“You meanyou’rethe guest of honor,” Joshua told him, then kissed his cheek. “We’re so damn proud of you, Nate.”
“They did an amazing job,” Nate said, indicating the cast and crew who were now gathered on the dais.
“Youdid an amazing job!” Joshua insisted.
Colin draped an arm around Nate’s neck and moved him toward David who was holding their coats. “As your husband is so fond of saying to me: ‘Shut up and take the win!’ You earned it.”
Nate turned to look at him. “You helped me take this step, Colin. Your faith in me meant a lot.” He ruffled Colin’s hair and grinned. “But you’re still a huge twat!”
Colin barked out a laugh as Nate moved to David’s side.
Joshua giggled and nudged his husband with an elbow. “Some things never change.”
Colin bent and kissed him. “Yeah. Thank god!” Then he whispered in Joshua’s ear: “Please don’t ever tell him how wrong he is about me.”
“He’s not wrong.”
“My faith in him was a little shaky.”
“He never knew that,” Joshua insisted, then added: “Lean not on your own understanding.”
“I can tell that one’s going to become a staple,” Colin muttered, guiding Joshua toward the door.
“A legacy from my grandfather.”
Colin rolled his eyes toward heaven. “Thanks, Samuel.”
CHAPTERTEN
THE PARTY
The opening night party was small but boasted a lavish buffet and an overflowing bar. Nate insisted that his friends and his husband be seated with him at the head table, which guaranteed that the conversation would be lively and laced with mocking insults.
“Did you see them dragging people in from the street to fill the seats?” Trent asked Nate. “I saw about a dozen homeless people in the back row. One of them brought his cat!”
Colin nearly choked on his champagne while Nate dipped his fingers into his glass and flicked the bubbly wine into Trent’s face. “You’re such a twat, Peterson. I don’t know how Jeff stands you!”
“Hey, I tell it like I see it,” Trent replied, grinning.
“Don’t let him bullshit you,” Jeff told Nate. “I saw him brushing away a tear during the final act.”
“I’m allergic to cat hair,” Trent protested, waving away Jeff’s disclosure.
Joshua was seated at the end of the table next to his husband. He fought off a wave of exhaustion as he listened to his friends’ teasing banter and bent forward, rubbing his fingertips across his forehead. He loved these people and was thrilled by Nate’s success, but today had been one long, boisterous party, the kind of noisy, crowded gathering that never failed to drain him of energy. His heart yearned for home, for the quiet beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the gently flowing waters of the Rivanna River.
He blew out a soft sigh and leaned against Colin’s arm. His husband was shaking with laughter at Trent’s latest wisecrack then shot back his own mocking retort, which was greeted with shouts of laughter.It’s in his DNA, Joshua thought.He’s a social animal and doesn’t get this kind of interaction when it’s just him and me.He glanced to his right and saw Ursula Rugby and Ross Tanner bent together in animated conversation. As he watched, Tanner glanced at Nate, gesturing toward him as if to emphasize his message.
The intensity of their demeanor sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through Joshua’s veins, and he jerked to attention, nudging Colin’s arm. “Something’s up with those two,” he murmured, tilting his head toward the two production leaders.
Colin’s eyes narrowed as he observed the conversation. “Yeah,” he replied in a slow drawl. “That looks…” His voice trailed off as he heard Tanner call Nate’s name and motion for Nate to join them. “Son of a bitch!” Colin hissed.
“What’s that about?” Trent asked, watching as Nate left the table and walked to where his producer and director waited.
“I have no idea,” David replied, his voice taut. “But I do know I don’t like it.” He rose, his napkin balled in his hand, and stared after his husband.
Colin leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Nate. He had not uttered a sound since his muttered curse, but Joshua could see the tight set of his jaw. “Colin?” he whispered, reaching for his husband’s hand. But David’s voice spun him around.
“God damn it!” David exclaimed, already in motion. He threw his napkin to the table and stalked toward the group.
