“That’s a nice way of saying the yard no longer looks like shit.”
“It never looked that bad, just... bland.” Grass and, well, more grass. Functional but not aesthetically pleasing. Not that it needed to be, but it didn’t match the modern decor of the rest of the place.
“Well, I gave up on doing it myself and hired a landscaping company to do it for me. They suggested shrubs and flowers that work well with our weather. I just signed the form to let them go for it.” He looks around as if taking it in for the first time. “I have to admit, it worked out better than I thought. Plus, I get to ogle the good-looking guys who come and work in my yard.”
“And the real reason comes out.” I bump my shoulder against his. I think he worries about telling us that he does stuff like this. He has more money than the rest of us. Much of it comes from his family, but he also works hard as a consultant. Whatever that means. He’s told me a thousand times, but I mostly just nod along.
“My only motivation was to be a good homeowner. If I happen to have hired a company full of eye candy, that’s just an added benefit.”
Colt snorts, and Matthias turns to face him. “I expect that from Nathan because he’s known me for far too long to be willing to believe anything I say, but I thought you’d at least take a few months before you joined in.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll be on my best behavior.” Colt makes a little cross sign over his heart as he grins. Whatever lingering concerns I have about him fitting in with my friend disappear.
Now, I need to eliminate the fear that this is all some temporary fever dream.
“Whatever. I’m going to go talk to some other people.” Matthias punches my arm as he walks away. Aaron nods and wanders off toward the grill and... Oliver? I shake my head. I’m not thinking about him. Instead, I squeeze Colt’s hand and give him a quick kiss. “I’m going to grab us a couple of beers. Make yourself comfortable.”
COLT
As Nathan walks away, I look around for a good spot to sit. Matthias has the kind of backyard people dream about. He has so much space and plenty of chairs on the deck and around the grilling area. It could easily accommodate a big group, but I like the small crowd. I’m unsure what the best spot is, so I switch to my favorite stall tactic: staring at my phone, pretending to do something meaningful.
“Hey,” a voice says from behind me. I jump as I turn to find Tyler standing behind me.
“Hey. You startled me. How’s it going?”
“I think I’m the one who should be asking you.”
“Uh, I think it’s going pretty good. It’s a nice day today. I thought you were visiting family.”
“We finished up a little bit ago, and Matthias texted me to say everyone was coming over.” Tyler leans back against the fence and crosses his arms. He’s trying to look menacing, but he’s at least three inches shorter than I am. “How are things with Nathan?” Ah, the question of the day.
“They’re great, though I suspect that isn’t what you want to ask me.”
“You’re right. I’m more interested in hearing about your plans for my friend.”
“Is that your version of asking what my intentions are?”
“Fine. What are your intentions? Nathan’s been my best friend since the first day of college. I already watched him pine for you and get over you once. I won’t let you break his heart a second time.”
A second time? I broke it a first time? Was he talking about the kiss in high school? Nathan had been embarrassed about the whole thing, but Tyler saidheartbroken. I look around and catch sight of Nathan standing on the patio, talking and laughing with Aaron. “I care about Nathan. I have no intention of hurting him. I have never wanted to hurt him.”
“He’s the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. He doesn’t always show it, but I think he feels things more deeply than the rest of us. He tries to fix everything and everyone. When things don’t work out, he tends to blame himself.” Tyler looks up and observes Nathan for a few seconds. Does he have a crush on his friend? “If this is some sort of fling or rebound thing for you, you need to end it now.” I don’t see anything in his eyes that makes me think he’s in love with Nathan.
“We just started dating, but I can feel it. Nathan is it for me.”
“You better—” Tyler abruptly stops talking as Nathan approaches us, a beer bottle in each hand.
“Tyler, when did you get here? I’d have gotten you one, too.” He hands me one of the beers, and I gulp half the bottle. Did I tell Tyler that Nathan was it for me? That’s the kind of thing I should tell Nathan first. I knew Nathan was special the first day I met him. I knew the first time I saw him again at The Flaming Unicorn that I wanted to make a go at things. But thinking we’re supposed to be together long term? I’m not sure when that happened.
“No worries. I just got here. I’ll break into the house and find a better beer in the fridge anyway.” Tyler gives Nathan a quick pat on the shoulder, then turns back to give me a severe look.
“Okay, well, find us later so we can chat.” Nathan put his hand on top of Tyler’s for a second before the two separated.
Hopefully, that chat doesn’t include Tyler disclosing our conversation. At least until I can talk to Nathan and maybe break down a few walls he has built up that I can tell he’s still holding back.
And then there’s the whole heartbreak thing. Did Nathan think I was gearing up to do it again?Fuck. This was a lot to think about.
“Everything okay?” he asks.
