32
Harlow
Sometime between dinner shared at a too-small kitchen table and selfish, stolen glances in Simon’s direction, night fell. Harlow was too caught up to notice. When he wasn’t engaged in conversation, he watched Simon, observing the way he followed the flow of conversation with his eyes and turned his attention from one speaker to the other. As far as Harlow could tell, he absorbed what was said even though he didn’t engage, and laughed along at all the right moments. There was something sweet about that—understated and innocent. Now that Harlow had seen into Simon’s uninhibited mind, what a contradiction it was.
As the conversation wore on, Simon picked at the label of the bottle of beer Harlow had offered him earlier in the evening, rotating it between his palms or tilting it from side to side. While he drank slowly—and gave up entirely on drinking once the bottle reached a point where he’d need to tilt it too close to his nose for comfort—a rosy glow colored his cheeks. Harlow wasn’t sure if it was from the hops, or from the excellent company.
When Simon caught him staring—and he had, more than once—he’d smile and glance away, pleased, but shy. When he caught on that Harlow was looking his way more often than not, he made a game of it. As wrapped up in conversation as Evie, Shep, and Jayne were, Harlow didn’t think they noticed.
After dinner was concluded and the household turned in for bed, Harlow settled on the living room couch and ventured back into the Single Dad chat while Simon showered. Simon used the bathroom last every night. In all things, Jayne and Shep came first.
Someday, Harlow hoped that would change.
An unread tagged message was waiting on Harlow’s phone from several minutes ago. Harlow tapped it and read over what he’d missed.
xVerity: I just checked, and Mal and I have availability this weekend, @LoveHarley. @Gwynning, @TeenDad2, would you like to all come over? We can meet Harley’s new beau.
TeenDad2: YES!
Gwynning: I think my schedule should be open. Matthew should be home, so he’ll be able to help Alex with Violet and Emily. I’ll double-check with him.
xVerity: If you need to bring Violet, it’s no issue. I’m sure Nikki would be thrilled to meet her. She’s on a total big sister kick right now—she’ll adopt her in a heartbeat.
Gwynning: I think for the sake of Harley’s new love interest, we should try to limit the number of babies in attendance. We don’t want to scare him off.
Harlow thumbed up and down through the segment of conversation, contemplating his reply. Without Simon’s okay, Harlow didn’t want to confirm, but he didn’t want to leave the guys hanging, either.
LoveHarley: It’s a tentative yes. Things are a little complicated here, so I’ve got to check out what’s going on
TeenDad2: Complicated like you made some enemies at the bouncer convention and now you’re in hiding complicated, or complicated like you’re down to your last five dollars and you need to Uber across town complicated? Because if it’s the five dollar one, I can help you out. You guys helped me out so much when I had nothing that I would love to give back in any way I can
LoveHarley: Umm, more the first one
TeenDad2: OMG
TeenDad2: Harley, do you haveenemies?
TeenDad2: Does this mean thatwehave enemies? Omg. Single Dad enemies. Do we need to start sleeping with one eye open? Do we need to avoid certain parts of town?
Harlow laughed.
LoveHarley: lol TD. No, you don’t need to avoid certain parts of town. We don’t have any enemies. You don’t need to worry about it
xVerity: But in all seriousness, Harley, if you’re in a tight spot, or if things are harrowing, please let us know. Mal and I would be happy to help, too.
Gwynning: So would Alex and I
TeenDad2: I mean, me too, no matter what it is!
Their generosity brought a smile to Harlow’s face. He held the phone up over his head and read back over the conversation fondly, savoring the feelings it brought. Affection. Security. Companionship. Before he’d met the Single Dads, he’d been toughing it alone after the unexpected death of his husband while struggling to support his child-star daughter. With them, he’d found family.
LoveHarley: You guys are sweet. Thank you. I’ll let you know if there’s anything you can do.
A private message came in from Knot. Harlow tabbed away from the general chat to read it.
KnotMyProblem: I just want to say that if you’re in dire straits, I’m here for you, too. If you and loverboy need a place to crash while the heat dies down that’s not in Aurora, you can stay in my condo. I can’t be there in Aurora to help you, but I’ll pull strings to make sure that you stay safe.
The message touched Harlow deeper than the rest. Knot was hurting, but he was still kind enough to open his home to Harlow and Simon. No matter how prickly Knot pretended to be, he was sensitive, and he led his life with love behind his veneer of irritability.
