“Well, if you say so.” Griff paused for a moment. “Then let’s talk about why you haven’t told anybody about this Andi guy.”
“I’ve told Daniel.” George had no problem throwing his brother under the bus. Now they were even regarding the prom incident when George had seriously contemplated how to off Daniel without being found out. There was a sharp intake of breath, telling him that Daniel would get a call soon.
“I just talked to him yesterday! That asshole.” For Griff to use such strong language, he had to be really upset about the whole thing.
“Why do you care so much, Griff, all of a sudden?”
“Is it wrong to be concerned about my family?”
“Technically not, but we both know you usually don’t give much of a fuck as long as it doesn’t affect you directly.” The words weren’t meant to be hurtful. George was simply stating facts.
“In case you haven’t noticed, Mom is on the warpath, and that affects all of us very directly. Dad doesn’t seem to be overly concerned, but he did mention how he would have appreciated hearing from you that you are changing career paths and have entered a serious relationship.”
George winced. While his mother could cut deep wounds with snide remarks and the lively play of her changing expressions, the silent disapproval from his father was almost worse. It was the difference between actively dodging an oncoming car and standing in the hail with no shelter in sight. Both were awful and potentially hurtful, but with the first, at least a semblance of control was given.
“I told Mom.”
“In increments, stretched over months, George.”
“Because it happened in increments, over the course of months!”
Andi cocked his head. He had either lost the thread of the conversation or was trying to cheer George up. It was hard to tell.
“You should have told her the moment you and Andi got together. He’s got stellar solving statistics, by the way. And your DA, Bill Waters, he sang his praises for almost an hour before I managed to cut him off. His statistics look damn good as well, mostly because of Andi.” It was obvious how reluctant Griff was to say anything positive about Andi. His older brother had been a DA in Boston for two years now with aspirations of becoming a judge like their mother. He knew how invaluable solid police work was to nail down criminals.
“Bill’s not an idiot.”
Andi’s grimace suggested something different, though George knew it was in good spirits. Bill Waters was one of the few people Andi actually got along with.
“Obviously not. He wouldn’t be where he is today if he were.” Again, gruff admiration. In indirect relation to Andi. Perhaps this family invasion for his birthday wouldn’t be as bad as he had feared.
“Are we done? Because my boyfriend and I have to work.”
Andi blew him a kiss. An actual kiss. With a wink. George was afraid of what the silverfish had to say about his stress levels.
“We’re nowhere near done, not until I’m convinced this Andi is a good match for you, but for the moment, I can’t think of anything else besides be careful, George. I would hate to see all your plans for your future going down the drain because of one hare-brained decision. Or should I say lust-fueled decision?”
As insulting as this insinuation was, George still had to hold back a snicker. If only Griff knew how little lust had to do with what he and Andi had.
“Then I’m looking forward to seeing you in less than five weeks, big bro. As I told Mom, if you need help finding a hotel, feel free to contact me.”
“Don’t think we haven’t realized that you don’t want us in your little mansion.” The bite in Griff’s voice had lessened a bit.
“It’s Andi’s little mansion, and he doesn’t do well with strangers. Meeting the family is stress-inducing enough without having them sleeping under the same roof. You know how Mom can be. Hosting my birthday party for you lot is more than enough.”
“Why doesn’t he do well with strangers? He’s a detective, for goodness’ sake!” Of course, Griff had latched onto the crucial point instead of being miffed about George’s hint that the Donovan family was far from being ideal house guests.
“Because he’s special, and his home is his safe haven. Leave him be, Griff, or else we’ll meet at a restaurant somewhere in Charleston and you can all fly directly back to Boston afterward.”
There was a moment’s pause. When Griff spoke again, all suspicion had left his voice. “You really like him, don’t you? I’ve never seen you defend somebody like this. I’ll back off, little bro. Tell Andi I’m looking forward to meeting him. Truly.”
George wasn’t an idiot. He took the olive branch Griff was offering and ran with it. “Yes, I do. I’ll tell him. See you, Griff.”
“See you, George.”
George ended the call and looked at Andi, who was staring at him with an intensity that meant he was seeing George with more than just his human senses. “You’re agitated and afraid and angry and nervous and your blood is pumping like crazy, you want to protect, to fight, the nest must be safe, the queen, I’m your queen, this is your nest, no intruders allowed, out, out, I feel safe, you’re here, always, this is your place, our nest, we’re bound, don’t be nervous, you’re strong, capable, I can feel it, your heartbeat, thump, thump, so steady, always there, my anchor, need you.”
George stepped forward, grabbed Andi and pulled him against his body, pressing his lover’s ear against his chest, so he could hear the heartbeat that was his anchor, his safety, providing George with a sense of peace in the process, knowing this was something only he could give Andi, something he could actually provide, free and always. Andi snuggled against him, melting into his form, something that had been unthinkable when they had met. Now it was normal, a necessity that helped both of them to stay grounded because the things they were dealing with were so far outside the ordinary, it wasn’t the least bit funny.
