Teal thought the afternoon with Jax was a success. Niall’s boyfriend had been inquisitive with the boys, asking questions about their school and hobbies. After some initial wariness, he’d grown friendlier with Teal and Ronan, cracking jokes andtalking about his job doing interior design for office buildings. It was easy to see why Niall had fallen for him.
If he and Ronan had to lose Niall, he was grateful it was to someone as lovely as the other beta.
Teal had actually been surprised at how quickly Jax warmed up. Jax knew his boyfriend had been lovers with the husbands, but that fact didn’t seem to rattle him.
Several times, Teal caught Jax watching Niall speaking with Ronan, but his expression hadn’t been one of jealousy or anger. Morecontemplative.
Teal didn’t know what was going through Jax’s mind. He only knew that Jax didn’t seem threatened by the close relationship Niall had with the couple.
As the afternoon wore on, and Jax’s comfort level became even more clear, everyone’s inhibitions lowered.
Niall was the fun and flirty man he’d been in the past, even sharing the occasional soft touch with Teal or Ronan. Since they didn’t appear to bother Jax, an unspoken understanding arose between the men to simply let those moments happen.
Teal felt like he could act naturally. The men grew more comfortable, conversation flowed, and the foundation of respect and trust that existed between Niall, Ronan, and Teal became a building block for a similar connection between the four of them. There was no reason to hide the chemistry, because there was trust. Within three hours of Jax coming through his front door, Teal was sure the man understood that the husbands would never do anything to undermine Jax and Niall’s relationship.
Teal was about to get the sundae supplies from the kitchen when he saw the curtains flick behind the slider to the other unit. Sorcha.
Ronan, Jax, and Niall were discussing the project keeping Jax out of town during the week. The boys played in the sprinklers, punctuating the air with the occasional joyful shriek.
“I think Sorcha is watching us,” Teal whispered to Ronan, loudly enough for the other two men to hear.
“The omega next door?” Jax asked.
“Uh-huh,” Teal replied, noting that Sorcha was important enough for Niall to have discussed him with his boyfriend. “Are you guys okay if I ask him to join us for dessert? I’m pretty sure his uncles are away, so he’s on his own.”
“Of course,” Niall said enthusiastically. “I’d love to spend more time with Sorcha and for him to meet Jax.”
Ronan stood. “Let’s not embarrass him by pointing out we noticed him spying on us. Babe, how about you get the dessert as planned and I’ll go around to the front door and knock. Ask him properly.”
“Great idea.”
Five minutes later, Ronan walked into the backyard with a reluctant Sorcha next to him.
“Thought I’d ask Sorcha to come over since he’s flying solo this weekend,” Ronan announced jovially. “I had to convince him, though. I told him it would be good for the boys to see him. They’ve asked about him a lot since the day we took him to the hospital.”
“I feel terrible they were worried.” Sorcha shifted his weight from foot to foot. “I hope it’s okay I’m here. I don’t want to be a bother.”
“It’s absolutely okay,” Teal said. He went over and gave Sorcha a hug, noting with satisfaction that the other omega relaxed into the embrace. All the while, Ronan kept one hand on Sorcha’s lower back.
Zayne rushed over. “Sor-ca! Sor-ca!” He threw his arms around their neighbor’s legs. Sorcha blinked at the four-year-old’s effusiveness, but Teal could have predicted the warm welcome. Ever since the day of Sorcha’s fall, Zayne had been curious about the omega next door, asking often about him.
“Are you gonna have ice cweam with us, Sor-ca?”
“I think so. Is that okay?”
“Yes. We get to have sweets cuz it’s a special day.”
“It is?” Sorcha put a gentle hand on Zayne’s curls. Teal also palmed his son’s head, smiling as the three of them felt the current of the omega bond.
Zayne basked in the glow he sensed but could not yet understand. “Special cuz we’re getting to meet Niley’s boyfwiend.”
Jax chuckled from the table, elbowing Niall. “I love that he calls you ‘Niley.’”
“As long as we’re clear that he’s the only one who calls me that. Ever.”
“Sure.”
Jax stood and offered his hand to Sorcha. “Nice to meet you. Niall has told me so much about you.”
