His father cleared his throat, and Jase tore his gaze away from Robin to meet his irritated look. The man lifted his wine glass, turning to his wife. “I’d like to make a toast....” His voice trailed off, and he put the glass down, rising to his feet as a man came up to their table. “Ken! So glad you could make it.”
“Sorry I’m late.” The blond shook the hand he held out, giving the rest of them a friendly, inclusive smile. “The meeting ran longer than anticipated.”
“Not a problem. Please, join us.”
Ken took the chair he indicated next to Kelly, picking up her hand and brushing his lips across her cheek. He turned to Robin, putting out his hand. “You must be Jase’s boyfriend.”
Jase hurried with the introduction. “Ken Buell, this is Robin Canton, my better half.”
“So he says,” Robin put in, shaking the man’s hand. “You were at a meeting?”
“The science department heads.”
“Ken’s a professor at the university,” Kelly put in with an admiring look. Robin chatted with him a few minutes, explaining how he was hoping to attend college in the fall. Jase looked around the table, noting the relaxed atmosphere, his parents’ wide smiles, the way his father eagerly beckoned the waiter over.
Jealousy unexpectedly stabbed through him. He wanted that. He wanted Kelly’s life. His twin was graduating in a year with their parents’ blessing while he had yet to start college. She had this amazing boyfriend their parents accepted. What he wouldn’t give to just stop fighting this uphill battle with them. Robin laughed at something Ken said, and Jase glanced at him. He was smiling, but Jase saw the hand clenched white-knuckled on his lap. He could see the difference in their reception as well as Jase could.
Robin looked at him, and something of his thoughts must have been showing on his face because dismay filled those soft brown eyes. Robin stood abruptly. “Excuse me. I need to use the washroom.”
“I’ll go with you,” Kelly put in, tossing her napkin on the table. His father let out a snort, and Robin flinched, though he didn’t say anything. Jase watched him cross the room with Kelly. His twin slipped an arm around Robin’s waist as they walked, and said something that made him laugh. Jase’s heart squeezed, sorry he’d hurt Robin, even unintentionally.
“Excuse me,” he muttering, hurrying after them. He noticed their waiter at the bar, presumably getting their drinks, and he slowed his steps. The man had his gaze on Robin, the asshole. On second thought, Jase couldn’t blame him. Robin was delicious, sleek-limbed, sweet ass swaying in that skirt, a smattering of freckles from the sun on his bare shoulders. He and Kelly parted at the separate hallways and Jase hurried after his boyfriend, intent on apologizing.
He entered the men’s room and stopped dead on the tiled floor, shock keeping him momentarily frozen. Two men crowded around Robin at the urinal, the larger one pressed up against his back, looking over his shoulder. “Hey look! Chick’s got a dick. Sure you know how to use that thing, baby?”
The guy with him bumped Robin’s arm. “Ooops! Careful. Might get some on that pretty little dress. Hey, didn’t you see the ‘No Faggots’ sign on the door? You listening to me?”
Robin seemed oblivious, finishing his business then straightening his dress. Turning, he suddenly dodged around the larger man, then twirling back to them and flipping them off with both hands. Jase’s heart squeezed almost painfully. That was the bravest thing he’s ever seen. Robin looked fucking amazing, chin lifted, disdain and pride in his flashing eyes and stiffly held body.
The men moved towards him, and Jase clenched a fist. Noticing him, the smaller man nudged his friend.
Robin glanced at him and let out a relieved breath. He moved to join him, but Jase involuntarily stepped back, regretting it instantly when Robin hesitated, his face whitening, looking as if Jase had struck him. Pain darkened his eyes, and he ducked his head, hurrying past Jase without a word.
Feeling numb, Jase went to the sink and turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on his face. What just happened? Those men had been bullying his sweet boyfriend, and Jase had done nothing to stop them. He hadn’t even stood up for Robin afterward. Shock had left him unable to think or act. Had it always been like this for Robin? Tormented and bullied by other guys who couldn’t see or even care about the fragile heart they bruised and kicked around? And Jase hadn’t taken his side. What kind of a man was he?
He stared into the face in the mirror, seeing again the hurt in Robin’s beautiful eyes. Jase needed to make this up to him, right now. Drying his hands, he tossed the paper in the trash and made his way quickly to their table. Kelly was there, but Robin’s spot was conspicuously empty. “Where—”
“Robin said he suddenly wasn’t feeling well,” Kelly told him, a scathing look on her face. “Said he’d take a cab home.”
“Dammit,” Jase turned on his heel, but his father rose to his feet.
“Jase, sit down. This is still our anniversary party, for God’s sake. Don’t tell me you’re leaving on account of that... person.”
“Please, Jase,” his mother put in, her pleading note stopping him. “We want to talk to you about something.”
Jase sank into his chair, groaning into his hands. Robin probably didn’t want anything more to do with him anyway. Kelly’s angry huff seemed loud in the silence around the table. He knew she would have said more if their food hadn’t arrived just then. Jase played with the pasta on his plate, moving it from side to side, appetite gone with Robin’s departure. He shook his head when his father started talking.
“Say that again?” he asked, having a hard time concentrating. The pain in Robin’s face kept intruding on his thoughts.
“I said if you decide to go to college, there are other fields besides corporate law you can go into,” his father said, sounding impatient, as if he’d had to repeat himself several times.
His mother sat forward in her chair. “And once established, you can be an advocate for whatever cause you want. But you need a degree first. We just want to help.”
They were saying all the right things, handing him his dreams on a silver platter. In return, all he had to do was move back home and date someone they approved of. A woman, as a matter of fact. He had nothing against women. He’d even dated a few. But they wanted him to give up the sweetest, smartest, sexiest man he’d ever met.
His father sat back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. “We’re offering to pay for your education. I’d think you’d be a little more grateful.”
A frown touched his mother’s face at his pompous tone, but she said nothing. Jase glowered at them. “You made me this same offer three years ago. Why do you keep trying to interfere in my life?” he shot back.
“Do you like building houses, working in the blazing sun? You’re a smart boy. You can do so much better.”
Jase’s lips thinned with his anger. “At least I’m my own man.” He rose from the table, tired, worried about Robin. “Thank you for dinner, but I’m going home. Happy Anniversary, Mother.”
“At least think about what we said,” she pleaded, a disappointed note in her voice. But he should be used to that by now.
“Bye, Kelly. Call me later,” he said to his twin. The angry light in her eyes had been replaced by concern, and he felt the sudden need to be home with Robin, make sure everything was okay between them. He shook Ken’s hand, appreciating his neutral expression, and then made his way out of the busy restaurant to his car. He climbed into the driver’s seat, but instead of leaving, he put his head down on the steering wheel, a groan escaping him.
“What the hell?” he murmured. The day had started out so well. Being Saturday, the few hours he’d put in on the work site had been overtime pay. Then he’d come home to Robin, his boyfriend looking so hot in that dress he could have spent hours worshipping him. Instead, Robin had gone home hurt, and his parents were once again trying to manipulate him. Fuck.
Turning on the ignition, Jase put the car in gear then pulled into traffic. Without conscious thought, he wound through the downtown streets to Hwy 26 and headed out of the city. Traffic was light, and he pushed the older car to seventy miles an hour, letting his mind drift with the speed of the vehicle.
What if he took his father’s offer? In four years he’d have his degree and get into law school, then open a practice offering legal services to low-income families. Something he’d wanted to do since high school, seeing some of his friends’ parents struggling. He could see Robin on the weekends and whatever evenings he had free. His parents need never find out.
But would Robin be content to be his dirty little secret? For that matter, would Jase? He’d only known Robin a few months, but somehow the guy had gotten under his skin from the very start. Those shy smiles that made his day whenever he visited the office. The soft gasp and cry Robin made when Jase entered him. The deep, throaty moan when he came.
How could he give up the tender kisses goodnight and the bright, playful smile in the morning teasing him out of bed? Or more often, keeping him in bed for another bout of lovemaking before work. Christ, he fucking hated sleeping alone.
Tapping on the steering wheel, Jase turned up the music to block out his speeding thoughts and simply drove, letting the miles slip away under his wheels. After a time he started seeing signs for Astoria and blinked in surprise. It was a two-hour drive to the coast. Where had the time gone?
Instead of continuing, he exited the highway and turned around, taking the onramp back toward home. A glance at the dashboard confirmed it was already past nine o’clock. He hoped Robin would still be awake when he got there. If not, they needed to talk tomorrow. Jase had to be on the work site early in the morning to finish up before the electricians came on Monday, but they’d have the rest of the day after that. If Robin was talking to him.
It took an eternity to get home, Jase trying not to speed the last few miles in his anxiety. Pulling into the driveway, he took a moment to gather his courage before going up to the front door. The house was dark when he entered, and he sighed. Dammit. Why hadn’t he followed Robin from the restaurant instead wasting his time on doubts about the future? He didn’t think he’d like a future without Robin in it.
He crossed quietly to the bathroom, remembering the fear in Robin’s eyes when Jase had first caught a glimpse of him in that sexy dress, the pain on his face at the restaurant.
“I’m sorry, honey,” he murmured, quickly brushing his teeth, wanting to get into bed with his man. As he splashed water on his face, his glance caught the basket they used for trash. Oh hell. The sundress Robin had worn earlier was stuffed on top along with the new sandals. A terrible thought entered his head, and he hurried to the bedroom.
Enough streetlight entered the room through the sheer curtains for him to see Robin’s form under the sheets, and he let out a relieved breath. Heart pounding, he slid into bed, careful not to wake the sleeping man. Robin was on his side facing him, and Jase’s heart clenched at the few tears still clinging to his dark lashes.
Instinctively, Jase pulled him into his arms, feeling an overwhelming need to protect him from the cruelties of the world.
“I’m so sorry,” he said again, pressing a kiss to Robin’s forehead. His boyfriend sighed, settling into his arms, though he didn’t waken. Jase closed his eyes, content to be with him, Robin’s breath warm and sweet on his skin.