Patrick knew Jason wouldn’t officially move in until at least after Paolo had moved to the States. Even then, he would always feel a connection to that flat because it was the first proper home he’d ever had. He’d made his feelings clear to Jason. Patrick’s flat was theirs and Jason could come and go whenever he wanted. He could treat it like another home.
Patrick had approached the owner about buying it, and he’d agreed. Things had just started, but by the end of the summer, he would own the flat. The home he’d had with George provided a nice rental income and he had good tenants in there. If they moved out, he would sell it, but until then, he was in no rush to let it go.
Jason always asked him questions about George, knowing what an important part of Patrick’s history he was, and he had joined him at the crematorium gardens twice. The first time, he’d sat on the bench and sent Patrick away, so he and George could have a private chat. Patrick didn’t know what Jason had said, but he knew George would have loved Jason, and vice versa.
“Patrick, when are you going to New York?” asked Charlie.
“Next month. Why are you asking?”
“No reason.”
“You know Jason can’t get time off to come with me.”
“We usually come at the same time though, don’t we, Daddy?”
Paolo and Charlie looked shocked. Langdon glared, andGregory looked bored. Patrick couldn’t help but chuckle. Jason liked to play up when there was an audience, hoping there would be a punishment later. He might try, but he would never feel embarrassed by his boy using that honorific in public. Still, he could mess with him a bit.
“You come when you’re given permission, boy.”
Jason stopped laughing.
“But that won’t be tonight,brat.”
Jason opened his mouth in shock, which caused all the others to crack up laughing. The brothers carried on bantering with each other, sharing stories from their week. Patrick ordered the full English, which was always a winner for him, and contributed to the discussion. He never felt like he wasn’t part of their group. They were a special group of guys, but they never made you feel like an outsider. He pulled out his phone and sent a message.
Patrick:All going well.
Max:Did you ask the question?
Eric:Please tell me you did!
Oscar:I bet he didn’t. Patrick is the sensible one of the group.
Patrick: I didn’t ask, but I made the brat gape like a fish when he tried to shock everyone!
Sebastian:Brilliant!
He’d been told to ask “what’s good” at KC’s and see what their reaction would be.
“What’s Soho Knights?” asked Jason.
“It’s just the group chat,” said Patrick, putting his phone away.
“What group chat?” asked Charlie. The others were all now listening.
“You’ve got your group chat. We’ve got ours.”
The five of them looked at him in horror. He was tempted to take a picture and put it into said group chat.
“Why is it called Soho Knights?” asked Jason.
“You all live in Soho and we were your knights in shining armour.”
“Aww,” said Charlie and Paolo in unison.
“Hold up,” said Langdon. “I think I’m the knight with me and Eric.”
“Isn’t he the one who saved you?” said Charlie. “And Oscar is definitely the knight with you two.”
