“Probably not.” Zach's expression fell. “I can't believe what a dumbass I was for so long.”
“Hey, don’t you talk about the man I love that way,” I scolded him. “You weren’t raised in a house where it was okay for you to be true to yourself. But now, you don't have to hide anymore. Even if your dad turns his back on you when he finds out, we’ll always be there.”
“You really mean that, don't you?” Zach’s eyes shone with unshed tears. He swallowed hard and opened his mouth to say more, then closed it.
“Of course I do. I don't know how it's supposed to work, but if anyone can make a relationship like ours last, it's the three of us. I don't ever want to spend a day without the two of you by my side.”
“Same,” Zach admitted. “Do you think Colin's going to be upset that we’re spending Thanksgiving together and he's going home?”
“Are you kidding me? I think he'll be relieved to know you're not walking back into your dad's house without someone there for backup.”
Zach bristled. “I don't need anyone fighting my battles for me.”
“I know you don't.” I slid my hand down the side of his face. I leaned in, pressing my lips to his. “That doesn't mean you don't deserve to know someone has your back. Always.”
“Now, let's get ready. Colin's going to be home from class soon, and if you and I are spending the rest of the week together, I'd like to have dinner with him tonight.”
* * *
We never didfigure out how to tell Colin how we felt about one another. This morning, while he was in the shower, we made a deal that we’d figure it out over the weekend and tell him first thing when we got home.
Colin probably thought he did a good job hiding that hewasupset about the two of us spending the holiday together while he went home to play the role of the disappointing son. On the way to student parking, he promised that his less than enthusiastic response had nothing to do with us, other than that he wished he could bail on his family, too.
I hated that his family didn't see how amazing he was. To outsiders, he was the lucky one. His parents were still married over twenty-five years later, he had a house full of siblings, and yet, as we said our goodbyes, I couldn't ignore the loneliness radiating off of him.
“It's only a few days,” I reminded him. I curled my fingers around the nape of his neck, not giving a damn who might be watching. “If you need us, all you have to do is call.”
“I'll be fine,” he insisted. “It's going to be weird sleeping in a bed alone.”
“Maybe, but at least you won’t have to worry about Zach kneeing you in the kidneys,” I teased, hoping to lighten the mood. It didn’t work.
Colin leaned back, grasping my shoulders. “Protect him. Don't let his dad close him off again.”
“I will,” I promised. I wasn't sure why, but I didn’t think Zach needed my protection this time. Over the past few weeks, he’d grown more comfortable with who he was. I’d meant it when I said I was okay with his dad thinking we were just friends, but within an hour, I felt something shift in Zach. I wanted to tell him it might not be a good idea to reveal his truth during the holidays, but once he made up his mind, all I could do was support his decision.
The holidays were never a good time for anything that might permanently alter a family relationship.
“Hey, where do you think you’re going?” Colin hollered as Zach opened the driver’s side door of his car. He faltered, catching himself right before he clipped his chin on the top of the door. “You don’t get to leave me without at least a hug.”
Zach beamed and his entire body relaxed as he jogged over to where Jayden and Chase were loading up Jayden’s car. “Sorry. I’m not used to having anyone to say goodbye to.”
“Not goodbye.” The tenderness in Colin’s voice created a lump of emotion in my throat. Fuck, I loved these men. At first, I was certain there would be jealousy to deal with, but watching Colin whisper something meant only for Zach, the only thing I felt was gratitude. “It’s only going to be a few days.”
“But I don’t want it to be any days,” Zach complained, his voice cracking more with every word. Our poor, sweet boy. I joined them, placing a hand on each of their backs. Zach leaned his head on my shoulder. “I’m not supposed to say it yet, but I can’t wait any longer. I love you, Colin. And I’m going to miss the hell out of you.”
Colin’s eyes grew wide as he swallowed hard. He looked to me, as if waiting for some sort of reaction. I nodded toward Zach. He was the one who needed our attention and reassurance.
“Fuck, baby. I love you, too. I have for a while, but thought I’d scare you off if I said anything,” he admitted before pressing a chaste kiss to Zach’s forehead. Then, he looked up at me. “And you. Don’t think you’re second best because I didn’t say it to you first. I love you, Daniel. And I’m trusting you to take care of him while you’re gone.”
“I don’t need—”
Colin cut off Zach’s protest with a searing kiss. He twisted his fingers through the back of Zach’s hair, holding his head firmly as he devoured our boyfriend’s mouth. By the time they broke the kiss, I was painfully hard. I turned away to adjust myself, giving them a few moments of privacy.
I had to smile when Colin essentially repeated what I’d told Zach before. “We know. You don’t need to be protected. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have someone there to look out for you. And that someone is Daniel since I can’t be there.”
“Fine, but if I find out the two of you think I can’t deal with shit on my own, I’m going to kick your asses,” he warned us.
Colin wrapped his arms tightly around Zach’s back and kissed the side of his head. “I wouldn’t expect any less. Now go, before I throw both of you in the back of Jayden’s car and kidnap you to see what a chaotic Thanksgiving looks like.”
