Keep Swimming (10 page)

“
Sorry it’s so big. I told the sales clerk lady he was four and—” he held out his hands “—this big. She said that size should work.” He blushed, he couldn’t help it when all the moms gave him the 'you  poor, bumbling idiot' look.

“
It’s perfect,” Cary said. Gus didn’t just thank him like he did the rest, though. He jumped from Cary’s lap and ran over to hug Heath’s leg. Heath may have had dust in his eye for a second there.

When Gus ran back over to finish with his presents Celine nudged him with her shoulder. She was smiling at him. “Well done.”

He sighed. “I tried. For my nephew they wanted socks and sweaters, no toys. But I saw the boat and… Yeah. It’s just so big. A 4T, she said.”

“
Ah, yes. But this is good. He’s small now, but he’ll grow into it.”

“
So it wasn’t the right size?”

“
Our Gus was a preemie, so he’s always been small.” Huh, that was news. “He’s still a 2T. But parents always love to get larger clothes. Maybe by Halloween he will be able to wear it, no?”

He nodded, not taking his eyes off Cary and Gus.

“He did not tell you Gus was premature?” she asked. He shook his head. “Ah, yes. Only a month early but enough to be worrisome. He was very small. But Cary would have none of our sympathy. He just did it. Sat with that baby until he was out of the NICU. This is why he did not say anything, I’m sure. It was such a non-issue for him. This was his son. He did what he had to do, you understand?”

Heath did understand, and he smiled at Celine to let her know. He just couldn’t get over it, though. No wonder the Whitmore boys had barreled into his life and bowled him over. He never had a choice. They were fighters, they were strong and beautiful and he hadn’t realized until that moment how lucky he was that Gus was alive, how lucky he was Cary had given him a chance, and what a gift Cary had given in sharing his little blessing. And didn’t it beat all that he considered a child a blessing. He hadn’t thought that about his own.

“
Sometimes things just work out how they’re supposed to.”

Heath kept his eyes on Cary, watching as they finished presents, and Cary slipped into the kitchen to pour himself some tea. Heath slipped in behind him and Cary started when he turned around. “Hey, you, you surprised me. Having an okay time? Sorry it’s so crazy but it shouldn’t last much longer.”

“You’re amazing, you know that.” Statement, not a question. Cary’s eyes held a question as his face flushed. Heath bent his head and kissed Cary firmly, placing a hand over Cary’s heart. God, but this man was something he didn’t even know he’d wanted, yet here he was, kissing him, changing his whole fucking life.

Now Heath just had to figure out how to keep it. And fuck knows he wanted that more than anything. But could he change everything about his life after just four months? He didn’t know the answer to that, but looking at the contented look on Cary’s face as he place his head on Heath’s chest and hugged him tight, he didn’t think he had much of a choice.

Cary was not having a good week. Inventory had been off, he wasn’t sure how, but that wasn’t enough to really hurt profits. What had been the kick in the teeth had been when the refrigerator had given out the night before while they’d been closed, so not only had he been out fresh ingredients, lost business during the day because they were missing favorite menu items, and had to replace the fresh items; he’d had to buy a new refrigerator.

Thankfully, they’d had a little money in reserve to help with those things, but it was still enough of a hit to make Cary flinch when he crunched the numbers and saw how badly they’d done for the week, financially. Then Gus had gotten sick again and had to be rushed to the emergency room and there’d been no one to help with the shop, so he’d had to close for the day.

Now he was playing catch up, running around like he’d lost his head. And he hadn’t seen Heath in almost three weeks. Heath and his team had a class they had to take in Houston for the company, so he was losing a few days of off time. Then Heath’s parents had called him to come help with a repair project on their house. Heath’s dad had had a stroke a few years back and needed help with heavy work around home, so Heath volunteered to fly there, promising he’d spend the weekend with Cary when he got back.

Of course Cary understood. He wasn’t a jerk, and he knew Heath loved his parents. Cary wouldn’t call his dad if his house was on fire, but they’d been estranged for so long that thinking about it didn’t even bother him anymore. Cary just missed his boyfriend. Missed his smell and his laugh and waking up with him. He was well and truly in love with the man. Five little months and he wasn’t sure how he’d ever deal if Heath were to leave his and Gus's lives.

But Heath was more and more affectionate, loving. They still hadn’t said the words, but Cary felt it in his bones, they were solid. He hoped. He was getting a little antsy, wanting to say the words, wanting to hear them back. But he was trying not to push. Heath had made such strides from childless bachelor to boyfriend who made an effort to be involved. And five months really wasn’t all that long was it?

No. No, he wouldn’t sweat it. He’d let go of the reigns and let it happen. They were good. Things were awesome. Heath had only six or so more months before he could quit the off-shore job, then the pressure would be off, the closet door all the way open. Cary could give the man a few more months.

But fuck… Could this week get any worse? He could at least use a hug from Heath instead of a few text messages a day.

“
Hey, Cary. I, uh, think you should come handle this,” Kent said, peeking his head in the office.

Cary groaned. “Please don’t let it be more bad news.”

Kent’s expression didn’t give Cary much confidence. He shoved back from his desk and walked out into the store front.
This is what you get for asking if things can get worse.

There, with his news reporter hair and chiseled jaw, stood Marshall freakin’ Keller, dressed to the nines. “M-Marshall?” Cary stuttered, not sure what to think.

“That’s who I was afraid it was,” Kent mumbled behind Cary.

“
What are you doing here?” Cary asked, scowling.

Marshall had the grace to look contrite. “Sorry to bother you at work. But I’m not in town long and… I really wanted to talk to you.”

“What for? I can’t imagine there’s much to say?”
Why now? Why this week?

“
I won’t beg, but I’d appreciate if you’d hear me out.”

Cary turned to Kent and held his breath, counting silently.

“I can get rid of him,” Kent said.

Cary shook his head. “No, I’ll deal with it. Don’t want him popping up every time he comes to town.” Kent gave a curt nod after looking at Cary like he was insane. Yeah, he probably was. Part of him wanted to know what Marshall had to say. Oh, he was well and truly over the man, but the righteously indignant part of him wanted to know what the jerk wanted.

“Follow me,” Cary said over his shoulder, going into the back. No way would he lock them in the small office. The office was full of him and Heath, their first time. No, if Marshall wanted to sit, he could sit on the stacked bags of dry dog food.

When Marshall finally came in, he looked around. “You’ve done great things with the place. One of the vets I know said she recommends your stuff to her clients all the time.”

“Really? You want to make small talk?”

Marshall bowed his head, putting his hands in his pocket. “No.” He looked up, not quite meeting Cary’s eyes. “I just… You look good, Care.”

“Thanks,” Cary snapped, crossing his arms over his chest.

“
My dad tells me Gus is four now. That’s crazy.”

“
Still with the small talk?”

Marshall winced at Cary’s tone. “Sorry, just. I like the name. Gus. Very you.”

“Very Gus. He’s… he’s great. No thanks to you,” Cary said petulantly. Didn’t he just sound like a high schooler. He’d imagined this scenario a million times and this is not how he’d pictured it going. “Again… please… get to the point, Marshall. It’s been a long week.”

“
I just wanted to check on you, I guess. I know I have no right, but my dad with the old Jewish guilt keeps me up to date, so I can have my asshole behavior rubbed in my face once a month.”

“
Do you want me to apologize for him?”

“
No. I deserve it.” He clasped his hands together. “He tells me you’ve found someone that treats you and Gus well, and I guess I felt jealous when I heard it and since I was in town…  I had to see for myself how badly I fucked up.”

Cary threw his hands up. “Seriously? This is what? Some kind of self-flagellation?”

Marshall closed his eyes and sighed. “Yeah. You could call it that. And I guess I thought you deserved to really cuss me out.”

“
I try not to cuss. Little ears.”

“
Not gonna give me the satisfaction, huh?” Marshal asked with a wry grin. “Some things never change. I have missed you. And I am sorry. I know my reasons were horrible, but I’m glad you’ve been happy. If you need anything…”

“
We don’t.”

“
Fair enough.” Marshall edged toward the door.

“
So… that’s it?” Cary was a little flabbergasted.

“
I didn’t come to disrupt your life. I just thought you deserved that apology. I appreciate you letting my dad have contact with your son.”

“
He didn’t leave, Marshall.” Marshall’s shoulders rounded. Without another word, he was gone, leaving  Cary to gape at the door. Had that really just happened?

“
You okay, boss?” Kent said, coming into the back.

“
I’m… Wow.”

“
That didn’t last long.”

“
Just long enough to make my blood pressure go through the roof,” Cary snarled. “That was the strangest thing I’ve ever experienced.”

“
Do you need to head out?”

Cary went into the office and kicked his rolling chair for good measure before slumping into it. Kent behind him. “No. I’ll be fine. I need to keep my mind off this terrible week. Which he
would
show up this week, right? Like I needed more to deal with.”

“
Don’t they always appear when you need them least,” Kent said, patting Cary’s shoulder. “If I can do anything, let me know.”

Cary pulled a Heath and grunted before turning back to his computer. Marshall Keller. Who’d have imagined that twist to his week? He realized he was gnashing his teeth. He wasn’t angry for himself. He was angry for Gus. Though, he shouldn’t be. Gus had plenty of people in his life to love and care for him. But Marshall had abandoned Gus and that was beyond unforgivable.

Cary leaned back in his chair and ran his fingers through his hair. Heath, he needed to see Heath. He needed a hug from Gus, too. He needed his guys. He pulled out his phone to see if he had any new messages and sure enough
Heath
.

Be home tonight. Come out if you can get away, if not I’ll come there tmo.

Cary smiled. Finally, a bright spot. One more crappy thing this week and he was seriously gonna yank his hair out in chunks.

Great. See you tonight.
He replied.

He could run home, beg Celine, give Gus love and go get a few minutes with his guy, even if he couldn’t stay the night it’d be worth it just for a few minutes to catch his breath, and maybe an orgasm.

Heath was fucking exhausted. It had been a crazy week, and worse, he knew Cary’s week had been shit. He was so happy to be home. Driving the twenty minutes from the airport seemed to be taking longer than any other leg of the journey. He could already smell his own sheets, feel Cary wrapping around him.

Before the unscheduled trip to his parents' house, it’d been work and classes, constant ragging from the guys who’d overheard him saying goodbye to a Cary so they figured out he was seeing someone, though they figured it was a girl. He supposed at least with that assumption he didn’t have to pussyfoot. He didn’t know why he hadn’t thought of it yet, but no one would accuse him of being smart. Though, allowing them to assume Cary was a girl smarted, knowing Cary would probably be hurt by it. Cary had been more understanding about Heath being in the closet than other guys he’d fooled around with.

Cary was just… Cary. Heath still couldn’t believe he’d gotten so lucky, knew he didn’t deserve it. He was almost there, though. If Cary could just hold out a little longer, he’d be able to be out and not worry about becoming fucking shark bait.

When he pulled in the marina’s parking lot he noticed a couple of pickups with people sitting on the tailgates. They appeared to be drinking. It wouldn’t be the first time Heath’d had to run off local kids who thought once it was dark the parking lot would be deserted. He was technically the only person who
lived
there but that still didn’t mean a bunch of kids should hang out, breaking bottles and fucking up the —

“
Oh, fuck,” he said, smacking his steering wheel. He pulled in the lot beside the trucks.

“
Woo! It’s Cummings!” was followed by a chorus of “Cummings!”
Fuck, fuck, fuck!

“
Guys,” he said. “What are you doin’ here?”
Seriously, what the fuck?

“
We told you we were coming,” one of the welders on his team, Roy, said. There were four of them and… even better, they’d brought dates.

“
I don’t remember hearing that.”

“
Hell, yeah,” said another driller, John. “We said we’d come down to celebrate bein’ done with that damn class.” Then they all cheered and clinked their beer bottles together. He remembered a conversation similar to that but he didn’t realize…

“
So here were are.” John said, throwing an arm around Heath’s shoulder. The bastard smelled like beer was leaking from his pores. Oh wait, that was the beer he was spilling on Heath’s shirt. Heath ducked out from under the man’s arm.

“
I didn’t know y’all meant my boat. I can’t sleep this many people,” he said, wiping the beer off himself  best as he could. He pulled his duffel from the back of his Jeep.

“
Sure you can,” a female voice piped up. Heath closed his eyes, realizing just how much trouble he was about to be in. That voice was Chastity—Charity? Christy! He looked at her and she smiled, lashes fluttering. “You got room for eight, especially if we double up.”

“
Ain’t gonna happen,” he said, leaving no room for argument. “How drunk are y'all?”

“
We been here three hours waitin’ for your sorry ass,” Roy said. They were all pretty wasted.

“
Y’all aren’t staying, but you can hang out until I can get a designated driver out here. We’ll get y’all settled at the Motel 6 over in Navarre. It’s cheap and beach front.”

That was met with an unhappy chorus of groans and curse words.
Fuck.
He immediately pulled out his phone, dialing Cary. It rang several times but went to voicemail.
Must still be at work.

He dialed Kyle who picked up after a few rings. “Yo?”

“I have a drunk crew from my rig who decided to drop in for the fucking weekend and Cary on his way. I need them gone, like now.”

“
Shiiiit,” Kyle said, drawing it out. Heath heard a few thunks and bangs. “Okay. On it. Should be there in about fifteen. Maybe I can take ‘em to my boat? Think that’ll keep ‘em happy?”

“
Whatever you gotta do. They just can’t be on mine.”

“
On my way.” They disconnected and Heath boarded the
Keep Swimming
. He hoped like hell the drunk brigade would stay ashore, but of course that hope burst as the yacht rocked with all of them hopping on the deck.

“
Okay, guys. My buddy is on his way to take you over to his boat where you won’t be bothering me.”

That seemed to please them more than the motel idea, all of them whooping noisily. Good thing he didn’t have neighbors, otherwise he may be evicted. This was fucked. And if Cary showed up while they were here, there had to be a way to keep the bullshit to a minimum. They were drunk anyway, so they’d probably not even notice if he slipped Cary inside and explained the fuck up to him.

He tried calling Cary’s cell once more while he went down to his room to drop his duffel. “C’mon, answer…”

“
You’ve reached Cary—” He punched the end button.

“
Fuck!” He threw his phone down, yanking the beer soaked t-shirt over his head and going into the bathroom to wash the smell off his hands and shoulder. He stomped back in his room, cursing the universe and the ugly damn stars, hoping Kyle would hurry his ass up. He heard banging around in the galley and realized the guys were now raiding his beer.
Fucking great. Just great.
Just what he needed, for them to get trashed and pass out all over the place. Five more minutes and he was just gonna kick their asses out.

He went to his dresser and yanked open drawers, finding no clean shirts. Everything in his duffel was dirty, too, waiting to go over to Cary’s for laundry day. He had an
aha!
moment and went for Cary’s drawer. He pulled out the large black 13 Bar t-shirt Cary sometimes slept in. When he turned back to his room, fuck.
Fuck.
There was Christy.

“
Long time no see, Heathy.”
Oh, she’s the Heathy one.

“
Yeah, what’s up? Y’all need something out there?”

“
No, your boys are good. I just thought I’d come check on you. Been a while,” she purred. She placed a hand on his chest, and God help him, but his body responded, of course it responded. He liked women, he had
had
this particular woman. For all her purring and words like
Heathy
he remembered her body. Hell, he hadn’t had sex in three weeks and he was so wound up with wantin’ Cary, the wind coulda done it for him right now, but dammit, he didn’t want her body and he felt guilty for even getting hard.

“
Christy, I can’t. I’m seeing someone, okay?”

“
Don’t be a pussy!” One of the guys called into the room.  Christy laughed low in her throat, casting her eyes down at his hard-on.

“
Doesn’t look like your body wants to say no.” Her hand started moving down his chest, to his stomach. He didn’t want this. He wanted Cary, his body, his arms around him. Yeah, he liked women but he
loved
Cary. His body may say yes to fucking a potato, but he wouldn’t do this to Cary. He had to think of a way to get out of this situation. Seemed the 'seeing someone' thing was working for the roughneck groupie. Of course, that was his rude ass cock’s fault. She had enough booze in her—he could smell it on her breath—that only a flat out
fuck off
was going to work.
Please don’t let her make a damn scene. And what do I do if she does?

“
Look, —”

“
What in the hell?” Heath felt all the color bleed from his face. Christy frowned and looked toward the door.

“
Oh, hey, it’s kennel boy. You have a cute kid,” she slurred a little. Cary’s eyes were wide with shock, chin trembling.

“
Ca—” Fuck. He couldn’t say his name. They guys.

“
Sorry kennel boy, we’re a little busy,”  Christy purred. “Unless you want to join?” Cary’s eyes flicked down to Heath’s hard-on, which had flagged considerably, but not enough to be missed. Damn thing. A tear slid down Cary’s cheek and he stormed out.

“
Fuck!” Heath bellowed, shoving  away. He followed, waving the guys off when they tried to ask him what his friend’s deal was. Christy called after him, but he
had
to get to Cary. He’d blocked out any possible repercussions with his co-workers, he had to get there before Cary left.

He made it just as Cary was unlocking his car. “Cary, stop!”

When Cary looked up, Heath’s heart stopped. His cheeks were tracked with tears, he looked utterly distraught. “What, Heath? What could you possibly want?”

“
Cary, just listen.”

“
Shouldn’t you get back to Christy?”

“
Cary, I tried to call you and warn you. Kyle is on his way to get them. And nothing fucking happened!”

“
Because I walked in. You looked like you were having a pretty
hard
time.” Cary wasn’t crying out of despair any more, but out of sheer anger.

“
Cary, no. I was about to tell her to fuck off. I just had to do it without gettin’ her wound up and—”

“
Outing you? What would you have done if she
had
gotten wound up?”

Heath paused, he’d wondered that himself, but he knew he wouldn’t have done anything. He wouldn’t. “Cary.”

Apparently the pause before his answer had been a mistake because Cary threw his hands up. “No. See, this… you can have sex women. I get that. I accept that. You
like
being with them, so would it be torture to do it if it meant keeping those guys off your back?”

“
Yes! I wouldn’t do that to you!”

Cary shook his head, scoffing. “Even if you didn’t plan on doing anything, how far would you go to stay in your closet? Where’s your line? I’m okay with your closet, I just didn’t realize being in it made you untrustworthy.”

“That’s not fair.” Heath was freaking out. He didn’t know what to say.

“
No, what’s not fair was me having to walk in on
that
.” Heath opened his mouth to speak but he heard his name being called and looked back to see one of the guys calling him back.

Cary leveled Heath with his gaze. “Well, you’ve got a party to attend. And don’t worry, your closet door's closed tight. Go have fun with Christy
.
”

“
Cary, just give me twenty minutes. Kyle is getting them out of here and I’ll come over.”

“
Fuck. You.” Cary snapped. Heath reeled back. His Cary didn’t talk to people like that. His Cary never cussed beyond the occasional
hell
or
damn
unless they were in the middle of having sex. Heath’s heart dropped at the harsh words being directed at him.

“
Cary?”

Cary hopped in his car, cranked it and backed away. So many things had happened in the last fifteen goddamn minutes he didn’t know which to respond to first. The only thing he knew was he’d fucked up. Again. And he didn’t think dirt clodded daisies would fix it this time.

He stood there, watching as Cary's tail-lights disappeared, and a minute after, until Christy walked up behind him and wrapped nimble fingers around his bicep. “What’s your friend’s problem?”

He glared at her, jerking his arm from her grip. She looked stunned, but headlights blinding them stopped either of them from saying anything. A familiar SUV pulled up beside them and Kyle stuck his head out. “Drunk Express at your service.” He frowned when he recognized Christy and flicked his eyes up at Heath. “Please tell me I made it before Cary.”

Heath’s shoulders slumped and he choked on any words he had. He shook his head and when Christy touched him again he looked at her and fucking
roared
in her face. She took several steps back, eyes wide. “Get. The fuck. Off of me!” he bit out.

“
Oh, fuck,” Kyle said. He bound from the SVU and followed silently behind Heath.

As he climbed aboard he couldn’t see any more. His vision was blurry for some goddamned reason. It wasn’t like seeing red, or even like being angry. His chest hurt so bad. He started pounding it, trying to stop the ache. When one of the guys tried to ask him a question, he snatched the bottle out of the man's hand and slung it across the room. Then he did it to the next guy.

“Out! Get the fuck out!” he bellowed. “Now!”

He went to his room and banged against the closet door, then hit his chest again, trying to get that damn fucking piece of shit aching to stop.

“Hey, buddy. Hey, hey, hey…” Kyle’s voice was soothing and when Heath turned to him, he had his hands in front of him, motioning for him to bring it down a notch.

“
What the
fuck
?!” His yell was hoarse, then he plopped to sitting on the bed and dug his fingers in his chest. Why wouldn’t it
stop hurting
?