Henry looked at his reflection in the mirror, adjusting the light blue sweater at his neck, an unsuccessful attempt at covering the pale purple bruise near his collarbone. He smiled at the memory of Colton feasting on his neck like a famished man.
Giving up on hiding the mark, he took himself in. He liked this color on himself. It made his eyes even bluer than usual. He wanted to look good for Colton. He knew that the other man was attracted to him, there was no doubt about that. Their chemistry was out of this world crazy. Like a couple of horny fucking teenagers. But still, he wanted to look like a man. Not a boy. He’d put on his favorite black jeans and with the equally black boots, he felt that he looked like a grown-up.Jesus. He needed to pull himself together if he was going to make it through dinner in one piece.
His gran had been excited about the invitation and had immediately gone next door to get her hair made up by their next-door-neighbor Eliza. When she came back, he’d helped her choose a dress. He loved the relationship he had with his gran, but he also realized that Iris was getting older and with her medical history, she may not be around for years to come. The thought of losing her, his only family, used to make him sick to his stomach. It still did, but it no longer made him want to curl up into a ball and hide in the closet.
A future without his gran, however sad it would be, no longer seemed like the end of his world. And it had mostly to do with Colton. He knew that it was most likely premature, but he couldn’t help picturing a future of some kind with the other man. Perhaps they would come out as a couple one day. Maybe even live together. Henry couldn’t help smiling at the thought. He wanted that with Colton. A life together. He hoped that Colton wanted that with him too.
Caught up in his own thoughts, he hadn’t noticed that Iris had entered his bedroom and was staring at him, her eyes shining with humor and fondness.
“He’s going to love you no matter what you’re wearing, sweetheart.” She said as she came closer and stood beside him looking into the mirror as well.
Of course, she knew. She’d easily put two and two together the morning after Colton had spent the night in Henry’s room. His gran had always been able to see right through him. So, he didn’t bother pretending that she was mistaken.
“You think so?” he asked, feeling almost as uncertain as a small child asking if Santa was coming this year.
“Now, why wouldn’t he? You’re the whole package, sweetheart. Isn’t that what they say these days?” She reached out and straightened the collar of the t-shirt he was wearing under the sweater.
“Maybe… I really like him, you know?” He took his gran’s frail hand in his own, clutching it to his chest.
“Oh, I know,” she laughed. “You look positively love struck whenever you’re near that young man. I can see why. Handsome-looking guy, that one. Looks like a movie star. Bet he’s fine under those coveralls as well…” she winked at Henry knowingly.
“Jesus, Gran!” He looked at her mortified yet savoring her teasing words.
“Aww, you can stop that right now. I ain’t dead yet. I may be old and withered but that doesn’t mean I can’t recognize and appreciate a good-looking man when I see one.” She chuckled while murmuring to herself. Henry shook his head at his gran, bending down to tie his black boots. “Now, speed it up, Cinderella. If we don’t get there soon, Hank is going to burn that casserole, and I imagine it won’t get any better from that.” Then she slapped his butt with a grin and left the room.
After tying his boots, Henry intercepted her at the stairs and offered her his arm for support. It wasn’t often that she ventured upstairs these days, and the last thing she needed was a fractured hip from tumbling down the stairs.
“Lead me to the ball, handsome,” she smiled as she took his arm.
He couldn’t help laughing loudly at the anticipation in her eyes. The happiness and acceptance from his gran had almost made him forget about his own nervousness. The loss of his parents had ended up being the greatest gift he’d ever received. That they had refused to accept him for who he truly was, had been a blessing in disguise.
***
An insanely hot Colton opened the door when they arrived at Hank’s place, a broad smile covering his face, eyes crinkling at the corners. It should be illegal really, to look that sexy. All dressed in black, dark tattoos covering both his arms, he looked like the embodiment of every bad boy fantasy Henry had ever had. He felt his dick harden slightly in his tight jeans at the unfiltered sexiness of the other man. Colton looked at him shyly behind a fringe of dark, messy hair and his hazel eyes met Henry’s own with a spark he recognized as desire.
“You’re here,” Colton said not removing his gaze from Henry’s. “Dinner’s almost ready. Ma’am, can I take your coat?”
Providing him with a stern look, which was contradicted by the softness of her voice, Iris scolded him.
“I thought we already established this, young man. It’s Iris or even better yet, Gran. It isn’t that difficult to remember.” She shook her head, grey strands of hair swirling around like a halo. “Unless your head is elsewhere just like my dear grandson’s.” She waved her slim hand in Henry’s direction, which made him momentarily wake up from hisI can’t believe how fucking hot my man ishaze.
Colton showed them into the small hallway and as soon as they were rid of the coats, they went into the kitchen where Hank was busy cleaning up the worst of the mess. His cheeks were blazing red as he swept the kitchen counter. The casserole simmering on the old stove smelled amazing.
“Food’s almost ready, so I hope you brought your appetite,” he said, back still turned to the three of them.
“It smells amazing,” Henry replied. He was still sporting a goofy smile on his lips. Had been ever since Colton opened the door. He just couldn’t help himself. Every time he stole a glance at Colton, the other guy was smiling at him just as broadly. Something had shifted for sure. He couldn’t help but wonder if Hank knew about them. If he’d put two and two together as well.
Hank wiped his hands in a kitchen towel and first greeted Iris and then he shook Henry’s hand, greeting him with ahow’re you doing, doc?If Henry had been in doubt whether Hank knew about him and Colton, he soon found out. Once dinner was served and everyone had taken the first couple of bites of a well-cooked deer stew, Hank looked at the two of them with a teasing smile. Placing his cutlery carefully next to his plate, Hank cleared his throat ceremoniously.
“So, doc, what are your intentions concerning my nephew?” It was obvious that Hank had trouble keeping a straight face, almost bursting with the need to laugh.
“Jesus, Hank!” Colton blurted while Henry almost choked on the bite of medium sized meat he was about to swallow.
“Well, I’m allowed to ask, aren’t I? I mean, being your only living relative and such.” A mischievous smile danced on the older man’s face as he directed his gaze at Henry. “Nah, I’m only messing with ya, doc. Couldn’t have found a better man for my long-lost nephew here even if I searched all of Nebraska myself.”
“Why thank you, Hank.” Henry smiled at the older man, releasing another cough from his near-death encounter with the deer stew.
“You alright there, son?” Hank asked him, returning to his meal.
