Wanda slipped her arm around Randy’s waist and gave him a hug. “You’ve been alone a long time, haven’t you?” Her troubled face searched Randy’s. “You remind me so much of my Luke when he first came. He was also scared and nervous but so determined.” She gave him another hug. “Don’t you worry, honey. Everything will work out fine. Let’s get something to eat, then serve the others.”
She left, barking orders at the kitchen staff. Tash remained with Randy. “She’s right, you know. These people will never judge you. They’ve all been through so much in their lives and will be eternally grateful for your help.” A mischievous smile broke out across his face. “Knowing them is like getting sucked into this enormous family of well-intentioned but nosy brothers and sisters. If you’re around, maybe they’ll get off my back and find someone else to bother.”
Randy shuddered as they walked side by side to the table set with trays. “God help me, but no, thanks. I’m happy to meet them and be a part of this project, but that’s as far as it’s going to go, trust me.”
Tash grinned to himself.That’s what you think.Out loud he merely nodded. “Let’s eat, then serve the others.”
* * * *
At one o’clock the next afternoon, Tash pushed open the door to the Keith Hart Community Center and was greeted with a heartwarming sight. There were kids of all ages sitting in the library area, ensconced with a book, either lying on the sofas or curled up in the armchairs. Teenagers sat at the computers, hopefully doing their homework or studying and not on Facebook, while in the arts-and-crafts area, little boys and girls played at the tables with some of the adult volunteers, coloring, painting, or simply making an overall mess like they were supposed to do at their age.
Sitting at one of those tables with a little girl on his lap was Dr. Jordan Peterson. It warmed Tash’s heart to see the man; his skin was smooth and tanned, and his eyes were clear. He’d gained weight and looked strong and healthy. Gone was the emotional and physical wreck of months earlier. Though he’d be continuing therapy, Tash knew Jordan was recovered.
At his approach, Jordan looked up. A smile broke out across his face. “Tash!” He bent down to the little girl and whispered in her ear. She nodded and slipped off his lap and went to sit next to one of the other volunteers. Jordan wiped his hands on a wet wipe and tossed it in the trash before jumping up to give Tash a hug.
“Great to see you. Did you get our e-mails and pictures?”
“Yep. You guys looked like you had a great time.”
“We did.” He and Jordan continued to walk toward the back where the offices of the center were located. “Lucas met my parents, and they hit it off. We spent one night in Switzerland; then the rest of the week was Paris.”
“Sounds like a honeymoon.” Tash opened the door and turned on the light switch.
“It will be the next time we return. I don’t see the point in waiting around for years or even months.” His eyes dimmed for a brief moment, then returned to the present. “I plan on living my life to the fullest every day. Make it count.”
“That’s a good philosophy.”
“Maybe you should take a page from my book. Or at least listen to yourself when you talk to me about moving forward.” Jordan leaned a hip against the desk Tash sat at, piercing him with those pale blue eyes. “It’s hell being alone. It took almost killing myself to understand it, but you deserve so much more than you’re willing to allow yourself, and for no reason.”
“So you’ve given up orthopedics and have decided to practice psychiatry now?” Tash ignored Jordan’s remarks about moving forward with his life. Simply because they cut too close to home. For one brief moment he returned to his kitchen last night and that kiss between him and Randy that nearly stole the breath from his body. Ruthlessly, he squashed the rush of desire that flooded through him at the remembrance of Randy’s slick tongue sweeping through his mouth.
Jordan, ever the perceptive bastard, must’ve seen something in his face, no matter how neutral he sought to keep his expression. “Son of a bitch, you have met someone.” Jordan leaned on the desk, looming over Tash. “Who is he? Come on, tell me.”
“Don’t be stupid. I haven’t met anyone.” He fumbled with the keyboard. “What’s the damn password to this thing anyway?” He banged a bit harder.
“Liar,” said Jordan, his voice annoyingly cheerful. “But I’ll find out.”
“Shut up. If you don’t stop annoying me, I’ll call Ash and have him come over.” Tash knew that Ash still annoyed Jordan even though the two of them had basically made their peace once Luke and Ash reconciled.
“Call away; he’s already coming over with Drew. We all decided to meet here this afternoon.” The smug smile on his face was pure Jordan. “They’re even bringing Esther. She missed me.”
“Someone has to,” Tash grumbled, then caught Jordan’s eye. “It’s good to see you happy and healthy, my friend.”
Jordan’s smile grew brilliant. “It’s good to feel it. If I haven’t said it before, thank you for giving me back my life.”
“It wasn’t—” Tash’s protest was cut short by the door opening.
“Hey. Tash. Good to see you.” Luke Conover entered the office, a broad smile on his once usually solemn face. Finding love with Jordan was only a portion of the equation for Luke’s happiness. Equal time had to be given to the reconciliation with his foster brother, Ash. Gone was the dark, withdrawn man Tash had met, who lived behind shadowed eyes. In his place was the man Luke was meant to be: calm, able to enjoy life, and above all, magically in love with Jordan, who loved him back so intensely and with such passion it was an almost visible force between the two of them.
“Luke.” Tash stood and hugged the man. They’d worked through their initial mistrust, when Tash believed Luke wouldn’t stand behind Jordan because of his addiction, and Luke thought Tash was out to break Jordan and him apart. Both of them wanted only what was best for Jordan, and in this case, it was a life with Luke. “Good to have you back. Both of you.”
“It’s nice to be home even if Paris was amazing. I brought Sasha back to the house before coming here.” Luke sat, stretching his legs out in front of him. “I’m still a little jet-lagged but stoked to see how well this place is doing.” He let out a huge yawn.
“Tash met someone and won’t tell me who it is.” Jordan stood behind Luke and began to knead his shoulders. Tash watched as Luke closed his eyes and groaned, leaning back against Jordan’s stomach. “We’re going to have to get it out of him.”
“Leave the man alone, Prep School.”
“Thanks, Luke, especially since there is no one.” After glaring at Jordan, who grinned back and mouthedliar, Tash checked his watch. “The guy, Randy, who is going to be working with us on the mentoring program, is going to meet me here in about ten minutes, so I’m glad you’re both here.”
