“You’ll always be my number one,” I tell Christian, making him smile.
“But really, mine was the best, wasn’t it?” Axel asks me in the pool.
“It would have been better if you didn’t cover your junk.” I wink at him.
“Not covering it now.” Axel smirks, holding his hands up and then pushes me under water. Thankfully, the pool is crystal clear, and I get to see his cock. When I come back up, I smile. “Happy birthday, D. First and only time I’ll do that.”
“Appreciate it, kind sir,” I say, tipping my imaginary hat. “Never expected this from you, usually you’re more standoffish.”
“I don’t trust people,” he confesses to me.
“I’m sorry.”
He shakes my words away. “Everyone has things in their past that shape them into who they are.” Well damn, Axel. “I’m like this when I’m comfortable around people.”
“Are you saying you’re comfortable around me?”
“I am. I know we aren’t as close as you and Chris are,” he says.
“That’s because Chris bugs me to hang out, you can bug me to hang out too if you want,” I tell him. This makes him smile. Oh, Lord, that smile.
“Actually, I was going to ask you if you have time in your busy schedule to book in a style session,” he asks.
Oh. Wow. “You’re pretty stylish as it is. What help do you need?”
“My closet.”
“You want me to come over and help declutter your closet?” I ask him. He nods. Axel wants to spend one-on-one time with me. “I don’t charge my friends, I’m happy to come over and help organize it.”
“Really?”
“That lap dance was payment enough.” I wink at him.
27
DERRICK
After we got back from my birthday, life got busy as we got ready to head to Paris for Thanksgiving, finalize Vanessa’s wedding dress, and for the bachelor and bachelorette parties. Chance hasn’t tried to contact me again since my birthday, which I am so grateful for. I have seen him partying it up on the gossip sites with images of him with groupies. I shake my head because I don’t think the supposed therapy he is going to is working, but that’s his journey and has nothing to do with me anymore. I’ve been distracting myself with fun times at The Paradise Club. Micah, the gorgeous man that he is, has turned into a good friend outside of the club, but because of the rules no one can know, so I haven’t told any of the crew. All they know is I met him on a night out and we are friends. I like him as a friend, and we do hook up at the club and outside of it, but we both know it’s just sex. I don’t want to date him and vice versa, but I enjoy his friendship, and he’s introduced me to a whole new group of WeHoes as they call themselves, who all live in WeHo village. It’s nice having friends to head out to the gay bars with and enjoy things my straight friends are not into. That community has helped me find my place in my new home, andfor the first time in a long time, I feel settled, content, happy, and thriving.
I love Paris. We’ve just finished our spectacular Thanksgiving meal by the delicious Sebastien Sanchez, sexy Spanish chef as a rehearsal for the wedding. Ten out of ten will come again.
Evan clears his throat and taps on his wine glass. “Last year sort of started what I hope we continue doing for years to come, and that is to stand up and say what each of us is thankful for.” The table claps. And one by one, each of us stands up and tells the table what we are thankful for. It’s my turn, and I get up.
“I’m thankful for the amazing opportunities that I have been given this year. The first anniversary of the Wyld Jones Boutique and the continued success of Derrick Jones styling. As you can see, Axel is looking good tonight, thanks to moi.” Axel and I had a great day together one-on-one. It was the first time I think we’ve ever really spent alone together. He’s a funny bastard. You don’t always see it because he likes to hide behind that mysterious, brooding rock star vibe he has going on, which is hot, but he’s loads of fun. Maybe you don’t get to see it as much because Christian is such a menace and is so much louder, so he naturally takes the spotlight with his theatrics. He’s also highly intelligent and business savvy. He gave me some rock-solid business and branding advice over beers. “I am also thankful that I look this good at thirty.” Which earns me chuckles from the crowd. “I’m also thankful for Mr. and Mrs. Taylor for getting busy one night and producing Axel and Christian.” They both pretend to be shocked, but I see that wink Mr. Taylor sends my way, dirty dog. “Because your boys gave me the most life-changing gift for my birthday, I’ll never forget it.” The room bursts out laughing.
“Aw, my boys were raised right. They would have given you something nice for your birthday,” Mama Taylor says innocently, which has the people in the know laughing harder.
“Oh yes, Mama Taylor, they knew exactly what I wanted …” Axel stands and places his hand over my mouth.
“It wasn’t really anything worth mentioning,” Axel says, which has the guys almost rolling around with laughter.
“Thank you, Derrick, for your thanks. I still think I won,” Christian jests.
“Dream on,” Axel bites back.
Christian ignores his twin. “I’m thankful that this beautiful woman beside me decided she wanted to take a chance on love, and I was the one she wanted to experience it with.” Awww. He’s such a romantic. “I’m also thankful that my wife is in good health, and that I get to spend forever with her.”
The two of them look at each other, there’s so much love radiating between them. We are all thankful that Vanessa is in good health, and thanks to her taking such drastic measures, she will always be in good health forever and always.
