Our Reason: Sizzling Miami, #8

By Jessie G

Married life is everything Bull and Red could have hoped for. It's not something they'd ever take for granted and the need to pay it forward is a trait the husbands happily share. When the new director of the Bennett House asks Red to teach an art class, he isn't entirely sure how it will help, but he's more than willing to try. Each week he is rocked by the artful outpouring of emotion and the gratitude of his students. One by one, they burrow into his heart…but none more so than Dillon Young.

 

Always holding himself apart from the others, the wisp of a boy keeps his head down and hides behind a mangy, overgrown length of dark hair like a shield. Despite his best attempts not to see himself in all the young men that come through the center, everything about Dillon calls out to Red. When he turns to the one man he knows he can always count on, he expects Bull to be the voice of reason and soon they're both invested in helping Dillon.

 

There's no doubt they have an abundance of love to share and if ever there was someone who needed it, Dillon was the one. Between Bull's strength and Red's patience, they'll help Dillon learn to trust again, and in the process, create a family that none of them intended.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessie G Books Inc.
• Release date: Oct 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386043256

Jessie G

Like many readers, I've dreamed of being a writer most of my life. Thanks to social media, I was able to follow my favorite authors and hoped to glean some words of wisdom as I pounded out half-formed ideas with alarming regularity. - Great writers read voraciously. - Great writers write every day. It doesn't matter if the muse is on break or the words are crap, write anyway. The first I had down pat. The second...there are days it's like pulling teeth, but I put words down. Even if I know I'm going to delete them later, there's always the chance that there might be a bloom among the weeds. With three series in the works and a full schedule of releases planned for the next two years, it's been amazing to have made this dream my reality. I am a firm believer in marriage equality, love at first sight, power dynamics, and happily ever after. I'm a lover of strong secondary characters and series filled with families—biological or chosen. All are themes you'll find throughout my books.

Book preview

Prologue

You’re gorgeous and you’re mine.

I s that the last of the boxes? Red asked as he held the door open for Bull and Chris to pass, their arms laden with supplies.

His SUV idled in the lot, an acquisition Bull deemed necessary when he started teaching art classes at the Bennett House. While Davin’s director set aside a budget for supplies and a dedicated space to house them, Red loaded up his trunk with more so the kids could take them home. Soon the sketchpads and pencil sets didn’t feel like enough and instead of discouraging him, Bull bought him a bigger car to haul stuff in.

Everything but our kitchen sink, Bull teased as he passed.

With one last glance up the stairs, Red let the door go and helped force the last two boxes into the trunk. It took a little extra push from Bull to get it closed and seeing out the back window was going to be impossible, but the trip was short and it would be totally worth it. After seeing how grateful the kids were for the little things he was able to buy, Red spoke with Davin about putting together a resource drive. Fundraisers were good for supporting the center, which was always needed, but he was looking to provide anything and everything a kid would need to survive their situation— clothes, toiletries, school supplies, sports supplies, toys, electronics…even food.

As always, Davin was all in and together with their friends, they started canvassing local businesses for donations. The response had been awesome and it wasn’t just his trunk loaded to the rafters— his was just the last one leaving the lot. It had taken all their vehicles, plus a rented cargo van that Chris would drive, to cart their haul which had taken up both guest bedrooms and half of the last garage bay that Bull usually used for restorations.

I can’t believe how much stuff we got, Chris said, eyeing the trunk somewhat wistfully. It’s really great to see so many businesses willing to help.

I know. Red and Chris shared a commiserative smile. How different would things have been if there’d been someone to help them? Having spent his life in the system, Red believed if there was a place like the Bennett House where he grew up, word would have spread like wildfire. As for Chris, he admitted that he used to wonder what would have been different if he’d gotten up the nerve to tell. Would there have been someone to listen, to save him and Liam from the repercussions?

They both knew the what-ifs would haunt them forever and rarely allowed themselves to go too far down that path. These days they were glad to be in a position to make a difference for the next generation. The Bennett House not only provided necessary resources to those in need, it provided them a place where they could help kids that often reminded them too much of themselves.

With one last sigh, Chris shook whatever memories had hold of him and gave them both a hug. I’m going to head out so I can get the van unloaded and help with the final set up. See you there.

They watched until he drove away and then Bull turned him around with a finger beneath his chin and gave him a thorough once over. Red stood under that scrutiny, well aware of what his husband was looking for. I really am okay.

Naw, you’re better than okay. You’re gorgeous and you’re mine. Bull’s gaze was pure love and admiration. And this…what you’ve made happen today, is amazing. If I haven’t told you lately, I’m so proud of you.

No matter how often Bull said it, he just never felt comfortable taking that kind of praise. It wasn’t just me. We all made this happen. I just…

Came up with the idea and implemented it from beginning to end, Bull interrupted. You rallied the troops, kept them going, coordinated today’s event…we can stand here all day while I list the many reasons why you totally rock.

We really can’t, he argued, though he knew Bull wouldn’t linger too long. Maybe it was true that he had the idea and implemented it, but it was also true that any good deeds he did, he learned from Bull’s extremely generous nature. Everyone’s waiting for us and I want to make sure we get this stuff unloaded before they open the doors.

Fine, I’ll just tell you later. In bed. Between thrusts. With that, Bull hauled him close and kissed him senseless.

Red clung, sinking into the feelings pouring off his husband, letting them ground him so that he could face the day without his own memories clouding it. Only when he felt centered and whole did he ease back with the gentle reminder that, The kids are counting on us.

With an exaggerated sigh, Bull stole one more quick kiss and nudged him in the direction of the truck. I’m gonna lock up and then we’ll go. Call Davin and see if they need us to pick anything up on the way.

Five minutes later, they were merging into traffic on the road outside the garage and Red couldn’t help but look back at all the boxes. A sharp stop would cause an avalanche and kill them both. It was awesome. Davin said they’re about seventy-percent set up and the grocery store had just arrived with the refrigerator truck.

What about the food for our troops? Did the café drop that off or do we need to pick it up?

Jake dropped it off and he’s staying to help out. The kid, who wasn’t really a kid anymore, worked at his grandparents’ café since before Red arrived in Miami. When he finished high school, he found a local culinary school so he could stay close to them and still help out on the weekends. Davin said he brought his girlfriend and the guys have been giving her the official Bull’s Garage welcome.

Well, that’s alarming. Let’s hope she’s a good sport. They stopped at a light and Bull glanced at him thoughtfully. Did Dillon show up for Thursday’s art class?

There was no denying that the troubled teen was at least partly responsible for his need to give more and that Bull knew his interest far exceeded his role in the boy’s life. Yeah. He was a few minutes late and he looked rough, but he was there. Even stayed to eat with the other kids after class.

Rail thin and tall for his age, Dillon Young slumped like life had already beaten him into submission. He always kept his head down and his dark hair long enough to cover his eyes, but Red had glimpsed at them once and the familiarity had grabbed him by the throat. The feeling was so strong that he reached for Dillon, needing to just hug him as tight as he could, but the boy flinched back and took off.

Dillon disappeared for a few days after that and Red had been beside himself until the director called to say he’d come around again. After that, Red kept his approach cautious. He wouldn’t avoid him because he needed to know how to help him, but he never got too close and made sure there was no physical contact even in passing. Months later, he thought they were making headway, but then Dillon disappeared again and Red didn’t know why. Like before, he returned with little fanfare and zero desire to explain his absence. With his own past acting as a reminder of all the possible shit Dillon could be dealing with, it was a cycle that Red wasn’t sure he could continue to live with.

I know the center has rules it has to follow, but there’s no reason we can’t find out more information about his home life, is there? They had been trying not to go around the center because he didn’t want to cause them any issues, but the fear of something happening to Dillon was forcing his hand. Red wasn’t scared and destitute anymore. He was a grown man with resources and friends who could help this kid. They had to help because the alternative was unacceptable.

None at all, Bull agreed as he reached for his hand. I’ll talk to Ric. If it’s a conflict of interest for him, I’m sure he can point me in the direction of someone who can help.

The rest of the short ride was silent and Red was so grateful to have a man who understood him the way Bull did. His husband encouraged and supported everything he wanted to do from his work to helping others, and Red knew he’d adopted his concern for Dillon as well. If they uncovered what he feared was a horrible home life, Red knew Bull would be the first person in line to kick ass and take names. That would be the easy part. Getting Dillon the help he needed and, more importantly, getting him to accept it—that’s when the real work would begin.

At the Bennett House, they carefully made their way down the alley to the lot in the back. Normally empty, the narrow strip was lined with people waiting for the doors open. He hadn’t really known how many utilized the center and had relied on Davin’s people to help him figure out who needed what. There was a big difference between numbers on paper and seeing the crowd outside the building.

All these people, Jon. Panic had him gasping for breath as he looked from one desperate face to the next. Do you think we have enough for everyone?

More than. Bull parked near the doors at the back and turned to face him. You did everything you could to provide for those on the list, and then some. No one will walk away empty-handed and if we need to do this again, we will. Now, let’s get this truck emptied so they can finally start letting people in.

Of course, he planned to do this again and knowing Bull was already on board was enough to get him moving. Together they jumped from the SUV and met around back to start unloading. Bull carried the first box to the door, using it to prop it open, and bellowed inside for volunteers.

I can help. The timid voice came from behind him and Red turned to find Dillon standing there rocking on the balls of his feet. Head down, eyes covered, so thin it hurt to see, he looked like a wraith. I mean…can I help, Mr. Connor?

Yeah. Heart in his throat, Red barely got the word out. Yes, of course.

Just for a second, those dark eyes flashed up at him—wounded, terrified, and grateful. Then Dillon shuffled forward, grabbed a box that had to weigh as much as he did, and turned for the door where Bull stood. His husband waited until Dillon passed before turning his way, his expression determined and fierce.

Red had seen that look before and it had changed his life.

Chapter One

You adopt everyone you help.

I f it conflicts with the center, then point me in the direction of someone who can help. Bull wasn’t thrilled with the prospect of working with someone he didn’t know and wasn’t certain of, but he understood the potential ramifications of what they were asking. Davin’s center helped a lot of people and none