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MORE THAN ENOUGH … Bart was vaguely aware of Evan yanking his jeans and briefs down enough to expose his cock before feeling a large hand jerking him. With expert strokes, Evan had him desperate and shaking in seconds. Hell, it never felt so good when he jerked himself off. Evan‟s lips strayed away from his already swollen lips to nip at the pulse of Bart‟s throat. He leaned his head back as the wave of a powerful orgasm hit him, cum covering Evan‟s long fingers. His whole body shook with the force of coming. Once more Evan‟s mouth was on his and it was all just a bit overwhelming. He hadn‟t ever come with anyone else. It had always been with only his own hand and only rarely given his living arrangements. His one disastrous night with Parker he‟d not had an orgasm. Evan broke the kiss and pushed him toward his private bathroom. He had a brief thought about how cool it must be to be rich, but then it flew from his mind when Evan reached inside the enormous glass shower to turn on the shower spray. Bart titled his head to look at Evan. “Are we going to take a shower?” “Yes, we‟re going to have shower sex. Trust me, Bart. You‟ll like it.” And before he could stop him, or think to stop him, Evan had pulled Bart‟s T-shirt off over his head. Evan froze, his previously grinning, lecherous expression slipping from his face to be replaced with horror. “Who did that to you?” he whispered…

ALSO BY SHAWN LANE At Long Last The Beach House The Best Gift Car Wash Galaxy’s Heart The “His” Series His One And Only Hitting It Big The Impersonator Jake’s Regret Lawyers In Love Lost Between Manfred’s Curse More Than Anything Most Likely To Succeed The “Only” Series The Other Side Pieces Pulling Apart Pulling Away Sorcerer’s Lover, I & II The Squire Still The One Sweet Reunion Ticket To Ride Twice In A Lifetime Until The End Of Time

MORE THAN ENOUGH BY SHAWN LANE

AMBER QUILL PRESS, LLC http://www.AmberQuill.com

MORE THAN ENOUGH AN AMBER QUILL PRESS BOOK This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author‟s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. Amber Quill Press, LLC http://www.AmberQuill.com All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review. Copyright © 2011 by Shawn Lane ISBN 978-1-61124-213-3 Cover Art © 2011 Trace Edward Zaber

PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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CHAPTER 1 Bart Smith put another dish in the drying rack and grimaced at the several plates and cups still left in the soapy water in the sink. What he wouldn‟t give for the luxury of a dishwasher. His younger sister, Julie, sat at the dinette set in the small faded yellow kitchen doing her homework. She was in the last year of high school. She twirled one finger around several strands of her long red hair. That was something all the Smiths had in common, crimson red hair. The front door of their apartment slammed so hard it rattled the dishes in the drying rack. Julie looked up, her cornflower blue eyes wide with dread. Bart‟s stomach clenched as he listened. He held his breath “I‟m home, you lazy brats,” Ronnie Smith yelled from the 1

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living room. He stomped toward the bathroom in the hallway. “Go spend the night at Desiree‟s,” Bart told his sister. “Go now while he‟s taking a leak.” Julie didn‟t have to be told twice. She scooped up her books and dashed from the kitchen. Seconds later he heard the front door close once more. They‟d made something of a routine of this. Julie kept clothes at her best friend‟s house so she could flee at a moment‟s notice. The toilet flushed and then his father appeared in the kitchen doorway. His red hair stood on end, his T-shirt was stained with yellow and green spots, and his belly stuck out at the end of the too short shirt. His work pants were also stained, with oil and car grease since Ronnie made his living as a mechanic. Bart tossed down the dishrag. “I have to go to work.” “You ain‟t finished the dishes.” “I‟ll be late for work.” Ronnie belched and walked into the kitchen and headed for the fridge. “Too bad. Wash faster. Finish them up.” Knowing it would be pointless, and likely painful to argue, he turned back to the sink, watching Ronnie grab a can of beer from the freezer. Judging by the stench coming off the man, he‟d already stopped at the bar on his way home. “Where‟s your sister?” “Staying at Desiree‟s.” “She spends so much time over there, they should just adopt her,” Ronnie said, then snorted. “Lucky me having two daughters.” Bart kept the wince off his face with practiced effort. He was used to Ronnie‟s jibes. They used to hurt. Okay, maybe they still did. He was just better at hiding it. He worked through the remainder of the dishes quickly, aware the old man watched him 2

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the whole time. “What‟s to eat?” Bart glanced over at him as he dried the dishes and put them away. “I made you a cheese sandwich.” “Cheese? What the hell happened to meat around here?” “I need to go to the store. I‟ll go tomorrow.” “Get some ice cream and cookies, too,” Ronnie ordered. “And beer.” “I‟m not old enough.” “Fucking useless,” Ronnie said, then belched again. “I have to do everything around here. Get the fuck out of here and earn some money. Leave those.” He cuffed Bart on the ear with the palm of his hand. Bart ducked away, ignoring the pain in his ear, and grabbed his uniform shirt he‟d left on one of the dinette chairs. When he was out the door, he reached into the pocket of his pants and took out the diamond studs he wore in his left ear and put them in. He ran to the opposite side of the parking lot of the apartment building where he‟d left his old Nissan Sentra he‟d paid five hundred for and got in. For the next few hours, anyway, he was free. *

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Bart pushed a heavy lock of his hair out of his eyes and pushed the picture of a hamburger on the cash register. He adjusted the headset earpiece. “Will there be anything else?” “That‟s it,” the customer‟s voice crackled over the loudspeaker. “Seven twenty-five at the first window,” Bart said, massaging 3

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his temples. “You look like hell, sweetie,” his co-worker, Annie, said. “Rough day?” “Not like you think.” She gave him a look. “What do I think?” “I wasn‟t partying or anything like that.” Far from it in fact. Annie smiled. “Studying?” “Yeah.” Bart preferred to lie rather than to get into his father‟s abuse. Annie handed him the bag of food just as the customer pulled up to the fast food window. Bart turned to the customer and stared, his heart nearly stalled in his chest. “Hi. Bart, right?” He said nothing. Just stared at the beautiful blond athletic man in the Honda sedan. The man was gorgeous. Muscular and chiseled. The classic boy next door look. Just Bart‟s type. Or would be if he didn‟t try desperately to repress it. “I‟m Desmond Stratton‟s cousin. Remember? I saw you with your friend, Shayne. Evan Caruthers.” “Uh, sure.” He handed the bag of food to Evan since he would have paid at the window before Bart‟s. “Have a nice day.” “Wait, Bart.” Evan didn‟t drive away. “When do you get a break?” He opened his mouth to say never. Because he didn‟t know what Evan wanted, but it couldn‟t be good. It never was. Annie leaned over him and glanced at Evan. “In half an hour.” Bart wanted to throttle her. Evan smiled. “Can you come outside? I‟ll be waiting with my car over to the right. Will you come?” “Why?” Bart asked. 4

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“I‟d like to talk to you.” The smile dimmed a bit. He bit his lip. People in the cars behind Evan started honking their horns. “All right.” “Great, see you soon.” Evan pulled away from the drivethrough window. Annie nudged him. “Nice going, Bart. That guy is so hot.” Bart nodded. He rested his hand on his queasy stomach. How could he get out of this? Thirty minutes later, Bart stood at the double doors leading outside and peered out. He could see Evan‟s car parked to the side. Why was he here? What did he want? It had been Bart‟s admittedly limited experience guys like Evan were up to no good with guys like him. This wouldn‟t be any different. “Go outside and meet him, Bart,” Annie said, coming to stand beside him. “It‟s fine. No one cares.” But I care. She pushed open the doors and then him outside. Bart whooshed out a breath. Might as well get it over with while there were at least witnesses around. He felt for his cell phone in the back pocket of his uniform pants. Maybe he should call Shayne for back up. Evan‟s car door opened and he got out. “Bart, come here.” He waved Bart over. He didn‟t see a band of thugs with Evan, but he supposed they could be lurking in the backseat of the car. Maybe he was cowardly, but he had come across thugs before. Making his legs move toward Evan took a bit of effort, but he eventually had them going at a normal pace. He stopped several feet away so he could run back into the restaurant if needed. “Hi,” he said in a too squeaky voice. He felt his face burn. 5

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Probably matched his damn red hair. “Hi.” Evan smiled. “I was starting to think you weren‟t going to come over here.” Bart glanced past Evan toward the sedan, trying to peer inside. “Is there some reason I shouldn‟t have?” Evan glanced behind him uncertainly. “Um, no. What are you looking for?” “Just wanted to see if you were alone.” “I am. It‟s just me.” Evan bridged the distance between them with just a couple of long steps. “The truth is, I knew you worked here so I came here on purpose.” Bart frowned. “How did you know that?” “I asked a friend of a friend.” “Why would you do that?” “I didn‟t know where you lived or your phone number.” Evan shrugged. “You ran out of Henri‟s Diner the other day when you and Shayne were there so I didn‟t have a chance to ask you.” “Ask me?” He realized he was asking too many questions, sounding too stupid, probably. But questions were all he had. “Out. I wanted to ask you to go out with me, Bart.” And the smile was back. Dazzling and white, like Evan‟s parents had paid a fortune for braces for their golden prince of a son. Evan did look like a prince out of a fairytale. Which made Bart, what? The frog? He sank his teeth into his bottom lip. “That‟s probably not a good idea.” The dazzling smile wavered but didn‟t wink out. “Why? Don‟t you like me?” He‟d have to be blind not to be attracted to Evan. He was pretty sure Evan had to know how stunningly gorgeous he was. No doubt 6

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Evan could have anyone he wanted, male or female, just by smiling at them. So, why in the hell would he be interested in Bart? “Are you even gay?” he blurted. Evan laughed at that. “Um, duh. Why would I ask you out if I didn‟t like guys, Bart?” “As a joke,” Bart replied without hesitation. Back in high school a jock even went so far as to fuck Bart just so he could make fun of him. Evan‟s laughter faded and he looked suddenly very serious. Even the merriment in his silvery blue eyes had disappeared. He grabbed Bart‟s hands before Bart could react. Evan‟s hands were warm and soft, like he‟d never had to do tough work. “It‟s no joke. I‟m not like that. I‟m asking you out because I think you are incredibly hot and I want to get to know you. We can go see a movie or something. What time do you get off work tonight?” “Ten,” Bart said, without thinking. “I can pick you up and we can see a late showing.” “I have a car here.” Such as it was. Evan smiled. “I can drop you back here after the movie‟s over.” He blinked. “Wouldn‟t it be easier to meet at the movie theater?” “It might be, but it also would give you the opportunity to stand me up, Bart. And I have a feeling if I left it up to you, you would.” “Well… ” “I‟ll come back here a little before ten.” “I didn‟t say yes.” That smile flashed again, trying to beat down his barriers. “You didn‟t say no either.” 7

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Bart thought about it. It‟s not like he wanted to rush home to Ronnie. Hell, by ten Ronnie would be passed out on the couch with the television left on. And his sister was safely out of the apartment for the night. Did he dare go with Evan?‟ “You want to, don‟t you?” Evan squeezed his hands. Bart looked down at them and realized they were still holding onto each other. He tried to tug his hands out of Evan‟s grasp, but Evan didn‟t let go. “Come on, Bart. Please?” “I have to go back inside,” he whispered. “Not until you say you‟ll go with me.” He exhaled slowly. “Okay.” Evan let go of his hands. “Great, I‟ll see you at ten.”

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CHAPTER 2 Evan pulled into the parking lot of the fast food place where Bart worked at nine forty-five that night. He didn‟t want to give Bart the chance to slip out early before Evan arrived to pick him up. The guy was that skittish. He had an idea Bart‟d had some pretty bad experiences in the past, which accounted for his near panic when Evan had asked him out. It was okay, though. Evan prided himself on being very patient. He got out of his car and leaned against it to wait. It was a balmy night in Southern California with a bit of a light wind. Not quite the infamous Santa Ana winds, but it could always take a turn for the worse. Evan remembered plenty of fires in autumn. The side doors of the restaurant opened just a couple minutes 9

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after ten and Evan spotted Bart‟s bright red head under the fluorescent lights. His heart sped up. Damn the little redhead was just his type. “Bart,” he called out, and then waved. Bart seemed to jump a little, but then he made his way toward Evan. His chin length red hair looked vaguely messy and his plump lips looked very pink, almost as though he wore lipstick, but he didn‟t. Twinkling in Bart‟s left ear were two diamond studs. He carried a small backpack. “I decided we‟d go for coffee instead of a movie.” “Oh?” Evan nodded. “Yeah, since I want to get to know you. It seemed kind of stupid to sit in a movie where we couldn‟t talk. Don‟t you think?” “I guess so.” Evan smiled and opened his car door. “See, no one‟s here but us.” Bart licked his lips. “Good.” He went around to the passenger side and opened the door for Bart, who got in, albeit hesitantly. “Actually,” he said as he got into the driver‟s side, “Henri‟s is open twenty-four hours so I thought we‟d just go there. If you‟re hungry, we can get something to eat.” Bart didn‟t say anything just fidgeted and then fastened his seatbelt. Evan stared at his profile for a minute, liking the angular lines. “All set?” He started his car and left the parking lot. “How was work?” Bart shrugged. “It was all right. Busy.” “I bet. Back in high school I worked at Taco Bell. Crazy.” 10

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“Where do you work now?” “A pool and spa supply place. During the summer I worked there full-time. Right now I‟m just working a few hours on the weekend. My dad owns the place so I help out when needed, but he employs a regular staff so I don‟t see too many hours.” “It must be nice to concentrate on school.” Evan glanced at him briefly. “You work a lot?” “Yes. I live with my father and sister and Ronnie doesn‟t bring in a lot of money.” “Ronnie?” “My father. I call him by his name,” Bart said stiffly. “My sister is still in high school. She doesn‟t work.” He gripped the steering wheel tight. He didn‟t like hearing Bart having to work so much. He had a feeling things weren‟t good for Bart at home. Or maybe anywhere. After parking his car right in front of the entrance to Henri‟s, Evan secured them a booth and let Bart choose his seat. But rather than sitting across from Bart, Evan slid in next to him. “Um, you don‟t want to sit on the other side?” Bart asked, his gorgeous sky blue eyes wide. Man, they were beautiful. He realized that now sitting so close. “I want to be close to you.” “Well, uh, won‟t people think it strange?” Evan shrugged. “First, who cares? I‟m on a date with a hot guy. Second, look around, Bart. The place isn‟t exactly filled with tons of people.” Bart did glance around. “So, you‟re okay with people knowing you‟re gay?” “It‟s no one‟s business but mine and whoever I‟m with. But there are those who know. My family does. Some of my friends.” 11

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“But you play football.” Evan smiled. “I actually warm the bench mostly. And, to be honest, this is going to be my final year. I‟m not interested in professional sports. I‟ve always liked swimming much more than football anyway.” A waitress, maybe forty-five with platinum blond hair, came to their booth. “What‟ll it be?” “Coffee for me. You want coffee, Bart?” Bart nodded. “Two coffees and an order of chili cheese fries.” When she walked away, Evan touched Bart‟s hair. “I love your hair. It‟s gorgeous.” Bart blushed. “Most people don‟t like red hair on a guy.” “Most people are fools. I don‟t care about most people. To me it‟s stunning.” “You say the strangest things.” “Why do you say that?” Evan asked. “Well. Stunning and gorgeous? About me.” Bart shook his head. “I hate to break it to your insecurity there, Bart, but you‟re just my type. Short, slim, red hair, blue eyes. You‟re the cutest damn guy I‟ve seen in a long time. Believe me.” Bart rolled his eyes and snorted. “Please. A guy like you. You could have any guy you wanted. And you know it. You look like a fairytale prince.” Evan grabbed Bart‟s hand and threaded their fingers. “As you can see, I‟m real. And I really like you.” The waitress set down their coffee without even really looking at them and then hurried off toward the front of the restaurant. Bart tugged his hand away and reached for the packets of 12

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cream. “I don‟t, you know, I haven‟t done a lot of dating.” Evan poured cream into his own coffee and added one sugar. “How many dates have you been on?” Bart shrugged. “Well, none really.” “None? You aren‟t a—” Bart was beet red. “No. But o-only once. And it was a disaster.” Evan frowned. He grabbed Bart‟s hand again and held it firmly. “You didn‟t like it?” Bart looked away. “I can‟t believe we‟re talking about this.” “No one can hear. It‟s just you and me. Was the guy a clod?” “Yeah. Look, I don‟t want to spend a lot of time talking about this, but basically, I had this crush on this jock at school. I thought he liked me. He talked me into sex, which I liked somewhat, though, honestly, it was over pretty fast. The next day I found out he only did it so he could make fun of me with his friends. I was the laughingstock of the school. Everyone talked about how I was this easy little twink who‟d be stupid enough to think this guy liked me. He told everyone he had to think of screwing someone else just to get it up for me.” Bart‟s bottom lip trembled. “Then he and his friends followed me home from school and beat the crap out of me. My friends came along and stopped them from doing more damage than they did.” His stomach in knots, Evan just stared, knowing he wasn‟t doing a very good job of keeping the horror off his face. “Oh, my God.” Bart sighed. “Yeah, I ended up in the hospital, but Ronnie wouldn‟t press charges because he figured his sissy son deserved what he got. Saved him the trouble of doing it himself, I guess.” His jaw tightening, Evan asked, “Who was this dick?” 13

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“It doesn‟t matter.” “Yes, it does matter, Bart. I want to tear his heart out through his fucking throat.” “It‟s in the past. I don‟t intend to see him or any of his friends again. I just want to forget it.” He didn‟t like it, but he could hardly force Bart to tell him if he didn‟t want to tell. But damn it, Evan wanted to cream the guy who hurt Bart. He squeezed Bart‟s hand. “I‟m not like him.” Bart nodded but didn‟t reply. “I‟m not. I really like you,” he said again. Maybe it would eventually sink into Bart‟s double thick skull. Bart looked at him and seemed to be thinking about saying something. He wasn‟t sure what. Finally Bart said, “I remember you from high school. You used to hang around your cousin, Desmond, and you both played on the school team. You were seniors when Shayne and I were sophomores.” “Yes, that‟s right. Des told me that. I don‟t remember you though. I‟m sorry.” “I‟m not surprised. You were seeing a cheerleader.” Bart said it like an accusation and Evan figured that‟s pretty much how he meant it, too. “Sandy. Yes, I was.” No sense denying it. “So, um, Evan, don‟t take this the wrong way or anything, but, considering that, now you‟re gay?” He sighed. “I‟ve always been gay, Bart. Not just now. In high school, well, I was trying to be like everyone else. I didn‟t want to like guys. No one in my family had ever been gay. Or at least admitted it. I didn‟t know how anyone would take it and I was scared.” “I can understand that.” 14

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“Sandy was sweet and pretty and I really tried with her. I thought, maybe, I was just confused.” He shrugged. “I wasn‟t. I don‟t really share this with anyone, but, I couldn‟t, you know, with Sandy. And I tried.” Bart‟s blue eyes widened. “But you were always kissing.” “Yeah. Sandy was the first person I came out to. We‟re still friends. I wanted to change, but eventually I just realized I wouldn‟t.” Bart nodded. “And… you told your family?” “I did. They‟ve been pretty cool about it. Some members of my mom‟s family not so much.” Like Des‟s father, who was Evan‟s uncle. “But my mom has been very supportive. My dad and sisters, too. I‟m lucky.” “Yes,” Bart said softly. “My sister is, too. Ronnie… isn‟t. He says stuff like he has two daughters and things like that.” Evan squeezed Bart‟s hand again. “I‟m sorry you have to put up with that.” “It‟s okay. I‟m used to it.” The waitress came by with their chili fries, refilled their coffees and then moved on again. “You shouldn‟t have to be used to it, Bart,” Evan said after a while. “Do you work tomorrow?” “Yes. I‟m off Wednesday though.” “Can I see you again? We could have a nice dinner or see that movie. Or whatever you want.” Bart bit his lip. “Well, okay.” He tried not to let Bart‟s lack of enthusiasm get him down. He reminded himself he was patient. “I can pick you up so you don‟t have to worry about leaving your car someplace.” “Okay, but, um, call me and then I‟ll just run downstairs when 15

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you get there.” Bart grabbed a fry and then reached into the small backpack he carried with him. He held a pen and wrote a number on a scrap of paper. “Here‟s my address. And here‟s my number, too.” “Cell?” “Yes.” “Good. I‟ll give you mine, too.” He took the pen from Bart. “Have you got more paper?” Bart handed him a piece no bigger than a Post-It. He scribbled his number. “In fact, if you have your cell I can just program it in.” When Bart handed him a simple, non-smart phone type phone, he added his number to it. Then he added Bart‟s to his iPhone. After they finished the fries, Evan reluctantly got up to leave when he noticed Bart start to fidget. At Bart‟s car, back at the fast food place, Evan smiled as Bart got out of the car. “I‟ll see you Wednesday about six?” Bart nodded. “All right. See you then.” He‟d wanted to kiss Bart, but he had a feeling that wouldn‟t have gone over well, so he restrained himself. Evan waited for Bart to start his car and leave before he went home. Wednesday definitely couldn‟t come fast enough.

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CHAPTER 3 Bart stood talking to his next-door neighbor on the landing separating their upstairs apartments Wednesday evening as he waited for Evan to call him. He expected Evan to call him and cancel. He wasn‟t sure, exactly, but part of him even hoped he would. It wasn‟t that he didn‟t like Evan. He definitely did. But, well, things were complicated enough in his life. They‟d lived at the apartment ever since Bart‟s mother had died of cancer, several years ago now, and they‟d lost their house due to Ronnie‟s drinking. The neighbor across the landing from them, Pam, had lived there nearly as long as they had. She had an adult daughter living with her and that daughter had a son. “Your sister go off again?” Pam asked him, blowing smoke from her cigarette away from him. She leaned against her closed 17

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door. “Yeah, I sent her away half an hour ago. Ronnie should be home any second.” As though mentioning his name had somehow conjured him up, the sound of squealing tires reached Bart‟s ears and then Ronnie‟s old Camaro came into view, flying at a ridiculous speed toward his covered carport parking space. “Asshole,” he muttered. “He‟s going to cream a kid one of these days.” Ronnie turned off his blaring music and then slammed the driver side door hard enough to rattle the car. His stomach twisting with dread, Bart watched Ronnie stomp up the metal stairs toward him. The smell of gin wafted up. “Well, isn‟t this nice?” Ronnie said with a sneer. “My own welcoming committee.” He glared at Pam. “What‟re you looking at?” “A drunken prick,” Pam answered calmly. She tossed her cigarette on the landing and squished it beneath her sneaker. “See you later, Bart. Have fun.” She opened her apartment door and stepped inside. Ronnie rolled his eyes and opened the door of their own apartment. He walked inside and Bart followed. “Where‟s Julie?” “She‟s gone to her friend‟s.” “That bitch ain‟t never here,” Ronnie said. “Don‟t call her that. She‟s your daughter.” Ronnie went straight to the kitchen and into the fridge for a can of beer. “My lot in life. I got a bitch and a fairy as kids.” Bart gritted his teeth to keep from saying more. All it would get him was a pop in the face anyhow. “I‟m going out, too.” His father opened the can and took a swig. “You? Where you 18

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going? I thought you didn‟t work Wednesdays.” “I don‟t. I‟ve got a date.” “A date?” Ronnie stared. “With a girl?” Bart held back a sigh. “No, a guy.” Ronnie snorted. “They don‟t call it a date when two guys get together to fuck.” He opened his mouth to respond, but closed it. Bart knew any argument would only lead to him getting hurt. The last thing he needed when he hoped to have a nice night with Evan. “Thought you were going to be here for when the guys get here for poker.” Ronnie had a group of friends he‟d known just about all his life come over one Wednesday a month for a poker game. The Wednesdays they didn‟t come to the apartment, Ronnie went to one of their houses. “Nope, I have plans. But I got a deli sandwich for you in the fridge. And there‟s chips and dip, too. There‟s also bowls of nuts you can put out on the table to munch on. Kenny called and said he‟d bring beer. I put the cards and poker chips on the table there for you, too.” He had to think of everything so he couldn‟t give Ronnie a reason to lose it. “Well.” Ronnie grimaced, then shrugged. “Okay, then.” And then his phone rang, saving him from further discussion. “Hello?” “Hi, I‟m down in the parking lot waiting,” Evan said, cheerfully. “I‟ll be right down. Bye.” Ronnie was looking at him. “You‟re not going to have him come up and meet your daddy?” Bart snorted. He couldn‟t help it. “Would you?” 19

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His father actually laughed. “No, I don‟t suppose so.” He nodded and went to the front door. “See you.” And then he was out the door and to freedom, at least for a few hours. He dashed down the stairs like his ass was on fire, wanting to get out of there before Ronnie thought up some reason for him to stay. Evan‟s car waited at the bottom of the stairs. Evan waved and smiled and Bart couldn‟t help himself. He smiled back. “Hey, you look great,” Evan said. Bart doubted he did, he‟d only worn jeans and an olive green long-sleeved T-shirt, but he got into the passenger side and said, “Thank you.” Evan pulled away from Bart‟s apartment building and Bart sighed inwardly in relief. “Where are we going?” “Actually, I‟ve decided to take you to see a play.” “A play?” Evan nodded. “A musical actually. A local community theater near my house is doing Hair. I thought it might be fun.” “Okay, that sounds fine,” Bart agreed. The only live performances he‟d ever seen were things kids put on in school auditoriums. It might be fun at that. “How was your day yesterday?” Evan asked. Bart shrugged. “It was okay. School was kind of boring and work sucked.” Evan laughed. “I forgot to ask you what you were studying in school.” “Well, right now I‟m an undeclared major. I‟m taking requirement classes. I thought about focusing on business and economics, but now I‟m not sure. To be honest I really don‟t know what I want to do. I also thought about art, because I did some in 20

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high school, but really, what can you do with an art major? I don‟t want to be a teacher.” Bart sighed. “I‟ve thought about going into trade.” “Trade?” “Yeah, like an electrician or something like that. Or maybe crime scene investigation.” “Ah, got it. That doesn‟t sound so bad.” “What about you? What‟s your major?” “Political Science,” Evan said, as he pulled his car into a parking lot with a big brick building that appeared to be rather old, like maybe built in the fifties or something. On the outside of the building was a plaque which stated, Valley Community Theater. “Going to be a lawyer? Politics?” Evan nodded. “I don‟t know about politics, but lawyer, yes, that‟s the plan. I want to get into Loyola for law school. I‟ve already applied even though I have another year before I graduate.” He smiled. “Wow, that‟s impressive.” And he meant it, too. Bart had always been attracted to jocks, but those he generally had come across hadn‟t been the smartest guys. Maybe that hadn‟t been a fair assessment. He wasn‟t sure. But clearly Evan had looks, athleticism, and brains. A pretty sexy combination now that Bart thought about it. Evan chose a parking space and turned off the car. He turned to Bart with a smile. “Thanks. We‟ll see if I can get in.” He reached out to touch Bart‟s ear where metal and crystal dangled. “I love your earring. What is it?” Bart swallowed, the gentle touch of Evan‟s hand doing funny things to his insides. “Um, actually it‟s an ear cuff and it has suns, moons, and fairies on it.” 21

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“It‟s adorable. It‟s very you. To me anyway.” “Yeah?” Evan‟s finger caressed Bart‟s jaw all too briefly. “Yeah. Ready?” Bart blinked, trying to remember what he should be ready for. Oh, yeah, play. “Yes. How much do I need for the ticket?” Evan flashed one of his devastating smiles. “Nothing. I‟m taking you out, Bart. Come on. The tickets are at will call.” They got out of the car and walked up to the ticket booth that declared itself Will Call and waited behind a handful of people. “How‟d you know about this?” Bart shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “A guy I used to see sometimes acted in the plays here.” Bart bit his lip. “Oh, is he in the play?” Evan smiled and shook his head. “No. He moved away. And anyway, even if he had been, there‟s nothing between us anymore. There wasn‟t much between us at the time.” He wondered just how much experience Evan had. A guy like him probably had been with a ton of guys. He wanted to ask, but figured here in line with other people would not be a good idea. Not that it really mattered, but Bart had to admit he was curious. They reached the ticket booth. “Hi,” Evan said to the woman behind the glass. “Picking up tickets for Caruthers.” “Two, right?” the woman asked. “Right.” She slipped a small white envelope into the small opening in the glass. “Thanks. Enjoy the show.” Bart followed Evan out of line and Evan handed him one of the 22

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tickets. They were seated in Row E of the orchestra section. But from the looks of it the theater was fairly small, so he doubted any of the seats were terrible. “Are you hungry? I didn‟t even think about getting something to eat.” “A little.” “Damn. Sorry. The show doesn‟t start for forty-five minutes. There‟s a fast food place just half a block down. We could grab something quick. Or do you just hate fast food having to work at one?” Bart smiled. “No, that‟s fine.” “Great. We can walk.” And to Bart‟s surprise, Evan grabbed his hand. Did Evan really plan to walk to the restaurant holding Bart‟s hand? In public? Evan looked at him quizzically. “What‟s the matter?” Bart glanced at their linked hands. “Are we… I mean, like this?” “You don‟t like holding hands?” “Well, I don‟t know. But, well, we‟re two guys. I‟ve never walked down the street holding another guy‟s hand before.” “Now‟s a good time to start then.” Evan tugged him gently toward the sidewalk that would lead down to the fast food place. “But, Evan.” “What?” “You—you‟re a football player.” Evan laughed. “So? And I‟m an almost ex-football player. Besides, what does it matter?” “Aren‟t you in Omega Sigma Tau?” Bart asked, thinking of the fraternity he knew most of the football team had joined. “So?” 23

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“Aren‟t they all a bunch of homophobic jerks?” Evan sighed. “I don‟t know, Bart. Probably some of them are. I‟m not afraid of being who I am. And right now I‟m on a date with a really cute guy.” He couldn‟t help but think that if Evan weren‟t tall and muscular he might think differently. It was all well and good to be out and proud when you could take on your attackers. Not so much when you were a pipsqueak like him. But before he knew it, they were at the entrance to the restaurant. And no one had even looked their way as they drove by them. Still, as Evan held the door open for him, Bart tugged his hand out of Evan‟s grasp. “I won‟t let anyone hurt you, you know,” Evan said softly. “Maybe, but we shouldn‟t have to worry about it.” They went to order a couple of hamburgers and fries and Evan paid, over Bart‟s protests. Then they took their food to a small plastic booth in the back when Evan declared they had about fifteen minutes to eat before they‟d have to return to the theater. Bart looked around to make sure no one was listening, and when he saw no one, he said, “I have a question.” “Go for it.” Evan popped a fry in his mouth. “Just wondering, you know, how many.” “How many?” He felt himself blush to the roots of his damn red hair. “Guys. Have there been a lot?” Evan shrugged. “What‟s your definition of a lot?” “M-more than five.” Evan reached for his soda and took a long swallow through the straw. “It‟s more than five.” He nodded. “Bart, I‟m almost twenty-one. I‟ve been sexually active for 24

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several years now, so yeah, I guess by your definition I‟ve been with a lot.” He grabbed Bart‟s hand. “It doesn‟t mean anything. Or even matter. Who cares what happened before we met?” “I know. It‟s just—” “Just what?” “It just makes me wonder even more why you‟re bothering with me,” Bart admitted. “I get where you‟re coming from with your insecurities, but really, we need to get past this, Bart. I don‟t want to have to keep explaining that I like you.” He lowered his gaze. “I‟m sorry.” “Don‟t be. Okay? Just believe me. I like you. A lot. I‟m very attracted to you. I‟m not playing you. I‟m not playing any games. It‟s just you and me, trying to get to know each other. All right?” He made himself nod, though his stomach was twisted in knots and he wasn‟t sure he could eat the hamburger sitting in front of him. “All right.” Evan, who had once again insisted on sitting next to him in the booth, leaned over and pressed his lips to Bart‟s so quickly he was almost positive he imagined it. Except he could taste the salt from Evan‟s fries. He ran his tongue across his bottom lip. “Now, hurry and eat. We have a show to see.”

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CHAPTER 4 “That was really good,” Bart said as they exited the theater two hours later. Evan smiled. “I‟m glad you thought so. I liked it, too.” “You spent most of the show staring at me so I‟m not sure how you knew.” Bart laughed. “It true. I loved watching you. Your face was so animated,” Evan said. “You were adorable.” Bart turned a dark shade of red. “Well, I thought everyone was very good. And how can you not look when everyone gets naked?” “Even I looked then,” he admitted as they walked to his car. He wasn‟t ready for the night to end. Not at all. “Do you want to go back to my house? It‟s not that far from here.” Opening the passenger door, Bart slid a glance at him. “I—” 26

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Evan held up a hand. He was pretty sure it was going to be too soon for Bart to have sex with him. “Before you refuse, I just meant, we have a Jacuzzi and we could sit and talk in there for a bit. I‟m not really ready to take you back home.” “I don‟t have a bathing suit.” “I have a spare I‟m sure would fit you.” They got into the car and Evan started it up. “No pressure, Bart, but I‟d really like it if you‟d come over.” Bart nodded. “Okay.” He tried not to let his relief show too much. But Evan couldn‟t help but be happy Bart had agreed. It was a step in the right direction. Evan had to admit he was in somewhat new territory. He‟d never really had to woo anyone before. “You weren‟t kidding when you said you lived close,” Bart said. Evan had just pulled into a wide driveway with two other cars parked ahead of him. “Told you.” Evan had grown up in the two-story colonial-style house and he loved it. He‟d spent nearly every day growing up swimming in their pool. “This is a nice place.” “Thanks.” Evan opened the front door with his key. He doubted everyone was asleep, but his family had always locked the doors at night. It was a good neighborhood, but there was no point taking chances of just anyone getting inside. “If you want to wait down here, I‟ll run up and get the suits. There‟s a bathroom just before you go outside so we can change there,” Evan said. He ran up the stairs to his bedroom as fast as he could and opened the dresser drawer where he kept his suits. He chose one in red and one in blue and hurried back downstairs to where he left 27

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Bart. A glance toward the living room confirmed his dad was still up watching television. “Come on, I want you to meet my dad.” He sensed Bart‟s immediate hesitation, but he smiled. “It‟s okay. Promise.” Bart nodded and followed him into the living room. Evan‟s father sat in a big plush easy chair with only one lamp lit. He was watching a rerun of Cheers. He‟d always been told by everyone who knew the Carutherses that Evan looked just like his dad did at the same age. So, he supposed, looking at his somewhat balding but still good-looking father, he could figure out what he‟d look like someday. Kind of strange. “Hey, Dad, wanted you to meet Bart.” His father smiled and held out his hand for Bart. “Hi, Bart.” “Good evening, sir. Nice to meet you,” Bart said shyly. “I thought we‟d sit in the spa for a bit. Mom go to bed?” “Yeah, about half an hour ago. Have fun. Nice to meet you, too, Bart. Evan‟s told us about you.” “He has?” Bart glanced at Evan. “All good things,” his dad said. “Nonstop.” Which was true. Evan had been talking about Bart a lot, actually. But leave it to his family to go and tell the guy he was crushing on that he talked about him all the time. Hoping his blush wasn‟t too obvious, Evan laughed. “My dad, always joking. Come on, let‟s go and change for the spa.” He led Bart out of the living room and showed him the small bathroom near the sliding glass doors to the backyard. “You go ahead and change and I‟ll grab some drinks. Dr. Pepper okay?” He handed the blue suit to Bart. Bart nodded. “Yes, that‟s fine.” A few minutes later, they both sank down into the warm bubbly 28

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water, cans of soda resting on the cement beside them. His face tilted up to look at the stars, Bart smiled. “This is nice. I‟ve never been in a Jacuzzi before.” “Never?” “Nope. They don‟t have one at the apartment building. There‟s a pool there, but I don‟t really go in there. I burn like a lobster in the sun,” Bart said, laughing. “Plus usually there are little kids everywhere. Our old house just had a plain backyard.” Evan sighed. “I grew up in this place. They only put the Jacuzzi in about five years ago though. The pool‟s been here the whole time. I‟m practically a fish.” “You did swimming in high school, too. I remember.” Bart lowered his gaze from the stars and met Evan‟s. “You always did really well.” “I did. I thought about trying out for the Olympic swim team at one point.” “Why didn‟t you? I bet you would have made it.” “Maybe. Mostly just lazy, to be honest. I like to swim for recreation. I like to play football for fun, too. When I have to do it, it becomes a chore for me.” He shrugged. “Like I said lazy.” Bart snorted. “You got great grades all through high school and you‟re going to be a lawyer. I doubt you‟re lazy at all.” Evan reached for his soda and took a swig. “How do you know what my grades were in high school?” Bart‟s gaze dropped from his and his cheeks pinked. “I just assumed.” Evan laughed. “Come on, that‟s not true. You‟re a terrible liar, Bart. How did you know what my grades were?” “Well, they were good, weren‟t they?” “Four point oh.” 29

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Bart bit his lip. “I used to work in the office at school for one of my classes. I might have looked.” “Might have?” he asked, amused. “Okay, I did.” Bart sighed. “I, um, I had a bit of a crush on you when I was a sophomore and you were a senior. Of course, you didn‟t know I was alive.” He couldn‟t deny that, so he didn‟t even try. Besides he already admitted that he hadn‟t remembered Bart from high school. “I definitely know who you are now.” He scooted closer to Bart so that their bodies touched. He snagged Bart‟s hand and held it. “Was this all before the asshole that hurt you?” “Yeah.” He rubbed his thumb over Bart‟s palm. “Who was that asshole, Bart?” “Evan.” “Bart.” Bart sighed, but smiled slightly. “You aren‟t going to drop this until I tell you, huh?” “Nope. If you won‟t tell me, I‟ll ask your friend, Shayne. He‟s seeing my cousin, Des.” “He told me.” “So, who was he?” “I doubt you know him.” He huffed out a breath. “I‟m about to tickle it out of you.” “Okay, okay. If you‟re going to threaten me. Parker Hennessey.” “Hennessey? Does he have an older sister?” “Piper. Yeah.” “Cheerleader.” Evan nodded. “I remember her. She was a senior same year I was. Bitch, too.” 30

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Bart laughed. “Yeah, that about sums up the whole family, I think.” “I kind of remember seeing him around. He played basketball.” “Right.” Bart‟s voice had dropped to a soft, sorrowful whisper. Evan grasped Bart‟s chin and turned his head so they were looking straight at each other‟s eyes. “Listen. I don‟t care what that idiot told you, Bart. He was attracted to you. I think he had some hang-ups about being gay, hated that he wanted you, and took it out on you.” “I don‟t know.” “I do. You are gorgeous. Didn‟t I tell you I‟m really attracted to you?” “Well, I don‟t remember the word „really‟ being said.” He chuckled. “I didn‟t know you were a brat.” “Evan?” “Hmm?” “Are you going to kiss me or just look at me?” Well, hell, he didn‟t need any other invitation to taste those plump limps. The brief kiss he‟d stolen at dinner hadn‟t done much to quench his desire for Bart. Ratcheted it up was more like it. He tiled his head and slanted his lips over Bart‟s. They were soft and warm and fucking addicting. His fingers tightened on Bart‟s jaw as he pressed their mouths together. When he probed the seam of Bart‟s lips, Evan slipped his tongue inside. Bart scooted closer and, with a moan, linked his arms around Evan‟s neck. Oh, God. Slipping one hand around Bart‟s waist, Evan‟s other hand roamed to Bart‟s lap, his fingers fluttering to the growing bulge in the blue swim trunks. When his hand closed over the crotch, 31

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squeezing ever so slightly, Bart tensed. “Shh, it‟s all right, Bart. We don‟t have to anything you don‟t want,” Evan said against Bart‟s mouth. He returned to kissing Bart, deepening the kiss. He slid his hand across Bart‟s inner thigh, causing the younger man to shiver. Evan wouldn‟t go all the way. He knew Bart wasn‟t ready for that. He could tell. And anyway, he doubted his parents would thank him for having sex in the spa. Bart whimpered and practically crawled into Evan‟s lap as the kissing continued. He smoothed his hand along Bart‟s bare back and the other one over Bart‟s thigh. A light blinked on from a room upstairs and Bart broke the kiss. His pretty blue eyes were hazy and dazed with lust. “Evan,” he whispered. He rubbed his thumb over Bart‟s swollen lips. “Let‟s get out of the spa.” Bart nodded. “I should probably go home.” “Okay.” Evan climbed out of the spa and then reached down to help Bart step out. When they were standing on the cement he pulled Bart into his arms. “Are you absolutely sure you want to go home? We can go up to my room and spend some, um, quality time together.” Bart gave him a sweet smile. “I like that idea, Evan. I do. But—” “It‟s too soon.” He sighed. “I know. I just… I really want this, Bart.” That earned him another kiss and Bart‟s tongue slipping into his mouth. Evan‟s erection, which had started to flag, now perked up to full arousal. God, he was in for a bad case of blue balls. Or 32

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doing some serious jerking off before he went to sleep. “I-I don‟t want to be a cock-tease, Evan. I just need a little more time,” Bart said, pulling back once more. “Please.” “You take all the time you need,” Evan told him. “It‟s okay, Bart. I‟m not rushing you. Let‟s go get changed and I‟ll take you home.”

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CHAPTER 5 Bart opened the door to the quiet, dark apartment and flicked on the light switch just inside. Light flooded the living room. Ronnie lay sprawled out on the couch, passed out. A line of vomit trailed from his mouth, down his chin, and to his shirt, which was vomit covered. Gritting his teeth, he surveyed the empty beer bottles littering the room, as well as bits of sandwich, half eaten cookies, and crushed chips on the carpet. He closed his eyes briefly but when he opened them the sight greeting him hadn‟t changed. Sighing heavily, Bart picked up the bottles first and took them to the kitchen trash. The kitchen looked as bad as the living room, with food-hardened plates stacked in the sink. After picking up the 34

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rest of the trash in the living room, he did the dishes. What he wouldn‟t do for a damn dishwasher, he thought for the hundredth time. Finally, he knew he had to deal with cleaning up Ronnie. Bart went to the bathroom and got a wet washcloth, then went back to the living room. Ronnie hadn‟t moved. Which was fairly typical after an at-home drinking binge. Grimacing, he got the shirt off Ronnie and set it aside. Then he wiped Ronnie‟s faced and neck and his chest where the vomit had soaked through his shirt. Just as he turned to take the soiled shirt and towel to the hamper, Ronnie woke up, spewing enough swear words to embarrass a sailor, and before Bart could back away, Ronnie seized him by the collar of his T-shirt. “What are you doing, boy? You trying to rob me of my winnings?” “No.” Bart shook his head. “You threw up—” “Don‟t fucking lie to me.” The skin of Ronnie‟s face had turned an angry, blotchy red. He held up his hand as though to slap Bart across the face, but then seemed to recall himself. Ronnie rarely left marks on a part of the body that could be seen. “Damn fag,” he shouted, spittle hitting Bart‟s cheek. Bart tried to wrench out of Ronnie‟s grasp, but Ronnie had already balled up his fist. He braced himself for the contact of his father‟s fist in his stomach. But even knowing it was coming, it winded him, pulling a gasp of pain from him. Ronnie released his shirt, and then threw another punch very close to where the first landed. Bart dropped to knees. “Oh, you‟re just a damn princess, aren‟t you, boy?” Ronnie laughed and wiped his mouth with his hand. He sank back onto the couch. “That‟ll teach you to try and steal my money.” 35

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“I didn‟t.” He didn‟t get a response. After a few minutes, Bart struggled to his feet and looked at the sofa to see Ronnie once more seemed unconscious. He lifted up his shirt and felt his abdomen. He didn‟t think the bastard had broken any ribs this time. But damn that hurt. The spots he‟d punched were ugly and red and Bart knew before morning he‟d have bruising. After that, he went to get a blanket and pillow for Ronnie. Not for the first time, Bart wondered why he bothered. Why did he always feel like he should clean up Ronnie‟s messes? Why the hell did he still even care? All he ever got for his trouble was the crap beaten out of him. Sure he stayed there because of Julie. His sister was still a minor and wouldn‟t graduate high school until late spring. He couldn‟t leave her to deal with Ronnie on her own. But that didn‟t mean he also had to take care of Ronnie. Yet he did. And this is what he came home for? He left Evan to get hit and to clean up Ronnie? Right now he could be having sex with the hottest guy he‟d ever been with. Bart bit his lip and went down the hall to his bedroom. Was it too late to call Evan? Maybe. But he could possibly leave a message anyway. He hit the speed dial for Evan and waited through three rings. “Bart?” “Did I wake you?” He paced nervously in his room. “No, I was actually having trouble sleeping. You okay?” He let out a breath. “No. I mean, yes, I just, I was wondering if—” His voice trailed off. How the hell did he say he wanted to go back to Evan‟s house without sounding like a desperate fool? “What is it?” 36

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“I‟m just wondering if I could see you.” Lame. “Now?” He was being stupid, wasn‟t he? But God, the idea of staying here with Ronnie right now was torture. “You want me to come back and get you?” Evan asked before Bart had a chance to answer. “I can be there in less than ten minutes.” His heart racing, Bart shook his head. “No. I‟ll drive myself. I remember how to get there. Will it be all right? Me coming over like this?” “Yes, of course.” “Your parents won‟t care?” “They‟ve gone to bed. And anyway, they wouldn‟t mind. Are you leaving now?” Evan asked. Was he? If he went to Evan‟s house he had no doubt they‟d end up having sex. And was Bart ready for that? “Yes,” he said, making up his mind for sure. He couldn‟t go on forever feeling like an idiot for Parker‟s betrayal. “I‟ll be there as quick as I can.” “Good. See you soon.” He ended the call and then quickly stuffed a change of clothes into his backpack. He wouldn‟t be coming back here until after his classes to check on Julie. It was kind of late to call her, he didn‟t want to wake her, but he‟d try to remember to leave her a message tomorrow during school. Going through the living room, he checked to make sure Ronnie still lay in a drunken stupor. Totally out. He didn‟t want to be there when Ronnie awakened again. More reason to get the hell out of the apartment before that happened. 37

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Bart made it back to Evan‟s house in just over five minutes and decided it was a small miracle he hadn‟t gotten pulled over for a speeding ticket. At first, he‟d just wanted to get out of the house and away from Ronnie, but the closer he got to Evan, the more he wanted to be with the blond god. He pulled up to the curb in front of Evan‟s home and the front door opened. Evan stepped outside to greet him. He wore only a pair of sweats and Bart could make out the smattering of gold chest hairs under the dim streetlights. Bart walked around the car to where Evan stood and without overthinking things, threw his arms around Evan and kissed him, right there on the street. Or the sidewalk really. Evan‟s lips were unyielding at first, but after only a few seconds of Bart crushing his lips over Evan‟s, they softened and took over the kiss. Evan‟s arms circled Bart‟s waist. When he was pretty close to crawling up Evan‟s body, he drew back. “Sorry, got a little carried away.” Evan touched his forehead to Bart‟s and smiled. “You can get carried away anytime.” And then he was kissing Bart again. Over and over. Tongues twisted, tasting, exploring. Bart‟s cock strained painfully against the crotch of his jeans. Good God, pretty soon he‟d be coming just from the kissing. Breaking the kiss once more, Evan gasped. “Fuck. We‟d better move this inside, babe, or the neighbors will be calling the cops on us.” Bart just nodded and allowed Evan to grab his hand and pull him into the house. The house was quiet and dark except for a hall light just inside the front door and an overhead light that lit the 38

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stairs leading up to the second floor. Evan flicked off the light in the hall without pausing and tugged Bart up the stairs. Out of breath already from the all-consuming kisses, Bart did his best to keep up with the athletic man. When they were inside Evan‟s bedroom, Evan closed the door and twisted the lock before crushing Bart to the closest wall, his mouth overtaking Bart‟s once more. He clutched Evan‟s bare shoulders as Evan ground his erection into Bart‟s. He was so fucking hard, he was nearly light-headed from it. He was vaguely aware of Evan yanking his jeans and briefs down enough to expose his cock before feeling a large hand jerking him. With expert strokes, Evan had him desperate and shaking in seconds. Hell, it never felt so good when he jerked himself off. Evan‟s lips strayed away from his already swollen lips to nip at the pulse of Bart‟s throat. He leaned his head back as the wave of a powerful orgasm hit him, cum covering Evan‟s long fingers. His whole body shook with the force of coming. Once more Evan‟s mouth was on his and it was all just a bit overwhelming. He hadn‟t ever come with anyone else. It had always been with only his own hand and only rarely given his living arrangements. His one disastrous night with Parker he‟d not had an orgasm. Evan broke the kiss and pushed him toward his private bathroom. He had a brief thought about how cool it must be to be rich, but then it flew from his mind when Evan reached inside the enormous glass shower to turn on the shower spray. Bart titled his head to look at Evan. “Are we going to take a shower?” “Yes, we‟re going to have shower sex. Trust me, Bart. You‟ll 39

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like it.” And before he could stop him, or think to stop him, Evan had pulled Bart‟s T-shirt off over his head. Evan froze, his previously grinning, lecherous expression slipping from his face to be replaced with horror. “Who did that to you?” he whispered. He swallowed. “I… Are you angry?” “Not at you, Bart.” Evan‟s eyes were serious as his gaze rose to Bart‟s. “Who hit you, babe?” “Ronnie.” Evan pulled him into his embrace. “Does he hit you a lot?” He hiccupped. “Yeah. Ever since my mom died. He never did before she died. After, he wouldn‟t stop drinking. Still hasn‟t.” “Is that when he hits you? When he‟s drunk?” He nodded. “He‟s always drunk, though. I don‟t know how he still has a job. I mostly manage to avoid it now. I‟m at work or school. Wednesdays he has poker games though and it seems to get worse. Especially since I‟m often home then.” He hated telling Evan all this. It made him seem like a weakling who let his father beat him up. Evan kissed the top of his head. “I can see why you had to stay before. But what about now? You‟re over eighteen now.” “My sister. She‟s still a minor until the spring. Julie‟s a senior in high school.” He bit his lip. “If I wasn‟t there I don‟t know what he would do to her. I do my best to get her away from him.” Evan lifted his chin with a thumb. “Do you get in the way of him hitting her? So he‟ll hit you instead?” “Yes.” “I want you out of there, Bart.” Evan blew out a breath. “I can‟t stand the idea of him hurting you. Touching you ever again.” 40

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“I can‟t leave her.” “Isn‟t there some other relative she can stay with?” “My mother‟s sister. But I sent an email to the last email address I had for her and she never responded.” Evan squeezed him. “We‟ll figure something out.” He blew out a breath, then cupped Bart‟s face in his hands. “I‟m going to tell you something. And I know you don‟t trust me yet but hopefully you will soon.” “Okay.” Evan kissed him very gently. “I won‟t ever hit you. Not in anger or any other reason. I don‟t think it‟s okay because we‟re both guys. I don‟t think it‟s sexy or acceptable in any way. It‟s abuse. Not going to happen ever.” Bart nodded, swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat. “And also, as far as sex is concerned, I won‟t ever do anything you aren‟t ready for. Ever,” Evan said fiercely. “All right?” “All right.” Evan smiled and kissed him. “We‟re steaming up the bathroom.” And they were. The windows had fogged over. “Are you ready for that shower?” “Yes. I‟m ready for it all,” he assured him. He stepped back from Evan and pushed his pants down the rest of the way to his feet. He kicked off his flip-flops and stepped out of the jeans and briefs. He stood nude in front of Evan, but he wasn‟t embarrassed. How could he be with the tender look in Evan‟s eyes? Not to mention lustful. “God, Bart, other than those marks that bastard made you are fucking beautiful.” Evan caressed his upper chest with one arm and his ass with the other. “Jesus.” 41

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During their talk about his injuries, Bart‟s cock hadn‟t shown any interest in perking back up after Evan‟s hand job, but now with a few words and the look in Evan‟s eyes, Bart‟s dick rose, nearly fully erect. “Now you,” he whispered against Evan‟s mouth just before he sealed their lips together. Evan moaned, deepening the kiss. Both of his hands moved over Bart‟s ass to draw them closer. “You get in the shower. I‟ll find what we need,” Evan said, ending the kiss and gently pushing him toward the open shower. Bart stood under the showerhead, letting the water massage his tense shoulders. He was always tense, he realized. Always ready for what he was sure would befall him. He hated living that way. He flung his wet hair out of his face just in time to see Evan step into the shower in all his naked glory. Evan was not a hairy guy, just a few golden hairs adorned his sculpted pecs dipping down to even less hair covering his muscular abdomen. He had those perfect narrow hips Bart had seen on male models. And instead of the ridiculously white skin Bart saw when he looked in the mirror, Evan‟s skin was lightly tanned. All over. His mouth watering, Bart just stared. Evan really did look like a fairytale prince. One that held lube in one hand and a condom packet in the other. He smiled that sexy as sin smile of his and Bart thought maybe he‟d just melt into a pile of goo and he‟d get washed down the drain. “You look amazing,” Evan said, as though Bart were the stunningly beautiful one. “Turn around, Bart. Brace your hands against the tile.” Licking his lips, Bart nodded and turned to do as Evan said. The tile was a mottled beige, probably expensive. He splayed his 42

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hands out and waited to see what Evan would do next. “Spread your legs just a little more, babe.” Bart parted his legs, bracing for what was to come. And then Evan was behind him, squirting out lube. He craned his neck to see what Evan was doing. “Face forward,” Evan said, his voice whisper soft. Swallowing, Bart turned back to look at the tile. Evan‟s fingers, slick with lube, grazed over the crease between his cheeks and he gasped. “Easy, babe,” Evan soothed. “Relax.” He nodded, but kept silent, wondering what Evan would do. His time with Parker hadn‟t been pleasant. He‟d been hard to start off with, but when Parker had shoved himself between Bart‟s buttocks without so much as spit to ease the way, Bart had lost his erection while clueless Parker continued to pay little heed to Bart‟s protests. Evan slipped a long finger inside him, slowly and gently. The intrusion felt a little weird but not really painful. Evan moved it inside him several times, then added another slick finger next to it. “Ahh.” The fingers inside him stilled. “Bart?” “Uh-huh?” “Is it all right? Doesn‟t hurt?” Evan kissed the back of his neck. He shook his head rapidly. “No.” “Continue?” “P-please.” And then the two fingers moved within him, pulling out and then pushing in, spreading him. He closed his eyes and hung his head as another moan tore from his lips. Nothing he had experienced before felt this good. Evan‟s other hand smoothed across Bart‟s hip, to Bart‟s cock, 43

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the fist closing around the tip. “God, Evan!” Soft laughter tickled his ear as Evan‟s lips hovered nearby. “Yeah, babe. You‟re driving me crazy, too.” When a third finger entered him just as Evan‟s thumb stroked across the head of his dick, Bart shook. “I‟m going to come again.” “That‟s the idea. But first, wait for me.” Evan‟s fingers slipped out and his hand moved off Bart‟s cock. He whimpered in protest as he heard the tear of the foil wrapper. “Just a second.” He heard the sound of more lube being squeezed out and then the blunt tip of Evan‟s erection pressed against his hole. Bart bit his lip hard, dreading the pain he knew would come when Evan shoved in to him. Evan‟s hand brushed his face. “Relax, Bart. I won‟t hurt you. I‟ll never hurt you.” He nodded and waited as Evan‟s long, thick cock pushed inside him. It burned, stung, but just a little. Nothing compared to what happened before. Then Evan‟s arm encircled his waist, being extra careful to avoid the sore spots caused from Ronnie‟s punches, and he slipped past the ring of muscle and all the way in. And stilled. Both of them seemed to breathe as one. “All right?” “Yes.” Evan‟s hand reached for Bart‟s dick once more as he began to thrust inside Bart‟s ass. Bart closed his eyes, his head leaning back as Evan‟s mouth latched onto his pulse, sucking there. He vaguely realized Evan was probably giving him a hickey, but he didn‟t care. The pulsing in his cock, the feel of the man pounding into him, arm wrapped tight around him, more than made up for any embarrassment a mark would cause. 44

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Though technically he hadn‟t been a virgin, it still seemed the first time to him, the first time he actually felt pleasure instead of pain. He couldn‟t stop the cries pouring from his lips as Evan fucked him deep and thoroughly, thrusting over and over into him while his hand pleasured his cock. This is what he‟d dreamed of, but hadn‟t had. This ecstasy, this connection. “Evan, please, so good.” His only answer was a groan before Evan turned his face so that he could cover Bart‟s lips with his own. He was close, so damn close. He felt a tingle up his spine, the tightening of his balls, just before Evan‟s cock stroked a particular spot inside him that caused him to see stars. “Ah!” Bart screamed, though, he tried desperately to muffle it against his own arm, so he didn‟t wake up Evan‟s entire household. Cum shot from his dick, splattering against the tile and Evan‟s still moving hand. “Fuck, Bart.” Evan‟s thrust sped up, and the sound of flesh slapping flesh seemed very loud. He stiffened and with a roar to match Bart‟s found his own release. Breathing heavily, Bart leaned against the shower wall as Evan eased out of him. He sank to his knees and watched Evan removed the condom and walk to the shower opening to discard it. He was amazed that Evan had the strength to walk. He certainly didn‟t. And then Evan was back, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him to his feet, hugging him under the water spray. “That was amazing, babe.” He nodded, not sure he had the strength to form words just yet. He leaned his head against Evan‟s shoulder. “Are you all right? I didn‟t hurt you?” 45

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“No, no. It was perfect.” Evan tilted his chin up with a thumb and kissed him. “It was. Now, I‟m going to wash us, and then we‟ll go to bed.” Bart waited as Evan pulled back just enough to reach for shower gel on the shelf. He hesitated between two bottles. “Peach or hibiscus?” He smiled. “Hibiscus.” “Great choice.” Evan lathered them both up, then rinsed them, then also washed their hair with coconut shampoo and conditioner. As they dried off with one big towel that covered them both, Bart had to laugh. “I feel like we‟re in Hawaii or something with all these scents.” Evan grinned. “I like to smell good. “ “Well, you do. You smell good, you look good, and you taste good,” Bart said, stealing another kiss. He felt almost like he was floating on a cloud he was so damn happy at that moment. A far cry from a few hours ago when he was being pummeled by Ronnie. “You want pajamas, babe, or to sleep naked next to me?” “How are you sleeping?” “Naked.” Bart bit his lip. “Your parents or sisters don‟t just burst into your room in the morning do they?” “My parents, no. My sisters, if they want to live, no.” Bart laughed. “Naked it is then.” “Great choice,” Evan said again, and drew them into the bedroom toward the bed.

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CHAPTER 6 It made sense, to Evan anyway, for him and Bart to go to school together the next morning since they had a similar schedule of classes. Why take two cars? “I have to work tonight,” Bart had protested. But Evan had assured him he could take him to his job. “I‟ve got to go home first anyway because I have to get my uniform and make sure Julie got home and is safe from Ronnie,” Bart explained, biting his lip as he stood on the street outside Evan‟s house. Evan nodded. “I can take you to the apartment and then to your job.” “You aren‟t going to want to pick me up from work, too.” “Want to bet? You may as well pack some clothes, too, 47

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because you‟re staying with me tonight.” Bart frowned. “Why?” “First of all, because I want to have you with me. Second, there is no way I‟m going to have you playing punching bag to Ronnie. I don‟t want you there, Bart. I don‟t like the idea of him hurting you.” “He doesn‟t do it every day.” His jaw tightening, Evan sighed. “If I have it my way neither you nor your sister will spend another damn day in that apartment with him.” “You think I can‟t take care of myself,” Bart said woodenly. It was on the tip of his tongue to point out that Bart couldn‟t. He‟d clearly been taking shit from Ronnie for years. He knew that wouldn‟t be the way to get Bart to agree not to go back to the apartment alone. “I just want you out of harm‟s way.” Bart exhaled. “Okay, but I can‟t just stay with you every night and avoid it all forever.” As far as Evan was concerned, he could, but he didn‟t say so. He‟d cross that bridge, so to speak, when he came to it. For now, he was content that Bart had agreed to let him keep him out of Ronnie‟s hair for another night. Smiling, he opened the passenger door of his car for Bart. As Bart got inside, Evan wondered just how he would deal with the situation. His intention was to get Bart and his sister away from Ronnie and preferably Ronnie in jail. He had an hour between classes, so he decided he‟d spend it on the library computers looking up ways to help victims of abuse and also to see if there was a solution to Julie being a minor without her having to go into foster care. When they reached the campus, he parked and the two of them 48

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made their way onto the lawn that would take them toward the building their classes were in. Bart had sociology first and Evan had Logic. They happened to be in the same building. Bart was chattering away to him about the crazy teacher in his sociology class when Bart suddenly froze and stopped walking and talking. Frowning, Evan stopped, too. Straight ahead a couple hundred feet away but coming in their direction was a tall, dark haired guy dressed in jeans and a polo shirt. He looked pretty average to Evan. “What‟s wrong?” he asked. “That‟s Parker Hennessey.” “So?” Bart sighed. “I try to avoid him when I see him.” “You see him a lot on campus?” Bart shrugged. “A few times. Not a lot.” Evan took hold of Bart‟s hand. “Come on.” There was no way he was going to avoid the prick that hurt Bart. Fuck that. In fact, he intended to take perverse pleasure in rubbing his relationship with Bart in the dickhead‟s face. Bart cast a glance at him sideways, but walked next to Evan, clutching his hand. At first, it looked like Hennessey intended to walk right past them, without any sort of acknowledgement at all, but then at the last moment he stopped short and stared. “Bart? Bart Smith?” The guy‟s gaze strayed immediately to the visible hickey on Bart‟s neck, then over to Evan, before sliding back to Bart. “Hennessey, right?” Evan asked coolly. “Do I know you?” “Evan Caruthers. Bart‟s boyfriend.” Okay, but that was a bit 49

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early in their relationship to declare himself Bart‟s boyfriend, but hell, who cared? Evan intended it to be so, why not say it? Hennessey‟s eyes widened. “Boyfriend?” When he looked to Bart as though for confirmation, Evan‟s annoyance went up a notch. He wasn‟t jealous. There was no reason to be jealous of this clown. Bart wasn‟t into the guy, though he was once, but this guy had hurt Bart. It bugged him that he‟d even talk to Bart. He had no right to bother Bart in any way as far as Evan was concerned. “Yes, boyfriend,” Bart spoke up. “Well.” Hennessey didn‟t seem to know what to say, which suited Evan fine. He looked away from Evan and back to focus on Bart. “Bart, I wanted to say, about what happened back in high school—” Evan stepped slightly in front of Bart. “Yes?” Hennessey backed up a step. “Evan.” He heard the slight touch of censure in Bart‟s voice and knew he was probably being overprotective and overbearing. At least Bart viewed it that way. He tried to relax his combative stance. “I just wanted to say that I‟m sorry. Things got a little out of hand. Out of my control. I didn‟t mean for you to get beat up like that,” Hennessey said, looking very uneasy. “Look, Parker, I don‟t want to dwell on what happened. It was rotten and it sucked and I frankly doubt it got out of your control at all,” Bart said. “But I want to forget about it. I don‟t want to keep thinking about it.” “Um, okay.” Hennessey looked like he wanted to say more but he clearly didn‟t find any encouragement to say anything else from either Bart or Evan. Instead, he straightened and went around 50

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them. “See you.” Evan turned and watched him walk away in the other direction. He hoped neither of them saw the weasel again, really. “I‟m sorry. I was being a bit of a caveman, wasn‟t I?” Bart smiled. “A bit, yeah. But I don‟t entirely blame you. I was acting like I was afraid of him. Avoiding him and all.” “Ever thought of taking some self-defense classes? Or something like karate? I‟m betting you don‟t like feeling like I‟m trying to protect you, like you need protecting. Right?” “It does make me feel like I‟m weak or something,” Bart admitted. “It‟s something to think about then. Come on, we‟d better get to class.” *

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“You don‟t have to come up with me,” Bart said, as Evan pulled his car into a visitor parking space right in front of the stairs to Bart‟s apartment later that afternoon. “You can wait down here. I won‟t be long.” Evan could guess why Bart didn‟t want him to go up with him. His bet was that Bart knew Ronnie was home or about to be and didn‟t want any confrontations involving Ronnie and Evan. “I want to meet your sister,” Evan said, smiling as sweetly as he could manage. And that much was true. He did want to meet Julie. Bart bit his lip. “Okay.” He turned off the engine, locked the car, and followed Bart up the rickety stairs. As they approached the front door, he spotted a cockroach scurrying toward the apartment nearest to Bart‟s. He 51

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kept his expression blank, not wanting Bart to feel any worse about his living situation than he probably already did. Evan felt like an ass. Here he lived in big house with his own room and bathroom. It wasn‟t his money, obviously, it belonged to his parents, but still. He‟d never been turned down for much, and never anything he really wanted. Bart lived here with a drunk who beat him. Life wasn‟t fucking fair. Bart opened the door and cautiously stepped inside. “Julie?” A young teenaged red-haired girl came out from the direction of the hallway. She had a backpack slung over her shoulder. “Bart! There you are. I—it looked like you hadn‟t been home.” She walked over to Bart and squeezed him tight. “Sorry, I spent the night at Evan‟s house. I left you a voice mail.” “I need to charge my phone.” She looked past him to Evan. “Hello.” “Hi.” He smiled. “I‟m Evan.” “I figured.” She smiled back, tentatively. “Dad made an awful mess, but I cleaned it when I got home.” “You should have left it. I would have cleaned it,” Bart said. “I can do things around here to help, Bart.” She eyed Evan. “You‟re pretty cute. Are you seeing Bart?” He saw Bart blush, but he nodded. “Yes. Do you have somewhere to stay tonight? Bart‟s coming home with me again tonight. And the whole weekend, too, if you have some place to stay.” “Tonight and tomorrow night for sure.” Julie gestured to her backpack. “I‟ve got some clothes in here. But Saturday night, Desiree‟s going somewhere with her parents.” “Okay, we‟ll come get you from here or Desiree‟s on Saturday 52

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and you can stay at my house, too.” “Evan, no,” Bart immediately protested. “Bart, come on. It‟s no big deal. My sisters would love to meet Julie. They‟re around her age. We can take them all to the mall or something.” He frowned. “What‟s your work schedule?” Bart sighed. “I don‟t have classes on Friday so I work earlier. I‟m done by two in the afternoon. Saturday I work the six to noon shift. And Sunday I don‟t work.” He smiled. “See, it‟s perfect. You don‟t mind meeting my sisters, do you, Julie?” She shook her head. “No, I don‟t mind.” “Great. We‟ll call you Saturday with the plans,” Evan said. Julie smiled a little and then embraced her brother. “Have fun. Don‟t do anything I wouldn‟t.” Bart snorted. “Just go before he gets home. He‟s going to be here any second.” As soon as Julie walked out the door, Bart turned to look at Evan and his expression was cool. “We need to talk about something.” Evan sighed. “I‟ve overstepped, haven‟t I?” “Yes. I know you think I‟m a weakling and you need to fight my battles for me—” “It‟s not about battles, Bart. I just want you to be safe. I‟m not trying to take over, but I saw what he did to you and you admitted to me he‟s done it before. I know you‟re afraid for your sister, too. If you won‟t move out, then I at least want to be sure you‟re safe as often as I can.” “I get that, but I get a say. If you wanted to invite Julie, you should talk to me about it first. And not just decide everything like you‟re in charge. You aren‟t.” 53

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Evan swallowed. “I know. I‟m sorry.” Bart gave him a soft smile and touched his arm. “Okay. I know you mean well, but I‟ve lived the last several years with people thinking they need to take care of me and it‟s getting pretty old.” Before Evan could say anything else the front door opened with a loud bang as it slammed against the nearest wall. Evan could see the plaster on the wall had been damaged already, probably from taking such abuse before. Standing in the short front hall was a man somewhere in his fifties wearing a soiled and torn T-shirt and ratty looking work pants. His eyes were wild and his still red hair rather mussed. “Who the fuck is he?” the man demanded, glaring toward Bart. Evan could only assume this charmer was Bart‟s father, Ronnie. He could smell the booze from across the room. “Evan Caruthers,” Bart said. “Bart‟s boyfriend,” Evan added. “His what?” Ronnie stumbled into the living room, his lips twisted in a sneer. “He don‟t have no boyfriend.” “Well, yes, he does. I‟m him.” He moved just a little to stand very slightly in front of Bart. He only hoped Bart wouldn‟t get all prickly over that, too. Evan was determined to keep himself between Bart‟s father and Bart just the same. Ronnie didn‟t seem to know what to say to that because he just stared at the two of them. “I‟m actually here just to pick up some things,” Bart spoke up. “What do you mean?” Ronnie asked. “I‟m going to be gone tonight and all weekend. Julie, too.” Bart was doing his best to sound confident and casual, but Evan detected a slight tremor in his voice. “There‟s food in the fridge for you. You just have to fix it.” 54

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“Fix it? I don‟t cook,” Ronnie snarled. “It‟s all food you can just heat up. You don‟t have to know what you are doing.” “Well, that‟s gratitude for you. I put a roof over your damn heads and you thank me by skipping out on me. And for what? So you let this guy use you for unnatural things?” Bart shifted but didn‟t immediately say anything. And if Evan had anything to say about it, he wouldn‟t. It was pretty clear to Evan, Ronnie was the type to want to get a rise out of people. “Come on, Bart, let‟s get your things so I can take you to work,” Evan said. Bart nodded and turned to go down the hall. When Evan noticed Ronnie taking a step to follow, he decided Bart could pack up his own clothes. “I‟ll wait here with your father.” Ronnie scowled. “You think you‟re so smart.” “Smarter than you, that‟s for sure,” Evan acknowledged. He crossed his arms and stood in front of the doorway that led to the bedrooms. Yeah, yeah, so he was overbearing. He‟d work on it. But there was no way this dick was getting anywhere near Bart while Evan had anything to say about it. “Asshole,” Ronnie muttered. “I‟m getting a beer.” Evan nodded. “Good idea.” He had no doubt Ronnie was well on his way to drinking himself to death and he didn‟t wish that slow death on anyone. But the guy who hit Bart… well, he was having trouble being charitable toward him. Bart came out with a duffle bag a few minutes later. They could hear Ronnie cursing and throwing things around in the kitchen. Bart winced. He forced a smile. “Ready?” 55

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“Yeah. Maybe I should fix him his dinner first,” Bart said, sinking his teeth into his lip. He wanted to shout no, but that wouldn‟t get him anywhere and Bart would be mad. So he shook his head. “It‟s okay, Bart. He can manage. He survived before you were born. I‟m sure he can fix a sandwich.” Bart sighed, but still looked reluctant. “All right, yes.” They made it to the apartment door and still Bart hesitated. “Bart.” He drew him into his arms and hugged him. “If you really want to go and help him, I‟ll go in with you.” “No, I-I know you‟re right. I‟m just used to doing stuff for him.” Bart exhaled. “I‟m pathetic, huh?” “Not at all. You‟re just an incredibly wonderful man who cares about an asshole.” He opened the front door and they stepped out onto the landing. Bart visibly relaxed and grabbed Evan‟s hand as they walked down the stairs. “Thanks for being there with me.” “No problem.” He grinned. “And when you get off work I will swoop in with my chariot and carry you off to my bed where I‟ll have my wicked way with you.” Bart laughed. “You‟re such a dork.” “Yeah, yeah.” “I don‟t know about carrying me off to bed like some he-man, but you can definitely fuck me into the mattress.” He blinked. Hearing those dirty words from Bart‟s lips, with him looking almost angelic was quite something. A huge turn-on. Damn. And Bart had to go to work. For the next few hours he was going to have a case of blue balls. 56

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CHAPTER 7 Bart walked out of the fast food restaurant where he worked at three minutes after ten and he wasn‟t a bit surprised to see Evan‟s car waiting for him. It was funny. He‟d never known anyone he could rely on to do exactly as they said. To be punctual. To put Bart first. Any of that. Even Shayne, his best friend, as much as he loved him, was often flakey and late. He smiled as he opened the passenger door and got into the car and smiled even wider when Evan leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. “Hi.” “Hi, beautiful. Have a good night at work?” “A bit crazy, actually. This family came in and they had like seven kids and they were all screaming at the top of their lungs 57

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about wanting a toy.” Bart grimaced at the memory. “I think they burst my eardrums.” Evan laughed as he pulled out of the parking lot. “Well, I‟ll have you feeling all cozy and relaxed in no time. Oh, hey, my cousin called and he wants to meet us for dinner tomorrow night at Henri‟s. He‟s going to ask Shayne. I told him we would. If that‟s okay?” Bart hadn‟t gotten around to telling Shayne who exactly he‟d been seeing even though he had admitted to his friend he was dating someone. He supposed if they met Shayne and Desmond for dinner it would be fairly obvious. That was one way to tell Shayne, anyway. “Sure, sounds fine.” All he could think about as they approached the neighborhood where Evan lived was soon he‟d be kissing and touching Evan. He could even picture a gloriously naked Evan feeding his cock into Bart‟s ass and the image went straight to his dick, hardening it painfully against his uniform pants. “What are you thinking?” Evan asked as he turned a corner. Blushing, Bart said, “Actually, I was thinking about sex with you.” “Yeah? What about it?” “About how I can hardly wait for you to fuck me.” “Ah, damn it. You‟re going to have me wishing I could pull over.” He chuckled. “We‟re only a couple blocks from your house.” “Thank God for that. With you talking like that I want it now.” Bart laid a hand on Evan‟s thigh and squeezed a little. He was rewarded by a low moan. “Don‟t get a speeding ticket or it will take even longer to get what you want.” 58

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“You‟re a tease.” Evan grinned. He shook his head. “Nah, I‟ll put out.” “The sooner the better,” Evan agreed, as he maneuvered his car into the spot directly in front of his house. “I hope nobody stops us from going straight to my room.” They made it inside the house in seconds flat or it seemed so to Bart. Barely pausing, Evan yanked him up the staircase to his room. Bart would have laughed but he could barely catch his breath. Once inside Evan‟s room, Bart threw himself at Evan, pressing their mouths together and latching his arms around Evan‟s neck. Groaning, Evan maneuvered them to the bed, crushing Bart underneath him. When they came up for air, Evan framed Bart‟s face in his large hands. “Have I told you just how beautiful you are?” He rolled his eyes. “I‟m not beautiful.” Evan grinned and kissed the tip of Bart‟s nose. “Yeah, you are. I love your red hair, your dangly earrings, your high cheekbones.” “Ah, geez. You‟re killing me here,” Bart joked. “Everything about you is stunning.” “Stunning and beautiful? I don‟t want to be either of those. I want to be hot.” Evan rubbed his thumb over Bart‟s swollen lips. “That you are.” His stomach fluttering and his heart pounding with emotions he couldn‟t quite place, or didn‟t want to anyway, Bart pushed his pelvis up to rub against Evan. “Prove it. Fuck me.” And Evan‟s lips were once more on his, consuming them, nibbling them, taking every last breath from Bart, over and over again. Long fingers threaded through his hair, tugging the strands, 59

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pulling his head closer still. Bart whimpered. He didn‟t know how long they just kissed. And kissed. And kissed. It felt like hours, but not long enough. Just as he began to think he would die from lack of oxygen, but who cared, Evan broke away and stood. Bart watched through half closed lids as Evan pulled his shirt off, revealing his rippling abs. His breath hitched as Evan‟s fingers undid the snap of his jeans, his gaze never leaving Bart. He read lust in Evan‟s eyes but also a deeper, more potent emotion that rocked his very soul. Even as he watched Evan lowering his jeans, slowly, like he wanted to give Bart a show, Bart toed off his sneakers, then reached down to scoot his uniform pants and underwear down his hips. They were just big enough he didn‟t even have to undo them. His cock sprang free and Bart grasped it, stroking as he continued to watch Evan divest himself of his own clothes. “I‟ll be right back with the condom and lube,” Evan said, leaning down to kiss Bart deeply. “Get rid of your shirt.” Bart leaned up on his elbows to watch Evan‟s backside as he made his way to the bathroom. His mouth watering, Bart yanked off his shirt and let it drop to the floor with his shoes and pants. He closed his fist over his dick, pumping it. Evan returned holding a small bottle of lube and a strip of several condoms. Bart raised eyebrow. “Just how many times do you think we‟re going to have sex?” Evan grinned. “Hopefully as many condoms as I have here.” Bart laughed. “I don‟t think so.” Handing the bottle of lube to Bart, Evan looked down at Bart‟s bruised stomach. “God, babe, does it hurt?” 60

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“Not much.” Which wasn‟t exactly true, but Bart wasn‟t about to admit otherwise to Evan. He didn‟t want his lover to decide he was too injured or anything. And the truth was, it was just tender. “I want to kill him,” Evan whispered. He shook his head. “No, you don‟t.” “I do.” “You aren‟t a violent guy.” Evan blew out a breath. “Yeah. I think I could make an exception where Ronnie is concerned.” “Let‟s not talk about him.” Bart opened the lube and squirted some out all over his fingers. He moved his hand down between his legs and to his entrance. With slow precision, he slipped a finger inside. “Oh, fuck.” Evan groaned. He knelt one knee on the bed and watched Bart, his eyes glazed. Encouraged by the look of rapture on Evan‟s face, Bart slipped a second slicked finger inside himself. It felt just a little strange to be doing this. He never had before, and, admittedly, it was embarrassing enough he doubted he could do it with anyone other Evan. For some reason, it was okay with Evan. Better than okay, actually. Bart gasped and lifted his ass enough to insert his fingers deeper. Evan tore one of the foil wrappers and rolled the condom on his hard cock without ever looking away from Bart. Shaking with need, Bart licked his lips, imagining the feel of Evan‟s cock inside him in place of his probing fingers. His own dick leaked pre-cum and with his other hand he brushed his thumb across the tip, then sucked his thumb into his mouth. “God.” Evan visibly swallowed and positioned himself between Bart‟s legs. “I can‟t wait to fuck you.” 61

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Bart moaned and withdrew his fingers. He linked his arms under his legs to lift up, allowing Evan perfect access to enter him. Holding Bart‟s gaze, Evan pushed in, quickly moving past the ring of muscle. “All right?” Evan asked. “Uh-huh. Better than all right.” He pushed up, taking all of Evan‟s cock deep inside. And then Evan grasped Bart‟s legs, hoisting them high in the air as he began to thrust hard and fast. His lids threatened to close, but Bart forced them open, not wanting to miss anything. He closed his fingers around his length and stroked in rhythm to the pounding in his ass. Bart knew he wouldn‟t last, he was so turned on, every part of his body feeling electrified. Each time Evan‟s cock brushed his prostate it tore a moan from his lips and he tried to muffle it by turning his head to the side and burying his face in the pillow on the bed, conscious of the fact they were fucking in Evan‟s parents‟ house. The bedsprings creaked a little as Evan drove into him and he couldn‟t help but think of a bad porno. It surprised a giggle out of him. Evan raised an eyebrow, even as his thrusts sped up. “What‟s funny?” He shook his head, grinning. “You just need a quieter bed.” The only answer he got was a loud groan from Evan. “Shh, do you want your parents knowing what‟s going on in here?” “I‟m sure they‟d figure it out even without sound effects, babe.” Even smiled. “Less talking, more fucking.” He clamped his muscles on Evan‟s cock and was rewarded with the widening of his lover‟s eyes. Oh, yeah, he needed to do 62

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that again. And again. He stopped the movement of his hand on his dick, wanting to draw out his orgasm, waiting until Evan was closer. Moving his hands up his abs, he slid them over his nipples, stroking and pinching them. Over and over, Evan slammed into him, seeming to go impossibly deeper every time, pushing him to experience tingles all over, electrifying him. “Evan!” Once more he stroked his cock, working it fast, pulling it, as a white globs erupted, splattering across his belly. “Ah, fuck,” Evan yelled, finding his own release after two more powerful thrusts. *

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Bart became aware some time later and realized he must have dozed off immediately after sex. He blinked into the darkness. Evan lay next to him, on his side, his arm latched around Bart. He shook his head at himself. He sort of remembered Evan withdrawing and getting up to discard the condom, but that was about it. “You awake?” he whispered when Evan moved ever so slightly. “Mmm. Yeah. You all right?” “Uh-huh. Sorry, I must have conked out on you.” Evan chuckled. “I got up to get rid of the condom and when I got back to bed you were out like a light.” “I guess I was more tired than I realized.” “It‟s not uncommon to fall asleep right after, babe. It‟s fine. I 63

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didn‟t expect us to have a conversation about the meaning of life or anything.” Evan smoothed his hand over Bart‟s bare stomach. “How do your bruises feel?” “Sore,” Bart admitted. “Not intolerable though.” “‟S‟good.” Evan kissed the back of Bart‟s head. “I like having you here.” Bart nodded. “It‟s definitely different. I‟m not used to sleeping with other people. Even as a kid I didn‟t really have sleepovers.” “Not even when your mom was alive?” “Nope. She didn‟t think it was necessary. I asked a couple of times, but she always said no, I could see my friends in the morning and she didn‟t want any kids up yakking all night.” Bart shrugged. “I stopped asking.” “That sucks. I used to love those when I was a kid. Des and I used to even camp out in a tent in the backyard.” “I‟ve never been interested in camping,” Bart said. “Too many bugs.” “Yeah,” Evan said with a laugh. “I can‟t see you out in the wilderness. Or even in the backyard. Not a Scout, huh?” “Never. It was okay, we never had much money growing up even before she got sick, and stuff like Scouts and camping and sports, they all cost money.” “Still it doesn‟t sound like you had much of a childhood.” He smiled sadly in the darkness. “We were definitely not the perfect great American family that‟s for sure.” Evan leaned over his shoulder. “Did Ronnie ever hit you when your mom was alive?” “No. Like I told you before, that came with the drinking. But he was never a very involved dad. My mom got pregnant with me so they got married. Mom said anything else had never been an 64

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option. It was just the way it was.” “Well, I‟m glad you‟re here with me now, Bart. Get some sleep. You have to get up early for work.” He yawned. “You reminded me.” “And there‟s dinner tomorrow at Henri‟s don‟t forget.” He nodded as he closed his eyes. “I won‟t.” *

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Bart twisted his fingers nervously as he sat in the booth with Evan waiting for Shayne to arrive with Evan‟s cousin, Desmond. He should have told Shayne. Should have called him. Would Shayne be mad? Really, since going out with Evan, Bart had barely seen Shayne. He‟d called him from school the night after his first real date with Evan, but the conversation had been brief and Bart hadn‟t revealed any details. He didn‟t want to be the kind of friend who stopped hanging out with his friends just because he got a boyfriend, but so far that had been exactly what he had done. Not that Shayne didn‟t seem to be spending a lot of time with Des, too. “Hey,” Evan said, nudging his shoulder. “You look like you‟re a million miles away.” Evan, of course, had insisted on sitting next to him in the booth, leaving the bench across from them for Des and Shayne when they arrived. “Just thinking about how fast things are going.” “Things?” Evan asked. “Or us?” He nodded. “Us.” “That scaring you?” “Maybe. I don‟t know.” 65

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“Hi.” Desmond Stratton, Evan‟s big beefy cousin, stood next to their table. Bart craned his neck. The guy was really tall, like most quarterbacks, he guessed, and very muscular. He was cute, but not as gorgeous as Evan was. At least not to Bart. “Ah, you made it,” Evan said, smiling. “Sit down.” And then Shayne was there. Shayne with his messy dark curls and soulful poet‟s eyes starting at Bart accusingly. “Just a minute. Bart, is this the guy you‟ve been seeing?” Shayne demanded, looking rather incensed. “Um.” Well, he hadn‟t expected quite that reaction. He nodded. “I don‟t believe this.” Shayne scowled. Des eyed Bart and Evan, then touched Shayne‟s arm. “Uh, Shayne.” Shayne looked at Des. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” “Shayne, please.” Bart‟s stomach twisted. Okay, so he should have told Shayne he was seeing Des‟s cousin, but really, talk about dramatics. “It‟s okay, Bart. I just want to talk to Des real quick. Be right back.” Shayne headed for the front doors of the restaurant. “What‟s that all about?” Evan asked Des. Des sighed. “Not sure. Uh, order me a Coke and Shayne an iced tea.” When Des had followed after Shayne, Evan turned to look at Bart. “You haven‟t told him about me, have you?” “Er, no. Not exactly. I was going to, but, well, we‟ve not really talked a lot in the last few days. I‟ve spent most of that time at school, work, or with you.” The waitress picked that moment to stop at their table and put down Evan and Bart‟s coffees they had ordered. “Ready to order?” “Not quite. But a Coke and an iced tea for those two,” Evan 66

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said, gesturing to the empty space across from them. “Be right back,” the waitress said, scribbling on a pad, then walking to another table with a party of three. Evan looked at the menu and didn‟t say anything else about Shayne not knowing. “All the burgers here are huge. Want to split something?” “Okay, sure.” Bart glanced at the menu Evan held. “The patty melt?” Evan nodded. “Perfect.” Des and Shayne approached the booth once more and Shayne slid into the bench across from them, then Des sat beside him. “Everything all right?” Bart bit his lip. Shayne smiled, but it was a decidedly unfriendly smile. “Oh, sure. Just thought of something I wanted to ask Des about. Sorry.” He looked at Evan. “How are you, Evan?” “I‟m good. Looks like things are going well for you two.” “Us two? Oh, no. I get it. Des and I are just friends.” “Shayne,” Des said, sighing. Evan picked up his coffee cup with one hand and laid his other overtop Bart‟s. He welcomed the warmth and comfort of it. Des picked up his menu. “Shayne, what are you having?” “I don‟t know,” Shayne said. “But we should probably ask the waitress for separate checks.” He sighed and glanced at Shayne. “Why?” “Just being friends.” “Will you please stop?” Shayne went back to looking at the menu and Bart started feeling sorry for Des. Shayne was being very strange, even for Shayne. Evan cleared his throat. “Bart and I are going to split the patty 67

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melt. It‟s huge so it‟s plenty for the two of us.” Des nodded. “Sounds good. Maybe we should share, too. What do you think, babe?” “What?” “Do you want to share something?” “I think I‟m going to just have the soup and salad combo.” “Okay, I‟ll get something else then.” The waitress came by with Des and Shayne‟s drinks and they all placed their orders. Des ended up ordering the Reuben sandwich. “So, Evan… ” Shayne broke the silence that had lapsed over the four of them at the table. “Have you introduced Bart to your family yet?” Rolling his eyes, Bart kicked Shayne under the table. “Ouch. What the hell was that for?” “Stop being an ass, Shayne,” Bart said, annoyed. “We‟ve only gone out a few times.” “But—” “But nothing. Take a chill pill. I don‟t need a keeper.” Evan cleared his throat again. “Actually Bart met my dad the other night. He‟ll meet the rest this weekend, since Bart‟s staying over.” Shayne nodded, then looked at his glass of iced tea. “This was a bad idea.” “Shay,” Des said softly. Without looking at any of them, Shayne shook his head. “Can I just go?” Des smiled apologetically at them. “Sorry guys. I‟m going to take Shayne home.” He took his wallet out and put money on the table. “You guys can eat our food or take it home with you. 68

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Whatever.” Bart opened his mouth to say something, but then Evan squeezed his hand. Des and Shayne got out of the booth. “I‟m sorry,” Shayne whispered before moving toward the door. “Is he all right?” Evan asked. “Yeah. It‟s my fault. I fucked up. I‟ll talk to you later.” Bart lowered his gaze and picked up his own coffee. “That was probably my fault.” “Yours? Why?” “He seemed pretty upset I hadn‟t told him about you.” Evan shook his head. “No, honey, I think it was something else that was going on. You heard what Des said.” “Yeah.” “Are you still hungry?” Evan asked. He thought about it and nodded. “Actually I‟m starving.” Evan laughed. “Me, too. And we will certainly have plenty to eat.” “I‟m sorry I didn‟t tell Shayne about us,” Bart said. “It‟s all right. I know it‟s just been a few days. And you probably have your doubts.” “Doubts?” “About me. About us lasting. I totally get that. And I come on strong. Already calling myself your boyfriend.” It was Bart‟s turn to squeeze Evan‟s hand. “I don‟t mind.” “Good, because really, I‟m not going anywhere. Unless you want me to.” “I don‟t want you to,” Bart said. And it was all crazy fast and overwhelming, but he really liked Evan and somehow he thought Evan really liked him. 69

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The waitress came by their table and set down their patty melt and fries. Then she set a Reuben and fries across from them where Des had been sitting and a salad with potato soup next to that. “Want some more coffee?” she asked. “That would be great, thank you,” Evan said smiling. “And a box for the Reuben, too.” Bart scooted over the plate with the soup and salad. “Good thing we were sharing.” “When we leave here, Bart, I want you to meet my mom and sisters.” “You didn‟t let what Shayne say bother you, did you?” Evan smiled. “No, but I‟ve had you staying over twice now and I invited you for the weekend. I should have already had you meet them.” “Well, I would love, too.” Evan leaned over and kissed him quick. “And they will love you. Now, let‟s dig in.”

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CHAPTER 8 Now that Evan intended to have Bart meet his mom and sisters, his stomach fluttered nervously. Sure, he‟d already had his dad meet Bart, but that had been casual. Now, well, he knew he really liked Bart and wanted a relationship with him. Not that he had any doubts his family would adore Bart. The redhead was beautiful and sweet. In fact, as they walked hand in hand into Evan‟s house, he couldn‟t help but cast a quick glance in Bart‟s direction. His high cheekbones were dusted with a little pink and a smattering of freckles, which also crossed over the bridge of his nose. He smiled at the sight of Bart‟s dangly fairy ear cuff. Bart caught his glance and smiled back. “What?” “Nothing.” He closed the front door. “Hey, Mom? Where are you?” 71

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“In the kitchen,” his mom called from the right. “This way,” he told Bart as he led the way down a narrow hallway, then past a dining room and then finally into the sunny lemon yellow kitchen. His mom stood at the stove holding a wooden spoon with which she stirred something in a large double boiler. “Hi, Mom.” She turned to face them with a bright smile. “Hi, sweetie. This must be Bart.” “Yep. Cute as I said he was, huh?” He grinned at Bart‟s blush. “Bart, this is my mother, Debra Caruthers. And this is Bart Smith.” Bart shook Evan‟s mother‟s hand. “Very nice to meet you.” “It‟s wonderful to meet you, too, Bart. Evan won‟t stop talking about you.” Now it was his turn to blush. “You‟re exaggerating.” She laughed. “Not by much. You boys had dinner?” “Yeah, at Henri‟s. Sorry, Mom, Des wanted us to meet him.” “How is Des? I hardly ever see him now.” “Busy trying to decide about football.” She made a noise of disapproval. “Poor boy. They just won‟t stop pressuring him.” “Pressuring him?” Bart asked. “Des‟s family wants him to be drafted by the NFL,” Evan said. “This year, actually, even though he still has a year left before he gets his degree. They think he‟ll be an elite NFL quarterback someday. They‟re counting on it. Des doesn‟t know if that‟s really what he wants.” Bart frowned. “Wow, really? I just assumed since he‟s always played in school that‟s what he wanted. What does he want?” “To be a doctor,” his mom said. “Yeah,” Evan said with a nod. “Since we were kids he talked 72

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about that. But football, too. So, yeah, big decision. Anyway, are the brats home? I wanted them to meet Bart, too.” “Should be out back.” Evan nodded. “Bart, can you give me a minute? I wanted to ask Mom something.” “Sure. I need to go to the bathroom anyway.” Bart smiled and left the kitchen. “So, what‟s up?” his mom asked instantly. “I wanted to make sure it was okay with you if Bart stays here, at least for the weekend, maybe longer.” “Oh?” She folded her arms across her chest. “You‟re actually asking me?” He had the grace to blush. “Yeah, sorry. I should have asked before. Um, Bart‟s father is an ass. He hits him. His sister, too. In fact, is it okay if his sister stays over tomorrow night? I know it‟s a lot to ask, Mom, but I‟m worried. Bart‟s dad drinks. A lot.” His mom hugged him. “Yeah, it‟s all right. I can‟t imagine what that poor family must be going through.” He squeezed her. “Thank you. And sorry I didn‟t ask before.” “It‟s okay. And tell your sisters to come in for dinner.” *

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Evan adored his younger sisters, Laurie and Allison. They were both in high school, one year apart, and blondes like him. Sure they could be bratty sometimes, but still he would do anything for them. Holding Bart‟s hand, they stepped outside. His sisters were in the Jacuzzi, lounging. “You‟re using sunscreen, aren‟t you?” Laurie, the youngest at fourteen, rolled her eyes. “Yes, Dad. 73

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And anyway the sun‟s almost gone.” Allison straightened and smiled brightly. “Who is this?” “This is Bart. My boyfriend,” Evan said. She pouted. “Oh. Hi.” Bart laughed. “Hi.” “He‟s cute, Ev.” Laurie waved. “He is. Mom says to come in for dinner. If you two behave, we‟ll take you to the mall tomorrow afternoon.” “Sounds cool,” Allison said. “But we don‟t have to hang out with you two, do we?” “You used to like hanging out with me.” She snorted. “Says you.” They both got out of the Jacuzzi and wrapped themselves in towels. “All yours if you want it. See you.” “They seem sweet,” Bart said when they‟d gone inside. “Yeah, they seem that way,” he joked. “How about it? Jacuzzi?” Bart yawned. “I‟m actually kind of tired. Can we just go upstairs?” “Sure. You ready for bed? You feeling all right?” Evan asked with a frown “I‟m fine. Just thinking maybe I want some alone time with you.” Bart lowered his gaze shyly. “Oh. Oh.” He grinned. “Gotcha. Yeah, I‟m tired, too. Exhausted even. Let‟s hurry.” Bart laughed. “I can see the dark circles under your eyes.” They hurried up the stairs, which Evan realized had begun to be a habit for them, and then into his bedroom. “Want you,” Bart whispered. He reached for the waistband of Evan‟s jeans and unfastened them. Without unzipping them, he slipped his hand inside and wrapped his warm fingers around 74

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Evan‟s length. “Ah, fuck, babe.” He lowered the zipper and pushed his pants and boxers down to his knees. He looked down to see Bart‟s full mouth curve into a smile and his long lashes cover his blue eyes. Then his lips closed over the head of Evan‟s cock and he was lost. There was something so decadent about watching Bart draw him in deeper, his cheeks hollowing as he sucked. Evan couldn‟t resist running his fingers through Bart‟s soft red hair, his hands holding Bart to him as he pumped in and out. Part of him wanted to stop his lover so he could come deep inside Bart‟s ass, but the mouth expertly sucking his cock made thinking almost impossible. Bart‟s fingers grasped his sac and he rolled Evan‟s balls. “Geez,” he gasped when Bart swallowed around his cock. “Bart, I‟m gonna come.” His lover nodded and sucked him deeper still, almost deepthroating him. And then he was coming, filling Bart‟s mouth, unable to hold back. When he was spent, Bart let him slip out of his mouth. He looked up at Evan with a grin, his full lips wet. “Happy with yourself?” Evan asked with a laugh. “Yup.” Bart stood and wrapped his arms around Evan. “Seems like maybe you‟re happy with me, too.” He pulled Bart closer and tightened his arms. “I‟m very happy.” *

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A week later, Bart met Shayne for afternoon coffee after Bart‟s shift at the restaurant Friday morning and Shayne‟s classes were 75

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finished. There was a Starbucks just off campus so they met there at one o‟clock. Shayne sipped a double espresso over ice while Bart had just ordered a regular cup of coffee, nothing fancy. “So, yeah, basically I spent the whole last weekend at Evan‟s house. Julie stayed over Saturday, too, but Sunday she went back to Desiree‟s so they could go to school together.” Shayne nodded. “Everything seems to be going pretty well then.” “Evan‟s family is great. I really like them.” Shayne smiled, but it was just a little sad. “What about Ronnie? He couldn‟t have been happy you weren‟t around.” “I‟m sure. There wasn‟t much he could say about it, though. I‟ve managed to keep things low key all week with him. The mechanic shop he works at has been making him work some overtime so he comes home even later than usual. Evan wants me to spend the weekend with him again, but I‟m going home today before work so I can check on the apartment and make sure he‟s got food and Julie is all right.” “You‟re such a nurturer.” “No, I‟m not. It just has to be done.” Bart shrugged. Yeah, Ronnie was a drunken asshole, but what else could Bart do? He had to think of Julie and, anyway, it wasn‟t like he could afford to move to his own place with what he made from the fast food restaurant. Yeah, Evan wanted him to stay over every single night, but Bart didn‟t feel right about imposing on Evan‟s family like that. “Well, I, for one, can‟t wait until you both move away permanently from him.” “Me, too. I sent another email a couple of days ago to Mom‟s 76

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sister.” He sighed. “I‟m still waiting for a response. I‟m not sure if the email is wrong or she just doesn‟t care.” Shayne sipped his espresso. “Too bad you don‟t have a phone number. I‟m glad you met Evan, though.” He raised an eyebrow. “Now you‟re glad? You seemed pretty hostile the other night.” Shayne winced. “Sorry, bad night. Although you could have told me who you were seeing. You knew he was Des‟s cousin.” “I know. We really hadn‟t been seeing each other for long and I just wanted to see where things were going.” All of which was true. But, yeah, he felt guilty for not talking to Shayne about it all before. It felt good to sit and talk to his friend now. It had been far too long since they‟d had time, just the two of them. “And now?” Bart smiled. “They‟re going really good. Evan‟s very sweet. How about you, Shayne? What‟s going on with you? What happened last Friday?” Shayne didn‟t say anything for a while, then he said very softly, “You‟re lucky Evan‟s out to his family.” “He told me Des isn‟t.” “Yeah. Very firmly in the closet. At least until he decides on what he wants to do. You know me, Bart, I‟m out. I‟m not going back in.” “Is that what he‟s asking?” Shayne shrugged. “He wants to hide our relationship for now. I haven‟t seen him since last Friday after we left the restaurant. We‟ve talked on the phone, though.” “I‟m sorry.” “It‟s okay. I‟ll work it out, somehow.” “You‟re in love with him, though, aren‟t you?” 77

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Shayne shrugged again but didn‟t agree or disagree. Bart decided not to push it. If Shayne didn‟t want to talk about his feelings for Des, Bart couldn‟t blame him. He forced a smile. “Let‟s have dinner soon, okay?” “Sure, sounds great.” *

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Bart hurried up the apartment stairs, his heart pounding hard. He‟d parked his car a moment ago, having noticed his father‟s car already parked under the carport. Ronnie was home early. He hadn‟t had time to get Julie away. He could hear Ronnie‟s raised voice as he made it up the stairs. He turned the doorknob and found the front door unlocked. The sight that greeted him nearly stopped his heart. Julie was backed up against the living room wall and Ronnie stood before her, his finger jabbing at her chest. Tears streamed down Julie‟s cheeks. “You lazy bitch!” Ronnie yelled. “Clean up that damn kitchen.” “Stop it, leave me alone.” Julie sobbed. “No,” Bart shouted and hurried over. He immediately pushed Ronnie away from his sister and stood in front of Julie. “Don‟t you touch her.” Ronnie sneered. “Oh, look who it is. Her older sister to the rescue. You two girls make me sick. You think you can just do whatever you want, don‟t you? Well, things are going to change around here. I‟ve been too damn easy on you two lately. Now you think you can walk all over me.” Bart watched as his father balled up his fist and he knew the 78

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man intended to hit him and it looked like he intended to actually go for Bart‟s face. Not this time. Bart shoved Ronnie back hard until he stumbled. “You keep away. From both of us. Or I‟ll call the cops.” “You don‟t have the guts,” Ronnie said. “Maybe I didn‟t before, but now, I do. You‟re not going to touch either of us again,” Bart declared. “Why are you home so early anyway?” Ronnie wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I got fired today.” “Fired?” “Drinking on the job. Or so they said. It‟s bullshit.” His stomach twisting, Bart sighed and turned to Julie. “Go get your stuff. We‟re leaving.” “Leaving? Where do you think you‟re going this time?” Ronnie asked. “Away from here, that‟s for sure.” “I‟m not going to let you just walk out of here. I‟m your father and you lazy good-for-nothing kids will do what I say from now on.” Bart ignored his ranting and gently guided Julie away from the wall. “Go on, get your things.” “Bart, look out!” Julie shrieked. He frowned, about to turn around when something crashed against the back of his head and the sound of breaking glass pierced the air. Bart fell to his knees even as he could hear Julie screaming. His vision dimmed and then everything went dark.

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CHAPTER 9 Evan sat beside the hospital bed holding Bart‟s hand, willing him to wake up. Bart lay on his back, machines hooked up to him, tubes running from his hands. Around his head was a bandage. His beautiful red hair had been shaved. In the back where Ronnie had hit him over the head with a glass lamp, they‟d have to give him several stitches. They were also monitoring him to make sure his brain wouldn‟t experience any swelling. So far, anyway, there hadn‟t been any. Bart had been unconscious for two days. The doctors told Julie and Evan that they hoped he would wake up soon. They thought he would. Ronnie had been arrested. Between Evan and Julie, Bart had never been alone since being rushed to the hospital. Shayne and 80

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Desmond had been there, too. Just now Julie had gone down to the cafeteria to get them coffee and tea. “It‟s me again. Asking you to wake up. I need you to wake up. We‟ve hardly had any time at all, Bart. We just started and maybe it‟s selfish of me, but I want more. I don‟t want weeks or even months with you. I want years. I want to know everything there is to know about you. And I want you to know everything about me. I want to make love with you every day. But you have to wake up and tell me you want the same thing, too.” Evan stared at the pale face of the guy he thought he was falling in love with. Tears pricked his eyes, but he refused to give into despair. Bart would wake up. He had to. Ronnie was not going to win. He couldn‟t help but think he had somehow failed Bart. He should have insisted Bart stay with him all week and told Bart he couldn‟t go to the apartment without Evan being with him. But Bart probably would have scoffed at that anyway. And none of them had thought Ronnie would put Bart in the hospital. Evan should have known, though, and his guilt ate at him. He exhaled and struggled to speak without his voice cracking. “Shayne and Des are doing good. Shayne said to tell you that he and Des worked it out. And Des came out to his family. It didn‟t go well, but it‟s done. And Des isn‟t declaring for the draft this year either. You have to wake up so you can talk to Shayne yourself. He wants to tell you all about it.” Evan pinched the bridge of his nose. He‟d read somewhere that people could still hear you when they were unconscious but he wasn‟t sure it was true. Still, he‟d been talking to Bart anyway. He thought maybe it was more for him than for Bart. He needed to talk. 81

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Julie stepped into the hospital room holding two Styrofoam cups. She handed one to Evan, who took it one handed, and shook her head sadly. “I keep hoping every time I step out that when I come back in, he‟ll be awake.” “Me, too.” Reluctantly he let go of Bart‟s hand. “I‟ve got to go to the bathroom. Can you sit with him?” She nodded. “You know I will.” He set the cup of coffee on the windowsill and forced himself to step out of the hospital room. He didn‟t even want to leave Bart for a second, but his body had other ideas. It was hard not to let his mind wander to how much he wanted to kill Ronnie with his bare hands. His heart had almost stopped when he‟d received Julie‟s frantic call from Bart‟s cell phone. Evan was haunted by that call, Julie‟s sobs. “I think Dad killed Bart,” she‟d cried into the phone and Evan had almost died then, too. Thank God, she hadn‟t been right. It was bad enough what Ronnie had done, but if Ronnie had killed Bart, Evan didn‟t know what he would have done. He should have gotten them both away from Ronnie. He should have done more to look into how to get a minor away from their abusive parent. He‟d thought he had time and Bart had insisted he could handle seeing his father. Right now Evan hated himself for listening. He left the restroom and headed back to Bart‟s room. Julie sat in a chair on the opposite side of where he‟d been sitting, sipping her tea and reading one of the last books of the Harry Potter series. Her eyes looked very unfocused and her eyelids kept drifting closed, before she would blink them back open. “Hey, kiddo. Want me to take you home? You look exhausted.” Julie had stayed at his house the last two nights. 82

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“No, I don‟t want to leave yet,” she whispered. Her eyes filled with tears. “I just need him to wake up. I need my big brother.” “I know. Me, too. It‟s going to be okay. It will.” He wanted to convince himself as much as her. She simply nodded. Then a noise by the door had Evan turning. Standing in the doorway was Ronnie himself. He‟d cleaned up from the last time Evan had seen him. He was dressed in navy slacks and a plaid shirt. Julie stood. “What are you doing here? Get away from him.” Evan put his arm out to stop her from rushing past him and to her father. “Easy.” Ronnie continued to stand just inside the door. “I don‟t want any trouble.” “You should be in jail,” Julie said. “How is it you‟re here, Ronnie?” Evan wanted to rush at the monster himself and bash his face in. But he couldn‟t. He wouldn‟t. He knew Bart wouldn‟t want that. “I made bail. I just… I wanted to see my boy.” “You stay away from him.” Tears streamed down Julie‟s face. “I‟m not here to cause trouble,” Ronnie insisted. “They tell me he hasn‟t waked up.” “He‟s in a coma, Ronnie. Thanks to you,” Evan added. “You‟ve seen him now. You should probably go.” “I‟m his dad. I have a right to be here.” Julie‟s laugh was hysterical. Evan hushed her and wrapped his arm around her. “If you were really any kind of dad to him you wouldn‟t have hurt him. Ever. As his dad you‟re supposed to keep him safe. But Bart‟s going to wake up and when he does, I‟m going to do 83

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everything I can to make sure he gets a restraining order against you.” Ronnie merely nodded, his eyes focused on the pale figure in the bed. “I want him to know and you, too, girl, I‟m going to get help. I‟m going to rehab and am also going to classes about domestic violence. So, when I‟m done, we can all be a family again.” “We‟ll never be a family again,” Julie said hoarsely. “Maybe so. Tell him anyway.” Ronnie then turned and walked out of the room. Evan held Julie while she cried, his gaze firmly on Bart, wanting desperately for him to wake. *

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The next afternoon, Evan sat with Bart again. Julie had gone to school. She hadn‟t wanted to, but eventually Evan talked her into it. Last night they‟d heard from Bart and Julie‟s aunt, their mother‟s sister, finally. She hadn‟t got Bart‟s first email, she said, but the most recent one he‟d sent had come through while she‟d been away on a vacation. She was headed down from Northern California to be with Julie. They all hoped that meant Julie wouldn‟t have to go back to living with Ronnie for the rest of her senior year. He stood and stretched, deciding it was time to go out to the parking lot to give a call to Des with an update on Bart‟s condition. Which unfortunately was more of the same. Evan brushed his fingers over Bart‟s pale cheek and was turning to leave when Bart‟s lashes fluttered. “Bart?” he asked, hopefully. Did he imagine it? See what he 84

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wanted to see? The lashes fluttered again and so did his heart. “Bart? Honey?” And then Bart‟s eyes opened, the crystal blue clearly visible and looking right at him. “Ev?” His throat clogging with the rush of tears, Evan nodded. “Yes.” Bart‟s eyelids blinked a few more times. “What?” Evan pressed the call button. “I‟m getting the nurse. What do you remember about what happened, Bart?” “Nothing. I… Am I in the hospital?” “Yeah.” Evan leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Later. I‟ll tell you later. Right now, I‟m just glad you‟re awake.” “How long have I been out?” “Three days, honey.” Three of the worst days of his life. “Julie‟s going to be so happy.” The on-duty nurse came in and assessed the situation immediately. “I‟ll get the doctor. I‟ll be right back to ask you some questions.” Bart frowned. “Is it my head? It hurts a little.” “I‟m not surprised. And, yes, you got hit over the head. But it‟s going to be all right.” “I don‟t remember.” “That‟s a good thing, I‟m thinking.” Evan grasped Bart‟s hand and brought it to his lips. And then the nurse came back in, followed by the doctor and Evan stepped back to let them examine Bart. “I‟m going to call Julie.” *

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“I cannot wait to get out of here,” Bart told Evan the day the doctors finally said he could go home. He was sitting on the edge of the hospital bed, dressed in jeans and a purple T-shirt Evan had brought him to wear. They were now waiting for a nurse to bring him a wheelchair. Evan scanned the discharge papers they had given to Bart earlier. “It says you might experience headaches, confusion, and dizziness still.” “Yes, the doctor told me.” Bart lifted a hand to feel the little bit of red peach fuzz he‟d grown back. “I just can‟t wait to get more hair. Did they have to shave it all?” “It would have looked funny if they only shaved the one part,” he said patiently. “I don‟t like being bald.” “You aren‟t bald. And it will grow back, babe.” “Can‟t be soon enough. Speaking of, where‟s the wheelchair?” Evan leaned down to kiss him. “It‟s coming. You‟ll be out soon.” “I‟m whining, aren‟t I?” “Nah, you‟ve been here long enough for all of us. We‟re anxious for you to get out, too.” The nurse came in wheeling a chair. “And see, here we go.” They got him into the chair and the nurse wheeled him out of the room, followed closely by Evan. Finally Bart was getting out. Evan didn‟t kid himself that Bart still had to go through some recovery, but the worst of it was over and they could get back to a semi-normal life. For now, Bart would live with Evan at his parents‟ house, but eventually they planned on getting their own apartment together. And Julie was staying in their old apartment with their aunt, Beverly. So, far, Ronnie had 86

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stayed away from them all and had checked himself into rehab, as he had vowed he would. Evan got Bart in the car and helped him get the seatbelt fastened and then headed for home. “You okay?” “Yeah, I‟m feeling fine. Maybe a little tired.” Evan frowned. Damn, he should have thought of that. Instead, he‟d been stupid enough to invite everyone over for a Welcome Home, Bart party. It should have occurred to him Bart might want to go up and take a nap. “Your head all right?” “Doesn‟t hurt at all.” “Um, Bart.” “What?” “I kind of did something stupid.” Bart eyed him. “What exactly?” He shrugged. “Everyone was so excited you were getting out today, I invited them all over for a big party.” Bart smiled. “That‟s sweet.” “You don‟t mind?” “Why would I?” “Well, being tired and all.” His lover laughed. “I can handle seeing everyone. I get tired a little easily, that‟s all. Probably will for a while, Evan.” He nodded. “If you get too tired you can go on up to bed.” Bart patted Evan‟s thigh. “It‟s going to be fine.” And as he pulled into the driveway, everyone poured out the front door to welcome Bart home. Evan‟s parents, Laurie and Allison, Shayne and Des, Aunt Beverly, and Julie, of course. There was much hugging and kissing and maybe even some crying. 87

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It was great. Later, after everyone had eaten their fill of several large pizzas, Evan noticed Bart had disappeared. At first he thought maybe his lover had gone up to sleep, but when he went up to their room, Bart wasn‟t there. He found him out by the pool, sitting by himself, staring up at the sky. Evan sat next to him and then reached for his hand. “Everything okay?” “Yes. Just thinking that I wish I‟d done something about Ronnie before it got to this point. I let him get away with abusing us for years.” “You were little more than a kid yourself, babe. Don‟t beat yourself up over the past. You did the best you could for you and Julie.” He nodded. “Yeah.” “You tired?” Bart yawned. “Exhausted.” Evan stood and drew Bart to his feet. He pulled him into his arms and thoroughly kissed him. Bart smiled. “That was very nice.” “Definitely.” “Do you think Ronnie will really come out a changed man?” Evan shook his head. “I‟m not sure. I just don‟t want him to hurt you again.” “He won‟t.” Evan brushed his thumb over Bart‟s bottom lip. “I—” Now that the time seemed to be right to tell Bart how he felt, he couldn‟t seem to get the words out. “What?” Bart asked. “It‟s just. I-I really… ” 88

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Bart‟s smile was breathtakingly beautiful. “Me, too, Ev.” Evan‟s heart soared and he hugged Bart tight. It was enough for both of them right now. In fact, it was more than enough.

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SHAWN LANE Shawn Lane believes love and passion know no boundaries. Shawn writes both erotic love stories involving men in historical or contemporary settings and interracial romances between men and women. Shawn is always looking for new stories and new characters to create while holding down life in California. *

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Don’t miss More Than Anything by Shawn Lane, available at AmberAllure.com!

College freshman, Shayne Ralston, never expected to meet the man of his dreams on his first day of school, but star quarterback, Desmond Stratton, is a force to be reckoned with. Soon he slips past Shayne’s reluctance and romances the shy history major. Des has a decision to make about his future. His family has been pushing him toward a professional football career for years, but Des also has dreams of being a doctor. As his feelings for Shayne grow, Des’s decision becomes more important than ever. Shayne is openly gay, and Des needs to remain in the closet if he wants a football career. Staying in the closet, however, could lose him the man with whom he’s fallen in love…

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