Lay Me Down (MxM)

29. Uncle Fucker

Hello lovelies!

I apologize for how long it took to release this chapter, but here we are. It's a transition chapter, so not the most "exciting", but please bear with me and buckle in because things are about to get real hot in the next chapter, complete with some smutty artwork I've been withholding for the past month and a half! A huge thanks to all my readers, both new to this novel and old! It's honestly insane to see it sitting at 47K reads at this point, and I never imagined that happening. Pretty overwhelming, but I am very grateful and appreciate all your kind, supportive comments.

See you in the next update! -Quill

Jae

I fiddled with my radio and yawned, finding the whole scene unfolding before me a blast from the past. Hell, it'd been damn near a decade since I'd graduated high school, and the end-of-week chaos was nothing but overwhelmingly nostalgic.

Students were piling onto school buses, with some lingering outside on the benches waiting for their rides. Meanwhile groups of juniors and seniors strolled to their own vehicles, each I imagined armed with plans to enjoy the weekend. I smiled to myself, continuing to look for Lucas's mess of curls.

I was really looking forward to seeing him, but I couldn't decide if that made me pathetic or not... did it?

Maybe I felt a little stupid, we barely knew each other, I mean, realistically speaking.
Even so, I'd been sitting in the parking lot for almost two hours at that point. After I'd got off work, I wasn't sure what to do with myself, so I grabbed more coffee, ate, and then just sort of drove around for a while until I got anxious about being late. The earnest expression on Lu's face when he asked me if I'd be there to get him... well, it tugged at my heart, and I didn't want to worry or disappoint him by not being there on time.

I let out a sigh, gaze wandering across some of the campus in thought. God, I felt really fucking old.

"Where did the time go?" I muttered, trying to ignore the craving to smoke.

For a moment there, it seemed like only yesterday I was eighteen and running from class to my pride and joy; this cherry red, two-thousand-five Suzuki GSx-R 600 that I'd saved for and purchased myself. It was so much fun, and I was fucking stupid on that thing.

My best friend back then, Marcus... hah. His mom always worried about that bike. I guess she decided somebody had to worry about me, seeing as my own parents couldn't give a shit, and I would always love her for that. I smiled, recalling the blatant worry on her face the day I'd driven us both home on that thing. I could still hear the conversation in my mind like it was yesterday.

I'd pulled my helmet off, and Marcus was shaking like a leaf as he stumbled off onto the pavement. He'd been laughing about it being a "fucking thrill." 

There she was, though, sweater wrapped around her thin frame as the autumn winds washed over us. "Jae Mathias Hoffman! I though you said you were getting a car! That is not a car!"

I smiled to myself, recalling the way I'd shrugged in response, complete with idiotic grin.
"Well, car insurance is fucking expensive, but motorcycle insurance isn't! Plus, I got a great deal on this thing. Can't blame me Mrs. P!" I'd said.

That was all true. My part-time job as a farmhand just wasn't enough, and I'd been saving for a ride of my own since I was fourteen, doing odd jobs like picking berries, mucking stalls, feeding cows, sheep, shit like that. I'd had lots of fun riding dirt bikes and quads growing up, so it wasn't like I was entirely new to motorcycles, but I was new to the horsepower of that Suzuki. I had tons of fun with that bike, but I also almost died too many times.

Benefits of having an underdeveloped frontal cortex, resulting in poor decision-making skills, and blissful, teenage ignorance topped off with an immortality complex.

I was a total dumbass, just asking to get pulled over, just begging to get scraped up off the road by paramedics. But then again, I recall feeling like I didn't have much to lose those days. My parents didn't care, therefore I rationalized that it didn't matter what I did. My dad was rarely around, and when he was, I steered clear of him. My stepmom on the other hand, was too focused on their "golden" child, my half-brother Alex, to have a problem with my questionable extracurricular activities.

Underage drinking, smoking weed, taking the occasional pills. I wasn't necessarily a "bad" boy, but I certainly wasn't a good one either. I was a stupid teenager with a tough home life, just looking for a place to belong, to feel loved. I had a chip on my shoulder, I was "edgy" as kids say these days, and mad at the world. But even with my shitty attitude, my shitty upbringing, there were good people like Marcus and his mom who made life bearable; they were there for me during crucial times. And... well, for all the bad memories, there were still many good ones to help balance it all out.

Fuck. I missed Marcus. It'd been a few months since I'd visited his gravesite, and I knew I needed to pay his mama a visit sometime soon, but sometimes that was hard; it was rough being reminded of him, and going down memory lane could be just as painful as it was cathartic.

I ran a hand down my face and let out a heavy sigh, careful not to cry. I hated crying, because when I did, I could feel all the heartache rush in. I just couldn't go down memory lane to visit Marcus right now, it hurt too much. 

Swallowing the lump in my throat, my gaze wandered around further. The wind was kicking up outside, grey clouds mixed with a burning blue peeking through. Leaves littered the ground, and I just wondered to myself how life could move so fast.

Back then, I'd hear adults claim the usual, "you'll blink and be approaching your thirties! Believe me!"

I'll admit I rarely believed them... well, back then. But, sure as shit, I was living it now. One day I was sixteen, so anxious to leave home, to get away from that bullshit, from that sack of shit that was my dad. A teenager with nothing to lose who joined the Navy, hoping to "see the world". It felt like I had forever ahead of me...

... but it truly was like a blink in time now. Suddenly, ten years had passed, Marcus was dead, and I was now twenty-eight, complete with an ex-wife, a kid, and a house of my own.

Even more ironic? I became a cop. 

I used to hate cops, didn't trust them further than I could spit. To this day, I still had somewhat of a problem with them, and didn't trust just any cop off the bat. Some would say I was a walking irony, and well, I'm okay with that.

My dad was a corrupt bastard, had worked for the local department, the very department I now worked for. A lot of shit had changed since then for the better, and all the guys he used to work with had since retired, but still, I never quite stopped looking over my shoulder.

I guessed maybe that I felt I had something to prove... something to make up for. A desire to do some good to make up for my sperm-donor's sins. People around town used to think I'd end up just as shitty as him, and I was glad to have proved them wrong. 

The man was still earthside, but he was dead to me. I refused to acknowledge his existence and felt his current place of residence in the state penitentiary was a fitting "retirement" for him. Now, if I was being painfully honest with myself? Well, a round to the head would've been more fitting, not that I advertised my thoughts on that.

I grimaced, balling my fist in frustration. I hated him, and dwelling on him made me angry. I needed to stop that shit, so I took a deep breath and brushed that asshole to the recesses of my mind.
I had better things to look forward to now, like making this evening perfect for Lucas. He deserved a little vacation of an evening. A good way to kickstart the weekend and forget about his shitty home life.

Weekend... right. Shit.

I frowned, because I had concerns about where he planned to spend the remaining part of the weekend, given Addie was staying Saturday through Monday. He couldn't be there when she was, no way. But I hated the idea of him going home; was that his plan?  He hadn't exactly filled me in yet on that, but I was hoping he might be planning to stay with his friend—Ian was his name, right?

"Jae!"

The welcome sound of Lucas's voice interrupted my train of thought, and I looked up to find him tapping at the passenger side window with a warm smile on his golden skin.

I unlocked the door and observed with a smile as Lu tossed his backpack on the floor and began to tug his sweatshirt over his head.

"You're right on time!" came his muffled voice.

I tilted my head and smirked, gaze wandering down his toned frame. He popped the sweatshirt over his head, revealing a blushing face and mussy curls. God, I loved the way he blushed. There was something so vulnerable and sweet about it, especially given how stubborn he could be. I just wanted to devour him.

"There's no way I'd be late outside of an emergency." I smiled, reaching to turn off the radio.

He let out a pleased exhale and lingered at the open door, the coolness of the weather drifting its way into the cabin. "You won't believe the day I've had..."

There was a genuine smile that lingered there on his lips, mixed with a tinge of embarrassment in his cloudy eyes.

I smirked.

"Well don't leave me hanging." I chuckled. "Let's get out of here and you can fill me in."

A naughty little smile flashed across his lips. "I sure hope you fill me up with something."

I nearly choked on my own saliva.

"Should I be concerned by how horny you are? Shit, you're naughty." I scolded, trying not to laugh. 

And he was naughty. So dirty-minded... and I loved the naughtiness, his disobedience as much as I craved his obedience.

Lu's eyes flashed with excitement. "Daddy, I'm just getting started."

I raised a brow. "So, we're playing that game again?"

He hummed to himself and shrugged. "It would seem so..."

Lucas Price would be the end of me, I was sure of it. He had me digging my own grave, and I was putty in his hands, more so than he could ever know.

... and for some reason, that made me nervous.

I was considering my response when there was a loud commotion somewhere else in the parking lot, followed by the distinct words: "FUCKFACE!!"

Lu's head snapped in the direction of the voice, which was certainly male. Deeper than his and accompanied by some faint shouting not too far behind it. What was this?

"Unlock the back door!" Lucas barked, jumping inside the SUV. He spun around in his seat and started smacking my arm. "Jae, unlock it!!"

I could hear the pounding of feet against cement as that voice drew closer, and the hair on my arms stood up. Was there an emergency? I hated that my mind went to active shooter, but hey, that came with the territory in good old U.S.A.

"Jae, please unlock it!" he pressed. "Just trust me!"

At that point, I could tell this must be something more personal—and I didn't miss the way students continued to move about their business otherwise undisturbed, save for the curious glances towards the commotion.

"Don't make me regret this." I relented.

Lu rolled the window down, shouting out. "It's open! Hop in!"

Not a moment later, a young man threw open the back door and dove inside, while Lucas slammed it shut behind him. Before I'd even had the chance to look him over and figure out what was going on, another student threw himself up against the window and began banging against it. He unleashed a string of curses and threats through the glass, while the boy in the back (whom I had some feeling must be the Ian I'd heard about) sat taunting him.

"Fuck you Nakamura! Fuck you and your faggoty-ass boyfriend! This shit isn't over!" He screeched. "Now, get the fuck out and face me you weak piece of shit!"

Oh. My. Slurs and all. What a gem.

Now I was very curious. But more than anything, I was seriously amused at the fact the kid screeching through the window hadn't realized this was an unmarked police vehicle yet.

He seemed too enraged to notice, and my windows were quite tinted.

I turned in my seat and smirked. "... and who are you?"

Lu and Ian both chimed in at the same moment. "Ian!"

"I suspected as much..." I chuckled.

They both looked at one another and laughed, while the boy continued to shout through the window.

"Can this window roll down a lil'?" Ian chuckled evilly.

Wholly amused at this point, I rolled it down an inch or two, and now the shouting was full volume.

"Get the fuck out you pussy ass bitch!" The kid screamed, shoving his fingers through the window.

Ian just cackled, trying to pinch them. "Get in here and make me, babe!" 

The boy scowled and withdrew his hand, shooting a glare towards the front seat. "Ew! Fuck you! Whatever, you think you can run, but Imma fucking corner both your asses sooner or later! Don't think I don't know you're in there too, Price!"

Lucas slumped down below the headrest and grimaced. "Stop taunting him! You're only making it worse!"

I sighed and looked between the pair. "I think I got this."

Lu and Ian both glanced over in baited interest and excitement, so with that, I turned the SUV off and stepped outside calmly. The boy continued to screech through the window, and it was like he was too consumed with anger to even notice me at first. But once I slammed the driver's side door shut, his head snapped in my direction.

I rounded the front of the SUV and settled by the passenger side door, popping a piece of gum in my mouth. I really needed a smoke, but this would have to do for now.

"Can you stop assaulting my vehicle? Just washed it." I sighed, shifting on my feet.

He gave me a once over and stepped back. "... w-what the fuck, I didn't do anything!"

"Would you believe I hear that pretty often? Anyway, you're the one assaulting a police vehicle, not me." I yawned, fidgeting with my radio.

He gave me and the SUV a double-take, eyeing Ian with a combination of rage and confusion. I also didn't miss the look he shot Lucas, who'd cracked the door open a little to watch the "show". 

"Um, Jae?" Lucas peeped from the door, and I thought the evident concern in his voice was quite sweet.

I wasn't worried. This was just some teenaged nonsense; a scorned boy with something to prove apparently.

"Why do you even care? Why are you even here, anyway?" The angry one huffed at me in confusion, but I could see the defeat on his face. I'd ruined his plans, after all, and I thought he was incredibly ballsy. He was easily a few inches shorter than Lucas, and lean, but he held himself like he was ready to scrap.

I let out another yawn and gestured to my nametape. "Well, as you can see—"

"Uh he's my uncle and he's clearly a cop!" Lucas coughed nervously from the door. "S-so you better not fuck with him, Erin!" 

Uncle? Sweet Christ.

I dropped my face and tried to swallow a laugh, but before I could even respond, Ian fired off with a loud and clear "tch, uncle fucker!" from the backseat. This was followed by uncontrollable laughter, more like cackling really, which was far too contagious. 

Lucas reached back to smack at the barrier. "What the fuck is your problem, don't say that!"

I couldn't hold in my laughter and turned to Lucas. "What, you never seen South Park before?"

Ian snorted. "Thank you! See, the cop gets me!"

The so-called Erin actually had the nerve to join in, and he apparently found the comment amusing too, his frown momentarily replaced by some hesitant laughter.

I dropped the grin and turned to deadpan him. "... what are you laughin' at giggle-bits?"

The laughter ceased immediately and he cleared his throat, shrugging with embarrassment. More cackling came from Ian, while Lucas seemed to gain some confidence, opening the door a little wider to get a better look.

Erin stepped back awkwardly and just shrugged, mumbling something under his breath like. "I dunno, nothin'." But I didn't miss the nasty look he shot the boys. 

I hooked my hand on my vest and blew a bubble. "So, were you here to make a problem with these two, or what?"

He scoffed and forced a half-assed grin, looking a bit anxious now. "... nah, man."

More nondescript cackling trickled out of the SUV, which I had to imagine grated on this Erin.

I tilted my head. "Cool, then you should probably go."

He said nothing, only glared at Ian one last time before turning on his heel to make his exit. His appearance could only now be best described as that of a dog with its tail between its legs.

I lingered for a moment, blowing another bubble as he disappeared back into the school. Good.
With that, I cracked my neck a bit and then walked back to the driver's side and got in.

Both boys quieted down when I did, with Ian pressing himself against the barrier in the backseat.

I looked over my shoulder to study him. "You good?"

He looked me over and shot a cheeky grin at Lucas. "Shit, I am now Officer. Lucas was right, you are a stud."

I immediately felt the rare heat rise in my face, lowkey, as embarrassed as I was amused by this comment. I definitely wasn't ready for that one.

Lu's face burned. "Dude, shut up!"

Ian just waived him off and laughed, relaxing in the backseat. "I'm just bein' honest. I got eyes same as you."

Lucas just rolled his eyes and glanced at me shyly. He was so cute.

After that, the pair sat in a brief silence, chilling out from whatever the hell that was. I hated to be nosy, but I had to ask about it. They'd sorta made it my business, after all.

"So... either of ya gonna fill me in on what that was about?" I questioned.

Lucas groaned. "Ian and his cock, that's what."

I shook my head and laughed. "Never mind, I don't wanna know."

"Bro, it's not my fault!" Ian cut in. "I didn't know they was still together! She said they was split, okay? How was I supposed ta know? They're always on and off. She hit me up, said she wanted some, and I wasn't 'bout to turn her down! Would you? Course not! I only did what any rational guy my age would do, and you know it."

There it was.

"He fucked Erin's girlfriend, apparently." Lucas sighed. "And now Erin wants to beat us to a pulp. Ian for fucking her, and me for just knowing about it. Ian's like a Greek god, always causing problems with his penis."

I just laughed more, massaging my right temple to try to alleviate the migraine coming on. "... and how old are you?"

Ian pressed his face against the barrier and gave a wonky grin. "Eighteen, you?"

Lu smacked the barrier again. "Stop being weird!!" 

"I'm not! It's a valid question!" He laughed, wiggling his fingers through one of the slits in the polycarbonate.

I just smirked. "Twenty-eight. Nice to meet you, Ian."

He waggled his eyebrows. "Hehe. Nice 'ta meet you too, Luca's boyfriend."

Lucas dropped his face in his hands and groaned. "I hate you." 

"Nice to meet you, Lu's best friend, yes?" I chuckled, taking a moment to observe what I could about him.

His wonky grin turned into a sincere one, and he shot Lucas a curious look. "Yeah, that's me. I'm his person."

Ian was a good-looking guy, and he appeared to be of similar, athletic build to Lucas, if not a bit more muscular. He had a head full of beautiful, well-cared for inky black ringlets, which were a stark contrast to Lucas's messy bedhead. He was also incredibly confident in himself; and I believed an unrelenting jokester based on what I'd seen since he'd jumped into my SUV.

I glanced at Lucas, finding his cheeks warming again, accompanied by a soft smile. "Um, yep... he's my fuckface."

"... and I'm his dickwad." Ian followed up with a flourish.

Talk about sexual tension... 

I wasn't sure if they themselves even noticed it, but there was some definite chemistry going on between the pair. Sort of like a bromance with some real homoerotic undertones to it. There was just a vibe there between them, a feeling I picked up on, but I remained quiet in my observations.

Neither said much after that, they just sort of stared at each other.

"... well, anyhoo," Ian exhaled. "I gotta bounce and hit practice! Imma see you later though, right, Luca? We got business." He started blowing an invisible cock.

Yep, homoerotic. Shit reminded me of the way I'd banter with Marines while I was still in the Navy. Gay as hell. Even the "straight" guys were always behaving suspiciously in some way or another. Hah.

Lucas rolled his eyes and flipped him off. "Yeah, yeah, yeah."

"I'm serious, text me when you're ready for me to come get you or I'll assume Jae here murdered you!" he added with a grin, rocking excitedly in his seat. 

I looked away and stifled a grin of my own. They were kinda cute together, whatever this was. In a way I felt a bit awkward, but not jealous. Curious, more than anything. What was the story here? Clearly there was one to tell. The way they looked at each other, especially Lucas... it wasn't hard to miss.

"... I'll text you; I promise." Lucas relented. "Now go away and don't stir up more trouble with your dick, dumbass! Don't be weird for once!" 

Ian raised a brow. "Sir, this cock cannot be tamed! But for real though, can you uh, let me out boyfriend-cop? Cause I gotta go. Coach will be mad if I'm late!"

"Tell coach I'm not feeling well, yeah?" Lucas chirped, and Ian nodded his understanding.

I peered at him through the rearview mirror and smirked. "Sure thing, just say please and I might let you off on good behavior."

He let out a low whistle. "Hehe, giggity."

I just shook my head and got out, trying not to laugh as I rounded the SUV. This kid was a riot, and he had zero filter. It was easy to see why Lucas liked him.

I opened the door, leaning against it as he got out. "I'm pretty sure we'll be meeting again, but uh, try to lay low you know? Maybe not fuck the wrong girl?"

He winked. "Impossible. And I don't plan on getting arrested anytime soon. Either way, tell that bitch nugget in the front seat I love him." He raised his voice so Lu could hear him clearly, and all I could see was Lu drop his head in embarrassment.

"Gotta say I admire the confidence." I called after him, chuckling as he turned to leave.

He turned over his shoulder and grinned. "Most people do, especially the girls. See ya hot cop! Take care of the uncle-fucker in your passenger seat!"

Lucas opened the door and started complaining loudly, because Ian wasn't exactly keeping his voice down. Risky, yeah, but I still found his humor to be as dirty as it was hilarious. I liked him. 

"I'll uh, do that." I coughed, quickly making my way back to the driver's seat.

I had this sudden anxiety about Song seeing me anywhere near the school, and I had a gut feeling we needed to get the hell out of the parking lot. I knew he tended to spend at least an hour in his classroom at the end of a school day, cleaning, grading, shit like that. But I didn't want to press our luck. What if this was the time he decided to leave early?

Yeah, no way we were lingering any longer; I didn't wanna find out.

Both of us buckled in, and I turned the key in the ignition, engine humming to life.

"So, I'm your uncle now, huh?" I chuckled, putting it in reverse.

Lucas slumped down in his seat and hid his face. "... don't judge me! I panicked! Just... just drive! Let's get out of here!"

I held my tongue as we pulled out of the parking spot, doing my best not to tease him.

Fucking cute.