Chapter Nineteen

Brad needed to replace a wall above Kendrick's bar because of water damage. It wasn't long, only a six-foot section. And it wasn't a supporting wall. That would have been a lot more labor-intensive. The leaky roof had been a problem for a while.

Brad had the old, rotted stuff pulled out, the wall rebuilt, and the first piece of drywall hung when the back door opened.

"Knock, knock." Kendrick smiled as he walked toward Brad. "Hi."

Kendrick kissed him without hesitation. The act seemed to come naturally. Their relationship had taken a turn. Trust was there. Maybe they hadn't had an issue with each other so much as them trusting themselves. It was something they had found together, which made it more special.

"Hi." Brad put the last drywall screw in and then put down his drill.

Kendrick studied Brad's work, running his hand across the white drywall. "Wow, you got a lot done. I heard you knocking around up here, so I expected something, but this all looks brand new."

Taking down the old wall had created a lot of noise. The banging around must have affected Kendrick. Brad wrapped him up in a hug. "Were you okay downstairs?"

Kendrick nodded. "I knew it was you making all the noise, so I was fine." He waved away the whole discussion and said, "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah."

"What would you like for lunch?"

Brad bent and nuzzled Kendrick's neck, licking and nipping his skin until Kendrick squirmed and chuckled. "You."

"I don't think I'd make a very good meal." Kendrick tilted his head to the side, giving Brad more room when his teasing turned to sensual kisses.

Kendrick's natural scent attracted Brad, making it impossible to keep things playful for long. Kendrick made Brad's blood heat and then it all went straight to his dick.

"I beg to differ."

"Brad." Kendrick's arms came around Brad's neck and he clung to him. "You're making me want you and I have to serve drinks later."

"That's a lot later." The bar didn't even open until four o'clock and most customers came in the evening. "We have time for something quick."

"I've created a monster, didn't I?" Kendrick moaned when Brad fell to his knees.

"A very horny one." Brad focused on undoing Kendrick's pants. He pushed them down just enough to expose Kendrick's cock and balls.

Kendrick had a nice cock. His skin there was a shade darker than the rest of him, and it had a bit of weight to it. If a cock could've been called pretty, Kendrick's would've fit that description. "You make it easy to want you," Brad whispered before licking the pearl of pre-cum off the tip.

Kendrick laced his fingers through Brad's hair, settling into Brad's ministrations. When Brad sucked it into his mouth, Kendrick moaned and thrust his hips forward on instinct.

Brad held Kendrick by the hips as he took the whole thing. He wasn't an expert at sucking cock, and he didn't want Kendrick's thrusts to choke him and ruin the mood. He liked the hard silk against his tongue. Reveled in it in ways he didn't expect.

Brad guided Kendrick's movements, taking control until he grew accustomed to having Kendrick in his mouth, and then Brad gave him free rein.

The sounds Kendrick made heated Brad's blood almost as much as sucking him. His breathing hitched until he couldn't hold in a moan. As soon as he moaned, the cycle started all over again.

He'd never understood the appeal of sucking a cock until he had one in his mouth. He liked it enough to free his cock, which wasn't a simple task with his tool belt on. He had to remove it before undoing his jeans, but he managed it all without taking his mouth off Kendrick.

As soon as he had his hand around his cock, he knew he wouldn't last long and that was okay because Kendrick managed to breathe out, "‘m close."

Brad quickened his hand, matching Kendrick's thrusts. Kendrick pushed his cock inside and stilled. Brad swallowed Kendrick's cum. The thrusts grew shallow and then stopped altogether.

Brad jacked himself twice before coming. Kendrick's cock fell out of his mouth, so Brad kissed the place right above it, burying his nose against Kendrick's skin to gather some more of his scent.

He rested his forehead against Kendrick's abdomen as he caught his breath. After he did, he righted Kendrick's clothing and then his own. Grabbing a roll of work towels and ripped one off before wiping his hand and then the floor before standing.

Kendrick wrapped his arms around Brad's waist, hugging him. Brad kissed the top of Kendrick's head and held him close.

They stayed like that for a good ten minutes before Kendrick's stomach grumbled in protest at the lack of food.

Brad chuckled. "Let's have lunch."

"Diner?" Kendrick spoke without moving away from the hug.

Brad winced. The diner was one of those places where he got the most grief about his past, so he avoided eating there. "Sure."

Kendrick didn't see Brad's reaction, so he plowed forward to the next thing on his mind. "You know, you don't have to stay at the bar with me if you don't want to."

"I wanted to be close to you. When we get back from lunch, I'll finish up here, go home to clean up, and then come back and stare at you all night as a reward for all my hard work." Brad grinned even though he wasn't teasing.

Kendrick pulled back enough to kiss him on the cheek. "Sweet man."

The diner was one of those seat yourself places. As long as Brad had been alive, nothing inside the restaurant had changed, including the décor. The booths had always been red or white Formica in alternate colors and that noisy, slick red plastic booth. And everyone in town had a favorite, usual place to sit. Even Brad, who hadn't been inside the restaurant in the two plus years he's been out of prison, sat at the same table he always had in the past. Six years had gone by since Brad was a free, fucked-up mess, and some things didn't change.

The only difference was Kendrick, who sat next to him instead of across the table. Brad rested his arm on the back of the seat, allowing Kendrick a little closer.

A black napkin dispenser and salt and pepper shakers sandwiched menus, holding them upright. Brad grabbed one and put it on the table for them to share. Kendrick picked it up and leaned into Brad so they both could see.

"I want a milkshake, but I know I won't be able to drink it and have a burger and fries too. Too much food." Kendrick met his gaze with a smile. "Want to share one with me?"

"Sure, baby."

"Which flavor do you like?"

"I'm easy. You choose."

"Strawberry." Kendrick held the menu for Brad. "Do you know what you're having?"

Brad nodded. "Burger and fries sound good to me too." And no one really went to the diner for anything else. That had changed little given what sat on the occupied tables. The diner tried to push other things, like a meatloaf that was on special and a fish basket, but they weren't very successful. Or hadn't been in the past.

A dark-haired woman sat in the booth next to theirs, facing them. She had a small child beside her and based on the blond head that popped up every few bounces, there was another in the seat across from her as well.

She looked familiar. He'd probably gone to high school with her because she seemed around his age.

She stared at them as if she were trying to figure out their relationship.

Kendrick seemed oblivious to the attention, so Brad tried to ignore it.

"So I was thinking about ordering pizza for the poker night party. Do you want to have beer or just keep it non-alcoholic?"

Brad knew what he was asking. Could he handle having beer at the party without being tempted? "I'll be fine either way, baby."

"Are you sure? Because I don't drink either so I don't have to have it, but do you think others will want it?" Kendrick's forehead creased.

"It's not a deal-breaker for any of my friends."

"Mine either, so maybe if someone asks for one, we'll grab them from the bar cooler, but otherwise we'll do soda and water. What do you think?"

Brad leaned in and kissed Kendrick on the lips. He kept it brief because they were in public and had an audience. "Do I get to make-out with you all night?"

"Absolutely." Kendrick grinned.

"Then I think we'll have a great time."

The server came over with the intent on getting their drink order but ended up getting their food order as well. "Brad Flynn. I'm surprised to see you in here. Considering the last time, you were drunk as hell and cursing up a storm."

Brad tried not to wince. The last thing he wanted to talk about was his past. He'd like to keep it behind him. He'd learned from it and gained perspective. But people in Pickleville didn't forgive very easily. Instead of saying what he really wanted to, he mumbled, "I don't eat out much."

Brad didn't even remember the server's name. He only knew she had always worked there since Brad could remember. The years hadn't been all that kind to her.

Kendrick pulled away long enough to meet his gaze. "It's been that long since you've eaten here?"

Brad nodded but didn't comment.

It was the server who said, "I see you've cleaned yourself up some. Good for you."

And with that, she left them to take care of the table with the nosy lady and her bouncing kids.

As soon as she left, Brad whispered, "I don't come because of all the gossip, but I like being here with you."

Kendrick smiled and nodded. "If you're sure."

Somewhere in the exchange with the server, Kendrick noticed the woman staring because he tried not to stare back all while trying to see if she still watched them. It was as if her eyes were permanently locked on them. Kendrick slid closer and closer to Brad until he pressed against him. Kendrick turned his face into Brad and closed his eyes. "Why is she staring?"

"I don't know, baby. If it bothers you, we can get the food to go." Brad put his arm around Kendrick, trying to make him feel a little more secure.

The waitress dropped off their drinks. She noticed Kendrick hiding and took in the surrounding area, putting two and two together. When she went over to the woman's booth, she said something that made the woman avert her gaze.

It was when the server walked by again, that Brad said, "Thanks."

"You let me know if someone makes you uncomfortable again. I'll take care of it." She seemed to study him. "You got right. I can tell. That means something in this town. You just don't show your face enough to know it yet." When her gaze landed on Kendrick, her eyes softened. "Maybe now you will."

"Maybe."