When we walked to the table and took our seats, my father was smiling from ear to ear, Sianna wiggled her brow at me and the others were laughing at my aunt.
“Any man who can make my grandson blush like that, is worth his weight in gold. An official welcome to the family, Lorenzo and stealing our little boy’s heart,” my grandfather said, surprising us all since traditionally speaking he would’ve been against it. I guess after Dad and Sianna, he was more open to the abnormal than we’d expected.
“I don’t think he’s that little anymore, dad,” Tamara’s eyes narrowed in on Lorenzo’s hand on my jean-covered thigh and I laughed.
I had a feeling we were going to have discussions later, around how Lorenzo and I fucked. Smiling, I had just one answer for her. Hard.
“Look who’s back.”
Five minutes later, my eyes jerked to the entrance followed by the turning heads of my family. “Austin?” Shocked, I shot up from my seat, not sure why I was suddenly feeling so nervous and Austin being Austin, he picked up on it.
“Jesus, dude, don’t I get a fucking hug or something.” He crossed the floor with a few easy strides and swallowed me in an embrace. “Barely a year and it feels like a fucking lifetime since I last saw you.” He squeezed me harder while my family laughed.
My eyes automatically sought Lorenzo’s and the smile from a second ago did the disappearing act, his expression now unreadable.
“What’s up, Princeton’s,” Austin said when we broke apart then tugged a lock of my sister’s hair. “All grown up, sweet cheeks.” He chuckled earning a scowl from her as she shoved at his hand. Over the years, he made it a point of annoying Kyra every time he visited.
The last time he’d seen all of them was just before we went to Africa together, three weeks after Zena’s supposed death. I’d seen him again following the shit that went down with my father and Sianna. This surprise visit though, on any other day, would call for a celebration but the anxiety flooding my system now, said otherwise. Once he did his rounds with the rest of the family, my father introduced him to Sianna, and I didn’t miss his telltale smirk. Thankfully he behaved.
When it came to Lorenzo, I hesitated until my father, sensing my rattled state of mind, introduced him. “Lorenzo is a friend of the family, Austin.”
Lorenzo was having none of that shit. He stood. “Mr. and Mrs. Princeton, Drake, thank you all for your hospitality but I have to leave.” My grandparents and my father nodded their goodbyes before Lorenzo stepped between me and Austin. Without a break in stride, he dropped a longer than normal goodbye kiss, right on my lips. “See you later, baby boy.”
Then he was gone, leaving me gulping for air and a stunned Austin, gaping from Lorenzo’s disappearing frame to my face. I heard my family’s murmured chuckles behind me and I was grateful they said nothing.
“Dude, what the fuck did I miss?” Austin found his voice.
“Let’s talk.” I walked him out and when we stood in my room, I turned to look at my friend, taking in his impatient expression. “Lorenzo and I are...together,” I blurted out.
I wasn’t sure what I expected from him but a quiet, thoughtfully contemplative Austin, wasn’t it. While he was as predictable by nature, there were times when my friend’s serious side scared me. He’d been my shoulder to cry on when I went back to Africa and he’d done it in his own special way. Either leaving me alone when I cried or drowning me in alcohol until I passed out. Then, a month later, he kicked the shit out of me during a fist fight after we took a bet. The challenge was simple. If I won, he’d leave me the fuck alone and if he won, I’d pull my shit together and start living again. He won.
He was a determined fucker when he wanted to be and I was grateful for his friendship. Now, looking at him, I wasn’t sure what more to say. Then I threw my hands up in the air and barked, “what the fuck, man? Say something at least because I’m fucking dying here.”
“Are you happy?”
I did a double take. “Huh?”
“Are you happy, Rayden?” I wasn’t sure which was more shocking, his words or his quiet voice.
“Of course, I’m fucking happy.” At least I hope I was, seeing all this was so new to me.
“Then, there’s nothing left to say.” He shrugged.
“You’re fucking kidding me, right?” I hugged my arms and paced the room, unsure why I was so worked up.
Austin neared me. “Why do I get the feeling it’s not just my approval you’re seeking?”
I stopped pacing and pinched my bottom lip, staring at my friend. “I...” words wouldn’t come.
“Dude.” He sighed. “I’ve been your friend for years and I don’t fucking care who you screw as long as you’re happy. Shit, Ray, you’ve been through so much and I feel like crap that I couldn’t get here sooner when all the Zena shit hit the fan but that man, whoever the fuck he is, has given you a new leash. What you do with it, is completely up to you. No one can tell you what to do. Does he make you happy?”
“You and I have been friends for ages, I’ve been around other guys. Yet I don’t feel anything for them, for you. I never felt attracted to men, still don’t No thoughts cross my mind about wanting to fuck them even kiss them. Yet with Lorenzo.” I shook my head, trying to understand that swirling sensation in my chest. “Weirdly, there’s just something about the way he is with me. The way he makes me feel. Like it doesn’t feel wrong or strange. Like he’s meant to be. Am I even making sense?”
Austin nodded. “How long has it been between you two?”
“The first time was nine years ago.” I scratched my chin.
“Fuck, Ray, if that doesn’t say anything, then I don’t know what will.”
