"Are you sure you want me there?"
I'm really not sure, but in some ways, I think it would be nice to feel a little less alone for once when I'm at Cypress Grove. Jen's great about being there when she can, but she can't usually make it on Saturdays because she has an art class she teaches at her church at the same time.
"I think Uncle Randy could use a visitor," I tell him. "And I mean, it's nice to get to share that with someone. You showed me that tonight. And thank you for that."
"I'll say yes, and I do want to, but if you get uncomfortable about me being there-"
"It'll be fine. And then I can pass you off to some of my friends, and you can show them those amazing moves I showed you tonight."
"If you want me there, I'll be there."
And he doesn't know-can't know-how much that means to me.
"So who is this hottie daddy you're seeing?" Gary starts with as he and Hayden enter the locker room.
I'm sliding on my gym shorts as they flank me on either side, folding their arms, mirroring each other for what I assume is going to be an interrogation.
I woke up to my alarm, remembering that I needed to meet them for some gym time. I had to hurry to get ready, despite wanting Jackson to hang around a little longer and maybe even stick that cock in me … something that preoccupies my thoughts now that we messed around yesterday.
I glance between Hayden and Gary, wondering why they're acting like this.
"What?"
"Please," Hayden says. "Kasper on the thirteenth floor of North Tower totally saw someone leaving your place this morning."
I roll my eyes. "As if that's anything new."
"Oh, really?" Gary asks. "Do you dance with everyone in your living room the night before you fuck around with them? We're your friends. We're not stupid. We've been patient with this one because we figured you'd start blabbing at some point, but dancing, Derek? It's time to be honest with us … or yourself … or both."
Fuck, why is everyone figuring out all my business this week?
"It's not what it looked like," I say.
They glare at me in unison.
"God, the fucking uni-glare? You guys, that's not the prettiest of faces. I'd avoid making those for your Grindr profiles."
Gary's eyes narrow. "We don't need Grindr anymore. Stop stalling. We want deets."
"His name is … Jackson."
"And why were you dancing with him?" Hayden asks, his tone serious, but the playful expression on his face letting me know just how much he's enjoying this game of third-degree.
"Jig's up, I guess," I say. And now that I've talked to Jackson about Uncle Randy, I realize that at a time like this, honesty is definitely the best policy. "You remember that night when I snuck off and you guys got so mad at me … "
I tell them about how we met and how we started hanging out, leaving out the part about Uncle Randy. I'm not ready for that yet. It's not that I don't love them or don't trust them or think they would be anything short of amazing, but at least for now, it's something I'm not ready to share. Something that can stay between Jackson and me.
"So what about the gay cruise?" Hayden asks as I finish my story.
"Oh, shit."
"You paid a lot of money for that, so if anything does get serious, just remember, I don't think he's going to want you on some boat filled with hot daddies."
"No, I agree, but it's in October. Who the fuck's to say this will even last a few weeks? I can cancel if I need to. Hell, Daddy Jackson might even want to go on the cruise with me. Who knows?"
Gary's smirking.
"What?" I ask.
"You're already talking about potentially taking a guy on a gay cruise that's like three months away. … You got it bad."
"Shut up. And can we get to working out? I'm not going to be able to keep any man around me if I don't work this body out."
"True story," Hayden says, petting my head.
"Hey, hey! Watch the hair!"
19
Jackson
"How's your mom doing?" Frankie asks as we make our way back to the fire station to clean the bus after our last call. It was a thirty-three-year-old, otherwise healthy woman who suffered from a stroke, which I'm assuming is the reason he asked about Mom. Jesus, this woman was so fucking young and now her whole life is going to be different.
"She's doing okay. The rehab is helping some. She's gaining a little more speech back. The rehab unit at Cypress Grove is the best."
"I know it is. That's why you're paying the big bucks so she can stay there."
I don't bother with a reply because who wouldn't do that for their parent? Who wouldn't want the best for them? I'll always find a way to take care of my family.