Chapter 6

Chapter Six

"I thought we'd take a walk downtown to see what's going on," Austin said Monday morning. "Neither of you needs to go in today, so let's make the most of it. Things should be open, and maybe we could have lunch somewhere." He felt like it was time for him to get out. He'd spent the weekend looking for job openings, and while there were plenty, none of them really appealed. Austin had waited tables for years while he'd been trying to get his modeling career off the ground, but wasn't particularly interested in stepping back into that business.

"Sounds good," Randy said, looking up from the class materials that he was reviewing. "What do you think, Weaver?" Randy turned as Weaver stepped to the bottom of the stairs, rubbing his eyes.

"That I was up way too late last night reviewing case notes." He yawned, his shirt riding up. Austin couldn't resist the strip of warm flesh and slipped his hand under Weaver's shirt.

"We noticed," Randy said, marking his place before closing the book.

"Then I should…."

"He's teasing," Austin broke in. "We missed you last night, but you had work to do. It's just that the bed seemed a little empty. I didn't sleep well until you joined us. Now, let's get dressed and we can head to town."

"I'll be right back down," Weaver said, hurrying back up the stairs.

"That wasn't very nice," Austin told Randy. "You work late all the time, and neither of us says anything to you. He's getting his career set on a new path, just like you." He perched on the arm of Randy's chair.

"I know. I just missed him," Randy said softly. "I was hoping that we could have a nice weekend, but he spent much of it upstairs in his office."

Austin swatted Randy on the shoulder. "And he's trying to untangle a mess from his predecessor. I'm sure we can all understand that." He leaned closer. "Maybe I wasn't distracting enough for you."

Randy grabbed him around the waist, pulling Austin onto his lap. "You are always distracting and damned sexy. You know that. But I like to go to bed knowing that everyone is safe and secure. I know it isn't rational, because I knew that Weaver was just in the other room."

"Then what are you going to do when one of us needs to travel for work?"

Randy hugged him tighter. "Then I'll just have to deal with it." He slid his hands under Austin's shirt and then over his ribs. Austin laughed and squirmed to get away from the tickling fingers.

"Stop," Austin said, chuckling before he managed to get away. "You're awful."

"What did he do?" Weaver asked, returning down the stairs.

"He was tickling me." Austin scrunched his face like he was tattling. "And don't you start too," he told Weaver, moving away from both of them. They had this idea that tickling him was fun.

"You're so cute when you laugh, though," Randy said.

Austin sighed. "I get that." He swallowed hard, turning away from both of them. "Let's go."

Randy growled, and Austin once again found himself hauled onto Randy's lap with those big arms wrapped tightly around him. "Don't you think it's time to tell us what's going on in that amazing head of yours."

"What? Because I don't like to be tickled?" he demanded. "Fine, since it seems to be pick-on-Austin morning." He tried to wrench himself away, but Randy held tighter. "You know I was the youngest of three boys. Well, my brothers used to love to get their way. They'd hold me on the ground and tickle me until I could barely breathe. They'd only stop when one of two things happened. Either I gave them what they wanted or I wet myself." He pulled away from Randy. "Are you two fuckers happy now?" He marched to the front door, yanked it open, and stepped out into the warm summer air. Taking a deep breath, he couldn't believe he'd actually told them that shit. It was stupid and had been many years ago. Austin had a good relationship with his brothers now and that kind of behavior was long gone on their part.

"Hey," Randy said softly. "I didn't know and thought I was being playful." Once again, those arms engulfed him, and then Weaver's arms joined his.

"You don't have to be afraid of telling us the shit that happened to you. We all have a history, and it's nothing to be ashamed of," Weaver whispered. "You know the neighbor's chickens? I'm scared to death of them. If I would have been the one to look at houses, I would have seen that they were there and would have told the agent to move on. I don't know why I'm scared of them, they're just chickens, but…." Weaver held them both tighter before letting go. "Now it's Randy's turn."

"What, me? I'm the strong, silent type, and I prefer to keep my embarrassing shit to myself." He let Austin go. "Are we going to go to town or not?" Randy locked the door, and they all headed down the sidewalk, with Austin holding back.

"What are you doing?" Randy asked.

Austin grinned. "My favorite pastime, butt-watching." He could almost see the guys rolling their eyes even though they never turned around.

Weaver shifted his walk, swinging his great ass from side to side, but Randy grew stiffer. Randy was always the ultimate top in bed. He was the one who called the shots, and between the three of them, there was only one rule… at least when dealing with Randy. He never bottomed. Austin knew that some guys didn't enjoy it, and that was fine. But as he stared at Randy's muscled ass with dimples hidden by his pants… well, damn. Randy turned around when he groaned a little. He didn't push it, and they continued their walk while Austin continued enjoying the view.

Shopping had never been one of Weaver's favorite things. Austin loved it and was great at finding bargains or managing to know what they needed. He dragged Randy into store after store, while Weaver stood outside under the trees, taking in their new home town. The clock on the old courthouse chimed noon, and Weaver's stomach rumbled.

"Dang, we better feed this thing before it takes over," Austin teased as he and Randy joined Weaver. "There's a brew pub, a distillery, and a cidery within a few blocks. What sort of libation are you in the mood for?"

"Cidery?" Randy asked.

"Yeah. Hard cider. They have other things, too, I'm sure," Austin said as he led them back toward the courthouse with its belltower, then turned to the west. "It's right over there."

"Sounds good to me," Weaver said as the other two looked at him. "What?"

"I got it in one. I'm going to write that down in my calendar." Austin pulled out his phone. "Mr. Picky Pants agreed to the first restaurant chosen. It's a miracle."

Weaver huffed. "Is it a sin to want to know what my choices are?" The others rolled their eyes. "Okay. I already looked on the internet and checked out the menus of most of the places in town. So sue me."

Randy grabbed him. "He's teasing you." He drew closer. "Both of us appreciate the fact that you research places to eat. Remember our trip to P-town and that place we stopped? You refused to eat there and probably saved all three of us from food poisoning." He grinned. "Let's go. I'm hungry and thirsty."

"And he's buying," Austin quipped and darted inside before Randy could grab him. Randy shook his head and followed Austin, who was already asking the hostess for a table. Weaver swore the man could smile and charm his way into a table at a restaurant that was booked solid for months. "Thanks so much," Austin said as she led them to a table near the window.

"How do you do that?" Weaver asked.

"It's a gift… and the fact that I did her job for three years."

They sat down, and Weaver looked over the menu. A flatbread pizza sounded good, and he chose the one he wanted before gazing out the window. "What the…," he said to himself at the reflection in the glass. Then he got up and went outside, checking out the theater marquee. He smiled to himself and hurried down the street to grab a flyer from the stand in front of the theater.

"Where did you go?" Randy asked as he sat back down.

He handed the flyer to Austin with a slight flourish. "The theater is having a fashion show as a fundraiser, and they're looking for people to help."

Austin picked up the flyer, read it, and set it back down.

"Hey, this is right up your alley."

"It isn't a job," Austin said. Weaver didn't understand why Austin wasn't more excited.

"We're fine for money. But this is something you could do to make a difference. The theater is important to the town, and they're raising funds to restore the fa?ade. There was a story about it last week," Randy explained. "Honey, it's a chance for you to use your skills and meet a lot of people. It's how folks get jobs and find out about opportunities."

Austin picked up the flyer once more and pulled out his phone. Weaver caught Randy's eye, and they shared a quick smile. As their server approached the table, Austin pointed to what he wanted on the menu and then stepped outside. Randy asked her to come back in a few minutes as Weaver smiled brightly, watching as Austin spoke on the phone, pacing slowly up and down the sidewalk.

"I love how he always does that when he's on the phone," Randy said softly.

"I know. But watch him. It's like he expects something bad to happen at any moment. His shoulders are tight, and watch his steps—he's almost marching in formation." Weaver lifted his gaze, frowning slightly.

"I know. I worry about him too," Randy said as Austin hung up and came back inside. Randy cleared his throat as though to banish their earlier conversation. "The server will be right back."

"Thanks," Austin said gently.

Weaver leaned forward. "So what did they say?" He was too curious for words.

"That they need plenty of volunteers and she would be happy to have me help. They are meeting tomorrow at ten for a planning session, and I said I'd be there." Austin actually looked excited, his eyes bright and a smile on his lips.

"Did you tell her your background?" Weaver asked. "There can't be many people around here with your kind of experience and expertise." Damn, he wanted this to work out for Austin.

"Yes. She seemed really excited. But I'll have to see how things really are." He was still smiling as the server returned, and they placed their orders. Just as the food arrived, Austin's phone rang. He crinkled his eyebrows and answered it, speaking softly. "Yes. … Yes, my family and I are at the cidery a few doors down. … Sure, if you want." He hung up and seemed confused. "That was Chris, the lady from the theater. It seems she looked me up and asked if she could speak with me." Now, Austin's smile was radiant.

Weaver grinned and took Austin's hand, squeezing it lightly.

Randy stood the way his mother taught him when a lady entered the room, and Chris was most definitely that. Dressed for business with a professional air that seemed to say "take me seriously" and "keep your distance" at the same time.

"Austin," she said with a genuine smile. "Chris Weathers." They shook hands, and Randy offered her a seat, asking if she'd like anything.

"We were just having lunch," he said, sitting back down himself.

"These are my partners, Randy and Weaver," Austin said with a touch of nerves. Randy rested his hand on Austin's bouncy leg under the table, hoping to signal support.

"Let me come right to the point. The theater fashion show, the first we've ever done, is scheduled for two weeks from now, and the organizer backed out because of a health issue. We support her and wish her well, but for the last two weeks, I have been trying to steer the ship, and it's about to run aground."

Randy quietly asked the server to bring her some water once she delivered their drinks.

"All right."

"We have volunteer models who know nothing about walking a runway. Local stores have agreed to donate the clothes, and they paid for each slot in the show. But we need someone to run this thing. I know it's a lot, but if you'd be willing to help me…."

Austin's leg stilled. "Who has chosen the clothes?"

Chris sighed. "That's just it. Each store has looks they want to feature."

"But there's no direction, so everyone is choosing the items that they want to push, and there isn't anyone giving any sort of guidance on the overall look or telling them that this is not a clearance sale." Austin grinned, and Chris looked relieved. "Yes, I think I can help you. I have never run a charity fashion show, but I have attended them, and I know how to walk a runway and how a show should flow. You said your planning meeting is tomorrow. Can you get as many of the store reps there as possible, along with their potential looks? Tell them to each bring six and give them the heads-up that I can be a real pain in the ass. Make them think twice about what they choose." He grinned, and Chris actually laughed softly.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow?" Chris asked Austin.

"Yes. I think this is going to be fun."

Randy sat back in his chair, pleased that Austin seemed excited and that something was happening for him. This was just a local charity fashion show, and it wasn't like there was going to be a regular thing, but it was a start and a chance for Austin to shine and to meet people in town.

"Thank you," Chris said as she stood, then shook Austin's hand. "I appreciate this more than you know." She left the restaurant, and Randy patted both Austin and Weaver on the back.

"That was awesome," he said as their server brought their food.

"Yeah, it was," Austin said. "We'll have to see what kind of mess this whole thing is, but there is potential."

"And if anyone can figure it out, it's you," Randy told Austin before digging into his pizza. He had full faith that Austin could do anything he set his mind to.

"Thanks," Austin said, looking deep into his eyes. "Now, what is it that is getting to you? Every time you get yourself in those books, you grind your teeth and mutter under your breath."

He should have known Austin would pick up on his frustration. "It's nothing to worry about." The politics at the college were beyond irritating. He wasn't used to that kind of childishness. Everyone there seemed to be more interested in protecting their own little fiefdom than anything else. At least some of them were, and they made it ridiculously hard on everyone else. "I have a curriculum meeting coming up, and it's driving me crazy." He took another bite and set down the piece of flatbread.

"And of course you stepped into it and now you can't figure a way out of the mess," Austin said.

"That's about it. The chairman of the committee stepped down, and a new one took his place. That's a good change, but the old coot is still on the committee, and he's trying to whip up the other members against any sort of changes, even though what we are teaching is out of date."

"And why is he doing that?" Weaver asked.

"I'm not sure. But it's my guess that he would have to learn something new," Randy said, and Austin nodded. "He would need to update his skills and teach material that he's never covered before."

"And that scares him half to death," Austin interjected.

Randy smiled. "Maybe I should take you to the meeting as a political advisor so you could tell me when I'm about to put my foot in my mouth."

"Just do what you think is right," Weaver told him. "Politics is all part of the job, and the best thing you can do is make sure the students are being exposed to the best materials and latest thinking. That's what colleges and universities are for."

"I know. But I have to work with this guy all year long, and he's such a…." Randy growled under his breath. "An old codger set in his ways."

"Then you have two choices. Either commence battle and make sure you win, or do your best to win him over to your side," Weaver advised. "And the best way to do that is to meet with him and explain the changes that you and the committee are proposing and reassure him that there will still be a place for him. After all, you don't want to toss him out on his ear, just update some things… right?" Leave it to the lawyer of the family to be the one to show him the possible path. Randy hoped he wasn't going to have to use the all-out battle approach, but he'd fought for what he believed in before, and he was willing to do it again.

"It's okay," Austin told him, putting a hand on Randy's leg this time. "You'll see your way through it."

He was about to return to eating when his phone chimed. He pulled it out, groaning as he took the call. "Hello, Mother," he said tensely. "How are you?" His conversations always started out the exact same way, and he listened as she recited the current list of her ailments and aches. His father had passed away six years ago, and since then, she had become more and more dependent on him. The move was in part a way to put some distance between them so she would stop interfering in his life… and that of his family. "What's up?"

"I bought a train ticket to Harrisburg for next week. I wanted to see your house, and I was getting tired of being here alone."

Randy groaned and lifted his gaze to the ceiling. "Did you get a hotel too? We're still getting the house set up, and we don't have a guest room that's ready."

"A hotel? You expect me to stay in a hotel when I visit?" She always assumed that everyone would rearrange their lives to fit her expectations. Randy looked at the others, briefly explaining what was going on.

Austin held out his hand, and Randy handed him the phone. "Louise, it's good to hear from you." Damn, that charm of his was impressive. "When are you coming?" He continued smiling. "Then we can get you a reservation for the weekend at the Comfort Suites. They have nice rooms, and you'll be so much more comfortable. We are still getting the house together. We have two extra rooms, but right now they're set up as offices because of Randy's and Weaver's new jobs. Weaver got a position at the law school, and I'm doing some charity work for the local theater." He barely took a break to breathe. "We're looking forward to seeing you." He handed the phone back, and Randy wasn't quite sure what to say.

"Send the time your train gets in from the city, and we'll pick you up." The server came to their table to check on them, and Randy used that excuse to end the call. "I'm having lunch with the guys, but we'll see you next weekend." Relieved that she didn't press him, he disconnected the call and jammed his phone into his pocket. "What is wrong with her? She didn't ask about visiting, just announced that she was coming."

"At least she didn't just show up," Weaver said. "Remember last October when we were leaving for the Christopher Street Halloween festival? I opened the door and there she was."

"And we were dressed as the Village People… or barely dressed." Austin chuckled. "With her darling son wearing nothing but a loincloth." Austin's eyes widened, and he leaned closer. "Do you still have the loincloth? Because that was sexy as hell."

Randy rolled his eyes. "It was October in New York. I was cold all evening, and I swear my junk shriveled to the size of a pea." That had been the worst costume Austin and Weaver had ever talked him into.

"Oh, come on. It was in the sixties, and you were hot. Everyone at the parade spent all night watching you." Austin tore off a bite of his flatbread with his teeth. "And you were an animal. Grrrrrr."

"If you remember, that was also the night she found out about you, and I had to explain our relationship to her once we got home." And it hadn't been pretty. His mother had not understood the fact that the three of them were together. She thought that it was some giant ploy for Randy to cheat on Weaver, whom she adored. There were weeks of phone calls and even tears on her part until Austin and Weaver went to see her, and she got the full dose of Austin's charm. The problem with her visiting was that she still didn't understand and kept asking when he was going to make a choice between Austin or Weaver. It was simply upsetting.

"It will be okay. You don't have to deal with her alone," Weaver said.

Randy pushed his plate away. "That's just it. I want her to myself."

Austin lowered his gaze. "You don't want us to see your mother?" He knew the way Austin bit his lower lip.

"No, I don't mean that. You shouldn't have to be around her. Every time I see her, she asks me when I'm going to choose one of you." He got so tired of hearing it.

"Duh," Austin said. "Do you think your mother can keep anything quiet? She's from Brooklyn, and she has no filter. The last time I saw your mother, she asked me when I was going on the road with my modeling and if I thought I'd find someone else when I was away." Austin smirked. "I considered telling her that I left for Paris the following week and that I was going to be on the lookout for a handsome, sexy Frenchman to bring home so we could be a foursome… but I held back." Damn, Randy had been worried for a second.

"Your mother has always been like that since she met Austin. She asked me if I felt like I was being replaced," Weaver said. "Don't worry about it. I understand our relationship, and I'm happy. So does Austin." Suddenly, Randy found a comforting hand on each leg under the table. "Your mother is the person she is… but she's your mom, and we'll deal. Your mom's worry stems from her concern for you."

"But I don't want her stirring things up. We've just moved to a new town, we're starting new jobs and endeavors… it's a lot to take on all at once. And…." He nearly growled.

Austin leaned closer. "Go ahead and finish your lunch. Everything is fine. I know you're trying to protect us, and we appreciate it. But you don't need to stand between us and your mother. When she comes to visit, we'll be our normal selves. She's going to be here a few days and then she can see how much we care for each other. Besides, your mother has never been able to resist me."

Randy shook his head. "Okay… fine." He sighed and pulled his plate back. "Let's just have a nice lunch and hopefully a quiet day. We could walk to the park to see the ducks," he offered.

Austin leaned close to his ear. "Or we could just go home and you could duck me… duck me hard."

Suddenly, Randy's appetite for food flew out the window.