Love Life & Circumstance (19 page)

“I’m not moving until you agree to go out for lunch.”

“Fine, I’ll go. But, it’s only nine thirty so leave me be,” Seth groused. His entire body tensed when Kris’s weight shifted and he felt the press of the other man’s body against his own.

“Ya know; it’s been a long dry spell since I’ve been here, in your bed. We could stay a bit longer and re-live old times.” Kris’s warm breath in his ear and the unmistakable rub of his cock against Seth’s ass galvanized Seth into action, and he sprang from the bed.

“What the fuck are you doing?” He stalked across the room and swung the door wide. “Get the fuck out of here.” Despite the fury in his voice, Seth didn’t have the energy to be truly angry. He tried a glare, but Kris ignored it as he slid to the edge of the bed. He sauntered closer and patted Seth’s cheek.

“I’m going handsome, and now that you’re up, grab a shower and shave will ya? That prickly look just isn’t you, Eli maybe, but not you.” Incredulous and shaking his head in disbelief, Seth watched the man stroll out of his room. Balls the size of Texas that one, and unrepentant as hell. After closing the door behind Kris, he considered crawling back between the sheets with the prayer the dream would return.

“You could just call him, Sethie.
” Bethany’s voice slipped into his head as it had the last few days.
Explain about Kris, tell him you miss him. Tell him, you love him. Don’t make the mistake I did. Don’t give up on him.
He closed his eyes as the dull ache in his chest throbbed. He wanted to call Elijah, had picked up the phone and dialed. But, when it came to hitting send, he couldn’t bring himself to press the button. He sucked at confrontation, it was the main reason he still worked as a paralegal instead of a trial lawyer.

This isn’t a case, Seth. This is your life. You can’t fight for the man you want?
His twin’s voice came again.

“It’s not that easy, Bethany. He’s leaving…he’s taking your daughter and he’s leaving me.” Seth muttered around the lump in his throat. When no response came from his inner twin, he nodded. “Yeah, no answer for that one, huh.”

Reluctantly, he gathered some jeans and a polo and headed for the shower. He knew Kris would be back if he didn’t get his ass in gear. The man was tenacious once he made his mind up.

Two hours after Kris’s visit to his room, Seth exited the rental car and squinted in the bright glare of the sun. Kris had talked non-stop on the ride in from Headland, keeping up a one sided monologue. He listened with half an ear as he mentally catalogued what needed to be done work wise when he returned home. The unmistakable rumble of a diesel engine brought Seth’s head up and around. His heart lurched when his gaze collided with Elijah’s fierce blue one for only a second before the truck roared backward then disappeared down the street. Involuntarily, he took a step toward the departing vehicle and Elijah. A tight grip banded around his bicep.

“Earth to Seth. You’re about to step into the middle of the street. Have you even been listening to me?” When Seth continued to stare mutely in the direction Elijah had disappeared, Kris rapped his knuckles on Seth’s head. “Could you focus for a sec and tell me where the restaurant is in this hell hole?” Kris let go of Seth’s arm and swiped at the sweat standing on his brow. “It’s taken me damn near two weeks to drag your ass out for something other than a hospital run. I want food…good food, not that sorry frozen shit you dish up.” Shaking off the taint of melancholy, Seth turned back toward the restaurant.

“The River Nile. It’s up there on the right.” Seth waved in the direction of the eatery, and then fell into step beside Kris as he moved away. He pretended to pay attention as the other man rattled on about their former co-workers and their drunken escapades at the company Christmas party.  In truth, the stories registered only a little above the sun beating down on his head. The glimpse of Elijah had shocked his system. He wasn’t as numb inside as he’d thought.  If Kris hadn’t grabbed him, he’d have chased the damn truck down the street.

Two weeks, Kris said. Had it only been two weeks since he’d learned Elijah planned to sell up and leave Alabama? Two weeks since he’d watched Elijah climb into Rhett’s car? Two weeks since he’d driven to Elijah’s home to explain about Kris and found the house dark and locked up tight?

His mind tumbled backward. He’d driven back home after watching Rhett’s taillights disappear. Agitated and anxious to get to Elijah’s house, he’d set Kris down in the living room and explained as concisely as possible the details of Bethie’s wreck, Hope’s birth and his developing relationship with Elijah. For the first time ever, Kris had listened without interrupting and nodded in understanding when Seth told him to make himself at home.

Seth hadn’t spilled about Elijah’s intentions to pack up and leave. He’d wanted to discuss that with Elijah first. Despite the storm, he’d driven to Elijah’s house and braved the rain to pound on the front door and then the back door. No one had answered. Drenched to the skin, he’d climbed back in the truck and sat in the front yard until daybreak. When the sun’s rays broke the horizon, he’d given up; Elijah wasn’t coming home. He refused to think about where and how Elijah might have spent the night.

“Here we are,” Kris said, pulling the door open and snapping Seth from his thoughts. “Mmmmm, smells good.”

Seth blinked and shoved the memories away. Elijah’s quick departure only minutes before made it clear he wanted nothing to do with Seth. “Just grab an empty table, Kris. They don’t seat you.” He mumbled barely glancing around the room. He didn’t want to be there. He wanted to go see Hope and go home, but Kris was tired of being cooped up with only the television as a distraction. Definitely, a big city boy, he wasn’t used to the lack of twenty-four hour entertainment. Frankly, Seth was surprised he’d waited this long to demand Seth get off his ass and out of the house. Truth be told, he had no idea why Kris was still hanging around.

He slid into the booth facing the door and facing away from most of the patrons. When the waitress appeared, he ordered his usual King Tut and sweet tea and returned the menu with a half smile. Kris, on the other hand, listened to the daily specials and teased the young waitress a bit before ordering a tuna wrap and a coke. When she turned away, Kris expression went from jovial to serious.

“If you don’t get ya head outta ya ass and find a smile, I’m taking ya to the closest doc in a box and getting you some anti-depressants. You knew the man a few weeks tops. Life is not over.”

And, just like that Kris threw down the gauntlet. Problem was; Seth had no desire to pick it up and wage the battle. He’d connected with Elijah; something about the man completed who Seth was. Loving him was the most natural thing in the world. Though he hadn’t been expecting love amidst tragedy, Elijah had roared into Seth’s heart and taken up residence; eviction wasn’t an option.

“Get off my jock, Kris.” Seth groused and slouched further into the bench seat. He knew he was moody and hadn’t been good company since Kris’s arrival. After Elijah’s angry departure and continued absence, the reality of Bethany’s death had crashed down over him.  Work provided the only escape. In addition to the two briefs due by Saturday, he’d forced himself to review Deacon’s paperwork and deliver it back to Woodham.  The provisions for Hope eased some of the ache in his heart.  Without doubt, Elijah would be an exceptional father to Bethany’s baby girl.

“If I was ridin’ ya dick, you’d know it, Seth baby. Surely, it hasn’t been so long since we played the mattress tango that you’ve forgotten me?” Kris shot back.

Seth’s eyes darted to the tables around them, but if anyone heard, they didn’t give any indication. “Keep your voice down. This isn’t Atlanta.”

“Too effing true,” Kris agreed, despondently. “Nothing to do here except eat, drink and fuck.”

“Kris, damn it, there are kids here. Tone it down.” Seth hissed, glaring at his friend.

“Finally, something besides a monotone from you.” Kris leaned forward a frown on his handsome face. “I’ve skirted the issue as long as I’m going to; the man has obviously moved on.  Wake up and face facts, Seth. He hasn’t called or come by since he got in the car with his BFF. Let it go. Come back with me to Atlanta. I know the firm will take you back. Besides, I could use you. I haven’t had anyone to escort about town without all kinds of strings attached. You know I hate that.”

“I’m not going back there. I like it here, and Hope’s here.” Seth evaded Kris’s gaze; he’d never been able to lie to the man.

“Bullshit.” Kris spat. Seth’s head snapped up and their gazes collided. “Not a lot to do in your little patch of nowhere. I snooped. Deacon’s leaving town. Sold everything, and I’d bet my favorite cock ring, you didn’t know anything about it until you got those papers from Woodham.”

Seth flushed as the waitress appeared with their drinks.

“Your meals will be right up. You need anything else?” When they both shook their heads, she made her way to the next table.

“You didn’t know did you?” Kris refused to give up. In that moment, he had hate in his heart for his best friend. Why couldn’t he just leave it alone? Why did he insist on Seth admitting it? He glared at Kris, but the man only arched a brow clearly intent on waiting for Seth’s response.

“Those were private legal documents. You could get me in trouble.” Seth started, but Kris wasn’t buying the diversion. He huffed out a breath. “No. I picked up the papers the day you arrived. I got home, and he had dinner ready just like nothing was wrong. I couldn’t eat, couldn’t think. He knew I was upset, but not why. We argued. I was about to bring it up when you interrupted us.” Seth said while his fingers shredded his napkin. “He never said a word.”

“Of course he didn’t, he plans to skip town with the baby as soon as she’s released and avoid any type of legal battle with you.  As long as he kept you preoccupied until he left, he was home free. I hope you have your custody papers ready to file.” Kris reached across the table to still Seth’s hands. “Don’t let him run over you.”

“He’s her father, Kris. They did the paternity tests to make sure and they came back a clear match. No judge is going to give me custody over him. The law stands on his side. You know that.”

“It’s worth a shot. Legal precedent is set every day. You’ll never know if you don’t try.” Kris leaned back as the waitress returned with their food. Usually his favorite item on the menu, the roast beef sandwich tasted like cardboard when Seth bit into it. His stomach rebelled; he just wasn’t hungry. After watching Elijah drive away, he just wanted to see Hope and get back home. Knowing Kris, that wasn’t going to happen. His next comment almost made Seth groan.

“When we leave the hospital, let’s take in a movie. I’ve already checked the newspaper and there’s a new Tom Cruise movie I wanna see. We can hit one of the local bars after and have a few drinks. Whattya say?” He grinned afterward, the winning smile he plastered on for clients and potential endorsements.

“No, Kris, I just want to go home.” Seth tried, but the other man overrode him.

“Nope. You’ve been at home for two weeks. I’m taking you out. It’s time to put Elijah Deacon behind you.”  Kris refused to take no for an answer and Seth found himself agreeing to both the movie and drinks.  While Kris ate, Seth pushed his fries around his plate. He glanced up when a shadow fell over the table. Rhett stood above him, a scowl on his face.

“You’re such a dumbass.” Rhett sneered. “Elijah Deacon was the best thing to ever walk into your life. You should have held on to him with both hands instead of shacking up with this…” Rhett’s gaze swiveled to take in Kris and his words faltered.  From the corner of his eye, Seth saw Kris rise.

“I think you got it all wrong, country boy. Deacon’s sneaky maneuvers behind Seth’s back are reprehensible. Leading him on, sexing him up and all the while trying to steal Hope out from under his nose. I’m a much better match for Seth because I don’t lie to him.” The diva in Kris emerged as the man stepped all up into Rhett’s face. The head bobbing was almost comical, if the other patrons hadn’t been staring so hard.  Seth surged to his feet and tossed two twenties on the table. Grabbing each man by the arm, he dragged them to the door and outside.

“Both of you need to calm down. This situation is between Elijah and me,” Seth started. He released them and turned to face the other two men. His jaw snapped closed. Rhett and Kris stared at each other like two hungry lions. He switched gears immediately. Here was his way out of the afternoon plans with Kris.

“Kris Jackson meet Rhett Devereux. Rhett, this is my best friend, Kris. He’s a bit bored with small town life. He was thinking about a movie, dinner and drinks. Think you can entertain him while I go and see Hope?” He almost smiled when both men nodded without looking at him. “Good. I’m going to the hospital, so if you don’t mind, I need the car keys.” He suppressed a shout of triumph when Kris fished the keys out of his pocket and dropped them in his hand. On the short trip back to the car, his shoulders remained tense afraid they would change their mind and come after him. Luckily, they didn’t, and the last glimpse he got of them before he drove away finally drew a chuckle. Talk about instant attraction.

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

As he made his way through the nursery to the small cubicle allotted to Hope, Seth kept his head down.  The nurses had been great when he visited, but their sympathetic stares did not escape his notice. Thankfully, none of them asked why he and Elijah no longer visited together. It occurred to him that Elijah might have explained, but he didn’t want to think about what he’d told them. Only a few steps outside Hope’s tiny room, he ran headlong into the charge nurse.

“Excuse me, Susan, I wasn’t paying attention,” he said and tried to sidestep. She met his evasion easily, causing him to raise a brow in question.

“I’m glad you’re here. You almost missed Hope’s big day.” A large smile wreathed the woman’s face, but Seth paled. Knots formed in his stomach, and his chest constricted. He wasn’t ready for this; he thought he’d have more time.

“She’s not ready to go home. She’s still underweight. Someone needs to monitor the feeding tubes and her weight….” A firm hand on his arm stopped the spill of words.