Love And The Real Boy - Coming About, Book 2 by J.K. Hogan

Author:J.K. Hogan [Hogan, J.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Gay Romance
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Published: 2014-09-05T04:00:00+00:00

PART III

Coming About

Chapter Thirteen

Coffee. Rich took Patrick’s advice and started with coffee. He’d probably been more relieved than he should have when he got John-Michael’s voicemail. He left a quick message pleading with his brother to meet him at the coffee shop near his work, Caffé Éveillé, at ten in the morning.

He was twitchy as he sat at his favorite table watching people go by the large picture window. Sighing, he checked his watch for the umpteenth time in the last three minutes. Ten fifteen. Hell, John-Michael probably wasn’t coming. There’d been no confirmation—but there also hadn’t been an ‘oh, hell no’—so he didn’t know what to think.

Rich chugged the dregs of his large mocha-latté and set down the cup. He was just considering leaving when he saw the hulking frame of his brother fill the doorway. Christ, he hadn’t been this nervous…ever.

J-M gave him a small wave and made a beeline for the table. He smiled sheepishly as he sat down, but didn’t quite meet Rich’s eyes. Rich wasn’t sure if it was because he was still uncomfortable with the gay thing, or if he was afraid Rich was going to lose his shit again. Damn, the ‘family stuff’ was harder than it looked.

“Hey,” Rich said. “Thanks for coming.”

John-Michael shrugged and finally looked at him. His expression was guarded, but his eyes were curious. There was no judgment or condemnation to be seen. “Not a problem. Glad you called.”

Rich wasn’t sure what to do next. He’d been expecting a fight or, at the very least, some resentment. “Um, do you want some coffee? I’m going to get another.”

“Sure. I’m pulling an all-night shift tonight, so better make it a triple-death.”

“You’re already picking up shifts? I thought you hadn’t even moved yet.”

“That day I showed up at your place, I had driven down to sign my new lease. I didn’t want to miss much work, so I asked the captain to put me on the roster ASAP. I’m down here ’til the end of the week, then I drive back up to my parents’ to pick up Jos.”

“Jos?” Rich figured he must be referring to his son, but they’d barely touched on the subject before he’d had his meltdown.

“Josiah. My little boy. I didn’t want to bring him here just to drop him off and go to work so he’s staying with…my folks.”

Rich could still sense the hesitation when John-Michael spoke about his parents, and it felt a little bit too much like pity. “It’s okay, remember? You can talk about them. It’s good,” he said, repeating the same words he’d said to the Mendelhaussen’s that long ago night. He gave a tight smile and stood up. “I’ll grab our drinks.”

The morning rush had passed, so he was able to get their orders and get back to the table quickly.

He fiddled with the stirrer in his cup for a few tense seconds until he finally decided it was best just to get it over with. “I guess we should talk about the other day.

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