Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
SIMON
Helping Liam settle on the couch, I handed him the remote, a blanket, and a Coke.
Propping a pillow beside him, I ran my fingers through his hair, scratching lightly with my nails.
“We’ll be in the art room just through those doors.
If you need anything, just call out for me.
You should be able to see us, and you’re more than welcome to join at any time too. ”
I wasn’t sure whether this was harder for him or for me, but it sure felt difficult to leave him in another space without me in it. Was it separation anxiety? Trauma? PTSD? Fuck, I didn’t know, but I stroked through his dirty-blonde locks again.
He offered me a sleepy smile, having taken some pain medication before we arrived. “I’ll be okay. Go have fun, Sai.”
Pressing a soft kiss to his temple, I basked in that familiar oceanic scent before pulling away. “Okay, but if you need me, I’ll just—”
His fingers slipped around the collar of my shirt as he pulled me toward him, our lips meeting for a gentle kiss. Keeping me there for a handful of seconds, he reluctantly pulled back, brushing his thumb across my cheek. “You’ll just be right next door. I know, honey.”
Is that the first time he’s called me something other than Sai?
Leaning into his touch, I dipped my chin as a smile graced my features. “Say that word again.”
He returned my expression, fingers brushing across my waistline. “Honey.”
“Mhm… I like that. I like that—”
“Simon! Get your ass in here before Lev arrives. He’ll eat all of the macadamia nut cookies as soon as he gets here, and I’d like to know your thoughts.”
I chuckled. “Cookie tester. Going to add that to the resume.”
As I moved to step away, Liam caught my wrist. “I’m sorry it took me so long to figure out a pet name for you. I just… wanted it to be perfect.”
“You could call me dipshit, and I would think it’s the hottest word on the planet, Liam. Anything you tell me is beautiful, but I will admit, I do like honey…”
He laughed softly, his gaze slipping from mine as if he were embarrassed. “I picked it because… because honey has been used to heal wounds, and you… You’ve saved me so many times…”
A lump formed in my throat, but not from sadness.
This harbored a different connotation, one that meant everything.
“Sunshine… That… that’s what I’m here for, to protect you and heal you from the things your past has taken.
You don’t have to thank me for that… I haven’t done anything outside of what I will always do for you. ”
Dipping his chin, he nipped at his bottom lip. “I know you won’t accept my thanks, so the least I can do is pick something that fits not only your demeanor and the type of person you are but also contains my gratitude for all you do.”
“It’s perfect. Just like you because—”
“Simon, please! I need someone to try one before they get here!”
I huffed, stuffing my hand into my pocket. “I’ll be back soon, Liam. Pray for my sanity.”
He squeezed my hand once. “Good luck, honey.”
Grinning, I headed toward Oren, but the unmistakable ring of the front door sounded. My best friend popped his head out of the art room, a frown coating his features. Pointing at me, he walked toward the front. “Go try a fucking cookie while I stall.”
The chime of the front door opening kicked me into gear as I headed into Oren’s sacred space, scanning for the plate of cookies. I found it next to his paint palette, and I snatched one from the porcelain. Stuffing it into my mouth, I almost moaned from how good it was.
He needed to stop doubting his baking abilities and cooking skills. Oren was a fucking menace in the kitchen, but damn, everything he made tasted like a slice of heaven.
“Lev! You came!” Oren’s voice broke through my munching. “How… How about a drink before we…”
Silence followed, and it was my turn to slip from the room to find Lev and Matt entering the house.
Oren cleared his throat. “Oh, Matt, I didn’t… didn’t realize you were coming.”
“Is Thorne here?”
Oren stepped in front of Matt. “He is, but he’s not available to talk to you.”
“Oren…” Matt breathed.
My best friend raised his hand, silencing him. “You can sit on the couch, Matt, and wait until we are done.”
Matt opened his mouth, but I interjected before he could speak. “Damn, the macadamia cookies are fucking delicious, Oren. Lev, I think these are his best batch ever.”
Lev glanced between the two of us before his olive irises settled on Oren. “If now is not a good time for both of us to be welcome here, we can reschedule.”
Oren’s hands clasped behind his back. “You can both be here, but I’m requesting that you leave Thorne alone for the duration of your visit.
If you’d like a drink or a snack, I’m more than willing to give it to either of you.
I didn’t mean for it to seem like you couldn’t be here, Matt. You’re always welcome—”
“I understand,” Matt said, cutting Oren off. “Lev, I’m good. I promise. I’ll sit on the couch with Liam.”
Tongue flicking against his canine, Levander’s distaste became evident as he spoke, but only to the man standing beside him. “Well, since the adults can’t seem to be adults, we’ll stay for an hour. Okay?”
“Alright. If that’s what you want.” Matt brushed his thumb across Lev’s cheek before pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. “Get yourself some cookies. You talked about them the whole way here.”
Kicking off his loafers, Lev moved from the entryway and toward me without uttering another word.
Oren followed, and I trailed behind him once he passed me. “I made the cookies you liked again, Lev,” he said, pointing to the plate in the back. “And I bought extra supplies as I wasn’t sure if you wanted to do painting, clay modeling, or anything with pottery.”
Lev snatched a cookie from the tray without missing a beat. Turning on his heel, he shifted his gaze between us before responding. “Do you have graphite?”
“Mhm.” Oren pointed to the second drawer closest to Lev. “In there, I have a lot.”
“Where’s the modeling clay?” I asked.
Oren smiled, and it was a sight I was still getting used to after everything I’d done to him. “I set some on the desk to the right. Figured you’d want it instead of pottery clay with your classes and stuff.”
“Thanks, Oren.”
Spinning the stick of graphite between his fingers, Lev walked toward one of the paper canvases Oren had set up. “Well, should we get this party started, gentlemen?”
Picking up his paintbrush, Oren raised it before giving it a slight twirl. “Sounds fucking fun!”
Shaking my head, I sat down on the leather stool as I plopped open the different colored clays. With each of us in our respective elements, comfortable silence fell in the room, and I basked in it. To have friends like this was a lucky thing, and I couldn’t wait to see it continue to blossom.
We’d made it out of conflict for now, and I wouldn’t take this time with good company for granted. Because who knew when something would blow it all up?