“John is dying,” Ian answers.
“What do you mean John is dying?” Ryan says. “He was only a little sick last week.”
We all raise an eyebrow in his direction, surprised he knows something so private about Dex’s family.
“I spend a lot of time with Dex. We’re like best friends now.”
Ian and Julie turn their heads abruptly in his direction. Pain, hurt, maybe a pinch of jealousy are all over their faces. I don’t care what they think or how they feel. Right now, we need to concentrate on Dex. Asher comments on how Julie and Ian are dickheads and I clear my throat to focus the group back on the conversation at hand. Fuck, I don’t know how Dex can stand it! They’re worse than children.
* * *
“Dex called me early this morning. I’ve never heard him so distraught. He said his dad has been hospitalized, but the doctors said he had only a few days left. It seems his ‘small heart attack’ was much more serious and they’re wondering if it’s a genetic heart disease. John’s being tested, but his heart is too weak to function or to be operated on, so…” I shrug.
“We’re leaving today for Michigan. I chartered a plane and took care of everything,” Ian says.
Virginia raises a brow. Yes, your brother can do something by himself. “Ash, come here.”
Fuck, I forgot about the kid when I announced what Dex told me. I hope I wasn’t an insensitive ass. On the other hand, his uncle is Dex. I’m sure I don’t have to handle Asher with kid gloves.
“We’re going to get ready and meet you around ten at the airport,” Ian adds before walking out of the bedroom.
I follow him. Once downstairs, he turns toward me.
“When did that happen?” he asks, pointing toward the bedroom.
“Last night.”
“Really? Does everybody tell you everything all the freaking time?”
“I guess… your wife tells me the most,” I answer, wiggling my eyebrows. I know about the ropes, the suspension, the dirty talk, and all the kink… but I keep that to myself. It’s nobody’s business what people like in the bedroom.
Ian laughs. “Want us to pick you up on the way to the airport?”
“Can you can drop me off? I’ll pack in five minutes and come with you guys so I can take care of Gia while you get ready.”
“Sure!”
When we pull up in front of my house, Bruce is standing there, waiting. I check my phone but don’t see a text announcing he’ll be passing by. I sigh heavily.
“Trouble in paradise?” Julie asks.
If only she knew. I get out of the car and ask them to wait for me.
“Bruce, I really don’t have time. We have to leave for Michigan and be at the airport, like, now.”
“Are you upset with me?” he asks in a sweet, lovey voice.
Sometimes to survive, you need to be an ass. That’s a lesson Bruce has yet to learn.
“No, I’m fine. I just need to go help a friend.”
“I didn’t know you and Dex were so close that if he called in the middle of the night, you would run to help him,” he says, crossing his arms.
“His father is dying. Would you prefer me to ignore him?” If there is something I don’t do, it’s gay drama. I can’t stand it.
Bruce stiffens and his eyes widen.
“Now, I’m really sorry, but I have to go. Like I said this morning, I’ll call you.” Maybe.
He nods and leaves without saying a word. I go inside and pack with the rapidity of a hare in rut. Not only because I told Ian I would hurry but because even with all the sadness and hardship, I’m happy to go see Dex. Stupidly happy.
I’m still grinning inside the plane. Julie catches my eye and comes to sit next to me.
“So he called you?” she says, putting her hand on my bicep.
“He did.”
“Luke… what are you doing?”
My stomach tightens at the tone of her accusation. “Nothing.”
“Why didn’t you break up with Bruce yet?”
I can’t tell her why. It’s ridiculous and stupid, and she’ll tell me it’s not fair to him. Which I know. I know I’m using him as a shield to protect myself against my feelings for Dex. I’m an ass. Whatever.
“Luke!” she says with indignation.
I frown and blink rapidly. “Ummm, did I say all that out loud?”
Ryan laughs. “Yep!”
Ian and Asher nod. Thank God Virginia is in the bathroom.
“Fuck!” I mumble, crumpling in my seat.
“Listen,” Julie says, “be careful with Bruce’s heart, but with yours as well. Dex is… well he’s Dex. I’m not sure the guy has a heart.”
Ian frowns. “Fuck, sunshine, of course he has a heart. How can you say that?”
“Well, if he would be more cordial to me, maybe I would feel he has a heart!” she says.
“That, sunshine, is exactly why he behaves that way with you. You can be so…”
“Enough!” Ryan says. “You shouldn’t go at each other’s throats defending your best friends because they might have a relationship or not. That’s enough. Go pout or make out or whatever, but you are not fighting about Dex.”
His voice is so authoritative, Ian and Jules don’t dare make a move. She sits back next to her husband, and starts a whispering argument. One minute later, they’re making out and fondling each other. Crisis averted.
Once in Michigan though, another crisis awaits. When we arrived at the airport, Virginia threw her cane into Clay’s balls, and now Dex is in a full-blown rage.
“You really think I can deal with your shit right now? Can’t you behave? Ever? For fuck’s sake! Why are you even here?” Spit is forming at the corner of his mouth, and I wince. Dex turns to me. “If I had wanted them to come, I would have called Ian or Virge. I told you to get Asher here to get tested, not to bring the whole Scooby-Doo gang. For fuck’s sake, Luke, can’t you for once not blab my private life to everybody?”
I growl and close my eyes. I won’t lose my cool. I know he’s in pain and he needs to blame someone. Let it be me. That’s okay.
“Look,” Virginia interrupts his wrath, “I’m sorry, but when I saw him come close to me and try to take me in his arms, I reacted a little strongly and—”
“A little strongly?” Dex screams. “You hit him in the nuts with your cane! He wants to sue you for assault. My mother wants to sue you because she might never have ‘proper’ grandchildren, whatever she means by that. All I wanted was my father to die in peace! For once, couldn’t you do something for me? Of course not! Dumbasses!”
“Dex,” Ryan says with what I believe is trying to be a calming voice. It’s shaky, and I’m not sure if he’s going to shit his pants or not. “If V hadn’t hit him, Ian and I were ready to pounce on him. Anyway, why was he there?”
“He was picking up his son, assholes! Only Ash should have been on this plane. I would have never sent him to the airport if I had known you were all coming.”
I exhale deeply and stand. “Enough! Let’s go for a walk, Dex.” I take his arm and drag him out of the house. “Listen, I’m sorry I brought them, but they are here for you.” He mumbles something, but I don’t let him. “They are here for their friend, and I agree Virginia shouldn’t have done what she did, but you can’t scold them or talk to them the way you just did. They aren’t children.”