Part 6 (2/2)

”It really didn't,” Bull said. ”I always thought letting her have it would feel good. But it was just sad. She's my mother, and neither of us gives enough of a c.r.a.p about the other to care how we feel. She appeared on my doorstep, full of her usual self-importance and ent.i.tlement. I let her have it because....”

”Jesus,” Harry said, and this time Bull knew he was grinning. ”That's the most you've talked about your feelings in four years. Say, would you put the real Bull on the line? I want to talk to him.”

”Smarta.s.s,” Bull muttered.

”Thank G.o.d. I was beginning to wonder if something had happened to you.” Harry chuckled. ”Go on to bed and don't concern yourself with anything here. I'll see you tomorrow night, and don't worry about your mother. They're all a pain, but you only get one. So talk to her in the morning and see if you can't work the s.h.i.+t out between you. And try not to growl too many times while you're at it.” Harry laughed and disconnected the call.

Bull placed the phone on the nightstand and then turned off the light. He stared up into the darkness, wondering what he was going to do about his mother. Those thoughts fell away fairly quickly, and he drifted off to sleep thinking of Zach.

THE NEXT NEXT two days were a jumble of logistics: trying to get his mother where she wanted to go, despite her having her own car; working; and then attempting to get enough sleep. He couldn't help notice the two fresh wine bottles in the trash each night when he got home. Hopefully he would be able to get his mother on her way home in the next day or so. It was well after noon on Sunday when his phone woke him up. He searched for it without opening his eyes and nearly knocked it onto the floor. ”h.e.l.lo.” two days were a jumble of logistics: trying to get his mother where she wanted to go, despite her having her own car; working; and then attempting to get enough sleep. He couldn't help notice the two fresh wine bottles in the trash each night when he got home. Hopefully he would be able to get his mother on her way home in the next day or so. It was well after noon on Sunday when his phone woke him up. He searched for it without opening his eyes and nearly knocked it onto the floor. ”h.e.l.lo.”

”Gosh,” Zach said. ”I figured it was late enough that I wouldn't wake you.”

”It's okay,” Bull said as he cracked his eyes open and glanced at the clock. He yawned. ”I should be getting up. My mother has had the run of the house for hours, and Lord knows what I'm going to find.” He sat up and let the covers pool on his lap. ”I'm glad you called.” He'd been wondering if he and his mother had managed to scare Zach away.

”I wasn't sure how busy you'd be with your mother there.” Zach sounded nervous. ”She didn't like me.”

”It wasn't you. My mother's delusional sometimes.” Bull stretched his legs and thought about getting up and dressed, but he was too d.a.m.ned comfortable, and listening to Zach's voice had certain parts of him very awake. Bull slid his hand under the sheet and along his shaft. ”Like I said, I'm glad you called.” And getting happier by the moment.

”I didn't know if you might want to have lunch or something,” Zach said a little nervously. ”Just you and me,” he added, and Bull chuckled.

”I would. Mom is supposed to be spending the afternoon with some old friends.” Bull pulled his hand away from his d.i.c.k when he heard sounds in the other part of the house. ”I could pick you up in an hour, if you like.”

”Yeah, that would work,” Zach agreed. ”I'll see you then.” They ended the call, and Bull got out of bed, stretching his back and neck. He thought about taking a shower, but that would only lead to him using the soap to relieve the pressure, and Bull really hoped that after they had lunch, dessert would be offered. He shaved and cleaned up before dressing and padding out to see what his mother was up to.

She met him in the living room, and his eyes widened when he saw her. ”You look very nice.” Her simple dark-blue dress highlighted her eyes.

”I'm hoping a change to the outside will help with the inside,” she explained and picked up her purse from the sofa. ”Darlene and I are planning to have dinner, so I'll be back later this evening.” She seemed energetic and actually smiled.

”Are you okay?” Bull asked.

”Never better. I had some time to think, and I realized I was turning into my mother.” Her smile slipped from her face. ”While you were at work, I didn't have much to do, so I looked around and saw the picture you have hanging in the hallway. I thought it was an old picture of me at first, and then I realized it was Mother. I look just like her. Then it hit me that I was acting like her too. She was bitter and obnoxious after Daddy died. I must have latched on to that and run with it.” She reached out and stroked his cheek. Bull almost stepped away. He couldn't remember the last time she'd touched him with tenderness. ”You were right the other day. I avoided my mom after I got married because she was miserable to be around.” His mother sighed. ”I can't say I can change overnight, but I'm going to try to be more pleasant.”

”Okay,” Bull said.

His mother checked her watch and then headed for the door. ”I'll see you tonight. Have fun,” she said and left the house.

Bull stared after her, wondering what in h.e.l.l had just happened. Maybe his mother had been visited by the ghosts of mothers from h.e.l.l-past, present, and future. Bull didn't move for a while, shocked into inaction until his stomach rumbled and he remembered his appointment with Zach. Then he sprang into action and got ready to leave. He drove to Zach's and parked outside his building. Zach must have been watching, because he bounded out of the brick building and down the walk to Bull's car.

”I figured you'd be hungry,” Zach said as he slid into the pa.s.senger seat.

”I am,” Bull said and leaned over to Zach. Food could wait. He tugged him into a kiss that quickly heated. The seats crunched softly as they moved closer to each other. When they separated, Zach was flushed and his breathing shallow. He sat back in the seat, and Bull glanced down and noticed the tent in his pants. Zach s.h.i.+fted and turned away slightly, and Bull knew he'd been caught looking. Not that he cared, but Zach blushed even harder. ”Let's get some lunch.”

Zach opened his mouth to say something but ended up just nodding. Bull drove to a brewpub that had great burgers and made the best beer in town. Once they were seated and the server had provided them with water while they looked over the beer menu, Zach began the conversation. ”So, how was your mother's visit so far?”

Bull shrugged. He wasn't ready to count today's behavior as a permanent change. Not yet.

”Your mother's quite.... It was interesting to meet her, and....” Zach swallowed. ”She seemed....” He was obviously searching for something nice to say and kept coming up short.

”There are times when my mother puts the b.i.t.c.h in obituary,” Bull said, and Zach howled, snorting water out of his nose. Bull reached for some napkins and helped him clean up the mess. ”I heard that once from one of the drag queens and I thought it appropriate in this case. Are you okay?”

Zach nodded, gasped, and looked like he was still trying to contain his laughter. ”Warn a guy next time, will ya?” he said, wiping his face and then turning away to blow his nose. Then he turned back and began to laugh again. Their server took their drink orders, and after they both requested a beer, the server carded Zach and then hurried away.

”I wish they'd stop carding me,” Zach said as he put his license away.

”Consider it a compliment. No one has carded me in years,” Bull told him.

”No one would dare,” Zach said and fell into a fit of giggles. Bull glared at him. ”Come on, you're huge, bald, and obviously no kid.” Zach took a gulp of his beer. ”I, on the other hand, look about twelve.”

”No, you don't,” Bull whispered deeply and saw Zach s.h.i.+ver. ”You're....” Bull searched for the right word. The ones he usually used to describe guys didn't seem to fit. Not that Zach wasn't hot and s.e.xy, because he was. But those terms seemed too shallow. Zach was much more than that. ”Perfect,” slipped past his lips.

Zach scoffed and rolled his eyes. ”I certainly am not.”

”See, that's why you're perfect. You're attractive but don't stand around waiting for everyone to look at you. You're sweet and kind, but not sugary. That's what makes you so wonderful.” G.o.d, he was actually gus.h.i.+ng a little. He never gushed. He turned away and growled at himself so he'd feel better.

”I'm just me,” Zach said. ”If you want to talk hot, then you should look in a mirror.” Zach tried to cover his blush with his gla.s.s but it didn't work. Bull saw it and smiled.

”You don't have to be embarra.s.sed,” Bull said. That blush was way too cute.

Their server returned and they ordered lunch. Once the server left, Zach seemed more comfortable. ”How is everything going at work?” Zach asked.

”It's the same. People are getting sneakier, and Sat.u.r.day night I caught one of the bartenders trying to let someone into the back door of the club. At first I figured it was just a friend, so I watched the guy, but then I kicked his a.s.s out when I saw him dealing. Then I fired the bartender.”

”How did you know who let the guy in?”

”Cameras,” Bull said. ”I installed a tiny one in the back that activates when the door is opened. Most of the time the camera films the guys taking out the trash. Didn't take us long to figure it out, though. How's work for you?”

”Same as always. I have made progress with the comic book, though. I think it's going to be really cool,” Zach said. ”I'll show it to you once I have the story all laid out. Then you can tell me what you think.”

”I still can't believe you turned me into a comic book hero,” Bull said, unable to suppress a smile. He'd been smiling a lot more in the past week.

”Why not? You inspired me,” Zach said.

The server brought their lunches, and they both dug in. Zach was obviously hungry, because he ate almost as ravenously as Bull. They talked a little, but mostly they chowed down. Bull had observed one very basic difference between men and women. As a kid, he'd gone out with his mother and her friends a few times. The ladies would order and talk, eating their food over a full hour. Not any of the guys he knew. When you put food in front of them, their heads lowered, and conversation generally ceased or descended to short questions with even shorter answers.

”I didn't realize how hungry I was,” Zach told Bull after they'd both nearly cleaned their plates.

”I was starving. Last night was busy as h.e.l.l, and I didn't get a chance to grab any sort of snack. Once I got home, I was too tired to cook.”

Their server stopped by the table and asked if they'd like another beer. Bull declined because he had to drive. He knew he could safely have another, but he didn't want to risk it. They both switched to soda and finished their lunches.

Zach sat back in the chair, his eyes half-closed, patting his belly. ”Dang, I'm full,” he said. ”I don't think I'll be able to eat a thing for at least two hours.” He grinned. ”My mother always said I was part hummingbird because I eat all the time and run it off.”

”I can see that,” Bull said. ”I used to be that way, but I'm not as active now, so I watch what I eat. Without a lot of intense activity, I can really pack on the weight.” He patted his belly and noticed Zach's gaze following the movement of his hand. Their server returned and asked if they wanted dessert. When they both declined, he left the check. Zach reached for it and opened his wallet. ”I can get that,” Bull said.

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