Friends and Lovers (17 page)

“That’s the truth!” Fern laughed and went to wait on another table.

“I’m really glad you agreed to have dinner with me, Jack.”

“That’s what friends are for.”

“Yeah.” Tom reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “Yeah.”

Every year after that, when Tom came home for his Mom’s birthday, Jack made a point of calling him, and they’d go out for dinner, a movie, a glass of wine afterwards.

And when he went home to his wife, it was to find he’d been relegated to the couch once more. He knew he’d have to buy her a charm for her bracelet, or some expensive trinket or other, but that didn’t matter.

It was worth it, seeing his best friend again.

Five years after he married Julie, Jack took out the quarter Tom had given him on his wedding day. He tucked it back in his pocket, picked up the phone, and called him in Tallahassee.

“Tom…”

“Jack! It’s so good to hear from you!”

“I’m getting a divorce, Tom.”

“Shit. Hang in there, buddy. I’ll be there as soon as I can arrange for a leave.”

Jack hung up the phone, sat down on the crappy bed in the crappy apartment he’d rented after he moved out of the little house, and he cried.

He hadn’t even had to ask. In spite of once having shut Tom from his life, in spite of hurting him, as Jack knew he must have, Tom was dropping everything and coming home.

Just because Jack called.

Tom came awake in increments. “Didn’t you sleep at all, Jack?”

“Nah. I was watching you.”

Tom blushed. “Couldn’t you find anything better to do?”

“I like watching you.”

“I can’t imagine why.”

Jack leaned over and kissed him. “Didn’t any of the guys you slept with do that?”

“We didn’t sleep, Jack.” His stomach rumbled, and he rubbed his abdomen absently. “Room service or the restaurant?”

“The restaurant. I’m in the mood to show you off.”

Tom flushed, and Jack recognized it not as embarrassment but as lust. Jack rarely became aggressive – partly because of his size, although mostly because he just wasn’t an aggressive kind of guy – but he knew Tom loved it when he did. Just hearing that tone in Jack’s voice was almost enough to make him cream his jeans.

He raised an eyebrow, and Tom licked his lips and gave a jerky nod.

They dressed in slacks and short-sleeved polo shirts and went down to dinner. Jack was relieved to see everyone there was clothed.

A young man was seated at a baby grand piano in front of the bay window, playing show tunes. His white tuxedo jacket was folded beside him on the piano bench.

“Is that the parking attendant?”

“If he’s not, he looks enough like him to be his brother.”

“Good evening, gentlemen. If you’ll follow me?” The host who led them to their table was the desk clerk who had simply worn the bowtie. Now he was wearing a black tuxedo.

“Are we underdressed?”

“Not at all, Mr. Sweet.” His eyes were on Tom, though. He grinned at Tom and touched his tongue to his upper lip. “One can never be underdressed here at Clinch House Inn.” He unfolded their napkins and placed them across their laps. “Enjoy your dinner, gentlemen.”

Jack glared at his back. “Did he cop a feel?”

Tom looked startled, then snickered. “No, Jack. He did not cop a feel.” He picked up the leather-bound menu that was lying across his plate.

Jack growled under his breath and looked around the room. It was large enough to seat all the guests, should they decide to forgo room service, as well as anyone stopping by. Snowy white tablecloths and napkins were on each table, as well as centerpieces of Bird of Paradise that added vibrant color. Scattered around the room were potted ferns and palms adding to the Florida feel. 

Their waiter came to bring them two frosty goblets of ice water with a wedge of lemon on the rim. “Did you enjoy your scooter ride?”

“Jeff!”

He grinned at them. “We all wear a number of hats around here. Let me take your drinks order, and you can study the menu and see what you like.”

“I’ll have a daiquiri.”

“Me too.”

Jeff nodded and hurried off.

“I like it all,” Tom murmured.

Jack picked up his menu and began to page through it. “Yes. The poached artichoke halves look good for an appetizer.” He read the description. “On, no, on second thought, I guess not.”

“You like artichokes, buddy.”

“Yeah, but they’re stuffed with crabmeat. You can’t eat that, can you?”

“You’re right. How about the mushroom phyllo instead? ‘Sautéed mushrooms baked in golden phyllo…’” He looked up, smiling. “That’s dough used in thin layers to make pastries, like strudel or baklava.”

Jack smiled back at him. He loved when Tom went into professor mode.

“And it’s served warm, with scallion-vermouth cream.”

“Sounds good.” He looked up at Jeff, who had returned with their daiquiris as well as a basket of rolls. “The mushroom phyllo, please. For two.”

“And for your entrée, sir?”

“I’ll have the prime rib, medium rare.”

“That comes with the house salad, which has a vinaigrette dressing, baked potato, and pan-roasted broccoli. What would you like on your potato?”

Jack grinned. “Load it down.”

“Your arteries, Jack! Your arteries!”

Jeff coughed and swallowed his own grin. “And you, Mr. Hansom?”

“I’ll have the duck breast with crème fraiche and roasted grapes.”

“Would you care to order a wine?”

“Yes.” Jack had been looking over the wine list. “The Chateauneuf du Pape, ‘88.”

“Very good choice, sir. That’s a Rhone red that will go well with both your entrees.” Jeff took their menus and went to put in the order.

They ate at a leisurely pace, enjoying the food, the ambience, and each other’s company.

“What plans do you have for the summer, Jack?” Tom had mentioned he was going to teach the summer semester. The roof on his house needed to be replaced, and while Jack would do it for him for just the cost of the shingles, it was still costly, and the extra money would come in handy.

“It’s my busiest season, so I can’t take any time off during the week, but I was thinking that maybe we could go away for more weekends like this. If you’d like?”

“You know I’d like. Any place in particular?”

“Well, I chose Amelia Island. Why don’t you choose the next one.”

“Thanks, Jack. I’ll give it some thought.”

“We could… uh… do some day trips too, take Teddy and Cath with us?” He held his breath.

“Wouldn’t they rather be alone with you?”

“Tom, they want to get to know you.”

“
They
do, or
you
want them to?”

Coffee and dessert were brought out before Jack had to answer – he wanted his kids to spend time with his friend, but they really did want to get to know Tom better.

Jeff placed the key lime pie before Jack and the cheesecake drizzled with dark chocolate before Tom.

After Jeff left, Jack continued the conversation. “Please, Tommy?” he wheedled. “For me?”

The corner of Tom’s mouth quirked into a grin. “Was I ever able to say ‘no’ to you?”

Under the table, Jack ran the side of his foot up and down Tom’s leg. “Thanks, babe,” he said softly.

“Yeah, yeah. Anything but the circus. I hate clowns.”

“See? You and Teddy already have something in common.”

By the time they finished, the restaurant was starting to empty out.

“Would you care to have another coffee with a cordial out on the veranda?” Jeff asked as he gathered up their dessert plates.

“Tom?”

“The moon’s up, Jack. I’d rather go for a walk on the beach.”

“That sounds good. We’ll skip the coffee, Jeff.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow then, gentlemen.” He stacked the cups and saucers and smiled at them. “Enjoy your walk.”

They went through the lobby, across the veranda and down the shallow steps, and out to the dunes that ringed the beach. Hands in their pockets, shoulders brushing occasionally, they meandered along the sand.

“It’s going to be easy to enjoy this, Tom. Look at that moon.”

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Thank you for thinking of this, babe.”

“I have my moments, don’t I?”

“You do, and that’s why I think I’ll keep you.” Tom pulled him to a halt, drew Jack’s face down to his, and kissed him. “I’m so glad you said yes when I asked you to fuck me.”

“Make love to you, Tom,” he corrected. “So am I. It was the best thing…” He cleared his throat. “Let’s… uh… let’s go back to the room.”

“Why, Mistah Sweet, whatevah did y’all have in mind?” Tom deliberately thickened his accent, and Jack laughed.

“Why don’t you let me show you, Mistah Hansom?”

“Ah do believe Ah will.”

Jack took his hand, and they returned to the Inn at a much brisker pace.

They made love throughout the night, awakened late Saturday morning, and had a late breakfast in the Inn’s restaurant.

“I noticed a lot of gift shops in town yesterday, Tom,” Jack said as he took a final sip of his coffee. “I’d like to go back and pick up some souvenirs for Teddy and Cath.”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll get something for Mom.”

“A tee shirt?
‘My son went to Amelia Island, and all I got was this lousy shirt?’
”

“She’d wear it, too.” Tom laughed, and Jack was pleased to see him so happy. “Do you want to ride the scooters into town?”

“One scooter, buddy?”

“Huh?”

“Can we just take one scooter? I… I like riding behind you.”

Tom ran his hand up and down Jack’s arm. “Remind me to take you out on the Harley when we get home. Maybe one moonless night. I know a place…” His tongue peeked out to moisten his lips. “And I’ll fuck you on it.”

“Out in the open?” Jack felt his cheeks flush with sexual heat. “Bent over your hog?” His cock was hard.

“You like that idea?”

“Oh, yeah, I like it a lot!”

“I’m corrupting you, Jack.”

“Not likely!” He was affronted. “Reba and I used to go down to Wilson’s Creek after we got married, y’know.” The most notorious spot in two counties. Jack was pretty sure that was where Teddy had been conceived.

“You are a devil.”

“Yeah, a regular wild man.” He sighed. That had been before Reba had decided she preferred Jesus to him; she’d still been excited by his touch back then. “So you don’t mind going souvenir shopping with me?”

“I don’t mind doing anything with you, Jack. You should know that by now. I think I’ll pick up something for Theodore and Catherine too while we’re there.”

“You don’t have to bribe them, you know. They like you.”

Tom gave him a baffled smile. “But how can they? According to your father, I’m the reason you’re going to burn in hell for eternity.”

“Tommy, they see how happy I am with you, happier than I ever was with their momma or with Julie. Don’t question it; just enjoy it.”

“If you say so, but I still don’t understand it.”

Tom chose another red scooter, and they rode it into town.

They spent a few hours browsing through the gift shops. Some were really cheesy and touristy, with the type of tee shirt Jack had kidded about – and which he bought for his kids – as well as mermaids apparently cuddling thermometers or with clocks in their stomachs, and mechanical alligators that said, ‘Send more tourists, the last bunch were delicious’ – which he also bought for them – but others had nice stuff, and he bought things there as well, an Arabian mare carved from driftwood for Cath, a baseball player for Teddy.

In a gift shop called
Aquatica
, Tom found a pair of stuffed penguins for Cath. They came with an egg that would attach to the feet of either one with Velcro, and when it was turned inside out, a fuzzy baby penguin was revealed.

“Cath is gonna love that, Tom!”

“You think?” He was gnawing his lower lip. “You don’t think it’s too childish, do you?”

“I don’t, but it’s penguins. Cath would love it anyway!”

“I’m never sure what to get her and Theodore.”

“You did a great job at Christmas. Cath was over the moon about the saddle and bridle
Santa
gave her, and Teddy… Well, the only reason he stopped playing that game system was because he had to go back to school.”

“They sent nice thank you notes, but I wasn’t sure… Well, I’m glad to hear they liked the gifts.”

Jack was touched to see how much it mattered to his friend. He slung an arm around Tom’s shoulder. “Don’t doubt yourself so much, buddy. They like you, and if you’d give them half a chance, they’d love you.”

“I just don’t know how to act around them.”