Chapter Eleven
“I’m so glad you could make it,” Winter said pulling Jarrod into a hug.
“Yeah, I can’t ever pass up on your cooking, and it gives me a chance to see you. I’ve wanted to come by and see how you were doing, but I’ve been trying to do my job along with Richard’s.”
“I get it,” Winter said pulling back and looking at his friend. “Come on in. You’re the first one to arrive.”
“Great.” Jarrod stepped inside.
Creed and Winter had decided to postpone their date to the following weekend and invited their friends over to celebrate with them. The dinner was a part of them moving forward with their lives, and they were starting with letting their friends back into their hearts and home. Not only that, Creed passed his exam and started working at Makami Architectural and Designs incorporating his landscaping ideas with the company.
Winter found out that Riley, who was Creed’s friend, had two degrees—one in accounting, as well law, and would be working in both capacities for the company. It was Creed and Riley’s dream plan that when they went into business together that one would be the face and the other would work behind the scenes. Winter still didn’t like that Riley and his mate would be working so close together, but he trusted Creed.
They were also celebrating Winter accepting the professor position. With the years he'd been teaching at the university, his research papers, and being published in a few literary journals, he was also offered tenure. Winter was not expecting the promotion, knowing that other professors worked for Golden Valley University far longer than him that might feel a bit slighted that he was offered tenure.
“So, you, who else is coming?” Jarrod asked cutting into his thoughts.
“Terry, my folks, and Creed’s friend Riley.”
“Why did you have to invite Terry?”
“What’s your deal with him?” Winter asked. “From the second you two met you’ve been at each other’s throats. You’d have thought you guys slept together.” Winter stopped and looked at his friend. “Wait, did you two sleep together?”
“Fuck no, he’s not my type.”
“What, I’m not butch enough for you?”
Winter mentally rolled his eyes. If they didn’t sleep together, maybe they should and just get whatever tension it was out in the open.
Jarrod growled then whirled around to face Terry. “Stay the fuck away from me.”
“Kind of hard since I was invited,” Terry growled back.
“All right that’s it. Fuck, I should have thought this through by inviting you two. Connor is more mature than you guys.” Winter said getting in between them. “Now this is my and Creed’s day to celebrate, and you two are not going to ruin our night with your bullshit. Either fuck or fight I don't care what you two do, but not in my house.”
“Should a parent be using such language?” Terry asked.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure one of Connor’s first words is going to be fuck,” Jarrod added.
“At least you two found something in common,” Winter said, walking into the kitchen. He didn’t have to look behind him to know they’d followed him. He checked on the meal he made before turning to his friends. “You guys make yourself comfortable while I go and get Connor. Creed should be home soon. He said he had to stop off somewhere.”
Creed had been acting a bit distracted since reading Richard's letter. Winter summed it up to his mate taking on more responsibilities, and still trying to process whatever his brother wrote.
"Do you mind if I come up with you?" Jarrod asked. "I haven't seen Connor since the funeral."
"Yeah, sure."
Winter didn't bother to ask Terry, knowing how his friend was about the whole kid thing. Winter figured that Terry was afraid of commitment which was why he couldn't stay in one place too long. They got to the baby's room. Winter smiled when he saw that Connor was awake and had rolled over on his stomach. He reached down, picking him up and grabbing a blanket at the same time.
"Oh wow, He's gotten so big since the last time I saw him," Jarrod said with wonder in his tone. "He looks like Caroline."
"You think so?" Winter asked, looking at Connor. "I was thinking he looked more like Richard and Creed."
"You would see him since he's your mate."
"Maybe," Winter said, giving him a shoulder shrug. "Want to hold him?"
"Are you sure?" Jarrod asked.
