I was a horrible person for ignoring my best friend. I just wasn’t ready to talk to him about my sexual awakening. Killian was happy and all loved up with Matty, while I was still trying to figure everything out. Well, no. I knew that I was in love with Beau, but I wasn’t sure how he felt about me yet.
Killian:Why are you fucking ignoring me?
Killian:Did I do something to upset you?
Killian:Dude. It doesn’t matter. I have a surprise for you.
I sighed and glanced out at the city as the Uber brought to my house. Maybe I should take a page out of Maverick’s book and tell Lou I didn’t want to do this shit anymore, either. It was getting old. I was ready to settle down, too. Instead of texting Killian, I sent a message to Beau instead.
Dean:I’m back in California, but I wish I was still there in Boston with you.
Beau didn’t text me back right away. I knew he had plans to video-chat with Cole and then have dinner with Sam. But I still missed him. It hadn’t even been ten hours since I left Boston. Was there something wrong with me that I was already this attached to the man? When Beau didn’t message me, I wondered if he was okay. Maybe I was coming off a little strong. Even an emoji would be fine. I sighed softly as the car slowed in front of my house. I climbed from the vehicle, gave the driver a tip and hurried inside, only to find it occupied.
“Surprise!” Killian grinned at me from the couch, his arm around Matthias. When I continued to stare at him, he sighedand climbed to his feet. “Why do you look like you want to murder me right now?”
Because I do.“Why are you here? And how did you get inside? Did you break in?” I dropped my bag on the floor.
“You told me you had a key!” Matthias exclaimed.
Killian’s eyes narrowed in on my neck. “Where did you get those hickeys? Is that why you’ve been ignoring me?” He chuckled softly as he moved to drop a kiss to his fiancé’s lips. “Babe, I have a key.” He waved it in the air so we could see it. “Dean, did you forget you gave it to me?”
Yes.“No.”
It was supposed to be for when Killian was struggling. Back before he and Matthias reconciled. Before he came out. When Killian had nightmares and couldn’t be alone. He spent a lot of nights in my spare room sleeping off the booze and drugs he had consumed.
“What do I owe this surprise?” I asked.
“There’s no need to sound so put out.” Killian glared. “We can go somewhere else if it’s too much.” He combed his fingers through Matty’s hair, who leaned into him and sighed softly.
Now I was going to have to watch the two of them all loved up again. Listen to them have sex. I opened my mouth to tell him it was fine, they could stay, when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I couldn’t get to it fast enough but was disappointed when I saw it was a text from my brother.
Maverick:Hope you got home safely. Miss you already, little brother.
“Is that her?” Killian reached for my phone, but I yanked it away. “Wow, okay, testy. Be all secretive and don’t share your happiness.”
I bared my teeth. “Knock it off and mind your own business.”
“Wow, you totally turned into Maverick there. It was a little scary. You don’t have to tell me twice.” Killian held up his hands in a mock surrender.
“Kill, leave him alone. Dean doesn’t have to tell you everything,” Matthias told him and gave me a reassuring smile. “As long as she makes you happy, Dean. That’s all that matters.”
“God, it’s so sexy when you say shit like that,” Killian murmured, and I rolled my eyes when he nearly ate Matthias’s face off. “I saw that.”
I grunted. “You saw nothing. You can stay as long as I don’t have to listen to the two of you fuck.” I quickly answered my brother that I was home, then looked back up. “What?”
“You seem different. Did something happen in Boston? This new girl, did she hurt you or something? Do I need to go talk some sense into her?” Killian’s eyes narrowed, and it made me feel good that he was on my side. What would he think if he knew it wasn’t a woman but a man and one of Jackson’s teammates? He probably wouldn’t care. Right?
I sighed. “I’m fine. Just tired. You didn’t answer me. Why are you two here? Not that I’m not happy to see you.” Because maybe I had missed my best friend just a little bit.
“Uh, the same reason you’re here. I thought about blowing it off like Mav, but Matthias wanted to see California just once.” Killian smiled, and I saw the happiness that had once died in his eyes. “We can stay at my place if you really don’t want us here. It’s technically still mine until the sale goes through.”
Matthias nodded. “Or Blake’s. He offered, too.”
“Please stay here. I’m just tired.”And I don’t want to be alone right now.“I missed you, dick,” I told Killian. “And you, Matty.”
Killian snorted. “Of course you did. I’m a fucking delight.” He moved to hug me, slapping me hard on the back. “But seriously, if you’re not okay and you need to talk, I’m your guy, okay? I’llalways listen. And if this chick broke your heart?” He made a slicing motion with his thumb against his throat.
“Right.” Matthias groaned as he shook his head. “My mafia king here.”
