Building Things

Building Things Chapter 42

Conner pulled up to the front of the house that he was showing. He parked the car out on the street and got out, locking it. He walked up the sidewalk, seeing a car in the driveway, he knew that his client must be here somewhere. He walked up to the front door and pulled out some keys, opening the door. He looked inside, checking the living room, seeing if everything was alright and it seemed to be. He left the door ajar and walked off the porch, going around the driveway side toward the back yard. He saw the gate was open and walked in. The man that was there had his back to Conner. Conner looked him up and down, seeing that he looked really hot from the back side. Conner smiled to himself.

"Hi there." Conner said, making the man turn and look. He smiled at Conner.

"Hey, how are you?" He said, stretching out his hand.

"I'm doing good, how are you?" Conner said as he stepped up close taking his hand and giving it a firm shake.

"I'm doing great. Thanks for meeting me."

"No problem at all." Conner smiled. "What do you think of the backyard?"

"It's just about the right size." He said, looking around, giving Conner the opportunity to look him over on the front side. "I think it needs a little work, but I love gardening." He turned and looked at Conner.

"I do too, but I don't get the opportunity living in an apartment." Conner smiled.

"Well, if I buy this house, you could come over and I'd give you the chance to play." He smiled, his eyes wandering over Conner.

"I might take you up on that." Conner smiled, seeing the wandering eyes.

"Glad you're not wearing a suit, as so many realtors do. Lets me relax a little seeing how you're dressed, so casual. I like it."

"Thanks. Want you to be comfortable." Conner smiled again. "Want to see the house?"

"Sure." He said brightly. "Lead the way." He held out a hand, Conner turned and walked to the gate and then down the driveway. They walked up on the porch. Conner opened the front door and stepped in, he followed him, watching Conner's ass, smiling at the tight narrow jeans.

"The living room is nice and large, plenty of room for like a sectional or something, lots of entertaining space." Conner said.

"You're right." He said as he looked around now. He followed Conner to the next room, the dining room, which was somewhat separate. It was small in comparison, but large enough for a good size table and chairs. "I like it, it's just about right for the furniture I have already."

"Nice." Conner said and smiled. He walked through an open doorway behind him into the kitchen. It was a galley type, but not to narrow. There was turn around room in it, counter to counter. The sink looked out over the backyard, a nice little view. He stepped up next to Conner as Conner was looking out, and Conner felt a hand brush his lower back. Conner gave him a side glance, knowing he was coming on to him really hard. Conner turned and walked to the other end of the kitchen, which was a small laundry room with a door out to the backyard. Another doorway, opposite, led into a hall and there were bedrooms along it. "This is two bedrooms with one bath. The bathroom was renovated about five years ago, according to the current owner." Conner said as he stepped into the first bedroom.

"It's good size." He said walking across the room toward the closet. He opened the door and looked in, then closed the door. "Good size closet, there doesn't seem to be much storage space other than in the bedrooms."

"No, you're right. Most older homes weren't built that way, with storage in mind. That's the only drawback, I would think. The neighborhood is good. There's a school close by, and it's mostly younger families here in this area." Conner smiled. "Any kids?"

"No, no kids." He gave him a brief smile. "You?"

"Not yet." Conner smiled. "Want to, but hasn't happened."

"I see." He said, looking Conner up and down again. Conner turned and walked out of the room, going down the hall to the other end, into the other bedroom. "This seems a little bigger than the other one."

"I think it is actually. We could measure it, if you wanted to."

"I think it's big enough." He said as he looked down at Conner's crotch. Conner saw it and smiled at the innuendo. He shook his head slightly. Their eyes met for a long moment, and then Conner turned away. He walked out and went back down the hall, stopping in the middle and then stepped into the bathroom, being followed closely. Conner walked over to the far wall and looked into an alcove. He could feel him right there next to him.

"It's got a roomy shower." Conner said.

"Huh, yes, it does. But there's no tub is there?"

"No, I guess they took it out in the renovation. Most of these older houses had tubs in them."

"I like to have a bath sometimes. Lots of candles, soft music, low lights." He smiled as he went face to face with Conner, smiling.

"Yeah, so do I." Conner said softly, going to move away. He was stopped and there was a soft kiss. Conner froze at it, his eyes opening wide. Conner went to move again, and then there was a firmer kiss, Conner exhaled through his nose as he was pressed against even more, and then he felt the tongue against his lips. Conner moaned softly and parted his lips, letting the tongue in. Hands were on him now, sliding up and down his sides and then his chest. He felt a hand cup over his crotch and a gentle squeeze. Conner's eyes went wide at the touch. He pulled back.

"Uh, Cal..." Conner said, still feeling the hand on him.

"I'd like to make an offer on the house, if you come with it."

"I'm flattered, really, but I'm..."

"What? Involved, married?"

"Well, actually...engaged." Conner whispered.

"I won't tell if you won't." Cal said softly, kissing Conner again. Conner melted into it, putting hands on Cal's hips. There crotches going to one another. Conner was breathing hard as Cal worked over his mouth over really well. Conner felt hands sliding up his back, gripping his shoulders from behind. Conner pulled back again.

"No, I'm sorry." Conner said softly, "I can't." Conner cleared his throat. "I couldn't do that to him."

"You love him that much?" Cal asked, Conner nodded. "I can respect that. I'm sorry I pushed you. I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"You're not." Conner smiled. He turned a little and was able to back away a couple of steps. "I'm sorry if I gave any other idea." Cal smiled at Conner blushing.

"It's alright, really. I got lost in how hot you are. You really are quite beautiful you know? He's a lucky guy, your fiancé." Cal smiled even wider.

"Thanks, I think you're pretty hot yourself. It's a wonder why you're single."

"I like it that way actually. No strings, no commitment." Cal stepped toward Conner. "I can do whoever I want, whenever I want."

"Yeah, I can imagine." Conner smiled.

"So, let's go put in that offer, shall we?"

"Are you sure? I mean, I know you must be sure. If this is becoming awkward between us, I can see about another agent if you want?"

"No, I'm really interested in the house. Are there any more hot guys like you in your office?"

"Actually, there is. He's kind of a tool, but, he's really hot, and he's single."

"Ah, fair warning then?"

"Yeah, fair warning." Conner smiled wider, giving that million dollar smile he was famous for. Cal melted seeing it.

"Wow, he can't be as hot as you are."

"Thanks, but he may surprise you."

"Really? Well, let's go have a look at him then." Cal said raising an eyebrow. Conner turned and walked out of the bathroom. He waited for Cal to come out of the house and then locked the door behind them. He went to his car and got in. Conner let out a deep breath about what had happened. His first showing in town and he almost got laid out it. Alec was going to kill him, but he had to tell him. Conner rolled his eyes and drove away, Cal following him.

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Ty was standing in the structure, looking at the rock wall. He liked the way it looked, but hated grouting, yeah, really hated grouting, it was such a pain in the ass, and not in a good way either. He stood back further and then heard something behind him. He turned and saw Bart coming up toward the structure. Ty smiled wide seeing his old friend, his big beer belly that stood way out in front of him, the tattered 'gas station' pants he always wore, the button down striped blue shirt that could never be tucked in in the front because of the beer belly.

"What the Hell?" Ty said, as he walked toward the big door to greet his old friend. "I about gave up on your fat ass. Was gonna call another plumber." Ty smiled as he leaned against the door jamb.

"Yeah, do that and I'll shove a pipe wrench up your ass...sideways." Bart scowled as he stepped closer. Ty reached out his muscular arm and hand. Bart smiled wide and took it, squeezing the hell out of it. The two grinned at each other and it almost became an arm wrestling match.

"Ow, you fat fucker...that hurts!" Ty said as he tried to surrender, Bart twisting him hard.

"Serves you right," Bart grinned wider, "and who you calling 'fat'? You skinny son of a bitch!" Ty laughed hard, and they hugged, slapping each other on the back, hard. Ty saw the boys coming around the house. He pulled away from Bart and smiled at them.

"Hello, boys. Skinny as ever, I see. Doesn't this guy ever feed you?" Ty smiled. They smiled in return at him, then looked at their uncle. When he wasn't looking, they shook their heads, no. Ty chuckled at them. "Well, I'm sorry Derrick isn't here, he'd be cooking something for you real fast." Seth, the youngest smiled wider, hearing Derrick's name.

"He's not here?" The younger boy asked, Ty shook his head, and Seth's face dropped a little in disappointment.

"I guess Conner's not here, either." Aiden said, looking at Ty. Ty shook his head at both of them.

"Nope, sorry guys, it's just me. Derrick's at his office and Conner's at work, I think." Ty frowned. They smiled briefly back at him. "I don't expect Derrick for another couple of hours yet."

"What about Conner? When does he get back?" Aiden asked, trying not to look obvious. Ty caught it and smiled softly.

"You know, he moved out right?" Ty asked Aiden as Seth walked off behind his uncle into the structure. Aiden looked sad. "He and Alec got an apartment together a couple of weeks back."

"I didn't know that." Aiden said softly.

"Well, see? Maybe if you hung around here every once in a while, you'd know these things." Ty said as he put an arm around Aiden's shoulder, walking him into the structure. Ty squeezed him a little bit and then let him go. "So, what's the plan, Bart?"

"Well, since the shabby carpenter got the walls ready to go, I thought we would get everything in place so I can wrap this job up and get it off my books."

"Shabby carpenter." Ty said under his breath, giving Bart a scowling look. "Fat fucking plumber,...water bender." Ty said, making Aiden grin and chuckle. "Bet he can't get that belly under someone's house to fix a stopped up drain." Ty said in a whisper to only where Aiden could hear it. Aiden laughed, looking at his uncle, then leaned close to Ty.

"Yeah, that's why he keeps us around." Aiden whispered out of Bart's earshot. Ty busted up laughing, then grabbed Aiden around the shoulders again with one arm.

"What did he say?!" Bart said looking back and forth at both of them.

"Nothing, nothing at all." Ty laughed harder, than half hugged Aiden. "Good one, bud." Ty let Aiden go. Bart huffed and then set about to get things going. Seth was told to build the sink, while Bart and Aiden got the shower going, building the pan and drain, then getting the valves ready within the sheetrock. Ty watched them for a while, and then turned back to the stone wall, and the grout...ugh, Ty sighed, but he had to get it done. It was for Derrick, yeah, it was for Derrick, Ty thought. Ty went over to the bucket he had on the floor and started to mix up some more grout. He sighed to himself, as he got the consistency right finally. He mixed it thoroughly and started to go up the scaffolding he had set up, carrying the bucket as he went. He set it down and started to trowel it on and press it in place, doing a grid pattern and then wet a sponge and started to wipe away the excess. He had to wait for it to start to dry to do the rest properly, making the stone stand out even more as the grout was mostly removed. He growled as he heard and felt his phone going off in his pocket of his cargos. He stopped what he was doing and flipped the phone open.

"Hello?"

"Hey, whatcha doin?"

"Alec...what the fuck, bud? How are you?"

"I'm doing great. What's going on with you?"

"Not a whole hell of a lot. I'm grouting the stone wall out here, watching Bart and the boys do the plumbing thing. What's going on with you guys?"

"Well, that's why I'm calling actually. Can you get a message to Aiden?" Alec asked over the phone. Ty went wide eyed as he climbed down the scaffold.

"I might." Ty said, leading Alec on.

"That would be great. I need to ask him something really bad."

"Really?" Ty went wide eyed, looking at Aiden, who went narrow eyed at Ty, seeing him. Ty bent a finger and beckoned him.

"Yeah, can you take this down?"

"Sure, can you hold on a second?"

"Uh, yeah." Alec's voice was its chipper, cheery self, as Ty handed the phone over to Aiden.

"Hello?" Aiden asked.

"Hello?"

"Who's this?" Aiden asked, looking at Ty.

"It's Alec. Aiden?"

"Yeah, it's me."

"Hey, buddy, how are you?"

"I'm okay, what's going on?"

"Uh, I was wondering if you wanted to come over for dinner?"

"Really? Why would you want me to come over for dinner?"

"Well, I know how you like to eat, and I wanted to try a new recipe out for the restaurant." Alec said, improvising as he went. God damn Ty, Alec thought, catching me off guard like this, ugh! "Maybe this weekend, if you're free?"

"Yeah, I should be. So, what time?"

"Well, dinner time, around 6 or so? I need to give you the address and everything."

"Yeah, okay, send it my number...ready?"

"Yeah."

"559-3389. Got it?"

"I do. It'll be a lot of fun."

"Will Conner be there?"

"You bet he will." Alec said in a cheery voice.

"Awesome. Here's Ty. Thanks, Alec. I appreciate it."

"No problem, bud." Alec sighed pulling the phone from his ear, cussing Ty silently.

"Hello?" Ty yelled into the phone.

"Hey." Alec said in a curt voice.

"I thought because he was right here, it would be easier."

"Well yeah, dude, caught me off guard! Thanks very fucking much!" Alec said loudly into the phone.

"Wow, sorry." Ty said, turning away from where Aiden was. "You're not pissed, are you?"

"No, I guess not. Just caught me off guard is all."

"Well, got the job done, right?" Ty smiled at the phone. "So, you're inviting him over?" Ty asked in a soft voice, "Should I be jealous?"

"Uh, no." Alec said in a huff. "We're trying to set him up with someone that we know."

"What? Are you fucking kidding me?"

"No, and don't tell him. Jesus!"

"I won't. Don't get your panties in a bunch." Ty smirked.

"Oh, fuck you." Alec said.

"In a heartbeat, you little bitch." Ty smiled. "I gotta go, I've got grout setting."

"Alright, thanks. Love you."

"Yeah, love you too." Ty smiled and closed his phone. He smiled and went back up the scaffold, thinking that the grout job wasn't that bad right now.

************************************************************

Derrick sat in Tom's office with Terry, going over the new deal for Neal. Derrick's plan was simple for Neal, but he wanted to make sure that everyone else was on board with it and wanted no problems. After a bit of final discussion they were all in agreement. Terry got up and went and got Neal and brought him in, sitting him down. Neal looked nervous. Derrick smiled at him, and picked up his cup of coffee and pulled at it.

"So Neal, we all talked it over again, and have decided that if you want the new position, you're welcome to it." Tom said, sitting back in his chair.

"Thank you." Neal said, bowing his head a little, wringing his hands.

"You look nervous, you alright?" Tom asked, smiling.

"Well, you know, just a little, I guess."

"Well, it's not like we're asking you to rob a bank or anything. Relax, it's just us." Tom chuckled. Derrick laughed. Terry rolled his eyes, and put a hand on Neal's shoulder.

"Yeah," Neal exhaled, heavily, "you're right."

"Just keep being who you are and everything is going to be alright." Derrick said sitting in the chair opposite at the other end of the desk. He was watching Neal carefully, liking what he saw. Neal was humble, quiet and reserved, but when he needed to be, he could be assertive. He had always been passionate about his work and that's what Derrick liked the most about him, his passion and his caring for the client, and his co-workers. Neal smiled at Derrick, seeing he was watching him. "Well, I think we're done here. Terry, why don't you get Neal set up in your old office. Get him whatever he needs."

"Sure, boss." Terry said, smiling, patting Neal on the shoulder. Neal got to his feet, as did Derrick and Tom. Neal reached out his hand toward Derrick first, Derrick took it with another smile, giving it a firm shake.

"Thanks, Derrick for believing in me."

"You're welcome, Neal. Like I said, you have proved yourself over and over. You've earned this." Derrick let go of his hand, and Neal turned toward Tom, shaking his as well.

"Thank you, Tom."

"You're welcome, bud. Like Derrick said, you've earned it. You'll do fine with it."

"Thanks." Neal said, taking his hand back and then Terry and Neal walked out of the office together.

"You're sure about this?" Tom asked Derrick as he sat back down, looking up at him. Derrick was watching the door, sipping his coffee, he nodded his head.

"He's a good kid." Derrick said softly, then looked at Tom. "He remind you of anyone?"

"Actually, he does." Tom smiled. "You sure he's not your son?"

Derrick laughed. "Yeah, right, like that's possible." Derrick shook his head.

"I don't know, he even looks like you, I mean he needs a few more pounds and some muscle. Is that why you hired him originally?"

"No." Derrick chuckled. "You know who referred him?"

"No, who?"

"Calloway."

"Henry Calloway?" Tom asked with wide eyes. Derrick nodded. "How the hell did he get here?"

"Calloway called me, told me he had this boy that needed a shot, said he was good and thorough. So, when this scrawny kid showed up in tattered clothes for his interview, I gave him a chance. He showed me some of his work, and I was really impressed."

"Mr. Bleeding Heart, aren't you?"

"Well, we were there once, remember?" Derrick smiled, lifting an eyebrow.

"Yeah, you're right." Tom said, shaking his head slightly. "You keep reminding me of that."

"I know." Derrick said softly. "I'm going back to the Core. I've got to finish that house for those kids."

"Alright. What about the hotel?"

"Yeah, let's wait on that until we hear back from them. I think Conner's got that going and will have that under control in a few days from what I understand."

"Okay. I've got a couple of things to do, and then some errands to run." Tom said.

"Nothing that's going to get us into trouble, I hope?" Derrick gave him a stern look. Tom held up his hands.

"I swear."

"Alright, I'll see you later." Derrick smiled and walked out of the office, down the hallway. Several of the staff smiled and nodded to him. He smiled back at each and every one as he walked by. He walked into the Core, looking around seeing the 'juniors' and the interns working. Music was playing softly from the stereo, and most didn't even pay attention when he walked into the large room. He went over to his large table in the corner and looked down at his drawings of the house for the young couple. He moved them about, checking them over and over, making little changes or cleaning up lines now and then. He was pretty happy about them so far. There were more elevations that he had to do, and then he could start the inset plans, the layouts for plumbing and electrical, as well as the framing elevations for the builder, whoever he would be. Derrick set about it and got lost in it once again.

************************************************************

Conner walked into his office with Cal in tow. They were chatting about the house, but Cal was really watching Conner the whole time. He couldn't get enough of him. The receptionist at the front had handed Conner some messages when they had walked in. Conner looked them over as he was walking. There was one from his father, it was the office number. Conner pursed his lips seeing it. It was marked 'urgent', but there was nothing new about that, everything from the senior Van Owen was 'urgent'. Conner had Cal sit in a chair in front of Conner's desk. Conner went around and sat down.

"Okay, so there's some more paperwork do, and then we can put in the offer. Do you want to go over the termite inspection and the home inspection reports?" Conner asked, holding them up.

"No, not really. Did you look at them?" Call asked, Conner nodded in reply. "Did you see anything wrong or out of the ordinary?"

"No, but I feel that you should know everything before we do place an offer for you."

"Well, I know you're just doing your job and all, but if you think it's alright..."

"Here, why don't you take a look and I'll write up your offer." Conner smiled handing him the paperwork. Cal took it from him and sat back in the chair. Conner turned to his computer and started to fill out the form for the offer. Conner would glance over every now and then as filled out the form and look at Cal. He was older, about mid thirty's Conner thought. He was incredibly good looking, having some slight graying at his temples and sideburns. His face was tanned, but not too, where he got too much sun. He seemed to be or could be rugged to Conner, a man's man. Cal was assertive, yes, knew what he wanted and how to get what he wanted, Conner had found that out for sure, and he liked that about him. He seemed to be well built also. Conner was interrupted in his thought by a knock at the door.

"Come in." Conner said, looking up from his computer. Caleb came in, looking at Conner and then at Cal.

"Sorry to interrupt." Caleb said.

"It's alright, what's up?"

"I thought you should know, especially after our 'talk' the other day, your father has called several times and needs you to call him back."

"Yeah, I got the message right here." Conner smiled, and then nodded toward Cal. "I'm with a client right now. I'll call him when we're done."

"I can see that, I'm sorry that I interrupted." Caleb said. Cal got to his feet, and Caleb caught full sight of him now and his eyes went a little wide.

"Caleb West, this is Calvin Hartman." Conner said. The two stretched out hands to one another and shook.

"Cal." He smiled.

"How do you do?" Caleb smiled feeling the very firm grip, liking it.

"I'm doing very well actually." Cal smiled wide, looking Caleb up and down. Caleb saw the look and slowly took back his hand, he too looked Cal up and down briefly. Conner watched it all and then cleared his throat. Cal looked at him and then handed him back the reports. "Conner, I think these are fine, I don't see any problem with them at all."

"Good, neither did I." Conner said as he took them back and put them in the folder. "Caleb, we'll be done in a just a bit. If my father calls again before we're done, could you...?"

"Yeah, I'll talk to him." Caleb gave Conner a half smiled and then looked back at Cal. "Nice to meet you."

"Same here, maybe I'll see you again." Cal smiled wide again.

"Maybe." Caleb said softly and then walked out, closing the door behind him. Cal watched the door for a moment and then turned toward Conner.

"Is that the tool?" Cal grinned.

"That would be him." Conner rolled his eyes and smiled.

"Wow, he's really hot. You were right." Cal sat down again.

"Yeah, he is that, isn't he?"

"Any more like that around here?" Cal asked.

"There's another guy here, uh, Antonio, nice guy, he's married with like a half dozen kids though." Conner said, sadly. Cal smiled wider.

"You're very cute, you know that?"

"I've been told that." Conner gave Cal the million dollar smile and batted his eyes.

"I hope, if anything, we can be friends out of all this." Cal seemed to be deflated.

"Absolutely." Conner said brightly. "Now, I have the offer drawn up. I went ten below asking."

"Ten?"

"Yeah, in case there's some things you need to do with the house, and they bite, then there's a cushion there."

"I like the way you think." Cal smiled, "I would have settled with their asking."

"Ooh, never settle." Conner said shaking his head a little.

"Is that a..."

"No." Conner said flatly, holding up a finger. "I was talking about the house." Cal laughed out loud, sitting back in the chair.

"The look on your face was priceless." Cal was chuckling now.

"Well, I'm glad I can at least entertain you."

"Oh, I'm sure you can." Cal emphasized every work and wiggled his eyebrows. Conner gulped and was wide eyed. Cal chuckled again. "You're so easy to tease. Does you fiancé do that to you?"

"Uh,...no,...uh,...usually it's the other way around actually." Conner was trying to regroup. 'My God this guy makes me tongue-tied', Conner thought, 'I've got to get him out of here!' "Okay, so here's the offer," Conner said as his hand was over the top of the printer, the form was coming out. He took it when it was done, and handed it over to Cal. "I need you to read it over, and then initial here, here, here, and then sign it here, if you like what you see. Anything that needs to be changed, let's make note of it, and then I can change it in the computer and reprint it."

"My, there's a lot to this, isn't there?"

"Yes, unfortunately there is, and this is only the start I'm afraid."

"Makes one thirsty." Cal was reading the reading the offer.

"You know, I'm sorry, I didn't even think. Would you like some coffee or some water?"

"How about we go and get a drink after this is over?"

"Ahh, there you go again." Conner smiled, shaking his finger at Cal.

"Sorry, can't help but try."

"You're good." Conner smiled.

"Ooh, you have no idea." Cal winked. Conner gulped again. "I'm sorry, I'm making you nervous. You're blushing."

"Yeah, would you like some water?"

"That would be fine." Cal smiled again. Conner got up and walked out, going to the break room of the office. He grabbed a couple of waters and turned. Caleb was standing there.

"What's up?"

"I was going to ask..."

"Uh, huh?" Conner looked at him, with raised eyebrows. "Ask..."

"Well, who's the guy?"

"He's a client, a perspective home buyer? That's the business that we're in?"

"Yeah, I know that, but..."

"Yeah," Conner said, looking around, then looked back at Caleb, "but he's really hot, right?" Caleb nodded. "You're right, I think so too, and he's been hitting on me really hard. Why don't you do me a favor, I'll go call my father back and find out what he wants and get him off our backs, while you help Cal finish up the offer. I've got it all printed out, he's going over it right now, just to initial and sign it, then I can submit it. Can you do that?"

"Yeah, sure." Caleb smiled.

"Great, come on." Conner led him to his office and came back in, handing Cal a bottle of water. "Cal, I'm sorry but I have to make a call real quick, it seems to be urgent. I've asked Caleb to give you a hand with the offer, if that's alright. I shouldn't be but a few minutes."

"That's fine with me." Cal smiled at Conner, taking the water and then looked at Caleb, smiling. Caleb sat at Conner's desk, Conner picked up the phone message and walked out, leaving them alone.

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Ty was wiping the grout off with a wet sponge, pulling it back and looking at the stone every now and then. He was liking how it was looking with the grout and as he was almost done with the whole wall, he was feeling better about the whole thing. Now was going to be the hard part, deciding on the floor. He remembered what Derrick had said about not really knowing what he wanted yet and that was going to lead to a 'shopping' trip. Yeah, Ty really liked that.

"Hello there." Ty heard the voice from below, and turned back, looking down. He saw the guy standing there, looking up and recognized him.

"Hi." Ty said, "What can I do for you?"

"I'm here for the final plumbing inspection." He smiled.

"You're...Adam, right?"

"Good memory." He smiled up. "Adam Ralston."

"Yes, of course." Ty smiled, looking down. "Uh, Bart's in the bathroom there. I'll get you the card to sign it off."

"Thanks." He smiled.

"I didn't know he called you, he didn't say anything about it."

"Yeah, he called the office yesterday actually, said he would be done today with it."

"Well, I guess that's one way to get him here to get it over with." Ty smiled as he reached the slab floor.

"I like the wall. It gives it a real rustic kind of look with the pine ceiling." Adam said.

"Yeah, it does, doesn't it?" Ty said, as he looked back up at it. "He made a good choice with it."

"Looks like a lot of work though." Adam said, looking back at Ty.

"That's the only drawback to it. I think I'll talk him into a wet look for it, it will show the stone off better."

"I agree, like where you were just working at?" Adam asked, Ty nodded. "Yeah, it looks different than the rest of it."

"Yeah, I've got to wash it after the grout sets completely in a couple of days, but it will look really hot."

"So is he still planning to use this as a home office?"

"No, that's kind of changed." Ty chuckled, looking at Adam, "I talked him into making it like a guest house when people visit, like a cottage, you know?"

"Oh, wow, so the bathroom is kind of necessary then."

"Yeah, it worked out that way, right?" Ty smiled, and Adam nodded his head. "I'll go get the card for you, it's in the house. I'll be right back."

"Sure, I'll see what's going on in here." Adam smiled and walked in the bathroom, seeing Bart and the boys finishing everything and wiping it down. Bart pointed out a few things for Adam and he nodded his understanding. "Yeah, it looks fine to me. Can you run some water and let's check the drainage."

"Sure thing." Bart said. Ty appeared at the door and handed the card to Adam. He took it and smiled, then watched the water run, seeing it drain properly.

"Okay, looks good to me." Adam smiled and signed off the card, handing it back to Ty.

"Well, one down, two to go." Ty smiled. "I hope to have the electricians here in another couple of days. I'm sure they'll call or have me call it in." Ty said and backed out of the bathroom, Adam following him.

"It'd be fine if you called." Adam smiled wide. "I can come back anytime."

"Really." Ty said, going wide eyed a little. "Okay, I'll do that."

"Make sure you do." Adam said as he leaned closer to Ty and then walked away. Ty followed him with his eyes. Bart was standing right behind him.

"Seems like a nice guy." Bart said.

"Yeah, he is actually." Ty said softly still watching him. "He's full of surprises." Ty said and then back at Bart. "I'll go put this in the house. I'll be right back."

"We're just about done here. Are you going to put up the shower stall walls?" Bart asked as Ty was halfway across the slab. Ty turned back.

"No, I think he wants tile in there. He'll probably see it and make up his mind then."

"Okay. Remember that glass guy I use? You can get the shower glass from him."

"Perfect. Make sure you leave me his name and number, I'll give it to Derrick." Ty said, and Bart nodded. "Oh, and write up your final, and I'll have Derrick take care of it when he gets home."

"Sure." Bart said and turned back to the boys as Ty walked out of the structure. Ty came back a couple of minutes later, as Bart was writing on his clipboard. Aiden and Seth were gathering tools and garbage from the plastic wrappings of everything. Ty pointed to the garbage can out the door and around the corner. Seth took it out, as Aiden walked up to Ty, looking at him.

"What's up, bud?" Ty smiled.

"Hey, I was wondering about the Alec thing." Aiden said, looking a little nervous.

"What about it?"

"Well, Alec and I aren't really good friends, I mean I barely know him from when we went to school. Why would he ask me over for dinner?"

"What did he say?"

"He said he wanted to try a new recipe out for the restaurant." Aiden looked confused.

"I'm sure that's all it is. You know, Alec is quite the cook actually. I miss having him around. The house always smells so good when he cooks, it's awesome."

"Okay, it just seems kinda weird that's all."

"Do you go out much, bud?" Ty asked.

"No, not really. I pretty much stay at home with Mom and Seth. I don't have many friends at all."

"Really, that's too bad. You should get out more. You're a really good looking guy, you could probably have all kinds of girls climbing all over you."

"Oh, that, no, I...uh, no, not really into that, uh,..." Aiden was looking down at the floor and getting all nervous looking.

"Aiden, relax bud. You're not into the girl thing?" Ty asked softly, and Aiden's eyes went wide. "Hey, it's okay with me, I'm not either." Ty winked and Aiden's eyes went wide. "You didn't know? I thought you might have figured it out."

"You serious?" Aiden asked with wide eyes. "Does Uncle Bart know?"

"No, and I want to keep it that way. I mean, I think he has a pretty good idea, but, if it comes out, it comes out, you know. Does he know about you?" Aiden had a panic look on his face.

"Uh, no."

"Don't worry, he won't hear it from me, it's okay, relax. Give your uncle some credit though, he's not a homophobe by any means. I've known him for a long time. He's an understanding teddy bear. I mean, just look at him, right?" They both looked at Bart, tapping the pen to his lips, looking at the ceiling lost in thought. The both chuckled together.

"You're right, I guess."

"See? It's not so bad, right?" Ty put a hand to Aiden's shoulder, he looked at Ty and saw totally different now, and he didn't feel so alone anymore. "Now, you go to Conner and Alec's for dinner and I'll bet you're going to have a lot of fun. You really will." Ty smiled. "Take a chance, be a little brave, there's a big world out there, bud."

"I guess you're right, it's just hard to get going with it."

"I understand. Look, if you ever need to just talk, I'm always here, okay? Just between us, alright?"

"Thanks," Aiden smiled, "no one's ever offered that before to me. It would be nice to talk to someone from time to time."

"You're not as alone as you think, okay? Remember that."

"I will, thanks." Aiden said as his eyes welled up, his chest was pounding so hard, feeling that he had someone that cared, really cared now, and he felt better about himself all of a sudden, the weight of the world was lifting from him, and Ty was standing right there. Aiden hugged him tight, very tight. Ty smiled and hugged him back, patting his back gently.

"It's gonna be okay, bud."

"Thanks again." Aiden said as he pulled back, wiping a tear from his eye. "I've got to put this stuff in the truck."

"You're welcome. Like I said, it's gonna be okay." Ty smiled, Aiden nodded his head and walked away. Ty watched him for a minute and turned and walked over to Bart.

"What's the matter with him?" Bart asked.

"Oh, nothing. He needed to ask something about a problem, some advice. He's alright." Ty shrugged his shoulders.

"He's a good kid, really. So's his brother, they're both good boys, never get into trouble, always help their mother at home. She's lucky to have them actually." Bart was writing on his clipboard.

"Maybe they need to hear that every once in a while." Ty said, looking at Bart. "I never heard that when I was growing up, wish I had, now that I think about it."

"Yeah, maybe I should." Bart smiled, looking at Ty.

"It wouldn't hurt." Ty smiled, patting Bart's shoulder. The boys were walking back up behind them.

************************************************************

Derrick was lost to all around him in the Core, only paying attention to what was in front of him. Several had walked up behind him, looking over his shoulder as it were, seeing what he was working on. Word was spreading quickly through the firm what Derrick was doing. Kim was taking messages for him, as she knew Derrick's routine when he got involved with his drafting. Everyone knew that it would be a long night for Derrick if someone didn't tell him it was time to go home, he would work through the night without interruption.

Terry and Neal came into the Core and walked up to each side of Derrick, looking down at what he was doing. Neither said anything to him, and he had no idea that they were there. They looked at one another a couple of times and smiled, knowing how Derrick was. Finally Terry put a hand on Derrick's shoulder, breaking Derrick's concentration. Derrick gave him a startled look.

"Boss, know what time it is?"

"What?" Derrick asked with a blank look.

"Do you know what time it is?"

"Uh, no." Derrick said, shaking his head.

"It's near closing time."

"What? Really? Hmmm, okay." Derrick said as he looked back at the sheets below him. "I guess I'll finish this up tomorrow then."

"How long have you been on this?"

"Since yesterday." Derrick said, tapping his pencil on the closest sheet. He felt that he was missing something. "It's lacking something, I think." Derrick tapped his pencil again. "I guess I could have Neal look at it."

"Right here, boss." Neal said, and Derrick jumped a little, looking at Neal.

"When did you get here?"

"Been here the whole time." Neal smiled. Derrick smiled back at him.

"Oh, okay. You say it's close to closing?" Derrick asked, Terry nodded his head. "Hmmm, Neal, would you look these over for me in the morning? I think I'm missing something, I need you to double check it."

"Sure, boss. Could you look at the Beckett thing for me tomorrow, just to double check it as well?"

"Be happy to." Derrick smiled. "We can compare notes, right?"

"Sure thing." Neal smiled.

"Alright, you guys go on home, I'll lock up."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure." Derrick smiled, at them and then patted them on the shoulders. "See you tomorrow then, night. Tell Kim, alright?" Terry nodded in reply.

"Night, boss." They both chimed and walked away, leaving Derrick alone at the table again.

He looked back down at the drawings, realizing that he had been on his feet all day. He was feeling really tired right about now, and his thoughts went to Ty. He smiled to himself, thinking about him and what he might have been doing all day long, by himself at the house. Derrick smiled and thought about calling him, but decided against it. He took his sheets and put them together, in order for Neal to see them in the morning, to have him get a better grasp on what he was doing. He smiled to himself and then walked out of the Core, shutting off the lights as he went. The building was empty and he was alone. He went to his own office and looked at his desk, shutting down his computer. He saw the new messages on his desk, going through them, knowing he had calls to return in the morning now. Great, he thought, and sighed. He finally went to the door, shutting of the light as he walked out, and went to the front of the building, setting his code in the alarm panel and then went to the front door, going out and then turning to lock it. He shook it once to make sure, then walked around the corner to his car.

The drive back to the house was pretty quick for him, the lights were in his favor as he drove. He pulled up and turned into the drive and then the circular portion, parking the car. He walked up the steps to the front door and then walked in. He closed it and walked toward the bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt as he walked in, the house was somewhat dark from the late afternoon sun, but it was streaming in through the large window, he wasn't paying any particular attention to what was around when he suddenly felt hands on him, making his eyes go wide, spinning him, and then he felt a shove, pushing him back to the bed, and he smiled as he fell, seeing Ty there with an evil look in his eye. Ty jumped on him on the bed, covering Derrick's body with his own. Derrick moaned as Ty fell on him.

"Well, hi there." Derrick said softly.

"Hi, yourself." Ty kissed him, as Derrick went to say something. Ty was rough on him, but not too, just being forceful, the way Derrick liked it. Ty tongued him furiously as he ran hands all over Derrick's body, groaning back and forth in each other's mouths. Derrick surrendered to Ty and what he was doing to him, letting him have him fully. Ty finally pulled back, looking Derrick in the eyes. "Where have you been all day?" Ty smiled, then kissed Derrick softly.

"Uh, at work. Wow, this is nice to come home to. Getting tackled as I come through the door like that? It's awesome. You can do that every day if you want." Derrick said as he brought his arms up around Ty's shoulders, feeling the muscles there. "Oh, yeah, and I could feel that every day as well."

"If you like that, how about you feel this?" Ty said softly as he moved Derrick's hand to Ty's crotch. Derrick felt it and it's firmness and moaned at it.

"Oh yeah, I like that even more. What are you gonna do with that?" Derrick asked as he lifted his head and pecked Ty on the lips, then fell back.

"I had an idea or two." Ty smiled.

"I'll bet you do." Derrick smiled, "Looks like somebody missed me today." Ty smiled and nodded.

"Somebody did for sure. It was a good day here. Found out some things about some people."

"Really, what people?" Derrick asked as Ty was unbuttoning the last of Derrick's shirt.

"Well, for starters, your building inspector, you know the one?"

"I think so, the guy with the nice ass?"

"That's the one, he made a pass at me today when he was here for the final on the plumbing." Ty flashed wide eyes at Derrick. "And then there were the boys."

"What boys?" Derrick asked going wide eyed.

"Bart's nephews, Aiden and Seth."

"What about them?"

"Well, Aiden kind of 'outed' himself to me, in private. I mean we both kind of figured that out ourselves, but he actually said it."

"Seriously, well that's awesome." Derrick said softly as he watched his shirt being opened and then Ty fell on his muscular chest, kissing and licking at his right nipple. Derrick closed his eyes and moaned at it. "Oh, yeah." Derrick whispered at the feeling, letting out a slight breath. "You can stop that any time you want." Ty pulled up a little.

"I don't think so. I'm just getting started. You are so going to get worked over."

"Wow, not only did you miss me, you're incredibly horny. I love it."

"I have thought about and your big cock all day long and I can't stand it anymore."

"Ohh, I see. So what do you want from me?" Derrick asked.

"A lot. I want you to fuck me silly most of the night, after I fuck you." Ty growled in a whisper, Derrick moaned softly as Ty was moving back and forth on Derrick's chest.

"God, you make me feel like I'm in high school again." Derrick whispered.

"Yeah? But I bet no high school babe ever did this to you."

"You're right, no one had that kind of experience like you do. Are you gonna eat my ass?" Derrick asked with a smile. Ty came up, kissing him softly again.

"Damn right I am." Ty whispered, "as soon as I get you naked." Derrick wiggled his eyebrows.

************************************************************

Conner locked the building's door behind him. He turned and looked at Cal and Caleb as they were standing behind him looking at each other and then back at him. Cal smiled and stretched out his hand, Conner took it and gave it a firm shake.

"Hey, sorry it took so long. I didn't mean to keep you guys." Cal said, shaking Caleb's hand now.

"No trouble. I wanted to make sure that you put in the offer the way that you wanted. You have to be happy with it or why do it, right?" Conner asked as he shrugged his shoulders.

"You're right about that." Cal smiled and then gave Caleb a side glance. "Can I buy you guys a drink perhaps, for keep you so late?"

"I'm sorry, but I have plans already." Conner said, giving a frown.

"Yeah sure, we could go out for a drink." Caleb smiled briefly. "I'd like that."

"Great, I know this great little place. They serve food as well." Cal said still smiling, and Caleb smiled as well. They both looked back to Conner.

"Sorry guys, I'll have to take a rain check."

"It's alright." Cal said, shaking Conner's hand again. "Thanks for all your help today, I really appreciate it."

"You're very welcome. It was no trouble at all. I'll call you soon, once I hear back from the offer." Conner said. Cal nodded and turned, Caleb lifted his eyebrows at Conner and followed Cal. They walked around the corner of the building into the side parking lot. Cal walked up to his BMW, and Caleb saw it, and half smiled at the car.

"You want to go with me?" Cal asked. "I can bring you back here to get your car when we're done?"

"When we're done?"

"Yeah." Cal had a different looking smile now. Caleb thought it had a hint of danger to it and it excited him, Caleb nodded and walked up to the passenger door. Cal opened it from his side, Caleb getting in.

Conner had gotten into his own car and pulled out of the parking lot on the other side of the building, when he drove by the parking lot that Caleb and Cal had gone into, he saw them both getting into Cal's car. Conner smiled mostly to himself as he turned his attention away and drove, going toward home, and Alec, even though Alec was not there yet, still being at work for another few hours. Conner felt relieved to be away from Cal. He was really on Conner's mind, there was something about him that was driving Conner crazy, seeming to be...familiar. Conner was also thinking about the call he had made to his father. They had set a meeting for tomorrow, the elder wanted to discuss something important with him face to face, not over the phone. It worried Conner a little as he had been mysterious about it, which always meant something bad.

**************************************************************

Derrick moaned and dropped back on the bed, on the pillows, breathing heavy, his arms spread out across the bed to each side over Ty's legs. He lay there on his back felling the weight of Ty on him. Derrick's cock was still stiff in Ty's ass. Derrick lifted his head a little as he was getting his breathing under control. Ty's leg were to each side of Derrick's body, and when Derrick had lifted his head, he could see Ty's cock and balls daggling and hanging almost touching Derrick's stomach.

"Fuck...that was incredible." Derrick panted a little, "You made me cum so hard, wow. We'll have to do that again, babe."

"Yeah,...whew, that took the wind out of me." Ty said as he was bent at a strange angle on his back. He was running his fingers up and down his chest and stomach sliding through all of the cum that was on him. "Oh man, I've got to move. This position is killin me." Ty groaned lifting his butt a little with Derrick still in him.

"Hold on a second." Derrick groaned, chuckling. "Jesus, we sound like two old guys, don't we?" Derrick worked to get to a sitting position. Ty went wide eyed as Derrick was shifting.

"Slow, go slow..." Ty groaned, "uhhh, fuck," Ty looked up at Derrick, "grab my hand and pull." Derrick smiled as he took Ty's wrist and pulled, they slowly pulled apart from each other. Ty smiled wide and opened his mouth grit his teeth, as he shifted off Derrick. "Oh, that's better." Ty exhaled and then kissed Derrick, sighing. "Don't tell anyone that we were having a hard time like that." Derrick laughed.

"You think they might think it's time that we were at the retirement home?"

"Uh, yeah, I've got a reputation to live up to, you know." Ty grinned.

"Come here, I'll secure your reputation." Derrick grinned pulling Ty to him, giving him a long deep kiss, as they slowly fell back to the mattress.

************************************************************

Cal pulled into the parking lot of the quiet looking little bar. He looked at Caleb as he parked, and smiled. He shut off the car and went to get out. Caleb let out a small soft breath and followed him into the dimly lit place.

"Hey there, Cal." The man behind the bar called out.

"Hey, Mike, what's going on?" Cal called back with a small wave.

"Kind of quiet around here. What can I get you?"

"Uh,...beer?" Cal asked, looking at Caleb with a look of question.

"Sure, that sounds fine."

"A couple of beers, Mike." Cal smiled back at the bar.

"Comin' up." He smiled and turned to reach down behind the bar. Cal and Caleb walked over to a tall table and sat on the bar stools there across from each other.

"So, how long have you been in real estate?" Cal asked Caleb.

"A few years now. I got into it right out of high school, as I was going to college. It funded my tuition." Caleb smiled.

"Ah, a self-made man. I like that."

"What about you?"

"I do outside sales for a heavy equipment company. It gives me various...opportunities."

"Really, like what?"

"Travel mostly, usually out of the country." Cal smiled.

"Ooh, that sounds like it might be fun. I've never been out of the country before."

"Really, not even Canada or Mexico?"

"No, never have."

"You should try it, it's interesting to see different things and places." Cal said, as Mike, the bartender walked up, putting their beers on the tall table.

"Can I get you guys anything else?"

"Yeah, Mike, maybe a couple of menus?" Cal asked.

"Sure thing, be right back." He said, and walked away.

"You must come often, knowing his name."

"I spend some time here now and then. It's quiet and I like the crowd that comes here."

"What kind of crowd?" Caleb asked as Mike returned handing them menus, giving Cal raised eyebrows. He looked at Caleb and then winked at him.

"Hot college boys." Mike said softly whispering to Caleb, making him go wide eyed. Cal blushed a little and Caleb's mouth fell open.

"Uh...seriously." Caleb said, closing his mouth. Mike looked back and forth at both of them, then walked away. "Was he joking?"

"No, he wasn't." Cal said as he put his menu down, looking at Caleb.

"Okay." Caleb said looking at the menu.

"Bother you?"

"No, not at all." Caleb said as he looked at the menu. "Just doesn't look like a gay bar that's all."

"It's not." Cal said. "They come here for the games and to hang around. Some of them are curious or they just don't want to hang out at a gay bar. I see the opportunity and I go for it. Most of them like it because of the possible 'daddy' thing."

"Huh, I see." Caleb said glancing up from his menu. He let his eyes go back down again after seeing the look that Cal was giving him. "So, what do you recommend?"

"The Rueben is good. It's a little heavy, but it's tasty."

"Okay, I'm game." Caleb said, putting his menu down and smiled. "It's too bad it's not a game night." Caleb raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, I think it might be." Cal gave him a hard look. Caleb looked into his eyes, and leaned forward a little.

"What kind of game?"

"You'll have to see when we're done here." Cal smiled a wicked smile and sipped from his beer. Caleb smiled just as wicked in reply.

************************************************************

Conner pulled into the apartment complex's parking lot and drove around to the rear where the assigned spaces for them were and parked. He got out with his valise and walked up the stairs of his building and went to the door, opening it. He turned on the light and set his keys on the tall counter, letting the door close behind him. He went to the table and put his valise down and went to the kitchen , opening the fridge. He saw the opened bottle of white in the door, and pulled it out, closing the door and reached for a wine glass. He poured a half glass and set the bottle down, going back around the counter toward the table, he felt his phone in his back pocket vibrate and then chime. He set the glass down and pulled out the phone, opening it with a swipe of his finger.

'u home?' He read the text from Alec.

'yes'

'on my way'

'ok' Conner looked at the texts and closed the phone wondering what was going on. He set the phone down on the table and opened his valise, pulling out his papers, sitting down at the table, then started to sip from his glass. He read them slowly and carefully one by one, the financials from the division he was in. He sipped his wine and as the pages went on and on, he lost track of the time. He heard the door open and looked over his shoulder, seeing Alec, then smiled at him.

"Hey." Alec smiled seeing him.

"Hey, everything okay at the restaurant?"

"Emilio wasn't feeling too good today, and it was very slow, there wasn't even a dinner customer yet, so he said we could close up. How was the rest of your day?"

"It was uh,...interesting." Conner said, looking away.

"Oh? How did that showing go?"

"It uh, went alright."

"That sounds bad." Alec said as he walked up next to Conner putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah, I uh...should talk to you about that."

"What happened?" Alec asked, as he went to sit down near Conner. "Don't tell me that you did something naughty to sell that house?"

"Uh,...no, actually, but you're close."

"What?"

"Yeah, I want to tell you and be honest about it, cause it really is kinda bothering me." Conner said softly, without looking at Alec.

"Uh, okay. You're scaring me."

"Yeah, I, uh...well, something happened."

"What?" Alec asked, sitting back in his chair.

"The client that I showed the house to, he,...uh, well, he hit on me."

"Oh." Alec said, looking a little relieved. "Is that all?"

"Uh, it was...well, more than just...kind of being hit on."

"Like, how kind of...more?" Alec lost the worried look and was leaning toward angry now.

"He...uh, kissed me and put his hands on me." Conner said softly, looking down at the table.

"What else happened?"

"I,...told him to stop, and he...uh, did, but he kept kind of going with it until we left the office."

"Wait, you showed him the house, and then were at the office?"

"Yeah, I showed him the house, he hit on me really hard and then we went to the office to do the paperwork for the house and he was really hitting on me there too." Conner said looking at Alec.

"Okay, so did anything...happen?"

"No." Conner said, shaking his head and looking sad. "It just made me feel really...strange, that's all. And I wanted to tell you right away."

"Strange, how?"

"Like,...I, liked it." Conner said softly.

"You liked it. Okay,...like you...want to do it again, kind of like it, or..."

"That's just it, there's something about him that feels...well, so familiar, I don't understand it."

Alec sat back and looked at Conner with narrow eyes. He felt worried all of a sudden and a little hurt by what Conner said. Conner looked up at him with sad eyes, and sighed quietly to himself. Alec pursed his lips together and then got up from the table. Conner watched him moved and went to reach out a hand to him, but Alec pulled back and went to the kitchen, Conner turned in his chair and looked at him, following his movement.

"I wanted to talk to you about it. I didn't ask for this to happen, and I'm sorry."

"You're sorry." Alec said almost in a whisper, as he reached for a glass, and then pulled out the wine, pouring a full glass for himself.

"Yes, I'm sorry, and I wanted to be honest about it."

"Well, you were that. You don't need to be sorry about some guy hitting on you, I guess."

"Well, I didn't want to make you mad."

"Who said I was mad?" Alec asked, looking at Conner.

"Well, nobody, but you look like you're mad." Conner said as he got up from the table.

"I'm not mad." Alec said quickly, and gave Conner a stern look. "I guess I'm...hurt."

"Why? I wasn't trying to hurt you."

"Yeah, sure, you weren't trying." Alec said as he put the bottle in the fridge. He turned back to the counter and picked up the glass, holding it up slightly. "Here's to... honesty." Alec said and put the glass to his lips, drinking it, rather than sipping it, tilting his head back further as he drained the glass. Conner watched with wide eyes and then narrowed them as Alec drained the glass to its end. He pulled the glass away from his lips and smack them and turned back to the fridge, getting the bottle out again, pouring more. "I guess this was bound to happen sooner or later." Alec said softly.

"What?" Conner asked watching Alec pour another full glass, almost draining the bottle.

"You, finding some other guy, it was only a matter of time, I guess." Alec smiled fake smile.

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh come on, Conner. You can't tell me that you didn't think about that? I mean, look at you, all hot and fucking sexy, the way you look, I guess I've been lucky so far to keep you to myself." Alec said as he started to drink from the glass again.

"Alec,...babe,..." Conner said, as Alec lowered the glass quickly.

"Don't call me that." Alec said, giving Conner a firm look. He put the glass back to his lips and started to drink from it again.

"Alec, please, stop." Conner said coming around the counter. "What are you doing? Let's talk about this, please." Conner said, with pleading in his voice. Alec lowered the glass and swallowed hard.

"What's there to talk about? How you...liked it? How maybe you want more of it? Tell me Conner, did it make you excited?" Alec flashed his eyes, "Did it get you...hard? Was he that good?"

"Alec you're taking this way too far. It wasn't like that. I told you..."

"Yeah, you told me,...you told me a little too much." Alec glared at Conner and then put the glass back to his lips, swallowing what was in the glass, gulping it down. He set the glass on the counter and poured what was left in the bottle into the glass.

"I think you've had enough. Let's talk,..."

"Don't tell me that I've had enough." Alec said as he set the bottle down. "Maybe you're right though, you should tell me that I've had enough,...enough of us."

"Alec, what's gotten into you? I was only trying..."

"To what? Be honest? To be the good boyfriend?" Alec said as he picked up the glass again, putting it to his lips. He paused and then closed his eyes, and drank it down, gulping it, then opened his eyes and set the glass down.

"I think you're taking this way out of proportion. Can't we just...?"

"Proportion," Alec chuckled, "now there's a good word." Alec said as he reached into the wine fridge for another bottle. "I wonder what his 'proportions' are, hmmm, let me think that over." He put it on the counter with a heavy thud and reached into the drawer for the opener. Conner reaching out, taking him by the wrist. "Get your hand off me." Alec said with a growl, as he looked down at it. "I'll tell you when you can touch me."

"Alec." Conner said, as Alec jerked away from him quickly. "Hey, don't be like this."

"I'll be anyway I fucking want." He said, glaring at Conner. "Back off." Alec growled, making Conner go wide eyed and back up a step. Alec got the opener out and opened the new bottle, pouring another full glass. He set the bottle down and drank it all down as Conner stood there with wide eyes.

"Alec, I've never seen you like this. What's bothering you so much?"

"You, you're bothering me. I want to drink alone if you don't mind, and you're leaving a bad taste in my mouth right now standing so close." Alec said in a soft voice and Conner went wide eyed hearing him. There was a noise as Alec lifted the glass again, making him stop. "Hmmm, perfect timing." Alec said, setting the glass down, he reached into his back pocket and pulled out the phone, looking at it, smiled briefly and then dropped it on the counter.

"Who was that?" Conner asked.

"Does it matter?" Alec asked in reply with a sharp tone.

"It might." Conner said softly, making Alec turn and look at him.

"It's none of your fucking business." Alec smiled a hard fake smile, making Conner go wide eyed. "Now, why don't you leave me alone so I can drink my wine in peace." Conner narrowed his eyes, angry now, as well as hurt. He turned and went to the table, putting his papers in his valise. He closed it up, then picked up the wine glass and set it on the counter.

"Since you're sucking down all of it anyway, you might as well have this one too." Conner walked away toward the bedroom. He opened the closet and pulled out a small bag on the top shelf. He went to the dresser and opened drawers, pulling out a few things and put them in the bag. He closed the drawers and went back to the closet and grabbed a suit that was hanging there, putting it over his shoulder, grabbing the bag and walked back into the living room. He grabbed his valise and his keys without looking at Alec and walked toward the door.

"Going off to his place?"

"I guess that's none of your fucking business, is it?" Conner asked in a smooth tone, as he opened the door.

"Well, you have a really fucking good time, alright?" Alec asked as he put the glass to his lips, as if he was waiting for an answer, but there wasn't one as Alec heard the door close. He lowered the glass and set it on the counter and closed his eyes as the tears began to drop. He sobbed to himself a few times and then it came, hard, with a deep pain running through him.

Conner got in the car and sat there, just staring at the building for the longest time. He didn't know what was going on at all. They had never argued like this at all, but maybe it was time, Conner thought, he had no idea why Alec was being the way that he was. It was like he was someone else all of a sudden, like there was something else that was making Alec act this way. He had never seen Alec like this at all, doing the heavy drinking thing, even though it was wine, it was going to hit, and hit him hard in a bit, Conner knew, and his heart ached, and he wished that he had said it differently, brought it out another way, knowing it was his fault entirely, but yet it wasn't really. Alec had never acted like the jealous type before over anyone or anything and that's what was making Conner ache so bad, why was this happening, how was this happening. Conner looked up as his hand went to the ignition and he saw someone go up the stairs of the building. Was that Kurt? Conner looked again but he was out of sight. Conner went to get out, but stopped. Alec's phone had gone off while he stood there, but he didn't see who it was, and Alec wouldn't tell him. Why? Conner started the car and backed out of the space, driving around the other way to the exit at the far side of the complex. He started driving, not knowing where he was going, thinking all of this over. Conner drove for a few minutes and pulled into this little diner and got out of the car, going in. The girl told him to sit anywhere he wanted and he picked a booth and sat down.

"Hi." She said, smiling down at him, sliding a menu in front of him. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Uh, coffee, I guess."

"You alright?"

"Yeah." He said, looking at the menu. She walked away slowly, after looking him over really good. She came back a minute later, setting the mug on the table. "Thanks." Conner mumbled.

"You're welcome. Bad day?"

"Sorry?" Conner looked up at her.

"Bad day?"

"Kind of." Conner answered and went back to the menu. He looked it over another minute and then set it down and pushed it to the edge. "I'm not hungry. I guess the coffee will be all."

"Sure." She said and took the menu, looking at him, and then walked away slowly.

Conner sat there and just stared blankly, lost in thought. He was confused by it all so much. What had actually happened. He was feeling so lost in all of it. He had hurt Alec so bad, but hadn't meant to at all, and it was so sudden, all of it, and that's what hurt Conner the most, the sudden way Alec had been, it didn't make sense to him.

"Are you sure I can't get you anything else?"

"What?" Conner asked looking up.

"Sure I can't you anything else?" She asked again with a soft smile. "You haven't touched it yet."

"What?"

"The coffee. You haven't touched it yet. Can I get you...?" She started to ask and Conner slid out of the booth and she stepped out of his way.

"No, it's fine. Thank you." Conner said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out some cash and put it on the table. He turned and walked toward the door and she watched him walk out, and then looked at the cash and narrowed her eyes. A twenty was in her fingers. She looked toward the windows and saw him get in his car and drive away.

**********************************************************

Conner walked up to the door of the apartment, his heart was pounding as put his key in the lock and turned the knob. He was going to beg Alec to forgive him, to talk this over with him, for him to understand what he felt about Cal, and work this out, this frustration that Alec was feeling, hopefully he wasn't too drunk yet. Conner opened the door, and Conner went wide eyed, letting the door close softly behind him. He stepped closer seeing Alec lying on the couch on his back, Kurt was all over the top of Alec and Alec had his hands all over Kurt's back, pulling up his shirt, as they were kissing, going at each other hard and heavy. Kurt pulled back to let Alec get his shirt off him, and then drop it to the floor, and then Kurt fell back on Alec's mouth and started to work him over again as they both moaned. Conner was more than shocked watching them, and then Alec reached in between Kurt's legs, making Kurt lift his head and groan.

"Fuck yeah." Kurt said tilting his head back as Alec had more than a handful, lifting his head sucking on one of Kurt's nipples, making him groan long and deep. Conner got pissed, really pissed and he walked toward them.

"He likes to chew on your balls through your underwear." Conner said as he got close. Kurt looked up and over at Conner and went wide eyed.

"Conner!" Alec yelled and moved fast to try and get up off the couch.

"Oh fuck." Kurt said as he fell back against the arm of the couch.

"Hey, sorry to interrupt, came back to pick up some things I forgot. If you guys give me a minute, I'll be outta here and on my way." Conner smiled and turned toward the bedroom.

"Conner!" Alec said, getting out from under Kurt, going after him. "It's not like you think." Alec said as Conner reached the closet door in the bedroom.

"Really? And what was I thinking?" Conner asked as he opened the closet door, reaching up for a large duffel.

"Kurt was coming over here anyway to talk to us about dinner this weekend."

"Really, so you let him start to eat you instead of your cooking? Nice." Conner said in a flat tone. "I thought it was all me that had fucked up somehow. Now, I see that I was wrong, really wrong about the whole thing."

"Conner," Kurt said coming into the bedroom doorway. Conner looked at him with a glaring look.

"Dude, you're about two seconds from getting your balls ripped off you. If you have any sense, you'll get the fuck out of here until I leave, then you can fuck him all night long the way he likes it." Conner said in a deep snarl while giving Kurt a death glare. Conner pulled out the duffel and snapped it in the air, making it go full size. He turned and went over to the dresser and started to empty his drawers out into it. "I guess you two have doing this for a while, and I just wasn't paying attention, huh Alec?" Conner said as he stuffed more and more into it, slamming drawers as he emptied them.

"Conner, you're wrong about it." Alec said as got behind Conner. He put a hand on his shoulder.

"What was it you told earlier? Get your hand off me? I'll tell you when you can touch me? Isn't that what you said? Well, I'm saying it now." Conner said as he looked over his shoulder, he turned slowly, looking at Alec. "Isn't that what you said?" Alec backed up a step and his eyes welled. Conner took a step toward him, Alec backed up. "Well I'll tell you something, Mr. Marquez, you'll never touch me again as long as you live." Conner stepped forward again, not blinking his eyes once. "If that's the way you want it, then that's the way it will be." Alec's eyes were streaming tears down his cheeks as Conner turned away and went back to shoving his clothes into bags.

"Conner, please, I'm sorry." Alec said as he began to sob.

"Sorry for what? Breaking my heart? Cutting it out? Catching you almost fucking your new boyfriend on our new furniture? Hmmm, yeah I'm the one who's sorry. I actually came back here to beg your forgiveness, to try and work out what was really eating you. I can see it's not a what, but a who. I hope he eats your ass the way you like it, I really do." Conner said as he slammed another drawer closed. He filled the one duffel and went to the closet for another.

"Conner, it's not what you think, really."

"I don't know Alec, it looked pretty cut and dry to me. If we hadn't have been together, I might have gotten off watching the two of you fuck each other on the couch, it looked pretty hot from where I was." Conner turned with an empty duffel and brushed by Alec going for the dresser, again. "Don't worry about the apartment, the lease is paid for a full year, all you have to do is transfer the utilities into your name. You can keep the furniture, I'll get something else, wherever I end up going. All I want is my stuff, that's all, everything else is yours." Conner said as he stuffed more and more into the duffel. "Anything in the hamper, you can just toss, I don't care about it."

"Conner, please." Alec moaned in between sobs. "Conner, I love..." Conner turned on him, giving him a wild eyed look, cutting Alec off mid-sentence and gasping, raising a finger into Alec's face.

"Don't!" Conner said making Alec go wide eyed himself. "Don't you dare say it! Don't you ever tell me you love me again! You have a funny way of showing it!" Conner was breathing hard and stared at Alec for the longest time, finally Alec backed down and sat on the bed, looking at the floor. Conner went back to his packing, zipping up the second duffel and went to the door, opening it and setting them in the hall, letting the door close as he walked into the spare bedroom. He opened the closet and pulled out the remaining suits he had and grabbed the suit cover, putting them in it, and zipped it up, he put it over his shoulder and walked to the door, opening it, stopping as Alec came around the corner, standing there, watching Conner take the apartment key off his ring and then looked at Alec as the tears were streaming even more now. Conner dropped it on the floor at Alec's feet and glared at him, then walked out the door, letting it close slowly behind him. Conner could hear Alec sobbing as the door closed tight. He grabbed the duffel bags and went down the stairs to the car, opening the back end, he put the bags in there, and heard someone next to him.

"Conner." Kurt said and Conner looked up, glaring. Kurt held up his hands. "Look, I'm sorry, it was all my fault, man, really I swear. I pushed myself on him. He's drunk off his ass, you know that. I was a fuck for taking advantage of it."

"You better backup asshole, or I'm gonna kick your ass like you've never had it kicked before." Conner growled and Kurt went wide eyed.

"Listen, he's not the bad guy here, I am. I'm sorry, don't do this to him. Don't walk away from him like this. He loves you."

"Yeah? And what the fuck do you know? You have no idea about any of it. All you wanted to do was get your nut, right? Well, fuckwad, now's your chance. You can get it as much as you want. He'll make it easy for you, and he'll do it anyway you want."

"Conner, don't be that way. He doesn't deserve that. Please, go talk to him, give him another chance."

"Really, like I said, what do you know of it? There's something going on, and I'm gone less than five minutes and you two are ripping each other's clothes off. How fucking stupid do you think I really am?"

"Conner, please..."

"Go fuck yourself, Kurt." Conner turned closing the back door of the car, "No, better yet, go fuck him, he wants it." Conner smiled a fake smile and got in the car. Kurt turned away and walked to the other end of the parking lot. Conner watched him for a minute and then started the car. He backed out of the space and then pulled out of the parking lot. He drove for a while trying to clear his head and then pulled into a parking lot and parked the car, getting out, leaving it running. A man walked over, and said a couple of things to Conner and then got in the car after handing Conner a slip of paper. Conner walked in and up to the desk.

"Good evening, sir. May I help you?"

"Yes, I'd like a room please."

"Certainly, sir. How long will you be staying with us?"

"Maybe a week, I don't know yet for sure."

"Of course. A single or double, sir?"

"It's just me, I'm afraid." Conner smiled at him.

"I see. And how would you like to pay for that, sir?"

"I have my card right here." Conner said as he pulled the card from his wallet, handing it to him.

"Thank you. Would you fill out this registration card for me, please?"

"Certainly." Conner said, picking up a pen and sliding the card in front of him.

"Uh, Mr. Van Owen, we have a suite for the same price, if you wish, sir." Conner looked up and gave him a brief smile.

"That will do, thank you." Conner said and finished out the card and slid it back and then signed the credit card receipt.

"Thank you, sir." The man said, taking the receipt and then slid a key card across the counter toward him. "It is the fifth, sir, room 502, to the right at the end." He smiled.

"Thank you. The valet has my bags in the car."

"I'll see that they are brought up for you, sir."

"Thank you."

"Enjoy your stay, Mr. Van Owen." He smiled and Conner nodded in reply, going toward the elevator. The man watched him walk away lifting an eyebrow.

***********************************************************

Conner was sitting at his desk in his office, going over some papers that he had picked up from his father's office a few days before. He read the itinerary on the first page. He looked it over, and matched it to what was listed on the back few pages of the stack. Conner frowned, thinking this was going to be a really long trip, but it couldn't have come at a better time, especially the way he was feeling, and it was getting worse as the hours went by with each passing day. Nothing, not a word, and he was missing him so bad, it was beyond a hurt to him, and then there were the nights, they were the worst. All he did was sit in his room, night after night, looking out over the city, the lights, seeing the moon and the stars, and he hurt so bad, it kept him from sleeping, or was it because he missed sleeping next to him, he didn't know for sure, only the pain he felt, the deep longing that was eating at him. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. He rolled his eyes and looked up.

"Yeah?" He called out in reply. The door opened slowly and then he saw a familiar face with a smile on it. He smiled in return seeing it, and then he got up from the desk. "Hey, what's going on?" Conner said as he came around the desk.

"I was gonna ask you the same question. I've been trying to get a hold of you, but your phone keeps going to that voicemail thing. I hate leaving messages." Ty said, holding out his arms, and Conner fell into them, hugging him tight.

"Yeah, phone's dead and I haven't gotten a new charger for it yet. How've you been? How's Derrick?"

"He's good, we've been worried about you."

"I'm doing fine, why are you worried?"

"Bud, come on, it's me." Ty said looking at him with a half-smile. "Alec is going crazy trying to get a hold of you."

"Yeah, well, let him keep trying. He knows where I am during the day." Conner said, turning away, going back to his desk.

"What the hell is going on with you two?"

"Nothing, absolutely nothing." Conner said as he sat down, giving Ty a stern look.

"Bullshit. Why does he call two or three times a day then asking if we've heard from you yet?"

"He's just being a whiney baby. Tell him to get a fucking life." Conner said, throwing a hand in the air.

"Seriously, you just fucking said that? You guys can't be done, there's no way."

"Tell him that, because we are. I don't know what he's told you, but I'm not the one who got caught with my hand on another guys dick."

"What?" Ty went wide eyed as he sat down. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm fucking sure. I watched them long enough. They were stripping clothes and I wasn't even gone five minutes. I don't know if he's been doing it for long, but how the fuck can I marry the son of a bitch and be able to trust him?"

"I'm sorry, I had no idea." Ty said, looking all sad now.

"Well, that's the way it is, and what happened."

"You sure there's nothing more to it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I mean, he's not like that. He loves you so much. You should have seen him when you were in New York, he was like a little school girl all warm and bubbly every time your name came up, or you called. And that wasn't that long ago either. Now, I'm not an expert but, I've seen some people that have had it bad, but he has got it really bad for you, and that's something that just doesn't go away overnight or anytime soon. Something else is wrong, has to be."

"Yeah, well, maybe you can figure it out. I'm done. I'm leaving anyway tomorrow."

"What? Where are you going?"

"I'm going to Europe, the south of France actually."

"What?" Ty asked with wide eyes. "You can't leave."

"Uh, yeah I can." Conner said, looking at Ty, with raised eyebrows. "It's my job?"

"How long will you be gone?"

"A month, maybe two."

"What about the wedding?"

"What wedding?"

"Yours, dipshit." Ty said.

"That, that's done and over with. He fucked that up when he tried to fuck that guy in front of me."

"What?"

"Look, I've got to get ready to do this trip." Conner said. "I've got a ton of shit to get done."

"Okay, I get the hint." Ty said, sounding upset. He went to the door and opened it, looking back at Conner. "Why don't you give us a call when you get back, whenever that is." Ty said.

"It may be a while, a long while."

"Why?" Ty said, turning back.

"Because after I get done in France, I may have to move on to South Africa."

"What the fuck?" Ty asked, his jaw opened wide.

"Like I said, it's my job."

"I don't think so. I think you're hiding, and I think you're being used." Ty said, giving him a glare.

"How?" Conner asked, looking pissed.

"I think you're hiding from Alec, and don't want to figure it out, and now you're going off to the other side of the planet, sounds kind of convenient to me, and just maybe your old man has got something to do with it. Sounds like the shit you had in New York, and you remember how that turned out, yeah, plane crash. What do they say, history repeats itself? Yeah, you're fucked or being fucked with. Maybe you should get your head out of your ass and figure it out before it's really too late. He's a really great guy and maybe you two should grow up a little and work it out. If you lose him, you lose yourself for the rest of your life, think about that while you're flying over the ocean." Ty said and turned, walking out the door. "See ya, bud."

Conner stood there for the longest time, letting Ty's words sink into him, making the pain in his chest go even deeper, and cut sharper. Conner sat down and for the first time in the longest time, his eyes welled, and a tear dropped. He sobbed softly, and the phone on his desk rang. He looked over at it and picked it up.

"Hello?" Conner said and he sniffled, as he listened. "Oh, hello Cal. How are you?" Conner listened for a minute and then said softly. "Listen, like I said when I called you the other day and left a message, I've had to turn you over to another realtor in the office. Yes, I'm sorry, but I am leaving the country for a few months, I told you that in the message. It's part of my job, and like I said, I'm sorry but there's really nothing more that I can do. Yes, I know it's tough right now, it's kind of tough for me too, but, you're in good hands I promise. Look, I've got to go and get things ready for tomorrow. I'm sorry. Yeah, thanks, okay, I'll call you when I get back. Alright, thanks for calling, okay, bye." Conner hung up the phone and just stared at it. Well, that made me feel better, Conner thought to himself, yeah right, my life fucking sucks.