“Son, there’s a change of clothes your family brought you and your personal affects you came in with. Get changed so you can get out of here.” He actually leaves me in the room alone to change. I get changed quickly into the jeans, Henley, and flannel shirt Ry and Max got for me. Putting on my boots again is the first tangible feeling that I’m really going home. I knock on the door and Officer Adams opens it and guides me over to a door that looks like it leads outside.
“Now, son, I always tell people I don’t want to see them again, with at least half the time knowing that I will be. You, I truly better not see again. You go make a life that’s legal and most of all happy.”
Not sure I can actually speak when he sticks his hand out to shake mine, I manage to mumble out a “thank you” as I go through the doors to the outside. I see a black pickup truck waiting at the curb. As soon as I start down the stairs, both Max and Ry get out of the truck.
Ry has a big grin on his face. “Long time no see, brother. Welcome out!” He envelopes me in a big bear hug.
I mumble into his ear, “Missed you, Little R.”
Smacking me on the back, he says “Missed you too, Big R.”
Letting me go, I turn to Max. I give him a bear hug and thank him again for getting me out early.
“Brother, I just wished I could have sooner.”
“You got me out, brother. I couldn’t ask for more. Let’s get goin’. I wanna see everyone and give Ma and Pa a hug.”
“Well, get in, so we can get there in a couple hours and you can see everyone.”
Jon
Something is going on with Ry. He texted this morning to let me know that Rory couldn’t have any visitors today—something about a lockdown or something. I think Jane was right to think there might be something more going on with him and Nicky. One of these days, he’s going to realize we don’t care if he’s gay or straight. He can love whoever he wants and he’ll always be our brother. I really wanted to go see Rory and let him know that Jane agreed to see where things could lead. That woman. I love the fire she gets in her eyes when she’s about to argue with Juan about something. That’s up there equally with the look of submission I saw in her eyes when I held her face in my hands. I know we agreed to take things slow till Rory comes home, but I’ll be damned if I get through today without sneaking her into my office for a kiss. She’s an addiction I don’t think I will ever tire of. Since we aren’t going to see Rory, I’m gonna go see what there is to throw together for breakfast. Too bad there’s none of Jane’s baked goodies here to have. Her coconut cupcakes were amazing, and I’m definitely snagging one of those and one of her monster cookies that she let us try last night. Our woman certainly knows how to bake.
I’m looking in the fridge when I hear Juan come out of his room.
“You get the text from Ry, too?”
Nodding while getting out some eggs and veggies to make omelets, I say “Yeah, something about a lockdown and no visitors this weekend. He’s hiding something and I don’t mean anything about Rory. You think Jane was right to be suspicious yesterday?”
Taking a sip of his coffee, he says, “Yeah, but you know him. He’ll tell us when he’s ready and not a minute before. One of these days, he’s gonna realize that we all know he’s gay and don’t care. I figure something will change that. Maybe sooner than we think if he’s really into Nicky, since Nicky is definitely out of the closet.”
Chuckling at him, I say “He certainly is. You make toast while I cook our eggs?”
He goes to the bread box and gets to work. Within minutes, we’re sitting down to eat. I look at my phone to see a new text from our woman. To my surprise, it’s not in our group text but just to me.
Jane: Good Morning, Mr. Grumpy. I may have set aside some of your favorite treats in a box just for you so you can hide them in your office if you want. What time should I get to the family day? Do you need me to bring anything else?
This woman is already spoiling me and havin’ me grinning before I finish breakfast.
Me: Morning, babygirl. You’re going to spoil me with my own treats. People usually start coming around 1, but we’ll both be there by 11. Anytime you want to come after that would be fine… so really maybe 11 ’cause I miss your face already and am feeling deprived of your lips.
Jane: LOL. Somehow I don’t think you’re suffering that much since it’s been less than 12 hours since we’ve seen each other. I’ve got to meet with a potential new client this morning, run home and get changed, and pack up the goodies. Then I’ll be over. Probably closer to 12 if that’s ok?
Me: Sounds good, babygirl. See you then.
“Are you heading to the clubhouse first thing, J?” Juan distracts me from my phone.
“Yeah, I want to make sure everything is ready for family day. You coming too?”
“Yeah, but first I want to stop and get some drinks for Jane. I know she’s not gonna drink a lot since she’s driving but you know how much she loves her Coke Zero. I know we don’t stock any behind the bar and I want her to feel comfortable and have what she wants.”
“Good point. I’ll have them add it to the bar order in the future ’cause I don’t want to be the one to have to tell her we’ve run out. She gets that look that kind of reminds me of Ma and I don’t want that directed at me.”
Asshole that he is, he busts out laughing. “Oh, is Pres scared of our woman? You really think she would hurt a fly?”
Shaking my head, I say, “Abso-fucking-lutely she would. You threaten Tyger and she will kill you.”
“That fucking dog is obsessed with you. One of these days, he’s going to realize I’m the one he needs to get in good with. I’m out. I’ll see ya soon.”
