Chapter 3- Together

The SUV pulled up to the curb in front of a small grocery store. From the outside, there was nothing special about the boxy, brick building called the Quick Shop. It was an ugly shade of brown, the plate glass windows in need of cleaning, and the cracks in the sidewalk and concrete steps in desperate need of patching. But just like with The Rabbit Hole bar, looks could be fucking deceiving. For the real action at this place happened beneath it.

Or so Amber and Grayson soon learned as Giovanni and the driver quickly unloaded a lifeless Leo from the SUV and rushed him towards the front doors of the grocery store.

“Help Giovanna get inside. Nano and I will take care of your friend. Meet us in the basement. One of Doc’s children will show you the way if needed,” instructed Giovanni.

Grayson nodded, “I’m putting my trust in you to help him. I’ll pay whatever I need to cover the costs of his treatments. Just tell me what I need to do and I’ll do it.”

“For now just take care of my daughter.”

“You have my word sir. I’ll take care of Amber.”

More tears spilled down Amber’s cheeks at the sight of Leo dangling limply between the two men. Not a twitch or a groan did the chef utter as her father and Nano ran him up the steps and disappeared inside.  Though the sign read closed the door was unlocked and even opened for them. Clearly someone had called the back-alley doctor ahead of time to prepare him for the arrival of his latest no questions ask patch job courtesy of the psychos.

Time was of the essence, so Grayson was left in charge of Amber to make sure she made it safely inside. But it soon became clear some of the adrenalin had worn off the billionaire and Grayson struggled now. He had tremors not just in his arms but also in his legs. Days of no meds were wreaking havoc on his weakened body. Amber soon became the one helping him as she slipped an arm around Grayson to steady him on the sidewalk.

“I got you,” she said.

“I should be helping you,” he groaned in frustration.

His body was already betraying him. He certainly didn’t need that stress on top of everything else going on right now. And Amber figured he was wondering the same thing she was, if his symptoms would ever be back under control. Had those days of no meds done irreparable damage? But neither of them spoke this aloud.

Both of them were quite the fucking sight on this Christmas afternoon, covered in blood, bruised and cut faces, as they struggled to make it up the steps. But they had each other. Amber was no longer shaking, as she had to be strong. She could no longer fall apart because both Grayson and Leo needed her. It was her turn to give more than she took.

“We can help each other. That’s what friends do,” she said.

“Is that what we are? Friends?”

Amber didn’t answer that question. She let it linger in the air as Grayson’s blue eyes pierced hers. Because she didn’t have the answer herself. They were not lovers, but could hardly be classified as merely friends either. And Baby Mama and Baby Daddy didn’t seem to fit. It was going to take some time to figure it out. Whatever they fucking were now. This new dynamic between them.

“We can work out labels later. Now let’s get your ass up these stairs and get you a shot of the good stuff. You can’t help Leo until you help yourself.”

He snorted, “I forgot how bossy you were. No wonder you and Leo get along so well.”

“Yeah and don’t try me either. I won’t be putting up with your shit this evening. You’ll be a good little rich boy and do what the fuck you’re told. I’ll be giving the orders around here. You boys have just fucked everything up. I’m taking over.”

“Yes because you had it all under control by the looks of things. You nearly got yourself killed how many times today? I can see the bruises on you.”

“You’re one…to talk. They messed…up your…pretty face. And your…whole…don’t save me...speech…”

Amber grunted under the weight of helping his heavy ass up the stairs. Grayson was a solid wall of muscle. Most times that would make her heart beat a bit faster and her pussy get a bit wetter. But right now it was fucking inconvenient. 

“That was a legitimate request. You should have listened to me. And then you and Leo wouldn’t have nearly gotten yourselves killed. Why the fuck can’t you just listen?”

“Why…the fuck…can’t you just…stop trying to…be a fuckin’…martyr…and stop…being such an…ass? Damn… you must work…. out like… every fuckin’… day!”

He laughed, “I didn’t hear you complaining about that a couple months ago when we fucked that night in my gym.”

Amber’s cheeks burned at the thought. She had certainly appreciated his muscles and work out habits back then. But as she recalled they didn’t actually fuck that night, unless you counted oral fucking. Because that fun time had happened after she’d found out about his disease and risk of passing it on to the baby. They had been playing it safe back then. It was still a good time though.

Amber didn’t dignify him with a response. The billionaire was just trying to lighten the mood by the upturned twist of his lips. But she wasn’t game at the moment to talk about their past escapades. Not when she could barely breathe, her arms felt like they were going to break off, and Leo was flirting with the afterlife. Amber had every intention of keeping his ass here with her and away from that fucking light. But first she had to make it to him.

She finally half-dragged her baby daddy through the door of Quick Shop. Amber’s heart felt like it did that time back in tenth grade when she drank three energy drinks and ate half a dozen chocolate chip cookies trying to stay up all night to cram for finals. But thank God a strapping looking young man stood near the display of toilet paper just inside the door. He noticed Amber struggling under Grayson’s weight and quickly rushed to assist. He slipped his arm under his other side.

“Let me help. It’s a long way to the basement. I’m Doc’s son, Donovan.”

“Amber….and I think this….one needs…no introduction….”

Grayson gave her a look. But it was true everyone in this fucking city would recognize his face. He was famous or infamous here. The fourth richest man in the city not to mention a favorite subject of the tabloids. Because with a face like an angel but the reputation of a fallen angel, the Godwin sold lots of papers indeed. Women and men around the city got off looking at his pictures and reading about his supposed orgies. Hell, Amber herself had masturbated to his pictures many times before she ever set foot into his penthouse and got to experience the real fucking thing.

                “I’m Grayson Godwin. Thanks for you and your family helping my friend Leo. I greatly appreciate it. And if there is anything I can do for you in return, please let me know.”

Donovan was easy on the eyes himself and had a nice collection of muscles peeking out his t-shirt. His blond curly hair skimmed his shoulders and his eyes were grey that pretty kind rarely achieved naturally, but often through contacts. He also had impressive teeth for someone born in a ghetto with limited access to dentists.

He grinned, “I didn’t know rich people said thank you. You’re shorter than I thought you’d be. And don’t worry, my dad is the shit at what he does. He saves people all the time. But we could use a new park in The Fringe. The one near Metal Row just doesn’t cut it. A nice new park with paved basketball courts and a baseball field where my little brothers can practice their curve ball.”

Amber liked Donovan better already by his selfless request. He could have asked the billionaire for anything after all. He was also probably a bit younger than she’d assumed at first glance.  Probably no more than seventeen. 

Grayson shook his hand, “Consider it done. Leave me your contact information and you can be a consultant on the project.”

“Seriously? Wait until I tell my brothers about this. I can probably get them to do my chores for the next month or two,” he laughed, “come and I’ll take you to your friend. My dad and sister Corina are working on him right now. Cori is in her final year of premed right.  I can’t stand blood so I won’t be following in those footsteps. They can fix you up too.”

“Thank you,” said Grayson and Amber in unison.

“No problem. It’s just what we do around here. In fact, I’m sure Mom will insist on feeding you both as well. She’s been cooking all day. You came at the right time, she really outdoes herself every Christmas. She cooks a shit ton of food too. We’ll be eating turkey for the next month.”

Donovan chuckled. Obviously bleeding or injured men parading through his father’s store was a normal occurrence to him. But Amber liked him, he seemed like a good kid. And he liked to talk. Not that she was really in the mood for much chatter. But the boy was so open and sweet it was hard not to.

“Sounds great. But we don’t want to be an imposition,” said Amber.

“You’d be doing us a favor actually. We get sick of turkey pretty quickly this time of year. Watch that box there. I was putting away stock and didn’t have a chance to finish yet.”

                He helped Amber get Grayson through the rows of canned goods and dodged the boxes on the floor. It was a nice, cozy little store. But by the looks of things, the store was more of a front. The real money came from his father’s illegal medical practice. Not that Amber was complaining about that at the moment. 

Donovan led them deeper through storage rooms stocked with pallets still wrapped in plastic and boxes. It seemed a truck had come recently and the family was taking advantage of being closed down for the holiday to get it shelved. Well at least until their intrusion interrupting their plans. But not that Donovan seemed to mind. He was probably happy to have an excuse to get out of it.

“Thank you for all your hospitality. How about a tennis court for that park of yours too?” asked Amber.

Grayson snorted, “No one really likes tennis. Why not make it a volleyball court instead?”

“So all the strays around here can use it as a litterbox? You forget where we are. I grew up here and I can already imagine the smell of that park every summer if we do things your way Grayson.”

He laughed, “Forgive me. I forgot we’re doing things your way today. But you do make an excellent point I guess. But perhaps a compromise is in order. Tennis sucks. I know from personal experience.”

“From what I hear, you were never the athletic type in your youth sir. So I hardly think you are the one to have a say in this. Even if it’s your money. I think we should get Leo’s opinion on this when he wakes up.”

When, not if. Because Leo was going to make it through this dammit. And Amber was going to get engaged to him. And they would welcome this baby and make it work co-parenting with Grayson. They would rock this parenting shit. And all live happily fucking after!

“Typical. My money and I have no say. Between the two of you, I really don’t stand a chance either,” Grayson smiled.

She patted the billionaire’s cheek, “Nope.”

Donovan paused at a door which most likely led to the basement. He looked back and forth between the pair of them before a grin overtook his face.

“So how long have you two been together if you don’t mind my asking? You remind me of Cori and her boyfriend. They’ve been together for a couple years now. And she wins all the arguments too.”

Amber laughed nervously, “We aren’t together. At least not anymore. So where is Leo?”

“Amber is engaged to Leo,” explained Grayson, “Leo and I have been friends since preschool. More like brothers really.”

“I’m not engaged to him technically. This is just a promise ring. It’s complicated.”

“Oh…. Well I don’t judge. You’ll find me pretty open-minded. Right this way. Be careful on the stairs they can be wicked steep. Just please prepare yourselves it can get messy. But don’t be alarmed by all the blood. My dad and Sis are hella good at what they do.  I’ll get you a bucket if you need it. But there’s no shame in throwing up. I throw up down here all the time.”

“Thanks. But you probably need to go ahead and get Amber that bucket handy. She has a weak stomach right now.”

She shot him a sharp look. It was only partly her fault she was pregnant!  The man beside her was also fifty percent to blame here. Normally she had an iron stomach. Grayson gave her a smug smile no doubt pleased with himself for knocking her up but not like he was going to take any responsibility for that weak stomach of hers though. Typical man right there.

Donovan opened the door to the basement. She glanced down the stairs. At least it wasn’t dark and damp like The Rabbit Hole. It was well lit and more inviting. She could hear a flurry of activity down below. Voices carrying up the stairs along with the smell of blood. Trying to save Leo’s life.  And Amber wanted to be right there by the man she loved’s side.

But Leo wasn’t the only man she loved. The other was nestled in between her and Donovan. Even Donovan, a stranger had seen it. The way she and Grayson felt about each other. It was messy and complicated. She loved Leo with all her heart, but Grayson had found a way inside too. And he wasn’t going anywhere it fucking seemed.

She could feel the pounding of his heart against her chest. But her heart was beating just as hard against his. Grayson turned to look at her. The fear and uncertainty written on his face. He so rarely wore his emotions this way. Open and raw. At least unless it came to Amber or Leo. It tugged at her heart. She slipped her hand into his and held tight. He breathed out sharply. Both ready to face what was to come.

 The harsh reality of what was happening down those stairs to the man they both loved. The man they couldn’t bear to lose. Amber and Grayson clung tightly to one another as they made their way down the stairs. Towards whatever awaited them together.