“Give me a minute, and we can go take another shower.” André kissed his cheek.
“We have all the time in the world.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The next morning when they walked in for breakfast, all their friends were already seated around the table. Spencer held his fork aloft as he chattered away, while Elliot and Win ate their pancakes. Looking as though he’d spent a night wrestling with the devil, Wolf sat with an empty plate in front of him, drinking coffee.
“There they are! We were wondering if you were going to make an appearance this morning.” Spencer gifted them with a crafty smile. “Odds were two to one you’d blow off breakfast in favor of, well—”
“Oh, will you control yourself?” Wolf snapped. “You’re like a horny teenager who giggles every time someone says the word ‘cock.’”
“How aboutdick?” Spencer took a piece of bacon. “You should know, since you act like one all the time.”
“Okay, kids. Can you please learn to play nice?” Chess grabbed a seat in the middle of the table. André took the one next to him, with Win on his other side, and poured himself a coffee.
“I’m an adult.” Wolf dabbed at his lips with a napkin. “Unlike some, I have no time to play.”
“You know what they say: all work and no play makes Wolfie an extremely dull boy.”
André gave up on the two squabbling friends and turned his attention to Elliot and Win.
“Feeling more rested?” He liked Win and thought him the perfect man for Elliot. He was exactly who Elliot had been searching for: someone loving, kind, and caring. He’d heard about the list the friends put together and thought it was a sweet, funny story they could tell their children in the future. André had no doubt they’d have a loving marriage. He’d never seen Elliot so happy and relaxed.
“God yes. This place is gorgeous, like being at a resort.” Win’s eyes twinkled. “You might have trouble getting rid of me after this weekend.”
“You can come anytime you like, although you two have that condo now. It’s a perfect getaway. This is a bit much, but my grandparents bought the land in the forties, and my parents built all these houses to make sure the family always had their own space. Next time Chess and I will stay in my house. After breakfast I can show you around.”
“Are you going to spend more time out here in the summers?” Elliot’s gaze swept around the room. “It’s really a beautiful place. If it were me, I’d get married right out by the beach. Have you two decided anything about the ceremony, like when or where?”
“We haven’t had a chance to talk about it yet, but any time of the year is good to get married. I’m ready whenever Chess is.”
A bit teary-eyed, Elliot smiled at him. “I’m so happy you’re getting married. I know I always said that you and Chess were relationship goals—and Chess scolded me—but even after everything that happened yesterday, I feel the same.”
André caught Chess’s eye and winked. “I do too. I’m lucky as hell.”
“Are you finished with the bacon, or do you plan to eat the entire plate? Wolf asked Spencer.
Spencer selected several more pieces. “I could swear you preferred sausage. Too bad I took the last one.” He pierced it with a fork. “Although I’m happy to share mine with you. All you have to do is ask me nicely.” Bright blue eyes gleamed as he took the end of the sausage between his teeth and bit down on it.
“Good God, are we at breakfast, or watching porn?” Elliot snickered. “Spencer, rein it in. It’s too early for this.”
“I don’t want anything you’re offering, thank you.” Wolf scooped scrambled eggs on his plate.
Spencer raised a brow and resumed eating.
Chess served himself pancakes and bacon, then handed the platter over to Elliot. “Here. I know you love pancakes.”
“Thanks.” Elliot took the platter, but instead of putting pancakes on his plate, he cleared his throat, and a nervous smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “I wanted to say something before everyone else comes. While it’s still just us. Chess…of course I wish that had never happened to you, but I’m sad you didn’t tell us earlier so you didn’t have to carry the burden all these years on your own. No matter what any of us have been through, we love and stand by each other. And nothing you could ever do will change that.”
Everyone nodded their agreement, and André watched Chess’s eyes fill with tears.
“Th-thanks. I was so ashamed and scared to tell you about it when we first met. And by the time I’d worked through it all in my head and realized it wasn’t my fault, so much time had passed that I figured it would be better to forget it. I never counted on meeting someone like André.”
“Who could?” Spencer pointed at André with a fork. “Even I would be monogamous if someone like him wanted me. He’s perfect.”
“Well, there’s a stamp of approval if I’ve ever heard one.” André threw back his head and laughed. “I’m glad you think I’m perfect. But I’m far from it. Chess knows I love him, good times and bad. No matter what. That’s what being in love means. And frankly, I’m still mad at myself for getting drunk and kissing some random person.”
“Any ideas who sent those pictures to Chess?” Elliot asked.
