Chapter 24

Twenty-Four

Titus began crumpling up the wrappers from their lunch and putting them into the empty bag. "That was good. I'm still hungry. You gonna finish those?"

Pedro eyed him curiously. He handed Titus the last of his fries. "So, that's it? You're going to tease me like that, and then just move on without an explanation?"

"Sorry." Titus offered a clumsy grin. He looked at his watch again. "My fault. I jumped the gun about two minutes ahead of the big reveal."

"I don't understand."

"You will."

"I'm a little worried."

"Relax." Titus said, taking Pedro's hand. "No need to worry. I just want to propose something."

Pedro frowned, his confused look prompting Titus to continue.

"I think I know you pretty well now. You're a proud man. You work hard and with integrity. It's one of the many reasons I love you. You're not looking for a free ride. Never were. You're only satisfied when you earn something."

"This is true," Pedro said. He reached out, lightly caressing Titus's scruffy cheek. "And as handsome as you are, T, I can't just sit around a pool with you every day, no matter how tempting."

"I get that. Personally, I think you've earned it already—freedom, that is, citizenship. Working for Silas Compton for two and a half years is enough for anyone as far as I'm concerned."

"But it's not enough for the US government."

"Nope. And I'm powerless to change that. But it pains me to see you worry about it. Ever since the first day I met you, you've been skittish—about Silas, the town, the INS, what have you—and I don't want the man I'm crazy about always looking over his shoulder."

"I'm sorry. I just?—"

"No need to be sorry. You've had a storm cloud following you around for quite some time and I aim to be rid of it."

"Is it legal?" Pedro asked. "Please tell me it's legal."

Titus laughed. "Yes. I don't want either of us in jail again. But you will have to accept a wee bit of charity on my part— our part, I should say."

"I have to work, T. I need it. I enjoy being outside and I don't want you supporting me. I mean, I want you in my life, but not for your money. It's never been about that. It's more than that. I'm more than that."

"Yes. Yes, you are. And you're going to work, alright. Maybe even a little harder than you did before. But you won't be looking over your shoulder—that, I can promise."

Before Pedro could inquire further what Titus was getting to, the sound of a vehicle approaching interrupted them.

"Ah," said Titus. "Right on time." He stood, gesturing for Pedro to follow.

A large, white Chevy Silverado was pulling through the gate. Behind it, in tow, was a shiny black mesh trailer filled with landscaping equipment.

They met the truck in the driveway. The engine roared and Pedro could smell diesel.

"It's a C/K 2500, 6.5-liter turbo engine. A lot of pull," Titus shouted over its rumbling. "Brand new. Pretty, ain't it?"

Pedro nodded absently. The noise and smell of the engine, combined with its mysterious arrival, was a little surreal. He felt dazed.

Pedro couldn't see who was driving because the driver's side window was tinted. His eyes drifted below it to the green graphics and lettering which read:

TSA Landscaping

Torres, Shepherd,

and Abernathy,

Proprietors

Pedro looked to Titus, uncertain. The truck's engine cut off with a welcome hush, and Alden Abernathy opened the driver's door and hopped out.

"You must be Pedro," he said, extending his hand. He was a good-looking man, clean-cut and muscled. "Titus has told me a lot about you. I hear you're going to make a great business partner."

Pedro shook Alden's hand. With his other, he reached out and touched the shiny truck.

"This one's yours," Titus said, grinning. "I have two more on order. You're going to need to hire a crew. I thought you might find Carlos, get him back somehow, and anyone else you see fit. I think we can easily start with a three or four-man crew, maybe five. Winters are pretty mild here, and short. But I'm hoping you can come up with something in the off-season to help keep us rolling."

Pedro looked at both of them. They were standing before him, hands on hips, smiling. Big men. He could almost imagine them in their football gear, looking to him for direction as if he were the coach.

"Yes," he said, accepting the prompt. "We should expand… maybe tree removal, mulching. Silas wastes a lot. We could turn that waste into money."

Alden grinned big. "I like this guy, T. He sees opportunity. He's a keeper."

"I'll say." Titus countered, beaming. "Alden and I go way back, P. We've been friends and business partners for almost ten years now. We're used to winning. We think you'll make a substantial addition to our team."

Pedro gave a brief smile, but then emotion took over. His expression contorted and collapsed as tears began to flow. Titus opened his arms. "Come here," he said, and Pedro clutched him.

"No one has ever done anything like this for me. I can't tell you how much it means."

Titus squeezed him tight. "I love you, sweet P. I told you I am never letting you go. Woe to those who try to come between us."

"How do you like the name?" Alden asked, wandering back toward the truck to give them a moment. He traced his fingers over the stenciled vinyl. "TSA. I think it's kind of catchy."

Later that evening, Titus joined Pedro in bed.

"Is he asleep?" Pedro asked, regarding Tucker.

"Yeah. Out like a light. Food coma."

Roz had made a sublime dinner of ham, butter beans, turnip greens, baked macaroni and cheese, cornbread, and peach cobbler. Titus had clued her in on his surprise for Pedro in advance, and she had insisted on a celebratory meal. The delicious aroma had permeated the house all afternoon, obliterating any memories of their fast-food lunch. When she and Shelly left—taking plenty for her own family—Titus, Tucker, and Pedro had gorged themselves. Afterward, they attempted to watch a movie but could barely hold their eyes open.

Pedro rolled over to his side and rubbed Titus's full belly.

"Ooh. Don't press too hard."

"I guess sex is out of the question."

Titus cut him some side-eye. "You know better than that. Just give me a half-hour to settle. If we're still awake, I'll be ready."

"If we're still awake, I'll be surprised."

They lay there still, silent for a while. Finally, Titus spoke. "You've been quiet about our proposed landscaping venture. Is everything OK?"

Pedro was tracing his finger on Titus's chest. "I'm still processing it all. I've never been a business owner before. I'm not sure what it entails."

"You just do what you do, keep making things beautiful. I'll handle the rest. I was more of a silent partner with our printing business. Alden is going to swap places with me on this. We all have a third of the business, but his is more for investment."

"But you had to put my share up for me."

"Yeah. That's the wee bit of charity I mentioned."

"It's just… so much. I don't know what to think."

"Look. If it makes you feel better, you can pay me back down the road. But it's unnecessary and I hope you come to realize that. I'm in this for the long haul. I love you, remember?"

Pedro draped his arm over Titus, resting his head on Titus's shoulder. "Love you, too. Sorry it took a little longer to convince myself. I'm just not as brave as you. You make decisions much faster than me."

"That's a good partnership, don't you think? Yin and yang. You're methodical, I'm impulsive. You're the brains, I'm the brawn. You're beauty, I'm the beast."

"Hardly. You're a big pussycat."

"Shh. Don't tell anybody."

"I don't know how I'll ever thank you enough."

"I can think of a few ways."

Pedro ignored the innuendo. "It's not just the business, T. Everything… love, prosperity, the American dream at my fingertips."

"And no worry," Titus added.

"I've never had so much. You saw my belongings."

"What's mine is yours, including the business. I just need you here with me and Tucker. I never want that to change. You're working toward citizenship again and you're my partner, in multiple ways."

"You're very good at getting what you want," Pedro teased, "weaving various ties to secure me to you."

"It's my secret plan."

"It's working."

"Good."

"A little overwhelming still, but working. What about customers?"

"That's my job. We've already got the courthouse, the town square, and all the city properties because of Daddy. Oh, he and Momma are coming for dinner on Sunday, by the way."

"I look forward to it."

"We've got the schools because, well, football," he said, needing no more explanation there. "I spoke with Principal Bradley about a contract. He seemed thrilled to have the Shepherd name connected with the school again. He's already asking me how soon before Tucker can play."

Pedro rolled his eyes.

"And, of course, Barb will let us have the Hawthorne House."

"Those are all big accounts," Pedro said. "They're also all Silas's."

"Were."

"Does he know yet?"

"I told him. In fewer words."

"He'll have to start all over."

"Or find another town. I really don't care."

Pedro's brow furrowed, his expression conflicted.

" He falsely accused you of a felony and had you put in jail ," Titus said, enunciating each syllable for exaggerated clarity.

"I know. I'm just?—"

"Kind. Another reason I love you. But I refuse to be kind when someone attempts to destroy what we have. Silas Compton will regret the day he ever tried. It also feels a little like retribution for Timmy, the kid he beat up in school. I don't like bullies."

"What about us being a couple? You don't think that will deter business?"

Titus shrugged. "Maybe some. That's why it's good to have Alden on board. Nostalgia sells. We led the high school dream team. People remember that."

"But my name is on the logo too. First, in fact."

"That's because it's my gift to you. If people don't like it… well, tough. I want to make this town more inclusive. It's a lofty goal, I know. But I'm hoping you'll help me lead by example. No shame. We're a couple. If people can't handle it, then they can move on."

"I'm proud to be your man, Titus."

"I'm proud to be your man, Pedro."

"My mother is going to love you."

Titus sat straight up, wide-eyed. "Wait. How long did you say until you can apply for citizenship?"

"Two and a half years to go, plus it takes about six months to process getting her over here."

"Three years?!" Titus blurted. "That's way too long."

"Not if I'm with you, my amazing man who takes care everything. She can visit some in the meantime."

Pedro pulled Titus back down. They kissed deeply, pressing their bodies together, Pedro relishing the weight of Titus's immense frame, forcing him deeper into the mattress. And even though he knew Titus was ready for love—feeling the oh-so-sweet and promising swell in his boxers—Pedro sensed that his lover's mind was elsewhere, calculating ways to cheat time.