His head rested on Ernest’s shoulder as he felt the press of the steering wheel on his lower back and a zipper against his balls.None of it mattered when Ernest’s head was empty of all doubts and consumed with thoughts about getting them inside to do it again in a more comfortable spot.
The tap on the window made them both jerk their heads towards the sound.
“Oh no,” Ernest groaned at seeing a bright pink-looking Rick on the other side of the glass, peering in at them.
“At least you’re dressed,” snorted Toby, struggling and failing to hold on to his giggles.
Ernest pressed a button, and the window slid down, the cool air touching Toby’s sweaty skin, causing him to shiver.Ernest wrapped his beefy arms around him, one sliding to his ass to cover it.
“I… yes… waited… and thought… yes… anyway, I’ve finished up and just wanted to remind you I’ve got the next two days off.”Rick didn’t wait for Ernest to reply and scuttled off towards his own truck, taking off with enough speed that gravel spewed in the air.
It increased Toby’s giggles, despite the fact that he wasn’t quite sure how he’d look Rick in the eye when he next saw him.
“I think we traumatized him,” Ernest muttered with a distinct chuckle as he looked at Toby.
“I believe we did.We gave him a show I’m sure he won’t forget for a while.”
Ernest, Toby felt it, was conflicted with how proud he felt by that, when he’d never given anyone a show quite like this before.Those had usually involved Pierre and were more angry tirades.“Let’s hope he forgives me,” he finally said.
“I’m sure he will.We just need to contain the sexy times to the bedroom when my parents are here.”
Ernest looked aghast.“There’ll be no sexy time while your parents are staying with us.”
Toby forgot his train of thought from Ernest’s insistence that his parents were to stay with them.“You want my parents to stay here?With us?”
Ernest frowned.“Of course, we have plenty of rooms.Why wouldn’t they stay with us when they visit?”
Why indeed.
Toby sniffed back the tears and cupped Ernest’s cheeks, meeting his beautiful eyes.“That is lovely, but just remember I warned you about the overenthusiasm.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ernest
Enthusiastic.That was the word Toby used, wasn’t it?Actually, Hector made mention of that, too, in relation to Toby’s family.Enthusiastic.Ernest had never seen so much enthusiasm packed into the bodies of six people in his entire life.
He quickly peeked around the door of the shed where he was currently hiding.No, hiding wasn’t the right word.That implied that Ernest was afraid of his guests and was trying to avoid them.That would be totally unfair to Toby or his amazing family.But Ernest seriously needed a minute to breathe.
The parents and siblings arrived in town on Saturday morning.Toby and Ernest met them at the café, because Toby’s parents wanted to see how the business was going, and all the new renovations.Baby Kaya stole the show for a while—Toby’s mother loved babies—and Morty, Niall, and Toby fit in among the giggles and happy chatter Ernest recalled.
He hung back a bit, enjoying a few of the chocolate eclairs Morty had made for the occasion.After about an hour, Hector firmly said it was time for Kaya’s nap, and Toby took the hint.“Follow Ernest’s car, Dad,” he said, giving Morty and Niall a hug.“We’ll be at my new home in no time.”
Toby’s mother loved everything about Ernest’s house—she clapped when she saw the porch, “perfect for family gatherings.”She sighed happily about the view as she looked across the paddocks to the lake and hills beyond.“I bet you have coffee on the porch every morning.”Ernest got the impression she not only approved, she was seriously thinking about moving in, but Toby quickly assured him through their mind link that his mom was just appreciating Ernest’s lovely home and its location.
After all that appreciating, Toby’s mom turned her attention to Ernest.
“It’s so kind of you to let us stay with you.”Toby’s mother reminded Ernest of a cherub.She wasn’t very tall, but she was round-faced, and round-bodied, with a smile that rivaled the brightness of the sun.
“You can call me mom, I absolutely insist.You’re part of the family now,” she said, giving him a hug.“Oh, Charlie, look at this man.Our Toby has done so well for himself.Don’t you just want to climb him like a pole to see if he’s as strong as he looks?And he’s so huggable.”
“Don’t mind my wife,” Charlie said with an equally big and beaming smile.“My wife has always been attracted to muscles, but the Fates decided I was her perfect match instead.”Charlie was about an inch taller than his wife, with the same rotund figure and a mop of hair the same color as Toby’s.“Are you going to think we’re nosy if I ask for a tour of the house?It looks amazing.”
The brothers—Brian, Dennis, Frank, and Saul—Ernest, couldn’t keep them straight in his head.A lot of that was because the four males of various ages from their teen to early adulthood, never stopped moving.They had the same smiles and sunny personalities as their parents, but they picked up and exclaimed over every single item in the house as if they’d found missing treasure.
Ernest noticed that all four boys were careful with everything they touched… which was everything.There wasn’t one cross word, one snarky comment—the family all seemed to be one happy, connected unit, and they clearly felt Ernest was part of their family too.
Toby’s mother had taken over the kitchen.“I’m sure you’re a wonderful cook,” she said, patting Ernest’s stomach.“There’s no way you get to your magnificent size eating takeout all the time.But I also know Toby misses my home-cooked meals.He and his friends have a great business with the bakery-café, but sometimes a person needs savory food.”
