Payne had been thinking about the visit with Jen Hansen and her son, and he decided to propose an idea since Hunter had brought up his concerns. “I think you should see them, but it might be a good idea if you meet with them privately first. That way, if you do freeze, you won’t disrupt Jake’s birthday party. If it would help, we could invite them here.”
Hunter lifted his head. “That might be better,” he said. “I would hate to mess things up at a party, and with other people around, it would be more stressful. Thanks for thinking of it. It seems a little less terrifying that way.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Payne said. “We could see if they’re free to come over for dinner tonight if you’re up to it.”
“Tonight?” Hunter sucked in a startled breath, and Payne felt the tension in his body. “Isn’t this sort of sudden?”
“Why would that be a problem?” Payne drew back so he could see Hunter’s face. He suspected Hunter’s objection was based on kneejerk fear, and he didn’t intend to let Hunter get away with stalling.
“She might not be available on such short notice,” Hunter said. “Wouldn’t we need to, uh, plan a meal or something? I don’t know what Jake is eating these days.”
“Then we’ll call and ask,” Payne said. “If she’s not available, we can work out a time when she is, and we’ll ask what Jake prefers. Maybe we can grill burgers or hotdogs.”
Hunter was still tense. “If that’s what you think is best,” he said finally. “I can’t claim to be thrilled, but I think we both know I’m not able to be objective about it.”
“Definitely not,” Payne said dryly, and then he leaned in to kiss Hunter’s cheek. “I know you don’t want to do this, but I think we need to rip the bandage off. Putting it off will only give you more time to fret.”
“Okay.” Hunter grumbled, but there wasn’t any heat in it. “I can call Jen. Can you hand me my cell? I suppose I should get this over with.”
Payne drew back from Hunter long enough to grab Hunter’s phone off the nightstand and handed it over. “Would you like me to stay here or would you like some privacy?”
“Stay.” Hunter was looking at his cell phone, but Payne could see the way his jaw clenched, as though he was waging an internal battle. Then he unlocked the phone, poking at the screen awkwardly. When he finally raised the phone to his ear, his hands were trembling.
“Jen? Uh… hi. Yes, it’s me. Um… fine. Look, Payne suggested maybe you and Jake could come over for dinner this evening, so that… well. The party might not be the best place for me to see you for the first time.” He listened, and he swallowed hard. “You will? Uh…” He glanced at Payne. “Six o’clock?”
Payne gave him two thumbs up and offered an encouraging smile. “Yeah, that works. No, just informal. Like burgers and hotdogs, okay? Yeah… See you then. Bye.”
Hunter ended the call, then drew in a shuddering breath. “I need a drink. And a shower. Then another drink.”
“Tell me what kind of drink you want, and I’ll make it for you, and then I’ll scrub your back in the shower if you like.” Payne slid his arms around Hunter’s shoulders and hugged him tightly. “I’m so proud of you. You’re a brave man, Hunter.”
“I don’t feel brave,” Hunter said, but he leaned into the embrace. “I’d rather face a firing squad than a boy who isn’t yet three. How brave is that? Shit. I should skip the alcohol, shouldn’t I?”
“One drink won’t hurt,” Payne said, rubbing Hunter’s back soothingly. “What would you like?”
“I’ll take whiskey,” Hunter said. “I’ve never been a heavy drinker, and I can’t even remember the last time I had anything more than a beer, but if you think it wouldn’t hurt, then I could use it.”
“Done.” Payne leaned in for a lingering kiss before rolling off the bed. “Up to you whether you’re still in bed or in the shower when I get back, but I can promise it’ll be more interesting if I bring the drink to you in the shower,” he said with a playful grin.
Hunter smiled, but Payne could see he was preoccupied, probably with thoughts about seeing Jen and Jake again. “Thanks,” he murmured. “After the shower maybe I should take that salve after all. I’ll probably have enough to deal with. Having my ass hurting would be overkill.”
“I’ll get something to help numb it,” Payne said.
He wanted to wrap his arms around Hunter and promise everything would be okay, but he knew Hunter wouldn’t believe him. But he felt hopeful about the dinner. Jen and Jake cared about Hunter and wanted him in their lives, and maybe this visit would help Hunter accept it.
In the meantime, he’d do whatever he could to help Hunter prepare for the visit, and if it meant he was a little more hovery than usual, well, Hunter would simply have to deal with it.
