Wings of Love (9 page)

“I survived.” Mac replied as he shrugged his shoulders.

“Do you have any siblings that you are aware of?” Brad asked.

 “About ten years ago, I found out that I have a half sister, to whom I’m not very close, and she also has a daughter.”

Mac sat up and smiled warmly. “But to be honest, the only family I’ve ever known is Lindsey’s family. When we got married, they accepted me with open arms and made me feel like I’d been in the family as long as Lindsey had.”

Then his smile faded as quickly as it came. “Her father died of a heart attack a year before Lindsey died, and her mother died of breast cancer three years ago. Jack, Lindsey’s only brother, whom you’ve already met, was married and divorced at a very young age and didn’t have any children. So, Jack and Zoe are the only family I have, and we’re pretty close.”

“Wow,” Brad said. “That’s some story. I’m really sorry, Mac. It couldn’t have been easy growing up in those conditions.”

“It was all I knew,” Mac replied. “But from a very young age, I figured out I had two choices. I could take the high road, work hard, make do, and survive. Or I could take the low road and probably end up dead or in prison.”

“Seeing the man you’ve turned out to be, I can clearly see what road you chose,” Brad said with admiration.

By now, Mac was pacing in front of the fireplace, clearly not comfortable talking about himself, but fully committed to telling his story.

“Yep, I chose the high road, and as soon as I was old enough to work, I saved every penny I made and started preparing to leave that life behind. I was always a good student, so I graduated a year early and made my exit.”

“Were you eighteen yet?” Brad asked.

“Not quite, but I would be in a few months.”

“Did they allow you to live on your own before you were legal?” Brad asked.

“My social worker knew me pretty well by then and knew I had enough money saved to live on for a while. She also knew that once I was eighteen, I was officially out of the system and she would have no say in what I did, so we kind of compromised. She allowed me to live on my own if I agreed to keep in touch with her and allowed her to visit me until my eighteenth birthday.”

“Got it,” Brad said.

“So, I found a little apartment and started working on my pilot’s license. While I was in pilot’s school, I worked at the small regional airport, cleaning, washing, and waxing private planes during the day, and working as a janitor in the airport at night. Once I got my license, I started flying floatplanes for Mountain Air, which is where I met Zander and Jake.”

“Did they have the lodge then?” Brad asked.

“Not quite. I flew them back and forth to the lake when they were building the lodge, and when it was finally finished, they offered me a job flying their guests exclusively.”

Brad nodded.

“So I rented a plane for the first year, and then, when I’d saved up enough money, finally bought my own, and here we are.” Mac sat on the hearth, very relieved to have the story come to an end.

“Mac, I’m sincerely impressed. You overcame some very difficult obstacles. I know a lot of people who have had many more advantages in life and did a lot less with them. You should be very proud of yourself.”

“Yeah, well. You do what you have to do to survive.”

Brad stood, walked over, and sat next to Mac on the hearth. He put his arm around Mac’s shoulder and said, “Your life could have gone in a completely different direction and the outcome could have been a hell of a lot different. You’re a hell of a man, Mac.”

For a brief second, Mac rested his head on Brad’s shoulder. When he realized what he’d done, he quickly stood and said, “Now your turn.”

“My story is not nearly as compelling as yours,” Brad admitted. “I think it’s pretty boring, actually, but with a couple of small similarities.”

Mac plopped back onto the couch and said, “I’m all ears.”

It was now Brad’s turn to pace.

“Okay. I’m an only child and grew up in San Francisco. My mother was a pediatrician, and my father was an attorney. When I was born, my mother became a stay-at-home mom and homeschooled me until the seventh grade. We traveled a good bit, and learning came pretty easy to me. I graduated from Stanford two years early and took a year off to travel alone. That’s how I found Hiline Lake. After my year off, I started medical school and specialized in oncology. When I started college, my mother bought a small clinic and went back to work. When I graduated from medical school, she offered me an office in her building, and that’s how I started my practice.”

Mac smiled and Brad paused and blushed. Suddenly he felt very guilty telling his story. Mac had worked so hard for everything he’d achieved, and here he was, handed everything on a silver platter.

Mac sensed that Brad was struggling with something and he thought he knew what.

“I know what you’re thinking Brad,” Mac said. “And that’s nonsense. We did things differently, all out of our control. We don’t pick our parents, and in most cases, they don’t pick us. You came from money and I didn’t. And you’re a doctor and I’m a pilot, not easily comparable,” Mac said through a smile. “Tell me more.”

“My practice started taking off, and I needed more space. After a year, my mother and I decided to add on to the clinic and that’s how I met Jeff. He was the architect we hired to do the plans for the building.”

“I was about to ask where Jeff came into the picture.” Mac said. “Now it makes sense.”

“We instantly fell in love and were almost inseparable,” Brad continued. “My parents were always supportive of my lifestyle, and they adored Jeff. And unlike you, Jeff had a family, but they disowned him when they found out he was gay. They never spoke again.”

“Are you serious?” Mac asked. “It’s stories like this that make me glad I didn’t have a family.”

“Very serious. In fact, when I called to tell them that he had passed away, they hung up on me.”

“Assholes!” Mac said.

“So, like you, my family became his, and life was really good for so many years. One Christmas, my parents took us to Switzerland on a skiing trip, and Jeff and I decided to stay in town and do a little holiday shopping while Mom and Dad skied for the day. There was an avalanche, and they were both killed, along with fifteen other skiers. Needless to say, Jeff and I were devastated. Three years later, Jeff was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer, and the rest you know.”

They sat in silence for several moments, and Mac finally broke the silence.

“Brad, I don’t know what to say. I’ve never had parents of my own, so I can’t say that I know what it must have been like to lose them, but I know what it felt like to lose Lindsey, and that nearly killed me. Then to lose Jeff a few years later… you are one hell of a strong man.”

“I don’t know about that, but I’m here and you’re here, and we survived the challenges we had to face. I guess that makes us both strong men. And Mac, thanks for telling me about your family. I know it couldn’t have been easy for you, but you are one hell of a friend, and I love you, man.”

Brad and Mac both stood at the same time. Mac took Brad in his arms, and Brad held his embrace.

“Same here,” Mac said. “I love you too.”

The embrace lasted a little longer than either of them was comfortable with, and Brad broke the hold and stepped back.

“I’m beat, Mac. I think I’ll turn in.”

Mac said, “I’m not far behind you. If you don’t mind, I’ll just sit in front of the fire and finish this chapter before I turn in.”

“Okay. Night, Mac.”

“Sleep tight, Brad, see you in the morning.”

“You too.”

Brad threw another couple of logs on the fire, put out most of the oil lamps, and went into the bathroom to brush his teeth. When he came out of the bathroom, Mac was lying on the couch with his eyes closed and an open book on his chest. Brad sat on the chair opposite Mac and studied him for a long time. He was very handsome, striking really, and such a great guy. He hadn’t realized how attached he’d become to Mac until he was faced with Mac leaving for an unknown amount of time. Mac had come and gone before, but only for a day or two at the most; this time felt different somehow. Neither of them knew when Mac would be able to get back; it all depended on the storm. He was suddenly struck with a feeling of loneliness and longing. Then the realization hit him like a ton of bricks.

Oh my God, do I have feelings for Mac? I can’t have feelings for Mac. That’s crazy. He’s straight, and Jeff’s only been dead for six months. Not only did I just lose the love of my life, I think I have feelings for a straight man.

Brad got up from the chair and walked over to his bed. He stood at the foot of the bed and stripped down to his underwear. He pulled back the covers, slipped into bed, and prepared for what he knew would be the worst night’s sleep he would have since he moved into the cabin. He propped his pillow against the back of the headboard and watched Mac sleep for the longest time. He saw Mac stretch and get up off the couch. He slid down in his bed and silently watched Mac stoke the fire, turn out the remaining oil lamps, and make his way up to the loft. Obviously Mac thought Brad was sleeping, because when he got to the top of the ladder, he stopped and for several minutes looked intently at Brad lying in bed. Eventually, Mac climbed the rest of the way into the little loft and out of sight. With Mac now in bed, Brad began to toss and turn until he eventually fell into a restless sleep.

M
AC
slipped into bed with somewhat of a heavy heart. He knew it was best that he was leaving for a while, but it still pained him to desert Brad, especially in the first big storm of the season. But he did have to fly Zander and Jake back to Anchorage, and if they didn’t get out before the storm, no one knew when they would get out. His last conscious thought before he fell off to sleep was that he hoped Brad would be okay while he was gone.

Some time later, Mac was awakened by the sound of movement downstairs.
It must be Brad putting more wood on the fire
, he thought. He heard footsteps, then the creak of the ladder, and seconds later he saw Brad’s head appear over the floorboards of the loft. Mac sat up in bed and watched as Brad crawled into the tiny loft and sat on the foot of the bed.

“Brad, are you okay?” Mac asked.

“I just needed to be with someone; I hope you don’t mind.”

Brad looked so sad and lonely that Mac couldn’t turn him away.

“Come on,” Mac whispered as he pulled back the covers and invited Brad into his bed.

Mac was lying on his side facing Brad as Brad climbed into bed. Brad lay on his back at first, then he turned away from Mac and snuggled his back into him. Mac cautiously put his arm around Brad’s waist and held him lightly. A few minutes later, Brad turned over, and Mac looked into Brad’s teary eyes. He reached up and lightly brushed the tears off of Brad’s cheeks. Brad closed his eyes and put his hand over Mac’s and held it against his face.

“I’ve never felt so alone,” Brad whispered.

Mac, no longer in control of his actions, leaned in and softly kissed Brad on the lips.

“Brad, you’re not alone. I’m here and will be as long as you need me.”

Brad forcefully pressed his lips against Mac’s, searching for entry. Mac’s mouth opened to the welcomed intrusion, and their tongues danced and explored each other’s mouths.

Already, Mac could feel himself getting extremely aroused. He was nervous and confused, but he didn’t want to stop. Brad broke the kiss just long enough to pull the sweatshirt over Mac’s head, and following Brad’s lead, Mac did the same to him.

Again Mac’s lips were desperately searching for Brad’s. He was so hungry for Brad’s taste, it terrified him. Their lips crashed on one another’s, and without breaking the kiss, Brad quickly rolled Mac onto his back. Brad lay on top of Mac as their erections grew and he ground his rock-hard dick into Mac’s groin. Brad again broke the kiss and slid down under the covers to attend to Mac’s growing erection. He pulled Mac’s pajama pants off and threw them out of the bed. Mac moaned in ecstasy when Brad nibbled at his engorged dick through the thin cotton of his boxer shorts. Mac ran his fingers through Brad’s hair and caressed his neck while Brad explored his body. Mac had no idea it could be like this. He felt so comfortable with Brad. It all seemed so natural and so easy, and he felt both scared and exhilarated at the same time.

Brad worked Mac’s boxers down over his hips and slid them off completely. Mac almost came when Brad’s tongue licked the crown of his dick. Mac stretched his legs out and squeezed Brad’s shoulders hard when Brad took him in completely. Brad slid his mouth back up Mac’s long shaft and back down again. Mac had had blow jobs before from women, but not like this. This was incredible. As Brad went down for the third time, Mac saw stars and exploded in Brad’s mouth. He felt his orgasm rip through his body like never before. A loud noise made him open his eyes. He sat upright in bed. He was alone. Without thinking, he instinctively called Brad’s name.

“Sorry, Mac,” Brad said. “It’s okay, I dropped a log as I was putting it on the fire. Sorry I woke you.”

“Oh, no problem,” Mac said shakily, not wanting Brad to hear the panic in his voice.

Horrified, Mac thought,
oh my God, I was dreaming.
Not only was I dreaming, I had an orgasm about Brad.
He was too embarrassed to go down to the bathroom, so he took his pajama bottoms and boxers off, cleaned himself with his boxers as best he could, and put his pajama bottoms back on. When he was sure Brad was back in bed, he climbed down the ladder, slipped into the bathroom, and did a better job of cleaning himself.

Chapter 15