Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Owen sat on the patio, enjoying the view.
Matt had turned up early that morning, and Owen suspected the desire to work was his mechanism to drive away memories of the previous day. He’d come back from the funeral quiet and withdrawn.
Owen had given him tea, biscuits, and had listened to his stories of his granddad, letting him talk as much as he wanted. Then he’d taken him into the lounge, let him choose a film, and they’d watched it together, Owen’s arm around him, Matt’s head resting on his shoulder as if it belonged there.
Right then, Matt was working on one of the flower beds, digging around the base of a hydrangea that was long past its best, according to him. Matt also said it had got too big for its boots, whatever that meant.
Owen suspected that was Matt-speak for ‘taking up too much room.’ Whatever the reasons, the hydrangea would soon be on its way to the local dump, to become compost. Well, most of it: Matt had already stripped off a lot of the dead spindly limbs and had amassed a pile of them on the lawn, ready to go into the chipper he’d had Owen buy.
Meanwhile, Owen had a glorious view of Matt’s broad back, bare and glistening with sweat, the muscles there and in his thighs flexing as he bent to work at making a hole around the shrub’s root system.
Then Matt paused, stretched, and glanced over his shoulder. “Enjoying yourself?”
Owen didn’t even pretend to misunderstand. “Very much.”
“Good. Just checking my hard work wasn’t going unnoticed.”
He grinned. “Oh, I’m definitely noticing.”
“You realise you’ve been sitting there for ten minutes without turning a page.”
Owen glanced at the untouched book on his lap. “Have I? Then it must be a fascinating chapter.”
Matt snorted. “Liar.” His face lit up in a grin. “Careful. You keep looking at me like that and I’m going to start charging admission.”
Owen folded his arms. “I already paid.”
Matt frowned. “When?”
“Garden centre. Chipper. Tools. I believe this counts as the deluxe package.”
Matt laughed so hard he had to lean on the spade.
“Is your sister-in-law okay? And the baby?”
“They’re both fine. Mum is in seventh heaven, having a granddaughter at last.” Matt smiled.
“I keep finding Zach standing next to the crib and just staring at Rosie. Mum says he reminds her of Dad. Apparently he was the same when Hannah was born.” Then he paused.
“Oh, I meant to tell you. I got my results through this morning.”
Owen gave him an inquiring glance. “And all is well?”
Matt grinned. “All is extremely well.”
His cock definitely got interested at that point. The thought of sliding bare into that tight arse was suddenly more appealing than his book.
“Then maybe we should—”
A loud metallic rumble shattered the quiet, and Owen cocked his head.
I know that engine…
He smiled. “I think we’re about to be invaded.” Whatever delicious plans he’d been entertaining would have to be put on hold.
Matt straightened. “Is that a motorbike I hear?”
“To be precise, it’s a Yamaha XJR1300.”
He gaped. “You know that from the way it sounds?” Matt walked over the lawn towards him, removing his gloves and tossing them onto the grass. His eyes gleamed. “I had no idea you were so gifted. Or is this a psychic ability you’ve been hiding from me until now?”
Owen arched his eyebrows.
Matt’s grin widened. “It would explain a few things.”
“Such as?”
“You always seem to know exactly how to distract me.” He stopped a foot away, close enough that Owen caught the warm scent of sun, freshly turned earth, and sweat.
Owen smiled. “Years of practice.” The smell of Matt went straight to his dick.
Matt opened his mouth to reply, and Callum’s voice rang out.
“You’d better be decent back here, Dad. Don’t want Mum having a heart attack.” A moment later, Callum and Cyn appeared through the side gate, dressed in biker gear, their helmets removed.
“Then it’s fortunate I found some clothes.” Owen gave Callum a mock glare. “A bit of warning wouldn’t have gone amiss, though. I might’ve been sunbathing.”
“Pop in any time, you said.” Callum shrugged. “I just took you at your word.”
“Clearly that was my first mistake.”
Cyn rolled her eyes. “No, your first mistake was giving him a key.”
“Excuse me,” Callum said with exaggerated offence. “I always knock.”
Owen gazed pointedly towards the side gate. “Eventually. And you’re lucky I happened to be home.”
Even luckier that I wasn’t fucking Matt on a lounger.
Owen held his ams wide, and Cyn stepped into them. “Blame me. I wanted to see the house.”
“I’m amazed he got you on the bike.”
She snorted. “So was I. He promised not to go too fast, though.” She placed her helmet and gloves on the patio table, then removed her jacket. “I thought I’d fry in this, but it wasn’t too bad.”
Owen smiled. “It does rather bury you.”
Cyn glanced down at the bulky jacket. “It probably fitted Ben better.”
He caught the tiny hitch in Matt’s breathing and glanced across. Matt was staring at him.
“It was my bike,” Owen explained. “I gave it to Callum six years ago.”
Matt blinked. “You rode a motorbike?”
Cyn laughed. “Rode it, polished it… I honestly think he loved that bike almost as much as Ben did.” She grinned. “Mind you, if he’d tried sleeping with it, Ben might’ve objected to the oil on the sheets.” She gave Owen a pointed stare. “Don’t guests get tea around here?”
He chuckled. “Give me a minute, woman. You only just got here.”
“I’ll go make it. You can give her the grand tour.” Matt nodded to Cyn. “It’s good to see you again.”
She smiled warmly. “You too.”
Matt glanced towards the flower beds. “I could do with the break anyway. I’ve been wrestling with a hydrangea.”
“Good luck,” Owen said. “It’s winning.”
Matt laughed and disappeared into the house.
Cyn watched him go. “Lucky hydrangea,” she murmured.
Owen almost choked.
Callum stared at her. “Mum!”
She gazed between them, clearly unrepentant. “Oh, don’t be ridiculous.” Her gaze lingered on the patio door. “You expect me not to notice?”
Owen folded his arms. “Notice what?”
She gave him a look that could strip wallpaper.
“The man spends all day wandering around your garden looking like that.” She smiled sweetly. “Now I understand why you hired him.”
Callum shook his head, laughing. “I think I’ll go help Matt. It feels safer than out here.”
Cyn pulled out a chair and sat. “The grand tour can wait. I want to drink in your garden.” She surveyed the lawn before focusing on the pool. “I can already picture the parties you’re going to have out here.” Her eyes sparkled. “Or have you already had the inaugural one, and I missed it?”
He laughed. “We’ve been busy getting the place ready.”
“We?”
Owen flung his arms out. “He’s done so much with the garden. Indoors too.”
“Does it feel like home yet?”
He smiled. “Yes, it does. In fact, I might start on the guest list for the first party.”
Cyn snickered. “I’m betting that’s the one I don’t get to see.”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“Liar.”
Owen ignored her and stared at the garden. “It’s really come together.”
“With a lot of help.”
“I couldn’t have done half of it without Matt. Every time I look around, I remember him telling me something needed changing. The lighting in the kitchen, for one thing.” He leaned back. “And yes, I’ve decided on the parties. The housewarming will be the second one.”
“Matt’s invited to it, I assume?”
The answer came before Owen had even considered it. “Of course.”
“And is he also invited to the first one?”
He blinked.
Cyn shrugged. “I’m asking because he’s starting to feel like family.”
Owen chuckled. “No, he’s not that. He’s…” He searched for a word, then matched her shrug. “Matt.”
As if that explained everything.
Cyn didn’t comment. She only smiled.
The door opened, and Callum and Matt walked out, carrying trays.
“Callum showed me the bike.” Matt grinned. “She’s a beauty.” He set out the tea pot, cups, and saucers.
“She always was. Have you ever ridden one?” Owen asked.
Matt shook his head.
“Dad, you should take him over to the Isle of Wight.”
Before Owen could get a word out, Matt interjected, “Owen mentioned it when we were at IKEA.” His eyes gleamed. “He sold it as an area of historical interest, which is right up my street.”
“Dad was always going over there.” Callum’s face tightened a little.
Owen managed a smile. “It’s one of my favourite places.”
“Mum and Dad used to take me when I was a kid.” Callum helped himself to a biscuit. “Since then, I found entirely different reasons for visiting it. Well, mostly West Wight.”
“Why there?” Matt inquired.
“It’s the quieter side,” Owen offered.
Callum nodded. “I go surfing there, windsurfing, swimming. Or sometimes I just sit and stare at the sea.”
Matt smiled. “Sounds lovely.”
Callum brightened. “There’s this great pub, the Sleepy Dormouse Inn.”
Owen’s breath caught. “Is it still going? I haven’t been there in years.”
Six, to be precise.
“Yeah, it changed hands a few years ago. The two managers are brilliant.” Callum bit his lip. “You’d probably like Alex.”
“Why him in particular?”
His eyes glittered. “He bats for your team. His partner works there too.” Callum let out a sigh. “The view’s worth the trip on its own. You can sit outside with a pint and look straight across Compton Bay.”
“What’s the food like?”
“Worth getting hungry for. Proper pub food, huge portions, and they make one of the best steak and ale pies I’ve ever eaten.” He glanced at Owen. “If you do decide to go there, take some carrots with you.”
Owen frowned. “Carrots?”
Callum grinned. “Just in case Robbie’s around.
He’s a thirteen-year-old Fox Red Labrador, and he loves carrots.
His owner always brings a bag with him. And if you’re really lucky, you’ll get pulled into some fascinating conversations with some of the locals.
There’s this one guy, Martin Simpson. He’s sort of the island’s dinosaur expert. ”
Matt buffed his nails on his chest. “I deal with dinosaurs on a daily basis.”
Owen laughed. “Except yours are the stuffed variety.”
“Martin’s had fossils named after him. He’s trying for a record.”
Matt bit back a smile. “You’re both painting a wonderful picture of the place.”
“Then Dad needs to take you there.” Callum glanced at Owen. “You could drive to ours, leave your car, and take the Yamaha.”
Owen stilled. “Hey, I never—”
“Come on, Dad. Zipping along those little winding roads? The island’s made for motorbikes. And you used to love riding it over there.”
Owen hesitated. “I haven’t ridden her in years.”
“Exactly.”
Matt gazed at him hopefully. “I’d like that.”
Owen met his eyes. “So would I.”
Cyn looked from Owen to Matt, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
“Will one of you pour the tea, or do I have to expire from caffeine deprivation?” she asked in a dry tone.
Callum inclined his head towards her. “Ignore her. She hasn’t had a cup since we left home.”
Owen snickered and reached for the teapot.
“Let me just finish digging up that shrub and I’ll be ready for some tea.” Matt headed up the steps to the lawn.
“I’ll give you a hand.” Callum followed.
“I’m glad they get on well,” Owen murmured.
“Take him to the island,” Cyn said, her voice quiet.
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
She shook her head. “Take him because you want to show him somewhere you love.” She paused. “That’s a very different thing.”
Owen looked down at his cup. “I haven’t been back since Ben.”
“I know.” Then Cyn cocked her head, her gaze suddenly more searching. “Promise me something?”
“What?”
She hesitated for a second or two. “Don’t stop making new memories just because the old ones were wonderful.” She reached over and squeezed his hand. “Ben wouldn’t want that.”
Owen’s throat tightened, but he didn’t say a word.
He knew she was right.
Cyn stared at the garden. “This place is good for you.” She smiled. “I haven’t seen you this happy in a very long time.”
Owen had the uncomfortable feeling she understood far more than she was letting on.
Cyn waved from the pillion seat as Callum rode the bike out of the driveway, and Owen waved back. Then he went inside, heading for the garden.
Matt wandered in through the patio doors, wiping his hands on the back of his shorts.
“They’ve gone?”
“Yep.”
He looked Owen up and down. “Does this mean I get your attention again?”
Owen laughed. “You’ve had it all afternoon.”
“Not all of it. Although you did appear distracted at times.”
He grinned. “I lay the blame for that entirely on your shorts.”
Matt glanced down. “What’s wrong with them? They’re just shorts.”
“And they leave little to the imagination.”
His grin was still evident. “You’ve spent all afternoon pretending not to look at me.”
“I have not. I’ve been… supervising.”
Matt arched his eyebrows. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
Owen folded his arms. “You’ve become terribly cheeky.”
“I prefer to think of it as being honest.” Matt wandered towards him, slowly enough that Owen became aware that suddenly there was very little space between them.
Then he moved another inch closer. “I caught you staring at my arse three times.”
Owen coughed. “I was admiring your planting technique.”
Matt burst out laughing. “Really?”
“It was exceptionally thorough.”
Matt folded his arms. “You’ve got another six shrubs you can admire. Will you stare at them as much as you stared at me?”
Owen tried to maintain a straight face. “I maintain I was not staring. That would’ve been totally inappropriate.”
“Because Callum and Cyn were here? Fair enough.” He reached out and brushed an imaginary speck from Owen’s T-shirt, his fingertips lingering. “But they’re not here now.” Matt rested his hand against Owen’s chest. “Just to clarify… Have I finished gardening for today?”
Owen’s heartbeat raced, and his cock decided to join in the conversation.
“I sincerely hope so.”
Matt’s smile turned wicked. “Good. Because I had something else in mind. And it involves your tongue.”