Page 6 of Escape into the Night

“You'll listen if you want the surprise I have for you.”

Despite himself, Taz’ curiosity was piqued. “Is it your cock?”

“No.” Luke smirked and drew closer, leaning down to bring his lips to Taz’ ear. “My cock isn't ever a surprise. The present in the closet is your surprise, but you’ve been naughty. Now, you’ll have to wait.”

Taz grumbled dour threats of violence and huffed. Even with all his bitching and moaning, he’d relent. He'd always give in to the man who held his whole entire heart in his very massive palm.

“Fine,” Taz whined, drawing out the word in a way that would have been mortifying if he were in a clearer headspace. Fortunately, he was more than happy to put his adult concerns in Luke’s hands. For now. Just for a little while.

Taz was about as grouchy as he could possibly get sitting in the front seat of Luke’s sedan the following morning. The fucker had made him talk about feelings and rules and details he didn't want to share but ended up spilling anyway. It was manipulation of the highest order, being sprawled out and pinned down, fully at Luke’s mercy, taunted and teased till he folded like a house of cards in a stiff breeze. He loved that fucking man. It was the only reason he didn't do something like gouge his eyes out or cut up all his ties. Taz also recognized how full of shit he was when he mulled those empty threats in his head.

His apprehension built the closer they got to their destination. So much so, he was in rarerified form by the time Luke pulled into the driveway. He almost considered cancelling the entire thing, but he was robbed of the chance to do exactly that as soon as Caleb’s way too cheerful grin appeared in the front window of the McMansion. Grumbling bald-faced lies about how much he hated the man, Taz eagerly climbed out of the car and promptly shoved his hands into the kangaroo pouch of the sweatshirt he wore. Luke’s sweatshirt, of course. He’d insisted on wearing it despite the lingering heat that made it downright uncomfortable for a September morning. He did a lot of things out of spite, after all.

“Tazzy baby! Give me love,” Caleb gushed as soon as the door swung open.

“Ew.”

“Bring it in, sugar.” Caleb muscled himself in and forced a hug on him. He hated it, mostly. It was simply easier to relent.

“Hate you.”

“I know, sweet pea. I hate you so very much.” Caleb grabbed his hand and towed him into the house. Luke had the presence of mind to try and stifle his snickering as he trailed behind them.

“How's life?” Taz tried and failed to engage in small talk as he slid into a barstool at the island. Caleb rose higher on Taz’ shit list as he plopped a tray of snacks on the surface before him. All of them were manipulative fuckers. Every single person he knew. Taz reached out and grabbed a pastry without second thought.

“Fabulous as always.” Caleb crossed his arms and leaned against the counter with an easygoing expression. “You hanging in there?”

Taz scowled and avoided the question. He'd done enough talking about feelings and bullshit for one day. “This isn't a social call.”

“Of course not, my reclusive little kitty cat.” Caleb reached out and patted the back of Taz’ hand. “Which is why I'm kidnapping you for brunch again tomorrow morning.”

Taz rolled his eyes and fought his smile. He wasn't fooling anyone. He kinda sorta definitely lived for their standing weekly brunch date and craft store visits. “Ridiculous.”

“Timothy, play nice.”

Luke’s words had Taz arching a brow, but the warning made sense as soon as little Parker came scampering into the room. He still didn't know how to handle kids. Everyone tried to convince him he was great with them, but he'd probably always feel like a fish out of water with the little things.

“Tazzy, hi! Lemme up! Oop, sorry… hold dis.” Parker foisted a wad of paper and a handful of colored pencils on him, climbed the stool—and Taz' body—like a spider monkey on speed. He was all rangy limbs and knobby joints, most of which connected withTaz’ trunk and drove a grunt from his lips. By the time he settled in his lap, Taz was more winded than the kid was.

“Hey, uh… little dude.”

“Hi.” Parker looked up with a toothy smile as he pushed his glasses higher on his nose. “You gotta color with me. Dad’s being boring.”

“Oh. Yeah, whatever.” Taz awkwardly adjusted the small body settled on his lap and flicked an uncertain gaze toward the smugly smiling faces of his boyfriend and best friend. It was a cry for help. The fuckers simply laughed in response.

“Do tell me what this social-not-social visit is all about, my darling.” Caleb reached over and snagged a sheet of paper and pencil. Luke did the same. Taz tried not to let himself get awkward about it, but he couldn't help it. Coloring was something he did in secret with Luke. Now it had become a group activity and he would be fucked seven ways to Sunday before he let himself really sink into it like he did at home.

“I can't really say much,” Taz mumbled, making a pointed glance to the little guy on his lap. “Don't tell me specifics, but… are you and Eli planning something related to… she who shall remain unnamed?”

Caleb’s pencil stopped mid stroke on a sketch of an evening gown. His eyes darted away toward the hall and back three times before he finally pulled himself together enough to nod without a word.

“Figured. Again… can't really say much but… be careful.”

“Where did you hear that?” Usually unflappably cool and confident, Caleb’s voice rasped and hissed like he was choking on his words.

“Same place where I find out everything.” To literally illustrate his point, Taz sketched a wonky computer on his paper and circled it three times.

“Right. Careful. Is this something we need to discuss tomorrow morning? At brunch?”

---