Saying Goodbye (4 page)

~

Billy had showered and shaved, ready for his day on duty. He dressed in his uniform and sat on the bed to tie
the
shoelace of his boot. The tone from his computer alerted him to a Skype call. He hurried to it and sat at the desk, answering it. Seeing his baby on the screen, Billy grinned in excitement. “Hello, gorgeous.”

“Look at you!” Alex licked his lips. “Stand up! Stand up!”

Billy laughed and stood, making sure Alex could see all of him in his uniform.

“Come here
.
” Alex waved to someone he was with.

Billy grew jealous. He sat back down at the desk and tried to see the picture clearly as it pixilated and drew crisp.

“Billy, this is Emilo and Giovani. They play the other two
street
singers with me.”

Billy saw two gorgeous young men wave at him. He did not smile. “What time is it there?”

“Late. We had a night shoot.” Alex was drinking wine from a stemmed glass.

“Why aren’t you in bed then?” Billy snarled, wondering which one was going to seduce his husband.

“We have to go over lines.” Alex held up papers but Billy couldn’t read them or see what they were.
What he could see was that Alex was not wearing his wedding rings.

“Billy, it’s awesome. You wouldn’t believe how professional everyone is. It’s amazing. And the food!”
Alex made a face of ecstasy.

Behind Alex one of the young men laughed, held up a large shrimp and ate it.

Billy was
so furious he was
about to draw his weapon and shoot the computer screen.

Alex smiled at the young men. “He’s a police captain. A Los Angeles Police Captain
.
” Alex sounded drunk.

“Alex,” Billy didn’t have a lot of time before he had to hit the commute and get to work. “When are you going to be free for one of my nights?”

“Miss me?” He smiled,
and
then said to one of the men, “We jerk off to each other. Is he the hottest cop you have ever seen?”

“Alex!” Billy tried to keep calm.

Alex gave him his attention. “Sorry. Yes?”

“I have to get to
work. When are you free when I’
m off duty?”

“God. Flip your cock out of your uniform and stand up,” Alex said, reaching
his arm
lower than the screen photo
showed
.

“First of all, I don’t have time, and secondly,” Billy tried not to blow a gasket he was so
annoyed
. “I don’t want you jerking off with other men watching
.
You got it?”

“Yes, sir!” Alex saluted, but it felt condescending.

The other two men discussed something behind Alex’s back. Billy had no idea what they said, or if it was even in English. “I have to go.”

“No. Stay!” Alex pouted.

Billy missed him. He was losing his mind. “Are you fucking them?”

“No!” Alex
made a sour face. “Oh, God no.
”

“Is Randy after you?” Billy balled his fists.

“No. I think he hates me. He doesn’t even get hard when I’m naked.”

“Naked
?
” Billy touched the butt of his gun in a useless gesture.

“On set.
Take a chill pill
.
I repulse the
guy. He’s straight as they come.
”

Billy
knew that was a lie
. “Whatever. I have to go. Look, when you have time at night, after my shift, we’ll, ya know.”

“Mmm
.
” Alex moaned and made a face of
bliss
.

The other two mimicked him playfully. “Bye, Captain Billy!” They threw him kisses.

Billy disconnected the call.
He shut off the computer and walked to the bedroom wall
and
punched it, making a hole in the plaster and his knuckles bleed. He left the house and took Alex’s Mustang instead of his pickup truck, speeding recklessly as he headed to work.

By the time the two limousines pulled up to the estate it was dark. The house itself was lit up like a luminary in the dense foliage around it
;
spotlights, interior glowing lamps, and an appearance of warm welcome.

Mark knew differently.

Adam squeezed Mark’s knee in reassurance.

Everyone was tired.

They had drunk too much and now were yawning
and ready for a nap
.

As the two limousines parked at the columned entry, Mark didn’t move. He spotted Ewan Gallagher and Dr Philips greeting everyone from the first limousine. Smiles, handshakes, nods of the heads, Mark didn’t think Ewan kn
e
w anyone but Adam.

Adam left the limo first, with the rest of the men behind him. Jack lingered as did Steve, as if waiting for Mark.

“I can’t do this, Steven.” Mark gripped the seat. “I
want to
go home.”

“Let’s go, Richfield.” Steve held one of Mark’s elbows while Jack gripped the other, literally dragging Mark out of the car.

Their hosts immediately spotted Mark and approached him. Adam, being gracious and the only one who knew everyone, gestured to Mark.

“Have you two met?” Adam asked.

Ewan replied, “I don’t believe so, mate. But I’ve heard enough about you. Yeah?”

Even though Mark had been brought up with a British mum and nannies, Ewan’s northern accent was too much to understand. And if he couldn’t get it, he doubted many of the other men would.

A hand was extended in gratitude.

Mark clasped Ewan’s palm and shook it. “Lovely to meet you.”

“Londoner?” Ewan made a face of disdain,
and
then shoved Mark playfully. “I’m havin’ a go, mate!” He pointed at Mark. “Look, Jas, he’s a snob, just like you and your ole auntie.”

“Bloody hell.” Mark muttered under his breath and backed up, wanting to leave.

Jason reached out his hand. “My apologies, Mark. Ewan is a handful.”

Jack called out, “Josh Elliot. Get over here. We heard Ewan is a handful. Will ya bully each other and leave the rest of us alone?”

As the men laughed, Josh called back, “I’m not a bully. I’m just horny.”

Jason put his arm around Mark’s shoulder, drawing him closer to the house. “Come in. It’s cold out. And I would love
for
you to see how we’ve redone it.”

Mark dug in his heels. “Steven…”

Steve stood behind Mark. “You’re okay.”

Jason appeared confused. “I’m sorry. Did I say anything out of
turn
?”

“No.” Jack shook his head. “Just bad vibes.” He nodded for Jason to go inside. “He’ll be fine.”

Ewan and Jason exchanged confused glances.

Mark heard Jason say, “Did you know about any of this
shite
?”

Adam stood before Mark, arms crossed, shaking his head. “Really?”

“I want to go home.” Mark never wanted to see this house again.

“How old are you?” Adam asked
flippantly
.

Jack
straight-armed
Adam
to back off
roughly. “Get the fuck away from him.”

“Hope you brought his teddy bear.” Adam turned and entered the house.

J
ack and Steve stood with Mark while
the rest of the party vanished indoors. As the limousine drivers
brought
the luggage
to the front door
, Mark
sighed
.

“Mark.” Steve held Mark by his shoulders. “Look at me.”

Mark struggled
to obey
.

“We won’t stay in your
old
room.”

“It isn’t my room!” Mark
shivered and backed up
. “I’d rather sleep in a blo
ody tent out here than in there.
”

“You want to sleep in the stables?” Jack asked.

“Is it heated?” Steve asked.

“It used to be.” Jack looked at Mark. “What do you want to do?”

I want Billy. I want a capta
in with a gun. I want a man in
a uniform to stand by me
.

“I don’t know.” Mark looked at the men bringing the bags into the house.

“Take a pill.” Jack caressed Mark’s hair.

“I did. Earlier. I’m exhausted from it. If I do, I’ll sleep.”

“So?” Steve touched Mark’s cheek. “Sleep.”

“Where?” Mark gripped both of their arms
in a death hold
.

Jack shook his head. “I knew this was a fucked up idea.”

Hunter stood at the door. “What’s the deal? You guys coming in?”

“Hey, fireman. Bring your partner and come out here
,
” Steve yelled.

Hunter acknowledg
ed him and returned inside
.

Mark thought about those two men. Life savers. Paramedics. Firefighters.

“Did
…
did they bring their uniforms?” Mark asked meekly.

Jack replied, “Are you kidding? On a weekend away from work? Mark, no. I doubt it.”

Blake and Hunter trotted out of the house and appeared concerned. “What’s up?” Blake asked.

Steve said, “Mark can’t deal with the memories of his dad in this place. He doesn’t want to go in.”

Hunter nodded. “How can we forget?
The last time we were here w
e fucked in every room of this house to rid that bastard’s ghost.”

Blake cupped Mark’s jaw. “And he’s gone. Mark, he’s gone. We’re here now. All your friends.”

“Blake.” Mark could see
maturity,
intelligence
,
and kindness in
his eyes
. He reached for him. Blake rocked him, rubbing his back. “Okay, baby. You have all of us.”

“I want my cops. My Mickey and Jeff.” Mark held Blake tighter.

“Hey, we’re as good as cops,” Hunter teased.

Mark felt Steve and Jack releasi
ng their hold on Mark to give him
to the firemen. Mark was caressed and cuddled by the two big heroes and they gently persuaded Mark closer to the house.

“We got you, gorgeous.” Blake kissed Mark’s cheek.

Hunter caressed Mark’s hair. “Anything you need. We’re here.”

Mark was brought
to the threshold
,
an open door. Inside
…
it had changed.

The grand entrance was no longer his mother’s style of a heavy
crystal
chandelier, but instead, a modern piece of blown glass hung in its place. Every
renaissance style
painting had been replaced, the walls painted, the flooring redone.

Mark entered and looked around. It was not the same home. Josh and Tanner stood by the spiral
ing
staircase. “Mark?” Josh reached out his hand. “Look what they did upstairs.”

Blake and Hunter gave Mark a gentle nudge.

Mark walked to the outstretched hands of Josh and Tanner. “They made it so cool.” Josh held Mark tight, walking up the stairs.

Mark felt Josh slip his hand into his rear pants
’
pocket, holding his
ass as Mark climbed
. Tanner
was right
behind them, no doub
t shaking his head in disbelief at his lover’s tenacity to touch Mark.

“Look,” Josh said, stopping at the first bedroom. “I didn’t even recognize it.”

Mark
peer
ed in. No longer w
ere there heavy window drapes,
frills and plaids. Each room appeared to be like a posh London loft.
Minimalist, clean lines, muted tones mixed with splashe
s
bright
color. He couldn’t even smell his dead father’s cigars any longer.

Mark continued walking down the hall. Even the carpet had been replaced, the
color of the
paint changed, the heavy trim removed.

Keith and Carl were unpacking in one of the seven bedroom
s
on
the
estate.

“Hello, beautiful,” Carl said, inviting Mark in.

Josh gave Mark’s ass a squeeze and urged him into the room.

Keith approached Mark and hugged him. “Some change, huh? I mean, if
we
didn’t drive up the same way, I’d never know it was the same house.”

Carl sandwiched Mark, standing behind him, holding him while Keith held Mark from the front. “Nothing is left here, Mark. Only fresh
,
clean memories.”

Mark closed his eyes and rested his head on Keith’s shoulder as the men comforted him. “Yes. They are gone. Right? All the old memories? Gone?”

Carl rubbed his cock against Mark’s ass. “To be replaced with fabulous new ones.”

Mark turned to see gorgeous Carl Bronson’s green eyes, the beauty who co-starred with his husband
,
Keith O’Leary
,
on the nighttime cable drama,
Forever Young
. He pressed his lips on Carl’s. Carl moaned and opened his mouth for a deeper kiss.

Keith whimpered and joined the kiss; two tongues licking at Mark’s lips and teasing him.

“That’s more like it.”

Mark opened his eyes to see Adam at the open door. Keith and Carl released Mark, giving Adam a knowing smile.

Adam stepped into the room. “They have a fabulous buffet of food downstairs. I know we all nibbled on the plane, but…”

Keith and Carl caressed Mark and said, “Join us?”

“Yes. Soon.” Mark pecked each on the lips and they seemed to meet Adam’s gaze before they left the room, as if everyone was privy to Mark’s uneasiness and doing what they could to ease it.

Mark stared into Adam’s bedroom brown eyes. “I did not bring my teddy.”

Adam smirked and approached Mark, holding him and pressing their crotches together. “He’ll miss all the fun.”

Mark rested his forehead on Adam’s and said softly, “I’m not myself this weekend, lovely. So
don’t expect Colt to get me
into leather and play.”

“You do what you want.”

Mark nodded his head against Adam, embracing him. “Steven is so cross with me.”

“I know. Yet I can’t figure out why. Neither of you are talking.”

Mark closed his eyes and hid his face in Adam’s neck. “Randy.”

“What about him?”

“It wasn’t just coffee.”

Adam stayed perfectly still, as if he were thinking about what Mark was implying.

Then, as if it hit Adam, he stepped back and met Mark’s eyes. “No!”

Mark shivered and looked away.

“What did that bastard do?” Adam went from calm and loving to livid in a split second.

“I’d
…
I’d rather not say.” Mark became revolted at the memory and swallowed black water in his throat. “But
, although I told Steven all we did was chat
,
Steven
has assumed the worst.”

“And? What am I suppos
ed to assume? What’s Jack assuming
, or
does he
know?”

Mark hadn
’
t told anyone that he had sex with Randy. Sex to ensure his baby boy was not released from the contract and would star in his first feature film. To keep Alex happy and
successful, Mark would cut off his arms and legs
…
he would die.

“Mark?” Adam gave Mark a slight shake to get him to talk.

“So…” Mark pretended to be indignant
,
but he was suffering, “Steven has a chip on his shoulder. Just so you understand.”

“He and that asshole c
aptain are responsible for this.
” Adam’s voice began to betray his anger. “And he has the nerve to carry a chip
?
” Adam spun around as if he meant to confront Steve now.

Mark grabbed after him.

Adam stood still, looking at Mark.

“They meant to protect my baby boy.” Mark caressed Adam’s cheek. “They love him.”

“Too much. At your expense.” Adam showed his teeth. “I hate it. You mean more to me. You!”

“Adam.” Mark cupped his jaw.

“Jack and Steve are so fucking jealous of Billy I could kick their goddamn asses.”

Mark flinche
d at
hearing it spoken aloud. Ever since Alexander showed up on Mark and Steve’s door
step
at eighteen years of age, Mark’s life had been turned upside down.