Simon ignored the vacant armchair, instead perching on the arm of Patrick’s seat. He casually dropped an arm over the back of the chair, and when Patrick tilted his head to look up at him, Simon bent to give him a kiss. The kiss was brief and beer-flavored, and left Simon wanting more, but given their audience, he didn’t deepen it no matter how much he wanted to.
He felt Patrick shudder, and gasp softly. He smiled against Patrick’s lips—nice to know he got Patrick’s blood pumping too. Patrick suddenly jumped, and they separated. “Fuck.” Simon couldn’t help but snicker as Patrick quickly moved to retrieve the bottle that had slipped from his fingers to the floor. Oh yeah—he smiled again—Patrick was definitely affected. And thank goodness for the hardwood.
Simon tore his gaze from Patrick and looked to the couch to find Darren’s eyes wide and glued to the two of them.I guess I’ve made it clear how things stand.
Mike slipped into the seat beside Darren, drawing his attention away. “So, Darren, we haven’t had a chance to meet properly. You work at Moffatt’s, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
“So tell me about it? Do you like it? What’s Andrew like as a boss?”
Simon relaxed as Mike drew Darren out of his shell, engaging him in conversation. The kid—as Mike kept calling him, so it was therefore stuck in Simon’s mind—was cute. All auburn hair, pale skin, and freckles, with clothes just that bit too big hanging from his small frame. If he’d just relax a bit, maybe gain a bit more confidence, he’d be quite striking.
“Hey,” Patrick whispered to get his attention. Simon looked down into Patrick’s gray eyes, which were clouded with worry. “Are you doing okay?”
“Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?” No point letting Patrick know of his concerns about Darren, particularly as the guy was now happily engrossed in discussion with Mike.
“The car?” Patrick’s forehead creased as he tilted his head and studied Simon.
“Oh yeah, the car.” For a minute, he’d entirely forgotten about it. “That’s totally pissed me off, but what can I do? Frank’s going to order in new glass and replace the tires. Aside from the scratch on the door, it’ll be good as new.” He smiled down at Patrick. He had enough to worry about without Simon adding his own problems, and it was only a car after all. A car could be replaced. “So how about we get that pizza ordered?”
Patrick’s eyes narrowed for a moment, but he let the subject change. “Great idea. I’m starving. What about you guys?”
Patrick put on some music while Simon phoned in the order, and half an hour later they were enjoying pizza straight from the box. Patrick was happily engaged in conversation with Darren and Mike. Darren had relaxed back into the couch and was laughing at a story Mike was telling—something about a mishap with a Great Dane at the veterinary clinic where Mike worked. It was only when he looked at Simon that Darren seemed to freeze up. He’d get all tongue-tied, tempting Simon to ask him more and more questions, just to see the guy squirm, until finally Patrick shot Simon a look full of daggers. He only felt a little bit guilty, but he stopped baiting the poor guy.
Once the pizza was finished the conversation eased off, all of them content to lounge in a food-induced coma. Simon stretched his legs out in front of him, the pull of the muscles in his calves reminding him they’d also done a fair bit of exercise that afternoon. A long soak in the tub would be a perfect ending to the day. He just needed to clear everyone out so he and Patrick could have some private time. Maybe if he started clearing up, then Darren would get the hint and be on his way?
Simon stood and gathered up the pizza boxes. It took only a moment to deposit them with the rest of the recycling outside the back door. A sound coming from near the side of the house caught his attention—a shuffling noise, or maybe the breeze was blowing leaves on the path. God knew, they hadn’t done any work in the yard for a while apart from making sure the lawn was mowed, and that was just to keep the landlord off their back. He listened for a moment but couldn’t hear anything else. However, he made sure the lid on the trash can was secure, just in case it was a cat or some other sort of animal foraging for food. With a last glance over his shoulder Simon started back up the stairs. He’d taken only a step or two when he heard the rustling again.
The backyard was dark, only partly illuminated by a dim light coming through the kitchen window. The back of the house was deep in shadow. A dog was barking somewhere a couple of houses over, a car passed on the street out the front, and the faint sounds of music wafted from inside the house, but apart from those usual noises, the night was quiet. Simon stopped and cocked an ear. Nothing. Simon continued, for some reason, tiptoeing and trying to be as quiet as possible. Goose bumps rose on his skin and he shivered. Finally, he peered around the side of the house. Empty, except for a garden rake leaning against the wall of the house and an old plastic bucket. He let out the breath he’d been holding, resisting the urge to giggle at his silliness. What did he think he’d find—a loitering mass murderer?
“Simon.”
“Shit!” Simon’s heart raced as he swung around. “You scared the living daylights out of me.”
Darren stepped back as if he’d been hit, curling in on himself as he wrapped his arms around his waist. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to….” His words faded and he looked at the ground. It was hard to see in the darkness, but the kid looked more scared than Simon felt, and Simon’s heart was in his throat beating a wild tempo.
“That’s okay. I heard a noise and I guess my head was somewhere else so I didn’t hear you come up behind me.” The protective instinct kicked in and he slung an arm over Darren’s slim shoulders, turning him back toward the kitchen door, somewhat surprised when the kid only flinched slightly at the touch. He allowed himself to be led back toward the steps. “What are you doing out here anyway?”
Darren appeared to gather his courage, finally looking at Simon, but his voice was low and held a slight waver. “I wanted to ask you something in private, where the others couldn’t hear.”
Simon’s heart sunk; he’d thought Darren had got the message. He really didn’t want to have to hurt the kid’s feelings. They stopped at the base of the steps.
“Sure.” Simon prepared himself for Darren to ask him out. “You can ask me anything.”
Darren shuffled on the step, fidgeting with the edge of his cuff. “Well….”
“Yeah?”
Darren let go of his shirt and shoved his hands in his pockets and met Simon’s gaze again. He swallowed heavily a couple of times before speaking. “I… uh… well, I was wondering… um… if you might teach me boxing.”
“Boxing?” Simon’s mind was blank.
Darren tilted his head. “Yes. Andrew told me you do boxing and, well… well, I want to learn how, and Andrew thought you might….”
Simon burst out laughing, but reined it in when Darren flinched. “Sorry, you just caught me off guard. I totally thought you were going to ask me something else.”
“What?” Darren’s face screwed up in obvious confusion.
