Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

the desk. "Go get cleaned up."
    Stone nodded and left the office before turning and heading up the stairs, hardly able to believe his luck. This had to be too good to be true. These people were just too damned nice.
    Reaching the top of the stairs, he stepped into the bathroom and closed the door. No one had been that nice to him, well, not since his mama, anyway. It was almost hard for him to understand. Looking in the mirror, he smiled. If Mr. Sparkly Jeans wanted to say something, let him go ahead. He'd put up with just about anything from that arrogant ass if it meant he could stay here--at least until they found out, and then no one would want him. Pushing the thought from his mind, Stone washed up and left the bathroom, bounding down the stairs and into the kitchen.

    PRESTON jumped at the knock on the front door. Parting the curtains, he peered out and saw Jasper standing on the front porch. "Come in." He'd just managed to get himself out of the wheelchair and comfortable on the sofa. At times like this, alone in the house, he felt both free and vulnerable at the same time--but he desperately wanted to be out of the chair for a little while, even though it meant leaving the front door unlocked. Preston turned down the television as he heard energetic stomping in the hall before his guest strode into the room. "I wasn't...."
    Preston's voice trailed off when he saw the expression on Jasper's face and he did a quick check, instantly trying to figure out what he'd done.
    "What were you thinking? I work with those people, and you behaved like a complete and total ass!" Jasper stood next to the sofa glaring down at him, and if looks could kill, Preston knew he'd be shriveled to nothing in about three seconds. "They're some of the best people you will ever meet in your miserable, self-absorbed life, and you insulted one of them."
    Preston felt his temper rising fast. "Who in hell are you talking about?"

    "Stable Boy. Does that ring a bell? You pompous ass." Jasper finally took a breath. "I can't believe you insulted the man who was trying to help you with your therapy."

    "It was only some kid," Preston said weakly, trying to justify the unjustifiable. Jasper's body shook with rage and Preston backpedaled fast. "Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't know he was a friend of yours."
    Jasper turned, leaning down, getting so close Preston could smell his breath as he pointed away. "I know Geoff and Eli because I work with them. They're some of the most giving people ever, and I've got a news flash for you, honey, you need them a hell of a lot more than they need you." Jasper stopped yelling and breathed regularly before shoving Preston's legs to the back of the sofa and sitting down. "They're one of the largest landowners in the county. Their land is measured in square miles. The therapy riding is something they do mainly for needy children. I asked them specifically if they could take you on, and you go and act like a big jerk."
    "I'm sorry, okay. I didn't know his name and... fuck." Preston huffed, trying to figure out how he could save face. Usually he yelled louder and people backed down, but that didn't work with Jasper or Derrick. "I'm sorry, okay?" What else could he say?

    "I wish you meant that."

    That small phrase really hurt. Not because Jasper didn't believe him, but because he didn't believe it himself. He was never sorry for anything he did. The words were just a way to weasel out of it. "Look, Jasper, I don't know why I called him that, okay? I shouldn't have."
    "No, you shouldn't have. And you are fucking lucky that kid is a hell of a lot nicer than you are." Preston released a huge breath; at least Jasper wasn't yelling at him anymore. "The only reason you're allowed back is because Stone, that's his name, by the way," Jasper said, glaring at him again, "thought they could help you and stopped Geoff from barring you from the place altogether."
    Preston was taken aback. "He did that for me?"
    "He sure as fuck did. I was able to get you an appointment on Thursday, and I'm going to take you so you don't insult someone else." Jasper got up and walked back toward the door. "I'll be here at noon, and you'd better be ready." Preston watched open-mouthed as Jasper left the room. "Oh, and by the way, if you ever want me to speak to you again, you better come up with an apology to end all apologies for Stone." Preston heard Jasper stomp out of the house, with the door closing hard enough to rattle the pictures.
    Damn, he'd