Ropes and Dreams (18 page)

Carlos twisted his upper half around. “Hey, Troy! C’mere!”

“Okay, what’s the emergency?” Troy yelled back.

“Drake’s gonna teach Will to jiggle his ass like a bowl of Jell-O.”

Troy’s footsteps could probably have been heard all the way to Texas as he ran inside. “Wait!”

Ian noticed that Drake was watching him, focusing on him. That was good, that was what he wanted, for Drake to find peace with him.

“Let me get some music going,” Will said. Seconds later a fast song with lots of bass was on and Will grabbed Drake’s hand. “Okay. Show me how to shake my ass so my men become my love slaves.”

“Like we aren’t already?” Troy scoffed. “What could—fuuuuuck.”

Drake went into a slight crouch and began moving his ass up and down. Will tried to match him, and Drake quirked a brow before ramping up his speed.

“That’s…incredible,” Troy said, coming closer. “How can he move so fast?”

Will stopped and watched Drake’s ass. “Shit. I am going to have to work on this.”

Then Drake sped it up even more as he raised his hands up over his head.

“A lot. I have to work on this a lot.” Will stood right behind Drake, almost close enough to have Drake’s ass against his groin. “Don’t freak out on me,” Will told Ian, then he put his hands on Drake’s hips. “Dayum.” And Will was off, shaking his butt almost as fast as Drake was moving his.

“I think I could come just from watching this,” Troy said in a thin voice. “Shit fire and all that stuff.”

“Sounds painful,” Ian murmured, but his dick was erect and he didn’t think he was going to be able to wait until Drake had finished washing up after dinner to have that sexy ass.

Fortunately, Will and Drake stopped a couple of minutes later, Drake holding his side and Will giggling like mad. He didn’t even get a word out before Troy grabbed him. Troy and Carlos disappeared with Will, no doubt to fuck until they were all sated. Ian had the same thing in mind for him and Drake.

But first, he needed to tell Drake about the hacking shit. If he didn’t, it would seem dishonest.

Ian took Drake by the nape and pulled him close. He kissed Drake, lapping at his tongue, twining his with Drake’s. He kissed a trail down Drake’s cheek to his neck and nipped the delicate skin beneath his ear.

“We need to talk, then I want to fuck you, and fuck you again and again…” Ian wished he could. He’d keep his cock buried in Drake’s ass twenty-three out of twenty-four hours a day if he could.

“What’s up?” Drake asked. “Besides these.” He palmed Ian’s shaft and his own through their clothes.

Ian brought Drake over to the table and they both sat down, Drake on the floor, sliding to his knees and resting his head on Ian’s thigh. Ian hadn’t asked, and they weren’t in a scene, but Drake seemed to find comfort in the position.

“You remember what Troy mentioned the other day?” Ian asked.

Drake went perfectly still. Eventually, he turned his head enough to look up with one eye at Ian. “Yeah. I meant to tell him not to, but the fire happened and I forgot.”

Ian nodded. “Well, that’s okay. I mean, I won’t tell you what his friend found out if you feel that’s a violation of Rigo’s privacy you can’t live with yourself for knowing.”

Drake turned his head away again. “I wish I were a better person, but I want to know. I had enough willpower to tell Troy not to do it, or I would have, but since it’s already been done, please tell me.”

Ian didn’t drag it out. “He’s negative, Drake. He’s been tested every three months for years, and every time he got ditched, he had the same tests we just went for. He’s had several since you left him, and every one of them is negative. He also has complaints filed against him with the police department where he lives for trying to terrify his exes with the same bullshit he used on you.”

“Oh God,” Drake gasped as he looked up at Ian. “Oh my God, I—” Drake started to slide towards the floor and Ian grabbed him under his arms. He pulled Drake right up into his lap.

“Drake, are you okay?” He cupped Drake’s chin and tipped his head back.

Drake stared at him with a dazed expression for a moment then he inhaled sharply and his eyes glimmered with tears. “He’s really negative?”

Ian nodded. “Yes, honey, he really is, and so are you. Rigo was just fucking with your head all along.”

Drake closed his eyes and began to shake. “I can’t believe anyone would be so…so hateful!”

Ian stroked Drake’s cheek then he kissed his brow. Drake’s skin was warm and smooth under his lips. Ian was certain he’d never get enough of Drake. He rubbed his cheek against the top of Drake’s head. “There are all kinds of sick people in this world, Drake, but there are also the good ones, like Carlos, Troy, Will, Frank—think about it. We have more incredible people around us than the awful ones. I think that’s the way it is in life. People like Rigo aren’t common, thank God.”

“No, no, they aren’t,” Drake agreed. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he clung to Ian. “I’ve been so scared, I don’t know if I can just let it go.”

Ian understood that. “Take your time. I’ll be here with you.” He caressed Drake’s back and continued nuzzling his hair. It was so silky and cool, it was a pleasure to touch.

Drake cried quietly for a while, and Ian knew it was a release for him, a letting go of the fear and worry that had eaten at him. Ian was glad, too, but he would have stayed with Drake regardless of the test results.

Eventually Drake sniffled and Ian reached out to grab a few napkins from the table. “Here.” He gave all but one to Drake. That one he used to gently wipe at Drake’s eyes.

“I’m going to look all puffy,” Drake mumbled right before he blew his nose. He crumpled the napkin and tossed it at the trash can. “And now I probably have a bright red nose, too.”

“You look cute,” Ian told him, grinning because Drake’s nose was red and his eyes were a bit swollen, but he was simply adorable anyway. “Fuckable, definitely.”

Drake snorted but Ian could tell he was pleased by the shy smile that curved his lips. For a minute they just sat there, holding onto each other. Then Drake shifted and sat back a few inches as he looked at Ian. “If he’s done this before, why wasn’t he arrested?”

“Probably because there was no proof he said it, and if he was saying he found out after he got dumped, it’d have been hard to prove he’d committed assault by trying to give them HIV.” Ian frowned. “More so, though, he’d just probably show any detective that interviewed him the clean test results he had. There’s no telling though. Homophobia in the police department could have played into it too.”

“So he really doesn’t have it?” Drake asked in a trembling voice.

“No,” Ian answered. “Not unless he’s contracted it since you left.”

And for the second time in less than an hour, Drake broke down and cried.

Chapter Fourteen

Ian walked into the police department and knew the word had got around. More than one person looked at him with open hostility. Ian acted like he didn’t care, and to a point, he didn’t, but he didn’t want his life in danger because of some bigoted prick he had to work with.

Frank met him in the break room. “Hey, bud, how’s it going? Did you get everything take care of with the insurance company?”

Normally, Frank wasn’t so blatantly…friendly, but Ian knew what the man was doing, and he appreciated it enough that he was able to actually smile in return. “Hi, Frank. Yeah, it’s taken care of, I’m just waiting for the big cheque.”

“What, did you own some gold doubloons or something that got melted and destroyed?” Frank asked.

“That was sarcasm,” Ian informed him haughtily. “I didn’t own the place and had jack shit in there. I think I’m getting a few grand for the loss of my furniture and electronics.”

“Ohh, rich man, huh?” Frank elbowed him as they walked towards their desks. “You and Drake going to take me and Darcy out to dinner?”

And just like that, the temperature in the room seemed to drop to a glacial level. The receptionist and the other two officers turned to glare at Ian.

Frank planted one hand on his hip. “What? What’s wrong with all you dumbasses? You think you should get to come to dinner, too?”

“Not with a couple of fags,” Chester Foley snarled. “You can catch AIDS from ’em.”

Frank shook his head and made a tut-tut sound while Ian’s blood boiled. “Wow, I knew you were stupid, Chester, but I didn’t realise you were shit-for-brains dumb along with being paranoid, misinformed and obnoxious. You can get AIDS from unprotected sex with women just like you can with men. You can get it from transfusions, too, and from sharing needles. Do I need to keep going on? You’re sorely lacking in education.”

Chief Waronsky’s door opened and he came out. “Is there a problem?”

Chester stood up, red-faced and furious. “I won’t work with a faggot!”

“It’ll be a shame to lose you then, especially with you so close to retirement, but if you insist…” Chief pointed. “There’s the door. Don’t let it hit you on the backside on your way out.”

“What? You can’t do that!”

Chief frowned. “I don’t believe I’m the one who quit. That was you, Chester, after using a derogatory term in regards to one of your fellow officers—one who, if I’m not mistaken, knocked you out of the way of a bullet a while back. Hm, wonder what would have happened if Officer McCain hadn’t done that? He could have been hit. You’d probably be dead…”

“I don’t want to quit,” Chester whined. “Make him quit.”

Chief sighed and came over to stand by Ian. “Let me just make this clear as crystal for all of you. I’ll make sure the night shift hears it, too. Ian McCain is not to be harassed for being gay. If I find out that’s happening, I’ll begin proceedings to have you fired. I will do it, too, unless of course you quit. Ian is the same man he was yesterday, and the day before, the week before, the month before and so on. He hasn’t changed. He still does his job, doesn’t complain and kicks ass. The only thing that has changed is you know something about him that really isn’t anyone else’s business, and it does
not
concern you nor does it affect his job. If you can’t get around your own prejudices and hateful ideals to see that he is still the same person you knew before finding out that he’s gay, then you are the one with the problem, and I suggest you seek help. I’ll be happy to set that up for any of you who need it, as I know who I went to when Finn came out to me.”

“Finn’s gay?” the receptionist asked. “What a waste.”

Ian had never seen Chief Waronsky’s expression look so…fierce, and apparently, neither had anyone else. Chester plopped into his seat, muttering an “I’m sorry.”

Chief pointed to the receptionist. “Ms Aberdeen, in my office. I am going to explain to you exactly how you just messed up by calling my son a waste.”

Ms Aberdeen sniffed, stood up and grabbed her purse. “Find someone else to work in this den of iniquity.” She walked out like she was the only sinless person in the world.

Chief took a deep breath then looked at Chester. “If you’re going—”

Chester shook his head vehemently. “Nah. I don’t like it but I’m not tossing almost thirty years down the drain. I’ll keep my opinion to myself.”

“Be sure and do that.” Chief patted Ian on the back then walked away. Ian followed him into his office. “What’s up, Ian?”

“I didn’t mean for you to have to out your son,” Ian blurted out. That had to be a horrible thing for a father to have to do.

Chief sat down and waved a hand as if shooing off a fly. “I didn’t. Finn told me that he wasn’t going to hide who he is when he comes back from college for Christmas break. He said if it’d help you, to get it out now. He, uh—” Chief cleared his throat. “He says he’s a flouncer, anyways, and he’s done hiding that, too. I don’t even know what that means.”

“I don’t either,” Ian admitted. “Maybe you misunderstood him.”

Chief leant back in his chair. “That is entirely possible. God knows he likes to test me, make sure I still love him. I understand that. I didn’t handle his coming out well at first, and I’ll have to live with knowing I hurt him then. I won’t do it again.” Chief nodded. “Go on, and I mean it. I won’t put up with shit like Chester and Aberdeen were spouting. That nasty piece of work was just pissed because she’s been chasing Finn since they were both sixteen. Makes me glad he’s gay, actually. I’d have hated to be related to that woman.”

“Does she have a brother?” Ian asked.

“Don’t even joke like that,” Chief snapped. “Go. Eat a doughnut or something.”

Ian left the office and wasn’t surprised that Chester kept shooting him glares. The other officer, Walker, didn’t look at Ian at all. He could handle that, too.

“So yeah, dinner at the ranch. I’ll buy steaks,” Ian offered. “Saturday good for you and Darcy?”

“Works for me, but let me check with her. She plans stuff for us and I never remember until she’s hollering at me to get ready for it.” Frank sat down and Ian started to do the same thing.

“Who’s going to be taking the receptionist’s job?” he wondered.

“Guess Chief will handle that.” Frank looked thoughtful. “You know, Finn’s a good guy. I always liked that boy. He has manners. If I’d had a daughter…well, or a son, I mean, I’d like him to be with someone like Finn.”

Chester snorted and Frank looked at him. “Got something stuck in your throat, Chester, like your balls, maybe?”

Chester flipped Frank off and Frank laughed. “Anyway. I’ve been trying to track down Fred Junior. His uncle is not cooperating, and when I mentioned your place being burned down, he clammed up and said I was bordering on harassment. I’m not supposed to call him anymore unless I have a warrant. Jackass.”

“I still think it was Norman,” Ian said. “I guess I can call my mom, but she won’t tell me anything.”

“Didn’t I tell you?” Frank asked. “Guess not. I called your stepdad. He swears Norman’s been with them every single damn day and every hour of every day since he got out of prison. Unlikely, but they’re his alibi and I couldn’t shake them.”

“They’ll cover for him until he goes to prison for hurting someone else, and even then, it’ll be a big misunderstanding.”