Coming Home- Rock Bay 1 (22 page)

“I’m not a big fan of them either, but Drew asked me to do this for him.”
Lex tried not to sound annoyed, panicked, everything that was pushing around inside of him. “What good will it do Drew for you to start hanging out with Brock and Rick again?”
“He hopes that once Brock finds out that I’m gay, he’ll be a bit more accepting, and it’ll pave the way for Drew to tell them he’s bi.”
Lex didn’t understand any of it. “Why now, after all this time? Why does he care?”
Tally grinned. “I guess he met someone—well, sort of met someone, anyway. But he wants to be able to be with that guy if it ever comes to anything.”
“And he really thinks hanging out with you for a night or two will make Brock Peterson more tolerant?” It was the stupidest damn thing Lex had ever heard.
“Listen, I don’t know if it’s going to work or not. But either way, I’ll hang out with them once or twice, tell Brock about us, then I’m done. I’ll have done what I told Drew I would do, and everyone can go on their merry way, including me and you.”
Lex shook his head. He didn’t want Tally anywhere near those guys again. Sometimes he could still see Tally’s face back in high school, the way he looked when he was angry and closeted. He hated to admit it, but he was scared that Tally would turn into that guy again if he spent too much time with his old friends, getting pressured to conform. Lex didn’t want that for either of them. He also didn’t want to drive a wedge between them unnecessarily by starting a big fight over what he hoped would be nothing.
“I guess as long as you have a plan,” Lex muttered. He tried not to hang his head, but he couldn’t help it. He was worried about what could happen if Brock got his dumb, bigoted claws into Tally again.
He felt the pressure of Tally’s fingers under his chin lifting it up. “Babe?”
Lex’s throat tightened. He was annoyed at himself for getting so emotional. It was just after years of dealing with those…
assholes
, he thought he was finally done, and there they were, right back in his life, potentially causing havoc with the one thing he loved the most.
“What?” he whispered.
“I love you.
You.
I’m just doing this as a favor to Drew. I don’t want to be friends with those guys again. I only want to be with you, okay?”
Lex sighed. “I’m being such a chick. Sorry.”
Tally wrapped him in one of those big warm hugs that he loved so much. “You’re not. You’re worried, and jealous, and I love that you care. You didn’t see how much I lost it when you went on a date with that nurse guy.”
Lex smiled. “Yeah?”
“Hell yeah. If I’d been in my place instead of your shop there probably would’ve been some damage done. I felt like I was going nuts.” He rolled his eyes.
“You know I only went out with him to talk myself out of wanting you so bad.”
“Yeah. Didn’t help. I still hated it.”
Lex tugged on Tally’s hair. “And I hate this. But I trust you.”
Tally kissed him long and hard, not enough to erase his doubts but more than enough to distract him from thinking about them.
“How long until you have to leave again?”
Tally gave him a sly smile. “At least an hour.”
Lex tugged him back toward their room. “C’mon.”
He wanted to leave his mark on Tally somehow, to make sure he remembered that Lex was home waiting for him and nothing else was more important. He kissed Tally long and deep, biting Tally’s lip hard enough to make his breath catch. Impatiently, he tugged at Tally’s shirt, wanting to feel only skin, to taste him and bite at the lean muscles just underneath the surface. Tally growled softly and fell back on the bed, pulling Lex after him. Their legs and arms tangled together
“Maybe I don’t have to leave for an hour and a half.”

T
ALLY
couldn’t decide if the whole hanging-with-his-old-friends experience was infinitely worse than he imagined or quite a bit better. Even though he wanted to roll his eyes at two thirds of the things that Brock said, in an odd way, it felt like no time had passed at all. The minute he was surrounded by Brock, Rick, Kyle, and Drew, he was transported back to high school, back to the place where he was king, and they hung on his every word. He couldn’t believe they still did.

The guys were simple, yes, and with the exception of Drew, they hadn’t really ever grown out of their football-god mentality, even though he doubted a single one of them could sprint fifty yards even one time. But they treated him exactly the same as they always had: no stares, no condescending looks, no sympathetic pats on the back when they learned he was (supposedly) living with his grandmother. Although disconcerting, it was actually a bit refreshing.

That wasn’t to say that Tally wasn’t in the middle of his worst nightmare, because he was. He was living the life of a straight married man, desperate to escape the ball and chain for some hijinks with the boys, and it was driving him nuts. The golf game had been an eternity. He’d remembered how to golf from years before when he used to go out with his father and his father’s friends. That didn’t mean he liked it. Golfing still sucked. It was boring as hell, and the golf course was still the biggest good ol’ boys society in the whole damn town. It made him want to gag.

After golf they’d changed and had just met at the lounge for dinner and drinks. The worst part was it was just the
beginning
. There would be more drinks after dinner, perhaps a strip club, ugh, pouring their drunk asses into the twenty-four hour diner for coffee and eggs, and
shit.
He still had hours left of the night, hours that could’ve been spent with Lex, who had tried to hide it but was probably way more hurt than he’d even let on that Tally was choosing his old friends over him.

Tally cringed at the old football nickname. He’d been given shit (respectfully of course) for his name in school. Brock used to tell him it sounded queer, which in the past had driven Tally insane. Now he honestly could care less. He sure as hell didn’t want to be called “T” anymore.

“Don’t call me that, Brock. We’re not in high school anymore, and last time I saw I didn’t wear a neck full of gold chains.” He rolled his eyes and laughed so the moment wouldn’t get too awkward. “And I think I’ll have a chicken Caesar.”

“Dude, that’s chick food. You’ve been working at the fairy queen for too long. Get it? Instead of Dairy Queen it’s Fairy Queen?”
Drew rolled his eyes and for once spoke up. “That’s really dumb, Brock. Lex is a nice guy. You should leave him alone.” He looked back down at his menu, like he couldn’t quite believe what he’d said. “Um, I think I’m going to have a salad too. Didn’t make it to the gym much this week.”
“Are you cracked out, D? Why the fuck are you defending Sexy Lexie’s fag ass? Are you in looove with him or something?”
Tally cringed when he heard Brock call Lex “Sexy Lexie” with that condescending hateful voice. He opened his mouth to say something but found it was stuck in his throat.
“Shut the hell up, dude.”
Thank you, Drew
. “I went in there to see Tally, and Lex was there.”
Oh. Well, not as good as defending Lex, but at least “shut up” was part of it.
Tally knew lying about knowing Lex wasn’t the best way for Drew to start his inch-by-inch journey out of the closet, but Tally let it go. The guy clearly wasn’t ready for full disclosure. He was glad that Drew put Brock in his place, though, even before he had a chance to decide if he could.
“Whatever.” Brock looked annoyed, but his face brightened when he spotted the server heading their way. “Here comes the waitress.” He whistled low. “Damn, look at the tits on her! My dick tells me she’s new to this joint.”
Rick and Kyle whistled too, as she came closer, and Drew gave Tally an apologetic grimace. He looked embarrassed. Brock, Rick, and Kyle must’ve behaved the same way everywhere they went. It was the most ridiculous setting for it too. The poor girl had a button up shirt with a vest and long pants. The country club was clearly not Hooters, and she
clearly
wasn’t looking to flirt with some mostly drunk assholes. Tally knew that if he made a big deal about it the guys would leave their waitress alone. He liked that, for some unknown reason, broke-ass barista and all, he was still powerful in their little tribe. Like he realized earlier, it was like nothing had ever changed.
Everyone ordered, Tally and Drew got their salads, the rest of the guys got steaks and burgers. Tally groaned at the pure quantities of meat that were coming to the table. He’d never been what you’d call a vegetarian, but he felt like a little went a really long way, and the thought of a big thick steak was nearly enough to put him off his salad. He wondered for the hundredth time what Amy and Lex were doing and vowed not to get stuck at another boy’s night out the next weekend. Maybe he’d say he had to work. Maybe he’d say he had malaria. Drew apparently didn’t really need his help to stick up for himself against Brock.
He sat and ate his salad silently, wondering to himself how he’d managed to get to this place: eating with old friends he didn’t really like to help someone who was practically a stranger while he left the man he loved at home. If he said it like that it sounded like the stupidest thing in the world he could possibly do.
Not again
. Tally made a promise to himself. After this first night, Drew was on his own.
“Hey, Tally, what do you want to do after this?”
Why the hell are they asking me?
Tally smiled.
Because they actually care what I think.
He felt a perverse thrill from the power. He wasn’t used to it, for sure. At least if he was in charge of the plans there wouldn’t be a damn strip club. Thank fucking God.
“You know, it’s been forever since I went bowling.”

“
H
EY
, babe, you’re home late.” Tally had just crept in after hours of drunken bowling and the requisite trip to the diner for late night breakfast and coffee. Lex rolled over and looked at him with sleepy half-closed eyes.
He’s so beautiful.
Tally had missed him, even after just one evening.

“Yeah. Sorry I woke you up.” He leaned over and gave Lex a soft kiss.
Lex made a face. “Beer and maple syrup? That’s not the best combo.”
Tally chuckled. “I’ll brush my teeth before I come to bed.”
“M’kay,” Lex mumbled and rolled back into the pile of pillows he’d made.
Tally had to wrestle one out from under him when he crawled under the covers. “Hey, you stole all the pillows,” he teased as he tugged ineffectively.
“Can’t sleep when you’re not here.” Lex scooted into Tally’s embrace and pulled an arm around his waist. Tally’s heart did a little double trip, then settled happily. He wriggled until Lex was nestled perfectly against him, back to chest, toes tangling together. Lex traced little patterns along the back of his hand. “So how did your night out with the Brock squad go?”
Tally hesitated. “It was okay. They haven’t changed much.” “How did Brock take the news?”
“Um, didn’t tell him. Next time.”
Lex stiffened slightly. “Next time?”
Tally petted his hand along Lex’s stomach, trying to make him relax again. “Yeah, I said it would be once or twice. I guess it’s going to have to be twice. Tonight didn’t seem like the right time.”
“Hmm.” Lex didn’t say anything more than that, but Tally knew he was annoyed.
One more time. That was all he was going to do. He didn’t really like his old friends… but at the same time he did. It would’ve been impossible to explain the feeling to Lex of wanting to roll his eyes at their stupidity while liking how he was treated like no time had passed. Shit. Didn’t matter. He’d still pick Lex any day. Tally tugged Lex closer and kissed him on the neck.
“Love you,” he whispered. He was answered only by even, deep breathing. Lex was asleep.

I
T WAS
dark still, but Lex had been awake for a while. He hadn’t really slept, actually. Too busy worrying about his relationship. Shit. He’d thought that wasn’t going to happen this time, not like the last time he’d given someone his heart and had it wrung out and stomped beyond the point of recognition.

Lex didn’t know what was up with Tally. It started after the first night he spent with Brock and his old cronies. He’d come back smelling like cigars and looking half-annoyed and half-bemused, but he’d lain down next to Lex and pulled him into his arms like he was happy to be back where he belonged. Lex had ignored the weird feeling in his gut that things weren’t quite the same as they’d been before Tally left.

When he was woken up the next morning by tender lovemaking, he convinced himself that everything was perfect. That was until Tally went out with Brock again. And again. It had been, what, four times? And every time he came back, Tally acted a bit more squirrelly, more distant. He’d have moments where he was exactly like he’d been for the past four months, and then moments where he was almost the Tally he’d been in high school. Lex didn’t know what to make of it, other than the fact that he sure as fuck didn’t like it.

He knew that Tally hadn’t told Brock about them, and it bothered him… it did. But after what he’d been through with his mother, Lex understood that things were feeling unsettled for Tally, that he needed some source of confidence. A place to belong. He only wished there was some way he could show Tally how much
he
loved him and how much they belonged together, and that it didn’t fucking matter if Brock liked him or approved of him or whatever the hell it was that he seemed to be looking for.

Lex’s alarm went off, and he reached over Tally to slam the sleep button. Tally grumbled and turned toward him.
“Morning, babe.” He reached over to cup Lex’s face so he could give him a slow kiss.
“Morning.” Lex almost didn’t kiss Tally, but
damn
, he couldn’t help it. Those morning kisses had quickly become one of his favorite things in the world. He wanted to be able to pull away, though. He felt like he needed to steel himself. He didn’t want to lose the one millionth of a percent of his heart that didn’t already completely belong to Tally in case he ended up turning on Lex like every other fucking guy he’d dated seemed to. Lex went to get up, but Tally pulled him back down.
“Where you going?”
He chuckled. “Open the shop, of course. I’ve gotta get up now.”
Tally rubbed his eyes, then reached out and curled a hand around Lex’s waist. He slipped his thigh around Lex’s hips and hugged him close. It was moments like that when Lex thought that maybe nothing had changed between them, and it would all be just fine.
“What time you want me down there?”
“Ten is fine.” He leaned over and kissed Tally again because kissing him felt just that good. Then he dragged himself out of bed and went to shower.
The morning rush felt good. He managed to get his maybe problems with his boyfriend out of his head and concentrated on whipping up drinks for the long line of customers that he saw every day. He went through the motions, not concentrating on anything but the drink orders and the gossip and the smiles that came from his customers. But then he noticed Tally’s apron draped across the counter where he’d left it the night before, and his mind was filled with everything he’d been avoiding.
He’s acting like a shit, hanging out with his old friends, digging himself back into the closet. He still comes home to you every night. No matter what. And he holds you like he never wants to let go.
There goes the not thinking about it
. Lex wanted to growl. He angrily yanked on a bag of beans. He didn’t notice that they were caught on the cupboard door’s hinge until the damn thing ripped open and beans flew everywhere, spilling and spewing all over his hardwoods, blending in so it would be nearly impossible to clean them all up. He gave an apologetic look to the last of his morning customers. Luckily the line was gone, or else he’d be slipping and sliding on the beans while he tried to pump out all those drinks.
“Don’t worry about it, sweetie,” Mrs. Reynolds, the old school nurse, assured him. “Where’s Tally, anyway? Doesn’t he usually help you in the mornings?”
Lex didn’t want to hear about Tally. Or think about him. Did he want to see him? He wasn’t sure. “He doesn’t come in until ten most weekdays.”
“Oh, well that’s good. Gives you some time off, I suppose. He really is a nice young man now. I’m glad he’s changed so much.”
Not the conversation Lex wanted to be having. He made Mrs. Reynolds her latte and all but shoed her out the door so he could spend some unfulfilling time cleaning up coffee beans that wanted to skitter around everywhere. He nearly dumped the whole dustpan full on the floor when his overhead bell jangled violently.
“Sexie Lexie! Where’s T?”
He knew that voice. He hated that voice.
Oh, Jesus. Brock.
Lex looked up.
And Rick. Fantastic. Does the world hate me today?
“T? Do you mean Tally?”
“Yeah, I mean Tally. Does the fairy juice make you deaf as well as a cocksucker?” Brock laughed and slapped hands with Rick, who was also snickering. Lex wanted to tell them what they could suck, but he tried to be an adult. As much as he could, at least.
“Brock, this is my shop. You need to go if you’re going to act like an asshole.”
“I thought you liked assholes, fag. Isn’t that your
thing
?” Lex clenched his fists and counted to five.
“Tally will be in later today. I think it’s best that you leave.”
“Awwww, are you going to cry, little Lexie? Too bad there isn’t a locker to shove you into. Tally sure did like doing that when we were younger. I bet he hates the fact that he has to work for your fruity ass.”
“Leave, Brock. Now.”
“You know I told him he could come work for me so he didn’t get tainted by your….” Brock made a prissy face and flopped his hand around limply. Rick burst into laughter. Lex wasn’t sure if he was laughing with Brock or at him. Lex would’ve laughed at how big of an ass Brock was making of himself if he wasn’t so angry. But he was. Tally was acting weird because of these guys, these
jerks
, and Lex was mad. Mad that the man he loved was letting his life be run by a pair of overgrown morons. Morons who dared come into his shop and treat him like he was less than they were.
He stormed around the counter and brushed past them as rudely as he could without actually pushing. Then he yanked open the door to his shop and gestured to the sidewalk.
“You’re not welcome here. Leave, before I call the police.”
“I golf with the chief, you fucking ass-pirate. But I’m going. I wouldn’t want to be in here any longer than I had to. Tell Tally we’re on for drinks this Friday. And tell him to get a phone while you’re at it. I’m tired of coming into this dump.”
He left, followed by his stooge, Rick. Lex slumped against the counter, exhausted. He hated confrontation, and he thought he’d been done with Brock the Rock years before. Now it seemed that the only way to get them out of his life would be to remove Tally as well.
What am I going to do?