Their Reason Page 7

  “That doesn’t make you selfish.” Red shifted to face Bull and brought their joined hands into his lap. “It means we need to find the right balance, maybe even simplify a little.”

  “I was thinking about that too. You know Ty’s been talking about buying that building on the other side of the lot for a bike shop. The bay he’s in really isn’t big enough to do custom builds. Billy would go work for him in a heartbeat. He’s good on cars, but his first love is bikes. And Ty told me Chris has been going in on Saturdays to work with him. The boy was a quick learner when he first came to the shop, and when I sent him for classes, he aced them all. I have no doubt he’d take to bikes just as easily.”

  “You mean Billy and Chris would leave the garage?” Red was shocked at the idea. The garage had become a symbol of their family in his mind. He just couldn’t imagine the guys not being there or new guys coming in.

  “If that’s what they wanted.” Bull looked over and read his concern easily. “Whether they worked for me or not, it doesn’t change who they are to us. If we were across the lot from each other, we could help each other out.”

  “Would you bring in new guys?” Red wasn’t sure how he felt about new faces in the garage. The dynamic they had worked really well.

  “Yeah. There is a guy right now at the FTR that might be a fit for the garage. Jared speaks very highly of him.” They both knew was saying a lot. “Jared isn’t long for the FTR. He and Alaric are working on a project, and I’m interested to see where it goes.”

  “The Forgotten Soldier project.” Red heard them talking about it and knew Bull was interested. “I was wondering how long it was going to take before you said you wanted in. But how would that work? We’re talking about lightening the load.”

  “I’d offer Saul a full partnership deal in the garage.” Bull glanced over to gauge his reaction, but Red couldn’t claim to be surprised. “The man is an awesome mechanic and could easily go somewhere else to make more money, or start his own shop. Becoming a full partner solves that problem and frees me up to get involved in Jared’s project.”

  No, Red was not surprised at all. Now that Durango was out of the way, he knew Saul was ready to plant permanent roots. “Are you considering his proposal to buy the house?”

  “Sure. It’s already pretty much his and, while I fully expect turnaround in the garage, I think the house has its permanent residents. Originally, when I bought the house, I considered it a stopover between the FTR and wherever these guys would settle. Now I see they’ve become a unit, a little family, and that communal living is working for them.” Again, Bull glanced his way and Red had to smile.

  “They’re your businesses, Jon, I don’t want a say in what you do with them.” They had no trouble communicating and bounced ideas off each other all the time, but when it came to business, Bull was a man used to making things happen without consulting anyone. He’d started the garage, made real estate investments, and went into the FTR without having a partner to consider. Now they were married and he could see Bull wondering if he should be asking instead of telling. “Now, if you want my opinion, I think going into partnership with Saul and selling him the house is a great idea. And, yeah, I know turnaround is inevitable, but I like the idea of Ty building his new business next door to yours.”

  “Yeah, he’s a pain in the ass, but he grows on ya.” Bull laughed.

  “I’ve been doing some thinking too.” If Red were being honest with himself, it was a knee jerk reaction that had him taking just about every opportunity that came his way. After fighting to survive, to be given a chance, the idea of turning down anything made him feel like he was slacking. And if he slacked for even a second, everything he worked for would somehow disappear. It took some serious soul searching, but he knew if he was going to make a go of his own business, it would need his entire focus. “I’d really like to see if I can grow the graphic art business and I don’t want to have to give up our free time to do it. I could continue to do the books for you and Owen a few hours a week, then devote the rest of my time to my business. It would mean finding someone for the day to day tasks, but, yeah…I’ve been thinking about it.”

  “That’s your business and I don’t want a say in it. Now, if you’re asking my opinion, I don’t want to give up our free time to either of our businesses anymore.” Bull grinned as he parroted his words back to him. “I’d really like us to have time to do more things like this.”

  Red looked around and realized where they were. “The cliffs?”

  “Well, it is on your list.” Red shifted in his seat, trying to see as Bull paid the fee and parked the car. “Come on, before you strain your neck.”

  Red hopped out of the car and together they walked hand in hand across the lot and up the path. They stopped at the top of the path and took in the view before them. Majestic was the only word he could think of to describe the Cliffs of Moher. Other than a few puffy clouds, the sky was clear, turning the water a deep navy blue, with waves crashing and foaming against the rocks. Beautiful rock formations stretched out on either side of them and he couldn’t decide what to look at first.

  Bull wrapped his arms around him from behind and nuzzled his ear. “Think the tourists would mind if I made love to you right here?”

  “This view just might be worth a night in jail,” Red teased, tipping his head back for a real kiss. “Thank you for bringing me. The pictures didn’t do it justice.”

  Bull considered that before saying, “Maybe the right artist can do a better job.”

  At Bull’s expectant smile, Red frowned. “I’ll do my best to sketch it from memory when we get home, but I make no promises.”

  “Hmm.” Bull took his hand and led him up the path to the right. They walked for a while, taking pictures and climbing O’Brien’s Tower, and Red was sorry he hadn’t put the sketchpad in the car. Actually, he was surprised Bull hadn’t hidden it in the car. Bull knew how much pleasure he got from drawing and, ever since Rory’s birth, they rarely walked out with the door without Bull asking if he had his tablet or sketchpad. Having planned this surprise, it seemed odd that Bull skipped that detail.

  “Mr. Connor?” They both turned and nodded at the young woman observing them. “I’m Maura. Siobhan from the Limerick Strand asked me to meet you and make sure everything was to your liking.”

  “Thank you.” Bull gestured for her to precede them and winked when Red looked at him curiously. “I hope it wasn’t too much trouble.”

  “Not at all,” Maura assured them as she led them up a little hill. There, away from the crowd but with an amazing view of the famed cliffs, a blanket had been spread and was weighed down with pillows and a picnic basket. Standing beside it was an easel and low stool. “You asked for the best view and, for me, this is it.”

  Maura opened her arms and Red turned to look. “It’s perfect.”

  “I’m glad you think so.” Maura clapped her hands in delight and offered them each a hug. “Congratulations on your marriage. May your days be plenty and your troubles few.”

  As she walked off, Red turned to gape at Bull. “How did you do all this?”

  “Ah, well, I told Siobhan what I wanted and she made it all happen.” Bull sat down on the blanket and dug around in the picnic basket.

  “I love Siobhan.” Red laughed at Bull’s disgruntled expression. “Not as much as I love you, but it’s close.”

  “I suppose I can live with that.” Bull found the book he’d requested, tucked a couple of pillows beneath his head and stretched out. “The food will wait another hour or so. Why don’t you get started?”

  Red leaned down and stole a quick kiss before taking his seat in front of the easel. For a long time he just sat there taking it all in, letting the view and Bull’s romantic gesture inspire him, before he finally picked up the pencil and started working.

  Chapter 12

  We’ve become one of those couples

  “I’m so glad you’re back!” Javier practically jumped them when they c
ame through the door. “How was the trip? Was Ireland awesome? Did you kiss the Blarney Stone?”

  “Hold on, one question at a time.” Red laughed and returned his friend’s hug.

  Javier eased back and looked between them. “Shit, you guys are glowing.”

  Red figured that was a good description. He felt like he was glowing. Being alone with Bull for the last seven days was a little surreal. They agreed before their trip that they weren’t going to put international calling on their cell phone plan, so they were literally cut off from their friends and family back home. If a real, dire emergency had come up, Saul or Alaric would have reached them through the hotel, otherwise they didn’t want any interruptions. It had been amazing, wonderful, and something they wanted more of. Not that they were abandoning the people who needed them, but as both Owen and Javier had told them, they needed to be selfish once in a while. Their relationship deserved it.

  “Did you bring the pictures?” Javier was tugging them into the living room where the rest of the guys were waiting. There were hugs and handshakes and knowing smirks before they were able to sit. The coffee table was covered with snacks and drinks, and Javier was standing over them holding out his hand.

  Red handed over the CD he created and laughed. “We’ve become one of those couples that tortures their friends with their vacation photos.”

  “We have not,” Bull argued as he accepted a beer from Saul. “These morons asked for it.”

  “Don’t lump me in with the morons. This was all Javi’s idea,” Colin grumbled good-naturedly. “I was told to be here or else.”

  “Whatever.” Javier waved that off and came back to sit on the floor between Saul’s legs. “Where’s Kyle?”

  “I’m here, I’m here!” Kyle skidded around the corner, still pulling a t-shirt over his wet head. Red watched in fascination as he greeted his lovers, then stretched out on the floor with his head in Javier’s lap. At the beginning of Javier’s therapy, Red had worried that the relationship wouldn’t be able to survive. No one knew how Javier would be at the end of each session. Sometimes he was so angry, no one was safe, while at other times he seemed to find peace. The rollercoaster had been hard to watch as a friend, and he couldn’t imagine how it had been for Saul and Kyle. Now, several months later, he could see that their love had prevailed. The relationship had been so new, the feelings so tenuous, that a lesser man would have cut his losses long ago. He loved Kyle for loving them enough to put the work in. “Are they glowing?”

  “Right?” Javier and Kyle looked over at them and laughed. They were adorable together and he definitely wasn’t the only one who thought so.

  “Shh, it’s starting,” Liam whispered. Red took in the whole room and smiled. Chris and Owen were curled up on the love seat, and Liam and Billy were sharing a pillow on the floor. Alaric and Davin were stretched out on the chaise on the far side of the couch. Ty and Chase were snuggled together on the recliner, while Ava and Luc were using Saul’s dog, Lola, as their pillow. Now if only Colin and Jacky could find the right partners, it would be perfect.

  “Don’t look at me like that, Red,” Jacky warned without turning his head. “You’re in the honeymoon phase, but if you try to play cupid on my ass, we’re gonna have an issue.”

  “And don’t be turning that arrow on me. I’m happy being single.” Colin declared before Red could even look his way. Maybe he was in the honeymoon phase and was projecting, but was it wrong to want their friends to be as happy as they were?

  Liam twisted to glare at both of them. “Ignore the lonely hearts club and tell us what we’re looking at.”

  Red looked at Bull who just shrugged. It would happen for them when the time was right, just like it was supposed to. “Okay, that’s the view from our hotel room. You guys picked an awesome spot. We were right on the River Shannon and the castle in the distance is King John’s Castle.”

  The pictures scrolled along the screen and they told them about climbing the Blarney Castle to kiss the stone, driving to Dublin to visit the Guinness Storehouse and visiting the Dublin Castle where thousands gathered to celebrate the passing of the marriage equality law in Ireland. He told them about their visit to the Cliffs of Moher and promised to bring out his sketchpad when they were done with the video.

  “For three of the days we just drove around the countryside, taking in all the beautiful views. It’s hard to really describe how amazing it is. Even the pictures don’t do it justice.” Red sighed and snuggled under Bull’s arm as the others gushed over their pictures from the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula and Connemara. “Once you’re out of the populated areas, it’s all so untouched. Rolling hills, cows and sheep dotting the landscape, rainbows every time it rains…it’s magical. Everyone should see it at least once.”

  “So you’re not mad at us anymore for sending you?” Saul asked knowingly.

  “I was never mad, to be honest. We just wanted to celebrate our day with our family. Having you guys in our life is the best gift we could ask for.” Red pointed at Owen. “Yeah, sappy, Hallmark, I know, but it’s true. You all welcomed me into this group and accepted me just as I was. It means the world to me. Bull told me once that family is everything, but he didn’t just mean those who were blood related. He meant those who come into our lives and make it better, who support you unconditionally, accept you without reservation, and love you even when you don’t love yourself. Sometimes those family relations are stronger than blood and that’s how I think of all of you. So call me sappy, I’ll wear the title proudly.”

  “No need to call me out, Red. You’re right. These guys put up with all my shit, so I know exactly how you feel about them.” Owen looked around at all the surprised faces and smiled. “Bull told you true, family is everything and this family is the best a guy could ask for.”

  Owen squirmed when they all continued to stare and it was Saul who finally broke the awkward silence. “I knew we’d wear you down eventually.”

  The shared laughter eased the tension and Javier nudged Kyle up. “Who’s hungry?”

  They converged on the kitchen, jockeying for a seat around the table as Javier and Kyle laid out the food. Red sat back and watched the controlled chaos as food was dished, plates were passed, and every one settled in to eat. Of all the ways they came together, this would always be the ultimate family scene for him.

  “Uncle Chris says they just seem overwhelming, but they’d never hurt you,” Luc whispered confidently at his side. Did Luc think he was afraid of the guys around them? Had Luc been afraid? He supposed from a little boy’s perspective they were intimidating. Big, bold, loud, crass…yeah, they could definitely be overwhelming if you didn’t know how wonderful they were.

  “Oh, I know they—” Red paused as the full meaning of Luc’s words sunk in. He leaned down and whispered back, “Uncle Chris said that?”

  “Uh huh.” Luc looked down the table at Chris who winked back at them. “Shh, it’s a secret, ‘kay?”

  “I promise,” Red assured, his eyes still on Chris who just grinned and kept eating.

  “Aren’t you eating?” Bull put a plate down in front of him and looked between them quizzically. “Something going on?”

  “Just some guy talk.” Red raised his glass and called out over the group, “To family!”

  With his husband by his side and their loved ones around them, he had everything he ever wanted right here in this room. It wasn’t perfect and it wouldn’t always be easy, but they would see it through together…as a family.

  Ceremony Outtakes

  Bull and Red’s wedding has had quite the effect on my guys. Their voices got so loud in my head that they drowned out the focus of this book and I was annoyed because this was not about them. Except it is about all of them, isn’t it? This series is about the connections that make these guys a family. So, without further ado, some conversations overheard during Bull and Red’s wedding ceremony.

  Ty and Chase

  Ty tipped Chase’s head up and smiled
when he saw him trying to blink back tears. One escaped and Ty leaned down to kiss it away. “I can’t promise I’ll be as eloquent when we get married.”

  Chase grinned in real amusement. “You say that as if I’ve already said yes.”

  Ty snorted. “As if you’d say no.”

  “To you, never.” That amused smile softened and Chase leaned in, taking another kiss. “You know I don’t need a ring, or eloquent words, to know what we are together.”

  “What are we together?” Ty wrapped an arm around Chase’s shoulders and tucked him in close. No, they didn’t need rings or even the collar Chase wore to know what they were to each other, and he wasn’t one to say the mushy words often, but he’d come to love hearing them from his boy.

  “Everything,” Chase responded quickly, without thought or hesitation.

  “I need the ring on your finger, Chase.” He thought that would be hard to admit, but it was Chase, so it wasn’t. “We filed all those legal documents and there are still rights we don’t have. I want us to have all those rights, not just to each other, but to Ava and Luc. So that as we walk this journey together, no one will ever be able to stop us from caring for one another. Maybe that’s not the most romantic reason, and I’m sorry for that, but it terrifies me to think that someone could keep me away from you when you need me the most because of some legal loophole.”

  “You keep telling me you’re not good with the words, but you always get them right.” Chase sniffled and begged another kiss. “I love you, Master.”

  “Is that a yes?” Chase just grinned and rested his head on Ty’s shoulder. Of course it was a yes. His boy never said no to him.

  Saul and Kyle

  “Look at how gorgeous he is,” Kyle whispered, leaning close to Saul. He couldn’t stop staring at Javier. He was so used to seeing Javier in jeans and the shop t-shirt that he’d been blown away by their lover all dressed in his wedding finest. Now he was wondering what other plans they could make that would require Javier to get dressed up because their man looked damn fine.