Flare (19 page)

W
HILE
NEWLY
twelve-year-old Brooke was experimenting with the techniques Hugo had taught her using the too-costly-to-mention gift of makeup Hugo and Kevin had bought her, Finn was struggling with the transition from the nurturing environment of kindergarten to the rigors of first grade. He was a smart kid who understood his homework most of the time, but sitting still to actually
do
the homework was a challenge. It had gotten frustrating for Hugo to watch as Finn drifted to other planets while attempting to figure out how much money he had in front of him, pictures of coins clearly printed on the paper. Eventually, he sought out Summer to air his irritation.

“First grade is a big leap for kids,” she said one night when they got together. “Even for those kids who were in all-day kindergarten, it requires a whole new set of skills. They’re expected to stick with one project a lot longer than they did in kindergarten.”

“But it’s like he’s not even there… he’s not
present
long enough to make the connections he needs to,” Hugo relayed. “On his math homework he’s doing related things, like cutting a circle into quarters and then moving on to money, talking about how there are four quarters in a dollar. He doesn’t see the connections, but not because he doesn’t understand it. He’s just not focused long enough to make it stick. Is there something wrong? Do you think he could have a learning disability?”

Kevin had been just as frustrated, but his concern was about how Finn was reading. They eventually tried divvying up the homework between them, each taking an area they felt strong in, Kevin taking math and Hugo trying his hand at reading. All that had done was draw even more attention to the fact that something was going on. They had even talked to the therapist, asking how Finn was doing emotionally. Lori felt he was doing really well, making great strides in learning how to manage all the changes in his life, which was true. There were no more emotional meltdowns, and even the nightmares were gone. The bed hadn’t been wet since the beginning of summer. Finn seemed happy until homework came out. That’s why Hugo talked to Summer.

“He’s a high-energy kid, and he’s expected to sit a lot more than he did last year,” Summer said.

“Is that a gentle way of saying he has ADHD or something?” Hugo asked.

“No. He might, but it’s probably developmentally appropriate wiggliness—”

“Wiggliness? Is that a technical term?” Hugo teased.

“Shut up and let me finish, you shit. I’m in teacher mode now. No playing.” Summer took a deep breath before she continued. Hugo couldn’t help but chuckle under his breath. “You and Kevin don’t really have a ‘problem’ at home with him. Neither do his extracurricular teachers. And this is what I can tell you from the time I’ve spent with him. He’s particularly tenacious in nearly everything he does that he enjoys, sticking with something until he masters it.” Summer sounded thoughtful. “I remember you telling me about things he’s struggled with in the past and solved. He’s really good at doing that with physical activities in particular, like gymnastics.”

“That’s true. His coach says he’s never seen such a determined kid,” Hugo recalled.

“He’s good with physical, so you might want to incorporate the use of a fidget or an exercise ball in homework time.”

“A fidget? What the hell is that? And do you mean one of those huge-ass balls I see at the gym?”

“Exactly!” Summer’s excitement was contagious, and Hugo felt himself scoot to the edge of his chair. “Sitting can be hard for active kids, and there’s research showing how exercise or therapy balls can actually help kids think better. Some people need to move in order to think. A fidget is really anything kids can hold and manipulate with their hands. Think of those stress balls or a worry stone. The act of fingering an object can be helpful for the same reason as bouncing on a ball.”

“You realize you’re making this ever so hard to stay focused on education when you say shit like this, right?” Hugo asked, but Summer simply ignored him, aside from giving him a dramatic eye roll and an exasperated gasp. That made Hugo laugh harder, but Summer continued on.

“Even getting outside to use these concepts in the real world that he’s learning about in school will be helpful for him.”

“Okay.” Hugo was serious now. It was a lot of information to take in, but it made sense. Hugo had always been better at learning by doing rather than sitting in a classroom listening. “Thanks for this. I really appreciate it, Summer.”

She punched him in the arm before she left that day. Hard.

When Hugo relayed all the information to Kevin, he could see Kevin wasn’t convinced. “Let’s just give it a try before we dismiss it,” Hugo said.

The difference seen during Finn’s homework time was remarkable. He went from fighting it nearly every night to loving it. Hugo had found an exercise ball and a few rubbery toys for him to play with. He also noticed that anytime they brought out tools for Finn to use while doing homework—coins, counters, or even a clock to manipulate—he did better. He was able to learn like Hugo had, by doing. It made it more real to him.

Even so, Hugo and Kevin noticed Finn needed a little break between projects, and they often directed him to an energy-burning activity, like running Lulu around in the backyard or playing a game of catch.

All throughout this process, Rowan supported anything Kevin and Hugo agreed upon. She was always around helping, but never in a way that was intrusive. From time to time, she’d share knowledge from her prior work experience, and the kids were soon thriving again. Socially, as well. More and more playdates were scheduled, Rowan driving the kids to and from their new friends’ houses so they could hang out.

Hugo was hanging out with Kevin’s new game night group too. They went and had fun, and if Hugo didn’t entirely feel like he fit in, he was going to keep going so he could hang out with people Kevin obviously had developed some affinity for. Mike and Dena helped Hugo feel more welcome than anyone else ever had, and the kids had a blast whenever they went too. One month in the near future Hugo knew they’d be expected to host the games at their place. He started thinking of activities for the kids. Maybe Rowan would have some suggestions.

W
HEN
H
UGO
saw Kevin emerge from the room after their third mediation session, he wasn’t pale as a ghost or seething with anger. He looked tired and maybe a bit resigned, but then he smiled.

There’s my Kevin.

Hugo listened as Kevin gave a quick rundown of what had transpired in the last hour while Hugo white-knuckled it in the hall, still glad he was home again for this one. He and the Clarkes had been able to talk through their differences without any overt emotional outbursts. That didn’t mean any agreements were made aside from planning a fourth mediation session right before New Year’s, but somehow it went better. Now the real issues were laid out enough that they had something to work toward rather than Kevin trying to fight off hate-filled accusations.

Tasha and Kyle stood down the hall talking to their lawyer when Kevin reached for Hugo’s hand and leaned in to give him a kiss. Hugo saw Tasha looking at them with curiosity after the kiss, and then an expression of distaste before she looked away. She’d probably wondered how they had sex or something similar. It was hard to see that look on a face filled with shadows of Erin. Tasha would never understand Kevin and Hugo’s relationship, it seemed.

“This would be so much easier if they could see past gender and just see how much we love each other and the kids,” Hugo said with exasperation.

“That’s something they have to work on, not us. But every single time I see them and you’re with me, I’m going to let them see that my love for you is no less important than a straight couple’s. None.”

“It’s all we can do, I guess.”

“And keep relying on Mark.” Kevin paused and gave Hugo a long, slow smile. “Let’s go celebrate a decent mediation session. No yelling. Yay.”

Hugo couldn’t help but laugh as he tugged on Kevin’s hand and led him outside.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Unleashed. Unfurled.

H
UGO
WAS
directing again, and for a while now, he’d be working more at home. It had been far too long since he’d been working on a full-fledged production—well, a one act—and he’d missed it horribly. Now he could do it with less stress and worry, knowing Finn had found a solution to his concentration problems and Brooke was being happily and willingly drawn out of her shell by her friends.

Even Kevin seemed to be thriving since the third mediation session. He was happier, smiling more, and making jokes as he’d done the prior summer before Erin got sick. Until Hugo noticed the changes, he hadn’t fully realized quite how uptight Kevin had become.

Life was easier. Travel had slowed. They were socializing on a regular basis. There was nothing hanging over anyone’s head, and Hugo and Kevin were even considering tapering the kids away from therapy because there had been so much progress, according to Lori.

All of that added up to less stress, which meant Hugo was horny. Hornier than hell, if he was honest. It was moments like this Hugo appreciated Rowan’s presence more than at any other time. It was as if she could almost sense Hugo’s desire and busied the kids with various activities, most often away from the house. That was how it was the day before Halloween.

It was Thursday night, and Hugo had been busy with finishing up a week of full run-throughs before dress rehearsals and performances the next week. It was great to be working on a play at home again. Comfortable. He got home late, late, late, often to Kevin fast asleep in their bed. That night was different. He sat down with his cast and asked them which scenes they felt they needed to really work on before they met again the following Monday. Three scenes. That was all anyone felt they needed to go through. Doing a one-act play was nice because it was so much easier for people to get their parts down when the script was shorter. So when the actors felt prepared, Hugo sent everyone home, much to their astonishment and to his own as well. He was walking in the door just after seven, and the only one home was Kevin.

“Where is everyone?” he asked.

“Rowan took Brooke on some
girl adventure
, and Finn talked his way into going along.”

“Not surprising. So we have the place to ourselves?” Hugo asked with a raised brow, hopeful.

“Yeah. You’re home early.”

“And you’re still in your clothes. Why is that? We’re alone and together and you’re not naked yet,” Hugo said as he stripped out of his clothes. He gathered them in a messy pile and darted upstairs to their bedroom. Kevin quickly followed, naked as a jaybird, aside from his ridiculous socks.

“Christ, you look good,” Kevin practically growled.

“Give me a second.” Hugo disappeared into the bathroom and pulled out a new tube of lip balm he’d recently found. It was the same pomegranate-raspberry flavor Kevin liked, but it had a hint of color to it. In the huge mirror that covered the wall behind the low sink, Hugo spread the shimmery color across his bottom lip, surprised by how different it looked compared to his typical lip color. It was a light shade of berry, and he stared at his lower lip a moment before pressing them together, spreading the color to the top. He took time to fill in the rest of the bare spots and then stared at his reflection.

He was obviously wearing lip color. The blue eyes that looked back at him looked worried. He was. What if Kevin’s hints that he might like to be with Hugo’s much more femme alter ego were just speculation and not the real thing? That was why he’d bought the tinted lip balm in the first place, to see if Kevin was really and truly serious about that.

But this scared Hugo. He had no shame in wearing lipstick or silky dresses. It was nothing like that. What he was doing, though, was opening a new world. They couldn’t just close the door and forget this happened if Hugo walked back into that bedroom with lips the color of berries. If he was going to do this, he needed to be sure about it.

Just the thought of Kevin kissing him looking like this, of him enjoying kissing Hugo while he was exploring his femme side, had Hugo erect. He’d never even allowed anyone to consider this before, including himself, and now he was so hard thinking about Kevin licking that color off his lips, and telling him he looked beautiful.

“Hey.” Kevin stood in the doorway, voice so uncertain. Hugo had been in there too long. Their eyes met, and he noticed Kevin’s gaze drift to Hugo’s mouth and back up to his eyes. He said nothing but moved closer, pressing up against Hugo’s back and wrapping his arms around his chest. “Jesus, you’re gorgeous.”

Hugo felt chills travel through his body at Kevin’s words, nipples pebbling to tight points. Kevin followed the response of Hugo’s skin in the mirror, his lips parting in what appeared to be awe.

“Shit. Look at you. You’re fucking hard and beautiful. And your nipples… you want me to touch them, don’t you?”

Hugo nodded, feeling them tighten even more in response. “Please,” he begged. He watched as Kevin barely brushed his fingers over both nipples, then stopped to watch how Hugo’s body responded. Muscles on his torso jumped at the touch and his eyes drifted shut.

“No. Don’t close your eyes. You need to see yourself. Watch yourself in the mirror. Look at those lips. Fuck. Those lips are beautiful. Your mouth. Say something filthy with that pretty mouth.”

Hugo smiled and then bit at his lower lip, lowering his chin in something that looked like coyness, but was really true embarrassment. He didn’t know where this was headed but didn’t want it to be weird.

“Touch me,” Hugo finally decided on. “Touch my cock.”

Kevin smiled and started lacing kisses across Hugo’s shoulders and neck. He stopped for a moment at an ear and asked, “Like this?” as he wrapped long fingers around him. All Hugo could do was nod. The feel of Kevin’s hand was exactly what he wanted, and he tipped his head back on Kevin’s strong shoulder for support and closed his eyes. “You should watch,” Kevin told him. “You should watch how beautiful you are when you come. Especially now that I can see your lips so much better.”