Joshua’s gaze moved to his husband, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. He hesitated, his fingers tightening around his glass. Then, with a slow inhale, he met Trent’s gaze.
“He was abused.”
“Alex wasn’t justabused,” Colin blurted out, his voice tight. “They locked him in a dark room for days. No food. No light. Just fists, belts, and words meant to break him.”
“For god’s sake,WHY?” Trent asked.
“For being gay.”
Nate gasped in horror and reached to grip Joshua’s arm. “My god, Josh, wereyou...”
“No. Not for days,” Joshua told his friend. “He’d usually only lock me in the closet overnight.” He gave an involuntary shudder, and Colin wrapped an arm around him and snugged him close to his body.
“What’s his name?” Colin asked, his voice low. “The kid.”
“Alex. Alex Mayfield.” He leaned against Colin’s shoulder. “And Iwantyou to meet him. In fact, I’m going to try to place him in your cabin. But Colin? When youdomeet him,pleasesquat down ... or kneel. You’re a big guy, and he’s a very frightened child.”
Colin nodded but said nothing. His expression had grown grim as they discussed Alex Mayfield, and Joshua leaned back, resting both hands on Colin’s arms. “You’ll be good for him, Colin. He’s scared of men, especially big men. You’ll teach him that not all men are hurtful. That therearesome men worthy of trust.”
“If I ever meet his piece of shit father, it won’t end well for him.”
“Totally with you there, buddy,” Trent added.
Colin acknowledged Trent’s comment with a nod, then stared into his stout, jaw clenched tight.
Joshua placed a firm hand over his, grounding him. “Baby, that’s not what Alex needs.”
Colin exhaled sharply, nodding, but something in his expression said the fight wasn’t over, and, deep down, Joshua understood why. “There’s a restraining order against the dad.”
“Good goddamn thing,” Colin muttered.
Trent sneered out a disgusted laugh. “For him ... and probably forus!”
Later that night,Colin sprawled sideways on the bed, watching Joshua undress. “What do you think of this?” he asked. “Dearly beloved: We are gathered together today surrounded by copiousamounts of Murphy’s Irish Stout and many questionable life choices.”
Joshua closed one eye, his face twisted in a dubious grimace. “I’d rethink that one if I were you.”
“Yeah. You’re probably right. I’m beginning to think that I’m not the best person to rewrite these marriage vows.”
“So, go with the script,” Joshua suggested, as he tossed his shirt into the hamper. “Or letthemwrite the vows.” He nudged Colin’s leg. “Babe, get undressed and actually getintobed rather than lying across it sideways with all your clothes on.”
Grumbling, Colin crawled out of bed and began to undress. “I should probably talk with them. See what they want. What they envision.”
“I’d say that’s a wise decision.” Joshua watched as Colin stripped off his clothes and then moved toward the bed dressed only in his underclothes “Um, maybe take the T-shirt off?” Joshua suggested with a shy smile as he got into bed.
“Aw,” Colin drawled out as he tossed the T-shirt to the floor. “Happy to oblige,mo chroí.” He crawled onto the bed and snuggled Joshua close in his arms, smiling when he heard Joshua’s soft, satisfied moan. “You justloveit when I take my shirt off, don’t you!”
Joshua trailed his fingers down Colin’s bare chest, the skin warm and firm beneath his touch. “When it comes to you,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to Colin’s throat, “I’m incurably weak.”
Colin laughed and leaned back to gaze into Joshua’s eyes. “I keep thinking aboutourwedding,” Colin told him. “Us sayingourvows.”
“When I finally managed to stop crying and get them out,” Joshua said, his gentle laugh echoing his touch to Colin’s cheek.
“You were emotional. So was I. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment, one I’ll never forget.”
Joshua nodded as he traced a fingertip along Colin’s jaw. “I meant every word I said that day. Every vow I made.”
“I know you did. And so did I.” For a long time, Colin stared into his eyes. Then he drew in a deep breath. “I have to tell you, Josh. Tonight, listening to you talk about Alex ...” Colin hesitated. “I’m not sure I ever fully understood just how much you went through.” Colin’s fingers curled into a fist. His jaw tightened, a muscle twitching beneath his cheek as he fought back a wave of painful realization. “No,” he choked out, his voice a rasp. “No, that’s not ...” He hissed out a breath. “I’m not sure Iwantedto understand how much you went through.”
