Page 23 of All The Things: The Last Thing He Needs Omnibus

Collin looked up from his plate and cut Mike off. “What?”

Davey spoke, though, God help them all. “Bullshit” was all he said at first, doing as Mike had done and looking at Tommy, then Bobby, then back to Tommy. “No way.”

“What?” Collin asked again, obviously confused.

When Tommy nodded at Davey, Mike let out a loud bark of laughter and said, “Nice. Since when?”

Tommy wasn’t sure if Mike wanted to know how long he and Bobby had been doing each other or how long Tommy had been gay. He didn’t have a chance to find out because Davey blurted out, “You guys are fags?”

If Tommy had been standing next to him, he probably would have smacked Davey on the back of the head and been done with it. Bobby looked like he was considering the same idea. Colleen was the one who took over, though. She was back at the stove and slammed the skillet down so hard it made everyone jump. She stormed over to their little brother and pointed a finger in Davey’s face. “He’s gay. Not a fag. The guy that keeps a roof over your head and keeps food on your plate and helps you with your homework and keeps you outta foster care is gay. And, so help me Christ, if I ever hear one word out of you about it, I’ll kick your ass and then throw you at family services myself.”

Bobby’s eyes were huge, watching Colleen lose control. Tommy wanted to laugh when Davey put both his hands up. “I was just askin’! Don’t get your panties tied up over it. Jesus.”

Colleen still looked murderous. “And I was just making sure you understood.” She said the words like she was thinking about knocking Davey on his ass just to make sure he got the message.

Tommy stepped up behind her, rubbing her shoulders and trying not to laugh. “Take it easy, slugger.” He pulled her back from Davey who gave him a thankful look.

Colleen pushed the hair out of her face. “It’s that goddamn skinhead he hangs out with.” She was still fuming as she jerked her chair back from the table and sat down heavily. “I’d like to wring that little bastard’s neck.”

“He’s not a skinhead!” Davey defended his friend. “He gets lice all the time so his mom makes him shave every other day!”

Carrie put her hands up and covered her hair. “I’d rather him be a skinhead!”

That got a laugh from Colleen, and Tommy figured Davey and his lice-ridden, possibly skinhead friend were safe for the moment. He pulled a stool up to the table and grabbed his plate. “How’s your breakfast, Bobby?” he asked with a smirk, thinking Bobby hadn’t had any idea what he was getting himself into.

When the kids were done eating, Tommy sent them off to do chores and reminded them to get their rooms cleaned up and their beds made if they hadn’t done it already. None of them looked thrilled about it, but they went without arguing, for which he was grateful.

Colleen had started gathering the dishes, and Mike was helping clear the table.

“No way,” he told them. “You two cooked, get outta here.”

Mike didn’t wait for Tommy to change his mind—he tore out of the kitchen like someone had set him on fire. Colleen smiled at Tommy and asked, “You sure? It’s a big mess.”

“I’m sure, Col.” He knew she had the day off and added, “Go hang out with Wyatt or take a nap or something. You make me tired just watching you.”

She nodded and grabbed her phone as she went out the back door. Bobby was already on his feet, taking over where Mike had left off, scraping plates into the trashcan and rinsing the dishes. They were alone together after a very long, very raucous breakfast.

Tommy walked up behind Bobby, close, but not quite touching. “You don’t need to do that.”

Bobby glanced over his shoulder. “I know.”

Tommy bumped his shoulder against Bobby’s back. “If you wanna take off, it’s cool, ya know?” He didn’t wait for a response. Instead, he opened the dishwasher and started to load it.

Bobby passed him a rinsed plate. “Is it cool if I don’t wanna take off?”

Considering his answer for a beat, Tommy let his gaze rake over Bobby’s body, feeling a quick rush of want ride through him. He stepped closer again and dipped his head so his face was nearly touching Bobby’s. He inhaled and then whispered in Bobby’s ear, “Sure, but take a shower. You smell like sex.” He could hear Bobby’s breath catch.

“What are the odds of us getting enough privacy for you to join me?” Bobby looked like he’d already forgotten the dishes.

Tommy grunted a laugh. “Slim to none.” He slid another plate into the dishwasher. “Even if the kids were gone, I wouldn’t wanna risk them coming home and walking in on us. Plus, ya know, one bathroom, eight people. Ten, if Cal and Cheryl are around.”

Looking resigned but not unhappy, Bobby turned back to rinsing the dishes. “Good point.” He passed another plate to Tommy and asked, “Have you heard from them? Cal and Cheryl, I mean.”

“They were gone for a few weeks, but they turned up again the other night.” Tommy couldn’t help a huff of annoyance as he remembered the phone call at three in the morning. His father had been wasted and Cheryl was whining at Tommy for a ride home. He hung up on them and unplugged the phone, but they still managed to find their way back. “Not sure where they are now, but I’m sure we’ll get another visit soon. They’re worse than herpes, can’t get rid of ’em for long.”

Bobby laughed as he said, “I hope you’re not speaking from experience.”

“Guess you’ll have to wait and find out.”

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