He pulled his shit together and ducked out in part to run his own errands, but also to give Lacey some space. He was pretty sure this weekend was way too much for anyone to handle and then she invited him and his drama to follow her home, it was definitely break time.
Danny met with his lawyer who agreed to take on managing his enormous wealth. He asked about how beneficiaries worked and how to protect any future children he may have, keeping the question real open-ended. They laid out some estate planning goals and Danny learned a lot. He felt safer, less lost toward the end of the meeting. He headed downtown.
A lot of people said hello as Danny walked by, he missed that. He climbed the steps to Johnny Cakes and stepped inside, the regular customers greeting him in unison and making him feel like he just walked into his own surprise party. He smiled and greeted them all, catching up quickly before spying Jo basically waiting in line to talk to him.
"Excuse me guys, great to see you all—" Danny inched away as politely as possible and was absorbed into Jo's arms briefly before she scooted him into her booth.
"Hey stranger." Jo said happily, her usual tinge of melancholy present and accounted for.
"I'm sorry, I'm a terrible friend sometimes."
"So you did get all my texts?"
"I was so busy—"
"Busy."
"I kinda—"
"Listen if you're about to tell me about more Lacey sexcapades you can save it, I get it okay?"
"No, no I wasn't—"
"So what took up 72 solid hours where I couldn't even get a text back?"
Danny took a deep breath and asked her if they could walk and talk. He unloaded almost everything: Lacey's surprise visit, the play with the agents, getting kicked out, Archie going back to jail and finishing with finding out that Danny was raised by his aunt and uncle while his real mother had to suffer in silence for years as she watched him from next door. He left out the threesome, father potential and sudden wealth, that information didn't belong to her.
"Holy shit."
"I swear, Jo. I meant to text you back—"
"It's okay. Jesus, drama follows you everywhere."
"Only recently, I'm trying to stop that now actually." Danny smiled, "I'm really sorry." He said sincerely, "What's been going on with you?"
"Champ, she died in her sleep Friday night." Jo's eyes welled up with tears.
Danny stopped walking and hugged Jo tight.
"She—" Jo pulled away and tried to control the involuntary heaving her chest decided was necessary, "Her heart just stopped, she was old."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there. I should have been there."
"I am just—Champ was who I talked to. I told her everything. Tyler's gone, Rico—" Her voice tightened up again.
"I should have been there." Danny reiterated.
"I need to get out of here Danny." Jo looked around her and then up to the sky, "There's nothing here for me."
"Well I'm back for a bit." He tried to stop her from spiraling further as they turned to walk up the Masterson's epic driveway.
"Really?"
"Yeah, this week I'm staying with the Porters while I work on legal stuff. Trying to find my own place—"
"In Green Grove?!"
"I haven't worked that out yet, but probably."
Jo jumped around excitedly and hopped on his back for a lift the rest of the way up the driveway. Danny forgot how cool it was to have a sibling his own age.
"Danny!" He heard Kyle call out before Danny could see him chopping wood by the side of their enormous barn.
Danny waved as Jo slid off his back and the two of them headed over to say hello.
"Hey, Chief." Danny said carefully, knowing how much their last interaction had meant at the time and how he hadn't spoken with him since.
"I'm gonna use the bathroom." Jo announced and dashed off leaving Danny and Kyle to themselves.
"I didn't know you were coming." Kyle said as he wound up to chop another log. Danny watched as he slammed the axe down and sent the log splintering in different directions, "I would have locked up the wine." Kyle smirked.
Danny pointed to the axe and took it from Kyle to give him a break. Kyle set up another log and Danny gave it a try, missing the log and getting the axe lodged into the stump below.
"Lower, drop it lower." Kyle took the axe back and swung again, "Like this." Kyle set up another log and Danny made contact, "Not bad."
Danny cut a few more before his shoulders burned and he needed a break. Kyle waved him along and they walked together toward the main house.
"I hope I didn't scare you away before." Kyle said in a rare moment of uncertainty, "I seem to be doing that lately." He added more to himself.
"No, sir. I just needed some space after everything." Danny admitted, "I thought heading back to the city was the answer but I was wrong."
"Yeah? Well, sometimes going home isn't always the way you think it'll be when you finally get back there."
"The city's not my home. I didn't grow up there, I just survived." Danny said cryptically, not willing to elaborate further, "I heard about Champ, how's Jo been?"
"A mess. Your timing is perfect. I think she was planning on bailing, she packed her clothes." Kyle said rather pained, "You staying a while?"
"I think so."
"You're welcome here—"
"Thanks. I'm staying at the Porters at the moment, Lacey's idea."
"Sounds terrifying." Kyle laughed, "You and Lacey are doing well?"
"Yes, sir. I'm hopelessly in love with her."
"The best kind."
"Is Tess around?" Danny asked lightly, scanning but not seeing any sign of her or her touches around.
Kyle shook his head, "No." He stopped walking and looked out at the clear sky, "I filed for divorce. She lives in town full time now. It's just Jo and I here, at least for one more day—"
"I'll talk to Jo."
"Thanks. I heard about Archie." Kyle changed the subject just as quickly as Danny had, "Thank you for trying to help him."
"He's not in a good place, I can't help him if he's not interested in getting better."
"I know how frustrating that is to watch. That's not you though, I'm proud of you."
"I'm trying. Just had the worst weekend."
"Come in and tell me all about it—"
Danny spent the afternoon at the farm updating Kyle on his emotional weekend with Tara and helping out with the other animals. He had already told him about the money the night of the party and decided to skip the part about Whitney riding his dick last night and complicating things.
The sun set early that time of year and suddenly it was dark outside. Danny and Jo had just finished up taking care of the animals and walked back toward the house together to get cleaned up.
"I should probably get back."
"Lacey text you?" Jo asked, not meaning to sound jealous but there it was.
"Not yet." He nudged his shoulder into hers, "Hey. Listen, I know you're down, I don't like that."
"Oh, well, let me just stop. I forgot that was an option." Jo muttered.
"Let me help."
"How?"
"Sleep in town tonight, I'll grab you a room."
"I'd rather sleep in my tent than at the motel—"
"Not at the motel, the nice place—near the highway."
"You don't need to do that, I have my own Gloria money just like everyone else."
"They have a spa, masseuse, hot tub—"
Jo sighed.
"Get your stuff."
"Really?"
"Go!" Danny shooed her inside and headed in to say goodbye to Kyle.
"You out of here?" Kyle asked from the recliner in the living room, his voice was different, heavy.
"Yes, sir. Taking Jo with me, just for the night."
"Sounds fun."
"She needs a break, time to think."
"Listen, Danny, I—" Kyle wanted to say so many things about Tara and about how Danny basically did not have any family now, but he knew reiterating his whole dad idea was probably not the right way to go, "I'm here if you need me, okay?"
"Thanks, Chief. I like that better."
Danny noticed the open wine bottle and how jolly Kyle's cheeks appeared to be.
"Hey do I need to lock up the wine before I leave?" Danny returned Kyle's joke and picked up the half-empty wine bottle.
His eyes caught sight of some other bottles that appeared to be either empty or almost there.
"Did you drink all of these tonight?"
"Just a little chilly. Warming myself up."
"Yeah? Well drink some hot cider or something." Danny recorked the wine and stowed it where it belonged.
"Danny—"
"Was this why you were really upset that I drank the wine?"
"Hey—"
"How long has this been going on?"
"It's not your job to worry about me."
"Well people worry, Kyle." Danny was pissed, "Why would I exclude the only family I have left from what I worry about?!"
"Ready!" Jo cheered, suitcase in hand, "What's going on?" She wondered when she noticed how icy the room seemed to be.
"'Night." Danny said before heading toward the kitchen door.
"'Night you two. Take care of each other—" Kyle sloshed out.
Jo drove them into town, rambling through main street and out toward the highway in her mom's old truck.
"Nobody has this all figured out, do they." Danny asked but not quite like a question.
"Mind telling me what all that was about?"
"I do mind actually, thank you for asking." Danny shut her down.
"It's only been the last month." Jo knew why Danny was upset, "The drinking." She clarified.
"He's so big on preaching accountability and then he bristles the second he gets called out."
"How much did you win from the Crane estate by the way?" Jo asked innocently, trying to change the subject.
"What?"
"I got the standard five K but I heard that some people got more. I just wondered because of how much more bullshit you went through—"
Danny didn't answer right away. He wasn't sure what the hell to say. The longer he stayed quiet the more money Jo assumed he got.
"Fuck, how much did you get?!"
"I'm not talking about this."
"Oh come on, does Lacey know?"
Danny side eyed her.
"She does." Jo shook her head.
"None of this is anyone's business!"
"You're the one buying me a room at a place with a spa." Jo reminded him.
"I'm trying to do something nice. I love you Jo but I just—I have no idea what I'm doing here, okay?"
They made it to the hotel and Danny checked them in, booking a full range of spa services for Jo and then following her up to the fanciest room they had available.
"You enjoy okay? Relax, take a day off. I'll be in town for the week so maybe we'll plan dinner or something?"
"Thank you." Jo gushed and hugged him tight.
Lacey: Hey where you at
Danny: At a hotel with Jo
Lacey: Hotel?
Danny: The fancy one by the highway
Lacey: Do I want to know?
Danny: I'm an open book Porter, ask away
Lacey: Do you have a ride back?
Danny: I have not thought that far ahead
Lacey: I'm on my way
Danny: Ty
Danny made his way outside and waited for Lacey, looking down at himself for the first time in hours and realizing what a smelly mess he was.
"Jesus, what happened to you?" Lacey asked through her open window, "Hop in—"
Danny did as he was told and jumped in her car. Before she could pull away he leaned over, grabbed her chin and kissed her. Lacey responded and kissed him back, just as passionate. Lacey's foot slipped off the brake a little and sent them lurching forward a couple feet, the action stunning them enough to jump apart and come back to reality.
"Should we get a room too?" She asked, definitely ready to finish what they had started in her parent's basement.
"Not if I don't want the front desk thinking I'm a pimp or something—"
"Oh you did not just imply I'm a prostitute—"
"I didn't mean—"
"Fuck it." Lacey pulled into the parking lot and parked the car properly before grabbing Danny and resuming their make out session.
"I got all sweaty today—" Danny tried to warn her as Lacey tried to pull his shirt off.
"You're not injured though right?"
"Injured? No—"
"If you can still fuck then all systems are go." Lacey hummed and went for his pants.
"You're such a nerd." Danny laughed as he pulled her over into his lap.
She was wearing leggings and he couldn't get them down in time before she straddled him and began grinding into him.
"I want it so bad—" Lacey lusted like he hadn't expected.
"Damn, Lace—"
He tried to get her pants pulled down enough so they could figure out an entry point but were rudely interrupted by knocking on the passenger window. Hotel security.
Luckily Danny's dick was still inside his half unzipped pants as Lacey not-so-gracefully dismounted him. Once she was back in the driver's seat Danny rolled the window down a little.
"Good evening." Danny said as if everything was normal.
"Get a room or get off of this property."
"Right away, thank you." Danny gave the old man a quick nod and Lacey got them the hell out of there.
"Basketball courts?" Lacey asked like it was old times.
"Over the last few months we went from the backseat to an inflatable mattress, posh hotel bed and now you want to go back to the backseat?"
"Don't forget outside on the ground—" She winked.
Danny chuckled, Lacey did not give a shit where they were.
Lacey pulled into their old secret spot and climbed back over into Danny's lap to resume making out. This time she planted her feet and lifted herself up high enough for Danny to pull the back of her pants down over the curve of her ass. He quickly pulled himself out and stuffed himself inside of her.
"There he is—" Lacey boasted like she was just delivered the best thing on the menu.
"Damn." Danny was into it, he just didn't realize how much.
Lacey held onto the headrest behind Danny's head and rode him like she'd never get another chance.
"Just like that—" Danny hummed into her neck.
She had the perfect angle, the perfect leverage. Danny was literally holding onto to anything for dear life.
"I'm too close—" Danny pouted a little.
"I'm the one fucking you, so shut up and enjoy it." Lacey growled and continued her expert bounce.
Danny began matching her impacts and pushing himself up every time she slapped down to really get himself in deep. The subtle change made Lacey whine and want more.
"Who's fucking who?" Danny asked a little cockier than normal, dominating was something he rarely did.
Danny's hands wormed their way into the front of Lacey's pants. He slid his fingers around her thighs and used both thumbs to push against her clit as she continued to ride. Danny's hips pushed up higher his fingers holding her in place. The deeper penetration and the pressure on her clit made her cry out.
"Oh it's definitely you fucking me now, please—" Lacey begged.
Lacey was running out of steam but she was so close. Danny felt her slow down and moved his hands to her hips and encouraged her to stop bouncing for him and to just grind for herself. Lacey rocked against him so hard that Danny felt the need to pull the emergency brake so the car didn't roll back.
"Get it—"
"Shit Dannyy—yess." Lacey hissed and came around his cock.
Danny was there almost ten seconds before her, a shot or two of his own juices from the orgasm he was trying desperately to hold off maybe aiding her in her finding her way.
The second he felt her core start to quiver he fully let himself go, "You're so good, you feel so fucking good." He mumbled as her snug pussy pulsed and sucked him dry.
"Right there—" He held her hips to keep her fully seated to the base of his cock, "Right there—"
Danny's face fell forward and nestled into her neck, a smaller orgasm sending a huge cramp and tug at the back of his balls got him groaning.
"Mm, you liked that." Lacey giggled.
Danny kissed her, sloppy and thankful.
Lacey eventually peeled herself off of a now very rough looking Danny and shimmied her pants back up. Danny tried his best to straighten himself out, pulling his hair up as neatly as possible before kissing Lacey a few more times.
"What are we gonna do Lace? There's no way we're going to be able to keep our hands off each other—"
"Not when you perform like that." Lacey agreed.
"I'm serious. I want you non-stop."
"My parents both work Danny we'll have plenty of opportunities."
"That was so good." Danny declared again.
"You mentioned that."
"It keeps getting better though, that body—"
"D. You shut your mouth or we really do need to get a room tonight."
Danny shrugged and smiled, looking at her like he could go again. Lacey giggled and pulled his hair out of it's bun and ran her hands through it a couple times before resting them on either side of his face and kissing him. His kisses were the sweetest. When she pulled back, Danny's playful face had morphed to reveal all of the adoration he carried inside for her.
"You're it for me." Danny revealed.
Lacey let his love soak into her, nothing she'd ever experienced before him had ever felt this way. Had she ever really even been in love before? Maybe, but she knew for certain she was now. She kissed him again.
"I'm all in too, it's you. It'll always be you." Lacey added to their impromptu postcoital vows.
She watched Danny's mind take him away from their moment, saw the second it unplugged from her and drift off to start spiraling back through the volumes of other things on his mind.
"Hey." She whispered softly, "Where'd you go?" She wasn't upset, just worried about him.
"Kyle's drinking. We kind of had a fight about it tonight."
"Is that why you're so messed up?" She tugged on his disheveled shirt.
"No, I look like this from chopping wood."
"I wish I could have seen that." Lacey dragged her eyes all over him. He wasn't a big strong guy but something about picturing him chopping wood seemed hot.
"It didn't look as sexy as it may sound I promise you. Anyway, he's such a hypocrite—"
"I heard he's divorcing Tess, maybe he's not handling it so well."
"That's exactly my point. He'd never let me get away with that excuse."
"Okay but who's there to police him like he's been there for you? Jo? Yeah, that doesn't seem to be working out. Sometimes people drink Danny, it doesn't mean it'll turn into a problem.
"It's not like he can just go to rehab or something anyway, he's the police chief."
"Maybe you could take him with you to talk to therapist. You need it and he could just say he's escorting you there and actually get some help for himself too."
"You're brilliant, you know that?"
"Yes I do. C'mon. Let's go home."