Bottled Up

On September 23, Legal Artistry, the next Bottled Up story will be released. To celebrate I thought I would publish excerpts of all the previous Bottled up stories. I'm going to start with Bottled up itself. This particular story was inspired when I attended by brother's wine store opening in Ellicott City Md a few years ago.


Blurb:


Sean Bielecki has built a new life, leaving an infamous identity and painful past behind. Now Sommelier Wines is Sean’s dream. And after taking in Bobby, a homeless teenager who was attacked in the alley behind his store, parental instincts wake in him that didn’t know he had, giving him new courage and direction.


Officer Sam Davis has been watching Sean for a while—not because of his past—but because Sam wants to be a part of his life now. Sam finally asks Sean out, and they seem to click, but Sean is haunted by his memories.


It all comes to a head when the man who attacked Bobby returns, awakening Sean’s buried fears, which are compounded by a hateful ex and a new lover who puts his life on the line for others. Can Sean come to terms with his past and present to move into the future? Or will his dream of love end before it starts?



Purchase from Dreamspinner Press


Excerpt:


“Morning Katie … looks like you’ve got things ready to open.” Katie was a great worker and he felt lucky to have her. The customers loved her, and she could get more done that anyone he’d ever seen.


“We just need the front shoveled.”


Sean was about to say something when Bobby spoke up, “I can do that.”


“Thanks, Bobby. I’ll show you where the shovel and salt are.” Sean was still walking a little gingerly, his back still a little sore.


Having gotten the supplies, Bobby walked purposefully through the store and started shoveling away the snow from the front door and sidewalk. Sean watched him for a few seconds and then went into the office to get the register ready for opening.


Promptly at ten, Sean unlocked the front door, opening the store for business. Bobby had finished the shoveling and was spreading salt on the now clear pavement. “Looks good.”


Bobby beamed at him, “Thanks, I’m almost done.”


Sean turned and went back into the store, Katie was behind the counter, scowling. He knew that look … only one person caused that look … his boyfriend, Ted. Sean tried to keep from grinning; those two hated each other, “Where is he?” Katie tried to look innocent, but failed, “You know, Miss Cranky-face, where’s Ted”


“He came in the back and poked his head in, so he’s probably in your office.” Sean smiled because Ted was more than likely hiding from her.


Sean went back into his office to find Ted waiting for him. “You need to do something about her; she’ll scare away your customers.” Sean ignored the comment and bent forward for a kiss, which he received, just barely. Ted continued almost without interruption, “I’m going to make the reservations for our ski trip next month, do you want to go to Telluride or Park City ?”


Sean released his held breath, they’d had this conversation before, “I can’t go ... I’ve told you before, the store just opened two months ago and I can’t leave right now.” He was just starting to build a clientele and get some regular customers. “And Katie can’t run the store on her own for a whole week.”


Ted huffed snidely, “I told you not to open your little store—it would cramp your lifestyle. Now what are we supposed to do?”


A knock on the door interrupted their discussion, “Yes …”


The door opened and Bobby stuck his head in, “I finished the walk, do you want me to carry those cases we didn’t finish yesterday to the front?”


“Would you, please? I’ll be right out to help.” Bobby’s head disappeared.


“Who was that?”


“Bobby.”


“Where’d you find him? He looks like a street person.”


“He is. He was attacked in the alley yesterday morning.”


“Where’s he staying, and don’t tell me with you?”


“Well as a matter of fact …” Sean didn’t like where this conversation was going.


“You’ve got to be kidding me. You’ve got some homeless waif living with you and working here. He’ll steal you blind. Jesus … Are you that gullible?” Ted looked like he was going to explode. “You won’t go on our ski trip like you promised,” He was actually sticking his lower lip out like a five-year-old, “But you’ll take in some homeless kid.”


Sean felt his own anger rise to the surface, “First thing, I never promised I’d go. I told you repeatedly I couldn’t, but you didn’t listen … you never listen. And secondly, Bobby’s staying with me because he has nowhere else to go and the man who attacked him was trying to rape him.” Tears welled in Sean’s eyes, but he pushed them back, trying to keep them from falling. “I think you’d better leave now.”


“Oh baby, I’m sorry,” Ted put his arms around him, but Sean pushed them away.


“Every time you don’t get your way, you ‘I’m sorry, baby’ me and then get cuddly, but nothing changes, Ted. You don’t listen and you don’t care about my feelings or what I think.”


“That’s not true.” Ted protested, but not very strongly.


“Yes it is. You don’t listen, and you don’t support me or my dreams.”


“What dreams …,” Ted looked around, “You mean this little wine store?” The condescension was palpable.


“Yes, Ted, among other things …” Sean stopped talking, his anger melting, replaced by clarity that he’d been lacking for a long time. “I think you’d better go.”


“I’ll stop by tonight and we’ll talk some more.”


“No, Ted, I meant permanently. Besides, I’m busy tonight. I need to get Bobby some clothes.”


“You’re breaking up with me?” It seemed beyond his comprehension. “For some homeless kid!” He was shouting now. “You really are weird.”


“He’s sixteen, Ted! I’m trying to help him, not sleep with him. Unlike you, I do have some scruples!” Sean stood up, “I’ve got work to do; I assume you can let yourself out.” He left the office and entered the stock area. Before he could say anything, Ted stormed out of the office, took one look at Bobby, and then marched out through the store while Sean stared at the door that Ted had passed though.


“I’m sorry.” Sean turned and saw Bobby standing rigid next to the wall, looking like he wanted to melt into it. “I cost you your boyfriend.” Bobby raced back to the office, and when Sean got there, he saw him pulling on his coat. “I’m no good to anyone.”


Sean put his hand on Bobby’s shoulder, “Stop, you didn’t do anything.”


“I heard him, he was mad at you about me.” He sounded more hurt than Sean felt at Ted’s departure from his life.


“No, he was mad at me because he didn’t get his own way, and he used you as an excuse. Besides, it’s been over for a while; I just wasn’t brave enough to end it … until today.” Bobby looked at him skeptically. “I mean it … you didn’t do anything wrong and it’s not your fault.” Bobby took off his coat and followed Sean back in the stock area where he loaded the last cases on the cart. Together they wheeled the cart into the store.


“Is it true?” Katie looked happy, radiantly happy, “Is Teddy Weddy the big baby gone for good.”


“Yeah, he’s gone.”


“Good, I heard him yelling all the way out here; thank goodness no one was in the store.” She looked at Bobby and held up her hand. Bobby looked confused and then gave her a high-five. “I’ve been trying to get rid of him since they first met and you did it in a day.” Then she hugged him, “I’m proud of you, kid,” Then she turned, still grinning, and went back to work. Sean just shook his head as he and Bobby went to work, spending the rest of the morning filling the shelves for the weekend.


Sean took Bobby to the deli again for lunch, and this time ordered extra food, which Bobby wolfed down, only slightly more slowly this time. When they returned to the store, Officer Sam Davis was waiting for them. “Hey, Sam, did you get the guy who attacked Bobby?”


“Not yet, but your description of the guy was good, so I’m hopeful.” Sam shifted to look at Bobby, “How are you, Bobby?”


“Okay. Sean’s been real nice to me.”


That made Sean smile. “Bobby, could you sweep up before it gets busy?”


“Sure, Sean.” Then Bobby was off to the back room, returning quickly with a broom and getting to work.


“Seems like you made an impression on him,” There was a weird look on Sam’s face that Sean couldn’t quite place.


“He’s a good kid who’s had a hard life.”


Sam looked over at Bobby who was diligently sweeping the far corner of the store. “I did a records search on Bobby and found that he’s run away from multiple foster homes.”


“Yeah, I know.” Sam raised his eyebrows, “Bobby told me. He says he won’t go back.”


“Where’s he staying?”


“With me.”


Sam looked concerned, “Do you know what you’re getting yourself in for?”


“Probably not, but he needs help and I won’t turn him out onto the street,” The thought of Bobby at the mercy of someone like Big Mike made his skin crawl.


“You’re a good man Sean. I’ll let you know when we have anything.” Sam turned to leave, “See ya, Katie.”


“Later, Sam.”


“Bye, Bobby.” Sam waved at Bobby, who was looking at them from the corner.


“Bye.” Bobby waved tentatively as Sam left the store.


As soon as Sam was gone, Bobby raced up to Sean, “He likes you.”


“What?” Sam had never given him any indication he was interested in him.


Katie chimed in, “Yeah, I know.” Sean looked at both of them like they’d grown extra heads. “When you’re not looking, he gets this really gooey expression on his face.”


“Yeah … right.”


Bobby chimed in, “He did—I saw it just now. Maybe you should ask him out.”



“Let’s get back to work; we’ve got plenty to do.” Bobby and Katie exchanged a knowing look as a pair of customers entered the store.