Chapter 32
Xan
I did not want to be here, and clearly, my face said it all if Preston’s downturned lips were anything to go by.
But I was doing this for him, which meant I wasn’t turning around and going the fuck back home like I wanted to.
Even now, I could hear laughter inside the two-story white brick home, and the scent of something sweet baking, along with a grill going, reached my nostrils.
My stomach was rumbling because of the smells, but seriously, Preston cooked damn good food. We could just as easily eat at home.
“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” Preston said softly, taking note of my irritation.
“No, we do,” Shane disagreed, speaking up before I could.
“X is just being stubborn and selfish.” Reaching out, he pressed the doorbell, taking away any chance I had of turning around and going back home.
“We’re going inside, and we’re going to be friendly.
” He shot me a pointed look, and I rolled my eyes.
Before I could tell him to shove his friendliness up his ass because we all fucking knew Shane was not the friendly type, the door opened, and the goth boy I’d met a few weeks ago the first time I’d gotten tattooed by Shane appeared.
He was wearing a pair of black cargo shorts with chans dangling from them and a black Sleep Token t-shirt.
At least he had good music taste.
“When they told me you three were coming over for Sunday dinner, I thought they were bullshitting me,” he drawled, crossing his arms over his chest.
I smirked. “I got dragged here by the balls.”
The guy barked out a laugh and stepped aside, opening the door wider.
“Come on in. I’m Logan, by the way. I know you’ve met Spencer, Jaxon, and Zeppelin.
” A muscular blond guy came in through the backdoor.
“That’s Ezra, my husband. The other guy, who’s currently icing cupcakes in the kitchen, is Eros, Jaxon and Zeppelin’s husband. ”
“Throuples seem to be in the air around here,” I drawled sarcastically.
Logan snorted. Shane gripped the back of my neck and squeezed—a warning for me to stop being a dick.
I resisted rolling my eyes. If this family couldn’t handle me like this, they certainly didn’t deserve me on my best behavior.
I could only fake being a proper member of society for so long before I started feeling like I was coming out of my skin.
“I brought wine,” Preston said, holding up the bottle of expensive wine he’d purchased the day before. I’d told him he didn’t need to bring anything since they were the ones who insisted we come for dinner, but he’d ignored me and did what he wanted anyway. “Where can I put this?”
“Here, I’ll take it,” Ezra said, smiling warmly at Preston. My hackles rose, and I stepped closer to Preston, feeling possessive as the pretty blond man drew closer to Preston. Seriously, he was too damn good looking for his own good, and he was built, too. Just Preston’s type.
“He doesn’t have eyes for anyone but me and our husband,” Logan said, narrowing his eyes at me. “Stop looking at him like that before I knock your teeth down your throat.”
I bared said teeth, egging him on. “Bring it on,” I snapped.
Shane tightened his hold on my neck again with a sigh and tugged me toward the backdoor.
“Do not engage,” he warned me. “Logan is not afraid of throwing his fists, and it’ll upset Jaxon to see Logan getting into an altercation, which will then piss Zeppelin off.
Do not get me on the bad side of my boss, X. Rein in your possessive bullshit.”
Before I could respond, he pushed open the backdoor, leading me out onto the patio.
The water of the pool shimmered beneath the sunlight, damn near blinding me.
I yanked my shades down over my eyes just as Zeppelin laughed, the sound a little mocking.
“And here I thought I’d have to worry about Shane.
Turns out, he’s got you right by the fucking balls. ”
I grunted and dropped into the chair Shane pulled out for me. “Please don’t egg him on,” Shane muttered, his hand leaving the back of my neck. I missed it immediately, but I didn’t voice that out loud. “He’s been a pain in my ass since we got here.”
“Dad—oh, hi,” Spencer said, coming out onto the patio.
He was wearing a pair of white linen pants and a shirt made of the same material, his feet bare.
His curls were styled messily on his head, and a pair of expensive shades rested atop his head.
“I didn’t know you guys got here already.
It’s nice to see you, Shane.” He looked at me.
“Are you in a better mood than last time?”
“Not at all,” I grumbled. Where was Preston? I didn’t want him in the house with Prince fucking Charming.
“Your boyfriend volunteered to help us in the kitchen,” Spencer said, ignoring my smart-ass remark. “Just so you don’t get worried about him. He seems to like it there.”
“He does,” I said. “He’s an excellent cook.” And if I puffed my chest a little with pride when I said that, who fucking cared? I was proud of everything Preston did, even something as normal as cooking.
Spencer’s lips twitched like he knew I was intentionally bragging on my man. “Anyway, Dad, Preston brought wine. Do you want a glass?”
“You get one glass,” Zeppelin warned Jaxon. “The last thing I need is you and Spencer getting wasted together again and ruining my plans for the night.”
Jaxon’s cheeks flushed, but he ignored his husband and nodded at his son. “Please.”
Spencer made his way back inside, and Logan stepped out. He took a seat across from me and smirked. “Your man is getting along great with Ezra,” he taunted.
“Logan…” Jaxon warned.
“What?” Logan asked innocently. “He’s easy to rile up. Looked at Ezra a little while ago like he wanted to bash his skull open all because Ezra smiled at Preston.”
“Shall we look back at the past and how reckless you used to be?” Jaxon asked, arching a brow at him. Logan scoffed, rolling his eyes. “X doesn’t know you, and he doesn’t know Ezra, and he’s…” His voice trailed off.
“Possessive?” Shane supplied. I shot him an annoyed look, but he ignored me. “It’s a trait we’re working on.”
Zeppelin cackled before raising his beer to his lips. “Working on,” he repeated. “Wish you the best of luck, Shane. Men like us don’t get that worked out of our systems.” The salacious look he aimed Jaxon’s way was proof of that.
“Hand me that tray,” Jaxon ordered, ignoring his husband. Logan sighed dramatically but grabbed the tray off the table, nonetheless, passing it to Jaxon.
Zeppelin stood and opened the lid to the grill, the smell of sizzling beef making my stomach growl loudly. They put the steaks on the platter, then set it in the middle of the table. Logan pushed up from his chair.
“Guess that’s my cue to go help bring all the other food out,” he muttered.
“No need,” Preston said breezily as he pushed open the back door and carried out a bowl of potato salad.
He was positively glowing, his cheeks a little pink and a beaming smile on his face.
And I knew I’d made the right decision to bring him here, even if I wanted to do anything but spend time with all these people.
Yet I knew even though it might take me a while to get used to being around this big of a family and get used to their teasing, I would for his sake.
Because Preston, after being disowned by his real family for being true to himself, deserved love and happiness and family.
“See?” Shane murmured, leaning down to whisper in my ear. “This is why I told you to rein it in. He needs this. Don’t fuck it up for him.”
I shook my head, frowning up at him. “I would never.”
Shane hummed and kissed the corner of my mouth. “I know, boy.”
I glanced at him. “Just a small kiss?” I feigned a pout.
He arched a brow at me as he rose back to his full height. “Behave and earn it.”
I huffed and rolled my eyes behind my shades, turning back to watch Preston help set the table, chatting easily with everyone as he did so.