“Exactly!” Simon agreed.
“Patrick was so upset. He hated living there.” Charlie looked at Simon. “But from what I remember, he had more of an issue with the guy’s boyfriend rather than Dion himself.”
“So what did you invite him to the party for, anyway?” Simon couldn’t help asking. “I mean, if you don’t really like him….”
Charlie’s eyes widened. “I didn’t invite him, and Josh doesn’t even know him. So I assume Patrick must have extended an invite.”
“That’s weird. Why wouldn’t he have said anything if he knew Dion was going to be here?” Simon mused.
Charlie shrugged. “No idea, buddy. Here he comes now, so you can ask him. Or maybe Dion just tagged along with one of the other guests. There are a few unfamiliar faces around.”
With that, the conversation changed to other topics, and Simon focused on Patrick, moving to meet him halfway across the yard.
“Well, that was unexpected,” Patrick said, slipping his arms around Simon’s waist.
Simon leaned back to look at him properly. “You didn’t invite him?”
“Of course not. If I had I would have asked Josh and Charlie first. This is their party, and I had nothing to do with the guest list.”
“It is strange. Charlie saidhedidn’t invite Dion either.”
“Which doesn’t surprise me, given he and Josh don’t even know Dion other than by word of mouth. Anyway, Si, let’s not worry about it now. Let’s just have a good time. Can I tempt you back for another dance?” Patrick waggled his brows and pulled Simon closer. Simon automatically wrapped his arms around Patrick, smiling as Patrick nuzzled his neck. It would have been perfect except for the faint scent of strange cologne wafting from Patrick’s jacket. Simon pushed back the unwelcome thought of Dion and concentrated on the man in his arms.
An hour or two later Patrick was inside somewhere and Simon was sitting at one of the outdoor benches nursing the same bottle of beer he’d been holding for an hour. It was quieter down the back of the yard in the dark corner where he’d secreted himself, the music and conversation more hushed. Warmth filled Simon as he thought back on the evening. The party had been a great success, and the best part was watching Patrick let his hair down. He’d looked fully relaxed for the first time in months as he’d laughed and talked with their friends, and danced with everyone. Simon smiled as he closed his eyes and let the sounds of the party wash over him.
“Hi, Simon. I hope you don’t mind if I join you.”
Simon groaned inwardly and slowly opened his eyes, at the same time sitting upright and moving his arm from where it was lying across the back of the bench seat. He’d thought the guy was long gone. “Dion.”
“I was hoping to catch you alone.”
Simon raised an eyebrow. “Yeah? Well, you found me.”
“I was hoping to talk to you about Patrick.” Dion blinked rapidly and cleared his throat. “You see, I’m really happy that he and I have reconnected. He’s a good guy and I… well, I don’t have many friends, so he’s important to me. Not like how you’re probably thinking, just as a friend. That’s all.” Dion let out a burst of nervous laughter but quickly closed his mouth. He ran his hand down his jeans and looked at Simon again. Simon didn’t make it easy for him, just tilted his head and waited for Dion to continue. “I… um… you see, I know you don’t particularly like me, but I thought maybe if you got to know me a bit better you’d see that I’m not such a bad person. So what I was hoping was that maybe we could spend some time together. I could take you out for coffee.”
“Let me get this clear. You want to meet with me one-on-one? Without Patrick?”
“Yeah. Just coffee. We could talk and get to know more about each other. Like become friends.”
“I don’t think that’s how it works, and I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
“About us becoming friends?”
“No, about us meeting without Patrick. Listen, Patrick tells me you’re turning over a new leaf, and he wants to give you a second chance. I’m not going to lie and say I’m completely sold on the idea, but I don’t control what Patrick does and I have to trust him. Heisa good guy, and from what I know about his past, would never try to exclude anybody. If he wants to be friends with you then so be it. But that doesn’t mean that you and I need to become best buds. I’m sure I’ll see you around when I’m with Patrick, and if you and I get to be better friends, then… well, it happens. If not….” He allowed the words to trail off.
Dion dropped his hand onto Simon’s suit-clad thigh, and Simon willed himself not to pull away. Dion’s voice was low as he looked at Simon with hooded eyes. “Are you sure I can’t convince you? For Patrick’s sake, you know?”Patrick’s sake?
Simon picked up Dion’s hand by the wrist and moved it off his leg, as he wondered what Patrick was going to think when he told him of Dion’s strange request.
“Like I said, I really don’t think it’s a good idea, and it’s not necessary. You can’t force these things. I’m going to get another drink.” Simon stood and didn’t wait for Dion’s permission to leave. He left the guy sitting on the bench and went to look for Patrick.
It was time to go home.
