Page 33 of All The Things: The Last Thing He Needs Omnibus

Tommy got his things together, changed his clothes, and found his shoes under his bed before heading into the living room where Bobby was sprawled on the couch with Carrie curled up next to him on one side, Collin on the other with Max and Zoe settled happily in his lap. It must have been Carrie’s pick for the movie because a cartoon was playing, one with fairies and a princess in dire straits. Davey and Mike were hiding from the girlie-movie cooties in their bedroom, but Collin seemed content to watch, probably knowing it was his turn to pick the next one.

The picture they made was so comforting and so sweet, Tommy considered joining them. In the end, though, he decided Bobby probably needed to talk more than he needed to simply hold Tommy’s hand while the kids contended for their attention.

He leaned over the back of the couch and whispered in Bobby’s ear, “I hate to drag ya away from your fan club, but we gotta get.”

They both knew Bobby had an insanely early shift, and they had decided earlier that he would drop Tommy off at work before heading home for the night.

Bobby turned his face toward Tommy. He didn’t look like he was ready for a fight anymore, but Tommy knew firsthand how a few minutes with Max and Zoe and Carrie—even Collin when he wasn’t doing something life threatening—could have that effect on someone. Bobby shifted and put the babies between Carrie and Collin, gave Carrie a kiss on the cheek and told her to be good, and then headed out the door with Tommy.

Neither of them said anything at first. Bobby didn’t seem angry anymore, but he seemed reconciled, and Tommy couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or not. He finally broke the silence. “I’m not gonna take on another job.”

Bobby sounded thoughtful when he said, “I didn’t say you shouldn’t, Tom.”

“I know.” Tommy shifted in his seat and looked at Bobby. “I’m just sayin’.”

“I know how tight things are for you.” Bobby’s sigh sounded pained. “It just drives me crazy that I’m not even allowed to make a suggestion or try to lend a hand or… anything.”

Tommy let the comment about lending a hand roll without remark, but he asked, “You have a suggestion? Because right now, swear to God, Bobby, I’m all ears.”

Bobby’s hands got tighter on the wheel, and he glanced at Tommy. “No. That’s part of what pisses me off so damn much.”

The laugh he let slip probably wasn’t appreciated. “Welcome to my life, copper.”

Bobby laughed, too, then and said, “I’m well acquainted with it, but thanks.”

When Bobby pulled up behind Smarty’s, they shared a long, heated kiss. It left Tommy feeling lonely, and he didn’t want to get out of the car. They hadn’t had any time together that didn’t involve the kids in days.

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Bobby whispered, looking like he felt the same way.

Tommy sat on the front porch. At nearly five in the morning, he knew he should be in bed. He was looking at the tip of his cigarette as it glowed angrily in the dark. He’d been thinking more and more about quitting lately and had cut back to less than a half pack a day, but he’d been off work for over two hours, and he couldn’t make himself sleep. He thought about what Colleen had said earlier in the evening about Bobby. He knew she was right. Bobby wouldn’t stand around and wait for his attention forever. Yeah, he’d managed to get a few minutes alone with Bobby, but it wasn’t nearly enough. Something was going to have to give soon, and Tommy hated to think what that might be.

Most days lately he felt like all he wanted out of life was to have the kids safe and happy, well fed, and to be somewhere quiet, alone with Bobby pressed against him. He laughed softly at the idea, thinking he was too old to be making wishes at the night sky. Tommy sucked one last, long drag from his cigarette all the way down to the filter before crushing it out. He was about to get up when headlights shone down the street.

Bobby’s car rolled slowly to a stop in front of their house. Tommy stood up, wondering what could be wrong that would bring Bobby to him in the middle of the night when he was supposed to be working in less than an hour.

He was already in his uniform when he stepped out of the car. Tommy had never had an interest in men in uniform before, especially not cops. But the way Bobby looked in his, the way the trousers fit his ass, the way his badge shone on his chest, made Tommy’s blood sing to look at him.

When Bobby started up the walkway, Tommy asked quietly, “You here to arrest me, Officer?”

“I’m here to ask you what the hell you’re still doing up.” Bobby grinned as he took two of the stairs and then reached for Tommy.

Tommy dipped his head and brushed his lips against Bobby’s before he said anything. “You first,” he whispered and then kissed Bobby again.

“I was on my way to work and saw you sitting out here.”

“Your work is three miles in the other direction.”

Bobby glanced down like he was embarrassed, but then he caught Tommy’s eye. “I swing by here a few times a night if I’m on duty, make sure everything looks okay.”

“Yeah?” Tommy knew then something was changing, because, rather than be annoyed and tell Bobby they didn’t need him watching over them, he realized he liked the idea.

“You gonna tell me to knock it off?” Bobby took another step, standing on the porch close to Tommy.

“Would you quit if I did?” Tommy leaned in as he asked his question, letting his breath brush against Bobby’s neck with his words. He could feel Bobby swallow hard before he answered.

“Probably not, no.”

Tommy was already in Bobby’s space, his hand on Bobby’s hip over his holster. He pressed closer and asked, “Then why should I bother?”

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