“Funmight be one word I’d consider using for him. There are many others we have, especially Wolf. Don’t get him started on Spencer.”
“Oh? They don’t get along?”
“They have a love-hate relationship. Spencer is a tease and loves to push Wolf’s buttons. You’d think after all these years, he’d let it roll off his back. But deep down, they care about each other. We all do.”
“From what I’ve seen, they all care about you, that’s for sure.” Win nuzzled his neck, and a flood of desire buzzed through his blood. “I—”
“Win,” a guy called out, “do I need to ask how’s it going?”
At the sound of his voice, Win stiffened and jerked away. “Ah, fuck.”
“Who’s that?” Elliot peered over his shoulder to see a man standing by an SUV parked in front of the house.
“My partner.” Stone-faced, Win didn’t even look at him.
“Oh.” Disheartened, Elliot sidled away, putting space between them. “I can leave if you want to talk to him.”
Finally sparing him a glance, Win frowned. “Why would I want you to leave?”
Because that’s how it always goes.
Forcing a smile, he lifted his chin. “I don’t want to force you to tell people you’re with me.”
“You think that’s a problem?” Win’s deep voice came out as an almost growl. “I know I’m getting the better end of this deal.” With a tug to his hand, Win stood. “Come meet Forrest.”
Dubious but not wanting to make a scene, Elliot followed Win to the curb, where the large man waited. The smile on his face broadened at their approach.
“How’s it going?”
“What’re you doing here? You live on the Island.”
“Yeah, but Claudia’s parents are in Brooklyn, so I left her and the kids to come by and say hi.”
“I’ll bet you did.” Win shook his head. “You couldn’t wait to get away and used me as an excuse. Claudia is way too smart for that to fly.”
Forrest chuckled. “You know it, but since it’s you and for some reason she loves you, I was let out. When I left, Toby was begging to make slime in the backyard. I ran like a bat out of hell. Now, you gonna introduce me or what?”
The fondness between the two men was evident, and when Forrest turned his big, good-natured smile on him, Elliot couldn’t help but feel more at ease. Win relaxed against the car, his face a blank canvas.
“Elliot Hansen, this is my partner, Forrest Jacobs.”
“Nice to meet you, Elliot.” Forrest’s warm handshake seemed to match his personality, and Elliot returned it with a smile.
“Same. I take it Toby is your son?” Elliot loved kids and at one point had thought about adoption.
“He’s a great kid,” Win said, “especially when he gives you a hard time. He knows the score.” Win snickered.
“Says his godfather, who still owes me big-time for The Great Finger-Paint Disaster. Listen, what’s a guy got to do to get a glass of water around here? Elliot, can you believe he’s never invited me over to see the new house?”
He understood the man was trying to make him feel comfortable, and he appreciated it more than Forrest could imagine. None of the men he’d ever dated had bothered to invite him into their lives. It was always Elliot who sought to include them whenever his group of friends would get together.
Win kicked the grass. “Enough already. Let’s go inside, and I’ll give you the grand tour. Elliot and I were going to go to the store to get stuff for a barbecue.”
Forrest scanned the street and pointed to Elliot’s home. “You live in that house? The one with the big front window?”
“Yeah. That’s the famous window Win caught the guy breaking into. I’m sure you heard about it.” Elliot slanted a glance over to Win.
Forrest’s deep brown eyes twinkled, and his lips twitched. “Oh, I sure did.” He lowered his voice and took Elliot’s arm, slowing their steps as Win mounted the stairs in front of them. “He’s a stubborn-ass mule sometimes, but I lay my life on the line for him every day and know he does the same for me. There’s no better man I’ve ever met. Don’t let him push you away.”
