Page 30 of In the Shadows

“Brett, Mom, Joe – do you want us to hire security to patrol by the houses?” If so, I’d make sure to add that to the meeting in the morning. I don’t care what it costs to keep our families safe.

“Nah, we’re good. But if things change, I’ll let you know,” Brett replied. “But your lives as you once knew them are now a thing of the past.”

Brandon came down the stairs, rubbing his sleepy eyes while walking over and curling up in my mom’s lap. He looked around at everyone, still groggy and confused before his eyes landed on Joey sitting on my lap with his head resting on my shoulder.

“JoJo seepy?” he asked, making me smile.

“No buddy, we were out of chairs so he had to sit here.”

He nodded, finding my answer to be acceptable.

“Hey, so um,” Joe started, drawing everyone’s attention whether he meant to or not. “Joey can you and Ricky have dinner at the house with me tonight? Diamond, you’re invited too. Hell, all of you can come for that matter.”

Joey looked at me before answering, “Yeah, sure, Dad. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. There’s someone I want you to meet.” The Joe’s started at each other, neither having any reaction show on their faces. It was like watching some sort of battle of wills, although I’m sure neither of them meant for it to be. They were not only similar in looks, but shared like personalities and neither were frazzled easily although today’s events seemed to have rattled both of them.

“No problem, Dad, we’ll be there. What time?” Joey asked.

“Um, do you think you guys could help me get the house in order? She’s not been over yet and we kind of have shit everywhere.”

“Absolutely,” I told him.

“Joe, I think we’ll let this be family dinner time tonight. So we’ll bow out,” Brett told him.

“You guys are our family. Everyone in this room is mine and Joey’s family.” His words warmed me, my eyes caught Diamond’s and he quickly looked away but not before I saw the tears reflected. Joe had no idea how much he meant to Diamond. When he, Brett and Mickey’s dad stood up for him at graduation, it meant the world to him.

“Well then, we’d be honored to come,” my mom told him, “just let me know what to bring.”

Diamond cleared his throat. “Anything you need, Joe, you know I’m good for.”

They shared a nod, one that spoke of the bond between family and if they didn’t change the subject soon there wouldn’t be a dry eye left in the room.

“Mommy, hungry,” Brandon spoke, drawing everyone from their emotionally charged trances.

“Hey, let’s go help your dad get ready for tonight.” I nudged Joey to get him up.

As we walked inside Joey’s house, we grabbed the rest of our bags that we’d dropped in the doorway when we got in late last night. Technically, this morning and took them up to our rooms before heading back down to start cleaning. Joey stayed inside to help his dad out while Diamond and I took to doing the yards. He grabbed the mower while I managed the weed eater. Normally we wouldn’t do yard work in the winter, but Joe had let it go for so long we had no choice but to give it our best shot. Earbuds in place and music blaring, we dove in head first. All in all, it took the four of us just over two hours to get things in order with an hour to spare before Joe’s friend would be here.

“Hey, babe,” I asked Joey as we stepped into the shower. “Are you okay? I know today was a lot to take in, but you know I’m here for you, however you need me to be. Right?” I asked, gently massaging his shoulders as he stood under the shower water.

“Yeah, it was pretty crazy. I talked to my dad a bit while you guys were outside. Seems he’s been seeing this lady for a couple of weeks. Her name is Maggie.”

“I don’t ever remember your dad dating,” I said, reaching for the bath sponge and lathering it up.

“Me either. I’m surprised it took this long, but if he’s happy that’s all that matters to me. My mom’s shit really kicked his ass and I think he stayed away from women because of it. This one must have really made an impression to have caught his attention,” he said as he lathered his hair.

My hands couldn’t help themselves, I reached over, massaging the shampoo into his scalp and throughout his long curls. Loving the feel of his hair in my hands and enjoying the sounds he made.

“Feels good,” he mumbled.

“Does from my end as well.” I rubbed up against his back so he could feel just how good this felt.

“You’re insatiable,” he laughed.

“Hey man, we got cock-blocked this morning so don’t blame me if I can’t control myself around your naked ass.”

“Mmm, not here. In our room,” he purred.

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