Will You Marry Them?

Chapter 1-1

Will You Marry Them?

By David Connor and E.F. Mulder

It was a week before Pride Month began. The sign across the front of the hotel ballroom said it all—l***q Heroes. While Ridley worked the crowd, Rocco hid in the corner, perched upon a bar stool hating the whole thing. It was a high profile celebrity murder case that brought them there. Ridley was shot apprehending a psycho gunman on live morning television. Thank God he survived. Rocco had fallen in love with his police partner during the investigation, of maybe he’d loved him all along. Either way, he was grateful for every moment he and Ridley had been given over the past six months, even if they couldn’t share their love in the open.

“Hey.” Rocco thought the guy sitting beside him looked as miserable as he felt.

“Hi.”

“You hiding out, too?”

“Yeah. I’m not much for crowds…or leaving the house, really.”

“So, what brings you out?” Rocco looked up to ask. At his height, he often had neck strain.

“My guy’s a hero. I’m Bart.” He extended a hand.

“Rocco. Which one’s yours?”

Bart nodded toward the guy chatting up Ridley. “Sawyer. Sawyer Ettinger. He’s being honored for philanthropic work.”

“Ah. That’s my…my partner he’s talking to.”

“He’s cute. Was that dumb? I don’t always talk…good.”

Rocco chuckled. “You’re fine. And Rid, he’s my police partner not my…You know what? You have a face I think I can trust. f**k it. We’re together, but don’t say anything. Whoo.” Rocco took a deep breath. “That felt good. We’re not allowed to date. Ironic, huh, that we’re here getting a jump on pride month, a time to celebrate being out and proud, and Rid and I…can’t be.”

“Sounds like it kind of sucks.”

“You know what, Bart? It kind of does.”

Ridley and Sawyer came over, still yacking it up. “Sawyer’s father was a cop,” Ridley told Rocco. “Lost in the line of duty.”

“I’m sorry,” Rocco said.

“Thanks. I’m glad you don’t have to know what that feels like, when it comes to Ridley.”

“Me, too.”

“How you holding up?” Sawyer took his partner’s hand, worry and love in his eyes.

“Okay.” Bart smiled at him. “I’m still pretty social phobic,” he explained.

“These informal meet and greets can be hell.” Rocco knew. “Tomorrow, the actual ceremony, all we’ll have to do is clap and listen to boring speeches.”

“Rocco.” Ridley reached out, maybe for a gentle scolding smack. He stopped short of touching Rocco at all. The ease they felt around one another in private was gone when out in public, where they had to remember not to show it.

“Hey. It’ ain’t like I’m not grateful and honored and all that, and especially proud of you.” Rocco took Ridley’s hand. “It’s okay,” he said, when Ridley tried to pull away. “I told Bart. We can’t go public, though,” Rocco said to Sawyer, as he let go of the man he loved. “The world isn’t perfect yet. Work rules.” He shrugged. “Have you finished schmoozing. Rid?”

“I guess. There are so many interesting people here.”

“Ridley’s a people person.” Rocco rolled his eyes. “I like dogs.”

“I hear that,” Bart said. “This one could chat up a stranger for hours. Lucky for me.”

“How did you meet?” Ridley asked.

“Angel wings and bullets.” Bart stroked Sawyer’s cheek. “Divine intervention, maybe.”

“That’s how I tell it,” Sawyer said, and then the two shared a kiss. “I think we’re ready to head up to our room—twenty-third floor—just enough elevator time to tell the tale start to finish, if you guys feel like hanging out and sharing something hideously priced out of the mini bar?”