“Uh...uh...freak me!” He groans into my neck, then drops his head on my shoulder. After about ten minutes he clears his throat. “So, a shower?” 

“And perhaps a change of underwear, or will you go commando?” I smirk.

“They’re silk, so yeah I’ll take a pair. You can keep mine, gives me another reason to visit.”

“Of course. But how do you know that?!” I get up at his tap to my butt, then he follows me into the bathroom.

“You’ve been down to your kecks twice in my presence, both times they’ve been silk, so I figure…”

“Kecks? Do you perchance mean boxers?” I tease before taking in the majesty of his chest as he takes off his top. 

“Yes I do.” He smiles before starting to snap open his jeans. “You gonna shower fully dressed, my suddenly shy Susan?” I roll my eyes and get down to my kecks, but as he leans inside the cubicle to turn on the water, I gasp. “Got thrown off and landed on barbed wire. I’m all healed.” I reach out and touch the faint scars down his back. “It could’ve been worse, luckily I was wearing a shirt. Normally I don’t when I horse ride.”

“How long ago was it?” 

“Six years.” He looks over his shoulder before fiddling some more with the taps. “Shall we?”

“Yes.” I reply.

MICHAEL’S APARTMENT - SAME TIME

LOUNGE

MICHAEL

That didn’t take as long as I thought. I’ve got a fully functioning phone, and have been speaking to Lindsay. Mel now has to work late tonight, so I am going over, but before I go, I want to check my portfolio. It’s looking very healthy, but it is still not enough. To be honest, I will never be able to match him for wealth, but with what I have in mind, I can’t wait until I can call some shots where that kid is concerned! 

BRIAN’S CAR - NINETY MINUTES LATER

BRIAN

Hunter is conked out along the back seat. Whilst we were in the shower, they decided to go for another hike. Gus wanted to map the route properly. As we were leaving, I saw that the pond was nicely full. I would’ve noticed as we came in, but I was too busy butt watching. I jump at the horn honking because the light changed in the middle of my day dream. Waving my apologies, I head towards home. 

LOUNGE - FORTY MINUTES LATER

The more I think about it, the more it bothers me. Reaching for the phone, I dial his number. He sounds in good spirits as he picks up. “Hey, you still bored?” 

“Well, my Amazon boxsets have arrived, so I have them to go through. Why?”

“Why not just download them? The…”

“Clutterfication that the DVDs cause in my home is my business, young pup.” Elliott interrupts, making me chuckle at the nickname.

“Speaking of…”

“We’ve just come back from our walk. All working parts are in order, including my faculties, what’s occurring?”

“You know Debs? Well, it’s her son, Michael…”

“Oh, you finally met him? And judging by the tone, you’re not impressed?” 

“Not at all.” I shuffle upright, enjoying the feel of his silk against my skin. “He won some money on the lottery just after college.”

“So Michael’s surname is Grassi, correct?” Elliott asks. I smile at the sound of the pencil on the notepad; he is so old school. 

“No, it’s Novotny. Just a little light digging, a win like that to someone that young would’ve made a ripple.” 

“So is that it? Or do I have to make like the dentist in Marathon Man and start pulling teeth?” 

“Been talking to Ems?” I laugh as I head to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of red. “What did he tell you thus far?”

“Actually it was Ted, not Ems. You know how Ems gets where you are concerned. As for what, not much. Just said you lit up on sight of the blonde, which is very unusual for you.”

BRITIN - NEXT MORNING

BACK PADDOCKS

JUSTIN

I’m sitting on the bank, having, unlike Michael, checked for poop first. It is so warm today, the water rippling over my feet feels great. The sounds are so calming. I am remembering yesterday, and as I’m getting to the good part that voice pops my bubble.

“Justin! Are you alright?!” Lindsay shouts, striding towards me with her ‘bestie’ trailing behind.

“Fine, why?” I drop my sunglasses back down. 

“We’ve been calling you for ages! It’s such a gorgeous day, isn’t it? Let’s go inside…” She flaps her tee. “...it’s much too hot to be sitting outside right now. You’re going to burn terribly, what with your…” 

“I have sunblock on, thanks.” I discreetly check my phone...just as I thought, no response from her.

“Oh, that’s something I guess.” Michael looks up and down the bank. “Has the barn been sorted out now?”

“Nope. Mr Foreman, that is for you and Ethan to sort out when he returns, then Debs will move her sanctuary up here.” I lie back and enjoy the warmth on my face.

“I see. Well, can we go inside and discuss this, as…”

“Nope. I want to watch the otters and take in some much needed Vitamin D, so unless there is something else, bye.” And with that, I spring up and stride towards ‘Taylor Waterfall’ using the route that Gus emailed me, only looking behind me when it comes to the bend. They are no longer at the river bank, but just to be on the safe side, I place a call. Five minutes later, there are at least four guards on patrol. I watch the otters, wishing I had something to draw with. “Oh, how cute are they?!” I sigh as more heads pop up. But as I said to the idiot, I have places to be. I am determined to make it at least half way today.  

Gus had told me that there was a ‘green bank plateau’, as I take in the vista of the lush thigh high grass, my mind goes straight to Zeus and how he would love this. It takes everything not to flop down and make ‘grass angels’! I ensure the security of my rucksack before taking out my picnic. I sigh happily as I watch my estate ‘move’ beneath my eyes. Pulling off my boots and socks, I plunge my feet into the water, wiggling my toes as the ripples pass over them. For a few minutes, the feeling is great, then it isn’t. I wish...I wish Brian was here, but he’s not. Sighing, I decide to head back home. No doubt, they will have camped out somewhere nearby, to ambush me. I am drying my foot when the ground beneath me gives way, and I plunge into the icy depths.

I flail around, trying to get my bearings and not to panic, you must not panic, then I see, in the clear bright water I see that I can stand up, it’s not that deep. Slowly, I right myself, then cough up the water. I am about to make my way to the bank when I hear a chirrup so turn around. Swimming towards me are three otters, one who looks a little familiar.

A couple of hours later, I am humming as I walk back to the house. My picnic has been decimated, two of the reasons why are swimming alongside; the third is on top of my pack, fast asleep, I had nothing to do with his current positioning, he did that himself. As I approach the barns, I gently put it down then stroke the back of his neck. He lifts his head and looks around. “I need to go inside now.” He yawns widely, then stretches before slinking back into the water.

MAYA

They made three circuits around the gardens before finally sitting in the garage. As I step out the front door to go to speak to Raven, two things happen. The main one is that Justin comes back from his jaunt. He times it perfectly with the arrival of Nancy, Ronald, Mel, Gus and Debs.

“Justin!” Lindsay coos as if she wasn’t a gruesome gorgon earlier; she seems to forget how her voice carries and how close my cottage is. “Did you enjoy your walk?”

“It was great!” He dumps his pack on the floor. “Hi, Gus!” As usual he comes first. “Thank you for the map, now take this inside…” He hands him his phone. “...there’s a surprise for you. It’s a studio one.”

“Neat! You coming, Grampies?” Gus calls from the door. The collective name for Ronald, Nancy and Debs never fails to make me smile. “Sounds like something you need to see!”

“They’ll be there in a bit. Go set up the projector for them.” Justin smiles.

“We’ll help!” Michael asserts, but Justin blocks their path. “What are you doing?” His sharp tone renders the garden quiet. 

JUSTIN

“I want everyone to listen but especially you two to listen.” I roll my shoulders. “First, thanks to all who have helped me during this time, but from this point on, I’m the person that people come to if they want anything to do with my home or Gus, whilst he is staying here. I shall be changing the locks, only a select few will be getting keys and codes. So Lindsay, Michael, whilst...” 

“What is that supposed to mean?” Lindsay interrupts, whilst her fellow moocher looks incredulous..

“Today is not the day for you to be in my home, so goodbye until I say you can be. You can troll, I mean stroll, the grounds with impunity, I will ensure the guards don’t think you are trespassing and have you arrested...”

“I want to see my son!” She shrieks. “You can’t keep him from me!” 

“If you wanted to see our son so badly; why didn't you go to your parents, Lindsay?”

“Why should she go there?” Michael demands.

“Because that’s where he said he would be.” Debs growls. “He sent messages to the family group chat.”

“Let me check your phone Lindsay, perhaps there’s a malfunction?” I hold out my hand leaving her no choice but to comply, she is pink cheeked as she hands it over, I take my time scrolling through. “There you go, see, at 1847 last night, he said that he was going to check if he could go over and this morning at 0749, he said he was going to take the bus over, stopping in the diner for breakfast first.” I hand it back. “I would put…”

“I should be in that chat.” Michael's declaration has my hackles rising, but I must remain calm. “I’m his Uncle and would’ve seen this earlier…”

“I’m an only child and Lindsay has a sister. Ergo, uncle in any sense you are not.” I scoff. “So what’s it going to be, wait for us to finish having a nice family day inside whilst you wait outside or I call you a cab? And since Maya doesn’t run a take out service, it would be best to pick the option that will also get you fed.”

CHAPTER 12 - TENDERFEET AND HARD HEARTED

MICHAEL

“Where has this nastiness come from?! What did we do to you?!” 

“You are always making snotty asides about me, which I can take, but you two being nasty to Gus, I will not! And if I have to take your ‘toys’ away to make you toe the kindness line, then so be it!” 

“Justin.” Raven calls out. “Let me get them away from here, a cab will take ages…” He gives this some thought before nodding. “...I can drop them off at the Diner at least that covers the food part…”

“Diner’s closed.” Ma declares. “It’s deep cleaning day.”

“Just get them away from here. Thanks Raven.” Justin orders before stalking inside.

JUSTIN’S STUDIO - FORTY MINUTES LATER

NANCY

We are all crying with laughter. Turns out that Handsome had been taping the entire encounter from Justin’s room. The expressions on their faces are so fugly, Handsome told me about that word, but said I shouldn’t say it to Ronald. When I googled it I realised why.

Anyway, I was so focused on Justin, in shock and admiration, that I didn’t look at the tiresome twits. 

“So, would it be okay to show this to H?” Handsome grins.

“Yes, but only when he’s here or you are there, do not forward it.” Mel chortles.

“Okay, Mom!” He beams. “Now, can we see what you did up there, Dad?”

Once more I am stunned, because Justin looks uncharacteristically nervous before they  load up the laptop; we all aww as the video plays of the otters swirling and diving in the water.

“Freeze frame!” Mel exclaims as one of the otters takes a piece of fruit from Justin’s hand. “I need that as my lock screen!”

“Cute, isn’t it?” Justin scrutinises the image. “Maybe I can do an abstract of them?”

“I think that would be...oh, hey now, what’s got that smile on your face?” I demand as he looks at his phone. I go from teasing to worried as he looks stunned. “Justin, what’s happened?!”

“It’s Odin…”

“Oh no! Justin, I am so sorry!” I immediately fear the worst and try to take the phone off him, but he shakes his head.

“She’s in labour! Brian says we’ve gotta come now. Gus, he says, pack an overnight bag as there's no telling how long it could be.” He orders whilst texting back, then he looks down at himself. “Shit, I have to change!” 

“I’ll pack for you and Gus!” Mel yells and sprints out the room.

“And I’ll drive!” Ronald declares as he follows them out the door.

MEL AND LINDSEY'S HOUSE - AN HOUR LATER

LOUNGE

MICHAEL

We’re still so very annoyed. “Any idea why was he being a queenly bitch this time?” I ask Lindsay as she comes in with coffee. 

“I don’t know, but I’m not being treated like this. He may have the money…”

“Lindsay, as I said when I won, you are my best friend. I will always have your back. We will have enough to have a better say.” I grin at her, then hand her my phone. 

“Michael, a millionaire?! You? How?!” She gasps. “I can’t believe you kept this from me…”

“I had to make sure that our position is secure first, it was so hard to keep it a secret, I hated it..” I soothe, she doesn’t look totally convinced. “Look, the money involves Gus. It will help you have a bigger say, and me being in his life more…”

“What do you mean? You are in his life. You are his Uncle, and…”

“Not as far as his father is concerned.” I grumble. “But I would like to be made a legal guardian of Gus.” 

“You would? That would be...be great, but not sure how Mel would feel about that. She might think it's too much.”

“Why would she be against...what do you mean, ‘too much’?” 

“He already has legal guardians.” She tucks her feet under her whilst still staring at my phone.

“He does? Who?”

She looks up, puzzled. “My parents. If anything happens to one of us, they become his guardians, and they co-parent.” 

“They...when was this agreed, and why didn’t you tell me?!” 

“From birth, I did tell you. Why are you so angry?”

“I’m not angry…” Even though I am! “...I know you told me, but you were so against it, I thought that wasn't confirmed.”

“It was one of his ‘tenets’ before he would touch his dick! Can you imagine me co-parenting with them? Beggars belief, but I got Gus out of it.” She hands me back my phone. “So...why are you living where you’re living, when you can afford somewhere much better?”

I gather my thoughts, then paste on a smile. “I like living around here, but you’re right, I could upgrade a little. But could you speak to Mel, get her onside, then we can present Justin with the idea of me being another guardian should anything happen to your folks? In the meantime, I will speak to Ma; let her know what’s happening.”

“Okay, I will try.” She rests her head against the sofa. “Shall we order some take out?”

“Yes.” I reply, safe in the knowledge that I’ve no intention of speaking to Ma on this at all!

KINNETIC REHABILITATION CENTRE - THREE HOURS LATER

STABLES

BRIAN

“Such a good Momma.” I whisper as Odin whickers before pushing again. “Can you get him to move?” 

“Zeus, come on, let us see.” Justin touches his side. For a minute, I don’t think he’s going to shift, but then he does, just in time for the second foal to be born.

“Holy crap.” Hunter breathes, having never seen a live birth before. “That was awesome.”

“They just need to stand. Hunter, grab some straw, and help dry them off.” Justin orders. “I need you to go real slow. She has a lot of emotions right now, so does he, so keep the movements slow, but most importantly, let them see what you’re doing.”

“Come on, G!” Hunter grins.

“I can’t, she doesn’t know me, also right now Zeus is picking his cues from her. They both know you, so just do as Dad says.”

Hunter carefully moves around Zeus, then whilst Odin cleans one foal, he does the other.  

“Can you see what they are?” I lean into Justin’s touch on my back.

“This one’s a girl...oh!” Hunter gasps as she starts to stand. “Come on, you can do it.”  We all hold our breath as the little princess wobbles to her feet. “There you go! Now go feed.” It takes a few minutes for her to get her bearings, but when she does, she and her sibling are locked onto the same teat. We keep our giggling to a minimum until they figure it out. Soon, the suckling sounds fill the barn. “And this one is…” He ducks under. “...a boy!” 

“I’m so happy!” Justin hiccups. “But we can’t move them now. For at least a month or so right?”

“No we can’t.” I admit, then turn at the opening of the barn door, I signal for quiet as everyone else comes in. 

“Ooh, look at the little darlings!” Ems coos. “So I have girl and boy names, which list do I need to look at?”

“Both.” I grin. “But that can wait, let’s leave them alone. Come out slowly, Hunter.”

“Should I take Zeus back to his stable?” He asks.

“H, nothing is getting him out of there. I remember when Zeus was born, his dad was just the same.” Gus closes the stable behind Hunter. “It helps them to bond. Apart from my Dad, there is one person that got instant obedience from Zeus, and that’s his Dad.”

“He’s still alive? Where is he?” I frown at Justin.

“Back in Saudi Arabia. I get updates.”

“Saudi Arabia?! Whose horse did you use?” I help him to stand, checking for any signs of pain on his face, there is none.

“The Sultan of Brunei. He liked my work, I liked his horse, so we came to a deal.” He dusts himself down. “Can we eat? I am starving!”

“Uh yeah.” Daph replies. “Got a cheese and bacon stuffed rump cap roasting. And despite what the recipe said, I don’t trim the fat.”

“Oh that sounds good! Don’t suppose you have fries as well?”

“Of course! Come on!” She orders before they link arms and head out.

“Did he say the Sultan of Brunei?” Ted looks awestruck.

“Yeah.” I peek over the stable door, they look so cute and content. “He’s full of surprises. Let’s go help Daph with dinner.”

BRIAN AND HUNTER’S HOUSE - THREE HOURS LATER

GARDEN

RONALD

Nobody says anything as Brian and Justin ‘go for a walk to discuss lineage and names’. I’m not sure what Nancy is more peeved about, the fact that she wasn’t here for the birth, or that she couldn’t orchestrate the ‘walk’. Everyone is most relaxed, except for Gus, who is looking a tad pensive.

“Handsome, what’s wrong?”

“Momma. Just got a text. She’s asking if I have eaten.”

“Why?” Ted frowns. “It’s not as if either Maya, Debs or Justin would starve you.”

“It’s not that, and it’s not her. Uncle Michael is being cheap again!”

“Explain this to…” I begin getting to my feet, so we can talk in private.

“Us.” Emmett interjects, gently pushing me back down. “You’re not going anywhere.”

Gus sighs. “They know the codes to each other’s phones, it’s a best friend thing. But he uses it as his way of trying to see if there are leftovers. Maya sometimes over cooks and when she does, sends us home with ‘snacks’ as she calls them. And he conveniently is around to take some back to his lair or eat with us.”

“I see. And whilst you have said ‘Momma’, could you tell us why you’ve started to call…”

“Because she deserves it.” Handsome asserts way too firmly, but now is not the time to chastise, he needs to get this off his chest. “I heard them. They were crowing and cawing, he said to...” He sniffs. “...Momma that she was lucky that she had all the rights but none of the responsibility, since she, meaning Mom...” He sniffs then gulps. “...wanted to be the mother, but having a desiccated uterus meant she couldn’t be in any other way but in name only. And Momma said nothing, nothing to defend Mom; she just laughed alongside him!”

“Oh my goodness.” Tears fill my eyes and I do the only thing I can for now. I gather my Handsome into my arms and let him cry. 

Rump cap: https://www.tomhixson.co.uk/foodie-news/Cheese_Bacon_Pichana/

CHAPTER 13 - NAMING, SHADING AND EXPLAINING

BACK OF BRIAN AND HUNTER’S HOUSE 

JUSTIN

“Grass angels!” Brian flops down then swishes his arms and legs, I join him taking in the joy of such a simple thing. I sit up and look around, the grass is way above my head. “Because I don’t want to, I like to hide in nature, which is why I don’t cut it. Does that answer your question?”

“You’re a mind reader now?” I query.

He chuckles. “We also have marshes up there. Hunter and I like to fish then cook what we catch. But the best thing about this place, is that we have racoons.”

“Aren’t they a pest?” I frown. 

“Depends. If you treat them like a pest, then they’re a pest, but if you…” He whistles, for a few minutes nothing happens, then one settles by his side, my jaw drops. “...treat them kindly, you can reach an accord. Hand me the tub, nice slow movements.” I comply. “This is Milo. Milo loves a nut and egg salad with asparagus, red chard and lambs lettuce. She’ll stomp off in a sulk if I’ve not put in enough of the lambs lettuce.” I watch incredulously as ‘Milo’ waits for him to empty it out, slowly she investigates, before delicately nibbling on a leaf then a nut, then rests her head on his stomach. “Not sure how old she is, but we’ve been friends for the last couple of years.”

“Can you keep her there?” I whisper.

“Not really. She’s a wild animal after all. Why?”

“I want to draw you two.” I reply. Soon the only sound is the scritch-scratch of my pencil. I’ve forgotten how much pleasure I got from just ‘doodling’ as I heard Lindsay once describe it. I bridle on the inside as that ‘doodling’ has got her a life she doesn’t deserve! I clear my head and focus, whilst Brian sky watches. 

“What’s she doing?” I whisper as Milo gets up spreads the food further around, all he does is smile, then she toddles off. “Where’s she going?” I ask.

“Why don’t you go find out?” 

I follow her.

FIVE MINUTES LATER

BRIAN

I chew on a lettuce leaf, knowing that they will be back. I put my tee behind my head. It doesn’t take long for his, albeit quiet, exclamation. 

“Oh Milo! They are so cute!” 

“That they are.” I murmur, slipping my sunglasses back down. Less than five minutes later Milo leads him and her family back to our spot.

“You swine.” He chides as Milo curls up on my stomach so she can watch her brood decimate the salad.

“How am I a swine?” I lift my glasses with a smirk. 

“Don’t even.” He resumes sketching. 

“What are we going to call them? You know, since this was the purpose of our walk.” But he is focused on his pad. “Maybe ‘cock and balls'? Or maybe 'spit and polish'?” 

“I know what you’re doing. Let me finish this, then we talk.”

“Fine.”

HALF AN HOUR LATER 

Milo and her family have gone; but he is still sketching. “Can I move now?” 

JUSTIN

“Yes.” I look enviously at his tanned skin; he smirks. “Okay mind reader, what am I thinking?”

“Not mind reading, it’s this.” He tugs at my long sleeved tee. “Judging by this you burn easily.” He sits up on his elbows. “Do you have sunscreen?”

“Am not sure. Mel packed, we just ran the moment we got your message.” I explain whilst trying not to squirm as he gently strokes my stomach. “I can…”

“Come, let me be your sunshade for a while…” He turns on his side, patting the space underneath. Quickly, shucking off my top I lie down. “...and we can discuss names.” 

“Ariel is Gus’s favourite Disney character, can we have that? Then Hunter can name the boy?”

“Oh, that’s easy. Stitch.” He smiles. “Now that that's sorted out, does Gus like disco fries?”

“Disco fries? What are they? Heard of disco biscuits, obviously.” I stroke his chest, enjoying the puckering of his nipple, he makes circles around my belly button. 

“Obviously. They are these. Hunter does a really good one with pulled pork.” He hands me his phone. “We’re also having mandoo, they’re Korean dumplings. I do a great one with chicken, but tonight’s with beef. Such gorgeous balls of plumptiousness. Reminds me of something, or someone who has two gorgeous balls of plumptiousness attached to their person.”

“You should be in advertising…” I drop his phone between us and wind my fingers through his hair. “...you have a great way with words Floga. But we need to get back.”

“You’re right.” He helps me get redressed then to my feet. “But after dinner, get ready to pucker up.”

“Have lip balm will pucker!” I smile. “You know just like your nipple did.”

“And if you’re very lucky, I might drink some wine out of that seemingly sensitive button of yours.”

MEL AND LINDSEY'S HOUSE - NEXT MORNING

KITCHEN

LINDSAY

I set up the tray whilst waiting for Mel to stop speaking to Gus, I can hear his laughter and excitement. “Ask him when he’s coming back?” I order, just as Michael comes in. “Mel?!” I snap as she hangs up having ignored my command.

“He's with his Dad and new friend H. They are getting to know Ariel and Stitch. I made sure to pack his homework, if that is your concern…”

“Amongst other things. Why didn’t you ask my question?”

“Because it’s Sunday, he always spends Sunday with his Dad, remember? Now why was Michael sleeping on the sofa? He has a perfectly appointed, for want of a better word, ‘lair’, and millions in the bank?”

Both of us go still. “What do you mean by millions in the bank?” Michael feigns confusion. “I don’t have that much money.”

“Funny, you’ve had this money since just out of your teens, but here you are in your early thirties, not working, but living high on that hog, so you have some of it left, and it must be a considerable amount.” Mel takes her mug off of the tray. “Now listen up, in reality the true parents to Gus are Justin and I, but according to the court papers, there are three, with three legal guardians as back up. I have no intention of making it four!”

“What do you mean? Who’s the third? Why wasn’t I told?!” I demand.

“I didn’t think that Justin and his parents got along. Why would you put either of them in charge of his future welfare?” Michael thinks he’s being imperious but, as usual, he's punchable!

“I didn’t. It’s Debs, of course. She, like Nancy and Ronald, only thinks of the welfare of Gus. Gosh, the badgering it took, but we finally got her to sign the watertight and ironclad POA Justin set in place. Which means that you, Michael, will have to spend a pretty penny trying to get anywhere near my son’s ‘welfare’. But if you want to try, be my guest. However, in your path are more roadblocks, set up by an attorney with a desiccated uterus and an axe to grind!”

BRIAN AND HUNTER’S HOUSE - SAME TIME

BRIAN’S ROOM

JUSTIN

We sip our lattes in silence. This is so good! After dinner of disco fries and mandoo, we all watched a movie. Then it was just the two of us.

“She taught me. Couldn’t cook to save my life, none of us could, but Cyn hauled us all into the kitchen and said 'you will learn'!”

“Can you teach Mel? By her own admission, she’s terrible. Maya has tried, but she only has so much patience!” 

“So last night Moro, did it bother you that we didn’t fool around?”

“Wow, you know how to change a subject! But no, it doesn’t. I liked getting to know more about you.”

“Me too.” 

“I know it sounds weird, but it’s been such a rollercoaster. Such an intensity of feelings, and with Gus and Hunter becoming fast friends, I…”

“Me neither. It will happen when it happens.” He takes my mug. “You in a rush to get back?” I shake my head. “Then you can go back to sleep if you want. Unless you want to go...okay, going to see our babies it is!” He laughs as I leap out of bed.

Pulled pork disco fries: https://foodnetwork.co.uk/recipes/korean-disco-fries-and-pulled-pork/

Mandoo: https://www.thespruceeats.com/korean-dumpling-mandoo-2118676

Latte: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/latte

CHAPTER 14 - EXPECTED VS UNEXPECTED

STABLES - MORNING

JUSTIN

I smile as Zeus gently helps his son up when he takes a tumble; then nuzzles Odin’s neck, I’m so proud to be a Granddad! “Hey, Zeus. Let us in, please.” 

With very little effort, he nudges the door open. ‘Ariel’ is feeding, whilst ‘Stitch’ lands on his butt again. “Don’t.” I hold Brian back as he goes to check. “Zeus was the same. Wait a couple of days, I’m sure he’ll be fine.” 

“Okay.” He clears his throat to get the boys’ attention, they are so entranced. “You want to tell them or shall I?”

“Tell us what? Gus looks a little worried.

“We’ve decided on names.” I reply. 

“Oh.” Hunter looks keen. “What are they, and can they have middle ones? Me and G were talking last night; we want to have a say.”

“You do, do you?” I drum my fingers against my cheek. “Well, you might not want them to have them after you find out what they are.”

“Dad!” Gus tugs on my hand.

“Hold on, how about you tell Hunter and I tell Gus?” Brian leans against the wall, looking every inch the cowboy.

“Okay, you first.”

“Gus, meet Ariel.” He grins.

“Hunter, meet Stitch.” I add. For a few seconds, they just stare at us. “You don’t like them?” I frown.

“That’s what their middle names were going to be.” Hunter beams. “Thank you so much for picking them!”

“You’re welcome. Now you just have to decide who gets who. Personally, I think that the opposite should go.” I’m so pleased to tell them this, naturally they’re confused. “They are yours…”

“Ours? As in to keep, ours?” Gus gasps.

“Yep. Your Dad and I were talking last night. We think you’re both ready to rear and train your own horse.” 

“Dad…” Gus croaks before throwing himself into my arms, Hunter does the same with Brian. 

“I take it this is a yes?” I stroke his hair whilst he nods.

“Okay, so why don’t you two go back to the house and discuss things. You’ve got a month before they leave…” Brian wipes Hunter’s face with his shirt. “...you need to start from scratch with everything: their tack, the stables, everything. But first things first, you must register them.”

“Come on, G!”

“Wait, H! Just to clarify, can we add visiting rights?” 

“Why wouldn’t you?” Brian frowns.

“No reason! Just...ermm...checking!” He blushes before they run out.

“Do you think they were checking ‘how we are’?” He grins.

“Yeah, just a bit.” I giggle, then open the box of boobers. “Mind if I feed Odin first, so that she gets...” I pause as Stitch totters over; sticks his muzzle in the box before starting to eat, tail swishing. “...like I said; you’ve got nothing to worry about. Zeus was exactly the same, food led!” 

“Good job I brought these then?” He pulls out another box. “Think some enrichment is called for.” He declares as he starts to throw them around the stable, but also buries them in the hay. “There that ought to do it, what do you think?”

JUSTIN

“Thamsgrey.” I mumble.

“Are you al…” He begins as he turns. “...oh I see, need help?”

“Pleath.” I reply; he tilts my chin up before biting the boober in half. “They are seriously good. Want to go pick some more for you to take home?”

“Pleath.” I chuckle. 

HOUSE - FORTY MINUTES LATER

KITCHEN

EMMETT

I can’t wait to see his face! It’s been years since we’ve seen him! I watch them walk up the path. “Hide!” I order. He gets behind the open pantry door.

“Hey!” Ben grins as they come in. “What did you say to put a fire under the butts of the boys?”

“That they can have a foal each.” Brian snags a piece of toast before taking his seat. Justin sits next to him. 

“Are you sure that’s wise given his age? If he’s anything like you, he might not be up for the job.” 

Whilst I can understand the jaw drop on Brian, Justin’s is a surprise. “Ethan!” They both declare, then stare at each other.

“Justin! What the hell are you doing here?!” Ethan exclaims, rushing to hug him. “How do you know these guys?!”

“How do you?!” Justin demands.

“You know the circle of friends in college? Well, this is them! It was Brian who told me about the job I took. Man! You look so great! I’m so pleased that you’re out and about! The way Michael talked about you, he made it seem you were in an iron lung!” 

“Of course he did!” I snipe.

“What’s going on?” Ethan looks around the room, but before we can explain, Gus and Hunter come in, their reaction mirrors their fathers.

By the time we fill him in, he’s furious!

SANCTUARY OF DEBS - SAME TIME

DEBS

It’s the bleat that gets my attention. I turn, and coming down the path is Michael with three baby goats. “Oh, this should be interesting, shouldn’t it, Finnegan?” I ruffle the belly of one of our resident foxes. Why his ‘hoomans’ thought a studio apartment was a good place for him is a mystery. “Hello, Michael! What you got there then?” 

“Goats. They were abandoned, so I thought I would bring them to you.” 

“Where’d you find them?” I ask, then out of the corner of my eye I see Honey, my adolescent goat, looking over, which is fine for me but not for him since Honey doesn’t like Michael. He stood on her hoof once, and she’s been against him ever since. 

“Just tied up at the top of Liberty Avenue.” He looks so proud of himself, which would be fine if they weren’t the pedigree Nigerian Dwarf Goats who were in the pet store I walked by last  week! “Can you help?”

“Yes, of course, you know I will!” I exclaim. He goes to hand me their leashes. “No, you need to take them over to the pens. Might as well start as you mean to go on, remember? So take them over and get them settled in.” His face drops. “Problem?”

“Well yeah.” He looks down at himself. He’s wearing his semi-swanky clothes, which means he is on his way somewhere. “It’s just I’ve got to go and pick Ethan up, he’s arrived early.”

“Ethan loves animals, so will totally understand that you can’t pick him up and take a taxi. Just call and tell him that.” I ‘smile winningly’. “Come on, Michael, we need to get them settled. These poor neglected animals need to get some food in them!”

BRITIN - SAME TIME

KITCHEN

MAYA

“The trick, Mel sweetheart, is to knead not pummel.” I pull her hands from the dough, which instead of a smooth mound of plumpness looks like it’s gone ten rounds with Holyfield, Ali, and Tyson. “What’s she or he said…” I quickly wipe my hands when she bursts into tears. “Oh, darling!” I steer her to the sunroom and hold her until she stops. “What happened?”

“Dessicated uterus, that’s how he described me, and she said nothing, just laughed.” She sniffs. I shake my ear out. “No, you didn’t mishear, I wish I did.” She sighs. I say nothing, whilst wondering why the hell she is still with that dungheap. “Do you have cookies still?”

“Of course. Now don’t move.” I order, and head to the kitchen, my blood boiling. Ten minutes later, I have prepared two ice cream sandwiches with the chocolate and strawberry cookies. “One’s for me.” I smile at her questioning look.

“Thanks Maya.” She takes a bite, then smiles. “Bliss.” 

“Want a coffee float too?” I ask after I finish mine off. She wars with herself. “Tell you what, I will make, it I always have chilled coffee in the fridge as you know, and we can share, how about that?” 

“Perfect.” She replies through the sandwich.

SANCTUARY OF DEBS - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

GOAT PENS

DEBS

Honey looks very pleased with herself, and, even better, he can’t blame anyone but himself. He knows better than to bend over in front of her. When she blammed into his ass, and sent him head first into her mud pile, I kept it together, but almost lost it when Finnegan snickered. 

“You need to control that beast!” He complains, using his hankie to clean up his face, amazingly enough it’s just his head that is dirty.

“Michael…” I dig my nails into my thigh. “...she’s a goat. Goats butt, besides you did present a target.” As he reaches for the towel on the hook, I look away, only turning back at his cry of disgust. “What’s wrong...Michael! That’s her butt towel! You know that!”

“What’s Ethan going to say when I meet him smelling of goat shit, and god alone knows what else?!” He exclaims.

“Nothing. He’s met up with friends, so is staying with them…”

“He’s what? Which friends are these, and why didn’t he text me? He knew I was picking him up!” 

“Maybe he did, have you checked your phone?” I query. He searches his pockets, all four of them. “Problem?”

“I can't find my phone.” He looks around before his eyes light upon it...near the midden, with a pile of dung on it. “Are you kidding me?!” He shrieks, rushing over to rescue it. Gingerly, he shakes the poop off, before looking relieved but still disgusted.

“Does it still work?”

“Yes. Just about.”

“Good, it would be such a shame for you to have to get another one. Now, you can go home and shower.” I wave him ahead of me. “And first thing in the morning, go to the doctors and get your shots up to date.” He looks surprised. “All my employees have to have a full medical.” 

“But Ma…”

“I know you hate injections. Just think about it as a small prick, you know what’s it like to have one of them, and brace yourself accordingly.”

BRITIN - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

SUNROOM 

MAYA 

We’re staring at each other. “I’m so sorry.” Mel mutters. “I don’t know what came over me.”

“You kissed me.” 

“Yes. Err, yes, and um…”

“Mel, may I ask you something?” She nods, then looks down. “Do you have any idea how long, how very long, I’ve wanted you to do that?” Her head snaps up. “Since the moment I met you, during my interview, six years ago.”

Coffee float: https://seattlesbest.com/recipes/coffee-ice-cream-floats-recipe

CHAPTER 15 - RAW REALITY

MEL AND LINDSEY'S HOUSE - NEXT AFTERNOON

LOUNGE

GUS

“Why did you do that, Momma?!” I rage at her.

“Gus! I don’t know why you are upset, but I’m your MOM, not your MOMMA!” She shouts before taking deep breaths. “Now, why were you in our savings account in the first place?! This is none of your business!” 

“Yes it is!” I shout back. “You’re not only taking Mom’s money, you are taking mine!”

“You don’t have any money…”

“Yes I do. I put the money that Dad gives me in there!” I seethe. “So that I’m not tempted to spend it on willy-nilly stuff! I really hope you used some of it on those shoes, because you deserve the blisters you now have, and…”

“What the hell is going on?!” Mom yells as she enters. “I could hear you up the street?!” 

“I’m just trying to discipline our…”

“She’s been dipping into the savings account!” I fume, the room goes very quiet.

“You’ve been what?” Mom looks at Momma astonished. “Surely you can’t have drained our main account already?!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!” She demands.

“Gus, can you move please so I can see the screen?” Mom squeezes my shoulder before gently nudging me aside. After she peruses it, she sighs deeply. “Pack a bag for at least a week.” 

“Mom, who are you talking to?” 

“You, sweetheart. We’re going to stay with your Dad whilst your Momma goes to stay with Uncle Michael.” 

I’m not the only one surprised. “Why would I stay with Michael when I have a perfectly good home here?!” Momma spits.

“Because it won’t be your ‘perfectly good home’ anymore. We’re selling up!” 

LINDSAY

I slowly turn to face my Mother, who strides towards the computer. “Handsome, I want you to call your Grandaddy and tell him what’s happened. Go quickly! He runs out, closing the door behind him. 

“Mother, you don’t know what my reasoning be...”

“Quiet!” She hisses. “Now do as your by-the-skin-of-your-teeth-wife said and pack a bag!” 

MEL

“Not a word.” I whisper to Nancy, before I head to the door. Upon opening it, I hop to the side, letting Lindsay hit the floor. “How is this helping you?” I sneer as she gets up. Her face is beet red. For once, I enjoy the silence of her flouncing!

“I’m not bluffing, I’m going to sell this house!” Nancy barks out, then she sighs as she sits. “Though that being said, the market is so convex at the moment, it might take some time for the lesson to be taught!”

“Not necessarily…” I smirk before gesturing her to the kitchen. “...I know someone who wants to move.”

“Oooh who?!” Nancy claps her hands with glee. 

“Maya. As much as she appreciates the cottage, she wants to keep her home and work life separate, and I think this would afford her the perfect opportunity.” 

“Excellent, she can move in whenever you want.” Nancy grins.

“Whenever I want? Why would you say that?” I frown. 

“Because, my dear Mel, we see the security feeds. That was some kiss you planted.” 

“Nancy, um…” I whisper, mortified that I had forgotten that.

“Uh, it was about time. The fire between you and Lindsay has long been out. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if she and her bestie are ‘with benefits’! I had noticed the looks you were giving each other, even though you didn’t think you were.” She looks around the kitchen. “I think this place is in need of renovation, to your taste this time!”

BRITIN - SAME TIME

JUSTIN

I stare at the ‘Ken and Barbie' - after they’ve been in a furnace - facsimiles that are seated opposite, and George Shickel, my grandfather’s fiercest rival, smirking beside them. 

“You’re looking well, son. It was great news that you are finally…”

“Not son.” I bite out. 

“Shall we get to the purpose of this meeting?” George demands as he pulls out some papers.

“Ooh yes, lets!” I snark. I ignore the snort of my lawyer, Brandon, but I can’t tell if my producers are annoyed or not, so immovable are their features! 

“We want you to come back into the business.” She-producer declares. “George will remain the main shareholder, with you being second, and us having the minority shareholdings.”

“Why?” Brandon asks.

“The business…” He-producer leans forward. “...is doing very well, there are no problems there, but we would like to retire. After you resigned your…”

“He was forced off the board…” Brandon states. “...and I do believe it was by the very three people that are now begging him for help.” 

“We are not begging!” He-producer protests. “And we didn’t force him. He took the option that was good enough for him at the time. I, sorry, we want him to afford us the same courtesy.”

“What would be the percentage?” I rub my temple. Her perfume is giving me a headache.

“60/40.” She-producer replies.

“Which implies that there would be a partnership, not a four member board split, as you just said.” I point out.

“Oh, sorry darling, you know what…”

“Not darling. Percentage is what, George?”

“60/20/10/10” He answers whilst handing Brandon a piece of paper. “We’ve already signed, it’s just down to you.” He looks at me coldly, whilst they look so arrogant. 

After taking what seems an eternity to read it, Brandon hands it over. “Sign it, I can’t see anything detrimental to you in this. The main shareholder will be the figurehead of the company, in charge of all the decisions. Whilst the minority holders can object and he has to listen, the final decision rests with him.” 

“Okay.” I take my pen and sign, primarily to get their nasty funk out of the room, as I’ve just realised her scent is rather aptly named 'Poison'.

“That’s excellent!” George declares as Brandon hands the paper back to him. “Now, please do us the favour of getting the hell out of my godson’s house!”

“Godson?!” He-producer gasps. “What do you mean?!”

“That little Cherub…” He points at me. “...as his grandfather called him, is my godson. The ‘great rivalry’ between us was a ruse, always has been. We were dear friends for years. I’m his third backstop, because he knew exactly what you would do when you found out that he was to be in charge of the company...harvest his ideas then run it into the ground! Justin, the business is doing better than it was when you left, but it needs finessing.” I am astonished by this turn of events. “But before we come to discuss this, I need to apprise these reptiles of their position in the company, which is nowhere. God rest his soul, he knew the two of you well! Let me explain: he put in a clause that if you approached Justin to ‘rescue’ you after removing him from the board, your shareholding became forfeit and would be transferred to any heirs, should he have one, and then another person of his choosing.”

“What?” She-producer gasps.

“There’s more: the house you currently reside in is to become the property of Justin Taylor, what he does with it is up to him. Justin is now in possession of all the artwork that you have been selling, which you retained fraudulently. Oh, by the by, he could press charges against you for that. And finally, oh this is so good, the person with the 80% holding in the company is Justin. However, knowing how private he is, I will continue, if he so allows, to be the public face of the company.”

“That wily old fox. He truly loved me.” I sniff.

“Of course he did.” George smiles. “And he knew them!” 

“We will fight this!” He-producer shouts.

“With what?” George demands. “You have precisely what Justin had when you first threw him out of the house...the clothes you’re standing in! Now out you get!”

TEN MINUTES LATER

BRANDON

I’ve finally seen them off the property and into a cab. Oh, how I enjoyed telling them that they could not approach the house to get a single stitch. Justin is still in a bit of shock, but I will handle the housing situation. If only he would let me at Lindsay and Michael! When I get back to the lounge, George is encouraging him to have the glass of wine he has in his hand.

“I can’t believe it. I can continue my grandfather’s legacy in the manner that he would’ve wanted.”

“He was so proud of you. How you stood up for yourself and all you believed in.” George nods at the glass. “This is where you sip.”  He holds the glass up to his lips, but Justin shakes his head. “Why not?”

“I need to go see a friend!” He exclaims, then calls for Maya. “Whatever they want, give it to them!” He shouts then sprints up the stairs. 

“What the hell?” I ask.

“No idea.” George sighs.

“Should we be worried?” I ponder.

“If it’s the friend I think it is, not at all!” Maya chuckles and heads back to the kitchen.

George closes the door behind her then waggles his eyebrows. “So when do we tell him that we are a couple?”

“Whenever you want Georgie.” I grin and barrel into his embrace.

BRIAN AND HUNTER’S FARM - THREE HOURS LATER

BRIAN’S BEDROOM

BRIAN

“Justin, you need to stop!”

We have a very serious problem, Justin is frozen in position, I’m clutching the sheets hard, and I don’t think we are breathing. “Listen, you listening?” He nods, but is dripping with sweat. “I need you to get up really quickly.”

“Why?!” He exclaims.

“The condom tore.” I almost whimper, he feels so good!

“Oh.” He is trembling so much. “You won’t get anything from me, I‘ve never...”

I grip the sheets tighter as what he’s saying registers. “My last tests were negative too, what do you want to do?” I take deep breaths and try not to look between his legs, where I can feel that my cock is currently almost all the way in. “Don’t clench!” 

“I can’t help it!”

“Justin.” I whisper, we lock eyes. “What do you want to do?” I repeat hoping it’s the same as me.

“This.” He replies, and sinks down.

“Oh thank you!” I cry. I wait for him to adjust to the feeling. When he nods, I gently roll us. Once I anchor his legs around my waist, I start to move. My thrusts are slow but deep, and, judging by the stunned look on his face, an excellent thing! I reach for his cock and start to jerk him off at the same time, his reaction is like nothing I have ever seen. He meets my thrusts and is pulling me down for kisses.

JUSTIN

I can’t believe we’re doing this, raw from the get go. It feels so good! I’ve never felt anything like this before in my life. My ass is on fire in the most exquisite of ways as he hits on point time and time again.

“Brian! Floga!” I cry out as the pleasure builds; I now see why bottoming is a thing! “I’m gonna, I’m gonna…”

“Then cum!” He orders before holding me close.

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

BRIAN

I’ve withdrawn, but if I never have him again I’ll always have the ‘goofy-gorsh’ expression on his face burnt into my memory. He looks incredibly happy but also shy. 

“What?” I ask as I reach for the towel to clean us up.

“Was it like that for you?” He asks.

“Not bottomed.” Now I’m the shy one. “Want to return the favour?”

Slowly he sits up. “You’ve never?” I shake my head. “I would love to.”

“Good, so care to tell what led to the pouncing?”

“Well…” He grins and wraps himself around me. “...I now own Taylor Electronics, and found out that my grandfather’s nemesis is not just my godfather, but also my attorney’s lover. And finally, I get to kick my producers out of the one place they value most.”

“Their vaunted position.” I venture then frown. “What’s the matter?”

“What’s that blinking light?” He gestures towards the wall.

“It’s a camera.” Elliott’s voice comes over. “Been there so long I forgot about it. One of you must have kicked the switch. Thankfully, I heard not saw. So, get freshened up and come to dinner, it will be ready by six.”

We watch the light go off before gazing at each other. “Why is there a switch, and who was that?” He whispers.

“Elliott, he’s got a cottage down the way. As for the switch, this used to be the care home we lived in. Cameras were the norm then.” He nods in understanding, but frowns when I sniff the air. “Ah, he must want to impress you because I can smell it.” I grin..

“Smell what?” He helps himself to a now very dry piece of toast that we had bought up pre-pouncing, it sounds like he’s chewing rocks.

“Duck fat fries.”

“Duck fat fries?” A grin blooms across his face. “They sound wonderful!” 

“And it gets better, Moro.” I smile before licking the sweat off his nose. “Once they’re done he dusts them with truffle salt then serves them with caviar mayo and an ice cold....”

“Showering now!” He declares before flipping me off of him then running to the bathroom.

“I guess my turn can wait until after sustenance.” I joke as I watch his peachiness bounce, before realising I would follow that anywhere!

Fries: https://www.thespruceeats.com/duck-fat-fries-4773470

Mayo: https://www.wocobook.com/us/recipe/caviar-mayonnaise-40447

CHAPTER 16 - HOMES, PHONES, BRIDGES AND PREPARING FOR BATTTLE

ELLIOTT’S COTTAGE - AN HOUR LATER

DINING ROOM

JUSTIN

I’m trying so hard not to drool, but for crying out loud, look at that spread. I feel a gentle dig in my side and look at Brian, who nods at Elliott, specifically the hand he is holding out with a smile.

“So sorry!” I say as I shake it. “But that looks incredible, what’s the meat?”

“Confit lamb.” He smiles. “And for dessert, a savoury granita to cleanse the palette of all that richness of duck fat fries and confit of lamb, which also has duck fat. Now please take a seat.” 

ELLIOTT

He has not taken his eyes off the food. When Brian asked me to dig on her son, I was more intrigued by Justin, so blood hounded my way around him first, and found out a couple of things that are gonna get them bonded tighter than a snare trap! Not having heard the groans, moans, yelps and the like, they’re not there already!

“Whistler.” Brian smiles as he comes in.

“Oh what a beauty!” Justin declares, before immediately pulling off some lamb to give to him then sitting at his level. “You want more?” He laughs as the tail does an impression of a windmill in a ten force gale. “Brian…”

“No more after this.” Brian declares, joining him on the floor. “Okay, maybe a couple of fries, but that is it!”

“Boys, have a seat.” I order. They scramble up, and, as usual, Whistler waits for Brian to get settled before he takes his place by the aga knowing that he will be getting more scraps later.

I start to serve whilst affecting a look of confusion. “What is nose, oyster and cheese toasties, Justin?” 

“Where did you hear about that?” He blinks.

“From Hunter; well, from Gus who told him, said it’s a once a month treat and apparently it is happening this weekend. So it is what?”

“Well, it’s from the roast chicken and an exercise in patience. The fatty bits, which everyone discards, the fools, so it’s the parson’s nose, crispy skin from the back of the chicken. It has to be crispy, and those two oyster nuggets, finely chopped, mixed with a mild cheese, your choice of which. Add that on top of a slice of bread that has been frying in butter, but is not quite crisp. Put the skillet under the grill, keep an eye on it, you want it to be bubbling before you add the other slice of bread, which has smoked cheese grated on top. Once that’s melted and dripping down, take it out and let it cool a bit before eating. It’s quite rich, so we have it with a salad when it’s summer or with a light broth when it is autumn or winter.”

“That sounds so decadent.” Brian sighs. 

“It is a bit, hence it’s only once a month and…”

“Can you get Maya to send me the recipe, Daph would...” Brian interjects.

“No, she doesn’t cook that. I do and that was the recipe, it’s one of Gus’s favourites.”

“You cook?” I ‘look surprised’.

“Yes…” He looks shy. “...she only cooks when there are more than the three of us. Normally I cook.”

Bingo!

“Wait, how did you cook if you were confined to your bed?” Brian asks, and Justin goes, for want of a better word, magenta. “You don’t…”

“That's why my room was locked most of the time. I was preparing dinner, on the other side of the lift is a small room, I do my prep in there. Then Mel and Gus would cook it; but never that, I always cook that for them.”

“What time and day...” Brian takes a fry off of his plate with a smile. “...are we coming for dinner?”

“How about six on Saturday?”

“Perfect.” I reply on his behalf. “Now before we start, have taken the liberty of asking Ben to remove the camera from your room whilst we eat.” I enjoy their embarrassment. “Speaking of which, let’s do that.”

BRIAN AND HUNTER’S HOUSE - LATE EVENING

BRIAN’S ROOM

JUSTIN

Well, after that veritable feast, we’re both sipping on peppermint tea and waiting for the ‘fullness’ to abate. “So, we’re sending the boys back here after dinner and opening up my box back at mine?” Brian peers over his mug at me, his eyes are still a little cloudy. “You wouldn’t appreciate me opening up your ‘box’…” I stroke his thigh. “...tonight.”

“Hmm, definitely not.” He finishes his tea, then lies down. “You almost done? Need a warm nubile body to sooth me from the outside.”

“And who am I to refuse you that?” I reply, draining my mug and curling into his arms. 

OUTSIDE BRITIN - MID MORNING 

BACK GARDEN

ETHAN

I can hear music, which surprises me. I head to the source, my surprise is joined by annoyance. “So this is where you are.” I call out to Michael. “What are you doing here?” 

“As I said, on my break….” When I check my watch he frowns. “...are you and I alright? You seem to be off with me.”

“Why wouldn’t we be? You’ve not been upsetting anyone, have you?” 

“Like who?” I look to see what has him transfixed; it's Justin in the basement gym, he’s dancing. He’s not done that in years. It’s how he and Mel met; in a hip-hop class. I sit next to Michael, we watch in silence for a few minutes.

“Justin, Mel, Gus, your Ma, his grandparents, you know those people? Although you are doing an upstanding job of upsetting the guys at the barn and the otters.” This gets him to look at me. “Michael. We’ve been here since 0800, you’ve had three breaks; the rest of them have had one, at the same time, and are back working.”

“I’ve had to speak to my broker, and…”

“You’re not speaking to him now, so let’s go back and work as a team to get the place ready for Zeus and Stitch.”

“They’re not going to be here for a month, what’s the rush?” He grumbles, but does get up. I wave him ahead of me before pocketing his phone. We’re almost halfway back when he ‘pats his pockets’. “Shit, I’ve left my....”

“Here it is.” I hand it to him, his quickly masked grimace almost has me snickering.

BARNS

WILSON

“You found him, where was he?” I ask as I just miss nailing my thumb to the wall. 

“Babe, concentrate!” Ben orders. “So where was he?” He repeats after checking my hand.

“Back garden.” Ethan replies. “What was he doing here, well whilst he was here? Been searching for him for so long, I’ve forgotten.”

“The bridge; he was helping Ted and Blake with that, and…”

“Hi all.” Debs calls out as she enters. “Oh, this is looking good!” 

“Thanks, Ma, me and the guys have been working really hard!” Michael preens.

“Michael, she’s been here since seven…” Justin’s dulcet tones make him flinch. “...but she’s right, it does look really good here. Is Brian about?”

“Well, judging by the whistling, he’s coming back from whence he was.” Ems answers before scrutinising Justin. “And not before time. You’re level, your foot is flat, so why so pinched?”

“Nothing physical. Just got some family stuff to deal with, and I need his opinion on it.” He sighs.

“His advice? Why?” Michael stops doing what little he was. “If it is to do with the family, you need to be speaking to Mel, Lindsay, and me!”

“Only if it has to do with Gus, who I would never discuss with you, and this doesn’t.” Justin retorts, the barn falls silent. 

“Everyone alright?” Brian queries as he re-enters. 

“Yes and no. Can we talk in the house, please?” Justin pinches his nose. 

“Getting a headache?” He asks, tilting Justin’s head up after he nods. “Sure.” We quietly watch them head back, but I’m not the only one that sees them hold hands when they think they’re out of sight; Debs sees it too and smiles.

“Well that was a little tense.” Ems sighs before brightening. “Oh, you know what can release angst and keep it PG? Dancing.”

“Dancing?” Daph frowns as she comes in with a basket. “Before we come onto why we’re talking dancing, everyone put their phones in here. Debs, can you supervise?”

“Sure honey.” I smirk as the first person she holds the basket out to is Michael. “Thank you, sweetheart, now everyone else!” Once she has all our phones, she then puts the basket on a shelf and settles down on the bale next to it. 

“Right, that’s the distractions and temptation's out of reach. So dancing?”

“Yes, we’ve not had a group night out in ages, and judging by that tense display, looks like Justin could use one. So let’s hit Babylon on Saturday night, agreed?”

“Oh I like the sound of that!” Daph nods. “Brian will be in, wonder if Mel wants to come too? Let me give her a call.”

“Ma, can you give me my phone so I can call Lindsay, please?” Michael asks.

“To ask her about Babylon?” He nods. “No…” His face falls. “...it’s Wednesday. You can call her to confirm her attendance after you’ve finished building that bridge outside amongst others. I will call Nancy and get her to ask her, they’re going to speak about the house anyway…”

“The house? Why?” He starts to edge towards the basket, but she knows her son and puts his phone in her purse. We avoid eye contact as he starts to backtrack.

“She’s selling it, and…”

“Where’s Lindsay going to live?” He gasps.

“Why not with you? You’re her best friend after all.” Debs replies. He goes pale all the way down to his ill-chosen just recently bought, but refused to change them, suede and leather boat shoes!

BRITIN - FIVE MINUTES LATER

LOUNGE

JUSTIN

I feel much better. Him massaging my head is really helping, he knows where to rub. As my head lolls back, I open my eyes and find myself admiring the view of his chest afforded by his unbuttoned shirt. 

“So, as Elliott would say, what’s occurring?” He rakes his nails from the front to the back of my head; I forget how to speak. “Justin, what got you pissy earlier on?”

“That.” I mumble and point to the papers. He sits down then begins to read. “They didn’t waste their time, did they? Think they’ve always had this in their back pocket. They don’t even know him!” I find myself sobbing into his chest as the full nastiness of them hits me. He says nothing as he continues to read. “I need to speak to Brandon, and…”

“You need to approach this calmly.” He interjects. “In the highly unlikely, I repeat, highly unlikely event of someone taking this one, they have no money to fight you for custody of Gus. But when speaking to Brandon, get him to find out about how they found out about him.”

I hadn’t thought of that! When the papers were served, I panicked. And he’s right; how the hell did they find out about Gus? I’ve made it very clear to everyone that he is not to be discussed outside of Britin, and there would be consequences if he was. Also he’s not on social media, and never went to the exhibitions I was involved in, so how?

THREE HOURS LATER

MICHAEL

I’ve finally managed to escape! Jesus, what a pisser that was! I have splinters and broken nails, and because I didn’t notice Ma leave whilst they had me doing the back breaking stuff, she’s still got my phone! All I want to do is have a long soak. I head upstairs, but am surprised to find the bathroom locked. I rap hard on the door. “Who’s in there?!” I press my ear against it. I can hear giggling. “Open up right now!” I shout.

Slowly it opens, and I’m faced with Justin, a very unimpressed Justin. “What are you doing?!” He snaps. “I’ve told you about this wandering around like the Ghost of Christmas Nobody gives a Damn About before!”

“Sorry, Justin, I thought you were in your…”

“Is someone using the downstairs facilities?” He demands.

“I-I don’t know, I just wanted to have a bath.” I flush.

“Have you finished your tasks for the day? And is there something wrong with the one in your apartment?” 

“This one was closer, I didn’t think you would mind, after…”

“It is occupied, I do mind, so off you go.” He sneers before shutting and locking the door.

I’m stunned by his continued snarkiness, but after checking behind me, press my ear to the door. There is definitely someone other than him in there. I creep to his bedroom door, but am surprised to find that too locked. 

“Michael, what are you doing now?!” Ethan grouses. “We’ve...”

Stiffening my spine and plastering on a smile, I turn around. “Was just looking to have a bath after that long day, and...”

“A bath? The day is far from over, we’ve still got another couple of hours work left to do! And that’s after we’ve washed up the lunch things. You know how Maya gets with her kitchen.”

“Yes, yes, I am aware.” I grump, then walk past him to the kitchen. When I get there, Wilson hands me gloves and points at the sink. “You wash, I dry.”

JUSTIN’S BEDROOM - A MINUTE LATER

BRIAN

We were crying with laughter, lying on the bed. Having originally been pressed against the door when we saw a pair of feet outside it, then when we heard  Ethan’s annoyed voice, we had to stuff our shirts in our mouths. He seems to be going to sleep now though. He was so wound up over the papers, I ordered him to have a calming body mask. I had wondered why Ems had insisted on bringing his ‘bag of tricks’ with him, now I am glad he did. 

I settle down next to him and reread them. It just does not make sense, how could they have heard about Gus? When he bumps into my hip, then puts his head in my lap, I stroke his hair. Which is better than mine, I was very tempted to sneak the shampoo and conditioner down my pants, they smelt so good!

“I have lots.” He mumbles.

“Of what?” I frown putting the papers down.

“Shampoo and conditioner.” He yawns. “Saw you sniffing earlier. Tell you what, you tell me about the body mask, and you can take a set back with you.”

“You have yourself a deal.” I smile as he starts to drift off again. I pick up the papers. “I just don’t get…” My outside train of thought is interrupted by his phone beeping; I jostle my legs and he looks up tiredly. “Your phone.” I explain, but then he reaches behind him. “No, this phone.” 

“That’s not mine.” He sits up before grabbing it. “Well, at least I know how they know about Gus.” He snarls, I have to stop him from throwing it across the room. 

“How?”

“It’s Michael’s phone. Debs said she left it in here to keep him ‘captive’, it seems he’s been telling them all about Gus. There’s a text from he-producer thanking him for advising him of how miserable Gus is! I hate him, I hate him so much!” 

“Moro, please try to relax. Let me make a call, then you can use me as a pillow okay?” It takes a minute but he does nod. “You need some compresses, hot ones, think you can sort them whilst I send a quick text?” 

“Hmm.” He mumbles before slowly getting up before hissing as he walks.

Immediately, I see his left shoulder has risen slightly. I text Ems to come now, he replies that he was already setting up the table, and to send him straight down. 

“Justin, go to the lounge when you’re done, Ems is waiting. I’ll be right there.”

His look of relief makes me want to stuff otter dung down Michael’s throat then sew his mouth shut! As he limps down the stairs I make a call.

“Elliott, top priority, find out how Michael knows Justin’s parents and how long he’s been in contact with them.”

“Young pup, I’ve been...”

“Elliott, the finding needs to start now!”

“Young pup, I did some digging already. He has shares in Taylor Electronics, last purchased a year ago. Leave the parental situation with me, go be with your man.”

“Thanks Elliott.” I whisper before hanging up and heading downstairs.

MEL AND LINDSAY’S HOUSE - SAME TIME

KITCHEN

NANCY

“But Mother, where are we supposed to go?!” Lindsay demands. “You can’t just give us notice to quit like that! He’s your grandson, and…”

“Will be with his Moms in the cottage on the grounds, or staying with us, depending on the weekend plans.” 

“The cottage? With just Mel? Where am I going? I need to be with my son!”

“Oh, do stop getting hysterical!” Ronald snaps from the sink, having been there to - once more - throw away that wine she insists on buying that tastes like onion vinegar! “Your Mother said ‘moms’, which means, obviously, that you will be moving in too, doesn’t it?”

“But where’s Maya going to go? Has he fired her?” She looks keen.

“Here. Once we’ve redecorated, especially this room. She’s not quite a fan of this old time look.” I can hear the twisting of the napkin. “So you have a month, but one of the contingencies of the move to the cottage is that Michael doesn’t stay or visit you there. You two want to best friend it up, then go to his place.” 

She says nothing, but then her ‘light’ starts to shine. “So, if you’re doing…”

“No.” Ronald states sharply. “Justin will not be redecorating the cottage. This is a temporary move for the two of you, Mel is aware, you can't stay there for time immemorial, when Gus reaches that age he will move in with Justin, and you two will have to find somewhere else to live.”

LINDSAY

It’s been a couple of hours since their bombshell, when I hear the key in the lock, I storm to the door, yanking it open. “How could you let me be…”

“Blindsided by Nancy saying she’s renting this place out? You weren’t.” Mel replies calmly. “I was there when she told you. You being on the floor in a heap is an image I won’t forget.” 

“I didn’t think she would follow through with that threat!” I declare. “But at least we’ve got some time to find a place, so that’s something isn’t it?”

“He’s going to be 14 in two months time, so you’d best get on looking.” Mel states as she opens the wine that they bought.

“I’m confused, what does him being 14 have to do with it.”

“As per the agreement, which you were oh so eager to sign but only have one small glass of champagne to toast your pregnancy...yours, not ours...with your best friend, leaving me to finish decorating the nursery; Gus moves in with his dad one day after his 14th birthday, and then we start to fund our own living expenses.” She eyes me over her glass. “Now excuse me, I need to have a shower before I head out to dinner.”

“Dinner, you want to go to dinner when we have this to discuss?!”

“I had already told you about it. Our housing situation doesn’t change my social plans. Maya is going to be showing me the sights around Britin, seems she’s quite the social maven. Shame, you belittled her so much.”

“I did no such…”

“Like I said, I am going to dinner. See you later.”

MICHAEL’S APARTMENT - TWO HOURS LATER

OUTSIDE MICHAEL’S BEDROOM

MEL

I’m not sure what made a light bulb go off in my head after what Nancy said but I could just not shake the feeling of truth in her words. I had searched in my ‘bowl’ and found it, not that I have used it much and certainly without asking or telling him. However, then was not the time to be polite, I had grabbed the key to Michael’s apartment and here I am. I quietly push open the door and manage to suppress my gasp at the sight that greets me. 

They are on the bed, naked, and he is kissing her body all over. She giggles. “How long has it been now? Oh that feels good, want me to top you?”

“It’s been over 10 years, I do love it when you two row, you are so much wilder. And yes I do.”

“Wild, I like that. She never says anything like you do.” She purrs before reaching for the strap on. “Now it’s my turn to do you.”

He quickly gets on his hands and knees then waves his butt in the air. “Oh baby, do me, do me!” 

INSIDE MEL’S CAR - TEN MINUTES LATER

So far I have managed to suppress the urge to throw up using accupressure. All these years I have been faithful, well the Maya kiss aside, but they have been doing this to me for over ten years! And for her to use our strap on with him as well! I push down another wave of nausea, then start the car, knowing that this battle, as much as Justin, Nancy and Ronald would love to help, I need to fight alone.  

Confit lamb shoulder: 

https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/confit-lamb-shoulder-with-rosemary-and-garlic

Granita: https://mayihavethatrecipe.com/savory-carrot-ginger-granita-with-tangy-cucumber-topping/

Cocktails: https://joyorganics.com/our-7-favorite-cbd-alcohol-recipes/

CHAPTER 17 - ADMITTING, DRIPPING AND WITCHING

BRITIN - EARLY AFTERNOON

SUNROOM

MAYA

Since the kiss and a very nice dinner with cocktails, we’ve been okay, but not as okay as we were before. “So you and I kissed, and yes, I wanted to do that for a while. It was a very, very nice kiss, but my world was not as rocked as I thought it would be. What about you?” 

She sighs. “Yes, it was great, but my world wasn’t rocked either. Besides, I don’t think I ever want to kiss another person again.”

“What’s brought that on?”

“I don’t want to talk about it right now.” She looks so woebegone that I just pat her hand in agreement.

BARNS - TEN MINUTES LATER

UPPER DECK HAY STORAGE

JUSTIN

“No, stop, please, I’m far too weak and vulnerable to stop you.” Floga protests as I nip and kiss the sides of his stomach. We are surrounded by hay bales; it’s a nest for our about to be bawdiness. Because of Michael, the rest of the team and only finished stacking them at ‘almost the crack of dawn on Saturday’ according to a furious Ethan. Twice Michael tried to leave them to it, but the hulking and brooding presence of Ben soon put a stop to that. 

“So you want me to stop?” I whisper up at him.

“Yes, immediately! Someone is coming!” He hisses, we swiftly put our shirts back on and peer over the bales to see who it is. Much to our surprise, it’s Michael, who is leading three rather cute goats with Ethan behind him. “So, what are you going to call them?” He asks Michael, who is looking exhausted. 

“You can name them, as….”

“Oh no, you found them abandoned, so you name them. But first, let’s just double check...right, we need names for the two boys and the girl. 

“Do I have to do this now? Can't we just get them stabled or whatever?!” 

“They need to be named so they get used to them, so get on with it!” Ethan orders. “And stop glowering, it is because of you that we were here so late!”

“It wasn’t! I misheard where Ben said that post was supposed to go…”

“Why would we want a post in the middle of the door?!”

“Like I said, I misheard!” He rubs his eyes. “Huey, Dewie, and Lucy, how about them?”

“They’re duck names, these are goats!” Daph laughs as she comes in with a hamper. “Besides, their names need to reflect the personalities of them and a bit of the person that found them!”

“So, Hateful, Inconsiderate, and, unfortunately for some, Very Intrusive; maybe after politicians, like Powell, Thatcher and Hoover.” Mel suggests, having followed Daph in.

“Who the hell are those politicians?!” Michael scowls.

“Enoch Powell was a British politician, famous for his rivers of blood speech; Margaret Thatcher was also known as the Iron Lady, and very inconsiderate; and then of course you know J Edgar Hoover, he liked to know everything about absolutely nothing to do with him!”

“You’re sounding more and more like Justin these days with the snarkiness, no wonder Lindz spends more time with me than you.” He derides her. “And as she’s got a migraine, which you would know if you had called to check on her last night, she's asked me to go with you to the cottage to….”

“No! This is going to be our home, you are not welcome in it!” She scrutinises his face. “Maybe you should join her, especially….”

“What do you mean by that?!” He snaps.

“You want to look your best for tonight, don’t you? You know, when you show Brian what a real man can do both on the floor and in bed? Now, go play doctor and patient with your best friend. Here’s her outfit, all the way down to her favourite panties, I’ve assumed she’s going to get ready at yours too?”

“Yes she is as she feels uncared for by you right now!” Michael snipes. 

“And you can make her feel all better, right?” Mel sneers. “How on earth are you going to keep both Brian and Lindz satisfied at the same time? And then of course there’s Hunter to try to win over too!”

Brian gags quietly at not only what she has just said but the smug look on Michael’s face. 

“You’d be surprised what I am capable of.” 

Brian shudders once more. But when he shifts forward for a better view, his shirt rides up. He came over early to drop Hunter off, as he and Gus are taking Debs, Nancy and Ronald for a gentle hike and picnic up Taylor Falls. As I check out his butt, I notice that he’s not wearing kecks, as he says. I stroke the heart shape the top of his cheeks make; slowly he looks over his shoulder.

“Lift your hips.” I whisper, his eyes widen. “Lift.” I repeat, he does so. I undo his shorts and slowly slide them down his legs. “Can you keep quiet?”

He pulls off his shirt, and puts it in his mouth before nodding, eyes glowing. Quickly shucking off my clothes, I tap his hip. He lies on his back and I replace his shirt with my mouth. He suckles my tongue. I nudge his legs a little wider so I can slip between them, but when the floorboards creak with the shift of our weight, we go still.

“What was that?” Michael asks.

“No idea, but what’s with the basket? God, it smells lovely!” Mel drools.

“The picnic...” Daph laughs. “...Debs and Nancy have been trying new cookie combos, and they know how persuasive those three can be! So I am meeting them up at Taylor Falls.”

“How are you going to get there?” Michael demands.”I should come with you, it will give me a chance to get to know Hunter too.”

“Powell, Thatcher and Hoover need your attention still.” Ethan states firmly.

“Ethan, I am the supervisor, so I decide who does what.”

“You need to check your email, there’s been a change in hierarchy.” Ethan retorts, and waits for him to do so, Brian looks at me and I grin. “Now that we’ve each been put in our proper places, they need to be bedded down. I think that they should be under the upper deck storage, what do you think, Daph?” 

“Seems as good a place as any.” She replies.

“Why are you smiling?” Brian whispers. 

“Where were we?” I reply, and kiss him again before he can answer, then move down his body, kissing all the way. By the time I engulf his hot sweet steel rod, his shirt is back in his mouth and I am dripping with lust. I push his legs wider, and easily slide my fingers into his quivering hole, he tugs on my hair. “Slide down a bit.” I order, he obeys swiftly; I slowly replace my fingers with my pulsating dick. He grabs handfuls of straw and scrunches his eyes closed, then I begin to move. He feels as beautiful inside as he looks outside. I can feel my moans starting to bubble up. Quickly, I bite down on the other end of his shirt, then start to move faster. He matches me thrust for thrust. Soon he is nodding and kneading my ass; seconds later we both cum. 

Quietly, we return to kissing, only pausing to remove bits of hay from each other’s hair and face. Blushing slightly, I kiss his nose; “Golly gorsh?”

“It’s Goofy gorsh, and hell yeah!” He snickers. “Why did we move though?” 

“Turn on your side.” I murmur. “Please?”

“Justin, I am covered in cum, why am I doing this?”

“Because Mchael is standing directly underneath the ‘glory hole’, and you dripping on him is as close to your spunk as he’s ever going to get!” 

DAPH

Ethan nudges me to look up just as a globule splats down onto Michael’s hair whilst he cantankerously settles in ‘his’ goats, followed by another. Ethan closes my mouth, then nods at Mel. “Hey, Mel, want to come to the picnic too? Gus and Hunter have got a list of things they want to get for Ariel and Stitch, he wants to run it by you from the costing side.” She pauses before nodding.

“Actually, can I grab Mel, need her sartorial expertise?” Maya calls from the door. “Outfit for tonight.”

“You're coming as well?!” Michael looks aghast.

“Yes, she is, and to be honest, Justin will say yes to whatever Gus wants for his boy, as I suspect will Brian for his girl!” 

I see Michael’s ears start to flap as he slows down to hear better. And judging by the pinched fury on Mel’s face, she needs to leave now. “Can you drive a stick, Maya?” She nods. “Take my car, the jeep nearest the gate, saves everyone shifting so that you can get yours out.”

“Thanks, Daph! Come on, Ms Maven!”

TEN MINUTES LATER

MAYA

As we head to the jeep in silence, I look across at Mel. “Well I’m not shopping on a semi empty stomach, I make some terrible choices when hungry!”

“Do you like sushi?” 

“I know just the place.”

BARNS - 5 MINUTES LATER

UPPER DECK STORAGE

BRIAN

After the great dripping, we start to drift off, when a sudden cry rings out. “There is bird crap in my hair! Are there bats in here too?!”

“Michael, this is a barn. Of course there are going to be birds, especially of the cock kind, and like all animals they crap!” I kiss Justin quiet as he starts to guffaw. “Now all you have to do is make sure their trough is full, then you can go and rest before you shimmy your schlong!” 

Another ten minutes pass before we hear Ethan laughing. “He’s gone, you can come down now.” We quickly get dressed and join him. “If that…” He points up. “...is going to be a regular thing, perhaps install a shower? You’ve got that dead space after all.” He gestures at the space where I suspect Justin used to do his paperwork when Zeus was stabled here.

“What do you think?” Justin looks at me, I nod “Don’t suppose you know a plumber?” 

“Ben and Drew will sort it out. They did the therapy room at the centre.” 

“Excellent! And speaking of showers, I am feeling itchy in places I shouldn’t be!”

Ethan’s laughter follows all the way back indoors.

TAYLOR FALLS - 45 MINUTES LATER

NANCY

“Oh you should’ve seen him, having to house the kids - Powell, Thatcher and Hoover, it was so funny!”  Daph giggles. “But not as funny as when he got dripped on from a great height!”

“Don’t you mean peed on?” I frown.

“Oh no. It seems that we weren’t the only ones in the barn and someone wanted to make a point!”

“Daphne, dear, not following.” Ronald actually scratches his head.

“H and G, please, can you take the food up to otters, I see many heads bobbing up and down!” They are gone in seconds.

“Brian and Justin were in the upper deck storage and they dripped on him.”

“Dripped on him how?” Debs frowns, then her mouth drops open. “They emptied the condom on him?!”

“No condom to empty.”  Daph explains with an ever widening smile.

“I still don’t understand. Do you, Debs?" Ronald asks

DEBS

“I think that Daph means that they may have wanked on him.”

“Not quite. Seems that they had their tests within weeks of each other, both got a clean bill of health. And when it broke, they carried on. Justin reciprocated….” She pulls out her beeping phone and splutters. “...and Michael thinks that it’s bird guano in his hair!”

“Clean bill of...you mean they barebacked?!” Nancy gasps. “Why do I always miss out on the good bits?!”

“You and me both, Nance!” I chortle, then pause as I maybe realise something. 

“Really, Daph, you really think they are?!” 

“He kissed him. Correction, he kisses him a lot. Brian never kisses. Ever. He thinks it’s too intimate, that it could be misinterpreted to be something it’s not, And Justin’s met Whisperer.” She looks into the distance. “Boys are coming back. But do you know what’s making Mel want to disembowel Michael? I mean more than usual? She was making some barbed comments that he seemed thrown by, and she gave him Lindsey's clothes for tonight.”

“No idea, but let’s discuss this later, okay?” Ronald insists as Gus zeroes in on the basket and takes out the cookies. “Handsome, main before pudding!” There is a crunch and we all turn to Nancy. 

“It’s a picnic, formal rules do not apply.” She points out with a smile before giggling as we all start on the cookies! 

SHOPPING MALL - SAME TIME

MAYA

“So we have a choice of two...oh, good grief!” I hold a sobbing Mel. We hadn’t even made it a few steps from the jeep. 

“Let's go in this one, the private booth should be empty at this time.” She just nods and clings tighter.

SUSHI RESTAURANT - FIVE MINUTES LATER

The first thing I order is a sparkling sugar plum sake for her; she sips then beams. “Ooh that is so good, shame you are driving! Oh, actually, can you ask one of the boys to pick up the jeep and you have one of these?”

“Right, this is bad, let me call someone and you get me that drink.” I stride outside and quickly call Ted, as I noticed they seem to have struck up a friendship “Hey, real quick, something has gone down with Mel...she needs to talk, and, I think get drunk, but I drove. Oh, you gent! Thank you!”

I head back inside, and she’s on her second; and there are two on my side of the table, I take a healthy glug, she taps the glass, so I finish it.  “So, judging by what I overheard, what have they done this time?”

“Been having sex for ten years.” I signal for two more drinks. 

“Who has?” Ted asks, startling us as he sits then pockets the car keys. “I was at the diner, grabbed a cab, light traffic for a change. So, who has been having sex for ten years?”

“Lindsay and Michael, and she’s been using our strap on to fuck him with.” 

“How the hell did you find out?!” I snarl.

“It was something Nancy said. She said that the flame between Lindsay and I had long gone out, and she wouldn’t be surprised if they were friends with benefits. The more I thought about it, the more it began to bug me. She loves to be vicious, subtle but vicious. But then again so can I, but subtle I am not!”

“What do you mean?” Ted looks worried.

“Oh don’t worry, it’s nothing illegal. I packed one of her favourite outfits, shame she’s going to find it challenging to wear!”

MICHAEL’S APARTMENT - TWO HOURS LATER

BEDROOM

LINDSAY

“So you didn’t even get to see the cottage?” He shakes his head, whilst I open the holdall that Mel sent, I gasp. “Oh my god!” I cry as I pull out what she packed, and all the pearls from the cashmere and silk jumper, which cost me a fortune, cascade back into the holdall and onto the floor. He reaches into the bag and pulls out my leather trousers which have been cut to shreds. 

“What did she do, run them over with a lawn mower?!” He exclaims. “Oh no, not them!”

“What? Now what has she done?!” I can’t believe what has come over her! “My birthday shoes!” I scream in despair as he pulls them out sopping wet. Looking at each other, we reluctantly sniff the bag before I pull out the open bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild Bordeaux Blend which I flew especially to go and get!  

“There is no way she is treating you like this!” Michael seethes before his face falls.

“What? What’s the matter?” I ask as he swallows hard. 

“I dropped my phone in the bag when I got in the car before coming here, so she owes me a new phone and you a new outfit!”

“Precisely!” I look at the time. “Come on let’s hit the shops instead of going home; you never know she might be waiting there with whatever she cut those up with!”

BABYLON - FOUR HOURS LATER

MICHAEL

I scan the crowd trying to spot them. “There!” I point to them laughing and drinking in one of the booths. “Can’t see Mel though…”

“I’m sure she’s around somewhere, let’s just go over.” It takes a while to get through the dancing crowd. “Hi, everyone! Having a nice time?”

“Yeah, it’s about to get better too! Hey, guys, over here!” Blake calls out waving. I turn to see Daph and Maya coming, the latter is wearing my Dolce and Gabbana dress! “Another bottle and two more glasses, please, Cooper?”

“Sure, Blake!” The barman shouts back, and within seconds, the glasses and bottle of champagne arrive. Blake swiftly pours them a glass each before topping up everyone else’s glasses.

“Now go back to your dancing, your drinks will be fine...shoo!” Ben laughs as they rush back to the floor.

“We need another bottle and two glasses.” Michael smiles, then glowers when Cooper looks to Blake, who takes his time nodding. “I take it, Mel is over there somewhere? We need to have a quick word about…”

“No, she wasn’t feeling well so she’s having an early night. Gus and Hunter are with your parents, Lindsay, in case you were wondering about your son.” Blake replies before applying a towel, which looks to be wrapped around ice, to the back of Ted’s neck.

“Okay,  I will go and see her first thing in the morning about my phone amongst other things.” Michael snarks.

“Actually, you would need to go see her in the afternoon.” Ethan sips his champagne. “You have to bottle feed Powell, Thatcher, and Hoover at 0700, they have to be fed every three hours, remember?”

“Speaking of sleeping, I think my man needs his bed.” Ben gently jostles the shoulder that Winston had fallen asleep on. “Anyone else ready to call it a night and head to Britin?”

“Britin? Why are you staying there?” I demand.

“Because Debs is moving the sanctuary up tomorrow.” Winston yawns again. “Michael, either get your ears checked or retain information given to you. Debs told you twice.”

“So where is ‘mine host’?” Lindsay scans the crowd.

“And Brian?” I chime in. “Oh, never mind, I see....”

“They’re at Brian’s for the evening.” Ted replies coldly. “Come on, guys, let’s just go, I could do with a soak before bed.”

“Well at least we will get a nice Maya cooked breakfast.” I sigh as I pick up the bottle. “Is one of you going to get her? Whilst I try to find a bottle bag for this.”

“They don’t have bottle bags, and you won’t be having a Maya breakfast for two reasons…” Blake helps Ted to stand. “...one, Justin doesn’t want either of you in his house when he’s not there and second, it’s Maya’s day off tomorrow. And by the way, drinks ordered at the bar need to be consumed within the premises.”

LINDSAY

“Since when was that rule instigated?!” I fume as I remember some particularly drunken staggers home, glass in hand. I managed to build up quite a nice selection!

“Always.” A guy throws over his shoulder before looking mockingly at me. 

Ben nudges a starting to sleep standing up Winston awake. “Um, did you mean to get that particular bottle of champagne?”

“Yes, it's what you guys were drinking, Isn’t it nice?” I query.

“It’s beautiful, but $240 a bottle.” Ben explains. “However, since it’s not opened, you can…” The pop of the bottle being opened curdles my stomach. “...I was going to say give it back, and you would just have had to pay a corkage fee of $20. Come on, guys let's go.” Ben scoops up Winston and strides out.

I sink into the seat looking daggers at their retreating backs. “Mind if we join you?” Maya asks, I wave at them to sit down. “So what do you think of it?”

“That it is impolite of you to wear my dress without even asking, I expect it to be dry cleaned and returned by...”

“Lindsay!” Daph snaps before taking my glass away, I gasp at her audacity.

“Put…” I begin.

“That is not your dress! Mel bought it for her before she went home. Ted called me because he had to go to the centre, Maya persuaded me to buy this suit. You will apologise immediately!” 

“I’m sorry, Maya, but in this light it did look like mine.” I respond, thankful of the dim lighting

“Are you ready to order?” Cooper appears from nowhere. 

“No, we’re not eating.” Michael replies, we’re stunned when he quickly gathers the champagne and both our glasses then puts them on the bar. “You're very lucky a space opened up, drink them there, the booths are for eating in.” 

“Another new rule.” I grumble before snatching up the menu.

“No, it has always been this way, just some folks never thought the rules applied to them, now they know they do. So what will it be? And will you two be joining them?”

“Oh, I couldn't possibly eat another thing!” Maya sighs.

“Or be in such rude and presumptive company?” Daphne glowers.

“So it would be okay for us to call it a night?” Maya asks getting up at the same time.

“Completely, but could I persuade you to have a nightcap at Woody’s?”

“Yes you can, although the walk in these heels will take a lot longer after all of that dancing!”

“Oh, worry not about that.” Cooper grins. “A car has been booked to take you both wherever you want to go, and the meal is on the house.”

“I am so very sorry!” Ted exclaims as he rushes back to the booth. “In our haste to leave, we didn’t settle the bill!” 

“Your meal and drinks are also on the house.” Cooper smiles as he waves away his apologies. 

“Why would the house pay for our meal though?” He frowns.

Cooper chuckles. “Because this is Justin’s club; Woody’s is his too.” He turns to us. “Obviously, this generosity has not been extended to you! Also settle the bill before you drink!” 

“He owns those places?!” I exclaim before moving to securee our spot at the bar. Michael looks upset as he settles the bill. “I do believe that a certain couple should be apprised of this new piece of information, don’t you?”

His smiles and we toast the beginning of the misery that we have only just begun to heap on Justin!

Sparkling Sugar Plum cocktail: https://cocktailpartyapp.com/drinks/sparkling-sugar-plum/

CHAPTER 18 - ALMOST OPENING THE MARIJUANA AND PANDORA BOXES

BRIAN AND HUNTER’S HOUSE - TWILIGHT 

ROOF

JUSTIN

The air is still, the sky clear; it’s pink and blue with a smattering of golden clouds. I pick up the box I gave him for his stash, then frown. “Haven’t you had any of them? If not, why not?” 

“I had enough of my own to wait until we could light up together.” His smile is infectious.

“Do you remember what is in there at least?” I tease.

“Well, let me see here...starting with the strongest and most popular OG, Hindu, Bubba, Purple, Master, Skywalker, Afghan and Vanilla.”

“Very good. Now what to do, top or bottom?” I set the box between my legs; he mirrors my position then strokes my instep. “Stop it. Need to...” I start to move my feet back, but stop when he runs one finger from the tip of my toes to my ankle. “...concentrate.” I gulp as he makes small circles on the bone then frowns. “Brian…”

“You broke your ankle, at some point.” He looks up. “Didn’t you?” I nod, he smiles at my curious look. “Osteology was part of my studies.”

“So where does the Greek come into it?” I sigh as he returns to stroking my instep.

“I liked the way it sounds.” He replies, still stroking. “Do you like languages?”

“Mmm…I can sp-speak Arabic, f-for when I got Zeus…” I breathe deep and slow before moving the box to my side, then replicate his stroking, but on his calf. He moves his leg to between my legs then palpates his toes. “That’s the disadvantage of having long legs…” He sighs as I massage his foot. “Also speak Japanese, French and German.” 

“So where’d you learn reflexology?” His voice is almost low as his eyes are hooded. “You’ve been doing it for a while. Nobody gets that...mmmm...good without studying hard.” 

“I took ballet; yes, I can still get on pointe. Reflexology made me very popular, but then I discovered hip-hop dancing. Ironically, he-producer was delighted that I left ballet, too effete, he said; but most of the dancers in there were on the down-low. It’s also where I learned about this…” I gesture at the box. “...Jurell, his name is, can roll a joint like nobody’s business…”

“Is? Are you two still in touch?” I nod. He stops stroking. “Why...sorry, that’s none of my…”

“Business.” I reply. He starts to move back but I clasp his foot. “We went into business together. He runs the farm in Colorado is what I meant. And that’s all. We never have, and we never will.”

“Good.” He murmurs. “I know I shouldn’t be…”

“Jealous?” I prompt, he shrugs. “Why were you?”

“Just was.” His honesty is refreshing.

“So who do I need to fret over?” He raises an eyebrow. “Oh.” I blush. ‘Well, I can hardly tell myself to back off. Kind of defeats the purpose.”

“Want to show me what Jared taught you?” He drawls. I swat his calf. “James, my bad…” He trails off as I start to crawl towards him. Leaning forward to grab the box, affords us a kissing opportunity; it is deep and delicious. “...can we start with Bubba?”

“Yes, in a second…” I gently push his chest, he gets the message and adjusts himself so I can wrap my legs around him. “...now…” But we’re startled when his phone rings. Happily, he sends it to voicemail, but it rings again. “You answer it, and I roll you one?” I suggest.

“Kinney!” He raps out whilst staying my hand. “Ted, this had...yeah, he is, wait a second.” He puts his phone on the box, then on speaker. “Go.”

“Sorry to interrupt, but we were in Babylon...oh, thank you for dinner, that was very generous of you, Justin, you didn’t…”

“Teddy, just tell him what you heard!” Emmett calls crossly.

“Yes, sorry, but it’s relevant as to…”

“Ted!” Brian snaps.

“Michael and Lindsay turned up. We left them in the booth, and were heading to Britin when I remembered the bill, so went back, and it was explained to me what you did, Justin, again, thank you. But then I overheard, whilst I was looking for my card that I dropped.. Actually, you should really consider lights under the bar, not bright ones, just enough for people to see the floor. It took me forever to…”

“TED!” Brian, Emmett and I bellow.

“Sorry! Michael and Lindsay, upon finding out that you own both Woody’s and Babylon, Justin, were surprised. Then, Lindsay said that two people would benefit from knowing about that. Not sure who they were talking about though. Thought I would let you know. I didn't want to call now, but Ems made me, so sorry if I interrupted for nothing.” 

It’s quiet for a few seconds, before there’s quiet murmuring. “Brian, Justin, it’s Ems. Please don’t take it out on Teddy, I did insist and…”

“It’s fine, thank you, both of you for letting me know.” I rub my temples and grind my teeth before resting my head on Brian’s shoulder.