Chapter 12
Drew walks into the dressing after he returns from the ring. He shakes his head when he sees John wiping his face paint off. "I can't believe you did that," Drew says unable to stifle his chuckle.
"I thought I did pretty well," John says with another attempt at his Scottish accent.
Drew laughs. "Leave the accent to me." Walking over, Drew stops in front of John. "You cut yourself."
"Thanks to you."
"What do you mean thanks to me?"
"It happened when you took a step toward me out there."
"I saw." Drew grabs the towel that's resting on John's chair and wipes the blood from the man's brow. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just a little cut." John lets his gaze fall to the dark blue shirt Drew is wearing. "God, I love you in blue."
Drew grins as he drops the towel and tugs the shirt from his waistband. "Oh yeah?"
John nods as he watches Drew start to work the buttons loose. "What are you doing?"
"You love me in blue. How about when I take it off?"
"I've seen you without a shirt before Drew." Even as he's saying this, he can't keep his eyes off Drew's toned chest. "You play dirty." John steps forward and presses a soft kiss to Drew's lips. "So you're off until Thursday, right?"
"Yes, why?"
"Why don't I trade in my ticket home for two home and you come with me?"
Drew steps back as he pulls his shirt back up his arms. "As in…?"
"You want to meet Faith. Faith wants to meet you. I want you to be a part of that life with me."
Drew continues to stare at John for a moment trying to figure out whether or not John is being serious. Then again, why would John joke about something like this? He wouldn't and Drew knows that. Stepping forward, Drew rests his hands on John's cheeks and captures the man's lips in a soft kiss.
"I didn't think it was that big of a deal," John says with a little chuckle.
"It shouldn't be, but God, you have no idea."
"Does that mean you'll go?"
"Yes."
John smiles before kissing Drew again. "Good. Now, I'm getting this skirt off."
"It's a kilt!"
"I know." John winks at Drew before kissing him one last time and turning toward his bag.
Drew lets his hand travel across John's lower back before he walks over to his own things. He hadn't expected this yet from John, but maybe it's a good sign that John's willing to let him into everything in his life. It has to mean something.
******
John knocks on the front door of Faith and Chris's house as he opens the lightwood and steps inside. "Hello," he calls out.
"Daddy!" Oakley shrieks.
John watches as she appears from the kitchen doorway. He lifts her up the moment she's near him. "Hi, Peach. I missed you."
"I missed you too."
John glances back to see Drew standing there. "Look who came with me."
Oakley lifts her head, smiling widely when she sees Drew. "Drew!"
John lets Drew take Oakley from him when the young girl reaches over. He smiles when Oakley wraps her arms tightly around Drew's neck. When he hears footsteps, John looks over to see Faith walking in.
"You weren't kidding when you said you were bringing the boyfriend," Faith says as she hugs John. "Hi, John."
"Hi, Faith," John says as he pulls back.
"You look happy."
"I am happy."
"Good. Hi, I'm Faith Warren."
Drew smiles at her. "Drew Galloway." He reaches out to shake Faith's hand.
"It's nice to finally meet you Drew. I've heard a lot about you from these two."
John watches as Drew looks over at him. "Don't get any ideas."
"Oakley seems to adore you almost as much as she does her Daddy."
"You should see her when we're on the road. It's all about Drew then."
"Not true," Drew says.
Faith grins. "I'll go up and get her bags."
"I got them," Chris says walking down.
John looks up the stairs to see the man he still believes should have been with Faith the entire time. "I didn't think you'd be home."
"I got the day off. Lucky me." Chris sets Oakley's bags down before shaking John's hand. "This must be the famous Drew."
"I'm famous?" Drew asks smiling at John.
"You won't be soon if you don't lose that grin," John mutters.
Drew chuckles and shakes Chris's hand. "Drew Galloway."
"Chris Warren."
Drew looks at John when they pull out of the driveway a short time later. "How often did you talk about me?" he asks.
"Doesn't matter," John answers.
"That much, huh?"
John grins. "Don't get all cocky now."
Drew reaches over, linking his fingers through John's. "I'm not. Must mean something that you've been talking about me though."
John glances in the rearview mirror to see Oakley looking out the window. "Truth is I fell in love with you shortly after we met. But I was too scared to admit it, even to myself. I mentioned you to Faith and she knew right away that there was something more than a friendship. She told me the way I talked about you is the way I used to talk about her. Even still I was afraid to admit anything."
"When did you to them?"
"The day after you kissed me for the first time." John shrugs. "It wasn't until you kissed me I knew it was okay to put it out there that I did fall in love with you."
"You hadn't told me you had at that point."
"Be happy that I kissed you."
"Oh trust me, I am."
John grins and squeezes Drew's hand. "Don't doubt me, because I do love you."
"I'm not doubting you. You just make me wonder about some of this. I was so different when I was coming out."
"It's just weird for me."
"I know. You don't need to explain." Drew looks into the back seat at Oakley and can't help but smile. He hadn't thought his life would consist of a great boyfriend and his boyfriend's little girl, at least not this soon. But he wouldn't change anything. He's too in love with both of them to want anything to be different.
******
John walks into the kitchen the evening to start dinner only to find Drew already standing at the stove. "What are you doing?" John asks.
Drew looks over. "What does it look like?"
"It looks like you're making dinner."
"Very good."
John grins and rolls his eyes. "But why are you making dinner? I told you I would cook tonight."
"I know you did. But then I thought about it and decided I wanted to do the cooking tonight."
John leans against the counter as Drew turns around from the stove. "It smells good."
"Good thing. And your daughter told me she can't wait to try it."
"She's not too picky about food, so that's always a good thing." John looks up at Drew as the younger man steps up in front of him and rests his hands on either side of John on the counter.
"You know what else is a good thing?"
"What's that?"
"She's not in here right now so I can do this." Drew closes the distance and captures John's lips in a soft, but powerful kiss.
John lets out a soft breath as he parts his lips to willingly accept Drew's tongue. He slides his hands up Drew's chest before resting them on the sides of Drew's neck.
"Daddy," Oakley says running in causing the men to pull apart quickly.
"What, Peach?" John asks letting his hands fall to Drew's sides.
"Drew is making us dinner."
"I see that." John smiles a little when Drew presses a soft kiss to his cheek before stepping back. "And it smells really good, doesn't it?"
"Yes! Is it almost ready?"
"It will be soon," Drew answers tapping the top of Oakley's head. "Be patient, Sunshine."
John grins. "Good luck with that one."
Drew laughs softly as he turns back toward the stove. John watches him for a few moments. Who knew what he's always wanted would come so easily?
