“Scar, you have a little problem,” he said, pointing toward my crotch.
I glanced down at my half-hard cock, which stretched out my underwear, and shrugged. “It’s morning wood. Every guy gets it.”
“That’s more like a morning log,” Mackenzie said casually, like he was discussing one of his classes rather than staring at a dick.
“And that’s not even at full mast.” I smirked and walked toward the kitchen, opening the fridge to grab the milk jug. I unscrewed the cap and took a big sip before I moved so I could see them over the counter that separated the kitchen from the living and dining room. “You are all here too early. What’s going on?”
Charley groaned. Clearly I’d asked the worst question ever.
Eyes spun on me, and the usually quiet man with an eerie presence looked panicked. I’d never seen him like this and it was weird. His hair was a mess, and he had more emotion on his face than I’d thought was possible for him. “Nonno called to tell me he found me a nice Italian girl to marry.”
Charley sighed and squeezed at his nose. “Travis, he can’t make you marry a woman.”
“I know that, but if I say no, then he’ll be even angrier at me.” Eyes’ shoulders slumped forward. “Fuck. I can’t ever make him happy.”
“Why do you try?” Mackenzie asked.
I waved my hand at him. “What he said. Your nonno is a piece of shit.”
Charley glared at me and the chill in the room intensified. “You are not helping, Scar. He’s still our grandfather.”
Nic stood with her back to me, so she threw me a look over her shoulder. “Travis wants Charley to talk to Nonno.”
“How would that help?” Mackenzie asked with a pout. He was really pretty for a man, but I preferred Charley, especially when he was covered in motor oil and smelled like fresh air after a bike ride. “Your grandfather is stubborn.”
“We could dress Mackenzie up and pretend he’s a chick.” I laughed at my own joke. When everyone turned a glare on me, I rested the milk on the counter and raised my hands. “I was kidding.”
“I doubt you were.” Mackenzie’s lips twisted.
“You have the lips of a woman,” I retaliated.
Charley stamped his foot to get my attention and sent me a sharp look, the kind that told me to shut up. I grinned at him and grabbed the milk again, finishing off the last of it before dumping it into the trash.
“What do you want me to do about it, Travis?” Charley asked, falling onto the couch. “You know Nonno. Stay strong. Tell him you won’t be pressured into marriage with a woman because of his homophobia.”
“Or you and Mackenzie could actually get married,” Nic suggested with an eyebrow waggle. “I always wanted to go to a gay wedding.”
Mackenzie made an irritated sound. “Absolutely not. If Travis wants to propose to me, he can do it, but not because his nonno wants him to marry a woman.”
Eyes paused and stared at his boyfriend. “Would you say yes if I proposed?”
Mackenzie smiled, and I was sure that was the first time I’d ever seen one from him, although it was still slightly cold. “Yes.”
Charley sighed. “Okay, back to the topic at hand. Nonno.”
“Right.” Eyes straightened and tugged at his leather jacket before crossing his arms. “I need you to talk to him, Charley. I know he’s not happy about you and Scar, but he respects you more than me. I need him off my back.”
I shifted around to the other side of the counter and stood beside Nic, aware of her gaze sliding down to my crotch again. I ignored it, though. It wasn’t the first time I’d gotten that look and it wouldn’t be the last.
“What makes you think he’ll listen to me? He hates me. Prison. Scar. He’ll never forgive me, and he certainly won’t hear what I have to say about this situation.”
“He might.” Poor Eyes sounded so hopeful. “Take Scar with you and put your foot down. Tell him.”
“It’s Thursday,” I said, crossing my arms. “Charley works tonight, and we wanted to spend some time together.”
Eyes gave me a pitiful look, and I felt sorry for him. He wasn’t a bad guy. A bit weird, but not anything I wasn’t used to.
Charley patted the couch beside him, and Eyes fell onto it. Charley wrapped his arm around his shoulders. “I’ll try, okay?”
