The Dark Angels: Tied Together (6 page)

Uncle Leo smirked and nodded with appreciation. “No, Robin. Josh is right to be worried. There are conditions.”

Josh crossed his arms. He knew it. Nothing could come this easy to them. The last few weeks proved how people were out for themselves and were downright cruel most of the time. “And they would be what?”

“Well, you need to finish school or get your GED. Can’t be without a high school diploma in this day and age.” Uncle Leo smiled. “You two would have to keep the sewing...your room clean. We would share chores around the house, you know sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, grocery shopping, cooking.” He smiled at them and admitted, “I do hate grocery shopping so I hope one of you don’t mind doing that one. Betsy always went.

I never know what to buy...” Uncle Leo’s voice trailed off in sadness.

“Oh, I love shopping. Could I do that?” Robin jumped in all excited at the prospect of shopping, even if it was for food. It seemed like Robin was ready to just move in. “I used to go all the time with Mom...” His stopped the flow of his words only by closing his mouth.

Uncle Leo put a hand on his shoulder full of sympathy giving him a comforting squeeze and understanding the loss Robin experienced every single time he realized his mom wasn’t there anymore. It had been years but it was always close to the surface.

The old guy smiled at Josh before continuing with his conditions. “You would have a curfew of nine thirty on weeknights and eleven on weekends. I know it’s seems early and you are both over eighteen but you know this area isn’t the best after dark.”

He shrugged. “I wouldn’t be able to sleep not knowing you were both home safe. And I also would want to know where you are.”

Looking at them both to let them know that wasn’t negotiable.

“I worry.” He smiled. “Oh, yeah. If you wanted to earn some pocket money, you could work some hours in my shop.”

“Your shop?” Josh couldn’t help but ask. His top priority was to get some money saved up so they would never find themselves in this position again. Okay, it would take a lot of it but he had to start somewhere so a job held a great deal of appeal.

His father never let them work. Looking back it was another form of control he had exerted over them. “No son of mine needs to work. I provide.” Yeah, he had also provided him with a crack in the face after making that grand statement.

Josh and Robin could only take odd jobs that could be hidden and done without their father’s knowledge. There was also a part of Josh that never wanted to work before because he was afraid of leaving Robin alone in the house with his father. He didn’t trust what his father would do if he truly lost his temper, so Josh felt like he needed to be there to protect him.

“I own a music shop. I sell instruments, sheet music, fix and tune instruments, and give lessons.” Uncle Leo was gauging their response. “I could teach you to play an instrument if you wanted.”

“Really?” Josh was hooked now too. His father pulled them out of the music lessons Robin’s mother had set up one Christmas, insisting on a refund. Josh still remembered how good that guitar had felt in his hands.

Uncle Leo smiled. “Yes, of course. Now why don’t we figure out where you two are going to sleep tonight? We can get you beds tomorrow.” He shuffled out of the room talking to himself.

“I know Betsy kept extra linens in one of these closets. Which one? Where did you store our extra sheets my sweet Betsy?”

Robin was biting his lip. He grabbed Josh up into a big hug burying his face crying with joy and relief.

Overhearing Uncle Leo’s discussion with himself tripped Robin’s fear of abandonment in a major way. Tears ran down his face as he said, “Thank God, I have you for a brother. I don’t know what I would do without you!” Robin spoke so fiercely.

“You are everything to me.”

Somehow ‘everything’ didn’t feel complete. Josh felt the lines were redrawn and boundaries were back in place. It was as if yesterday never happened. Robin had pulled them back from being anything more than ‘brothers’ and it hurt. Maybe yesterday wasn’t nearly as important to Robin as it was to him.

Josh held him for a few seconds until Uncle Leo called them out to them. “I found them but I can’t reach them. One of you boys is going to have to help an old man out.” He chuckled as Robin went into the hallway to help reach the items Uncle Leo wanted for their bed.

“You think you guys could make due on the sofa bed until we get beds tomorrow?” Uncle Leo was frowning and rubbing his chin clearly not pleased.

Robin stepped over to Uncle Leo, who obliviously wasn’t happy with letting them sleep on the lumpy pull out. “Of course, it will be like camping out.” Robin blushed a little probably realizing that they have been ‘camping’ out for over a month and it was rather unpleasant. This was like a palace from where they had been and Heaven from the Hell that they almost put themselves through earlier tonight.

“Oh, you are a tall one.” Uncle Leo praised Robin’s height as he handed the sheets easily to him.

But now they were safe. This was Heaven. They had food, a hot shower, a job, school, and a bed tomorrow. Even if this all fell apart, they were much better off than they would have been without Uncle Leo in their lives.

Their life picked up significantly. The next day they had new beds, chores, and part time jobs. Within a week, Uncle Leo had purchased them the books they needed for their GEDs. They hadn’t wanted to risk going back to school on the off chance the asshole was looking for them.

Taking his cue from Robin, their relationship drifted right back to where it was prior to their night of passion. There had been no follow-up discussion about their night of romance to give it any sense of reality or closure.

Josh wasn’t surprised. After all, the only reason Robin had allowed them to go beyond their ‘brotherly’ relationship was because of their dire circumstances. Josh hadn’t expected it to continue but he couldn’t ignore the sting of pain the loss caused him. Not to mention that it made his desire for Robin more intense.

As much as it hurt he could never risk losing Robin completely, so he would take what he could get. Josh knew it was more than he probably deserved. Besides, he knew Robin shouldn’t settle for someone like him. Robin deserved someone who could take care of him and thus far Josh hadn’t done the greatest job of that.

But having the knowledge and accepting it, were two very different things. Night after night, he lay in the dark, Robin’s soft breathing the only thing that could be heard. Deep, slow inhales and exhales would tell him when Robin was asleep. Once his eyes adjusted he would look across the small space between their beds and just stare.

He resisted the strong draw he felt to cross the small space between their beds. He didn’t wrap himself around the younger man, or place kisses, gentle and sweet, all over that angelic face.

The denial of these cravings caused an almost physical hurt.

Josh knew he would probably never have what he truly wanted ever again but he tried to thank all that was holy for Uncle Leo’s kind generosity for without it… But he didn’t want to think about what they had been getting ready to do.

Uncle Leo lavished his attention on both of them without playing favorites. After a couple of months, Josh had stopped waiting for the other shoe to drop. The old guy really did just want to help them and Josh felt admiration for the man. Uncle Leo didn’t make Josh feel like he and Robin were a charity case.

He just seemed to want to give them a chance to be part of his life.

True to his word, Uncle Leo helped them get their GEDs. He helped them study and quizzed them. He had even offered to pay for a course if they felt they needed it. But with his tutorage and their hard work, they were granted their diploma within weeks of when they would normally have graduated.

Josh loved being in the shop with Uncle Leo. Robin and he both loved being around instruments. The older man saw that love and desire and taught Josh how to play every instrument in the store. Uncle Leo was impressed at how easily he picked it up and was able to apply the concepts to each new instrument with the necessary variations. The strings and keys made sense to him in a way nothing in school ever had.

The old guy saw Robin had an affinity to music composition and lyrics, which he taught him using a keyboard and piano as the main teaching tools. Robin appeared to be quite gifted with any keyed instrument. He loved practicing and Uncle Leo was very happy with his progress.

Uncle Leo also taught both of them how to run the store by teaching them basic business concepts. They actually worked their way through a Business 101 book that Uncle Leo borrowed from one of his students who had already graduated. He was patient as he explained accounting, inventory, and supply chain.

His good sense and business ethnics were a breath of fresh air to them after dealing with drunken rages for so many years.

Between getting his GED, saving money from a job he loved, and finally playing instruments, Josh was almost happy. He had just about everything he was afraid to want. He had everything except the most important thing—Robin.

One sunny afternoon, they were sitting in the quiet shop.

It was just the two of them. Josh was playing one of the bass guitars that had just arrived and Robin was writing lyrics into the composition book he had almost filled. Uncle Leo and he would go over each song. Occasionally, Uncle Leo and Robin would ask Josh to develop music for the words, which he relished. He adored putting music to Robin’s poetic words.

Uncle Leo came back from an appointment with the doctor.

Robin instantly stood to ask, “How did the appointment go?”

Smiling, Uncle Leo patted down Robin’s long dark hair. “Fine.

Doctor says I am in good health.”

“Really? Your blood pressure is back to normal?” Robin asked with his hands on his hips.

Josh hadn’t known there was an issue. Uncle Leo chuckled.

“You’re tougher than my Betsy.” He smiled wistfully before telling Robin, “The doctor said the lower salt diet has helped.”

Robin breathed a sigh of relief, before he asked, “Good. So no pills?”

“Nope.” Uncle Leo smiled at both of them. “He said you are both good medicine for me.” The old man walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, and said, “Thank you, Josh. I know all of this wasn’t easy on you at first but…well, thank you.”

Josh swallowed past the lump in his throat. He wasn’t used to someone caring about him. Nodding because the words wouldn’t come. He wanted to tell him how much he appreciated everything the guy had done for him and Robin, but his damned eyes started to leak.

Uncle Leo grabbed him up into a big bear hug. “It’s okay, son.” He patted down Josh’s short hair the way he usually did with Robin. It felt like the man was pouring strength into him.

Uncle Leo clapped him on his back before moving off without a word.

Robin was looking at him with tears in his eyes and smiling at both of them then walked over to give Uncle Leo a hug. He looked so happy and that was all Josh ever really wanted. Robin, safe and happy.

Uncle Leo went over to where Robin had set his things and moved his composition book to take a look. Another book underneath fell to the ground.

Robin squeaked and rushed over to pick it up. But Uncle Leo could move if he needed to. He quickly grabbed up the well-read novel that got them kicked out of their home. Even if the suggestive title was ignored, there was no possible way to miss the two pretty looking males embracing on the front cover.

“I, um…I…” Robin tried to come up with an explanation but failed miserably. He looked over at Josh for help.

Josh shrugged. He didn’t think Uncle Leo was a jackass like his biological father but who knew? Now at least they would know.

Before Uncle Leo could say anything, Robin darted out of the store.

“Robby!” Josh moved to follow him.

Uncle Leo called after him, “Bring your brother home. I think it’s time we had a talk. I’ll close up early and meet you there.”

“Okay.” Josh ran out of the store. It didn’t sound like he would throw them out but even if he did, they were now better prepared and could deal with it more easily. At least they had some money saved, and having GEDs would make a difference.

Josh found Robin predictably sitting on the pier looking out at the endless ocean. He didn’t say anything. He just sat down next to him.

Robin leaned his head onto Josh’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I keep getting you into trouble.” He wiped away the tears that were streaming down his face.

His arm wrapped around the small shoulders and tucked him close. “Shhhh, who says we’re in trouble?”

“The book…” Robin choked out in misery. Shaking his head, he dashed away the tears. “He saw it…”

Taking a brief moment to absorb his closeness before speaking, “Uncle Leo just told me to bring you home.”

Robin pulled away to look at Josh. “What? What did he say?”

Josh grinned a bit. “His exact words were ‘Bring your brother home. We need to talk. I’ll close up early.’ Didn’t sound like he was pissed.”

“God, I am so sorry. Really. I can’t believe I’m so dumb!”

“You aren’t dumb. Don’t say that ever.” He could almost hear his father’s voice berating Robin for some supposedly stupidity when it was really the drunken jackass who was stupid! He hated that Robin believed even for one moment that he was dumb.

“You think he might let us stay?” Robin asked wary of the answer.

“Don’t see why not. It’s just a book…”

“Yeah, that got me…us kicked out from our home once already.” Robin shook his head, which made long dark strands tickle along Josh’s neck. “I should have thrown it out!”

Josh grabbed Robin up into a tight hug. It felt so good to have him in his arms. He wanted so badly to kiss him but he didn’t have the balls. Instead he just said, “Come on, let’s go home.”

Robin frowned with quite a pout. “Don’t wanna.”

Josh smiled remembering how that was Robby’s favorite phrase when he moved in with him and his dad. He learned back then not to listen to the words. Robin was just scared, possibly with good reason.