Page 101 of All The Things: The Last Thing He Needs Omnibus

He didn’t bother to tell Tom that he woke up thinking Tommy’s father had died and that he was still too confused to start the day. Instead, he got out of bed and went straight to the little economy kitchen. “One of these days, we should consider moving into a bigger place.”

Tom pulled on a pair of jeans that were so tight they fit like a second skin. “I like bein’ close to the kids.”

Bobby had known what Tom would say before he’d even mentioned it. “I know. Maybe someplace right around here? Maybe if a house goes up for sale on the block or something.”

“Maybe,” Tom said in that way of his that meant it’s so much easier to just say maybe than to go into all the reasons why that’s not going to happen.

Bobby let it go. “Maybe we could just make this place a little bigger, add on or something.”

“You’re just tired of tripping over me all the time,” Tom said, but he slid his arms around Bobby’s waist from behind, kissed the back of his neck.

Bobby leaned back into the touch, pressed himself against Tom’s bare chest. “Maybe I just want more places to let you fuck me.”

That got his attention and, hopefully, turned his mood around.

“Why didn’t you say that to begin with?” Tom teased, trailing his hand lower on Bobby’s stomach, dipping his fingers into the edge of Bobby’s shorts. “We can move out of state if that’s what you want.” He rolled his hips against Bobby’s ass as if to punctuate his words.

“If I really believed you, I’d know you’d lost your mind.” Bobby laughed, but that didn’t stop him from grinding against Tom just to feel his cock hardening.

And then, the real reason Bobby sometimes thought it would be nice to move.

“Hey, Tommy!” Davey shouted through their door while banging on it with what was either his fist or his foot. “I missed my bus! Can I get a ride?”

“Christ,” Tom muttered before dropping another quick kiss to Bobby’s neck. “We didn’t have time for that anyway,” he said as he stepped away. “Don’t break the goddamn door down,” he shouted to Davey. “I’ll be out in five minutes.”

Bobby poured some cream into his coffee and grabbed the plate Tom had put together for him. “I should start taking him in my cruiser. Maybe he’d remember to catch the bus.”

Tom dragged a T-shirt over his head. “Your mom says he does this because he wants to spend some time with me but doesn’t wanna say.”

“Could be. You’re around, but it’s different for all of them now. You work more, aren’t home as much. There’s a door with a lock between you and them a lot of the time. They’re not used to it.” Even after a handful of years.

“Me neither,” Tom said as he grabbed his keys. “So, no. I’m not ready to move out. I’d rather knock a wall down than add on, if you really wanna know.”

“I already knew,” Bobby said, leaning close to kiss Tom before he darted out the door.

And, really, Bobby wasn’t sure if he’d want it any other way.

Tommy

Tommy stood outside Cal’s apartment. The hall was a little dingy, a little narrow, but the building wasn’t too run-down, and the neighbors were mostly families with kids rather than whatever Tommy had been imaging. He’d discussed it with Judy, who of course thought it was a good idea. The kids need to see him outside of their own context. And, It’ll be good for them. Good for Cal, too, because he’ll hopefully remember if he ever feels himself slipping.

Yeah, right. Cal had lived with them on and off for more than twenty years, and that never helped keep him sober.

Tommy knocked on the door, three quick raps that were more like punches than anything else. He’d tried to get Judy to come along since she thought the whole thing was such a great idea, but she’d insisted it should be Tommy. Colleen didn’t come. Said she had a shift after classes, but Tommy was willing to bet she wouldn’t have joined them anyway.

“Right on time,” Cal said as he opened the door. Cheerful. Nervous. Seemed sober, though, so there was that.

“Yeah, we tend to keep our word,” Tommy said. He hadn’t meant it as a jab. Or, not entirely, anyway. He went in with Max in his arms. Even at five years old, he still liked to be carried sometimes.

“Hi, Pop,” Max said as Tommy set him down.

Carrie pushed past Tommy, holding Zoe’s hand, both of them smiling at Cal, who patted Zoe’s head.

“How was school?” he asked, stepping back to let everyone in.

Davey took up the rear with Collin. Neither of them answered, just glanced around the small apartment.

Zoe bounced on her toes and dashed toward the window, where about fifteen different plants sat on makeshift shelves. “We had a party and a movie today,” she said, inspecting each of the plants. “This one’s pretty,” she said.

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