Sawyer
“I was recording,” Draco complained. “Now I have to do it again.”
Once he’d posted it, everyone had agreed that it was hysterical, and before they knew it, Draco was an internet sensation.
Grumpy Cat had nothing on his scowls and frowns.
But better than that, the phone company had listened, and then sent him a new test model a month later after the original video had over a million views and most of the comments had agreed with Draco’s verdict.
It also didn’t hurt that Draco was one of the most beautiful men who had ever graced the planet. With his black hair and amber eyes, strong jawline and perfect body, it was no wonder half the comments included some sort of offer to provide sexual services for Draco.
“Nothing. Did you see across the street? I mean, seriously, is that place a McMansion or what? It’s ginormous.
You still have not explained to me why the heck they are building that monstrosity all the way out here.
I mean, I know that land has been empty forever, but my place is going to look like a shack sitting there next to it in all of its rustic Victorian farmhouse turreted glory.
I mean, who builds a house with a turret anymore anyway? ”
“People who build McMansions. Also, don’t say that. I like your house.”
“I do, too. But that’s not the point. It’s huge, Drake. Like, so huge.”
“Really? Is it huge?”
“Shut up. You know what I mean. Who bought it? Do you know? Did you find out? Who’d you ask? You know Becky at the city planner’s office would tell you. All you’d have to do is wear that tight white—”
“No. You call and flirt with her to get your answers. I don’t care who is moving in.”
“But—”
“And I hate McMansions.”
Sawyer grinned and Pearl bumped up against him in agreement.
“I know. It’s like destiny that one would go in right across the street from you so you’ll have to stare at it every single time you walk out of your house.
I think even the universe likes it when you’re cranky.
I can’t explain it any other way. Your scowls make the world go round or something. ”
Draco sighed and reached down to scratch Pearl behind her ear. “You hungry?”
Sawyer’s stomach chose that very moment to growl obnoxiously and he looked down at it in wonder. “How do you do that?”
Draco smirked and glanced into the kitchen. “It’s easy. You’re always hungry.”
“I’m a growing boy.”
“That argument hasn’t worked for several years now. Ever since your brothers decided you were grown up enough to live by yourself.”
“Puh-lease. My brothers knew you were here to keep me out of trouble. That’s the only reason they dared to leave me alone. I can’t wait to tell Mikey the McMansion is finished! He hates them more than you do.”
Draco opened the fridge and pulled out a tray of chicken.
Sawyer could always count on food when he came by, which he did almost every night when he got home from school.
He was on his last semester of grad school, only a week away from having a master’s degree in business that paired horribly with the honors degree in history he’d gotten in undergrad.
No one understood why he’d made the choice he did, and hell, Sawyer hadn’t been able to explain it himself. It just felt right and when he’d explained to Draco what he wanted, he’d gotten the other man’s nod of approval. It was all he had needed.
“I’m going to start the grill. There’s stuff for a salad in the crisper. Start chopping.”
“Sir, yes sir!” Sawyer saluted and grinned at Draco’s frown before he turned and picked up Pearl’s water bowl from the floor by the door. He gave his girl fresh water before getting the vegetables out of the refrigerator and his favorite knife from the stand on the counter.
He’d barely sliced into the tomato when something sent a shiver of fear down his spine. The knife slipped and cut into his finger. Sawyer yelped and hurried over to the sink to get the cut under water so he could see the damage. He’d barely gotten the faucet on when Draco was at his side.
“What happened?”
“Cut myself. Obviously.” Draco frowned and looked around the room, as if seeking some hidden enemy.
Before he could comment on Draco’s overprotective ways, Pearl jumped up from her position on the floor and ran to the front door. Draco scowled, obviously torn between going to see what had drawn her attention and the still-bleeding cut on Sawyer’s hand.
“Go. I got this. It’s not bad.”
Draco glanced at the wound, and obviously agreeing with Sawyer’s assessment, followed the dog through the house to the front door.
Sawyer didn’t want to miss the excitement if some rookie salesman dared to knock on Draco’s door, so he snagged a wad of paper towels and quickly wrapped it around his finger before racing after him to the door.
He couldn’t have been more surprised to find both his neighbor and his dog standing on the front porch watching an obnoxiously large bus try to maneuver its way into the driveway of the McMansion.
“Oh my God,” Sawyer gasped. “Someone famous is moving in. That’s why the house went up so fast. They’re throwing money around left and right, making everyone work double or triple time to get the house up as quickly as possible and—”
“Your imagination is running away with you again.”
Sawyer scoffed. “You tell me how that house went up so fast then. Go on. I’m waiting. Moneybags McDuck is throwing wads of cash around and making everyone jump to his whims. There’s probably a solid gold toilet in there.”
Draco smirked and looked away from the bus to meet Sawyer’s look. “Where do you come up with this stuff?”
“My brain is a smorgasbord of knowledge and valuable insight.”
Draco huffed and turned his attention back to the bus, which had finally managed to make the turn into the driveway. “Those buses are incredibly expensive.”
“I know. Remember when we looked at renting an RV and making a road trip?”
“I would not have rented an RV. I wanted to buy one.”
It was Sawyer’s turn to scoff. “Right. Like I was letting you spend your inheritance on something you might have hated. That makes sense. Renting first was the logical choice.”
Draco’s lip curled in disgust. “One, it’s a trust fund. Two, I wouldn’t sleep in someone else’s…” He stopped and shivered in disgust. “And three, let me?”
Sawyer waved his hand in the air, attempting to dismiss his poor word choice with the gesture. He turned his attention back to the bus, which had made it to the top of the hill. The way it sat blocked the door from their view. But… if he…
“Don’t even think about it.”
Sawyer looked up at Draco with a grin. “What?”
“You’re thinking about taking Pearl for a little stroll to try to catch a glimpse of the new neighbors.”
The man did know him well. “Yeah, and?”
“And at least let them settle in first. We’ll meet them another day.”
Sawyer sighed and leaned against the porch railing. “You’re no fun.”
“I know. You remind me daily. Now I’m going to go put the chicken on the grill. Put a glove on and finish chopping vegetables.”
Sawyer snickered and followed Draco back into the kitchen. The poor guy hated germs and constantly worried that Sawyer was going to catch the plague. It was cute, mostly. “But… what if I already got something on the tomato? I might have forgotten to wash my hands before—”
“Stop.” Draco gulped and looked at the tomato. “Don’t touch anything else. I’ll handle the salad. Go… disinfect yourself.”
Sawyer grinned and went down the hall to the bathroom where Draco kept a well-stocked first aid kit.
As much fun as he had teasing Draco, he wasn’t completely heartless.
After unwrapping the paper towels from his finger and throwing them away, he washed his hands thoroughly before pouring some disinfectant over the small cut.
Once he’d dabbed some ointment on it and covered it with a Band-Aid, he tugged on one of the hospital-style blue gloves Draco kept stocked in the house and returned to the kitchen.
He tossed the tomato in the trash, put the cutting board and knife in the dishwasher, and then started over again with a clean knife and board.
Luckily for them, Draco stocked up on produce at the farmer’s market so they had another tomato ready and waiting for the salad.
He wouldn’t even pretend it was the same one to try to gross Draco out. Because he was a good friend like that.
Draco came back inside with a now empty platter and eyed Sawyer’s set-up suspiciously. He only swallowed nervously once, a personal record, then rinsed the platter and loaded it into the dishwasher as well. He disinfected the sink and his hands before moving to Sawyer’s side.
“Yes, I’m clean. Yes, everything else is clean, too. I promise.”
Draco nodded and squeezed Sawyer’s shoulder in thanks. It took everything in him not to turn into Draco’s arms and wrap him up in a hug. He’d tried a few times to initiate a little more touch between them but Draco had shied away each time.
“I was thinking about making an apple cake for the neighbors,” Draco said.
“You mean, you were thinking about making an apple cake for me. That’s what you meant to say, right?”
“Sure. That’s what I meant.”
“You know that’s my favorite,” Sawyer said with a pout. Not that Draco hadn’t learned years ago to guard himself against Sawyer’s puppy-eyes. They were deadly if you weren’t immune. Which sadly, both Draco and his brothers were.
“I know,” Draco said.
“And you’d just give it away? Like a heartless creature who had no heart?”
Draco grinned and adjusted his glasses. “I might have enough supplies to make two.”
Sawyer grinned happily and finished chopping the last of the veggies. “I’ll peel if you mix?”
“Deal. I’ve gotta go check on the chicken. Preheat the oven for me?”