Page 106 of Refraction

Donnie rolled his eyes, shook his head. “Artists.”

He felt Tucker tense and glanced at him, watched Tucker’s teeth clench and the muscles pop in that strong jaw.

“Tucker did a whole series of these after we made love one night. Aren’t they beautiful?”Time to go, Mom.

“They’re emotional enough, I suppose. You need to watch your lines. The perspective is—”

“Not open to your critique. They’re not yours. They belong to Calvin.” Tucker sounded very firm.

“Seriously? Impressive.”

Donnie sighed softly. “They do this. They’ve always done this. Ignore them. Son, can I make myself a cup of coffee?”

“Of course.”

Oh. Coffee. So they were staying a while? And what the hell was so impressive? “You do know Tucker is a professional, right, Alice? I mean, that’s not up for debate.” He should break them up. Take Alice out for a walk around the pool. Distract her.

“I know he makes a living using his talent for shock value.”

“Alice, we’re here to meet Tuck’s new friend.”

“Lover, Dad.”

“Yes.” Don went to make a cup of coffee.

New friend? This wasn’t a fucking playdate. Tucker was a grown man. A grown man in love.

“Listen, Alice. I appreciate that you wanted to meet me, but dropping in like this… the timing isn’t the best. Tucker’s got work to do. Do you think we could maybe arrange to have dinner sometime instead? I’ll be happy to tell you whatever you want to know.”

“Are you dating him for his money?”

“Nope. I’m dating him for his. That and his amazing… ice skating ability.” Tucker met his eyes, the look wicked as hell.

Calvin bit his lip and grinned back at his lover, sharing the joke. “I’m one hell of a skating partner.” He looked over at Alice. “I’m a model in New York. I’m skinny for work, not because I can’t afford to eat, Alice. I have absolutely no interest in his money. Tucker’s work would be just as stunning if he were broke, and so would he.”

Don looked over at him, and Calvin swore the man looked pleased. “I don’t know. It used to cost a fortune to feed him when he was a teenager.”

Okay. So it wasn’t really Dad. Calvin just might be winning Don over. It was all about Alice. “He still has a good appetite when he remembers to eat. Right, baby?”

“Uh-huh. I like how you make eggs.”

“Son, have you considered trying the technique where you grid the images off?”

“Leave it alone. I have my own style.” Tucker disappeared deeper into the house, Alice on his heels.

“You know, it’s funny, but I think they love each other. She wants him to be more like her; he wants her to understand him. Neither one of them are ever going to get what they want.” Donnie simply didn’t look too concerned.

He could relate to that; his parents weren’t ever going to get him either. If they’d had their way, they’d have changed him. “He’s not great at putting this stuff into words. You kind of have to… interpret, I guess? Be perceptive. Watch him. It’s weird that another artist wouldn’t get that. Doesn’t seem like she wants to try.”

“Doesn’t seem like he does either. They fight. They always have. They’re not talking the same language.”

“Marge says you had a problem in—” Alice was shrill as hell.

“If Marge needs to talk to me, she can call! Those canvases were mine to destroy or not!”

“You destroyed your work? For what? A temper tantrum? It’s ridiculous! You’re a grown man, and you need to stop acting like a goofy child. I should have made you go to public school and become an engineer. At least then I wouldn’t have to worry about you wandering off and getting lost in your own head. I worry about you.”

“Go home, Momma. I’m tired of playing with you. You don’t like the new work. Big whoop. You haven’t liked anything I’ve painted in years. Just go home. I’m fine. I’m not wandering anywhere. I’m right here.”

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