TJ's Journey to Marriage - 9. Chapter 9

“What’s up Grayson?” I asked

“Could you and I talk privately?”

“You don’t mind JC?” I asked

“No, talk with your brother and let me know if you need anything.” JC said and left the room pulling the door shut

“What’s up G?”

“I am nervous about everything.”

“What in particular? How can I help?”

“I don’t know why Jack seems to be all in a huff about you and JC getting married. What difference does it make?”

“Something is bothering him about money but I am not sure what. I actually have way more money that JC does; well I think I do, so it should be me worried.”

“See why is that a problem and then the whole name thing. Have you decided what you want to do?”

“Actually I have but I haven’t talked with JC about and my situation is different than yours because I am a junior. I feel the obligation to keep the name because I was named after dad but he’s “dead” and now it wouldn’t matter either way but to me it makes a huge difference. It’s who I’ve been my whole life; dad’s miniature version. For you its sentimental but also who you’ve been. You can always keep the Michaels name and change it later or hyphenate your kid’s names.”

“See our name has great meaning to me since it was dad’s and on the flip side Woolery has great power because of Jack’s work in Human Rights and other cases.”

“Don’t put too much thought into it. Professionally you could be Grayson Michaels but behind the scenes you are Grayson Craft-Woolery, or whatever you decide.”

“Beau had it easy, Lucas wanted our name after everything his father did; a fresh start if you would. For me it’s not a big deal one way or the other. I think the reason Trace wants to do it is to build a name for himself.”

“Here’s a thought, could you both maintain interest in the firm but start your own?”

“What are you getting at?”

“Look I know you want to be your own men and branch out on your own; so why don’t you guys start your own firm. You could be my property lawyer or not and he could continue his family practice.”

“That sounds interesting and he might go for that.”

“Where would you want to have your office?”

“Where ever you are.” He said looking down

“Grayson, I love you and if you want to be near me then fine. I’d love to have you guys nearby and I know you’d love San Francisco.”

“Well I also miss you when you aren’t here. You’ve been my rock and best friend since I was little.” Grayson said starting to tear up

“Oh G, you are such a great brother and I’m honored to be your best friend. I didn’t know you felt this way.”

“I have and there is something I never told you.”

“What’s that?”

“When you disappeared I tried to commit suicide.” He said and broke down. I quickly went over and wrapped my arms around him

“Oh G, I am so sorry I didn’t know how you felt” I said through tears

“Trace found me in bed and I swallowed a lot of pills. He called 911 and tried like hell to wake me up; Beau said that Trace never left my side.”

“Oh G, this breaks my heart. If you ever feel this way please talk to someone; I promise that I will always keep in touch with you.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, my G man I promise.” We sat there hugging until there was a knock at the door.

“Come in” I said

“Oh is everything ok in here?” Trace asked concerned

“I just told TJ what happened when he was gone.” Grayson replied and looked sad

“Oh that, I am just glad I got to you when I did.” Trace said

“Trace, thank you for loving my brother unconditionally.” I said

**“TJ, he is the only man that I love. Before him I dated women and men and nothing ever really felt right but then I met Grayson and it all fell together. I love him to the moon and back.” Trace said with a smile

“Glad to hear it but here is a warning, if you ever hurt my brother I will take you out. I don’t care if you are my fiancé’s brother or not.” I said menacingly.

“Just send him to see his Grandma Helen; she may take care of it for you.” Grayson said laughing

“Now I wonder if she is looking for some part-time work.” I said and laughed

“Ah a pair of comedians” Trace said and laughed

“We are the comic duo” I said

“TJ, I have a serious question, would you be my best man?” Grayson asked

“I would be honored Grayson on one condition.” I said

“What that TJ is Trace’s best man?” he asked

“Well make that two conditions; I would like Tristan to be the ring bear.”

“That is a great idea. We can get one of Trace’s cousin’s kids to be the flower girl and who knows maybe a romance in the works.”

“Tristan is 5 and who knows what gender he likes.” I said

“Well he is part Michaels apparently, so he has a good chance of being gay” Grayson said

“Touché” I said

“All right, let’s go down stairs” I said and there was a knock at the door

“Man this room is a train station, who is it?” I asked

“JC.” Came the reply and I opened the door

“We are coming downstairs, what’s up?”

“We were trying to decide on lunch and Tristan shouted Cancun and the boy has never been. We decided on pizza and well it’s here so let’s go eat.” JC said

“I swear Tristan is you child more than Kevin and Jeff’s” Grayson said

“I know what you mean, it’s downright scary.” I replied and we headed down to eat

“There you are brudder” Tristan said

“Here I am” I replied and ruffled his hair

“Is everything ok?” Kevin asked

“Yeah everything is fine; Grayson and I had a good chat.” I said and smiled at him

“That’s wonderful.” Dad said

“So TJ, I heard you guys have a closing date on your property in Oakland.” Jeff said

“Yeah we do and I talked to your friend Bella and she is going to help decorate the house in Oakland and the two other condos.” I replied

“Thank you for taking a chance on her.” Jeff said

“We talked to her and she gave ideas and asked for input. Most of the other designers we talked to just wanted to do their things and didn’t care what we had to say.” JC said

“I agree her asking questions before we met and during what we planned on doing with certain rooms made me a whole lot more comfortable.” I said

“You know she grew up at the youth center.” Jeff said

“I had a feeling she did but that doesn’t matter. Her ideas are very outside the box and exactly what we needed.” I said

“You know maybe we should talk more about the youth center and how we can help them” JC said

“That would be an excellent idea, I think they need more resources and we can work with them and maybe the folks in LA and San Francisco and start a program. I am sure there are things in San Francisco that aren’t in San Diego or LA and vice versa.” I said

“Um, could I get in on that” Trace said

“Yes, we can make it a family thing.” I said

“Brudders!” Tristan shouted

“Yes, brothers.” I replied

“So you want to live in California permanently?” Tracy asked looking at Trace

“Yeah Dad, it’s something we’ve been talking about. Grayson is going to be handling the legal side of the properties that JC and TJ buy and” he was cut off by Jack

“Our firm will be handling it, just not one person.”

“Jack, you didn’t hear me, I don’t trust you.” I said glaring at him

“Well then, you can move out of my house.” Jack challenged

“Wait a minute, your house?” Tracy said

“Yes, my house.” Jack said

“Well Jack, it is still in my father’s name, so it’s his house.” Liz said

“Well either way he leaves and doesn’t see JC anymore.” Jack said. Before I could say anything Tracy spoke up

“Really, Jack; you are really something. Where the hell do you get off telling JC who he can see?” Tracy yelled

“I am his father”

“You are one of his fathers and you do not own JC. Don’t you drive him away or you are going to land up on the street all alone with nothing to call yours.” Tracy said

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Keep acting like an asshole and see where you land up.”

“Daddy JC’s daddy said a bad word; He needs the wear jar.” Tristan said

“You mean swear jar and yes he does. Jack you really haven’t grown up have you? You are the same scared little boy I met all those years ago.” Jeff said

“No I am not” Jack said

“I beg to differ, Jack. You talk a good game but you are scared about something and lashing out. Be a damn grownup and talk about it and don’t demand things.” Tracy said

I watched as they continued to argue and I went upstairs and packed my stuff. I knew it would be easier if I left. I also packed some stuff for JC and I went back down stairs.

“Come on JC we can go somewhere we are wanted.” I said pulling my suit case

“Where the hell are you going Jackson” Jack yelled

“I am going with my fiancé Pop. We are not taking any more of your shit.” JC said

“You will stay here Jackson Paul Woolery” Jack said and JC turned around

“So that’s how this is, you get mad and now you forget about dad. Well maybe I will legally change my name and drop the Woolery or I know what will piss you off, I will take TJ’s last name and be Jackson Michaels.” JC said angrily

“The two of you can come home with me. Jack go fuck yourself.” Tracy said and turned to leave

“You walk out we are done” Jack said

“You don’t mean that at all because remember nothing here is in your name. It’s in the boys trust. So you can go back to Ohio and live with your wretched mother.” Tracy said and JC and I followed behind

“Boys, I am sorry you had to see that.” Tracy said getting on the elevator

“I don’t know what’s gotten into Pop. We know that he hooked up with Tristan Sr. before but not anything else.” JC said

“Something is really bothering him and he’s taking it out on you guys. He will come back because he will literally have nothing is we divorce; he set it up that way.” Tracy said

“Maybe we should have him checked out? Maybe my mom slipped him some drugs.” I said

“That’s a possibility, I will text Liz and ask her to check.” Tracy said. We settled into the guest room and then JC went to keep Tracy company. After fidgeting in the room and nothing to do I went down to the main floor. As I was decending the stairs, I could hear Jack yelling at Tracy

“You will not bring that boy into our home.” Jack yelled

“What exactly has he done to warrant this treatment?” Tracy countered

“He got me suspended from the firm by crying to Liz” Jack said

“Yeah because you refused to help him and made it personal.”

“No he made it personal, I can’t do everything everyone wants.”

“Oh look who suddenly found his morals; everyone stop and worship our morality police office Jaxson Woolery. Hear that sound? It’s no one caring.” Tracy said

“Look he’s corrupted you; we never argue.”

“Corrupted me? I will have you know no such thing has happened. I am protecting our son and the person he loves. You are the one acting corrupt.” Tracy spat

“Well you know, he should go back to that dump in Ohio where he came from. He’s nothing but trailer trash like his mother.”

“Don’t you talk about my mother like that.” I said

“Oh I’m not talking about Emily dear boy.” Jack sneered

“What are you talking about?” I asked

“Jack not another word.” Tracy said

“Oh good old saint TJ doesn’t know that he was born from a Petri dish” Jack said

“What?” I said tears falling

“Awe poor baby TJ really has no family. If Emily had been honest this shit never would have happened.” Jack said. I turned and ran for the stairs and tears were fogging my view. I heard JC shouting for me to stop but I didn’t. Somewhere on my way down I lost my footing and fell the rest of the way. My head hit the marble floor and that is all I remember before it all went black.