Page 43 of Jack of All Trades

“I’m a worrier, Jack. I must confess this now before I surprise you.”

“Oh, right, because I hadn’t noticed it from the first minute I was here.”

“Excuse me?”

Jack laughed as he took one of the croissants. “You worried over me touching your precious cars. I got it. If I had those, I’d worry too.”

“Well, yes, they were…I’m afraid that was my only love for a long time. Now, that has changed.”

Jack’s chest warmed at his meaning. “I’m glad, but you can still love the cars. I won’t be jealous.”

“So big of you, my love.”

Jack heard the words, and he warmed more. My love…how he’d longed to be loved at all, and after all the waiting, he was.He knew at that moment that he could face his hateful family with the strength of a million men.

Ashes of hatred had suffocated him, choking any loving feelings from him, but he had spat out those ashes at last, finding a clear, sweet love.

After eating the best croissant he’d ever imagined, so buttery and light, he was ready for the day. “Meet you in the shower?”

“I’ll be there presently.”

Jack didn’t have to wait long, as Maltin was getting into the tub with him minutes later, closing the curtain that hung from the oval hanging rod behind him.

He was taken into Maltin’s arms, and soon he felt Maltin’s chin resting on his shoulder. “We’ve had little time to be alone. I hope you are okay with that.”

“I’m fine, Maltin. I’m only scared, I guess.”

Maltin moved his head, resting his forehead against Jack’s as he chided, “No need for it. You’ll have us there with you.”

“I know. I’m more scared of the doctor right now. My fear of my family will come after, I guess.”

“My love, I know it’s all so new and frightening, but we’re two people now. We’ll take all of it on together, face it, fight it, whatever we need to do.”

Jack wrapped the naked, wet man in his arms and cried a little on his shoulder. He’d never been able to let down his guard like that, but with Maltin, he knew he could. He felt deep in him that Maltin would never judge him or hate him. They were two people and one heart, after all.

Dressing in the suits Rodney had given them, Jack felt like an imposter. His was grey, matching his eyes perfectly, and the silk T-shirt he wore under the jacket was so soft that he felt like sleeping.

That’s how he felt. Soft, warm, and loved, and he could sleep with how good it felt like he could finally lay down his stress and walk freely.

Maltin’s was red, and he looked wicked in it. A tie of pure crimson was around his neck, and his shoes were muted black like the button-down shirt under his jacket. He and Rodney were like twin opposites, as he wore a black suit with a red shirt.

Together, they were like a high-class boy band. They rode in the limo, Rodney facing them as they said hand in hand, an easy tune playing through the speakers. Rodney sipped cognac, but Maltin teased him about how early it was in the day.

“It’s nighttime where I’m from, or nearly. France misses me, so I’m waving to it in the best way I know.”

“Misses you?”

“Yes. I am the apple on that tree.”

Rodney stayed in the waiting room while he and Maltin entered the doctor’s office. After being given a long questionnaire to fill out, Jack nervously wrote his shifter identity; the nurse took his vitals and then took his form. “Oh, hellhound. That’s rare. The doctor will be in soon.”

She hadn’t flinched at learning what Jack was. “Did you see that?”

“Jack, do you think we’re special? I’m sure the doctor has seen almost all forms of supernatural creatures come through here.”

“Still. I…I about puked writing it.”

Maltin took his hand, kissing him over the knuckles. “Stop being so scared of us, baby. We’ll be fine.”

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