THE WRITER

by Southy

© July 2006

PART FOUR

“I’m addicted to you, Jim Ellison.”

They sat in bed, their arms around each other, as physically sated from pleasure as was humanly possible.

“I can’t believe the way you make me feel,” Blair continued. “Your lovemaking skills have to be the best kept secret in the entire world.”

“It’s not skill,” Jim said, wondering why he was being contrary to such a compliment. “It’s my desire to pleasure you.”

Blair snuggled closer and they were silent for a moment. Then he said, “Do you think we should get up and try to do something productive today?”

Jim rubbed Blair’s back, enjoying the little bumps and valleys along the epidermal layer of skin. “Do you want to meet with a real estate agent and start looking for a place to live?”

“Yeah,” Blair said, but he was thoughtful. “Jim, where do you live? I mean, do you even have a permanent home?”

“I own a loft apartment in Cascade. I keep thinking I should rent it out, but I like having it as a refuge when I’m between assignments. A cleaning lady comes in once a week to dust and water the plants.”

“Could we maybe live there?” Blair quickly added, “Or do you think it would be infringing on your territory, so to speak, to have me there?”

“No, of course not,” Jim said, surprised that Blair would think of that. “I want you with me. But you ought to be investing in real estate. It always goes up in value over the long term, and then you can have a place to call home.”

“All this stuff sounds complicated. I’ve never had enough money to be very smart about it. And then, when I all of a sudden had money, I had someone else taking care of it, so I never had to think about it.”

“We’re going to change that. Just because you don’t know about something doesn’t mean you can’t learn.”

“The idea of getting a house just seems – ”

“Shhh,” Jim said, having heard a noise outside. “I hear a truck coming up the driveway.”
As they both got out of bed, Blair said, “I wonder who that could be. Megan usually calls first, except when she was really mad the other day.”

Blair threw on a robe, and Jim scrambled into his pants and undershirt. As they were making their way down the stairs, the doorbell rang.

“Let me get it,” Jim said. Then he got a glimpse through a window where the curtain was pulled partially back. “It’s the postman.”

“Oh. I wonder why he’s ringing the bell.”

They opened the door to find a postman with an Express Mail envelope. “Is there a Jim Ellison here?”

“That’s me,” Jim said, stepping forward.

“I need your signature on this.”

As Jim signed the slip of paper, he wondered why someone would be sending him something at Blair’s address. Must be the bodyguard service.

As soon as the postman was on his way, Jim noticed that there was no return address. The envelope had “Personal and Confidential” stamped all over it.

“What is it?” Blair asked.

“I don’t know.”

As they stood there, Jim tore open the cardboard envelope. There was a regular #10 envelope inside, with just his name, and again had “Personal and Confidential” stamped on it.

Jim opened the smaller envelope, removed the paper within, and unfolded it. He took a few steps away from Blair as he read the few sentences.

Dear Mr. Ellison,

We would like to interview you about your past assignment as Blair Sandburg’s bodyguard. You will be well paid for your participation in an article our paper will be publishing.

Please contact Fred Jones at 505-555-6248 as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Stanley Tetterson
Publisher
Ragland Press

“Dammit,” Jim said. He handed the letter to Blair and looked out over the garden.

“What does it mean?” Blair asked a moment later.

“You don’t know who Ragland Press is?”

“They usually do gossip and celebrity papers. I guess they’re doing an article on me. Lots of magazines and papers have.”

“Aren’t they part of the tabloid press?” Jim asked. 

“Yeah, but I’m not exactly a major target of the tabloids at the moment. But I probably will be when the new book gets published.”

“Why do you think they want to pay me a substantial amount of money? They’re looking for me to say something, so they can quote it out of context and use it as a source for dirt on you.”

Blair was silent a long moment, then he quietly said, “I wonder how they knew you live here?”

“If they knew I was your bodyguard, it’s easy enough to figure out. Somebody slipped me a note at that book signing a few months ago. The note just had a phone number and mentioned twenty thousand dollars.”

“Did you call the number?”

“No. Why would I? My job was to protect you, and having any kind of contact with them could allow them to tape record me and that kind of thing.” He tried a smile to soften the tense mood. “All the more reason to move, Chief. It’ll take them a while to track us down again.”

Blair smiled broadly. “I like hearing you say ‘us”.”

Us. They were an us.

Jim’s smile slowly faded. “Damn.”

Blair moved closer. “What? What’s wrong?”

“What’s going on between us could ruin you, Chief.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“You write children’s books, for godsake. One whiff of you being in a homosexual relationship,” the phrase felt very foreign on Jim’s tongue, “and there could be a backlash by the public at large. The media – let alone the tabloids – would be all over you. It could affect your sales.”

Blair blinked. “How could that be? I mean, they have TV shows now about homosexuals. And they do well in the ratings. Besides, writers have always had a reputation of marching to a different drummer.”

Jim emphasized, “Writers of children’s books?” He shook his head. “I don’t think that would go down so easy. Conservative parents might refuse to buy the last book.”

“Nobody has to know. What we do behind closed doors is our own business.”

“How long do you think we can keep that a secret?” Jim demanded. “All it takes is for a cleaning lady, or somebody who sees us together at a restaurant, to say something to somebody in the media, and all hell could break loose.”

“Then what do you want to do? You’re more important to me than book sales, Jim. I’m not going to be without you so I can live a phony life in order to please people I don’t even know.”

Blair laid his hand on Jim’s arm and softened his voice. “This isn’t your responsibility. What’s going on between us isn’t something you can fix or need to fix.”

Jim wondered how Blair had known he’d felt that very inclination. But he focused on Blair. “I know you don’t like being expected to produce more books similar to what you’ve already written. But I also know that your stories mean something to you.” He slowly shook his head. “The last thing I want to do is take away your freedom to write what matters most to you.”

Blair squeezed his arm. “I’ve been telling you for weeks now that I want to write something else. Books for adults. Me living with another man won’t be such a touchy subject then. I mean,” Blair smiled warmly, “it’s like you came along at just the right time.”

Jim appreciated the effort Blair was making. Still, “You’ll have all the publicity hype when your third book gets published.”

“Then maybe we can agree to be low-key about our relationship until that’s over and done with. But if the media finds out before then, so be it.” Blair clasped Jim’s hand. “We can only control what we do, Jim. We can’t control what others try to do to us.”

How different Blair was when focused on personal things, rather than the consequences of his chosen career. He was determined and positive in his love. With his writing, he was brooding and sometimes just plain seemed unhappy with his fame and riches.

That realization made Jim feel more confident in their future.

He clasped Blair’s cheek and positioned his head just right. Then he bent and lowered his lips.

So good this contact felt… even after all their pleasure these past hours.

Still, his loins were sated.

When Jim pulled back, he put his arm around Blair and said, “I hope you don’t mind a life of celibacy.”

Blair’s mouth fell open. “What?”

Jim deadpanned, “I think it might be a few years before my cock is able to get hard again.” 

**

In reality, it was only a few hours. They were back in bed at night, idly touching and fondling each other, after having spent the evening looking at houses for sale on the internet.

Blair said, “I’m going to call Megan and ask her to recommend a realtor. That’ll be a step toward showing I still have faith in her. For that matter, I think I should call her to set a lunch date. I’d like you to come along, but I think I should see her alone first. I owe her that.”

Jim nodded. He wondered if she would talk Blair into doing another book deal, after all. But Blair had to be free to make that choice without his interference.

“Chief?”

“Yeah?”

“I need to let you know that I have a possessive streak.”

Blair’s head was against his chest. “Which means what? That you don’t want me to go anywhere without you?”

“No. I just… I don’t want to share you with anyone else.”

“If you’re talking about sex, there’s no way I would be interested in anyone else.”

“I don’t mean just that. I mean flirting too. You have a lot of adult fans.”

“Jim, I’m going to have to smile and be polite when I’m in public and people recognize me. I’ll want to show how happy I am at their interest, as long as it isn’t a mob. But that’s as far as it goes.” He grinned. “I like the idea of you being possessive, that you want me that badly.” His voice softened. “I’ve never been wanted before. At least, not for myself. With you, I never have to question that.”

Jim rolled over on top of Blair, feeling a heavy weight between his legs. “Speaking of wanting and possessiveness….”

Blair placed his hand on Jim’s head, which felt very comforting. “You wanting to go all the way?”

Jim nuzzled Blair’s neck. “You willing to do that?” 

“It’s felt pretty good, what you’ve done so far. You’re so careful about everything.”

Jim’s heart warmed at being validated for the pleasure he had given. He’d fondled Blair’s nether regions a lot, and had eventually inserted a lubricated finger inside. The snug walls called to him, and he was eager to make that passage into his very own, a pleasure that Blair had never given anyone else.

Jim slipped to one side and Blair rolled over.

He could sense Blair’s intense feeling of vulnerability. “Relax, my love,” he whispered, rubbing his hand across Blair’s rear. The fleshy globes felt so appealing. He couldn’t wait to have his flanks pressed against them. “I’m just going to play with you while.”

He reached for the lubricant and squeezed out a thin film along his fingers.

He sat back on his haunches and played with Blair a long time. Rubbed his buttocks, massage gently along his scrotum, teased and fingered his asshole until he had two digits fully inserted. He wriggled them, and eventually moved them in a wider and wider circle, stretching the taunt muscle.

“I can’t believe the way you make me feel,” Blair whispered with closed eyes.

Jim was aware that his hard cock was aimed right where it wanted to go. But he spent some time rubbing his other hand across Blair’s shoulders. The inserted fingers continued to stretch, bend, and stimulate.

Jim pulled them out and reached for the lube again. “I need you to stay relaxed just like this. I’m sure it’s going to hurt somewhat, but trust me to not let it get too intense.”

Blair tilted his head so he could look at Jim. “I trust you.”

Jim spread a thin film of lubricant on the head of his cock. He was careful not to apply too much, or it would interfere with his ability to sense Blair’s nerves and blood vessels.

Jim braced his weight on an arm next to Blair’s shoulder, and then took his maleness in hand. “Here it comes,” he said in his most reassuring voice.

He placed the head where it wanted to go. It throbbed at the tight barrier presented, and he noted how stimulating it felt, being so aware of how Blair’s buttocks pillowed the side of his dick.

“Deep breath,” Jim prompted. “Let it out real slow.”

He waited while Blair obeyed. Then he waited another moment still. 

He pressed, noting how the sphincter muscle let itself be forced open. Then his cockhead suddenly poked in with a satisfying wet noise.

Blair gasped.

His body stayed relaxed.

“Easy,” Jim warned and praised. “Easy does it.” He continued to press, feeling himself sink into the snug darkness.

Blair gasped again, and then suddenly shifted, the motion of his buttocks, however unintentional, drawing Jim deeper inside. 

“God,” Jim said, as a statement of worship.

He was in as far as he needed to go. Breathing heavily, he let his flanks rest against the cushion of Blair’s ass, while his rested his cheek against Blair’s back. “Doing okay?” he asked in a breathy whisper.

“Yeah,” Blair answered on an indrawn breath. “It’s just really tight. Really full.”

Jim brought his hand up to rest it in Blair’s hair. “This feels so damn good. I love you so much.”

Blair took a breath and Jim realized how heavy he was getting. “Easy,” he said as he rose up slowly and pulled back an inch. He began a small undulating motion, using brief strokes so he didn’t pull back too far. “God.” His cock had never been this happy.

“Ah, man,” Blair said as Jim continued to undulate. “That’s – that’s stimulating.”

Jim pushed Blair’s hair away from his neck. He thrust deep, then strained to kiss the naked neck. He inhaled, because he loved the smells there.

Blair quivered. “Oh, man.”

Jim felt that quiver reverberate through his cock.

He got serious now, bracing himself on his elbows and thrusting with greater earnest.

Blair also braced his elbows in front of him. “Ah, man, that’s feeling downright incredible. Fuck me. Fuck my ass, Jim.”

Shit, he couldn’t last now. He moved faster, with long satisfying strokes. His heart was pounding, his body sweating, the fat vein along his cock throbbing. His balls were tight and eager, his lower back tingling.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHH!” he yelled freely.

He thrust once more, gasping, his loins quivering as fluid drained from him.

He collapsed so one side, the cooler air striking his dick as he slid from its warm cocoon.

Blair rolled onto his back, stroking his hard-on.

Jim snuggled closer and replaced Blair’s hand with his own. He was well familiar with Blair’s cock by now. He gripped and stroked it, knowing what made it feel good.

Blair orgasmed a moment later.

Jim put his hand in the puddle and rubbed it along Blair’s torso. He was still regaining his breath. “That’s the best fuck I’ve ever had.” He nuzzled against Blair’s neck. “You ought to try it sometime.”

Blair rubbed Jim’s chest. “I don’t think I’d have your confidence. Or your patience.”

Jim tweaked a tiny nipple. “Then I’ll do all the fucking in the meantime. Man.” His loins felt so sated. 

He reached over to rub slowly and lovingly along Blair’s chest. “You were so good, Chief. You took it really easy.”

“Anyone would, the way you make a person feel completely worshipped.” Blair shifted so he could look Jim in the eye. “I love you so, so much, Jim. I can’t believe how close I feel to you. I’ve never known anything like this. Emotionally or physically.”

“Neither have I.”

They both closed their eyes and eventually fell asleep.

**

Jim drove away from the medical building in a rented SUV. He had in his possession an official release for him to return to work.

He supposed he should call Samuel Fleming, and then fax his formal letter of resignation. He was tempted to forego the phone call – and avoid Fleming trying to talk him out of resigning – but that would be cowardly.

He wondered how Blair’s lunch date with Megan was going. He wondered if she might convince Blair to take the five-million-dollar contract and write another series of books for juveniles.

He couldn’t imagine Blair ever being happy doing that. Nor could he imagine Blair being won over by money. Still, Blair was a decent guy and by refusing to sign another contract, he was robbing his agent of her half million-dollar share. That would surely weigh on his conscience.

In any event, Jim was looking forward to this afternoon, when they would be heading to the loft. He hadn’t been there in months, and Blair was eager to see where Jim had been living for the past few years, the few times he was home.

Jim glanced in his rearview mirror as he headed out of the city limits, back toward the estate. A Firebird sports car had been on his tail since he’d left the building. He made sure no other traffic was in front of him, and then focused his eyesight on the rearview mirror. The man was sandy-haired. It was difficult to judge his height, or the color of his eyes with the sunglasses, but Jim remembered the employee at the bookstore, who had handed him the note, saying the man had had sandy hair.

Maybe it was time to put this situation to rest.

At the upcoming T-intersection, Jim turned right, instead of left, which would have taken him back to the estate. This was a sparsely populated area, and he began looking for a turnoff point. He assumed that, if the man wanted to talk to him, he’d stop when Jim stopped.

Ah. A roadside table, next to a tall oak tree, was coming up on the right.

Jim slowed and turned into the small rest area. Once stopping, he leaned over to pick up an empty water bottle. He got out of the car and headed for the trash, pretending not to notice the sports car that also pulled up.

After throwing the bottle away, he feigned surprise when the sandy-haired man, who was indeed tall, rushed up to him. “Mr. Ellison?”

“Who wants to know?”

“I’m Fred Jones with Ragland Press. I’m sure you’ve received our prior notes.”

“What do you want?” Jim asked with a hard edge.

The man held up his hands. “Hey, hey, that first message was just a teaser. My publisher knows that twenty grand is nothing to a man of your stature. We’re prepared to offer you a hundred thousand dollars for an interview.”

Jim grabbed Jones and twisted his arm up behind his back.

Jones cried out, “What are you doing, you bastard?”

Jim relaxed his grip only slightly and put his mouth to Jones’ ear. “I don’t like it when others make assumptions that my integrity can be bought. It hurts my feelings.” He pushed Jones away from him. “Get your slimy ass out of here.”

Jones started moving back toward his Firebird, but he jabbed his finger at Jim. “You’re making a big mistake, Ellison. We can get an interview with anybody who wants the money. They’ll say anything. If you prefer that the truth be written about Blair Sandburg, you’ll want to talk to us.”

Jim wanted to ask truth about what? But he didn’t want Jones to think he had the least bit of interest. It would be playing into his hands. 

If they had made up the story about Willow being plagiarized, these slimeballs where sure to make up anything else. At least, anything said was unlikely to hurt sales, though it might upset Blair.

The Firebird had moved back onto the street.

Jim sighed as he returned to his car. There wasn’t any reason to tell Blair about this.

**

Jim’s cell phone rang when he was headed back to the estate. “Ellison,” he answered.

“Mr. Ellison, Steve Bowling here.” 

It took Jim a moment to remember the name. Bowling was the owner of the accounting firm. Jim and Blair had left the firm last week with instructions that he was to contact Jim about the findings of the firm’s internal audit. 

“Yes?” was all Jim said, feeling his emotional shields go up, in the name of protecting Blair.

“I’m informing you that our internal audit is complete. There were indeed errors made in the accounts handled by our ex-employee, including the accounts of Mr. Sandburg. We felt it in the best interest of our clients to credit back all monies paid to Redd’s Investment Consulting Firm for the past two years. In Mr. Sandburg’s case, that was all the money he had ever paid to the firm, since he has been with us for exactly twenty-four months. Therefore, his money market account is being credited with $240,000.”

“Excellent,” Jim said, feeling satisfied that he had them running scared, though Mr. Bowling’s feathers remained unruffled. “I’m sure you’ll understand that Mr. Sandburg has decided to go with another accounting firm, and we’ll be transferring all monies to that firm in the near future.”

There was silence, then a smooth, “I’m very sorry to hear that. I was hoping the refunding of the investment consulting money, without any further investigation, would satisfy our affected clients. They have, essentially, gotten free investment advice for the past two years.”

“Mr. Bowling, you and I both know the errors should never had happened in the first place. I’ll be contacting you before the month is out to let you know which firm will be taking over the accounts.”

“Very well. Good day, Mr. Ellison.”

“Good day,” Jim replied cheerfully.

All right! He’d earned Blair nearly a quarter of a million of his money back. He grinned at the thought that it would just be a number to Blair, and he wouldn’t be able to tie it to anything tangible.

**

“$240,000?” Blair asked as they drove toward Cascade later that afternoon. “Man, that’s great!”

“That’s those phony $10,000 checks for the entire two years they’ve been managing your money. Now, Chief, we’ll need to get you a better accounting firm. I’ll look up some numbers when we get to the loft.”

“Man, you’re good. I feel I ought to give half the money to you, since you’re the only reason I have it back.”

Jim held up a hand. “It belongs to you,” he said firmly.

Blair looked over at him. “I thought we were an us.”

Jim’s voice softened. “We are. But we aren’t ready yet to mingle funds. One step at a time, Chief.” He changed the subject. “You didn’t finish telling me about your lunch with Megan.”

Blair shifted in his seat. “So, we agreed that she’d continue to be my agent, but I said that whenever I get this first book written, based upon you, that I want to look for a different publisher and do it under a different byline. When she realized I was serious about not writing any more children’s books, she was on board and willing to play it any way I want.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. I can’t say she’s my favorite person, but I know I’ll have to accept her, since she’s such an important part of your life.”

Blair was silent for a long moment. “That list is so short. You. Megan. My Mom. You’re the only people in the entire world I can say are family, or even just good friends.” He slowly shook his head. “Man, it’s so weird. I used to be such a people person. What happened to everybody?”

Jim reminded, “What happened, according to you, is that you got famous. Your friends got envious. Your acquaintances didn’t feel they were worthy of you and took a big step back. And powerful people, like your publisher, wanted to make sure they kept you happy enough that you keep performing for them so everyone involved could get richer.”

“I really would like to go back to being a regular guy.”

Jim felt his heart swell. “I’m not sure that hooking up with me is the first step in that direction.” He held out his arm, and circled it around Blair as Blair slid over the seat to be next to him.

“In this day and age,” Blair said, “being with another guy is more regular than being famous.”

Jim liked how it felt to have Blair next to him. 

“I can’t wait to get started writing about you. That’s why I brought my laptop.”

“I don’t know how much time you’ll have. We need to find a place to live, Chief.”

“What about at your place?”

“It’s a lot smaller than what you’re used to.”

“I only lived at that estate because Prestige put me up there. My apartments have always been pretty small. One or two bedroom.”

“We’ll see what you think,” Jim said.

**

“This is great!” Blair said, a few minutes after having entered Jim’s apartment. “It’s cozy. It’s quiet. It’s attractive.” He looked up the staircase. “And a real loft. Wow!”

“Unfortunately,” Jim said, “the sole bathroom is next to the kitchen, so that’s kind of inconvenient when you want to sleep in, but you have to piss first.” Blair was standing on his toes at the bottom of the stairs, trying to see over the railing. “Go on up.”

Blair bounded up the stairs.

Jim decided to follow after him. 

“This bed is huge!”

“No bigger than yours.” Both were king-sized.

“Yeah, but considering this room isn’t that big, that’s a pretty impressive piece of furniture.” Blair sat on it.

Jim shrugged. “I work hard. So, I figure I deserve a good night’s rest at the end of a day.”

Blair rubbed his hand along the spread. “You haven’t been here for months?”

“Right. But I told the cleaning lady I might be here a few days, and to change the bedding.”

Blair smiled warmly at him. “I would love to stay here, Jim. This place is great.”

That made Jim feel good. Blair wanted to be in his world.

He sat next to Blair.

Blair leaned close and softly said, “Let’s christen this room properly.”

Jim kissed him, showing his agreement.

**

Later, they lay snuggled together, under the covers. 

Jim realized he couldn’t withhold a truth from Blair. “Chief? After I left the doctor’s today, I was followed. I stopped and confronted the guy. He was with that tabloid press. He hinted that they were going to write some article on you, and if I wanted it to be truthful, I should talk to them. Otherwise, they were going to print whatever they could pay somebody to tell them.”

Blair grimaced. “It’s hardly the first time. What did you say?”

Jim shrugged, thinking Blair wouldn’t appreciate some of the finer details of the conversation. “I sent him on his way and let him know in no uncertain terms that I wasn’t interested. I think I got my point across, but that’s not going to stop them from making something up.”

“No shit.”

Jim shifted the pillows behind him. “I’ve been thinking.”

“I’m offended,” Blair teased. “After that incredible lovemaking?”

It had been incredible. Jim had never thought that a relationship could be like this. 

He tried to re-focus on what he’d intended to say. “I still think we should look for a house. One that’s a good investment that we like well enough to spend some time there, if we want. But we should make sure it’s in your name. And hire some caretakers to make it look lived in. Maybe keep an expensive classic car in the garage. That way, when the tabloids or whoever try to track you down again, they’ll think you’re secluded away. In the meantime, we can be living here. Once your new book comes out, we’ll probably be in hotels a lot, as you travel around. After you’ve fulfilled the marketing requirements of your contract, it won’t matter so much if anyone sees us together or that kind of thing.”

Blair was thoughtful a long moment. Then he said, “I like that plan. Let’s do it.”

**

The next day, Blair said he wanted to visit some professors at Rainier, his alma mater. Jim decided to come along, as he was curious about the environment that had cultivated someone like Blair.

They headed across campus toward the Liberal Arts building. The other students – who were sparse, because it was summer – seemed too involved in their own destinations to realize a famous author was among them. So, it was a surprise when a blond man suddenly stopped and turned, after having passed them. “Blair Sandburg?”

Jim and Blair paused and turned around.

The man grinned. “It is you!”

“Tommy?” Blair said, stepping closer. 

“Yeah.” Tommy held out his hand. “How the hell are you? I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Just visiting,” Blair said. 

Jim could sense his unease, beneath his happiness. 

“Uh, Tommy, this is my good friend and consultant on all sorts of things, Jim Ellison. Jim, this is my old friend, Tommy Talcken.” Blair distinctly said, “I used to hang out with him and the gang, back when we were all dreaming of being famous writers.”

Ah, yes, Jim remembered Blair telling him about the friends who had belittled him behind his back, once Willow’s sales took off, because they were jealous of Blair’s success.

“Nice to meet you,” Jim said, nodding his head.

“Likewise.” Tommy seemed uneasy, as though he too was remembering how things had ended up in the group of friends.

Jim squeezed Blair’s shoulder. “I’m going to rest my feet over there, so you two can have a moment.”

He didn’t wait for a reply, and moved off toward the nearest bench.

He knew Blair wouldn’t mind if he listened in.

“I’m really surprised to see you,” Tommy said. “It’s like you didn’t want us for friends anymore, once your book went number one in the juvenile sales market.”

“Didn’t want you for friends?” Blair asked on a high note. “Tommy, I overhead you guys bad-mouthing me behind my back. That really hurt. What would you expect me to do?”

“Bad-mouthing you?” Tommy said with puzzlement. “I remember we were all drinking once and bemoaning how we wished we had your success.”

“Yeah, and Franklin said I was the one, of all of us, who deserved it the least. You all agreed.”

Tommy seemed stunned. “I don’t remember agreeing. I know I wouldn’t have. It was Franklin who said that, not the rest of us. Jesus, Blair, if you weren’t right there with us, you couldn’t have heard things very accurately. Plus, we were drinking and probably slurring our words.”

Jim could see Blair look away. He wondered if it were possible that this old hurt had all been the result of a simple miscommunication.

“Are you telling me,” Tommy said in amazement, “that when you seemed to up and disappear, it was because you thought we’d bad-mouthed you?”

“I didn’t disappear. I’ve always lived in this region of Washington. You guys called a few times, and I was too pissed off to answer. You never tried again.”

“We thought you felt you were too good for us. You never called us.”

Blair bowed his head and put a hand to his forehead. “I can’t believe this.”

Tommy put his hand on Blair’s shoulder. “Man, Blair, you were one of my favorite guys in all my student days. I missed you like crazy. I couldn’t believe you’d let success go to your head like that. Now, come to find out, it was our fault that you didn’t want to be around us anymore.”

“No, no,” Blair squeezed Tommy’s shoulder back. “It’s my fault. I felt so self-conscious about how Willow suddenly became a bestseller, that I couldn’t confront you guys like I normally would have. I guess maybe I didn’t feel that I deserved all that money and fame. It’s like it happened overnight.”

Jim felt that a lot of Blair’s behaviors were making sense, now that Blair admitted to feeling he hadn’t deserved Willow’s success.

Tommy was nodding. “Yeah, it did happen fast. We were all stunned too. It’s so good to see you again, Blair.”

Blair nodded back, his voice choked. “Yeah.”

“Hey, guess what? I’m the only one left who is still hanging around Rainier. I’m teaching now.” Bashful laugh. “I only ever got a few stories published. Anyway, I’m having a little get-together at my apartment with some students. Would you like to come? There’s just going to be some snacks and beer and soft drinks. We’re going to discuss a short story by one of the students that got rejected by a publisher. They’d be thrilled to meet someone like you, and would love to have your input.”

“Uh… I’ll think about it.” Blair nodded back toward Jim. “My friend Jim and I have some other plans, but I’ll see what I can arrange.”

“I’d love to have you.” Tommy tore a sheet of paper from his backpack and wrote information on it. “If not, let’s make sure we get together again.”

“Yeah, I’d like that. I’ll really try to make it, Tommy.”

“Great.”

Jim stood as Blair and Tommy parted. He wanted Blair to go to the gathering. He could hear how eager Blair was to spend a few hours hanging around his own kind.

“Were you listening?” Blair asked as he approached.

Jim nodded.

“Man, I can’t believe that. Tommy still cares about me.”

Jim draped an arm over Blair’s shoulders as they proceeded to the Liberal Arts building. “Maybe you gave up on your friends too quickly, huh?” Jim softened his voice. “I can understand how you’d feel you didn’t deserve all the good things that happened, especially when it was so sudden. Maybe there’s other old friends out there who would be as glad to see you as Tommy was.”

Blair nodded, looking chastised. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

**

It was nearly midnight when Jim heard the door to the loft open. “Up here,” he called.

“Thanks for waiting up,” Blair said as he arrived on the landing a few moments later. He was smiling broadly. “I had a really great time. But I’ve been so, so looking forward to getting into bed with you.”

Jim had been looking forward to it too.

He held out his arms when Blair was nude.

Blair curled against him, his demeanor more sober. “You know, when I was talking to everyone, one of the girls asked me if I was in a relationship.” He swallowed thickly. “I said ‘sort of’ and changed the subject.”

Jim waited, his hand rubbing up and down Blair’s arm.

Blair swallowed again. “I guess I’m hesitant to mention you at all, even in a general sense. I guess it’s because I’m afraid that the minute I say, ‘I have someone who belongs to me, and I to him’ that it’ll up and disappear. We’ll get in a fight or something the next day, and then you’ll be gone.”

Jim pressed Blair’s head against his shoulder. “It’s all right,” he said in a soft whisper. “I’ve never been one to discuss my relationships with others, either. Besides, it’s just as well while we’re waiting for your book to come out, that you’re vague about who you’re with.”

“I still feel like a coward.”

“In time,” Jim said, “we’ll both learn to trust what we have. I have my uncertainties too, you know.”

Blair shifted to look at him. “Really?”

“Uh-huh. I don’t want to lose you either, Chief. And I’m afraid that you’ll decide you don’t want to be mixed up with someone like me.”

“You kidding?” Blair grinned. “You’re by far, far, far the very best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“As you are to me.” Jim realized his throat felt tight.

Blair tilted his face up. “Then let’s celebrate the two best things that have ever happened.”

Jim kissed him.

**


EPILOGUE

Five weeks later, Jim hung up the phone. “My old boss at the police station, Simon Banks, is coming over. He said that he needs to talk to me about something.”

Blair was writing on his laptop. “I wonder what.”

“I don’t know.”

It had been a busy few weeks. Jim had formally resigned from the security firm, much to the dismay of Fleming. A tabloid had hit the stores with a story that Blair had fathered an illegitimate child, but other titillating celebrity news usurped it, and it ended up on the back pages. Prestige Publishing’s staff lawyers were combating the allegations, and a press release had been issued where Blair unequivocally denied everything stated in the article. He hadn’t even met the woman who was his accuser.

Jim and Blair had a contract on a house just on the outskirts of Cascade. They had moved Blair’s stuff out of the estate. They also had visited an accounting firm that Jim had gotten a referral for, and transferred all of Blair’s accounts.

The third book of the Willow trilogy would be hitting the stores the week before Thanksgiving, and they knew the present time was the quiet before storm.

There was a knock at the door and Jim opened it. “Simon, it’s good to see you.”

They hugged each other and slapped each other on the back.

After the introductions, and Simon had made the appropriate aahing noises about meeting Blair Sandburg (whom he admitted he had kind of, sort of heard of), and all had been seated with refreshments, Simon said, “I was wondering if you have time to help out with something, Jim. A friend of a cousin of mine, named Sarah Mabley, has a sister who’s been missing for a couple of months. She suspects foul play, but there’s almost nothing for our people to go on. It’s not the kind of thing the Department can spend manpower on. I wondered if you might have the time to check into it. Mrs. Mabley can’t pay you much, but she’ll do what she can.”

They discussed the case. After Simon left, Jim asked Blair, “What do you think?”

Blair said, “I know you want to take on the job. I want to, too. I’m really good at doing research and that kind of thing. Besides, being hands-on on an assignment like this will give me more ideas for my books.”

Jim said, “We’ve got less than three months before your new book hits the shelves and you’ll be flying around, doing the publicity.”

Blair punched his arm. “Then let’s get going!”

Jim loved Blair’s enthusiasm. 

Blair seemed so much happier, now that he was writing about a Jim-based character, was getting to know a few old friends again, and no longer felt under Prestige’s thumb.

And then there was the relationship between the two of them.

“It’s too late to pay Mrs. Mabley a visit right now,” Jim said.

“Then first thing in the morning.” Blair stood before Jim and grinned up at him. “I guess we need to hit the sack.”

Jim grinned back.

Then they went up the stairs together.
 

FINIS

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