Forgive and Forget (12 page)

“You look adorable.”

“Thanks. I think.” Joe looked him over. “You look… wow.” He still couldn’t believe how amazing Tom looked. The gladiator costume fit him like a glove. The bronze-colored chest plate with rearing horses made Tom look even bigger and more imposing than usual. His muscular arms were bare except for the cuffs around his wrists, and his legs were as muscular, covered only by his sandal straps going up his calves. The costume had a lush red cape that hung from his shoulders, and a helmet with red plumes that did a good job of concealing a good portion of his face. He looked like he’d stepped off some Hollywood blockbuster set.

“You said that already,” Tom chuckled. In fact Joe had said it several times, but it didn’t make it any less true each time.

“Well, at least you have the legs for it. I could never pull that off. I would have skewered Ken with that plastic sword if he’d sent me a gladiator costume.”

Tom looked down at himself. “I think it’s a centurion.”

“A what now?”

The elevator pinged and they stepped out onto the penthouse floor. There was only one door, and before Tom had a chance to reply, it swung open. A tall, slender, blond man with a wide grin and playful brown eyes stood before them in a very snug sailor’s uniform. Joe looked him over before glancing at Tom and shrugging. “I thought this was a costume party?”

“You bitch!” Ken gasped before throwing himself into Joe’s arms and hugging him tight. Joe laughed and returned his hug.

“Hey, Ken.” Joe greeted him affectionately, allowing him to usher them into the luxurious penthouse apartment. It was packed with guests dancing, drinking, and having a good time. “Tom, this is Ken. We’ve known each other since high school. Ken, this is Tom.”

Ken arched a perfectly shaped brow as he glanced from Joe to Tom and back. A crooked smile spread on his boyish face.
Oh, boy. Here we go.

“We’re, uh, just friends,” Joe said feebly, feeling his cheeks burning.

Ken gave him a look that said he didn’t believe a word of it but would wait until Joe had a few cocktails in him before the interrogation began. He turned to Tom and took his hand.

“Hello, Tom, Joe’s friend.”

“Hello,” Tom said just as cheerfully before leaning over to whisper hoarsely, “we’re more than just friends.”

Joe made a strangled noise, and Ken cackled before giving Tom a big hug. “Oh, Joe, I love him already! Come on, you two. Let’s get some alcohol in you. The bar’s where we’ll find the light of my life.” He paused and gave Joe a wink. “We’ll probably find Gordon there too.”

Joe mumbled something under his breath as Ken led them up the stairs and out onto the roof. Joe had to admit it was stunning. The expansive roof had been transformed into a tropical paradise, from the large palms securing the guests’ privacy and the exotic flower arrangements to the colorful paper lanterns glowing above their heads and cocktails served in coconuts. There were plenty of fire torches to keep the October chill away. They spotted the light of Ken’s life at the large bamboo tiki bar—Gordon, not the booze. Though booze came a close second where Ken was concerned.

Gordon was a good twenty years Ken’s senior, an exceptional surgeon, and as Ken stated, very much the love of his life. Just as sweet was the way Gordon doted on Ken. Joe had always admired their relationship, and at times it made him feel a little wistful. It was at least comforting to know that happily ever after did exist.

Ken leaped on Gordon, throwing his arms around the elegant man dressed like a dashing pirate, and almost made him spill his drink. Joe heard Tom chuckle beside him and turned, catching those bright silver eyes. They both gazed at each other until a look of what could easily be misconstrued as affection flashed in Tom’s eyes. Joe was the first to look away. Gordon had Ken in his arms as they murmured sweetly to each other. Joe had given up some time ago on having what his friends had. Not the wealth part. Joe was never concerned with money. It wasn’t their lifestyle he coveted. To Ken and Gordon, the sun and moon rose and set in their lover’s eyes.

“Darling, Joe’s brought a
friend
,” Ken announced, snapping Joe out of his wistful thoughts. He had to get a hold of himself. This was a party, even if he wanted to groan at Ken’s emphasis on the word “friend.”

Gordon smiled warmly at Joe and gave him a firm handshake, his hazel eyes filled with amusement. “Joe, it’s so nice to see you again. It’s been too long.”

“I know. I’m sorry. You know how time gets away from me when I’m at the shop. Gordon, this is Tom.”

“Joe’s friend,” Ken pitched in. In case anyone had forgotten in the last ten seconds. Gordon shook Tom’s hand, and Joe took the opportunity to lean behind Gordon and stick his tongue out at the chipper sailor. Ken just laughed.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Tom said with a broad grin.

Joe noticed Ken’s hand subtly disappear behind his lover’s back. Gordon turned to Joe.

“Joe, I’ve got a couple of friends I want you to meet. They work in my hospital and just about need resuscitating every time I bring one of your pies in. They’d love to meet you.” He turned to Ken and gave his cheek a peck. “Why don’t you get Tom a drink, darling?”

“Of course.” Ken smiled and returned his lover’s kiss before taking Tom’s arm.

Did they really think Joe didn’t know what they were up to? Subtlety was not a part of Ken’s vocabulary. Before Joe could utter a word, Ken had whisked Tom away. It would be fine. Maybe if Joe told himself that enough times, he might actually believe it.

THE
moment Gordon and Joe were out of earshot, Ken pounced. “You won’t try and hide anything from me, will you?”

Tom turned his gaze away from Joe to smile at Ken.

“That was quite smooth. Years of practice?”

“Are you kidding? Finding your way around Joe is like trying to find your way through a maze blindfolded, while moving backward, with your ankles bound together. In a storm.”

Tom laughed. “That sounds about right.” His smile faded and he couldn’t help the soft sigh that escaped him. “Someone hurt him pretty bad.”

Ken led Tom over to one of the smaller bars and they put in their orders. “Joe told you?”

“He won’t talk about it. I just know something happened that really hurt him. Every time I think he’s starting to let me in, he pulls away.” Someone had really done a number on Joe, but Tom didn’t want to pry or push.

Ken nodded somberly. “When Joe’s ready, he’ll tell you.”

“I wish there was something I could do to make Joe understand I would never hurt him. I really care about him.” He took a sip of his drink. Man, he needed to lighten up. This was a party, one he was attending with Joe. Not the time to be sulking. “So how did you and Gordon meet?”

“You’d never believe it, but I ended up on his operating table. I was rushed to the hospital after suffering from appendicitis. I remember being in so much pain and then blacking out. When I woke up, the surgeon was there, and I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. There he was, standing over me. The most gorgeous man I’d ever met.” Ken sighed and twirled the little umbrella in his drink. “He saved me twice that day.”

“That’s got to be the sweetest thing ever. Next to Joe, that is.”

Ken clamped a hand over his mouth to contain his delighted giggle. Managing to compose himself, he leaned in close. “You more than just care about him, don’t you?”

“Oh?” Tom asked.

“You should know that Joe has
never
,
and I do mean never, brought anyone to any of our parties. Ever. I really didn’t expect him to come, much less ask for two costumes. That says a lot, believe me. Tell me. What’s Joe said to you?”

“This is Joe we’re talking about, remember?” Tom mumbled. “He’s just….”

“Stubborn? Pigheaded? Wouldn’t know love if it came shimmying down the drainpipe with neon signs and trumpets blaring? If he did actually recognize it, would then think he didn’t deserve it and try to run from here to Timbuktu?”

“Wow, you really do know him well. I think he cares about me. He’s been amazing. It feels right, being with him. But if I get too close, he bolts.”

“Wow.” Ken whistled. “He has got it bad.”

“So… running away is a good thing?” If that was the case, then Joe was nuts about him.

“Joe has a habit of letting his emotions run away with him, but he’s good at covering it up when it happens. It’s all part of that goofy charm of his. The idea of being in love scares the hell out of him, which is understandable, but someone has to teach him that if he doesn’t take a risk, he’ll never get what he wants. Everyone’s got buttons. Even Joe. We just need to find the right one and push it.”

Tom studied Ken warily. The look on his face made him a little nervous. He looked like a cat ready to pounce. “Oh?”

“Don’t you worry, handsome. I know Joe better than Joe knows himself.” He spotted Joe still chatting to Gordon, then looked toward the other end of the roof. “Tom, I’d like to introduce you to someone. Well, some
ones
.” He grabbed Tom’s hand and led him across the roof to a group of young men, flirting and tasting each other’s cocktails.

“Boys,” Ken purred, getting the attention of the five pretty young men—all of whom looked to be in their twenties. They were dressed in Greek togas. “Tom, meet the Brooklyn Brats.”

“Hello,” Tom said nervously as five blond heads and five pairs of sparkling blue eyes all turned simultaneously toward him, their pink lips smiling widely.

“They’re brothers,” Ken whispered. “They’re also scandalous, hell on earth, notoriously flirty, and
love
a good soldier. Have fun.”

Before Tom could utter a word, Ken was gone and the five blonds were devouring him with their eyes before slowly circling him.

So, this is what it feels like to be thrown to the lions.

JOE
finished telling Ken and Gordon about the circumstances surrounding Tom’s sudden appearance in his life, making sure to leave out the parts with the men looking for Tom. He trusted his friends wholeheartedly. Not only were they good people, but they fussed over him as much as Bea and the kids, if not more so. Joe felt guilty for not keeping in touch as much as he wanted. He had a habit of hiding away in his own little world.

“If I were you, I’d take that as a sign,” Ken said with a grin. He took another sip of his cocktail, a mischievous look in his eyes.

“Yeah, a sign that you need help,” Joe grumbled, tightening his hands around the whip. He was grateful for the prop. He wouldn’t have known what to do with his hands otherwise, seeing as his pants had no pockets. Well, fake pockets. What was it with clothes and fake pockets? What was the point? They were deceptive, and evil. “You’re suggesting I shack up with a guy I found outside my doorstep because he’s good-looking.” Not that he’d been doing less scandalous things with Tom already, but his friends certainly didn’t have to know that.

Ken waved his concerns away. “Don’t be silly. He’s not just a gorgeous man you found on your doorstep. He’s Tom. You’ve been living with him for a few weeks now, spending all day and night with him. So what if you don’t know where he’s from or what his job is? What’s it matter compared to having someone completely crazy about you?”

Joe choked on his drink, then murmured, “Thank you,” to Gordon for the napkin to wipe the dribble off his chin. Classy. “Who said he’s crazy about me?”

Ken shrugged.

“No, Ken, no—” He mimicked Ken’s shrug. “Use words. Words that make sense to normal people like me and Gordon.” That got a snort from Ken.

“Normal? Honey, normal people don’t stick their heads in household appliances. Besides, who wants to be normal when you can have a Roman centurion?”

“When did everyone become such an expert in Roman history?” Joe frowned. At the puzzled expressions he sighed. “I thought he was a gladiator.”

Gordon shook his head. “Gladiators were combatants. Centurion’s had the helmets with the plumes. They were officers of the Roman armies.”

Joe was uninspired. “Thanks, professor. I’ll make sure to brush up on my history lesson before the next costume party.” He’d started to open his mouth when he heard a gaggle of laughter and titters erupt from the corner of the roof. Craning his neck around Ken, his jaw nearly unhinged at the sight of the Brooklyn Brats all over Tom. “When the hell did he become such a social butterfly?”

“Hmm?” Ken casually turned to see what Joe was scowling at. “Looks like he’s quite the catch. They’re practically throwing themselves at his feet.”

“Among other things,” Joe grunted, his eyes narrowing at the spectacle. “Those little hussies! Look at them. They’re shameless.” One blond Adonis was hanging on to Tom’s left bicep. Another was tugging at the hem of his tunic. A third was running his fingers through the helmet’s plumes and giggling. The fourth was wrapping himself in Tom’s cape, and the fifth wasn’t bothering with any subtlety at all as he ran his finger slowly down the faux sword attached to Tom’s belt. The man himself seemed to be completely unawares, standing there chatting away. My God, he couldn’t be that oblivious. Could he? “Someone should save him.”

“Maybe he doesn’t want saving,” Gordon mused. “Most men don’t when caught in their clutches. After all, they’re very picky about their prey. Everyone knows they only sink their teeth into the best meat.”

Joe shot him a glare. “Tom’s not meat, and he’s not interested in becoming their prey, either. Besides,” he purred, fluttering his lashes, “he’s crazy about me.”

“Maybe he’s tired of waiting for you to reciprocate?” Ken countered most nonchalantly, his eyes everywhere but on Joe.

“What do you mean?” Joe asked, feeling the blood drain from his face.

“Well, I mean, the man might not remember who he is, but surely you don’t expect him to wait around for you forever, do you? He might meet someone else who doesn’t find his lack of identity a problem and steal him from you.”

“Well, considering he’s not mine to begin with, they wouldn’t be stealing,” Joe said haughtily, though his heart was fighting him on that one. What if Tom really was waiting for him? He was always so sweet and affectionate, always the one to initiate things. Sometimes he thought maybe Tom did it because he was grateful to Joe, but the more he thought about it, the less he believed that. From the very beginning, Tom wore his heart on his sleeve, always being open and honest with Joe.