22. Chapter Twenty-two

Chapter Twenty-two

"Why on earth are we stoppin' at the damn flower shop?" Danny Johnson did what he did best—he complained.

Mickey just chuckled at his cantankerous attitude, especially considering Dan was still a young man. Kayley was in the back seat of the crew cab in a booster seat Mickey had bought for Megan. Dan didn't have a sitter that weekend, so they'd all vowed to pitch in to help him out with his niece since Zach was still in DC and couldn't get away.

"Ixnay on the ussin'cay." Mickey slapped Dan on his thigh.

They'd gotten to be damn good friends since their night of drunken bonding, and Mickey had babysat Kayley a few times so Danny could go to Roanoke. The man never said why he went, just that he needed to go, and Mickey supported his friend.

Of course, the trips stopped altogether about two weeks prior, and Danny had been in a pissed-off mood ever since. Mickey had asked him what was going on, but the man was like a damn vault. He wouldn't entertain questions regarding his personal life from anyone, so he just walked away when he didn't want to talk.

"We need to pick up the table centerpieces for tonight. The new florist in town, Felipe, called this mornin' to say his delivery van had an accident yesterday, so he'd make a few trips out to bring everything, but he might be late. Tim went into a panic attack and told the man we could stop by and pick up stuff because we have the truck. The other boys have the tables and chairs, so we're gonna get the flowers. Why are you so damn crabby?" Mickey was exasperated by his friend's mood.

Danny glanced over his shoulder to the back seat before he turned to Mickey. Kayley had Mickey's iPhone and was listening to music with earbuds in her little ears, so Mickey hoped Danny would be honest.

"My Aunt Rae called me and wants me to give her custody of Kayley. I talked to my mom about it, and she said she thinks it's best for Kayley, but I just… Sweet Pea's lost her momma, and she lived with my mom for three years before Mom got cancer, and now she lives with me." Mickey could see the worry on Danny's face.

"And you don't want her to live with your aunt?" Mickey wasn't sure what to say. Based on Danny's expression, it was a touchy subject for sure.

"I'm afraid if I send her to live with Aunt Rae, that poor little girl is gonna think she's got nobody to count on. Momma said every little girl needs a mommy, and obviously, I'm not a mommy, nor am I the mommy-type. Hell, the only experience I had with kids before Kayley came to live with me was Ryan. I'm at a loss of what to do." Danny's confession was heartfelt, as evidenced when the man wiped his eyes.

Mickey put his hand on Danny's arm that was resting on the console. "Dan, I won't say little girls don't need mommies, but I firmly believe what a kid needs more than anything is someone—man or woman—who loves ‘em and lets ‘em know they're the most important thing to somebody.

"Why don't you talk to Jon? He's damn smart, and if you don't want him as your lawyer, his best friend is one of the other best family law attorneys in the state. I can get ya her number so you can call her next week." Mickey squeezed Danny's forearm before he returned his right hand to the steering wheel.

Danny sniffled, and Mikey glanced over in time to see the gruff man wiping his eyes again. "Come on, that can't be all that's botherin' ya. You might as well tell Uncle Mick all that ails ya. I can't fix your life if I don't know what's wrong."

Mickey was teasing in hopes of easing the tension. The weekend was meant to be filled with love because it was a wedding weekend. Mickey didn't want Danny's dour mood to drag things down.

"I helped my ex move to Roanoke for a new job a while back. That's where I went those times you watched Sweet Pea for me. I guess I always thought we'd work somethin' out in the long-term and get back together. I just found out that's not gonna happen. I didn't realize a heart could fall out of love so fast as to move on in about six weeks. I couldn't make a commitment because of Mom being sick and me having Kayley, but I thought we were just takin' a break. Seems I'm the fool this time."

Mickey felt his heart in his throat. Hearing the broken sound from Danny made his chest hurt. "I'm sorry, Dan. What's the diagnosis for your mom?"

"The doctors told us Mom's cancer is gettin' progressively worse, even with the chemo and radiation. Zach and I are gonna put her into a nursin' facility, and that decision is eatin' at my gut. I'd take care of her if I could, but she needs a lot of help, and it's all I can do to keep up with Kayley, right now.

"Fuck, it might be better if Aunt Rae takes Kayley. I'm a broke down cowhand with a steel rod in my leg, Mick. I'm twenty-seven, and I feel like I'm eighty. I'm just ‘bout ready to throw in the towel and move off into the mountains somewhere."

Mickey pulled into the parking lot of the strip mall where the new flower shop, Florals by Felipe, had opened a month prior. Before he could respond, they both heard the seat belt click in the back.

Mickey's phone was dropped into the front seat, and a very sweet gasp came from Kayley. "Oh, can we go see the pretty flowers? I love flowers," the girl whispered as she looked over the bucket seat, out the window of the truck to the storefront window.

There were daisy chains painted around the edge of the large, front window in a whimsical fashion, and the name of the shop was done in pink and black. Mickey thought it looked cute. "Yes, ma'am, Miss Kayley. We're goin' in there to pick up stuff for Timmy and Matt's rehearsal dinner tonight."

Without waiting for Danny to respond, Mickey hopped out and adjusted his ball cap. He opened the back door of the truck and picked up Kayley, placing her on the ground because she didn't like to be carried, unlike the new love of his life, Megan.

That child loved to be carried when anyone would oblige her, and Mickey knew he would take the opportunity to spoil her every chance he could. She was amazing.

Kayley hiked up her jeans and pulled down her shirt as she quickly walked to the front door of the establishment. Before Mickey or Danny could get to her, she was inside. Mickey turned to the truck to stare at his friend. "Well, come help me, lazy ass."

Danny rolled his eyes before he hopped out of the truck and followed Mickey and Kayley into the shop. Mickey glanced around once he was inside, seeing there were various fresh arrangements on display, along with some silk arrangements interspersed with fancy, little knickknacks.

Mickey picked up Kayley, placing her on the counter as they heard movement from a back room, likely prompted by the tinkling bell over the front door. A man came through a door with a large bucket of white carnations.

"Hello."

The man greeted them cheerfully before he walked to the refrigerated case and placed the bucket inside. He pulled one flower out and walked behind the counter, breaking the long stem in half before he handed it to Kayley.

"A pretty flower for a pretty young lady. How may I help you?" The man smiled at Kayley.

Mickey judged the man to be about forty. His skin was tanned, but he didn't have a sun-ravaged look, so it was hard to tell how old he was exactly. There was silver in his dark hair, and when he smiled, there were crinkles around his eyes. Mickey thought the man was damn handsome.

"We're here to pick up an order for Collins—or maybe Moran. I'm not sure. It's centerpieces and some pin-on things, I think, for a weddin' rehearsal dinner." Mickey wasn't sure about the arrangements. He just wanted to help.

Danny laughed. "They're called boutonnieres, Mick, and there should be corsages for the mothers."

"Pardon me, mon-sour." Mickey loved teasing Danny because the guy was so easily pissed off.

Mickey turned to the Hispanic man with the handsome face and bright smile. "I believe you told us your van was in an accident. Tim asked us to get the flowers."

"Ah, yes. Phil!" The man called for someone, and it startled Kayley, who dropped her flower. When a hunky man slowly walked out from the back, Mickey was stunned.

The guy was as big as Matt Collins, but he had bronzed skin, dark hair, and sparkling eyes. His longer hair was pulled back into a leather wrap, revealing a bit of scarring on the side of his neck, but the smile on his face made him look like a model for a men's fitness magazine.

"Hello. What can I do for you?" The man's gaze settled on Kayley, who was holding the carnation again, though the stem was broken. He walked a bit closer, offering her a smile.

Kayley said nothing, though her eyes held steady on the man. "How about I fix this?" He took the flower and pulled off the stem, sliding the blossom behind her right ear. He chuckled before he pinched her cheek, bringing a smile.

The other man cleared his throat as Mickey stood nearby. "These folks are here for the Moran order. You finished?" Mickey turned to look at Danny, seeing his face a bright red as he studied the countertop.

"Sure. I'll bring them out the back if you'll pull around to the door," Phil told them. As he walked away, Mickey heard an odd, clicking sound. He noticed the man seemed to favor his left leg, but when he looked up, he noticed the other man staring at him, so he smiled and grabbed Kayley off the counter to head out to the crew cab.

Mickey had the feeling he might be seeing a side of Danny Johnson the man rarely exposed. He wasn't going to point it out or make a big deal out of it. He just hoped his friend could work through his issues and finally find some happiness for himself. He believed Danny deserved it.

"Harder, Jonny ! " Mickey pleaded in a harsh whisper. The rehearsal dinner was over, and those who were spending the night at the Circle C were in bed. Mickey had checked on Kayley and Megan, seeing they'd chosen to sleep in the bottom twin bunk along with a whole bunch of stuffed animals Danny brought over for Kayley. They both had cute smiles on their sleepy faces when they were choosing their bedmates, and after Rocky read them a story, they both went to sleep easily.

After the boys were settled downstairs, Mickey and Jon had taken a quiet shower together, and they were finally catching up on the missed time—aka missed sex. When Mickey was in Richmond, they were both so paranoid the kids would hear them, they just tangled together in bed and held each other. They were afraid to try anything more for fear of traumatizing Terrence and Megan, especially since they weren't certain how Terrence felt about homosexuals. He'd kept his feelings to himself, and they respected his opinion, so they'd kept everything G-rated.

During the festivities surrounding the rehearsal dinner, Mickey didn't take his eyes off Jon, and his skin burned to feel Jon's touch, outside and inside. That was why they were on the floor, Mickey on all fours with Jon behind him. Tim and Matt had switched out a double bed from downstairs for the old twin in Rocky's room after he and Ryan stopped sharing a room, and the damn thing creaked when they first got into it. They were both petrified it would wake the girls who were next door.

"God, baby, I'm trying to hold off. Stroke your cock, Mickey. Come with me. I wanna feel you clamp down on me when you shoot," Jon whispered into Mickey's ear as they fucked harder, sweat pouring off them despite the air-conditioning.

"I want you to suck me off after you come," Mickey whispered in response, trying to hold off himself. The feel of Jon's mouth on his hard cock was too good to pass up, so he wouldn't.

"O-Oh, God! I'm coming," Jon hissed as he released inside the condom. Mickey wanted them to get tested so they could do away with condoms, but he felt maybe he was jumping the gun. Jon hadn't intimated he was ready for more than just dating and based on what Mick had gleaned about the guy, he wasn't the serious type. Being in love was one thing—being in a monogamous, committed relationship was likely a step Jon wasn't interested in taking.

After Jon sucked him down his throat and swallowed everything Mickey had to give, the two of them settled on the bed with Mickey's head resting on Jon's sparse chest hair. Mickey loved to tug at the short, curly hair with his teeth because it made Jon laugh and squirm.

"I've missed ya," Mickey told his lover. Jon rested his left hand on Mickey's back, pulling him closer.

"I've missed you too, Mick. Damn, I hate fuckin' on the floor. My old bones are aching." Mickey vowed to himself to wake his man with a blow job to maybe ease the aches in the morning.

The two of them snuck into the bathroom down the hall to clean up. When they returned and settled into bed, Jon turned to rest his head on his hand as he studied Mickey.

"I picked up your suit. It's going to look amazing on you. You should see the dress Karen bought for Megan. Of course, I forced Terry to get a pair of slacks and a jacket, but he balked at the tie. Do you think Tim and Matt will be upset?"

Jon had taken Mickey to his favorite menswear shop to buy a new suit during Mickey's first visit to Richmond. The Italian tailor had measured Mickey as intimately as any doctor had ever examined him, and Jon had laughed as he watched the contortions on Mickey's face. "I feel violated," Mickey had told him, earning him another big laugh.

Thinking about the clothing issue reminded Mickey of the arguments at breakfast regarding the proper attire for the wedding. He was making pancakes and sausage as Matt and the boys were sitting at the table. Tim had to go to the feedstore to work with Dean on a problem with the inventory program, and Mickey could tell Matt was pissed at his sons.

"This suit bullshit y'all are arguin' about with Tim? You're wearin' a suit, Ryan Earl. Rocky, son, you're gonna wear one as well. This is Tim's first and only weddin', and we're gonna make it special for him. Gramma is takin' the two of you to Roanoke to get new ones, and you'll both behave like gentlemen, or we ain't goin' on the honeymoon y'all picked. I'll put the two of ya to work at Arlin Murphy's farm scoopin' up cowshit on fifty acres while I take Tim to the Bahamas. So, what are y'all gonna do this afternoon?" Matt demanded.

Mickey saw the boys look at each other for a brief moment before they turned to their dad. "We're gonna go get two suits for the weddin' since I've hit a growth spurt and Rock's never had one," Ryan responded.

Matt smiled and turned to Mickey. "How those pancakes comin'?" And that was the end of the arguing.

"Well, I think when Terry sees all the other boys in ties, he'll want one, which is why I ordered one for him from some slick website I found. I ordered matching ones for the two of you. They're green, which matches your eyes and will bring out the green flecks in Terry's hazel ones. I also bought Megan a cute little headband with green and purple flowers on it ‘cause I was pretty sure her dress would be some sort of purple. I love ya, Jonny. Sweet dreams."

Mickey settled with the lawyer in his arms, kissing the man's chest as he relaxed. It felt so good to fall asleep with Jon wrapped around him. It was a beautiful feeling Mickey had never anticipated in his life.

Mickey arrived at the barn at six the morning of the wedding, a broad smile on his face after a good night's sleep. When he walked into the barn hallway, he was surprised to see Tim, who wasn't a moody person by nature, crying his eyes out as he leaned against Ebony Prince Charles.

"Timmy, what's wrong?" Mickey asked as he began dropping hay flakes into the stalls of the residents of the barn.

"He didn't come home," Tim sobbed as he continued to gently brush Charlie. The horse loved to be groomed, just as Mickey was sure Matt did. He'd heard too much shit from their bedroom in the mornings, and he hoped he had similar things to be embarrassed about if he and Jon ever figured out how to settle together. The absences were too long.

Mickey laughed. "You can blame that on Miss Jeri and Aunt Katie. They decided you two needed the traditional break where the parties don't sleep together the night before the weddin', so after they all went out, Danny and Heath took Matt back to the Katydid to spend the night. From what I've been told by text, he passed out pretty quick."

"How come I didn't get a night out?" Tim walked out of Charlie's stall, closing the gate.

Mickey smiled and took the currycomb and brush from Tim's hands. "Because you're the one who's managin' this chaotic mess, and if you're not one hundred percent, we're up shit's creek. Timmy, you make sure everything's perfect 'round here, and Matt knows there won't be any surprises because Tim Moran is on the job. You give him the freedom to concentrate on the big picture because he knows damn well you've got the details covered. The whole insemination program wouldn't be as successful as it is if it wasn't for you managin' it so Matt could nurse his buckin' bull program and be the salesman he is, and you know it.

"Now, get your skinny ass up to the house and get ready for your wedding. I've got this," Mickey promised his best friend. After a hug, Tim hurried up to the house, and Mickey went back to work. The day was set to be a long one.

An hour later, Mickey was standing in Ryan's room trying to help Kayley and Megan get dressed while Jon was downstairs with the boys. Thankfully, Tim was in a better mood after breakfast, so the festivities were back on track.

"Okay, ladies, we have to decide about the hair. I'm not an expert on ladies' fashion, but I'll try my best." Mickey wasn't sure how to tame Megan's wild brown curls and Kayley's wavy blonde hair.

There was a knock on the door, and when Jon walked in with Aunt Katie, he had a big smile on his face. "Ah, reinforcements, fantastic," Mickey joked as he stepped back.

"Let's go take a walk downstairs while Miss Katie finishes up with the girls," Jon suggested.

Mickey grabbed his new suit jacket and nodded, kissing each girl on the forehead before he left the room. He followed Jon downstairs and out onto the back porch. There were glasses of sparkling wine on a tray, and when Jon grabbed two, handing one to Mickey, the look on his face had Mick concerned. It was a smile, but it seemed to be a worried one.

"Before we get caught up in their wedding, I wanted to toast you. You've embarked on this journey with me, Terry, and Meggie, without questioning if I've lost my damn mind, and I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me, Mick.

"I love you. I've been honest about that, but I just wanted to remind you how much I love you. We need to settle in the same place, Mickey." Jon's nervous smile on display.

Mickey leaned forward and kissed Jon on his soft, full lips. When he pulled away, he cleared his throat. "I don't know the Bible 'cause we didn't ever go to church when I was a boy, and with what happened to me at Lola's hand, I have no love for any religious who come around, but I will pledge my love to you with everything inside me, Jonny. Those two beautiful children? I'll love them like they're our own if they're in our lives. I truly love you, and I'll do my very best to take care of you, all three of you." Mickey gave the man another soft kiss.

"I don't know if I believe in marriage, Mick. I've seen how much people can tear each other up because of a failed marriage, but…that being said, I want us to make a life together. You and me, and those two kids if fate blesses us. Would you do that with me?" Jon held Mickey's hands in his, taking his breath away as well.

Mickey chuckled. "Hey, I don't have any great role models with regard to marriage either, so I'm open to whatever you wanna suggest. I'd guess we have a lot to consider, right?"

Jon wrapped his arms around Mickey's shoulders and kissed his cheek. He nuzzled into his ear and licked it. "We don't have a time clock over our heads, so we figure this out as we want, right? I love you and want a life with you, Mick."

All Mickey could do was nod in agreement. He certainly did love the man, and yes, a life with Jon Wells was everything his heart desired.