What was Langdon going to think of him? He would hate Jason for what he’d done. Grant had caused Langdon so much pain. And what had Jason done? He’d married the guy and cut off his friends who had been there for him when he’d arrived at university as a needy and pathetic waste of space. They’d all supported him and helped him become the man he was today, which was still needy and pathetic, but he looked fabulous doing it.
If he tried to leave now, he knew he’d just cause concern with his brothers, so he’d have to push down everything hewas feeling. His food tasted like sawdust, but if he didn’t eat, they would notice. If he didn’t engage in the conversation and make some sassy comment, they would notice. He wasn’t sure how he was going to get through this without exploding, but he would, because he didn’t want his brothers to worry about him. They did that enough, and he would not ruin their Christmas.
CHAPTER 9
PATRICK
Patrick opened the door and was shocked to see Jason standing there. He looked broken, so without a word, Patrick scooped him up and carried him to the sofa. They’d been here before, and Patrick loved that Jason had come to him when he was in need, but mostly he wanted to know what or who had hurt this beautiful boy.
Jason cuddled into him. There were no tears this time, but his body was shaking all over. Patrick wanted to ask him questions, but knew he had to give Jason the safety he needed. He’d talk when he was ready.
It had been a tough decision not to spend Christmas with everyone, but with how he felt about Jason, he couldn’t bear the thought of sitting across from him and not being able to touch him. Now here he was, in his arms. Patrick pulled him closer. Jason burrowed further into him, like he wanted to climb inside Patrick. They stayed like that for twenty minutes before Jason finally spoke.
“Can I have a drink of water, please?”
His voice was a tremble, and nothing like the usual snarky tone Patrick loved. The bratty Jason was nowhere to be seen today.
“Do you want me to carry you to the kitchen with me?”
“Oh, sorry,” said Jason, sliding off his lap.
“It wasn’t a complaint.”
Jason smiled at him, showing those big blue eyes. There was such sadness in them. He really wanted to kiss Jason and make things all better, but he needed to control himself. Patrick went to the kitchen and got them both a bottle of water. He downed half of his in one go before heading back to the sofa and giving the other bottle to Jason.
It was impossible to look away when Jason’s lips slid over the top of the bottle and he gulped the water down, and Patrick watched his Adam’s apple move as he swallowed. Fuck – he needed to get it together.
“Sorry to just barge in,” said Jason.
“Nothing to be sorry about. You’re welcome here any time.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Even with the whole Grant thing?”
Patrick had wondered how long it would be before his name came up. It didn’t matter to him. They were separated, so it wasn’t like he was cheating. That would be a different story. Patrick deplored cheating, especially after what it had done to his mother. A painful memory he didn’t want to revisit today.
“Why did you come here, Jason?”
“Sorry, I’ll go.”
“That’s not what I said.” Patrick pulled Jason back onto his lap. “I just need to know if someone’s going to come looking for you and what you need me to do.”
“Nobody is going to be looking for me.”
“Not your brothers?”
“No. Not yet anyway. They just think I’m clearing my head, and they know I’m not going to Charlie’s later. He gets it, so he won’t let the others hassle me.”
“Do you not want to let him know you’re here and you’re safe?”
“Can I stay here for a bit?”
“You can stay here as long as you want.”
Jason smiled. “Can I have a kiss please, Daddy?”
