Over and Back Read online

  “You should find a real job. One with a future,” she said. It was an old argument, and Grant didn’t want to get into it today.

  “Sure, Mom. I made $250 in tips last night. One tip alone was a hundred dollars. It’s the biggest I ever got.” He smiled as she nodded. The coffee maker beeped, and he poured them each a mug. His mom loved her coffee. “It should really help with the auto insurance.” He took a sip of his coffee. “I have to work tonight as well.” God, he was not looking forward to that. Saturdays were always a madhouse, but he could do well with tips.

  “I wish you’d go out with some friends. You work, you come back here, sleep, and then go out to work again.” She, too, sipped from her mug. “I worry about you. It’s like you have your life on hold or something.”

  Grant tried to swallow his bite of toast, but it got caught in his throat for a second. “Mom, I’m fine,” he countered, once he swallowed a mouthful of coffee. “I know you and Dad are disappointed I didn’t go to college, but that wasn’t in the cards. I have a job that pays me pretty well, and I’ll get a place of my own—”

  “We’re not worried about that.” She waved her hand as though it weren’t an issue. “You have your own place and we have ours. And I like seeing you most days.” She set her mug down, lightly drumming her nails on the counter. “Your father and I are worried. You spend so much time alone and work weird hours. How are you supposed to meet nice people? I know what those clubs are like.”

  He put his elbows on the counter, his hands under his chin. “Oh, you do?” He had to give her the smartass treatment, and she lightly swatted at him. “You’ve never been there.”

  “Bars are bars and clubs are clubs. Things haven’t changed all that much since I was your age. I turned plenty of heads and didn’t spend all my time sitting around waiting for Mr. Right to show up. I was young once too, you know.” The hint of prissiness in her voice told him something was up.

  “Does your leg hurt?” he asked. She’d been in a car accident five years ago that left her with limited movement in one hip and on-and-off pain.

  “Don’t change the subject. Getting old isn’t what it’s cracked up to be sometimes, so you have to make the best of things when you’re young.” She finished her coffee and pushed the mug toward him a little. Grant grabbed the pot and poured her a refill. It was her usual routine, and he knew it well. “Whatever happened to that nice man you were seeing? Timothy. He was seemed like he was good for you. A little older, maybe, but he was nice, polite….”

  Grant used his coffee to try to cover his discomfort. “He wasn’t very good for me.”

  “Did he hurt you?” She stood up, her eyes blazing. “If he did, I’ll—”

  “Mom, it’s okay. I didn’t mean that. He wasn’t a good fit for me. Timothy was…. Mom, he was controlling. It’s part of his nature, and… that isn’t what I want.” He didn’t want to go into his sex life with his parents, any more than he wanted to hear about theirs.

  “Oh, he was a Dom,” his mother said, and Grant nearly spewed his coffee. She leaned over the counter. “Are you into that sort of thing?”

  “Mom, I…,” Grant gasped.

  His mother quirked her eyebrows and took another sip from her mug. “Do you think you and your generation invented sex? I’ve been around, and I know more than you want to think I do.” She reached for his hand. “You know you can tell me anything and I’ll listen and keep it to myself.” She patted his hand and sat straighter, as though she were bracing herself for the worst.

  Grant sighed, and it was on the tip of his tongue to tell his mother he didn’t want to talk about this with her. But then he figured, what the hell? He needed to talk to someone, and his mother had always been the best listener he knew. “I thought it was what I needed, you know? In school, I could never be still and I always had trouble. It was hard for me. I’m not smart like everyone else. I know that. When I met Timothy, he liked me and we seemed so good together… and I thought he was what I needed. He took care of most things for me, and I thought that was the way it was supposed to be. I could concentrate on the things I was able to do. My confidence grew, but when I wanted to take things back and try to handle more, he wouldn’t let me. He needed control, and I wanted some of it back. That was more than he was willing to give.” Grant swallowed hard. “Don’t get me wrong, Mom. Timothy was good to me. But I don’t think that’s the kind of relationship I want to have again.”

  She sat quietly, nodding slowly. “Okay. I guess I can understand. He was nice, though.”

  “He has someone else, and I see them sometimes. Timothy seems happy, and so is the guy he’s with, so we’re both better off.” Grant’s heart pounded in his chest. He felt exposed and knew his cheeks were blazing red with heat. “I’m still getting over things and trying to figure stuff out.” His throat went dry as he thought about the guy from last night. He’d somehow picked up on the fact that Grant had been a sub. Maybe he put out those vibes into the world, but it wasn’t what he needed any longer.

  “I see.” She finished the last of her coffee and slipped off the stool.

  “I bet you never figured we’d be having this conversation,” Grant quipped. Lord knew he had never expected to have it, at least not with her.

  “Probably not.” She came around, leaned down, and hugged him tightly. “I’m glad you told me.” She patted his back gently. “There is nothing you can’t talk to me about. Sometimes I don’t understand, but I’m not going to judge you or stop loving you.” She held him for a little longer—and it felt good to be held. “I worry. I’m your mother.”

  “I’m going to be fine.”

  “I still worry. You need to get out and see more than just this basement and that club.” She wasn’t going to let this go.

  “I told you, the club is closing in June for a month. The owners and their partners are going on a trip to Italy for the first two weeks. One of the bartenders is going too, and he needs a roommate. Zach asked me to think about going with them.” He held his breath as his mother straightened up.

  “Do we know any of these people?” she asked, leaning against the counter.

  “I don’t think you’ve met them. There are four couples… well, there will be ten total, with me and Hank, the guy I’d share with. Every one of them is a real stand-up kind of guy. I’ve known most of them as long as I’ve worked at the club.” Grant almost couldn’t believe that he was considering this. “I have to find out a lot more about the trip, but these are good people and I trust them. They look out for me.”

  “I suppose. With the club closed, you’d do nothing but sit around here. Still, you could always try to get something temporary or find another job during that time.”

  “Mom,” Grant whined slightly. “They’re paying me during that month because they want me to come back. Bull and Harry already told me that. They said it was part of the cost of the remodel. I have a job and I like it.” He stepped away. “Yeah, I know I’ll probably have to start looking for something else eventually, but for now, this works for me.”

  “You could always work for your father in his office,” she offered.

  Grant groaned. “I love animals and all, but I don’t want to sit behind the desk at the clinic and ask people to fill out paperwork on their pets. Can you really see me doing that? I’d go stir-crazy. Dad and I get along fine, but if I worked with him, we’d probably drive each other nuts.” His dad was obsessive about things at work, which was why Grant was never going to end up there.

  “Okay, honey. I won’t push you, I promise.” She walked toward the door, closing her jacket around her for the trip upstairs. She paused with her hand on the handle. “I like the idea of you going on a trip. It might do you some good to get away for a while. See some things and make some friends.” She pulled open the door and hurried outside, closing it against the cool air.

  The draft of cold air reached him, racing around him until the door closed, and then dissipated. He took care of the dishes and cleaned up the mugs and a few toast crumbs. The place was clean already because he picked up after himself most of the time. He had some things to do before work and figured he should get them done. But first he found his phone. He paused with his fingers over the keys as he contemplated the message he wanted to send Zach. The smart thing to do would be to say no. But maybe his mom was right. He needed a break, and he could get along with anyone for a couple of weeks.

  If Hank wants me as a roommate, I’d like to go on the trip, he wrote, then pressed Send and set his phone aside.

  Within seconds, a responding text arrived. Great. Before we open, we can talk to Hank and see what he says.

  With the decision made, Grant could get excited about something for once. Still, he had to remind himself that it wasn’t a done deal yet.

  Chapter Two—Six Weeks before Vacation

  HANK COULDN’T believe he had actually agreed to have Grant as a roommate for this trip. Not that he didn’t like the guy. In fact, that was sort of the problem. His first instinct had been to say no and try to figure out how to go alone. Danny would have a fit if he found out Hank was going to be rooming with Grant. Still, how in the hell could he say no? Hank knew from Zach that Grant needed a friend. Hank sure as hell knew what that felt like, and in the end, he’d agreed. After all, they were only going to be roommates. And they’d be an ocean away from Danny and his jealousy. Hank would just need to make sure Danny didn’t find out.

  But it was too late to worry about that now. He’d made the decision, and the more he thought about it, the more he realized that he actually felt pretty good, maybe even kind of excited.

  He pulled into Bull and Zach’s driveway and parked behind Harry’s Tahoe. Zach had called together a trip-planning meeting so they could go over everything, i
ncluding the day tours that they’d already booked. Hank was met at the door by Bull, who hugged him and ushered him inside. He seemed to be the last to arrive, and he got hugs from everyone but Grant, who stood off to the side, looking nervous, seemingly interested in the shoes he was wearing.

  “Hey, Grant,” Hank said gently.

  Huge blue eyes met his for a second. “Hi, Hank.” His voice was really soft, but he gave Hank a little crooked smile. “This is kind of exciting.”

  “Okay,” Zach said as he returned from the kitchen, placing trays of small sandwiches on the coffee table. Bull followed with a tray of drinks and set that down as well. “Help yourself to munchies,” Zach said as he passed out a spreadsheet printout. “I went ahead and put together a schedule for the things we’ve already taken care of. But one thing we still need to look at is getting train tickets to Newark. The flight leaves late, so we should be able to take the same-day train from Harrisburg.”

  Hank sat down, and Grant took the seat on the sofa next to him. The kid was wound as tight as a drum. If he’s like this the entire trip, it’s going to be one hell of a good time, Hank thought, sarcasm rolling through his head. Grant reached for a can of Diet Coke and sipped from it. Hank grabbed a beer, because right now, he needed one.

  “We fly directly to Rome, and we’re booked into a hotel on the outskirts. There’s a subway station not too far away, and we can get into the city that way. We have nothing planned for our first day. It’ll give us time to just rest up for what’s ahead. On Wednesday we have a guided tour of some ancient Roman ruins and the Colosseum in the afternoon, so we can sleep in if jet lag is a problem. On Thursday we have a private group tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s in the morning, and then I thought we could walk to the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon after lunch.”

  “This looks really great,” Hank interrupted. “What’s with Saturday?”

  “There’s no need to go over everything that’s already on the sheet,” Bull told Hank gently. “Saturday is Zach’s event. There’s an anime conference, and Zach is signing autographs and meeting fans. He and I will be there most of the day. And we thought that everyone should have some time to do what they wanted.” He squeezed Zach’s hand.

  “On Sunday we have a train to Florence, where we’ll spend three full days,” Zach continued. “I put together a schedule based on when things are open. You can look at that. I didn’t know if everyone wanted to go together or on their own. It’s up to you. But we can probably get reservations to climb the cathedral dome on Thursday morning before we leave.”

  “You think of everything,” Grant said with a smile. It was the first one Hank had seen, and he wished he’d been the one to instigate it.

  “Did we get the Pompeii tour?” Angus asked in his light Scottish accent. He was Kevin’s husband and a firefighter. A trip to Pompeii had been the one thing he’d requested.

  “That’s on Friday,” Zach explained, and Angus sat back, putting his arm around Kevin, the two of them sharing a smile. “Check the sheet. We need to be up and ready to leave, in the city, by seven.” He weaved through the group to Grant.

  “How much do I owe for all this? I’m assuming most of it is booked already,” Grant asked.

  “Danny paid for his share, and since he backed out, he isn’t getting his money back,” Hank told him. “You’ll pay for your food and half the hotel, as well as your flight and train tickets. The rest is all taken care of.” He was grateful that Zach had found him a roommate. The trip was stretching his resources as it was. He wasn’t going to back out, but having to pay the whole hotel bill for the entire trip would really have taxed his savings. Now at least it was within what he’d budgeted. Though being in a hotel room with Grant for two weeks was going to be hell. Just sitting next to him was already raising the temperature in the room. Not that this attraction was bad, but he couldn’t go there. Not now. His life was already complicated enough.

  “Maybe Zach said something about that. There’s been a lot to remember, with the flights and train tickets and all. But I got them.”

  Zach nodded and went on. “After Florence, we’ll take the train to Venice. Again, we’re staying a little out of the city center itself. It’s within a twenty-minute to half-hour walk, but the hotel was significantly less expensive and had more amenities, including air-conditioning and a refrigerator in the room. I have the tours listed that we agreed on, and they are all booked. You’ll have plenty of time on your own to explore things in both Florence and Venice. It’s only the schedule for Rome that’s so tight.”

  “I want to see Bull in his costume,” Tristan teased with a wink.

  “Costume?” Grant asked.

  “The hero of my comic is Bull. My Bull is the inspiration, and when we go to conventions and things, he comes as the character. The fans love it,” Zach explained. “You’re all welcome to come to the signing. Tickets are required, and I’ll have to know now so I can get them.” When no one spoke up, Zach continued. “Then take the day to see whatever you want to. You’re in Rome, after all.” He sat down. “Are there any questions?”

  “The train tickets to Newark. Do you know how much they are?” Grant asked, and Zach answered. Spook pulled out his checkbook, wrote one out, and handed it to Zach. The others did the same. Hank didn’t have his with him, and Grant didn’t either.

  “Don’t worry about it. I can get the tickets and you can pay me when you see me,” Zach said as he took the other checks. “I’ll just go ahead and get them this week, then email the tickets to you. There’s a stop right at the airport, so all you’ll need to do is get yourself to the train station on time. I figure Bull and I will Uber it so we don’t have to pay to park all that time.”

  “What about meals?” Grant asked. “Is anything included with the hotels?”

  That was a good question. It seemed Grant needed to watch his budget the same as Hank, which was a relief. At least he wasn’t going to want to go out to expensive places that Hank wasn’t going to be able to afford.

  “A light breakfast is included each morning. It isn’t likely to be what we’re used to. The rest is up to us.”

  “And cash?” Hank asked, wondering if he should get some from the bank.

  Harry stood. “Make sure you have a chip ATM card and then get your cash from a bank machine over there. You’ll get the best rate—a lot better than the currency exchange booths. And it’s easier, with few lines. I will have some euros, and I believe Bull and Lowell do as well. If you need something sooner, one of us can help you out.”

  “Cool,” Grant said softly.

  “Does everyone have a passport?” Bull asked.

  Grant shook his head. “I applied for mine as soon as I knew I was going. I’m waiting for it to come. The check was cashed, so I’m hoping it will be soon.” He bit his lip and tapped his leg. “I paid for expedited processing and everything.” Hank could almost feel Grant’s anxiety and excitement, which surprised him. He didn’t want Grant to be worried or upset.

  “Then it will be coming soon,” Spook told him. “Give it a week, and if you don’t see it, call me. I have a few connections.”

  Grant relaxed a little and snagged a few crackers, glancing at Hank. Dang, Grant was cute—compact, almost willowy, but not quite. But when their gazes met, there was some steel in his eyes. It was definitely attractive. Hank reminded himself that, going on a trip together or not, Grant was off-limits unless he wanted to send Danny around the bend. So far, there had been no further rehashes of their late-night conversation, and Hank wanted to keep it that way.

  “Anything else?” Zach asked. “If not, then help yourself to some refreshments while I get something a little more substantial.” Zach hurried away, and Jeremy went after him, presumably to help. Both of them always seemed to have so much energy—more than Hank had ever seemed to muster… at least lately.

  Hank’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered the text from his sponsor that he was okay and doing well. I’ll see you at the next meeting, he sent, then put the phone away again, glad for a little privacy.