Chapter 7 Ryder #2
“Why don’t you send him a message saying you’d like to find some time to talk when he’s next over. Just the two of you.”
“Are you joking? He’ll jump on his plane and come straight over if I say something like that.”
“And what does that tell you?”
“I hate you,” Ryder grumbled.
He didn’t hate him. He only hated how easily he could get Ryder to let down his guard. It was something that had protected him for a long time.
“Now, let’s talk about Felix,” said Antonio. “What are you planning to do for your first date?”
“Honestly, doc, I have no idea.”
“Ryder, are you with us?” asked Ethan.
“Sorry, what?”
“Are you even listening?”
“No.”
“At least he’s honest,” said Mason, chuckling.
They were at Epicure for lunch, although they were seated in one of the private dining rooms. Mason had insisted they take the time to catch up given they’d barely see him until Christmas. That reminded Ryder of something.
“I forgot to say, you’re both invited to mine for Christmas dinner.”
“Aren’t you going back home this year?” asked Ethan.
“Mama Quinn is coming here. My sisters both have plans with their new men, and she wants to do Christmas in New York.”
“Is she cooking?” asked Mason.
“Of course she is. Did you think I was going to?”
“I was hoping! If Mama Quinn is cooking, then I’ll be there.”
“Great. Ethan?”
“Oh. Sorry, I can’t. I have other plans.”
“What plans?” asked Mason.
Ryder suspected what Ethan was doing. He wouldn’t take that away from him, but he looked like a rabbit caught in headlights at Mason’s question.
“Deacon and Hunter are coming as well, as is Zeb.”
“What?” snapped Mason, turning towards him.
“Deacon and Hunter. I know they get all gooey eyes, but I’m sure Deacon will hold off from giving his boy a pounding at the dinner table.”
“You know that’s not what I was referring to. Why is Zeb coming?”
“Hunter asked me. Said he’d be on his own. Did you want me to say no?”
“Of course not. It’s just . . .”
“Relax, Mason. Zeb’s got a boyfriend now, so nothing for you to worry about.”
“What?” Mason shouted. “Since when?”
Ryder burst out laughing.
“You fucker!”
“At least you know how you feel now. You should ask him out, or just offer him your dick wrapped in a bow as his Christmas present.”
“You need to shut up, or I won’t be coming.”
“So Zeb will be there on his own? Maybe I should invite someone else over, like Rex.”
“Rex Taylor? That fucking creep is going nowhere near my . . . Zeb. He’s going nowhere near Zeb.”
“Can you two stop winding each other up?” said Ethan.
“Zeb will be there, making his sad puppy dog eyes at Mason, who’ll ignore him.
Then, when he isn’t looking, Mason will watch him closely, growling if any other man goes anywhere near him.
That’s how it’s been for the last eighteen months, and nothing’s going to change.
You don’t need to poke the bear, Ryder. Instead, we need to talk about what you’re going to do on this date, so you don’t fuck it up like you usually do. ”
“When did you get all bossy? Is that what he likes?”
Ethan flushed, then scowled at Ryder. Oops. He shouldn’t have said that.
“Who’s he talking about? Are you seeing someone, Ethan?”
“No. Just a casual thing, and it’s private. Can we move on?”
“I’ve just heard you do a monologue of bullshit about me and Zeb, and I can’t ask you questions about whatever or whoever you’re doing?”
“Bullshit? Really?”
“Fine. Yes, I like him, but it’s never going to happen, so you both need to stop with the comments, especially in front of him.”
“Like him?” asked Ethan, his voice softening.
“Let’s not go there. Back to Ryder!”
“Ugh. Fine. What do I do with him?”
“Show him Christmas in New York,” said Ethan.
“He doesn’t want me spending loads of money.”
“Walk down Fifth Avenue and look at the shops with all their Christmas decorations. Go to Rockefeller Center. It can be a walking tour of the city, stopping for hot drinks and getting to know one another better.”
“That’s . . . That’s actually a pretty good idea. I can’t even remember the last time I did something like that myself. Look at you, Mr. Romance. Where have you been hiding?”
“I had a life before you lot, you know,” said Ethan with a smirk.
“Do you think something so public is a good idea?” asked Mason.
“Why not?” asked Ryder. “Do you think I’m ashamed of him or something?”
“Of course not, but you go anywhere and you get lots of attention. Do you want to put him through all that before you know if it’s going anywhere? You know how the social media trolls can be.”
Mason had a point, but he loved Ethan’s idea. It was simple and romantic. How romance had come into it, he wasn’t sure, but he wanted to woo Felix without being extra, as he’d put it.
“Why don’t you bring him here?” suggested Mason.
“And this isn’t a public place?”
“You can have this room, just the two of you.”
“Isn’t it booked out?”
“No. This one isn’t bookable. It’s mine, which I save for special guests.”
“Aww. Look at you being all mushy.”
“Do you want the room or not?” he snapped.
Ryder chuckled. “Sorry. Yes, I’ll have it.”
“I thought you weren’t supposed to do anything ‘extra’ for this date,” said Ethan.
“Bringing him to my friend’s restaurant is hardly extra.”
“Wait until you get the bill,” said Mason.
They all laughed. One thing they’d all agreed as friends was that they wouldn’t be giving each other freebies.
Their services, regardless of what they were, were valuable, and everyone paid for them.
Of course, there were always friend rates, such as Mason comping their dessert, but it was something that bonded them all. A respect for each other’s skills.