Nothing Special 03 - Here Comes Trouble (25 page)

“Manners, Genny,” Curtis said, his voice dropping a couple octaves.
What the heck?
Why had he said that? Called the man by the nickname his mother called him.
Oh god, let me die here and now.

Genesis looked at him with shock and amusement. “Very funny. Come on. You gonna sit here with the ladies all afternoon sipping tea and discussing pecan pie recipes or do you want to toss the ball with me?”

Genesis didn’t have to say it twice. Curtis was pushing his plate back and standing before the mothers could protest. The man in front of him might be an NFL pro one day, and Curtis would get to say, “Hey, I played catch with him. He’s a cool dude and I know his mom calls him Genny. But on Sports Center he was known as The G-Man”.

“Curtis honey, don’t think you have to jump and do something you don’t want to. If you’re not up to being around the guys, it’s okay. You’ve had a lot on you these past few days,” his grandmother said, clamped onto his arm.

“It’s okay grandma. I’m fine really.” He gently took her hand off, patting it a couple times. He gave her a soft kiss on her cheek and quickly fled the room.

Genesis walked behind him. Curtis was on his way to the back door when Genesis clamped his massive hand on his shoulder, stopping him. Curtis looked back and up. Genesis was so much taller than him it was almost comical.

“Leo. I’m gonna get something for Curtis to wear, he’s coming out too,” Genesis yelled through the screen over Curtis’ head.

Genesis steered him towards the living room and up the stairs. Curtis’ heart was beating wildly in his chest. He walked down the hallway to God and Day’s room. Of course he knew where it was. He’d had to pick up their dry cleaning many times. He just didn’t know how he felt about being in their room with Genesis.

“You know I can’t fit Day’s clothes,” Curtis said, standing in the center of the floor while Genesis rummaged through one of Day’s dressers.

“You can fit a pair of basketball shorts with a drawstring. Then all you need is a white tee. You know Leo wears all his shit two sizes too tight anyway. His jeans are so tight you can see Lincoln smiling on the penny in his pocket,” Genesis drawled, looking back and winking at him. Curtis laughed so hard his eyes watered. It felt real good to do that.

“Take off that monkey suit.”

Curtis choked. “W-what?”

“You’re gonna change aren’t you?” Genesis closed the dresser and walked over to him. Curtis refused to take a step back even after Genesis was practically standing on top of him. He hated to do it but he looked up into those mesmerizing green eyes and lost himself. Before he knew what he was doing, he’d reached up and lightly ghosted his fingertips over the long brown eyelashes that shaded the greenest eyes he’d ever seen. Even greener than his big brother.

Genesis caught his hand and laced their fingers together, staring intriguingly at him.

“Oh shoot. I-I’m so sorry.” Curtis jumped back. He could feel the flames streaking up his neck and onto his pale face. He had to be the color of a beet right now, which made things ten times worse. What was he thinking? He was fondling a grown man, probably making him very uncomfortable in the process. Curtis was still a minor. Last thing Genesis Godfrey would need is some type of scandal. Curtis bolted for the door but Genesis’ long legs got ahead of him before he could reach it.

“Hey. Where are you going beautiful?” Genesis said on a breathy whisper.

“I got to get out of here. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

Genesis’ look was serious as he stared down at him, his large body blocking his exit. “I didn’t say I was uncomfortable.”

“You probably think I’m acting like this because my mom passed. But I really am okay. I’ve just always liked you.” Curtis shook his head quickly. “Not like, like you. I mean liked you as you know. Um. Sports. I really like sports.” Damn. He’d never felt more stupid in his life. Now he was talking like he was a groupie. He could only imagine how many women and men threw themselves at Genesis on a daily basis.

“I think you have the wrong impression about me,” Genesis drawled, running his thumb down the side of Curtis’ face. “You don’t make me uncomfortable. You know what makes me uncomfortable? People who act like they can’t talk to me or touch me; like I’m some kind of untouchable God.”

Curtis leaned in to Genesis’ touch. It was amazing, and surprisingly tender for his size. It’d been way to long since he’d had any affection reciprocated. Because of his social status at school, he didn’t have much experience with dating. He’d had a few crushes, one wonderful relationship that ended in a devastating heartbreak, his first. But that was the extent of it. Genesis was in an entirely different league. “Do you know I’m seventeen?”

“Yes and the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen,” Genesis drawled.

“I thought that’s why I was making you uncomfortable. Because I’m so young.”

Genesis stepped closer to him, putting his chest flush up against his chin. Curtis had to tilt his head up so he could look at him and Curtis couldn’t help but smile now. It’s as if Curtis could see the man behind the superstar. “That’s not what makes me uncomfortable. I’m not afraid of the law.”

“No.”

“No, Pretty. But I
am
afraid of your dads.”

Curtis barked a laugh, breaking the thick sexual tension growing between them. “Come on. Playing catch can wait. Let’s talk a bit. Is that okay?”

“Yeah.” Curtis breathed. “I’d really like that.”

Genesis took his hand, turned and left Day and God’s room and led him further up the hall to one of the rooms he’d never been in. Just because he was allowed access to the guys’ houses when they weren’t there, didn’t mean he snooped. That door was always closed. Now he realized it was Genesis’ bedroom. He put on the light and left a small crack in the door behind them. Curtis began to look around while Genesis sat on the full futon on the other side of the room.

“Now I know the enforcers have only been working with my brother for a few years. How the hell did they end up as your dads?” Genesis started out.

Curtis had his back to Genesis as he checked out the titles on the multiple bookshelves that lined the wall. He turned and smiled. “I’ve been close to all the guys. My mom’s been sick a long time, and they all kind of took me under their wings. Made sure I stayed out of trouble.”

“And what kind of trouble could you possibly get into, pretty one?” Genesis winked again.

Damn if that didn’t make his knees weak.

“I met your brother and Day because they busted me robbing a convenience store,” Curtis said looking over his shoulder. He threw his own wink at Genesis’ slack jaw and went back to perusing the titles as if it was nothing.

“Excuse me. Bullshit.” Genesis laughed.

“Nope. It’s as truthful as it gets.”

“Pretty boy has a wild side,” Genesis said in a husky purr.

“Sometimes I wish did. But God saw right through it. Knew I wasn’t a bad boy. I was a scared kid that didn’t have enough money to pay the electric bill.” Curtis sighed a tired breath, not wanting to go too much deeper into that. “Anyway. They helped me after that. Made sure I was focused on school, had what I needed. Eventually gave me a job. Two of the greatest men I’ve ever met in my life. And as they say… the rest is history.

“But Green and Ruxs… they’ve always been different. Me and Green, especially. He’s always been like a dad, ya know.”

“Naw, I don’t. My dad never existed. I don’t talk about him. But it’s cool it worked out that way for you. I heard they like busted you out of a foster home.” Genesis smirked.

Wow. He’d heard that already. There really were very few secrets held amongst those guys, he’d just hoped Genesis hadn’t heard
all
of the story. Curtis just chuckled along with him.

“I know you and your mom changed your names to Godfrey as soon as you left for school. Does that have something to do with your dad?” Curtis said, coming to sit beside Genesis. He wasn’t laughing, or grinning that bright superstar smile of his. He looked upset.

“My mom and I changed our names because my biological dad was a sick fuck and we refused to continue to carry his name.” Genesis fumed. He really sounded like his brother when he was upset. His voice got all growly and full of bass and authority. But it didn’t scare Curtis. He put his hand on Genesis’ knee.

“I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to dredge up old ghosts,” Curtis said softly. “We don’t need to talk about that.”

Genesis put his hand over Curtis’. Curtis turned his hand over and linked their fingers together and they stayed that way for a while. Neither one talking, just exchanging long glances and endearing smiles. He couldn’t explain it, because although he was still slightly star struck that Genesis “G-Man” Godfrey was sitting here beside him, casually talking with him about their lives. He was quickly turning into just Genesis to him.

“Will you kiss me?” Curtis whispered softly.

“I’d love nothing more,” Genesis answered sweetly.

They met together in the softest, most gentle touching of their mouths. Genesis cupped his jaw, lightly caressing his smooth cheek with his thumb, as held him place. Curtis slanted his head but Genesis was a gentleman. He didn’t take it too much further. He brushed his lips back and forth over his and Curtis thought he felt a quick flick of a moist tongue, but it was gone too fast to be sure. When they pulled back, Genesis stared into his eyes, like he was looking for something. And Curtis recognized the minute Genesis found it. His mouth curved into a charming smile and he pulled Curtis into a tight hug. A hug you could feel deep down in your core. It was what he’d needed, it was what he wanted, and at this moment he truly appreciated Genesis for it.

“Curtis! You up here?” Loud footsteps accompanied the deep voice coming up the stairs.

Genesis eased back from him. “Which dad is that?”

Curtis smiled at him. “That’s Ruxs.”

“Great. The scariest one.” Genesis sat back on the couch.

“Yeah Dad. I’m in here.” Curtis laughed. He knew Ruxs could be a little blunt and heavy-tempered, but he was sure his dads trusted him.

A few seconds later Ruxs came through the door, quickly taking in the scene in front of him. His dad wasn’t stupid – he was a detective – so surely he could put the pieces together. Curtis tried to give his dad a look that said “please for the love of god, don’t embarrass me.”

Ruxs looked over at Genesis. “How’s it going, G-Man?”

Curtis mouth dropped open.
Oh hell.

“Pretty good, Ruxs. Long time no see.”

“Yeah it has been a while. It’s a big surprise to see you here with my boy,” Ruxs said eyeing him carefully.

“Dad,” Curtis hissed.
Boy? Really?

Ruxs ignored him, maintaining his glaring eye contact with Genesis. “Your team’s off to a damn good start this season. That Florida game was close. Y’all got a tough schedule this year.”

Genesis sat forward but didn’t stand. “I’m up for the challenge.”

“I bet you are.”

“Dad.” Curtis scowled again.

“You just here for the weekend, Genesis? I would think the coach would have y’all on a pretty tight curfew.”

“I got a weekend pass,” Genesis answered with an easy smile.

“So you’ll be leaving soon, right?”

“Dad. Genesis was at the funeral. Did you know that?”

Ruxs tilted his head in question. “Really. No I didn’t realize. All I saw were a bunch of grown. Ass. Men. I must didn’t distinguish.”

Curtis’ eyes bugged out of his head. When he looked at Genesis, he didn’t seem fazed. But he on the other hand was humiliated.

“I will be leaving tonight. I just came down to show my support. But I’ll be back next week for Thanksgiving break and I’d like to take Curtis on a date, if it’s alright with —”

“Hell no,” Ruxs said, not letting Genesis finish.

Green walked in before Curtis could say a word. “There you are, Curtis. I was wondering where you’d disappeared…” Green stopped, noticing Ruxs and Genesis’ stare off. “Oh.”

Curtis turned to Genesis. “You want to go out with me? I’d like that.”

“You can
like
it all you want,” Ruxs butted in.

Curtis gave his dad his most angry look. “I’m not some sixteen year old debutant. What the heck has gotten into you?”

“Curtis your grandma is leaving, she wants to say goodbye to you. Why don’t you go on downstairs,” Green said, stepping aside. “We’re gonna talk to Genesis.” Curtis was reluctant to leave, but he did. This was beyond embarrassing. He was almost eighteen. Almost grown. About to graduate and go off to college. He wasn’t even a virgin. Why were they acting like this? Curtis had been on dates. He’d had a steady boyfriend his whole sophomore and junior year, now here they were behaving like they were protecting his untainted virtue.