Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Ford flexed his fingers and rolled his shoulders. He’d had several Mohs surgeries, which took intense concentration and precision. As he finished his charts, a glance at the clock told him it was close to four. It was Friday afternoon, and they were closing early for the holiday weekend.

He sighed and rubbed his face. He really wished Nico could’ve found a way to visit, but he understood.

A quick knock on his door, and Marisol poked her head in. “Dr. St. Claire, why are you still here?”

He smiled. “I could ask you the same.”

“Oh, my boyfriend has to work late.” She made a face. “He’s a manager at Publix, and since it’s a holiday, they want everyone in. You couldn’t pay me to go to a supermarket on a holiday weekend. But we’re going to a barbecue at my neighbor’s. Maybe the beach, and definitely a movie where it’s cool.”

“Well, I have no fun plans. Maybe I’ll go through my closet and get rid of things I didn’t wear this summer and donate them.”

“Nooo, Dr. St. Claire. That’s no way to spend your weekend.” She hesitated. “Eva said you met someone in New York City.” At his surprised expression, she ducked her head. “She overheard Dr. Nova tell Dr. Diamond. I’m sorry if I’m prying, but can’t he come visit you?”

“You’re not prying. We’ve known each other over five years. And yes, I asked him if he could come visit, but his work is in tourism, and Labor Day Weekend is very big in New York City.”

Marisol cocked her head. “So why don’t you go see him?”

Ford sighed. “I’ve already gone there twice this summer.”

She rolled her eyes. “That was business. This is for pleasure.”

He could feel his face grow warm. “Uh, well, when I asked him, he didn’t suggest I come see him. If he wanted me to come, I figure he would’ve asked me.”

Muttering to herself, Marisol raised her gaze to the ceiling. “Madre de Dios. Men. You’re so dense. He probably doesn’t want to ask you to come up again. I bet he’d love it if you surprised him. What do you have to lose?”

Ford thought about Marisol’s words as he drove home, and while taking a shower. It was crazy…wasn’t it? To pick up and go to New York on a whim, to see someone he didn’t know all that well? But he put all that out of his mind, recalling Nico’s passion. His searing kisses and delicious mouth on his dick. Even more importantly, he wanted to hear more about the conversation Nico had with his mother. Despite Nico saying all was good, having life-altering news like that dropped in your lap wasn’t something a person talked about once and brushed aside. It stayed in your mind and heart. Ford wanted to be there for him if he needed to talk. Or simply wanted to be held.

“I’m an idiot, I know.” Still, he booked a ten p.m. flight to New York and hastily tossed things into a carry-on. In the Uber on the way to the airport, he thought about telling Nico, but remembered Marisol’s words: “I bet he’d love it if you surprised him.”

“Let’s hope so.”

Since he only had a carry-on and PreCheck, he didn’t need to wait all that long. On the plane, he almost texted Nico, but instead, came up with a better idea.

“This is gonna be fun.”

**

He again stayed at the Knickerbocker and woke up the following morning with anticipation thrumming through his body. He’d never done anything so reckless, and he couldn’t stop grinning as he ate his yogurt and fruit. A check of his watch, and he motioned the server over.

“Can you charge it to my room?”

“Of course.”

He signed the receipt, added a tip, and hurried out the door. The red-and-blue bus Nico worked for sat at the curb, and from afar, he spotted Nico’s dark, wavy hair. Ford’s heart pounded as he walked over and waited in line. Nico’s eyes met his as he took the tickets from people farther up ahead, and his jaw dropped. At his turn, he handed Nico the ticket.

“Surprise.”

Those blue-green eyes glowed. “Doc, nice to see you again. Here for business?”

“No.” Ford’s happy smile matched Nico’s. “This time, I’m hoping it’s purely pleasure.”

“I think that could be arranged.”

Ford took a seat in the front this time, to be able to watch Nico in action. He settled in and listened to Nico tell his funny stories about getting trapped in the elevator on the ninetieth floor of the Empire State Building, his favorite non-touristy place to get food in Chinatown, and where to find the best sales in Macy’s Herald Square.

When the ride ended, he waited for the last person to get off.

Nico stood at the door. “I have four more trips on my shift today. I can’t spend the day with you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” Ford held up four tickets. “I bought a ticket for each one.”

Nico blinked. “That’s…are you kidding? You didn’t have to do that. I could’ve met you after.” He cast his gaze downward for a moment. “I-I have to work tonight too.”

Ford crossed his arms. “Funny enough, I’m really, really hungry for some eggplant parmigiana. Maybe you know where I can get some.” He winked. “With some special Andretti sauce on the side.”

“That’s the extra-spicy kind. Sure you can handle it?” Nico was everything deliciously wicked and tempting.

“Challenge accepted.”

Nico held out his hand. “Ticket please. The next tour is starting.”

They stopped for lunch, and Nico seemed a bit disconcerted. “I, uh, I usually just pick up something quick, like a sandwich or something.”

Ford took his arm and led him to the side. “Do you really think I care what we eat?”

Nico leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Tuna or turkey?”

Ford held him for a second. “Turkey. Mustard. Whole wheat.”

They ate their sandwiches at one of the small tables set out in the open spaces. Nico kept darting glances at him. “I still can’t believe you came.”

Ford popped the last piece of his sandwich into his mouth. “It was either that or clean out my closet. You won.”

“Ha-ha. I’m just sorry we can’t do stuff while you’re here.”

“Hmm, and here I thought you’d be happy to be able to stay in the hotel so you wouldn’t have to take the train all the way in every morning.”

In the middle of wiping his hands, Nico stopped. “You want me to stay with you the whole weekend?”

“You sound surprised.” Ford leaned forward. “I came to spend time with you. Here in the restaurant or anywhere. It’s not the place that matters. It’s who you share it with.”

The tension built in the air between them, and if they weren’t outdoors surrounded by thousands of people in the heart of Times Square, he would kiss Nico until neither of them could breathe.

Nico’s tanned cheeks grew red. “That sounds good to me.” He chewed on his lip. “Uh, my mother and Aunt Justine will probably be at the restaurant tonight.”

“Is that a statement or a warning?” Ford joked. “I’m okay with meeting them if you want me to.”

“Just giving you a heads-up. They’ll probably have lots of questions.”

“It’ll be fine,” Ford reassured him, with more confidence than he felt. His infrequent interactions with Lenny’s parents had left him slightly sick to his stomach. It wasn’t easy spending hours with people who didn’t think you were fit to clean their toilets.

Nico crumpled up the wrappers and stuffed them into the takeout bags. “Time to boogie.”

Ford liked the quick pace of New Yorkers, who always seemed to be in a rush to get where they were going. Nico explained certain things that made a person stand out as a tourist.

“First is slow-walking. Like, this ain’t a stroll down memory lane. Keep it moving.” He windmilled his hands. “Second is standing at the top of the subway steps to check your phone.” Nico huffed. “Move the fuck outta the way. People need to get past you.” Ford pressed his lips together to smother a smile. “Third is you all standing at the corner, waiting to cross when there’s no car. Cross. You ain’t gonna get killed if there’s no car in sight. Fourth, when you’re on line to order your coffee or whatever, make sure you know what you want when you get to the cashier. Don’t stand there with your head in the clouds and take twenty minutes to figure out how you want your fucking coffee.”

“On line?” Ford’s brow wrinkled. “We stand in line.”

Nico patted his cheek. “And that’s number five.”

Ford busted out laughing. “You have very strong opinions.”

Nico shrugged. “I’m from New York. I like what I like and want what I want.” Ocean-blue eyes captured his, and Ford’s breaths grew short.

“I’m from Florida, and I feel the same.”

Four hours later, Nico finished his shift. Ford pulled out his phone to call a car, but Nico frowned.

“Saturday evening in the city on a holiday weekend? No fucking way am I letting you waste over a hundred dollars on an Uber. We’ll take the train.”

They fast-walked to the station, which was packed. Nico said this was normal, and they didn’t get a seat until the train passed Smith and 9th Street in Brooklyn. At first, having heard the stories of how dangerous riding the train could be, Ford was a little apprehensive, but being with Nico, sitting beside him with their thighs pressed together, all his misgivings melted away.

They reached 77th Street, and he followed Nico to the restaurant. It was filled to capacity, as Nico had told him to expect, and Joey growled at him.

“Where you been…ohhh, well…hello.” The frown turned upside down when Ford stepped through the door. “What’re you doin’ here? Nico, you dog, you didn’t say you were havin’ company this weekend. How you doin’?”

Ford shook his hand. “I’m well. And Nico didn’t know. I surprised him.”

“Yeah?” Teresa bustled up to them, and Ford kissed her cheek. “I love a surprise. Ford, so nice to see ya. I wish I could chat, but I gotta go take Mrs. Carlucci’s order.” She hurried away.

Nico nudged Ford’s shoulder. “I’m sorry to leave you, but I gotta go to work.”

“Not just yet, lover boy.” Joey put an arm around Nico and leaned in close to both of them. “You gotta introduce him to your mother and mine. They haven’t stopped staring since you walked in the door.”

“Marone a mia,” Nico groaned. Ford pressed his lips together in a futile attempt not to laugh. “All right. C’mon, Ford. It’s not gonna get any better if we wait.”

It was quite a different experience meeting Nico’s mother and aunt than it was Lenny’s parents all those years ago. Lenny had brought them all to the Ritz Carlton for dinner, and later Ford wondered if it was to forestall a scene, as his mother would never create drama in public. The years after were no better. Ford could count on one hand the number of times they’d had a conversation in twenty years.

In contrast, Nico’s mother was all smiles when he stood in front of her. Nico held his hand.

“Ma, this is Ford. He surprised me and came for a visit this weekend.”

“That’s such a thoughtful thing to do. Right, Justine? Nice to meet you, Ford. Call me Joanne. We’re not formal here.”

“It’s my pleasure, Joanne.” Nico’s mother was beautiful, her skin smooth and unlined. She wore little makeup, and her silver hair lay in thick waves to her shoulders.

“And my aunt Justine, my mother’s sister.”

“Hiya, Ford.” Justine was a slightly younger version of Joanne, but her hair was dark brown.

“Hi, you’re Joey’s mother? He’s a great guy, and Teresa is so nice.”

Her face brightened. “She’s a doll. And Joey’s a good kid.”

“How long are you gonna stay?” Joanne asked.

“Only until Tuesday. Then it’s back to the office for me.”

“Siddown, Ford.” She patted the empty chair beside her. “Let’s talk awhile. Nico’s gotta go help. We’ll keep Ford company.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Nico muttered. “Don’t bombard him with questions, please.” He kissed his mother and aunt. “I’ll bring you somethin’ to eat. You want that eggplant parm? Or something lighter?”

Without giving him a chance to respond, Joanne spoke up. “Bring him a little something of everything to taste. We got ziti Siciliana with the eggplant inside. That’s a special tonight. He needs to know what good food is. And some more garlic bread.”

“I’m good with anything. I know it’s all delicious. I haven’t stopped thinking of the meal I had here. Nothing tasted good after that.”

“That’s ’cause it’s made with love,” Joanne stated, and Nico sighed like a martyr.

“It’s okay,” Ford reassured him. “I’ll eat whatever you bring.”

Nico hurried off, and Ford was left with the two women staring at him. He prepared himself for the barrage of questions he was certain was coming.

“So…you met Nico on his bus route?” Joanne began.

“Yes. I’d left my wallet on the seat, and luckily, he found it. He returned it, and later that night I saw him at a bar and we talked some more.”

Her gaze sharpened. “You’re older than him. Closer to my age, I’m thinkin’.”

Ouch. Ford hadn’t considered that perspective. “I’m forty-two.” He held his breath, wondering if she’d tell him he was too old for her son.

“That’s fourteen years older than Nico. Maybe that’s a good thing.” She eyed him speculatively. “Nico needs someone steady, not these guys who only like him because he’s good-lookin’. He’s got ambition, you know? My boy’s got a head on his shoulders.”

“I agree. He’s smart and determined. I’m sure he’ll do well no matter what he chooses to do.”

“But you’re livin’ there, in Florida. How do you think that’s gonna work with you two?”

Seemed like Joanne had him and Nico in a relationship, but the two of them hadn’t discussed it yet. Ford wasn’t sure how to answer, but the truth had always worked, so he said, “We haven’t really talked about that. We’re still getting to know each other.”

Nico brought over plates of calamari with dipping sauce, garlic bread, stuffed mushrooms, and antipasto—cheese, peppers, salami, and prosciutto-wrapped melon.

“You two behaving?” He fixed the women with a stare, but they merely smiled.

“We’re getting to know each other.”

“Oddio!” Nico raised his eyes to the ceiling, and touched Ford’s shoulder. “Have some of this. The mains are coming soon.”

“I could survive on just this. It all looks amazing.”

“This? Pah, this is nothin’. Some nibbles for the table.” Joanne arched a brow. “Obviously, you didn’t grow up in an Italian home. Food is love.”

Ford’s hand trembled as he chose a stuffed mushroom. “No, I didn’t. Definitely not.”

She patted his free hand. “Well, you’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

The rest of the evening passed quickly, and Ford was again, as he was the time before, filled to the brim with delicious pasta—three different types—as well as chicken and fish. To Joanne and Justine’s dismay, he turned down dessert, but Nico backed him up.

“Ma. It’s enough. We’re gonna go. Joey an’ Tre are gonna cash out and walk you home.”

“Go, go. I know you two wanna be alone.”

Ford’s face grew hot, and Justine laughed. “Aww, he’s blushin’. So cute. But your mother is right. Go on. We’ll take care of everything.”

Ford rose to his feet. “It was wonderful meeting you both, and thank you for sharing your dinner table with me.”

Joanne waved him off. “Wait until you come to the house. You’ll see.”

He didn’t know how to respond, so he kissed her cheek, then Justine’s. “I hope to see you again.”

With Nico by his side, they left the restaurant, and he pulled out his phone to order a car. Nico put his hand over the screen.

“Do you still want me to stay the night?”

Ford’s heartbeat raced. “I want you to stay the whole weekend. If you can.”

Nico’s grin lit up his face. “Yeah. I’d like that. So I’m gonna need to go to my place and pick up some things. Can we go there first?”

“Of course.” He was eager to see where Nico lived. Fact was, he wanted to know everything about him.

They reached the house and walked inside. Ford had never known buildings like this, houses all in a row, attached on both sides. Some, like Nico’s, had apartments on the ground level.

“This is so different from where I live,” he remarked, watching Nico put clothes and accessories in an overnight bag. “They don’t have houses like this.”

“Yeah? I’ll bet. These were built about seventy-five years ago. My grandfather bought it for peanuts. My aunt Justine lives on the next block, Joey and Tre live around the corner, and my best friends, Anthony and Jack, are a coupla blocks away.” Nico finished and stood in front of him. “I’m ready.”

Ford leaned in and kissed Nico. “I am too.”

Nico dropped the bag, cradled his face in his hands, and deepened their kiss. Ford moaned and held on to Nico’s shoulders, fearing his legs might give way. Their tongues battled, teased, and tangled, and he ran his hands over Nico’s broad, hard chest.

“I wanted to do this all night,” Nico’s husky voice rasped in his ear, and Ford’s breath hitched. “I can’t wait to show you more.”

“I want that.” Ford gasped when Nico’s fingers danced up and down the length of his straining cock. “I want it all.”

“And you’re gonna get it.” Nico took his hand and placed it over the thick bulge in his pants. “Let’s go.”