#geoffon

It had been a fantasy for both of them for ages. A vaguely ridiculous fantasy, but a fantasy nonetheless.

To make love in public.

They'd already done it in a public bathroom -- more than once -- but both of them wanted something  slightly more public.

Ikea wasn't their original thought, of course.

They orignally wanted something a little more subtle. Something like a restaurant where they could touch each other under the table. Somewhere that was still public but not too noticeable.

But they chose Ikea.

Mostly because they didn't want to get kicked out of any restaurants that were too close to home or run into anybody they knew. And fucking in Ikea was way more interesting to them than anything else.

Both Geoff and Griffon had decided to go without underwear. It made things easier. They walked the aisles a little, pretending to be interested in the furniture. Pretending like they really needed a new bed, a new dining set, a new whatever.

Geoff was the first to get frisky, slipping his hand under Griffon's skirt as they looked at a shelf they didn't care about. She gasped and he pulled her closer to him, pushing his fingers into her. Pretending like it was an accident that he was feeling how wet she was.

They were cut short when they heard someone coming. It was all Geoff could do not to jump across the aisle, far away from his wife. That was too obvious, though, so he just pulled his fingers out of her, rubbing her leg as if this shelf was a major life decision that they needed to talk about while essentially cuddling.

The young couple that had nearly seen them walked by without comment, and the moment they were gone, Geoff's arm was back around Griffon's waist and his hand was back up her skirt.

She sighed, leaning back against him and closing her eyes. "Holy shit," she whispered, leaning her head back on his shoulder. "Holy shit..."

Not wanting to leave him out of the possible public indecency charges, she unzipped his shorts, shoving her hand through the fly and stroking him. Slowly at first, twisting her wrist a little, listening closely to the sounds he tried his hardest not to make.

"We should find somewhere more private," Geoff whispered, trying to be subtle in what he was doing as another small group of people walked by. "Everybody needs a shelf today, apparently."

"Scared?" Geoff would take the bait. Griffon knew it. "Because we can go home right now and just fuck our own room. Or you can grow a pair and fuck me right here..."

Geoff frowned. Shoved his hand back up her skirt and played with her, then pulled his hand away entirely. He guided her hand away from his cock, too, positioning himself behind her.

He started thrusting between her thighs. Slowly. Teasing her a little bit.

"I'm not scared," he said, putting his hand halfway up her shirt. Touching her stomach just a little. Wondering if he could get away with grabbing at her breasts without drawing too much attention.

Not that having his dick up her skirt wouldn't attract any attention, anyway.

"What'll you do if we get caught?" Griffon wasn't really worried, and didn't really mind, either.

Geoff responded only by rubbing his dick against her pussy, teasing more. Making her ache for him. Getting her hot and bothered enough that she'd either beg for it or stomp on his foot to prompt him to actually get on with it.

"Mmm. You'd better put that in me soon, Geoff..." A warning. "Come on. Do it, you chicken..."

She knew exactly how to get him going. Maybe he was a little bit chicken. He just didn't particularly want to get caught by anybody.

But calling him a chicken was exactly how to goad him into doing basically anything.

So he put his hands on her hips, thrusting upward, sighing softly as he let himself enjoy the feeling.

"Who's a chicken, exactly?" He continued to move his hips. Slow, rolling motions. Somebody walking by them probably couldn't tell exactly what they were doing. They were just really, really into this shelf. Modern art turned them on, and Ikea shelves certainly were modern art. Or whatever.

"Still you," Griffon whispered, voice getting more and more breathy as Geoff's hips moved. "Come on, is this the best you can do?"

Geoff grunted softly, squeezing Griffon's hip with one hand and sliding the other back up her skirt. He rubbed her clit hard and fast, gently bending her over, forcing himself deeper.

He had a harder time keeping quiet than she did. Even with the way he was touching her, she was entirely quiet. At the most, she'd gasp every so often.

Geoff, on the other hand, grunted with each thrust. No matter how hard he tried to keep quiet, he couldn't.

In an effort to keep himself quieter, he buried his face in Griffon's neck, starting to give up on keeping what they were doing hidden. He started thrusting harder, moving a little faster.

"I'm -- I'm close..."

He knew it was way too soon for that.

To be fair, he'd been fantasizing about doing this for so long -- half of his arousal was built on anticipation.

"Already?" She let out a breathy giggle. "It's barely been a couple of minutes!"

"Come on, baby, don't you want me to fill you up?" He practically felt the eye roll. "I've been thinking about this for so long..."

In response, she tightened her muscles around him. "Uh-huh. Lucky for you, I'm close, too..."

That nearly made him go off on the spot.

He held back, though. Barely. But he still held back, at least a little. His hips stuttered and his hand sped up. He needed to make Griffon finish, too. He needed to make her drip all over the floor of Ikea, needed to feel her get tight around him.

Geoff needed to make her do it first.

He got lucky, too -- right before he was ready to give in and let go, he felt her muscles tighten up. He felt her knees go weak as her own come dripped down her leg.

Then, he let go, too.

Griffon made a soft noise, then covered her mouth. The last thing she needed was to attract attention when they were already done.

They stood there for a few moments more, both breathing heavily and gripping at everything they could reach to stay on their feet.

"Beautiful shelf," Griffon said softly as Geoff took a step back, tucking himself back into his pants and zipping them up. He adjusted Griffon's skirt for her as well, then put his arm around her waist. Innocently this time. Mostly.

"Oh, yeah. It's incredible." Geoff's tone was purely sarcastic, but he struggled to sound like he wasn't out of breath.

"But I don't think we should buy this one." Entirely for show. "I think we should take a look online."

"Oh, yeah," Geoff said, "we'll go home and look online right now."

It wasn't like anybody was around them to hear the plan they were making. It was just for each other. Just to be funny.

Nobody said a word to them as they left the store, and they just smirked to themselves. They went home and didn't really talk about it, but they were both thinking about it.

They were also both kind of proud of themselves.

They'd just fucked in Ikea.

There was a sharp intake of breath from around the table. Geoff didn’t need it; he already knew he had crossed the line. He wanted to apologise. In his mind, he already had. But instead, they argued. They hardly noticed the others, until Jack stormed out and Geoff was left with their stares and awkward silence.

Ryan twirled his pen. ‘Looks like we’re down a driver.’

‘Fuck off!’

The ride to Medusa’s felt wrong without Jack. When Geoff turned to where Jack should be, there was a scrawny, sandy-haired Brit in his wake. It cut deeper than he was willing to let on. He kept his eyes trained on the road, ignoring the ache that came from fighting with his brother.

Had he gone too far? It felt like it. Jack had never been so angry before.

Well. That wasn’t true.

There was a time once, when they were awkward teenagers and they were being harassed by some would-be punks. They had hurled insults and rocks in equal number, and Jack had let them. Geoff had hit back, yelled back, and encouraged the trouble without planning an escape. Jack was the quiet analyst, even then.

Then one of them had said… something. Something Spanish. And Jack had become enraged. He beat one of them within an inch of his life, causing the others to flee. Geoff had been impressed then. He knew now that there was a real danger below his amiable surface.

So it hurt. He had never been the cause of Jack’s upset or anger. They were brothers. Brothers didn’t fight.

Gavin pulled up. ‘We’re here.’

‘Midnight, boys. Come get me. Make sure I’m not a pumpkin. Wait for the moment to make the biggest impact. All eyes on us.’

‘Copy that,’ Michael said.

Geoff stepped out the car and in to the alley. Medusa’s was VIP invite only. He was not going to be on that list. So he grappled up the building, pulling himself up four stories. He pried open the window, and slipped through in to the men’s room. It was empty.

He removed his coat, revealing a tuxedo underneath. He adjusted his bowtie in the mirror and sighed. Show time

He stepped in to the ballroom.

Everything glistened. The ceiling was made of glass, showing another smoggy Los Santos night. Geoff headed straight for the bar, taking note of every one along the way. Businessmen, senators and socialites gathered in packs, basking in their own glorious auras.

He took a seat on a bar stool. This was his lookout point, and nothing would distract him from the heist.

A hand touched his shoulder. ‘Geoffrey Ramsey.’

The blood froze his veins and then flooded south. He knew that voice. Suddenly he was twenty years old again, playing guitar by the pool and rubbing lotion on the shoulders of a beautiful vixen. He swallowed and turned slowly, hoping for anything but her.

Time had aged her well. Her hair, just as fair as he remembered it, was clipped up in a high bun. She had more tattoos now, classy watercolour designs across her shoulders framed by a tangerine cocktail dress with a slit up the sides that didn’t want to stop.

‘Grif—’ His voice broke. He cleared his throat and leaned against the bar. ‘Griffon. Looking good.’

‘I heard you were back in town.’

She sat on the stool next to him. He glanced at her hands. No ring. His heart soared, only to plummet when he remembered what was about to happen.

‘Yeah. I never stray far. What are you doing here? On a date?’

Griffon frowned. ‘I own Medusa’s.’

Shit.

The clock struck midnight. Michael led the way up the stairs, gun cocked and ready. They crowded around the entrance, the doormen already taken care of.

Five minutes and counting.

Geoff was hypnotised. Griffon had that effect on him. He admired the dragon that stretched down the arm, and she flexed for him.

‘You look incredible,’ he said.

‘So do you. You look… sober.’

‘I’m trying to cut back.’

‘That’s good. Good for you. How about I get you a Virgin Creeper?’

‘Is this a brothel now too?’

She threw her head back and laughed. ‘Always the charmer. It’s our signature drink. It can paralyze a man. But the virgin is just as delicious.’

Geoff smiled. ‘Bring it.’

She hopped behind the bar, shooing away the younger barmaid. She got to work mixing the liquids, slicing a fresh lime and making it look effortlessly sexy.

‘So tell me, Geoff. I don’t hear from you in, what, seven years? And suddenly you’re in my bar.’ She slid the drink over, flashing him a wry smile. ‘What are you really doing here?’

Geoff’s fantasy froze and reality crashed around him.

Oh.

Oh no.

He has no time to react. The door banged open and the Crew burst in. There were screams and the sound of glass breaking on the floor.

‘Every fucker down,’ Michael yelled. ‘On the floor, now!’

Geoff turned to Griffon. ‘Griff, please, just do what—’

Griffon pulled a gun out from under the bar. ‘Get the fuck out of my bar,’ she said through gritted teeth.

Geoff groaned. ‘Griffon…’

Ryan shot behind her, shattering the mirror and a bottle of gin. Griffon narrowed her eyes.

‘No!’ Geoff stood up. ‘Stand down, guys.’

Michal frowned. ‘But—’

‘Stand. Down.’

The others were cautious, but slowly they lowered their weapons. Geoff turned his attention back to Griffon.

The drink was thrown in his face. It stung his eyes, bubbles rising up his knows. He spluttered, hardly having the time to react before she slapped him in the face.

‘You were casing me?’ she spat.

‘No! Never! I would—I didn’t know, I—’

‘I’m giving you to the count of five. If you want to leave here with your dick still attached to your body, you’ll take your little play group and go. And if you ever set foot on my property again, I will call the cops. Or I’ll break out the chainsaw. Do you understand me?’ she spat.

‘Griffon…’

‘One. Two.’

Geoff walked over to the Crew, head held high, even though his heart had sank to the floor. ‘Let’s go.’

They chewed him to pieces in the car. Geoff sat there and let them. They were right to be angry. A room full of people thought they were incompetent. They were a mockery.

‘Jack was right,’ Ray said quietly from the back.

Geoff nodded. ‘He always is…’

Geoff broke in to Jack’s at about one. He crept through the apartment until he got to Jack’s room. He wasn’t asleep. Of course he wasn’t. He was waiting.

Geoff swallowed. ‘You knew.’

‘Of course I did. And you would too if you let me talk.’

Geoff sank down on the end of the bed. ‘How?’

‘You cut her out. I didn’t. We talk. I’ve been there. She’s done well for herself.’

‘God, she has.’ He put his head in his hands. ‘I messed up.’

Jack shuffled closer to him. ‘That’s okay. We knew we would in the beginning.’

‘Not just with the heist. The lads… they don’t think I’m competent. And they’re right. If I was, I’d have listened to you.’

‘Hey. Hush. Less of that.’ Jack put a hand on his shoulder. ‘We’ll work it out.’

Geoff looked up at him, looking truly helpless. ‘Why didn’t you stop me?’

‘I thought you’d research after I told you to.’

‘… Was this a test?’

‘It was.’

‘… I think I failed.’

‘You did. But it’s okay. I think this extra credit will go a long way to getting you a pass.’

‘... I’m too tired for this shit. Are we cool?’

Michael had never been invited over to Geoff and Griffon’s for a sleepover before. It was an experience that, unfortunately, he had to share. Geoff had suggested the idea after he announced to Michael that their English friend’s son would be coming to stay with them for the summer. The boy, just a year younger than Michael, had arrived early that morning and Geoff thought having Michael around would help him settle in better. Michael’s parents had readily agreed and took the chance to finally take advantage of the free theatre tickets they’d never had the time to redeem.

    Michael watched the world roll by eagerly as his father drove around the park. Michael had never entered Geoff and Griffon’s house from this way. He smiled as he saw the highest track of Lazer peek over the fence that surrounded the park. He pointed this out to his father who offered a noncommittal grunt in reply. His father had long since gotten over the hype of Double G-Force park. The theme park gave away to a small residential clearing beside it. There were only two houses, one that Michael knew to be Geoff and Griffon’s home and the other the house that Jack (their groundskeeper) lived in. Much like the park’s gardens, Geoff and Griffon’s front lawn was decorated beautifully. Michael sat in awe as his father’s car rolled onto the drive.

    Michael was scolded as he leapt from the car mere seconds before it came to a stop. He grabbed his backpack and sleeping back and bolted for the front door while his father trudged behind him. It seemed that Geoff and Griffon had psychic abilities because they opened the door before Michael could knock. Michael beamed as his father exchanged pleasantries with them. Michael was sure his father had said goodbye but he was too excited to reply. Griffon invited him in and Michael ran past her giddily.

    The Ramsey’s home always smelled like Geoff’s homemade cooking and today was no exception. It smelt like cookies fresh from the oven and Michael followed the smell into the kitchen. He was startled by the boy who sat at their dining table eating what Michael had deemed his cookies. The boy blinked back at him owlishly as Michael stared. His hair wasn’t quite brown and yet nor was it blonde and his eyes were as green as the grass outside. Michael wasn’t sure what to think of the boy until he smiled and pushed the plate of cookies towards Michael.

“These are good.” The boy said in a foreign accent around a cookie. Michael grinned. Anyone who could appreciate Geoff’s cooking was a friend of his.

  oOo

  “I’ll work for free.” Michael repeated with more confidence this time.

“Michael, we can’t in good conscience let you do that.” Griffon immediately replied.

“I’m not giving you a choice.” Michael ground out. Geoff rolled his eyes and heaved a heavy sigh.

“You’re acting childish.” Geoff scolded. Michael glared at the man in front of him.

“I am not!” Michael almost whined. He was not doing well to convince Geoff otherwise.

“Michael, we are not going to let you work for free.” Geoff said sternly while Michael practically pouted.

“I am not going to take any money you give me; I’m just going to give it back.” Michael spat. He would not back down. He had made his decision and he wasn’t going to change his mind. Michael was stubborn like that.

    “You’re definitely being childish, Michael.”Gavin decided to add. Michael glared at him.

“That’s rich coming from the guy who still sleeps with his teddy bear.” Michael growled spitefully. Gavin had the nerve to look hurt and it irritated Michael.

“Michael Jones, that’s enough.” Griffon said suddenly. Her tone was stern and strict and it was enough to make both Michael and Gavin drop their heads guiltily. Griffon hadn’t spoken to either of them like that since they were kids and Michael immediately felt bad. “Michael, you can’t refuse your pay.” Griffon continued.

“But I want to.” Michael quipped. He was silenced by a glare from Griffon.

“I know you want to but you can’t. You live in an apartment, Michael. You have bills to pay and food to buy.” Griffon reminded him. Michael sighed heavily, she was right. “But, if you are so adamant about it, you can work for free. On one condition.” Griffon added when Michael made to celebrate prematurely.

    “Anything, I’ll even move back into my parent’s house if I have to.” Michael said. Griffon snorted.

“That won’t be necessary. If you must work for free, you are welcome to move into our home. That way I know that you’re healthy, fed and more importantly not homeless.” Griffon said with concern. Michael immediately perked up at the idea. Geoff raised a sceptical eyebrow.

“You’d have to share a room with Gavin.” Geoff added to see if it would dampen Michael’s excitement. He did not expect both Michael and Gavin to clap their hands in celebration.

“Oh Michael, it’ll be just like when we were kids!” Gavin giggled. Geoff caught Jack’s eye, who had been all but forgotten at the table, and rolled his eyes at the ginger’s smirk. Griffon had been right; Gavin and Michael were their children.

  oOo

  Michael found it fairly easy to cancel his lease with his apartment. The hard part was moving all of his things.

“Since when did I have so much stuff?” Michael complained as he carried a box down the narrow stairs in his apartment complex. Griffon laughed as she followed him. Griffon was carrying Michael’s box of ‘memorabilia’ and she stuck her hand inside to retrieve a snow globe. It was one with a miniature Lazer ornament inside and something they’d long since stopped selling at the park.

“You have so much stuff because you refuse to throw anything out.” Griffon explained to him, shaking the snow globe to prove her point. Michael scoffed and shifted the weight of his box to one arm so that he could swipe at the snow globe. Griffon let him take it easily and she shook her head at the way Michael cradled it close to his chest.

    “Where did you get this van from?” Michael questioned as he and Griffon left the building with the first lot of boxes. He’d barely finished his sentence before Ryan peered around the side of it.

“It’s mine.” The engineer explained as he slid opened the van’s door and easily took the box from Michael’s hands. Michael watched as Ryan pushed it to the back and he snickered as Ryan tried to take the box from Griffon. Griffon refused his help naturally and hip-checked Ryan out of the way to push it in. Ryan held his hands up in surrender as Griffon stepped back. She grinned.

“Don’t look so startled, Ryan – you know I like to do things myself.” Griffon cooed as she pet her engineer’s cheek. Ryan scowled and ducked his head away playfully. Griffon laughed at him before turning to face Michael.

“C’mon, I want to get back to the house.” Griffon emphasised her words with a clap of her hands.

    Between the two of them it didn’t take long to clear out Michael’s stuff.

“I can sell all of the stuff I don’t need and that’ll help go towards the park too.” Michael said cheerily as he climbed into Griffon’s car. Griffon shook her head.

“You’re such a sweetheart, Michael.” She teased as the auburn haired man frowned.

“I’m not a sweetheart.” Michael retorted. Griffon only laughed at him. “I’m not!” Michael declared.

“Okay, okay – you’re not.” Griffon agreed with him if only to rid the man of his pout. Michael noticed that she smirked but he decided to let it drop. She had verbally agreed and that counted as a victory to him.

  oOo

  “Look Michael, I made your bed!” Gavin cried happily when Michael finally arrived to his new home. Gavin had indeed made Michael’s bed which was identical to Gavin’s own. Michael was thankful that Geoff had never thrown out the spare bed in Gavin’s room though this was the first time Michael had seen it in years. Up until now the bed had been used as Gavin’s laundry basket.

“It looks great, Gav – thanks. I was worried I had to sleep amongst your clothes.” Michael teased. Gavin gasped in shock and shook his head adamantly.

“Nah, you’d share my bed before I stuffed you in with my stinky socks Michael.” Gavin said kindly.

“I think I’d stick with the socks.” Michael laughed. He ducked out of the way as Gavin threw one at him. One sock quickly turned into several more and the two men fell to the ground in fits of laughter.

    Geoff, Jack, Ryan and Griffon had been relaxing downstairs. All four of them looked up when they heard a thump followed by Gavin and Michael’s laughter. Geoff shook his head in disdain.

“I think by the end of this you’re going to have some trouble getting either of them to move out.” Ryan murmured.

“Who said I want them to move out?” Griffon asked, hurt. Jack and Ryan looked to Geoff and laughed at his expression. He looked at his wife worriedly.

“I hope you don’t mean that.” Geoff said gravely and Griffon just smirked.

“We’ll see how this goes. It’ll be like having little ten year old Gavin and Michael all over again!” Griffon gushed and Geoff groaned.

Michael sat at the breakfast table reading the newspaper. It was the weekend and he was about to head out to the theme park yet again. He didn’t pay anymore, not since he’d become friends with the owners Griffon and Geoff. So Michael had taken to just hanging out there on the weekends and then visiting their home behind the waterfall in the evenings. Michael liked it there, loved it even, and he couldn’t have thought of a more perfect place to be. His friends had grown bored of it by now so Michael found himself often going alone. That didn’t deter him though because even now, a few years since his first visit, it was just as magical. At least, it was to Michael.

    The same magic apparently did not appeal to everyone else. Though the theme park was still fairly popular, there were some who criticized it and demanded that it be updated. Michael sighed as he read one critic’s review of the park in the morning newspaper. His father had casually mentioned that there was something about Double G-Force in there and Michael had naturally snatched the paper from his hands. Michael muttered to himself as he read the critic’s harsh words and he practically rolled his eyes when he saw that the critic had interviewed one of Double G-Force’s rivals.

    There was a picture of their rival himself. Thomas Bradley, owner of Bradley’s family resorts and a man Michael didn’t know and yet despised. Bradley wore a brown toupee and was on the larger side, his shirt struggling to contain his gut. Bradley had a moustache much like Geoff’s but Michael had always thought that Geoff’s was far superior. He owned several theme parks and often liked to lord this over the Ramseys who honestly couldn’t care less. But he was rude and he often bashed them and spoke of buying their park and converting it into one of his own. Michael knew that Geoff and Griffon would never let him do that but he still hated the man for even suggesting it.

    Michael slammed the newspaper down onto the table and ignored his father’s disapproving clicks of his tongue. Michael apologised with an awkward expression before he left to go and get his things so that he could leave. Though he was mad at the mere thought of someone buying the park, he knew that it wouldn’t happen. Michael had confidence that double g-force and Lazer would stand forever.

  oOo

  Geoff often loved to walk around his park and simply admire it. It brought him great joy to see what had started as sketches in his wife’s sketchbook come to life. He’d always wanted to own a crazy theme park and it had been Griffon who had made it a reality for him. It saddened Geoff to know that they might not have it for much longer. He hated to think of the park closing and being left to rot in the Texas sun. As Geoff fell victim to his sad thoughts, somebody tapped him upon his shoulder. The man jumped at the touch before quickly correcting himself and plastering on a smile. He turned to face the guest who’d tried to catch his attention but his expression quickly turned sour when he saw who it was.

    Though he’d aged quite a bit since Geoff had last seen him, it was quite clearly Thomas Bradley standing before him. Bradley, who had not been blessed with much hair even before, had forgone the toupee and was now almost bald. Wisps of white hair gathered around his head and his moustache drooped with age. What he lacked in youth, Bradley more than made up for in girth. His stomach seemed almost twice its old size and Geoff was sure he could count yet another chin.

“Geoffrey!” Bradley chirped irritatingly cheerfully.

“Thomas.” Geoff said through gritted teeth. He had half the mind to have the man kicked from the premises considering the commotion he’d caused the last time he’d paid Double G-Force a visit.

“How funny that I bumped into you here!” Bradley chuckled. Geoff frowned.

“It’s not that funny, Thomas – this is my park after all.” Geoff reminded the man.

    Bradley suddenly grew sad and Geoff flinched as a large hand clapped heavily upon his shoulder.

“Not for long, I hear. There are rumours you’re running out of the money to keep this place up.” Bradley said with false sympathy. Geoff only scowled.

“That is none of your business.” Geoff growled at the man before him. Bradley nodded.

“I know, I know – it must be embarrassing.” Bradley remarked.

“Not really.” Geoff muttered. He hated the unpleasantness that always came along with the man standing before him.

“Now now, I know how you must feel but, dear Geoffrey, I have an offer that might make it all better.” Bradley said sinisterly and though Geoff hated himself for it, he felt intrigued.

“Is that so?” Geoff prompted. His stomach knotted at the sight of Bradley’s triumphant smirk.

  oOo

  Michael yet again found himself eating at the Ramsey’s (along with Jack) because he was far too worried to return to his apartment. He was sure that his neighbours were wondering where he was and yet Michael didn’t care enough to tell them. Instead, Michael turned to burying his feelings into Geoff’s delicious dinner and tuning into the small talk around him.

“So, we had a rather strange guest at the park today.” Geoff announced nonchalantly around his peas. Michael looked up from where he sat, palm pressed against his cheek rather rudely.

“Are you talking about that kid dressed as a jedi? He cried after riding Lazer.” Gavin interrupted with a giggle. Griffon scolded him for being so nasty and Gavin shrugged apologetically. “What? It was funny, wasn’t it Michael?” Gavin asked his co-worker with a grin. It was true, Michael had laughed, but he was preoccupied by Geoff’s odd expression.

    “Who visited?” Michael asked curtly as he toyed with his food. Geoff looked at him warily.

“Thomas Bradley.” Geoff said in an almost amused tone. The theme park owner jumped when Michael stabbed his food violently with his fork. Michael was scolded much like Gavin for his behaviour but he couldn’t seem to care. Geoff had pushed his chair away from the table as though he was scared Michael would go for him. Jack was watching the two men warily.

“What did he want?” Michael practically spat.

“He made an offer on the park, a very good one at that honestly and,” Geoff rambled but the sound of Michael slamming his palms against the table cut him off mid sentence.

“No.”

    “Michael, I told him I’d consider it – it is an option, after all.” Geoff explained to the boy. Michael’s chair screeched as he pushed it back.  He towered over the table and glowered angrily at the man on the other end of it. Gavin was cowering just slightly and both Jack and Griffon looked ready to jump in lest there be a fight.

“It is not an option.” Michael growled. Geoff sighed heavily.

“It is, Michael, if we can’t raise enough money to keep the park.” Geoff reasoned with the other man. Michael shook his head in denial.

“We’ll raise enough money.” Michael said confidently.

“We’ll try, Michael.” Geoff replied. Michael seemed to mull the man’s words over for a moment before he came to a conclusion.