“We prayed for you every day. The whole church did, and now we have our boy back. It’s a miracle.”

No, no it wasn’t. He was the same Gavin, and that would never change. And it shouldn’t matter. “I’ve always been me. It’s the only person I know how to be, Dad.”

And damned if it didn’t make him want to go postal on the whole fucking world that his family didn’t like the person that was.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Mason smiled when Gavin walked into the bar. “Hey. What are you doing here? You’re giving Jessie a piano lesson today, right?”

“We did it early this morning. She has a friend’s birthday party this afternoon. She’s damn good for her age. I hope she sticks with it. I’m excited to see where she can go with it. Piano is a tough instrument. I loved it, but I almost quit at one point. I think most kids go through that. It’s probably my favorite to play now—that and the guitar.”

Mason crossed his arms, enjoying the passion in Gavin’s eyes. That was one of his favorite things about the man, how passionate he was about music, and his love for it.

“What?” Gavin asked.

“Nothing. Kiss me.”

Gavin leaned over the bar and took Mason’s mouth. Mason didn’t let it go on as long as he wanted to, not wanting to risk someone walking in on them.

Since they didn’t currently have any customers, he walked to the other side of the counter and took the stool beside Gavin. “Do you think I can disappear for a couple hours tomorrow? I’d like to go to my father’s doctor appointment with him. He’s gained a small amount of movement back on his left side.”

“Yeah, sure. No problem.”

Mason rested his elbows on the bar and leaned his head into his hands. He closed his eyes, taking a minute to rest. “Thanks. You’ve been a life saver, you know that?”

When Gavin didn’t answer, he slid his hand up, resting his forehead in it, and turned to see his lover. The man studied him, looked at him like he wasn’t really sure who Mason was. This time it was his turn to ask, “What?”

“You’re exhausted and not taking care of yourself.”

Mason tried to smile. “Why don’t you take care of me, then?” He knew what Gavin meant but didn’t really want to go there right now. He needed time off. He needed to lessen his trips to Denver, not add more.

“Stop pretending you don’t know what I mean.” Gavin stood, and scooted behind him. Mason groaned when Gavin’s hands started to knead the muscles in his shoulders.

“You’re going to make me come.”

“You probably need that, too.”

“I always need that.” He closed his eyes and enjoyed the strong hands on his shoulders, his neck, working all the tight muscles there. “You have talented hands.”

“Comes from years of playing instruments.”

“Can we do this every day?” Mason pleaded.

“Hey, how is that fair to me?”

“You get to touch me? Ouch, shit.” Gavin’s teeth bit into Mason’s shoulder. “I was going to invite you to lunch at my folks house this Sunday, but now I don’t know…”

Gavin’s hands paused.

“My family would like to meet you. I’m warning you that Isaac will probably be there, but if you want to come, you’re welcome. We can get the bar covered for a few hours.” Mason was fully aware this visit propelled their relationship forward, and he was okay with that.

“I’d like that. I’m going to show him you’re mine.”

He chuckled. “This possessive side of you is pretty hot, but it’s not needed.”

The door creaked but Mason didn’t move. Gavin’s hands stopped massaging but he kept them on Mason’s shoulders.

“Jesus fucking Christ.”

Mason recognized the angry voice behind him. He turned and kept Gavin close as a group of firemen came in. Braden and Cooper among them, though it had been the homophobic prick Fred who’d spoken.

“Problem?” Mason asked.

Fred just shook his head, but the set in his body said he did. From what Cooper and Noah had told him, the problems with Fred went back to when Cooper and Noah first got together. They only grew when Braden fell in love with Wes. They’d come to an understanding at work, after an intervention with their captain, but that didn’t mean it changed the way Fred obviously felt.

“That’s good.” He didn’t take his eyes off Fred as he spoke, letting him know Mason wouldn’t deal with his shit. Not in his bar, or anywhere else.