Reflash Page 3

  Wesley smiled to himself; Kurt’s face was always right there in his mind. The blond hair, the blue eyes, and the body…

  “Wakey, wakey, stop fantasizing about Kurt, ” Tucker threw his towel at Wesley.

  “Hurry up, I’m hungry!” Wesley snapped Tucker in the ass with the towel.

  “Ow! Bitch!”

  Wesley cracked up. He put the ticket back on the dresser and grabbed a clean shi rt. He wanted to see Kurt again; God he missed his smile. Grabbing his hiking boots, Wesley hopped down the hallway, trying to finish dressing. Tucker came out minutes later, fresh from the shower and in clean clothes.

  “Ready?” Tucker asked.

  “Yep.”

  As soon as they hit the Safeway, Tucker went one way while Wesley went the other . Wesley looked over the cereal boxes . He and Tucker loved the sugary stuff, but he’d been thinking about going health ful the last two weeks. Wesley picked up a box, checking out the ingredients. The crackling above his head made him look up at the store ’s speakers.

  “Wesley, put the box of granola down. I repeat, put the box down and grab the Lucky Charms.”

  Wesley looked at the end of the aisle. He had a perfect view of register two and Tucker staring at him, microphone up to his mouth. Wesley grinned, the granola hovering over the cart.

  “Put it back on the shelf slowly and step away, ” Tucker said.

  Wesley frowned, putting the granola back and grabbing the Lucky Charms. “Party pooper!”

  Tucker chuckled, the sound reverberating th r ough the store. “All right people, crisis averted . Shop on.” Tucker turned to Sheila, the cashier , and smiled. “Thanks.”

  “No problem, Tucker,” Sheila said. “Anything for the boys in blue.”

  Tucker joined Wesley in the meat aisle. He grabbed some steaks, dropping them in the cart. They loved steaks on the grill and barbequed as often as possible. Wesley turned the corner and ran right into another shopping cart. He looked up to see Nicholas grinning at him.

  “Tucker, Wesley.” Nicholas looked them over. “Enjoying our shopping experience ?”

  “I take it you heard that?” Tucker said.

  “Who didn’t?” Nicholas laughed. “What are you guys up to?”

  “Going out tonight, what are you up to?” Wesley asked.

  “Casey and I are following up some leads on a case. I saw your drunk guy in the tank. His parents came to get him last night.”

  “They waited that long?” Tucker sighed in irritation. “What a bunch of assholes.”

  “Yeah, he was pretty out of it, ” Nicholas shrugged.

  “How are you? I mean, you, Scott and Jude?” Tucker asked.

  “Oh, you mean us mateless guys?” Nicholas said. “We’re bummed and pissed. Other than that, we’re just great.”

  “Sorry, man,” Wesley tried to smile. “We aren’t getting anywhere with our mates , if that makes you feel better.”

  Nicholas eyed Tucker and Wesley. “You know, Casey says you guys are hot and he’s not even gay.” Both Tucker and Wesley were a little over six feet, they worked out every day and it showed. “They w ill come around, I know they w ill . How could they not, I me an - look at you guys, ” Nicholas winked.

  “Aww, thanks, Nick, ” Tucker said.

  Wesley spotted Pauline, the manager, walking toward them and nudged Tucker. “Here comes your girlfriend , ” he snickered.

  “Detective,” Pauline smiled at Nicholas, then turned her attention to Tucker and Wesley. “Again with the PA system?”

  “I couldn’t help it!” Tucker laughed. “He was about to commit a crime against my stomach!”

  “You’re so lucky you ’re both policemen.” Pauline pinched Tucker’s cheeks. “And adorable. Be good , boys!”

  “Thank God we ’re regular customers, ” Wesley said, watching Pauline saunter away, her hips pitching back and forth.

  “Yeah well, I need a nap before tonight, so let’s hurry up , ” Tucker yawned .

  “A nap? You slept eighteen hours!” Wesley balked.

  “Well, on that note,” Nicholas pushed his cart down the aisle. “Behave, officers!”

  “Go get the fruit,” Wesley pointed at Tucker.

  “Fine, I’m buying a coconut.”

  “Good, I’ll hit you over the head with it, ” Wesley kicked Tucker in his ass.

  “I’m buying a cucumber for you!” Tucker said.

  Wesley pushed the cart towards the bread aisle, laughing. “Jackass.”

  ~~ Kory looked over the two men pulling pants and shirts off shelves. They didn’t scream “gay ,” that was for sure. Cole was tall and muscular and Chaz was as big as a linebacker. It was surprising to Kory, who was gradually learning how far off stereotypes could be . They were both firefighters who worked with his brother.

  They’d been at the mall for almost an hour now; Cole would look over what ever Kory had tried on and give him one to five stars. So far, he had three pairs of pants and four shirts, and they weren’t done yet.

  Cole pulled another pair of jeans off the shelf, looking Kory over. “Where did you say you guys were going?” Cole asked Kurt.

  “Cuffs and Stuff , ” Kurt said.

  “Well, little Maguire here is going to be on the menu, ” Chaz looked Kory up and down in his tight jeans.

  Kory blushed crimson. “So, um, do these look okay?” Kory turned slowly.

  “Oh, yes,” Chaz licked his lips.

  Kurt smacked Chaz in the arm. “Stop undressing my little brother.”

  “Can I undress you then?” Chaz waggled his eyebrows.

  Kurt narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t think you found me attractive.”

  Chaz’s eyes widened. “What? Where did you hear that ridiculous rumor?”

  Kurt turned to look at Austin, who was busy looking anywhere but at him. Kurt slapped Austin in the head and put his hands on his hips.

  “What?” Austin said, looking astonished. “I said what I had to say to make you more comfortable.”

  “I don’t care if they check me out, ” Kurt looked over his shoulder at Chaz and Cole. “Look, they are doing it right now.”

  Cole looked at the ceiling. “What?”

  Kory chuckled, pulling another shirt on. “This is so weird.”

  Austin walked over to the shirts, looking through the sizes. His mind was elsewhere today . Mostly he was thinking about Tucker. He knew Kurt had come a long way, and he had , too. He went from thinking all gays were sick to actually finding one attractive. He wasn’t ready to say he was gay - not yet - but he knew that whenever he thought about Tucker h is stomach flip ped and his heart race d . He missed Tucker; he could at least admit that much.

  “Austin?”

  Austin saw Chaz smiling at him. “What?”

  “Thinking about a certain cop?” Chaz whispered.

  Austin shifted nervously, smiling shyly at Chaz. He’d told Chaz about Tucker one night at the club when he’d had a bit too much to drink. Chaz had been great about it, not making fun of him and offering him advice.

  “Yeah, I was,” Austin murmured .

  Chaz pulled Austin further away from the group. “Look, don’t let anyone else determine who you want to be with okay? When we first met, I asked you to dance and you went with me w ill ingly. I hit on you, you told me no and that was it. The guys gave you shit and you held your own. You can be with whomever you want , Austin; I honestly don’t think Kurt’s going to hate you.”

  “It’s not that. I don’t know if I’m ready to admit to anyone besides you that I think Tucker is beautiful. You have to understand how I grew up, Chaz. I went to church every Sunday and my parents would drill it into my head that gay s were sick. I’d never even seen a gay person that I know of until I met Preston . I see how Preston and Wyatt are together and that’s made a huge impact on me. I was never cruel, I don’t have it in me, but my parents do.”

  “See? That right there is why I hate closeminded religious freaks . I know most religious people aren’t like t
hat, but the ones who are make me furious , ” Chaz sighed.

  “I believe in God, what I don’t believe is that he made exceptions to his rules. Love thy neighbor as thyself, period .” Austin smiled. “You are a great person, Chaz.”

  “You just don’t find me attractive, ” Chaz pouted.

  “You haven’t seen Tucker,” Austin grinned.

  “He must be drop dead delicious, ” Chaz said , drawing out the L.

  “Oh, yeah.”

  Tucker sighed heavily. They were stuck in traffic. He just wanted to get out and have fun and they were in a stupid traffic jam . As it was, they’d left early; Tucker was tired of pacing at home. He’d been restless for months, mostly due to missing Austin. He missed him, missed his smile, his laugh, the ways his eyes crinkled in the corners when he was thinking. Tucker felt his dick twitching to life just thinking about Austin’s tight ass wrapped in jeans, the way they wrapped around his strong thighs and left little to nothing for the imagination in the front. Tucker closed his eyes thinking about Austin’s dark hair, about how badly he wanted to run his fingers through it. The few times they’d gone out, just as friends, he’d kep t his hands and eyes to himself for the most part. Austin seemed to truly enjoy himself when they went out.

  Tucker snuck a peek at Wesley as he drove ; his fingers were clasping the steering wheel tightly. He knew Wesley was having the same problem . Their thoughts were occupied with the men they couldn’t have. It was seriously affecting them both. They hadn’t dated in Anchorage and they certainly weren’t dating here in Seattle. Once you found your mate that was it. There was nothing and no one who could turn your head. Wayne had always told them that when you found the one who was meant for you, the pull would be there for both parties - so why was it that Austin and Kurt seemed unaffected? It drove him up the fucking wall thinking about it.

  “Shut up, Tucker,” Wesley laughed.

  “Get out of my head then,” Tucker said.

  “I wasn’t trying to be in it, but your damn thoughts are so loud I’m surprised everyone can ’t hear you r whining.”

  Tucker finally relaxed when he saw the neon lights for Cuff s and Stuff. They pulled into the parking lot, which was just starting to fill up. Tucker checked his appearance in the mirror one more time - tight black V-neck T-shirt with the tightest pair of jeans he owned. Yeah, he looked good.

  “Well, let’s mingle,” Tucker said, giving Wesley his Cheshire cat smile.

  Wesley paused to look in the side mirror; he’d gell ed his hair in the front, giving it some style. He didn’t normally do shit with his hair unless they were going out. His skintight shirt fit snugly across his broad chest and his jeans showed off his tight ass.

  “Yup, I’m fuckable. Proceed, ” Wesley winked.

  Tucker flashed his smile at Jesse , the bouncer, and walked into t he crowded club. The lights were flashing blue, red and g reen around the dance floor as Frankie Go es to Hollywood’s “Relax” played. Tucker had to laugh . Once a month it was eighties night and tonight was that night. Bodies packed the dance floor and the bar was filled already. Tucker grabbed a table towards the back of the club and motioned to the waiter.

  “Damn, it’s packed already!” Wesley shouted over the music. “I hope Preston and Wyatt can find us!”

  “They w ill !” Tucker shouted.

  “Should we dance?” Wesley said.

  “Come on,” Tucker stood up, grabbing Wesley’s hand. “Let’s show them how it’s done!”

  ~~ Kurt pulled up to Cuffs and Stuff and looked around the parking lot. It was p acked. He went around looking for a spot way in the back and found one n ext to a Prius. Austin chuckled as Kurt wrinkle d his nos e in disgust at the small car.

  “It’s good for the environment, Kurt, ” Austin said, getting out of the truck.

  “I can fit that car in the back of my truck

  .” Kurt jumped out of his Chevy , looking at the

  smaller car. “Yup, right in the bed.”

  Kory leaned over, inspecting the Prius.

  “Does it fit two people?”

  “Barely,” Kurt snorted.

  “You’re like a farm boy at heart, huh?”

  Austin laughed, taking Kory by the shoulders.

  “Let’s take you into the gay club.”

  “Whoopee!” Kory laughed, following his

  brother inside. The club was dark, except for the

  multi-colored lights going a round in circles over

  the dance floor. People were skin to skin on the

  dance floor, kissing and rubbing up all over each

  other. Kory could feel his cheeks heating. It

  wasn’t something he was used to. Half-dressed

  men fondling each other, dancing close and

  kissing.

  “Takes some getting used to, little brother, ” Kurt shouted over the music. “You want

  something to drink?”

  “Jack and Coke?” Kory grinned and then

  frowned when Kurt raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Fine, Coke.”

  “We’ll be right back,” Austin said. Kory scanned the dance floor and that’s

  when he saw him. A tall, dark -haired man was

  looking at him. Kory checked behind him to see

  if the man was looking at him or at someone behind him , but there was no one back there .

  When he turned back around the man was crooking his finger at him. Kory pointed to his chest

  mouthing “Me?” The man smiled and nodded.

  Kory tilted his head, and then shrugged. “Fuck it.”

  ~~

  “He’s coming over,” Wesley said. “Look at this guy; doesn’t he look just like Kurt?” Wesley had spotted the man standing by himself and the resemblance to his mate was uncanny. Even the way he walked screamed Kurt. The man finally reached them and Wesley realized he wasn’t quite a man just yet ; he looked to be eighteen.

  “Well, hello! Are you by yourself?” Kory blushed. “No, I’m here with my brother and his friend.”

  “I’m Tucker Storm ,” Tucker put his hand out.

  “Kory—” Kory started.

  “Maguire,” Wesley said. His eyes had locked with Kurt’s across the dance floor.

  “Yeah, that’s it, how did you know?” Kory asked.

  Wesley had stopped breathing. Kurt lo oked so damn beautiful. The T-shirt he wore mapped out his muscles perfectly and now Kurt was crossing the dance floor, eyes locked with his.

  “We know your brother.”

  Tucker was holding onto the chair behind him. Austin was talking to someone at the bar ; when he turned to see where Kurt was going, their ey es met. Austin’s went wide upon seeing Tucker.

  “Um, are you okay?” Kory looked at the man who had invited him over.

  “Oh, yeah. I’m fine. I’m Wesley Foster and you already know Tucker.”

  “I’m Kory Maguire.” Kory shook Wesley’s hand.

  Kurt finally reached them and Wesley tried to smile. “Kurt, how have you been?”

  “I’m pretty good, haven’t seen you for almost a year. How long have you been in Seattle?” Kurt asked.

  “About a month, we transferred over from Anchorage P.D., ” Wesley said.

  “A month?” Kurt looked over at Tucker. “Good to see you, Tucker.”

  Kory’s head was bouncing back and forth between his brother and the other two men. “So, um, you guys know each other?”

  “Yes,” Austin had finally reached the group. His eyes scanned over Tucker. “We met at the firehouse barbequ e last year . Tucker, it’s good to see you, ” Austin put his hand out.

  Tucker felt Austin’s hand slide into his and a rush of excitement exploded inside ; his spine tingled and it spread to his toes. “Austin, you look good.”

  “So do you.” Austin felt his pulse racing as Tucker’s warm hand closed over his. “So you’ve been here a month? Did I hear that correctly?”

  “Yes, we transferred over from Anchorage.�
� Tucker realized he hadn’t let go of Austin’s hand. He pulled away slowly, immediately feeling the loss of the warmth of Austin’s hand. Their eyes were locked and Tucker saw something in Austin’s - hurt maybe?

  The music changed to a slower song, one Tucker didn’t recognize but it was slow and seductive. He put his beer down and looked at Austin.

  “Dance?”

  Austin shifted his feet, his cheeks heated and he hoped it couldn’t be seen in the dark club. “Um, sure.”

  “There you guys are!” Wyatt shouted to be heard over the music. Preston was trying to keep up.

  “Wesley?” Kurt got close so he could to be heard. “Would you like to dance?”

  Wesley tried to cover his shock with a half-smile. “Sure.”

  Kory stood awkwardly, unsure of himself. His brother and Austin had just left him alone with people he didn’t know. His eyes caught movement behind the two people who had just show n up and a wide smile spread across his face. Chaz and Cole had arrived. He waved to grab their attention.

  “So, you must be the little Maguire, ” Preston put his hand out. “Preston Dalton.”

  “I am, ” Kory grinned, grasping Preston’s hand. “You must be Wyatt , then, ” Kory shook Wyatt’s hand.

  “I am. I take it your brother has talked about us gay folk, ” Wyatt laughed .

  “Yes, he has. He speaks highly of you both, ” Kory smiled. Chaz and Cole were making their way over, huge smiles plastered on their faces.

  “Little Maguire!” Cole shouted.

  Kory waved. “Hi guys!”

  “Well, well, if it isn’t the scrumptious Preston and Wyatt.” Cole kissed Wyatt ’s and Preston’s cheeks. “Just once I’d love to be in a sandwich with you two.”

  Chaz laughed. “Me, too! Where’s your brother , Kory ?”

  Kory pointed to the dance floor.

  Chaz scanned the floor and found Kurt in the arms of a tall and delicious man . “Oh , my , ” Chaz licked his lips. Then his eyes found Austin. “Holy shit!”

  Preston leaned over into Chaz’s ear. “That’s Wesley Foster with Kurt, and Tucker Storm with Austin. They ’re cops.”

  “Damn, they can arrest me any day!” Chaz looked at the man holding Austin around the waist. Jesus, he looked like a damn model. Slightly taller than Austin, his strong biceps flexed as he held Austin close to him. No wonder Austin was so confused about his feelings . Tucker was ab solutely drop dead fuckable .