Trent leaned back on the couch, staring down at his hands. “You’re right,” he murmured finally, coughing out a noisy breath. “I need to talk to him.”
“Well, for fuck’s sake, be nice to him.”
Trent ambled toward the kitchen, passing Joshua, who pointed over his shoulder toward Jeff. “Benice!”
“Yeah,yeah,” Trent replied, his voice gruff. “Your husband already bitched me out.”
“What’s withthem?” Joshua asked Colin, but before he could answer, the front door burst open to reveal David and Nate.
“We brought stout!” Nate announced, waving the six-pack in the air.
“So did Trent and Jeff!” Colin said, laughing as he took the ale from Nate’s hands.
“Good! More for me!” Nate gave Colin’s shoulder a soft punch, then turned to hug Joshua.
David reached for the six-pack, pulling a can free before falling onto the couch. “Gimme that! I’ve been waiting all day for this.”
“Hey, you guys!” Jeff said in greeting as he entered the room. “Haven’t seen you in a while!”
Trent walked directly behind him, both hands resting on Jeff’s shoulders. He shot Colin a look and gave him a quick shrug, then leaned forward, wrapping both arms around Jeff from behind. “Good to see you guys.”
“Yeah, we haven’t all been together since Chrismukkah!” Nate said. “We’ve missed you.”
Colin noticed Jeff’s head tilt to press his cheek against Trent’s arm, the tension in his shoulders easing as he drew in a breath, his eyes softening for the first time that evening.
“Dinner’s almost ready,” Joshua announced. “Colin, come help me, would you, babe?”
Colin followed him into the kitchen and stood beside Joshua while he piled both salmon and chicken onto a platter. “What the hell’s up withthem?” Joshua asked, tilting his head toward the living room.
Colin bent over the platter and inhaled deeply. The savory aroma of roasted salmon mingled with the faint tang of lemon and herbs. “My god, baby, that smells like heaven.” Then he shrugged. “Oh, it’s Jeff’s CIA schedule. Things down there are pretty panicky right now, and he hasn’t been home for a couple of days.” Colin tilted his head and shrugged. “Trent’s all pissy about it.”
“Can’t say I blame him.”
“No. But I’m not sure his attitude is all that helpful. Jeff doesn’twantto spend that kind of time away from home. He does it because he feels a sense of patriotic duty!”
“Maybe Trent would like Jeff to think about his duty tohimand to Sophie, who adores him.”
“Could be. But being a snarky bastard isn’t likely to get him the results he wants.”
Joshua shrugged, his expression weary. “I know, babe. But I can’t worry about them right now. My plate is too damned full.”
“AreyouOK?”
“I’m fine. I’m just a little frazzled with all this Camp Pride stuff.”
“Honey, it’s months in the future. Do you have to work on it 24/7? You remind me of Jeff!”
“I just don’t want to fuck this up.”
Colin spun away in frustration. “JesusChrist, Josh!” But after an instant, he turned back and took Joshua’s arm. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, babe. Now I’m acting like Trent, and that’s fucking horrifying.”
“Colin, I know I’ve been …”
“I’m just worried about you,” Colin interrupted. “Like Trent is about Jeff. And I really wish you had more faith in yourself. You’re doing an amazing job.Amazing! I wish you couldseethat.”
Joshua stood, holding the platter of food, staring into Colin’s eyes in complete silence.
“And now probably isn’t the time to discuss this,” Colin added with a sheepish grin. He gave Joshua a gentle nudge and took the platter from his hand. “I promise, I’ll behave. I’ll be nice. I’ll even be nice to Trent.”
