Happy World (19 page)

A bustling near the door of the medical facility drew Rory’s attention. Three or four men and women, smartly dressed, had entered the building and were conferring with the nurse who ran the desk. “What’s with the suits?”

“Oh, yeah.” Kyle’s eyes grew wide and he leaned in close to whisper. “That’s the other thing. The owner’s here today. We all got informed that he’d be walking through the Park. Somehow -- I have no clue how -- word got to him that an employee had collapsed from low blood sugar. I heard on one of the radios that he was coming over to see. Just act natural, okay? The owner of Happy World wants to check on you!”

The buzzing in Rory’s ears started up again. The who? Did Kyle say… the owner of Happy World? The owner? Oh, God. Rory struggled to sit up.

“Whoa, whoa. No, you don’t, buddy.” The paramedic firmly pushed Rory back down. “You can get up in a while to eat something, but not yet. Not ‘til all of this sugar’s in you.”

“No, I… I…” Rory shook his head and tried to sit up again. “You don’t understand, I don’t want to talk to the owner of this place, God!”

Kyle put a hand on Rory’s arm. “Shh,” he soothed. “Don’t worry. I’ve never met him, but I hear people say he’s a decent guy. He just wants to make sure one of his team is okay. You’re not in trouble or anything.” Kyle petted Rory’s arm as if this would make Rory feel better. “This is a great opportunity!”

No. No, it wasn’t a great opportunity, it was the opposite of a great opportunity, it was completely the opposite of a great opportunity.

Unable to escape, Rory kept his eyes glued to the group of people at the door. This had to be one of his worst nightmares come true. Fainting from low blood sugar was bad enough, but then to have the owner here on the same day? Jesus Christ.

The door opened once again and this time, a tall, imposing man entered the room. He looked around the medical office once, ignoring the fluttering around him of employees and medical staff alike. Rory watched as the man’s gaze lit upon him and he strode over to the cot where Rory lay.

Immediately, Rory turned his head away from the door and closed his eyes tight. Maybe if he couldn’t see the owner, the owner couldn’t see him. Kind of like an ostrich.

He heard the man take a seat in one of the plastic chairs. Kyle let out a squawk and there was a scraping on the floor; probably Kyle moving his chair around to make room.

There was a long silence in which Rory kept his eyes closed and held his breath. Finally, the man spoke.

“Roarke, are you all right?”

Rory let out the breath he’d been holding and forced his eyes open. Slowly, he turned his head to look at the owner of Happy World. The man’s features had softened considerably from when he’d first appeared in the room.

He took one more deep breath and offered a weak smile.

“Hi, Dad.”

Chapter Seventeen

Dad?

Dad... as in father? Sperm donor? Change-diapers-and-put-bicycles-together-at-Christmas-and-go-to-school-plays type of father? That kind of dad?

Kyle’s head spun as he gaped first at Rory, then at Mr. Stafford, the owner of Happy World, and back again. His mind whirled, trying to make sense of everything.

Stafford. Rory’s last name was Stafford, too. Kyle remembered making the connection when he first met Rory, but shrugged it off as a coincidence. He even thought he might have said something to that effect to Rory. Rory laughed it off, but now that Kyle thought about it, Rory had never actually denied being a member of Happy World royalty.

Rory was the son of the owner of Happy World.

Oh, God, and Kyle had made him clean up puke.

Then Kyle remembered all the other things he’d done with Rory, and where they’d done some of those things, and the room began to spin.

“Kyle? Kyle, are you okay?” Rory’s voice seemed far away, and barely heard through the buzzing in Kyle’s ears. “Shit, get the paramedic, Dad. I think he’s going to faint.”

Kyle felt a strong hand pushing his head down between his knees. “Take it easy, son. It’s okay. Breathe, now.”

Oh, God, please don’t let me fucking hurl on Mr. Happy World Stafford’s shoes! The grayness threatening the edges of Kyle’s vision slowly began to ebb as more blood flowed to his stunned brain, and the nausea subsided a bit. He risked a glance at Rory. “Your dad is Mr. Stafford.”

“Yeah, hon. I know.”

“The owner of Happy World.”

“Yeah, I know that, too.”

“You didn’t tell me.” Anger began to tinge the confusion in Kyle’s mind as the pieces finally clicked together. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was going to, honest.” Rory looked up at his father. “Dad, can we have a minute?”

Rory’s father’s voice was deep, and the concern in it, evident. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah. I let my sugar get too low, but it’s a long story. I’ll fill you in a little while later. I have to take care of this now. Please?”

Kyle glanced up at Mr. Stafford, and saw a small smile play on his lips, although his voice was stern. “Oh, so this is... Yeah, I get it. Okay. But we’re going to have a long talk, you and I, as soon as you’re done here.”

“Sure thing, Dad.”

Kyle felt his cheeks grow hot. Evidently, Rory had told Mr. Stafford about their relationship, and he wasn’t sure how he felt about it. Did Mr. Stafford know he and Rory were lovers? He felt embarrassed, and let his head hang down again until he heard the door close behind Mr. Stafford and his entourage of suits. Then he picked it up and glared at Rory. “How could you keep something like this a secret from me?”

“It wasn’t a secret! I mean, it was, but I was going to tell you, Kyle. I swear it!” Rory looked stricken, although Kyle couldn’t tell if it was because of what just happened, or because his sugar was still low. Rory’s hand gripped his, squeezing tightly. “Look, someday I’m going to inherit this place. My dad thought it would be a good idea for me to learn what it’s like to actually work here, you know, as an employee. Learn the Park from the bottom up. I... well, I wasn’t such a nice guy before. I was kind of spoiled, you know? Rich kid, best schools, new cars for my birthday, coasting through life, that sort of thing. Dad figured I needed a dose of reality.”

“Is that what I was? A dose of reality? You used me to learn how the little people live?” Kyle couldn’t keep the hurt out of his voice, and in truth, didn’t really try. He was crushed... no, he was devastated by the thought that all he was to Rory was an experiment.

“Hell, no! You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. I swear it, Kyle. The truth is, I was afraid to tell you who I was.”

Kyle laughed, although there wasn’t the slightest hint of humor in it. “Afraid? Of what?”

Rory gestured toward Kyle with his free hand. “Of this! Of you thinking exactly what you’re thinking right now. I didn’t use you, Kyle. What I feel for you is real. Nothing has changed that.”

“Except you didn’t trust me enough to be honest with me. Why didn’t you just tell me the truth when we first met?”

Rory shook his head. “I couldn’t tell you before. My dad had me sworn to secrecy. He didn’t want me catching breaks or being able to goof off because of my family connections. Nobody knew, Kyle. Not the supervisors, not the Park leads... nobody. Only the top level executives knew, and they were warned not to tell anyone else.”

“That still doesn’t explain why you didn’t tell me after we started dating.”

Rory shook his head, his lips tilting in a half-smile. “Think about it, Kyle. You were so enamored of this place... you told me it was your lifelong ambition to work here. At first, I was afraid you’d try to use me to get ahead, and then after a while, when I really got to know you, I wanted you to like me for who I was, not... well, who I was. Then we broke up.” His voice trailed off, and he averted his eyes, looking miserable. “I couldn’t see the point in telling you after that. It would’ve been like I was rubbing it in, and even though I was pissed off at you, I didn’t want to hurt you anymore.”

“And after we got back together?”

“I was afraid you’d think I used my dad to get the part of Pierre. Stupid, huh?”

“Stupid is right. You should know me better than that.”

“I do! I was just scared. I didn’t want to lose you again. After the first night we got back together, I knew what we had was special, Kyle. I was going to tell you, but the timing never seemed right.”

Kyle sighed deeply. He could understand Rory’s reticence to a point, and believed Rory would’ve told him eventually. He just wished he’d found out beforehand, and not in a surprise revelation in the middle of a medical emergency. “It was Charlie who put you here, wasn’t it?”

“God, that man pisses me off! Yeah, he pushed me too hard in rehearsal. I knew I needed to eat, but when he threatened you again, I--”

Kyle’s head snapped up. “He threatened me, so you neglected yourself? You know, if you still weren’t so pale, I’d smack you. How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t give two shits about Charlie-fucking-Taylor? Your health is more important than anything that rat bastard could do to me.”

“He fucked us up before, and I wasn’t going to give him the chance to do it again. I didn’t want him to come between us, Kyle.”

Kyle shook his head, but he couldn’t help feeling a rush of warmth. Rory had come to his defense again, and this time, at the cost of Rory’s health. It was heady stuff, and told Kyle how much Rory cared for him, even if Rory hadn’t been completely truthful about Rory’s family ties. “Promise me something.”

“Anything!”

Kyle looked into Rory’s eyes, holding his gaze steady. “You will never, under any circumstances, jeopardize your health again, no matter what. Never.”

Rory smiled and held up three fingers in the Boy Scout salute. “Promise. I swear. Word of honor.”

“I mean it, Rory. I almost died when I saw them rushing you past me on a gurney.”

“I’m sorry about that, Kyle. Really.”

“I know. You couldn’t help being sick.” He looked toward the door for a moment, then back at Rory. “Your dad knows about us?”

“Yeah. I told him.”

“He’s okay with it?”

Rory shrugged. “He’s known I was gay since I was twelve, Kyle.”

“I mean with you dating an employee.”

“I’m an employee, too, remember?”

Kyle shot him a look. “You may be, but you’re still his son.”

Rory shook his head and waved a hand dismissively. “He’s fine. He only cares that I’m happy, and believe me, I am. So, we’re good now? You forgive me for not telling you who my dad is?”

Kyle grunted, then nodded, a smile escaping his control and lifting his lips. “Yeah. I forgive you.”

“Good. Now, I need some sugar.”

“I’ll get some more sports drink. Or would you rather have something to eat?”

“That’s not the kind of sugar I meant.”

Kyle squeaked when Rory grabbed him, pulling him out of the chair and onto the gurney, giving him a hungry kiss. Kyle allowed himself to succumb briefly, then pulled away. “Oh, no, pal. Your dad might come back in the room!”

Rory frowned at him. “You’re not going to let my dad affect our relationship, are you?”

“No, but no more fooling around in the Park. No, sir. All we’d need is for an employee to catch us, or God forbid, get caught on the surveillance cameras. The last thing you or your father needs is for a video of us to show up on You Tube.”

“Hey, it’s my Park.”

Kyle glared at him. “Rory... “

“Okay, okay! I’ll behave.” Rory grinned at him, and released his hold on Kyle.

Kyle stood, and straightened his clothes. “How about that food, now?”

“Can I eat it off your naked body?”

“Rory!”

“Aw, okay. Well, maybe you could just feed me a few grapes, then.”

“You’re pissing me off, Stafford.” He said it with a smile, though, and Rory’s laughter warmed him. “Tell you what... you eat your lunch like a good boy, and maybe later tonight I’ll let you have dessert.”

When Rory lay back, a big smile creased his face. He obviously knew exactly what sort of dessert Kyle would be serving. “Oh, baby. I’ll be good. I swear.”

Kyle moved toward the door to summon the paramedic and get a snack for Rory, but he paused. “What about Charlie?”

“What about him?”

“What are you going to do? He could’ve killed you, Rory, and he’s not going to stop making your life a living hell in those rehearsals.”

“Nothing, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m not going to use my family to get back at Charlie. I’m a big boy. I can take care of myself.”

Kyle snorted, and gestured toward Rory and the gurney. “Yeah, it shows.”

“Just forget about Charlie, okay? I won’t let him get to me again.”

“Why don’t I believe you?”

Rory threw a hand dramatically over his forehead. “Feeling weak again, Kyle. I really need a sandwich now. Everything’s getting dark. Room’s spinning... “

“Oh, for crying out loud. You big baby. Okay, okay. I’m getting the food, but don’t forget your promise to me.”

“I won’t. I swear it by Happy Hamster’s big, hairy balls.”

Kyle laughed, but frowned once he stepped outside the room. He still didn’t believe Rory, and as he trotted down the hall in search of the paramedic, he vowed to himself that for once in their relationship, he was going to find a way to protect Rory, instead of it being the other way around.

***

It was the last big dress rehearsal before the inaugural launch of the new parade, and Kyle made it his business to be at the rehearsal hall to watch. He wasn’t happy, not at all, and he scowled as he slipped through the door, standing at the back of the room.

Rory had come home each night after rehearsal half-dead. Kyle’s prediction came true -- Charlie hadn’t stopped making Rory’s life miserable. Rory insisted he had a handle on things, that he wasn’t letting Charlie push him too hard, but Kyle knew Rory was lying. Kyle could see the long hours and short breaks with barely enough time to eat were taking its toll on Rory, no matter what Rory said to the contrary.

It was going to stop, right now, before Rory ended up in the infirmary again, or worse.

The Actors were all dressed in their costumes, but most were lounging about against the walls, watching Charlie and Rory go through their choreography. Kyle was certain it wasn’t the first time, either. From the looks of them, they’d been going at it for hours.