OVERTIME (32 page)

Jagger felt something nudge him. He looked down and Rory was holding out his cell. “What?”

“I want you to hold this the entire time. I’m beginning to understand how your mind works and I don’t want you thinking that I texted Colton and told him you saw him at the airport. I’m going to take you to where Colton is going. You’re going to see what is going on and then you’re going to apologize to me for doubting my boy. After that, we are going to go back to Colton’s boat and you’re going to wait there, like a good little Wildcat, and when he gets home, you’re going to give him the best ride of his life. Got it?”

“That is not going to happen,” Jagger and Riley both said at the same time. Riley’s voice snarling with anger. Jagger’s voice weak.

He was shutting down. He could feel the signs. He needed to be alone.

Rory climbed into the back of Riley’s rented car. “Punch this address into the GPS, assholes. 7241 Haven Lane.”

“I’m pretty sure we’ve already established who the asshole is this morning. No need to add to the list,” Riley countered but he was busy punching in the address Rory had given him. Jagger noted that his eyes would glance in his direction every few seconds. Apparently Riley knew he was on the verge of slipping right over the edge. Riley must have taken the “how-to-deal-with-crazy-friends class” back at the University of Kentucky.

“You’ve got like ten cars behind you, Kentucky. Start driving and pretty please one of you tell me what you thought you saw today. This should be most interesting.” Rory leaned back, completely relaxed like he was telling the truth.

Of course, Jagger knew, first-hand, how well the fucker could lie when it called for it. Whatever tumbled from his mouth was bound to be a big fat lie because honesty was not in Colton or Rory’s vocabulary or lifestyle. Rory was the one that had assured him that Colton was
crazy about him, talked him a fucking ledge, and here he was this morning, taking Colton to meet his girlfriend and kid. No, honesty was clearly not on either of their agendas.

Jagger knew he couldn’t be wrong about Colton. He had seen the transgression with his own eyes. The little boy, looking so lost and nervous, had been a mini-me to Colton. Remembering the pain in the little guy’s eyes made Jagger’s heart ache. Colton needed to spend more time with him, not hide him away so he could have sexual trysts with other guys.

“Let me sum it up for you—we saw Colton with his wife and kid,” Riley spat. “Well, maybe she isn’t his wife, maybe just a girlfriend, but she’s the mother of his child. How the hell can you possibly justify this kind of shit, Rory? I thought you were better than that.”

Rory sat in stunned silence in the back of the car while Riley maneuvered them back onto the highway and started in the direction the GPS chick pointed them. After a few uncomfortable seconds, he burst out laughing. Laughing really hard. Tears rolling down his cheeks laughing. Laughing so hard the back of the car was shaking. The front seats—completely silent and perfectly still.

“You thought that was Colton’s wife and kid? Are you kidding me?” He finally wheezed out. “You both know Colton is gay, right?” He leaned up and got right in Jagger’s personal space. “You should damn well know he’s gay, Wildcat.”

“Clearly he’s bisexual,” Riley cut in. “Sit back and get out of his space. He doesn’t like that shit,” Riley ordered. He was shocked when Rory quickly obeyed.

Rory tilted his head and studied Riley for a few seconds before responding. “You know, I almost get how Jagger might jump to the wrong conclusion about Colton because I’m beginning to see how his mind works – how his past creeps in and threatens his future – but I don’t get why you are so adamant about that little gal and kid being Colton’s family. Care to enlighten me?” Rory asked. Other than Riley’s jaw tightening in defiance, there wasn’t a response to the question. “That wasn’t Colton’s wife, girlfriend, significant other, sister, long-lost friend or any other type that might fit into that category. That little boy is
not
his child.”

Riley, who should be looking at the road, turned around and glared at Rory. “Well, they sure as shit
ain’t a group of bankers in Key West either, are they?”

Rory grinned. “Wow. That Kentucky accent just comes flowing out when you’re pissed off, doesn’t it? I love it. Maybe when we are in bed tonight, when I’m fucking you real solid, you can talk some Southern twang for me.”

“I’ve already told you I don’t bottom,” Riley grit out. “And quit trying to distract me with sex talk. This isn’t about us. I’m worried about Jagger.”

“I’m worried about Colton,” Rory huffed out. His voice, breathing and body mannerisms all screamed of frustration. Jagger could remember the time when someone reeking of this kind of unbridled power would have terrified him, remind him of what anger led to.

“Let’s be honest with each other, Riley. My boy is on the losing end of this
relationship
. Jagger’s heart is locked up tighter than Fort-fucking-Knox and Colton’s heart is blazing on his fucking sleeve. Forgive me for being an ass about this, but I’m terrified Colton’s going to get hurt in a way he won’t come back from.” He glanced over at Jagger, who was busy trying to ignore everything Rory was saying because just like that, his ridiculously naïve heart wanted to believe everything that was being said. He was a complete and utter fool. Just like that, his heart jumped right back in. It was no wonder he’d waited so damned long for his mother to return. He was hopelessly naïve.

Before Riley could argue, Rory plowed ahead, “Look at him, Kentucky. Those big blue eyes and long eyelashes…my boy doesn’t have a chance against those fuck-me eyes. He’s wanted him forever, dreamed of having the chance to prove how he feels, but no matter what he does, fuck-me eyes keeps believing the worst about him.” Rory leaned back up but was careful to not position himself in a threatening way or in any of Jagger’s space. “If what I’m about to show you doesn’t do it, Wildcat, you walk the fuck away from him today, right the fuck now, and let him go. Don’t toy with him because you’re going to be the fucking death of him if you do.”

Jagger couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He was the bad guy? Colton was the one in danger of having his heart broken? His heart was already fucking broken!

“Take me to the airport,” he muttered. He couldn’t listen to another second of the bullshit Rory was shoveling.

“We’re almost there,” Rory countered. “Turn right on the next road. I’ll get us through the gate and then I want you to take the first left you come to. There’s a parking lot right there. We should be able to see everything Jagger needs to see to make his decision.”

“He wants to go to the airport,” Riley argued. “I don’t know what kind of games are being played, but I’m not involved with any of this shit. I’m taking him to the airport and we are both flying home—end of story.”

“Take the next fucking right or I will…hell, I don’t know what I’ll do.” He pushed his fingers through his hair and then turned his pleading eyes on Jagger. “Please, Jagger. Just see where Colton was going. Like I told you, if you still want to leave him, I’ll buy your fucking plane ticket myself.”

“Fine. Whatever. I don’t see where this is going to change anything. Colton lied to me today. I don’t know how this woman and little boy fit into the lie but I know they’re involved.” His head crashed against the back of his head rest. He was mentally exhausted. “I’ll see what you want me to see but honesty is very precious to me. Colton took that away today.”

Riley had already taken the right and just like Rory had said, they came upon a metal gate with a guard shack protecting the entrance. They were, from all appearances, out in the middle of absolutely nowhere, huge trees and colorful bushes decorated the landscape. It would have been something out of a
Southern Living
magazine if the beauty hadn’t been marred by a twelve foot chain link fence that was topped with razor wire. What the fuck?

“Roll the window down,” Rory ordered as a man whose physique resembled The Rock sauntered in their direction. He had a definite ‘I’m-
gonna
-kick-your-ass’ look on his face. An innocent clipboard was clutched in his hand. A not-so-innocent gun was strapped to his side, clearly visible as a threat to anybody that might be looking. Riley and Jagger were looking.

“Uh…are we about to be killed?” Riley asked as his finger moved,
incredibly slowly
, to the button to roll down the window. “Because it looks like we are either about to be killed or about to enter a federal prison.”

“What can I do for you boys?” The deep voice asked. Jagger noticed a hand twice as big as his own rested on the gun. “This is private property and we don’t exactly welcome strangers around here.”

“Hey, Taylor! They’re with me,” Rory piped up from the back seat. “I just need to get in for a few minutes and then we’ll be out of your way before you have a chance to do a Google search on the pictures that are being taken of our boys right now.”

“Mr. Colton just came through with a guest. Why weren’t you with him?” A frown marred the man’s handsome features as he studied Colton’s face, all the while keeping a stern look directed toward Riley and Jagger as well. His hand tightened on the gun. Riley’s gulp was probably heard a mile away.

“Change of plans,” Colton answered. “Code word is Kentucky 3724.”

The man’s demeanor changed immediately. “No problem, sir. Enjoy your visit. If you need anything, give me a yell and I’ll be on it.” He sauntered away and the gates slid open within seconds.

Kentucky 3724—Colton’s jersey number and his jersey number. Fuck.

“What was that?” Riley asked as he eased the car through the gates and then started following a driveway that looked like it might never end.

“Proper protocol, Kentucky. We have codes to follow to ensure no unwelcome guests get inside the gates. If I hadn’t given the correct code, he would have known to kick your scrawny asses immediately…so don’t piss me off.”

“Where are we?” Jagger finally asked.

“This is the investment Colton and I made—the one I mentioned the other night. This place is near and dear to his heart and has been his dream pretty much since I’ve known him. It’s called Haven.” He eased back into the seat. “You’re going to be coming to the parking lot here in the next few seconds. Just pull into the first available spot.”

A huge stone monster group of buildings came into sight, almost making Riley miss the turn to the parking lot. Jagger supposed the buildings could best be described as something that resembled a college campus. From their vantage point, he could see at least three buildings that appeared to be at least twelve stories high. It looked modern chic with a hint of old world beauty. The grounds surrounding the buildings were landscaped beautifully and there were children’s toys and playground equipment practically everywhere. At least twenty young children were running crazily on the grounds, yelling and laughing with each other. Five adult chaperones watched over them.

Colton immediately caught his eye, standing in the far corner of the playground with the young woman and small boy. Two other women were talking with them, gesturing their hands in animated sweeps. The woman that had met Colton at the airport was smiling shyly, her hand clutching Colton’s. The little boy grasped his other hand but his eyes were wandering around the playground, staring at all the playground equipment and other children in total amazement.

It was right then that Jagger realized what Haven was. “Oh, fuck,” he whispered as the tears again threatened to escape his eyes. He didn’t even care if they did this time. Never in a million years could he have imagined a place like this existed.

“Yeah, oh fuck,” Colton countered but there wasn’t any venom in his voice. “I don’t know why you think we’ve all created some huge conspiracy against you, trying to trick you for some reason? Come on, why the hell would we do that?”

“I don’t trust people, Rory. I’m sorry. I don’t like being like this but it’s the way I am,” Jagger answered softly. “Haven?”

“Let me tell you guys a story about a young man named Colton,” Rory said from his spot in the backseat. “He came to Key West when he was fifteen years old and I’m going to be honest with both of you, I thought he was about the prettiest thing I’d ever laid eyes on. Sure, I’m three years older than him, but that didn’t begin to matter to a shallow chap like me. I thought he was pretty and I wanted him so I went after him.” He smiled softly, lost in his own thoughts. “And oh my goodness, did I bite off so much more than I could begin to chew. He was a fireball that was way too hot for most people to handle.”

“I don’t want to hear this,” Jagger quickly said. The thoughts of Rory and Colton together…like that
…

“Calm down, Wildcat. It didn’t go the way I wanted it to go. I got myself a friend instead of the lover I’d planned on fucking and setting free when I was finished.” He gazed out the window, in Colton’s direction, and his smile grew even warmer. “He was such a sad boy back then. It’s hard to imagine it looking at him now, but he was so incredibly sad.” He chuckled. “Shit, as soon as I picked up on those icky vibes, I tried to steer clear of him but it was too late; he already had me pegged as a potential friend. Needless to say, I lost the battle of trying to dodge the Colton bullet. He followed me around, telling me shit I didn’t want to hear because I wasn’t the caring type back then. The good time—that’s about all I cared about. Colton wouldn’t let me be that person, though.”