Chapter Thirteen
T revor sat in the backseat of Ethan’s Nissan coupe. Logan sat beside him, and Ryan had commandeered the front passenger seat.
Ryan angled his body and looked back at Trevor and Logan. “Okay, men, here’s how it will play out. We do not separate under any circumstances. I don’t care if something sparkly catches your eye or you have to take a piss, got it?”
Trevor nodded.
“Good. Now, Trevor, what is it you’re looking for? I want to have some kind of plan so we’re not aimlessly wandering eight blocks of stores.”
“Well, the thing is, I’m not really sure. I mean, I need to get something for Matt and Niall, but I don’t know what to get them.”
“Do you have an idea as to the general category?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know electronics, clothing, housewares, or are you looking for something off the beaten path?”
Trevor felt heat infuse his cheeks. “Well, I was maybe thinking of something for the condo. It appears Matt may win the bet, and I thought it would be nice to get them something to show I want to live with them.”
“So how about you get an item that will be meaningful to the three of you. Something you can share,” Ethan interjected.
Trevor couldn’t help the little devil from dancing on his shoulder, “I don’t think they have sex shops on Newbury.”
Logan rolled his eyes. “Perv. He meant something for your home. An item that says you’re ready to take things to the next level.”
“You caught all that?”
Logan nodded with a big smile.
Trevor returned Logan’s smile. Trevor knew how much it meant to Logan to be able to participate in conversations again. When Logan successfully accomplished small, everyday tasks people with normal hearing took for granted, it was a huge victory. “So educate me, O domesticated ones.”
“Dishes,” Ryan said.
“No, we’ll already be combining the contents of Matt and Niall’s kitchens, though I don’t really have one to speak of.”
Logan snorted, “You have one plate, one bowl, two cups, maybe two sets of utensils and three pots.”
“So, Julia Child I’m not. Sue me.”
“Monogrammed towels?” Ethan threw out.
Trevor shook his head. “Too het.”
“Hey, we have those!” Ryan argued
“Fine, too dorky then.”
“Picture frames?” Logan suggested.
Trevor stared at Logan. “You realize who I will be living with, right?”
“Right. Sorry, forgot one-third of you is a famous photographer.”
“Matching jewelry?” Ryan proposed.
“I don’t wear it, and I can’t picture Matt or Niall sporting the bling. The monogrammed idea isn’t bad, it’s the towel part I don’t like.”
“So why don’t you get each man something that he would actually use, then have the monogram engraved? That way the gift is individualized but still a symbol of your commitment,” Logan said.
Trevor thought it over. It was a good idea.
Unfortunately, it didn’t bring him any closer to deciding on the actual item to purchase.
There could only be so many things you can engrave, right?
Trevor peered between the two front seats and saw they had reached their destination.
By some miracle, Ethan pulled into the parking lot at the exact moment another shopper was leaving.
They all cheered and scrambled out of the car.
Trevor walked toward the sidewalk when someone snagged the back of his coat bringing him to a sudden stop. He spun around, and his eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of Ryan’s holster beneath his jacket. He really was carrying. Ryan's gaze met his, and the man nodded.
Ethan slapped his gloved hands together. “Let’s do this!”
They took off as a group, and Trevor felt as though he had an entourage.
Ryan stood on his right, Logan on his left and Ethan at the rear.
Trevor suspected the latter was so Ethan could watch his husband’s ass as they walked down the street.
Some shops were nice to look in but completely out of Trevor’s budget.
None of them had any items that called to Trevor.
He was ready to give up when they turned a corner to check out some shops just off Newbury.
Something reflected in a window, catching Trevor’s attention.
He headed over to the window and saw that the shop specialized in personalized gifts.
“Look Trevor! This should be perfect,” Ethan exclaimed.
They infiltrated the shop and immediately swarmed the corners.
Trevor headed straight for the desk sets.
He visited Matt's office once and knew there was a big executive desk.
He discounted the paperweights and crystal clocks.
Then his eyes landed on a piece in the back corner of the display shelf.
The box sat on a slant and housed a built-in photo frame, business card holder, pen stand and when he picked the item up the lid flipped up to reveal a hidey for sticky notes.
He could put a picture of him, Matt and Niall in the frame, and the display showed a silver engraved bar at the base for the proposed monogram.
Trevor looked over his shoulder to find Logan. He stood a couple of feet away, looking at a glass tankard adorned with a metallic emblem of the Army’s crest. Logan’s fingers traced the edges of the emblem slowly. Trevor walked over and put his hand on Logan’s back.
“Do you miss it?”
“Sometimes. I miss the guys. I miss Adams. Matt was right the other night. I’m no longer the man I was as a Ranger, but he’ll always be a part of who I am today.” Logan set the glass back on the shelf with reverence. “What did you find?”
Trevor showed Logan the desk set. “I was thinking of putting in that picture you took of us at Christmas. You know the one where we look like a step ladder?”
“Oh yeah, except I think the three of you looked more like a triangle. Matt and Niall stood behind you with their arms around each other and you. It’s a nice photo.”
“I like it. It seems like there should be enough room for the monogram at the bottom, right?”
“I don’t see why not. What about Niall? Have you found something for him yet?”
“No, I kinda zoomed in on this first thing.”
“Let’s go see if Ryan and Ethan have seen anything that would work.”
They found the other pair over by a display of pocket watches. Trevor remembered the watch Ryan had given Ethan, with the special engraving inside.
“I think watches are your thing, Ryan,” Trevor said, smiling.
Ethan touched the silver disk on his left wrist, and the two shared a smile.
“I like pocket watches. They’re cool in an old-fashioned way. Makes me think of a time when men were gentlemen. Always top hats, vests, long coats and fashionable canes,” Ryan said.
An idea popped into Trevor's head, and he spun in a circle, trying to locate the item he sought.
He saw them sitting on a display table not far away.
He dashed over to look at the possibilities.
One caught his eye immediately, and he knew it would be perfect.
He held them up for the group to see. “What do you think?”
“Cufflinks?” Ethan asked.
“Yes. Instead of his initials, I’ll put ours. Niall always has to go to these fancy gallery showings and stuff. I know they’re having some kind of reception for him while he’s in the U.K. Wouldn’t it be cool if he could wear these and know that we’re there with him in spirit?”
“Nice, Trev. Good choice.”
Trevor shrugged. “It was Ryan’s little speech that made me think of it. I modernized it, that’s all.”
Soft music softly filled the air of the Irish pub, and a glass of good whisky had made Trevor warm and happily mellow. He leaned against Matt’s shoulder, and one of Matt long arms pulled him close.
“Did you have a good shopping trip, bello ?”
“Yep.”
“What’d you get me?”
“Not gonna tell, it’d ruin the surprise,” he pouted.
“Maybe if we get him another drink, he’ll spill the beans. You know he’s a light-weight,” Niall joked.
“Forget it. These lips are sealed.”
Matt leaned in close and put his mouth against Trevor’s ear. “I hope they don’t stay that way. I’m rather fond of those lips. They do such delicious things.”
Matt’s kiss took Trevor by surprise. It was a good thing the group had snagged one of the dark corners when they came in. The privacy protected them from curious eyes while canoodling.
Trevor’s hand secured itself to the back of Matt’s neck as he thrust his tongue into the dark recesses of Matt’s mouth. A lingering taste of the scotch Matt had sipped played over Trevor’s taste buds. Matt’s body pressed close was so good, and the deep, carnal kisses consumed Trevor’s soul.
“Good lord, let the man breathe, Matt!” Logan exclaimed.
Matt pulled back and brushed his lips against Trevor’s. Trevor hummed as Matt nuzzled into his neck. His soft breath exhaled against the wisps of hair behind Trevor’s ear.
Time stood still.
“No worries, Trevor is very good at breath control,” Niall quipped.
Logan’s deep laughter rattled around in Trevor’s head and broke the spell Matt had placed him under. He looked across the table and scowled at Logan.
“So the little runt’s a slut, good to know. Now I can tease him unmercifully at work.” Trevor’s leg shot out and landed right in the middle of Logan’s shin.
“Ow! Fine, you’re not a slut!”
This time Trevor aimed for the other shin.
“Fuck! Trev! What the hell? I apologized.”
“I’m not a runt.”
The entire table erupted with laughter.
“Let me get this straight. You take exception to the moniker ‘runt’ but not ‘slut’?”
Trevor scoffed, “Take a look at the two men I sleep with. They can fuck me forwards, backwards and sideways from now until the end of time for all I care.”
“Sounds like a perfect plan to me, honey.” Niall said then claimed a kiss of his own.
“Oh lord, there they go again.”
“I think it’s sweet. You’re crabby because Clay’s back at work. If he were here, the two of you would be sucking face just as much,” Ethan chimed in.
“No, unlike some men in this room, we have a bit of self-restraint.”