29. Wren
Four months later
“This is incredible,” Salem says, passing the magazine to Bane.
“Look at you, man,” Bane says from his position at the dining room table.
“You look like a rockstar,” Jerryn says, leaning over Bane’s shoulder.
“He is a rockstar.” Ridley winks at me.
I take the magazine, reading over the article title again: “40 Under 40” featuring forty different chefs across the metro area. I’m in the top ten at number seven, which is pretty badass for a small-town queer bar.
“It’s unreal.” I chew on my bottom lip.
“You earned it,” Lowen says, smiling like a proud father. “You put us on the map with your talent. We’re so lucky to have you, Wren.”
I feel my cheeks burning, but I nod and smile. “I feel the same about you guys.”
“But of course this means we’re getting slammed this weekend,” Kit says, sliding his arm around Stewart’s waist. “The magazine is already hitting mailboxes and it goes on sale today.”
“We’re ready,” Indy says. “We can handle it.”
“We can,” I reply, gazing at Ridley.
The past four months have been a wild ride.
The restaurant continues to grow in popularity, and my weekly sessions with my therapist are doing wonders for my confidence and trust. Ridley is the best partner I could ask for, always making sure my needs are met.
Falling into bed with him every night is the best elixir for insomnia, but even when it pops up again, much less frequently now, we watch movies or make snacks in the kitchen together.
He’s learned how to be an excellent sous chef.
In fact, I’m planning some fun for us today. While the other guys are going into the city for some kind of festival, Ridley and I are hanging back, cooking a nice dinner for everyone when they return.
A loud buzzing noise breaks up the conversation and Jerryn pulls his phone from his pocket. He scrolls on his phone, his expression changing from surprise to confusion.
“What is it?” Bane asks.
“Um, it’s Alec.”
Bane looks like he just saw a ghost.
“Who’s Alec?” Lowen asks.
“This guy I know.” Jerryn’s still looking down at his phone. “He’s gonna be in New Onyx. Wants to stop by and say hi.”
Bane’s jaw ticks. “Are you gonna let him?”
“I feel like we’re missing some history here, guys,” Indy says. “Care to enlighten us?”
“I went on a few dates with him,” Jerryn says. “But it wasn’t a match.”
Ridley squeezes my hand under the table, which I take to mean this is some drama. It’s obvious to everyone, except maybe Jerryn, that Bane is totally in love with his bestie.
“Why didn’t it work out?” Kit asks, kissing Stewart’s hand after.
“We wanted different things.” Jerryn places his phone on the table. “Story of my life.”
Bane is glaring now, staring straight ahead at nothing. I’ve never seen him look pissed off before.
“Bane?” Lowen says. “You have opinions.”
“Alec is a dick,” Bane spits, then mutters, “Sorry, Jerr. I know you thought he was cool.”
Jerryn shrugs. “It’s not that. He was just more understanding than most.”
“Understanding about what?” Ridley asks.
Jerryn’s cheeks blush a deep crimson red as he shifts in his seat. “Just some stuff.”
“Do you want to see him?” Salem asks, drawing Bane’s attention to Jerryn’s face.
Jerryn fidgets with his napkin. “I guess I should since he’s coming all the way from Seattle. There’s a tech conference in the city.” He glances at Bane. “But it’s been years. I’m sure it’s just a friendly gesture because he knows I live here now.”
“He was jealous of me,” Bane says. “He didn’t like how close we are.”
To be honest, I kind of get it. Bane and Jerryn seem like a couple. I think it would be pretty challenging for either of them to have a serious relationship. I do wonder why they aren’t a couple, but they must have a reason.
Jerryn nods. “He was. I liked him, but it wasn’t anything major.” He turns to Bane. “It wouldn’t hurt to say hi, right?”
“Nope.”
If Jerryn thinks Bane doesn’t have strong feelings about this, he’s not paying attention.
“I’m gonna get some water,” Bane says, abruptly standing from the table and walking off.
Jerryn watches him, pursing his lips then looking down at his phone.
“I’m just gonna ask,” Kit says. “Why aren’t you guys in a relationship by now?”
Stewart gently smacks Kit’s arm, whispering, “Babe.”
Jerryn looks like he wants to be sick. “Me and Bane?”
“Uh, yeah. I don’t get it.”
“Bane doesn’t see me like that,” Jerryn says. “We’re not compatible in that area.”
“Have you tried?” Indy asks, more gently than Kit did.
Jerryn shakes his head. “No, but we know each other very well. Trust me, I’m not the one for Bane.”
“I’ve never been so confused,” Ridley says. “If you two aren’t right for each other, who is?”
“It’s not obvious stuff,” Jerryn says, looking very uncomfortable.
Oakley reaches over and pats his shoulder. “It’s okay, man. You don’t have to tell us. We just care ’cause we’re your friends.”
“I know.”
Bane returns with what seems to be a better disposition. “You should totally see Alec,” he says, sitting in his chair again. “Closure is good, and if it’s not closure, then maybe it’s a second chance.”
“Don’t want a second chance,” Jerryn mutters under his breath, but I’m not sure Bane heard it over the crunching of the ice in his mouth.
They’re big boys. I guess they’ll figure it out. Maybe whatever Jerryn thinks is a problem really is and they both know it.
“We should probably get going soon if we want to find parking,” Lowen says. “You sure you guys don’t want to come?”
“We’re sure,” Ridley says. “Come back hungry.”
“Oh, we will,” Kit says, patting his belly.
We watch the guys filter out of the dining room, carrying dishes back to the kitchen. I turn sideways in my chair to face Ridley.
“We have a few hours before we need to start prepping anything for tonight. Any ideas on how we should spend it?”
“I got a few.”
“Me too.”
“Come on.” He takes my hand, leading me upstairs to our room.
I took the plunge, moving my clothes and minimal possessions over, and since then we’ve made the place our own, creating a soft haven away from our hectic lives.
When I step into the living room, my breath catches. On the coffee table is a bouquet of flowers and a small rectangular box.
“What is this?”
Ridley squeezes my shoulders. “Let’s go find out.”
On shaky legs, I walk over and sit down. Ridley joins me, picking up the box and handing it to me.
“Before you open it, I just want to say that you deserve anything your heart wants, and if it’s in my power, I plan to be the guy to give it to you.”
I lift the lid off the box and a smile tugs at my lips. “Rid.”
Inside the box, lying on blue silk is a tiny section of a white picket fence. Scrawled across it are our names, written the way you would carve them into a tree trunk.
“Our white picket fence might look different than you thought it would, but I think it’s a good one. I don’t know where the future will take us, but I know it’s gonna be together.”
“This is amazing.” I meet his gaze. “You’re amazing.”
“I love you, rabbit. I plan to spend my life with you, however that looks. If you want to make it official, we can do that, or we can wait. Whatever. As long as I’m with you, I’m good.”
“I have everything I want.”
“Everything?”
I nod happily. “Yes.”
“Are you sure? Because there’s a Night of the Brain Eaters marathon starting in twenty minutes.”
I laugh. “That sounds great.”
Ridley leans in, kissing me sweetly. “It’s gonna be a good day.”
“The best.”
I set my white picket fence back in the box and lean into Ridley’s arms, content for the first time in ages. It took a while to find my way in life, but damn, did I stick the landing.
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