Fighting Chance

Fighting Chance [Breakdown 3] by Mychael Black

Torquere Press www.torquerepress.com

Copyright ©2008 by Mychael Black First published in www.torquerepress.com, 2008 NOTICE: This eBook is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution to any person via email, floppy disk, network, print out, or any other means is a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines and/or imprisonment. This notice overrides the Adobe Reader permissions which are erroneous. This eBook cannot be legally lent or given to others. This eBook is displayed using 100% recycled electrons.

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Fighting Chance [Breakdown 3] by Mychael Black

CONTENTS Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Epilogue ****

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Fighting Chance [Breakdown 3] by Mychael Black

Chapter One A handful of pills. Jack shook his head and popped 'em all back, swallowing them down with a huge gulp of water. He hated the damn things, but he was bein' good, truth be told. Ty kept him on his toes with the meds and eating right. In the past, Jack might have balked at it all, but he couldn't blame Ty. Hell, if their situations were reversed, Jack knew he'd be just as bad—if not worse altogether. He set his emptied glass in the sink and put the pill bottles back in the cabinet. After giving his hands a quick but thorough wash, he set about making them both breakfast. He could hear the shower running and let his thoughts wander where they would, namely to the lean, soap-slick body silently beckoning. Jack got the butter melting in the skillet for their eggs, and put several pieces of sausage in another skillet to start frying. The biscuits went into the oven a minute later, and soon the entire house smelled damned good. He cubed some mozzarella and set it aside. He couldn't stand cheese in his eggs, but Lord, Ty could probably live on it. Jack chuckled and shook his head. Just another little quirk he'd discovered about the man. Without warning, two strong arms wrapped tight around Jack's waist and warm, slightly damp skin pressed up against his bare back. Lips ghosted over his neck and he shivered. "Mmm, smells good." Jack grinned and turned his head just enough to meet Ty in a soft, easy, good-morning kiss. It had become a ritual 4

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without either of them really noticing. A simple kiss, before coffee, before breakfast, before the day really started. He didn't know which of them had initiated it, but he didn't care. He twisted a little, free hand cupping Ty's face while he drowned himself in his lover's kiss. When they finally came up for air, Ty smiled and leaned his forehead to Jack's. "Mornin'." "Mornin', darlin'. You sleep okay?" Ty nodded, even colored a little. "Oh, yeah." "Good. Next time, you can do me." Shivering, Ty groaned. "God, yes." The sausage started sizzling loudly and Jack turned back to their breakfast, getting the food made quickly. When Ty went to get the orange juice and coffee for them, Jack gave his cock a good thump. Now was not the time to wanna bend over the kitchen table and let Ty fuck him senseless. Jack had a doctor's appointment this morning and he wasn't about to go in with either a hard-on or freshly fucked. He shoved those thoughts away and dished out the eggs and sausage, the biscuits coming out of the oven a couple minutes later. He set the plates on the table and made sure the stove and oven were off before sitting. "Oh, man," Ty said around a mouthful of cheese and eggs, "this is good, babe." Jack eyed the salt warily. He wanted it for his eggs, but a part of him was still nervous about it. "I don't think a little will hurt." "I know," he sighed. "Just paranoid, I reckon." 5

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"Besides, we'll see what the doc says. Maybe since you've been so careful, he'll ease up on your intake." Jack gave his eggs a light salting. "Lord knows he better. I've cut back on nearly every damn thing he told me to. Surprised he didn't tell me to slow down on the working." "I'm just glad he didn't say to slow down on the sex," Ty muttered. Chuckling, Jack rubbed his bare foot up along Ty's calf. "Makes me wish we were off tonight." Ty shivered. "Enjoy yourself last night?" "God, yes," Ty groaned. He scooted down a little in his chair, thighs spreading as Jack's foot slid up higher. "Thought you didn't wanna go to the doc's all hot and bothered?" Jack hummed, gave Ty's cock and balls a good press with his foot, then dropped his leg back down again. Ty whimpered. "Later, darlin'. Soon as we're done at the doc's, we can come back here. Four hours for you to have your wicked way with me." "You'll be walkin' into the bar bowlegged." Dropping a hand to his lap, Jack gave his prick a squeeze. "I'm plannin' on it." **** "Everything looks good, Mr. Cantrell. Do you have any questions for me?" The doctor draped his stethoscope around his neck. Jack pulled his shirt back on and thought for a moment. "Nothin' that I can think of right now. I've done everything 6

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you said to do, though I'll admit to a little salt on my eggs, but no more than half a teaspoon." The doctor nodded. "That should be okay. Meds giving you any troubles?" "No." "Good, good. Well, just keep up with your diet, exercise, and the meds, and I think you'll be just fine." Jack shook the man's hand and left the exam room, feeling more at ease than he had when he went in. Ty glanced up immediately and grinned, tossing aside the magazine he'd been reading. "I'm good and fit." Ty let out an audible sigh of relief. "So salt's okay?" "Yeah, so long as I keep it to half a teaspoon. Just enough for a little flavor and I'm good." Jack held the door open for an elderly lady, then walked out, Ty behind him. "So, where to now?" He risked a sideways glance at Ty and laughed when his lover scowled. "Home it is." The whole drive home, Jack kept sneaking peeks over at Ty, the images from the night before parading through his head. He loved exploring new things with his lover, especially when such activities involved oil massages and sex toys that made Ty blush whenever Jack held 'em up. By the time they pulled into the short driveway, Jack's jeans were painfully tight and his hands itched to touch. Ty shot him a smoldering look as he got out of the truck. Jack followed, gaze glued to Ty's ass. They were just about to the bedroom when the phone rang. Both of them groaned, Ty sagging against the wall in the hallway while Jack answered the phone. 7

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"Hello?" "Hey, Jack, it's Roho. We're short on a bartender. Jazz had to leave early. Can you come in and cover a few hours before your shift? Extra pay, man. We could use another doorman, too." Jack glanced over at Ty, who seemed to instantly know what was going on. Ty rolled his eyes. They needed the extra money, otherwise Jack would've said no. Instead, he sighed. "Sure. We'll be there in a few." "Thanks, guys." When he hung up, he went over to Ty and took a hard, deep kiss, earning himself a low groan. "Thank God we're off tomorrow." "No shit," Ty muttered. **** The first several hours flew by and before Jack knew, it was eight. The crowd was just starting to pick up, and it kept Jack on his toes behind the bar. Another group came in, Ty taking money for cover charges and checking IDs just as Jack got caught up on drink orders. The group looked like they'd come off work, still dressed in dirty jeans and mud-caked boots. They pulled two tables together near the stage, all six of them whistling at Sweet Pea up on stage. The petite blonde strutted her way toward them, turned her back to them, and did the splits, earning herself several catcalls. A couple of the guys tossed some bills onto the stage and she gathered them up when the song ended. 8

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"Three Killians and three drafts," Mandy called out as she set her tray on the bar. She tossed several empty bottles into the trash and emptied the ashtray while Jack popped open the new bottles. She counted out the cash and handed it to him after he put the bottles on her tray. "How ya doin' tonight, darlin'?" he asked her while he poured three beers from the tap. Mandy blew out a breath, feathering her bangs up a little. "Tired but good. The tips have been pretty average. You?" Jack smiled and set the cups down. "Doin' good. Came in early, both of us." "Oh, man." She glanced back over her shoulder at Ty, then back to Jack. "Jack, honey. If I had that waitin' for me, I'd tell Roho to kiss my ass." Jack laughed and nodded, wiped the bar down with a towel. "It was tempting, believe me." Mandy gave him a wink, picked up her tray, and headed back out into the crowd, artfully dodging tables and an occasional attempted grope. Jack caught a quick smile from Ty before yet another group of customers came in. Unlike the first large group seated near the stage, this one looked better collectively, but Jack watched a couple of the men close. Either he was gettin' older than he thought, or two of the new arrivals were weaving a bit. He found Ty watching, too. "What can I get you guys?" Mandy asked as she finally made her way to the two tables the guys sat down at. One of the two suspicious ones, the lesser drunk one, leaned back in his chair and smirked. "Just a Coke, hun." 9

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Mandy nodded and took orders from the others. When she got to the last guy, even Jack could tell she was leery. "And you?" "Mm, how ... 'bout ... a Bud, babe." Mandy shot Jack a look and he shook his head. She turned back to the customer. "One sec, hun." She left the table and hurried over to the bar. "Jack, help." "No problem." He set his towel down and went over, trying to look as unthreatening as possible. "Evenin', gentlemen. Y'all know you're always welcome, but I can't serve alcohol to anyone who's clearly had enough." Just as expected, the last guy stood, nearly toppling over his chair, and got in Jack's face. "Says who?" "Says management," Ty said from behind him. "And the law." The guy spun around, and that was all he wrote. The brawl started out predictably enough and Jack ran to call the cops while the bouncers, and Ty, worked to control the growing chaos. The first group joined in, thankfully on the club's side, and Jack hung up just as he thought things were under control. Then one of the nearby dancers screamed. Steel flashed and the one holding the knife hit the floor, tackled by three grown men. Two others were down: one leaning heavily on a chair, the other on his back on the floor. Jack rushed over, cordless phone still in his hand, and as the crowd parted, his heart nearly stopped. "Ty!" Jack dropped to his knees and pried Ty's hand away from his right side. Blood spread beneath Ty's shirt, seeping 10

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out onto Jack's hand. The sight nearly stopped his heart for good. "Oh, fuck. No. No, no, no. Hang on, darlin'," Jack whispered. Commotion started up, and the crowd gave way to paramedics and cops. Jack looked on, numb to the bone, as they took vitals of Ty and the wounded customer. Then they were taking the men out on stretchers. A hand gripped Jack's shoulder, though he barely felt it. "Go," Roho said. "We got it covered." Jack left without looking back. **** "Hello?" "Robbie, it's Jack." "Oh, hi! How's it goin'?" Jack raked a hand through his hair and blew out a shaky breath. "Not good, man. Ty's in surgery right now." "What? What happened?" "A brawl at the bar. A customer stabbed Ty and another customer. The guy's in jail now. No one's come in to tell me anything yet." Jack dropped down into the chair. "Jesus, Robbie, what if he—" "Shut up. Just shut up, Jack. He'll be fine." Robbie's voice grew muffled, and then he came back. "We're on our way. Do Bernie and Mark know yet?" "Yeah, I called 'em soon as I got here. His mama is on her way, too." "You're a good man, Jack. I know there's rough blood there." 11

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"Yeah, well. Despite that, he's still her son and she has a right to know and be here. If he thinks otherwise, he'll tell her." "Yep, he sure will. Okay, we'll be there in about two hours." "Thanks." "Anytime, man. Hang in there." Jack hung up and let his head fall back, eyes closing. Out of all the damned things, why the hell did it all seem to happen to them? He wasn't looking forward to seeing Ty's mother, but as he'd told Robbie, the woman had a right to see her son. Jack just wasn't sure if he wanted to be around for it, but he would be, for Ty at least. Jack jerked awake and blinked. He rolled his head a little, working out a kink in his neck, and then glanced at his watch. Damn. Two hours had passed? He hadn't realized he was so tired. "Mr. Cantrell?" a man said from the doorway. Jack sat up when he saw it was a doctor. "Is Ty okay?" "His liver was lacerated. We repaired the damage, but he'll need to stay in for at least a week." "Can I see him?" "He's in recovery right now, but he can have one visitor." "Thank you, thank you," Jack said as he stood. He shook the doctor's hand and followed him back to the recovery area. The doctor left them and Jack went over to the bed, the curtain giving them a bit of privacy. "Hey," he whispered, taking one of Ty's hands in his. He smoothed his thumb over the skin and smiled a bit when he felt a slight squeeze. 12

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"Feel like ... shit," Ty muttered, voice slurred and soft. "Shh, you're doin' good, darlin'." Jack bent and kissed Ty's knuckles. "I'm here, baby. Robbie and Seth are on their way." He didn't think telling Ty that his mama was coming was such a good idea just yet, so he kept that bit to himself. Ty nodded, eyes sliding closed again. Jack sighed softly and rubbed his own eyes. The curtain hissed open and he glanced up at a nurse. "Are you Mr. Cantrell?" "Yeah." "There are two gentlemen in the waiting room for you." "Okay, thank you." Jack stood and kissed Ty's forehead, then headed back out. When he walked into the waiting room, Robbie pulled him into a tight hug. "Thanks for comin'." "Anytime, man." Robbie steered them to a couple of chairs. "Seth went to get some drinks. Figured you could use some coffee. How's he doing?" Jack sighed and leaned back, exhaustion setting in again when he hadn't even thought he was that tired. "Sleepin'. Drugged up, but doc says he'll be fine." "I hear a 'but' in there." "Yeah." Jack rubbed the back of his neck. "Worried about long-term stuff, namely his mama." He shot Robbie a sympathetic look. "It's not gonna be pretty when she gets here, you know." Robbie shrugged. "Doesn't bother me. Whether she acknowledges it or not, you're Ty's partner, and we're all family. She doesn't have to accept it, so long as Ty does." 13

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For the first time in several hours, Jack smiled. "Anyone ever tell you that you shoulda gone into counseling?" Robbie laughed. "More times than I care to count, man, believe me." "Hey, there," Seth said as he came back in, carrying a tray with three steaming cups. He set the tray down on a little table and shook Jack's hand before handing him a cup. "How ya holdin' up?" "Not too bad, I suppose," Jack said. He sipped the coffee, grateful for the burn that took his mind off of other things. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Two Ty woke up to find himself in a hospital room. It took a few minutes for him to remember why he was there in the first place. He groaned and tried moving, only to hiss when pain shot through his right side. "Ty? Oh, you're awake. Thank God." "Mama?" Ty blinked and Mama came into view, tell-tale streaks down her face. "How?" "Your cousin told me when I called to check on you. Oh, Ty, baby." She fussed over him, smoothing his hair from his face. "Can I get you anything? Water? They said you could have it when you woke up." Ty grunted and shifted a tiny bit, licked his dry lips. "Yeah." Mama put a straw up to his mouth and he drank, then eased back into the pillow. "Where's Jack?" Silence followed his question, which wasn't entirely surprising. Mama cleared her throat and busied herself with straightening the few things on the tray table. There was a flower arrangement there, and if Ty squinted, he thought he could make out Susan Sexton's name. "Mama." "He's in the waiting room. Ty, honey. Come home with me. Let me take care of you." "What?" Ignoring the shot of pain, Ty tried to sit up, Mama rushing to his side again. "Mama. Stop. Okay? I want to see Jack." 15

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Mama's lips stiffened a bit, and then she nodded. She went out the door and returned a few minutes later, Jack behind her. She stood off to the side, hands folded primly in front of her. "Hey, darlin'." Jack came over and smiled, bending down for a light kiss. Ty wanted so much more, Mama or no. "How ya feeling?" "Better now." Ty closed his eyes and nuzzled Jack's hand. "Well, I think Ty needs his rest, don't you, Mr. Cantrell?" Ty's eyes flew open and he stared up at Jack, who went a bit still. "He's okay, Mama. I'm okay." "Nonsense." Mama came over to stand on the other side of the bed just as the door opened. She snapped her mouth shut when Robbie and Seth walked in. "Afternoon, guys," Jack said with a nod. Robbie leaned down and kissed Ty's forehead. "How ya doing?" "Not bad. Little out of it, but the pain meds seem to keep the aches away at least." Ty wanted Jack to sit down, to stay a bit, but from the way Mama was glaring and watching them like a hawk, he had the feeling that wouldn't happen. "You need anything?" Seth asked. Ty nodded and stretched a tiny bit. "Yeah, change of clothes, those dark green flannel pajama bottoms, hairbrush, toothbrush..." Jack laughed. "The basics, then?" "Yeah. Hopefully I won't be here too much longer. I wanna go home." 16

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"And I'll be right here when you need me," Mama added in. "So will I," Jack said. Mama huffed. "I appreciate your concern, Mr. Cantrell, but I have his well-being in mind." "As do I." Jack crossed his arms and glared at her. "I have every right to be here." "I have a right as his mother to be here!" "Mrs. Newbourne, please," Robbie said. "No!" Mama stepped back, as if they all had some contagious disease. "He's my son, you hear me?" "And Ty is my partner," Jack shot back. "Jack. Jack, come on, man," Robbie said, hand on Jack's shoulder. "Let's go grab some stuff from the house for Ty." Jack didn't resist and gave Ty an apologetic smile. "Yeah, okay. Love you, darlin'." Ty swallowed back the tears and the screams that wanted out. "'Kay. Love you, too." The second they were all gone, Mama swiped away her tears and started straightening things up again. "That settles it. You're coming home with me, Tyler. I won't let you go back to that unhealthy place." "I'm not going with you." Mama looked up at him, surprise and disbelief plain as day on her face. "Of course you are. You can't possibly think living with that man is healthy. I can take care of you, Ty, get you back on the road to a sensible life. This is just a phase, I realize that now. At first, I thought maybe it wasn't, but I've been reading and talking to friends, and I know now that it's 17

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a phase that a lot of young men afraid of marriage go through. You'll come home, get better, find a nice young woman, and get ma—" "Mama!" Mama blinked at him, shocked into silence. "I am not going with you. This is not a phase. Jack is my partner—equal in all things. I love him, he loves me. What's not healthy is going back to living a lie, back to a place where I have to suppress who and what I am just to make others happy. It's not gonna happen, so drop it already. I'm still Ty, I'm still your son, but I'm also an adult and I know full well what's right for me, and that is going back to the home I share with Jack Cantrell, back to a life full of love and acceptance for who I am without the fear of changing." "Ty, you ... you can't be serious." Mama hurried to his side and took his hand, holding it tight. "Ty. Please. Think about what you're saying. You can't be gay. You weren't raised like that. What did I do wrong?" "Mama," Ty sighed. "You didn't do anything wrong. Most folks were born that way, some discovered they preferred the same gender later on. That's where I fit in: I realized I wanted Jack. If I didn't have him, I don't know if I'd be with another man or not." "I don't want to talk about this," Mama muttered. "It's just so ... unnatural." "What's unnatural about love?" "But the Bible says—" "Mama, I'm not talkin' about the Bible. I'm talkin' about human nature." 18

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Mama stood up, releasing his hand. "I can't do it, Ty. I just can't accept this." Ty closed his eyes, wanting everything to be right, to be easy, but he knew that wouldn't happen. "Mama, I'm still Ty. I still love you." Mama gathered her stuff and started for the door. She paused, hand on the handle. After a few seconds of silence, she whispered, "I love you, too." Ty watched her leave, unsure how to feel. A part of him felt broken, flailing helplessly and begging her to understand. Another part raged at how blinded to truth she was, though he figured he could blame that on her upbringing. And his father. **** Susan Sexton looked up from the magazine she'd been reading. "Oh, hello. You're Mrs. Newbourne, Ty's mother, aren't you?" The smartly-dressed woman with the tear-streaked face blinked. "Yes, I am. And you are?" Susan smiled and stood, offering her hand. "Susan Sexton, Robbie's mama." "Oh. Hello, Mrs. Sexton." After a moment's hesitation, Mrs. Newbourne shook Susan's hand. "Please, call me Susan. Why don't you have a seat? Can I get you anything?" "Um..." Mrs. Newbourne looked ... lost. Susan had a feeling she knew why. Robbie had told her how hard Ty's mama had taken his coming out. "I. I suppose. Coffee?" 19

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"Coffee it is. How do you like it?" "Black, with a teaspoon of sugar. Thank you, Mrs ... Susan." Susan patted Mrs. Newbourne's shoulder. "My pleasure." She headed over to the little coffee maker a nurse had brought in and poured two cups. She spooned sugar into each, then carried the cups back over. She handed one to Ty's mama before sitting down with her own. "How is Ty, Mrs. Newbourne?" "You can call me Arlene," Mrs. Newbourne said. Then she stared into her coffee, a tear drop landing in the dark liquid. "How ... How did you handle it, when Robbie told you?" Susan sat back in her chair and sipped her coffee. "His coming out was ... Well, it was rough. During my husband's wake, his late brother called him some things I wouldn't dare repeat. It was hard hearing it that way and not from Robbie, but you know what? He's still my son. He's still the same old Robbie, the same gorgeous gentleman I raised. And now, I have another wonderful son." "But ... what about grandchildren? And..." Arlene sniffled. "Oh, honey. There's no sayin' that it didn't hurt. But my late son, Russ, his girlfriend has become the daughter I never had, and her baby boy is just beautiful. And who's to say that adoption is out of the question? Ty's young, and whether he admits it or not, Jack isn't all that old either." "I was always taught that it's wrong, unhealthy. It's how Ty was raised."

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"And you know what? So was I, but I see Robbie and Seth, I see how much they love each other, and I have to wonder: just how is something that's so beautiful also so unhealthy?" Arlene was quiet for a few seconds. "Do you think Jack really loves my baby boy?" "I don't think it, sweetie. I know it," Susan said. "You can see it in the way Jack looks at him. That man worships your son, is utterly devoted to him. And Ty feels the same for Jack." Arlene looked up finally, her eyes red but still as soulful as Ty's. "I'm just ... so confused. I'm worried about his soul." "His soul is in good hands," Susan said. She touched Arlene's hand and hid the surprise when Arlene grasped her fingers tight. "Jesus taught us about love and acceptance. Maybe it's time we stop listening to those men preaching and start listening to Jesus himself." **** Jack knocked on the door and opened it slowly. "Hey, darlin'," he said when Ty opened his eyes. Jack closed the door and set the overnight bag on a chair. Then he went over to Ty and kissed him gently. "How are you feeling?" "As good as I can be," Ty said. "I finally told Mama I'm not going home with her." "How'd it go?" Ty shrugged slightly, and then winced. "She didn't take it very well. Did you see her at all on the way back?"

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"No, I didn't stop in the waiting room. Need me to go get her?" Though he wanted time alone with Ty, Jack wasn't about to stand in the way if Ty needed his mama. "No." Ty reached out and held onto Jack's hand. "Stay with me." "Always." Jack pulled up a chair and sat down, hand still in Ty's. Before he could say anything else, though, someone knocked on the door. When it opened, he was surprised to see not only Arlene, but also Susan Sexton. "Howdy, Mrs. Newbourne, Susan." "Oh, Ty, honey," Susan said as she came over to the bed. "How are you feeling?" "I'm good." Ty smiled up at her, and then looked over at his mama. "Hi, Mama." "Well, I'll be right in the waiting room," Susan said. "I'll let y'all talk to your mama in peace." Jack started to get up, but Susan put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a wink. "Y'all being plural." Jack blinked up at her. "Yes, ma'am." When Susan left, Arlene stood at the foot of the bed. She stared down at the blanket, hands fidgeting a little. Just when Jack didn't think she'd speak, she cleared her throat, but didn't look up. "I ... I want you to know, both of you, that ... I'm sorry." Shock kept Jack's mouth shut, and he and Ty exchanged equally bemused looks. "Mama?" Arlene held up a hand. "Please. I need to say this, Ty, before I do anymore damage." Then she looked at Jack, 22

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square in the eye. "Mr. Cantrell, I'm a mother. I am protective of my son, as any mother should be." Jack nodded. "But ... maybe you understand that, how I can be so worried about Ty. After all, you love him, right?" "With everything I am." Ty squeezed Jack's hand. "Maybe it's time I rethink how things are, how I think things out to be. I had a long talk with Mrs. Sexton ... Susan, and it's made me realize that maybe, just maybe, Ty does know what's best for him. I don't understand it, I don't particularly like it, but ... I accept him. He's my son, he always will be. And I love him." "Mama." Ty held out his other hand and Arlene didn't hesitate. She came over and instead of taking Ty's hand, she leaned down and held him tight, sobs quiet. "Shh, it's okay, Mama. I love you, too." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Three One week later... "I don't want to stay in bed," Ty grumbled. "So, don't." Jack helped Ty sit down in the recliner and he went into the bedroom. He grabbed the extra comforter from the closet and two pillows and went back to the living room. "We'll crash here 'til you're ready for bed." Ty looked up at him. "You don't mind?" "Lord, darlin'. Why would I mind?" Jack spread out the comforter on the sofa and put both pillows against the armrest. Then he went to help Ty up. Once Ty was down on the couch, Jack started to get up, but Ty caught his arm. "I miss you." Smiling, Jack eased down until he and Ty were side by side. "Hey there," he whispered, cupping Ty's face in one hand. He bent down and kissed Ty's lips, swallowing his lover's moan. "Want you," Ty murmured, one hand sliding down to rub Jack through his jeans. Jack groaned and nipped Ty's bottom lip, then soothed it with his tongue. "God, Jack ... need you..." They couldn't fuck, but there were other ways of getting off. Jack slipped out of Ty's arms and stood. He made sure the front door was locked, then stripped. Then he dropped to his knees and worked Ty's sweats and T-shirt off, tossing them to the side. 24

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"Fuck yeah," Ty said, arms open once more as Jack settled down beside him. "Oh, God," he gasped, hips rocking just a little, their cocks brushing alongside each other. "Missed this." Jack reached down and took them both in hand, earning himself a low cry as he started stroking slowly. He leaned in and kissed Ty's neck, up his jaw, finally to his mouth, loving the way Ty moved for him. "Love you, Ty." "Yeah ... fuck ... love, baby." Ty panted and shuddered. "Faster, Jack." Jack sped up his strokes, fighting the urge to come. He wanted to see Ty lose it first, wanted to see those gorgeous eyes glaze over. "Can't wait to get inside you," he whispered, "feel you come around me." "Jack!" Ty shouted, heat spraying Jack's fingers. Jack grunted and tugged, kissing Ty hard as his own spunk slicked them both. Hand still, he eased up on the kiss, both of them breathing hard. "Better?" "Oh, fuck yes. Sticky, but goddamn, I needed that." Chuckling, Jack took one more kiss, and then got up. He went down the hall to the bathroom and washed off, then headed back to the living room with a wet washcloth. Ty was already nodding off, so Jack washed him gently, and then covered him up. He stood there for a couple minutes after, just watching Ty breathe. A shudder ran through him. Jesus. He could have lost Ty, and that knowledge made him sick. Unable to resist, Jack bent down and kissed Ty's forehead. Then he left his lover to rest and went to the kitchen, picking up the phone as he passed by it. 25

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It rang a couple of times, and then someone picked up. "Hello?" "Hey, it's Jack." "Oh, hey, man," Robbie said. "How is he?" Jack sat down at the kitchen table. "Sleeping. Fuck, Robbie. I almost lost him." "I know," Robbie said quietly. "You okay?" "I think so. I don't know," Jack sighed. "When I had the heart attack, I had one of those 'life flashing before my eyes' moments. But when I saw him on the club floor, bloody, barely breathing ... Jesus, Robbie, I thought I was gonna lose him then." "But you didn't." "No. No, I didn't. Just ... shellshock, I think." "Need some company?" "Man, I can't ask y'all to drive another two hours up here." "You know better than that, Jack. Besides, we were talking about a week or two of vacation anyway. There's plenty in Nashville for us to do." Jack thought it over. Hell, if anything, it would give him someone to talk to when Ty's meds knocked him out. "Okay. You know y'all can stay in the guestroom here if you want." "We'll probably take you up on that for the first week maybe." "Thanks, man." "Anytime. We'll be up there tomorrow afternoon." "Okay." Jack hung up, feeling a little better than he had before. Having friends around while they both got through this rough 26

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point would help, for sure. It only made it easier when they knew they could be themselves with Robbie and Seth around. Ty stirred and Jack set the phone down before going back into the living room. "Hey," he said, kneeling down beside the sofa. "You hungry?" Eyes still closed, Ty nodded. "Yeah, a little. We got anything easy, like soup?" "We got some chicken noodle. Want that?" "Yeah. And water?" "Water and soup comin' up, baby." Jack went back into the kitchen and heated up a can of soup. He poured it into two bowls, grabbed a package of saltine crackers, and carried them back into the living room. Then he went and got two bottles of water from the fridge. "You wanna sit up?" "Yeah." Ty shifted a bit with Jack's help, until he was sitting up against the armrest. Then Jack handed him a bowl. "Thanks, baby. Did I hear you talkin' on the phone?" Jack nodded in between spoonfuls of soup. "Robbie. He and Seth were talking about a vacation, so I told 'em to come up here for about a week. That okay?" "Oh, yeah. God, it's too quiet. We got any good movies?" "Hmm..." Jack set his bowl down and crawled around the coffee table to the case with the DVDs. "What're you in the mood for?" "Anything. Action is good. Oh! Don't we have The Sentinel?" "Sure do." Jack pulled the case out and put the DVD into the player. Then he grabbed the remote and scooted back 27

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into place against the couch. He got the movie started and just before he picked up his bowl again, his head was tipped back and he moaned into Ty's mouth. When the kiss ended, he smiled upside down at Ty. "You doin' okay? Need anything else?" "Nah. Just you." Ty gave him another kiss and let his hair go. "Finish your soup and get up here." **** Ty woke up to a dull but tolerable ache. Thank God for pain meds. He scrubbed his hands down his face, and then realized he was in bed. Not on the sofa. Didn't he fall asleep on the sofa? "Jack?" After a couple minutes, Jack walked in, looking beyond hot as sin in nothing but faded jeans. "Hey, darlin'. You just wake up?" "Yeah. Um ... how'd I get in here? You shouldn't be carrying me." Jack came over and sat down on the bed, laughing. "Don't worry. Seth and Robbie are here. Seth carried you back here for me. You wanna get up and come to the living room? Robbie ordered three pizzas and two liters of Coke." Food. Damn. Ty's stomach rumbled and the thought of something not-hospital-food was enough to get him moving. "Hell yeah. Need to take it easy, but man, pizza sounds damn good right now." And he needed a shower. God, he felt ... gross. "Um, any chance of me getting a shower first, though?" 28

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Jack grinned slowly. "A shower? Or you want a sponge bath here in bed?" Ty licked his lips and stared up into his cowboy's eyes. "You volunteering?" "Damn right. Ain't nobody sponge bathing you but me, darlin'." Legs spreading a little, Ty groaned. "Fuck yeah. I'm all yours." "Don't move." Jack kissed him and got up, leaving the room. Ty stayed right where he was, though he did manage to get rid of his underwear. He heard the water running in the bathroom, the linen closet door open and close, then the water turned off. A few minutes later, Jack returned, carrying a bowl of steaming, soapy water, a washcloth, and a hand towel. He set the bowl on the bedside table and stripped. Then he climbed onto the bed and knelt between Ty's open legs. Ty's cock was already hardening, as was Jack's, and when Jack leaned forward to get the washcloth wet, they rubbed together. Ty moaned and rocked his hips. "God, I can't wait 'til I can fuck," he muttered. Jack chuckled and Ty heard not the sound of water, but the sound of the drawer on the table open and shut. "Doesn't mean my mouth and fingers are off-limits." A moment later, something slick touched Ty's hole and he gasped, arching slightly as two slick fingers pushed inside him. "Jack..." "Trick is, you gotta be still, darlin'," Jack murmured, lips and tongue worrying their way down Ty's neck. He scissored 29

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his fingers and Ty's hands flew to Jack's head. "Fuck, Ty, so tight and warm..." "Jack, please. More." Jack didn't answer, just worked his way down Ty's chest, teeth grazing. He pumped his fingers in and out slowly, every stroke making Ty's cock twitch. Fuck, he wanted more, wanted Jack inside him. When Jack reached his cock, Ty was already shivering, entire body eagerly anticipating that hot mouth wrapped around him. Then it happened. Jack sucked him right down without warning, two fingers becoming three. Ty shouted and grabbed Jack's hair, thrusting in and out of the man's mouth. "Oh, fuck! Fuck ... Jack..." Ty groaned and spread his legs more, grinding his ass down onto Jack's fingers before pushing his prick back into Jack's mouth. "Oh, God ... don't stop..." Jack spread his fingers apart, then curled them, stroking Ty's gland. He swallowed around Ty's cock, and then Ty was coming so hard he saw stars, bucking and shooting his load down Jack's throat. Jack pulled back slowly, fingers easing out as he licked Ty clean. "Holy ... fuck..." Ty panted. "Mm, feel better?" Jack asked, sliding back up Ty's body, careful to not put any weight on him. Jack's hard cock rubbed along Ty's softening one. "Oh, yeah." Ty smiled and reached down, cupping Jack's balls. "Up. I want this." Jack groaned and crawled up carefully. He moved until he was kneeling beside Ty's head and Ty reached out, holding 30

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Jack's shaft while he licked the head. Jack shuddered and thrust a little, and Ty opened up, letting his lover sink slowly into his mouth. "Darlin'," Jack whispered, one hand coming down to slip through Ty's hair. "Feels so good, Ty." Tasted damned good, too. Ty started bobbing his head up and down, sucking and licking. He cupped Jack's balls again and tugged just enough for Jack to grunt, the thrusts growing stronger. He wet a finger, and then eased it back, into Jack's body. Jack gasped and Ty took that as an invitation. He rubbed his finger over the small mound inside and Jack's cock flexed on his tongue, precome oozing steadily. "Close..." Ty put a little more pressure, rubbed a little faster, and Jack cried out, jerking as he came. Ty moaned and swallowed every drop, then pulled his finger out. He licked Jack clean and smiled up at him. "Now we can do the sponge bath." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Four "Hey, man!" Robbie got up from the table and came over, giving Ty a hug. "How are you feelin'? You were pretty out of it when we got here." Ty grinned and they sat down at the kitchen table while Jack got Ty some water for his pills. "Better than I thought I would. Where's Seth?" "He went to get a few things at the store. Pizza should be here soon, too." Jack set the pills and the water in front of Ty and kissed his head. "Need anything else, darlin'?" "No, babe. Just waiting on the pizza now." Ty tilted his head back and Jack met him in a brief but thorough kiss. "Thanks." "Anytime." The front door opened and Seth walked in carrying several bags. "Hey, stranger!" "Hey, Seth," Ty called just before swallowing his pills. "Man, I'll be glad when I don't have to take these damn things." Seth put the bags on the counter and he and Jack started putting things away. "You up for pizza?" "Oh, hell yeah." Ty's stomach rumbled in agreement. "Beyond ready. I tell ya, hospital food? Sucks." Robbie shuddered. "Believe me, I know. That brief stay I had was more than enough, thanks." 32

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Ty nodded and leaned back gingerly, happy that once the pain meds set in, he wouldn't have to worry about the little twinges. "How's the shop going?" "Wonderfully," Robbie said with a huge grin. "We just hired a few people, mostly people I knew from Seven Nations." "Seven Nations? He closing down the shop?" Robbie sighed, the sound a bit wistful. "Yeah. Archie called the shop about three weeks ago. He was diagnosed with cancer, and figured since his health was heading downhill, it was time to close up shop. The man's been in business forever. Anyway, he asked if I had room for any folks and at that time, hell, we needed people badly. So I told him to send 'em on over." "Damn. That sucks." Ty shook his head. Archie Mathis and Seven Nations Tattoos were the Huntsville staples when it came to getting ink and getting pierced. Ty had thought about it a few times, getting a tattoo, but he'd never decided on anything. "So who all did you pick up?" "Hmm..." Robbie tipped his head back a little, as if thinking. "Jax is doing piercings, Rogue is helping me with tats, and Carmen is running the front now. Seth took over the bookkeeping." Ty snorted and glanced over at Seth. "Turnin' the man into a numbers-cruncher now?" Seth whacked him on the head with ... a bag of frozen peas? Or something. "Shut up. I'll have you know, I'm quite edumacated in 'rithmetic and spelink." Ty laughed so hard, his side ached. "Oh, Lord. Better recheck your numbers, Robbie." 33

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Robbie chuckled. "Better him than me, man. I suck at math." "Hey, there's better things to suck at," Seth shot back. "Bring it on, baby," Robbie teased. "Hey now, y'all are welcome to the guest room," Jack piped in. "We're relegated to blowjobs and rimjobs for the moment." If Ty's face had gotten any redder, he was sure he'd catch fire. "Good Lord, Jack." That had the rest of them laughing loud enough to fill the whole damn house. When someone knocked on the door, Ty seemed to be the only one to hear it. He chuckled and shook his head, but before he got up, Jack laughed and kissed his head, then walked around him, heading for the door. Ty watched from where he sat, and when the door swung open to reveal not a pizza guy but his mother, he nearly sank under the table. "Um, hello, Mrs. Newbourne," Jack said. He shot a questioning look back at Ty, then turned his attention back to the door. "You're welcome to come in." "Oh ... that's okay," Mama said from where she stood on the porch. "Is Ty awake?" "Yeah, he's—" Ty got up and went over. "I'm awake." He exchanged somewhat sympathetic looks with the guys, and then stepped out onto the porch, letting Jack close the door behind him to give them privacy. "Hi, Mama." "You look rested," she said, and for the first time in longer than he could remember, Mama smiled. She reached up and 34

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ruffled his hair a little. "You need a haircut, though. How are you feeling?" A bit curious as to this new 'Mama', Ty motioned toward the porch swing Jack had put up while Ty was in the hospital. "I'm feelin' pretty good, actually. Kinda groggy from the pain meds, a little achy, but overall, I'm doing good. Um ... how about you?" Mama leaned back in the swing and surprised Ty by setting it into a gentle swaying motion. "I'm better than I expected to be," she said, watching a few kids play in a yard a few doors down. She laughed a bit. "I've been talking a lot to Susan Sexton. She's a sweet, sweet woman, very opinionated but not to a fault. I like her." Ty nodded. "Yep, Susan is a great woman." He watched Mama, noticing how she looked younger now, more relaxed than he ever remembered her being. "So are you, Mama." Though she didn't look at him, Ty saw tears well up in her eyes. "I've never wanted anything but the best for you," she said quietly. "I always thought..." She paused for a moment and swallowed, and Ty felt a mirror of emotion start to swell inside him. "I always thought that meant finding a good wife, having kids, being successful." Ty bit his lip and stared down at the porch, gaze lazily following the grain in the wood. "But now I think ... I think you are happy," Mama continued. "Talking to Susan helped me understand some things, things I didn't think I'd ever even think about." She took a deep breath, and then reached out, hand lying gently over Ty's where it rested on the seat. Ty turned his hand over 35

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and linked their fingers. "I'm sorry," Mama whispered. "So sorry for the horrible things I've said, about you, about your lifestyle, about ... Jack." It was the first time she'd ever called him Jack and not Mr. Cantrell. Ty wasn't sure what to say. "It's okay, Mama. I love you anyway." "Oh, baby. I love you so much, Ty." Mama turned and pulled him close, petting him, kissing his hair. "The whole world could disappear, so long as I still have you." "Mama." Ty held on, unable to stop the few tears that escaped his own eyes. Twenty-one years of upbringing, of God-fearing, dissolved and he felt like the weight of the world had finally been lifted from his shoulders. **** Jack watched from the corner of the bay window in the living room. He knew he probably shouldn't, but he couldn't help it. The scene before him made him ache, but not in a bad way. When he'd opened the door to see Arlene there, he'd been expecting ... Hell, he didn't know what he'd expected, but it wasn't the smile she'd given him. "Everything okay?" Robbie asked from behind him. "I think your mama ought to be sainted," Jack said. "Huh?" Jack nodded toward the window and Robbie peered out. "Arlene's been talking to Susan a lot lately." "I'll be damn," Robbie muttered.

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Jack clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder and squeezed. "Your mama ... Man, everyone should have a mother like Susan Sexton." "Amen to that," Seth said, arms sliding around Robbie's waist. They all left the window and went back into the kitchen just as the front door opened. Ty came in by himself, smiled a little, and headed for the bathroom. Jack followed him and found Ty sitting on the toilet seat, head back and eyes closed. He knelt down and took Ty's hands in his. "Hey." Ty smiled, though he looked like he'd been crying. "Hey." "You okay?" "Better than." Ty tugged a little and Jack rose up, meeting those beloved lips in a sweet, slow kiss. "Better than I've ever been," Ty whispered. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Five "Pizza. Oh, my God." Ty's eyes rolled back as he took a bite and his moan was pure sex. Jack had to remind himself that they were eating, with company, when all he wanted to do was lick the cheese and sauce off Ty's lips. Seth chuckled between bites. "You'd think the man hasn't seen real food in years." "I haven't," Ty muttered. He sucked sauce off his fingers and Jack felt those lips on him. He caught Ty's knowing smile. "Careful, Ty," Robbie said. "Keep that up and you'll be waiting even longer for food." Ty grinned. "It'd be worth it." Jack groaned and sank further into the couch, trusting his plate to hide his erection. Then again, it wasn't like Robbie or Seth would care. "Yeah, sure would be, darlin'." Robbie shook his head. "Y'all are worse than us." Ty snorted. "Not a chance, man." He ducked when a piece of pepperoni sailed toward him. "Hey now, y'all make a mess, you can clean it," Jack laughed. "Nah, we'd just hire someone else to do it and we'd get busy in the bedroom." Robbie nearly made it by Seth before Seth tugged him down. Robbie didn't seem to mind, though, paper plate hitting the coffee table before his arms went around Seth's neck. Jack just laughed. "Let's face it: we're all hopeless." 38

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Ty finished his two slices, and then came over. He took Jack's empty plate and soda bottle, set them on the table, and surprised the hell out of Jack by climbing onto him. Jack rested his hands on Ty's hips and hummed as those lips found his neck, sucking and nipping the pulse point. Jack groaned, cock filling, and Ty ground a little against him. "Jesus, darlin' ... We need a bed." "Please. We can be easy, but God, I need you," Ty whisper. "Inside me, Jack. Now." Fuck. Jack managed to get Ty off his lap and stood. He was gonna tell Robbie and Seth they were headin' to the bedroom, but they weren't in the room. When had they left? Then he heard a thud from the guest bedroom, sounding distinctly like a body pushed against the door. He grinned and grabbed Ty's hand, pulling him toward their own room. Soon as the door closed, Jack had his arms full again, Ty's mouth on his. He slipped his hands down the back of Ty's sweats and took each cheek in hand, giving them both a good squeeze. Ty moaned and pushed closer, rubbing them together. Jack eased the pants down Ty's hips, and then reached back again, spreading Ty's cheeks apart. "Oh, fuck," Ty moaned. "Yeah ... need you ... please, Jack..." "Get naked, darlin'." Jack gave Ty's asscheek a slap and let him go. They both made quick work of undressing, and then Jack flung the covers down to the end of the bed. He wondered how best to do this since he didn't want to hurt Ty, but Ty apparently had it all figured out. 39

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"Lie down. I wanna ride you." Hard as stone, Jack lay down on his back. Ty straddled him and popped open the lube. Torn between watching Ty's fingers disappear and watching Ty's eyes roll a little, Jack hoped to hell he could last. They hadn't even gotten started and his balls were already tight. Then Ty reached back and took hold of Jack's cock. With excruciating slowness, Ty sank down, both of them moaning as Jack slid in, balls deep. "Jack. Oh, God..." Ty put his hands on Jack's chest, leaning forward a little. His eyes were wide, his breathing shallow. "You okay?" Jack asked, surprised he could even talk. Jesus, it felt so fucking good, just being inside Ty, not moving. "Yeah. Fuck. Yeah..." Ty licked his lips and gave a slow rock of his hips. Jack shuddered and dug his fingers into Ty's hips. Nothing ever compared to this, to feeling the tight heat surrounding him, the rise and fall of Ty's body, the sensation of being buried deep inside his lover. He looked into Ty's eyes; he loved the glazed look that met his. Jack swore he fell in love all over again. "Don't stop," Ty whispered breathlessly. "God, Jack. Love you." "Never stopping." Jack drew his legs up and started rocking in and out, helping Ty move without hurting him. "Love you, darlin'. So fucking much." Ty nodded, eyes closing slowly. He sped up, cock leaking on Jack's belly. Jack wrapped his fingers around it and Ty 40

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gasped. Keeping his strokes in time with his thrusts inside Ty, Jack pumped his lover's cock, every slide of his fist resulting in a tight squeeze around his own. Ty moaned and opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, he cried out, come spraying over Jack's fingers. Jack grunted and held Ty down on him, entire body shaking as he came. Ty came down, half on him, half off, and Jack managed to reach the tissue box on the bedside table. He wiped his hand and stomach, then Ty. He pulled the covers up over them and kissed Ty's forehead, then down Ty's face to his mouth. Ty opened for him, the kiss slow and sweet and completely and utterly sated. "Love you, Jack," Ty murmured, already sounding groggy. Jack smiled and held him close. "Love you, too, Ty." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Epilogue Several months later... "So ... who all's gonna be here?" Ty asked as they pulled up in front of the house. The yard was littered with cars and trucks. "Damn near everybody, I think," Jack laughed. "Leave it to Mack Sexton to make a big deal out of a simple birthday." Ty chuckled and got out, waiting for Jack. Forty-three, though Jack didn't look it. Granted, he had a few gray hairs, but it added to his overall appeal, whether he believed Ty about it or not. They headed up the steps and into Mack Sexton's farmhouse. The place was filled with friends and family and the moment they walked in, they were swept up into a whirlwind. "Ty! Jack!" Kristy launched herself at them both, surprising the hell out of Ty with the strength of her hug. Susan Sexton was next, wishing Jack a happy birthday and giving them both strong, tight hugs. "We wondered when y'all would get here. How was the drive?" "It was good," Ty said. He opened his mouth to say something else, but forgot what when his mama walked out of the kitchen. "Mama?" "Ty, baby." She opened her arms and he went right to her, holding on tight. "I can't believe you're here," he whispered. "Thank you." "Oh, sweetie, of course I'm here. Besides, Susan's persuasive, to say the least." When she let go of Ty, she went 42

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over to Jack, who stood there looking a bit dumbfounded. When he held out his hand, though, she hugged him instead. His eyes went wide as he stared at Ty over her shoulder. "Happy birthday, Jack." "Th-thank you, ma'am..." he stammered. "Call me Arlene." Mama stepped back and must've said something under her breath to Jack, because he lifted his gaze to Ty and grinned, then nodded. "What's going on?" Ty asked when Robbie and Seth came out of the kitchen. Robbie shrugged and sipped his beer. "Dunno." Seth seemed just as clueless. "So, where's the old man at?" Mack Sexton bellowed from down the hall. "Jack! Ty! Howdy, y'all." He clapped Ty on the back, and then went to give Jack a birthday hug. "Fortythree." He shook his head. Jack laughed and nodded. "Yep, getting' old, Mack. Catchin' up to you." Everybody laughed and Mack's was the loudest. "Well, let's get this party started, eh? Someone get this birthday man a beer!" Seth disappeared and returned a couple minutes later with two. He handed one to Ty and the other to Jack. Mack smirked and headed down the hall. Ty exchanged looks with Jack, who just shrugged. Mack came back and handed Jack an envelope. When Jack opened it, his jaw dropped. "Mack, I ... Damn. Thank you, thank you." "Hey, y'all got your own place, figured you could use it. Do something fun, man." 43

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Everyone started mingling then, chatting and drinking while Susan and Ty's mama headed into the kitchen. Ty went over and looked at the paper Jack held. When he saw it was a check for three thousand dollars, he nearly hit the floor. "Holy shit," he whispered. "Yeah." Jack whistled low and folded the check, slipping it into his jeans pocket. "Wasn't expecting that, for sure." "No kidding." "I can't believe your mama is here," Jack chuckled. Ty followed Jack's gaze to where Susan and Mama were chatting with Kristy in the kitchen doorway. "Neither can I. Speaking of ... Something going on?" "Huh?" Jack blinked over at him. "I have no idea, darlin'." Just then, Kristy came over. "Come on, need your help outside," she said. She took hold of Ty's arm and steered him through the kitchen and out the back door. Ty was beyond confused. "So where's Chris?" "Oh, he's with a friend. She started babysitting for me since she needed the money and it's not fair to rely on Mama all the time. How are y'all doing?" "We're good. Say, what's with all the whisperin'?" "Don't know." Kristy glanced at him curiously. "No tellin' with this group." Ty laughed. "No kidding. So what did you need help with?" "Oh, this stupid latch on one of the horse stalls is stuck. I went ridin' earlier and it wouldn't close." Ty wasn't sure why she hadn't gotten someone else to look at it before now, but he didn't mind helping. They got to the 44

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barn and Kristy directed him to the stall. The latch wasn't rusty, but it was tight as hell. "Got any oil or grease?" "Stuff for the saddles. That work?" "For the time being, yeah." He slicked the metal with some of the oil and the latch slipped right into place. "There ya go." "Thanks, sweetie! That thing drove me nuts." Kristy put the oil up and looked up at him. "Well, shall we get back to the house and see what they're up to?" "Sure." "So what'd you get Jack for his birthday?" she asked as they started back toward the farmhouse. Truth was, Ty had bought two things: one to tell the family, one for private. "Jack had been eyein' a new watch. Real nice, stainless steel, digital. Real durable. I gave it him this morning. He's wearin' it now." "Cool!" He held the back door open for her and went in after. He closed the door and turned around to find everybody in the kitchen. Eyes on him. "Um..." He definitely missed something. Jack, dressed in his finest denim shirt, black jeans, polished boots, and his favorite hat, stepped up and went down on one knee. Ty felt the ground shift underneath him and the world went sort of fuzzy. "J-Jack...?" Jack pulled out a small black box from his shirt pocket and opened it. "Been lovin' you for a long time, it seems," he said as he took a silver band out of the box. He looked up at Ty and suddenly no one else existed. "And I'll love you until the end of time, Ty." 45

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Ty couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. A huge knot formed in his throat. "Will you marry me?" All his breath left him in a rush and he went to his knees. "Yes." He grabbed Jack's face in both hands and kissed the man with everything he had in him. "Yes, yes, yes," he whispered, over and over. Claps and cheers went up around them, ringing loud in the kitchen. Ty didn't care. He was too busy kissing Jack senseless. When they finally came up for air, he watched, eyes a little hazy, as Jack slid the ring on his finger. "Damn..." "Thank you." Ty looked up into Jack's eyes. "Love you." Jack smiled and cupped his face. "Love you, too." When Ty finally remembered others were there, his gaze immediately went to Mama. She smiled, a little wistfully, and he realized she was crying. He and Jack stood and she came over. She hugged Jack, then Ty. "Congratulations, baby," she whispered. "You knew." Ty pulled back and stared at her. "I did. Susan told me." "Oh." He grinned. "So ... um ... you're ... okay? With it?" "Well, it's not what I'd envisioned for you in terms of marriage, but you're happy, and for me, that's all that matters, Ty." "Thank you, Mama."

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"Thank you for putting up with me until I realized that. Now, go. You've got friends and family here wanting to congratulate you both." Ty kissed her cheek and joined Jack just in time to have Susan squeeze them both. Kristy joined in, making a fuss over the plain silver band. Ty caught sight of Robbie and Seth in the doorway. Leaning with his back to Seth's chest, Robbie smiled, his own Celtic band around his finger. When they finally got a few seconds alone while everyone else worked on getting their food, Jack rested against the wall and pulled Ty to stand between his legs. "So you think you can handle this old cowboy for a lifetime, darlin'?" "You think I can't?" Ty teased. He cupped Jack's neck, fingers playing in his hair. "How long did you have this planned?" Jack laughed, his arms tightening around Ty's waist. "Since before you went into the hospital, actually. Just took forever to get the guts up enough to do it." "You were nervous?" "Lord, yes. Not every day a man asks his lover to marry him." Ty smiled and leaned close, lips brushing Jack's. "Glad you did." "Me, too, darlin'. Me, too." END

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