“Much less now. You’ve missed the window to put me to work at the farm.”
Beau laughs low in his throat. “The season is winding down at the farm now. Looks like we both missed our windows.” Beau runs a hand through his hair, turning his gaze towards me. “How’s he doing?”
Clearly, everyone is more comfortable asking me than asking Harper himself. I totally understand it, but I’m his boyfriend, not his keeper. I’m not going to set a precedent for reporting on his health.
“He’s happy to be here tonight,” I say in answer.
Beau’s smile holds an air of approval. “Well, I doubt that’s the truth. He’d much rather be planning world domination than at a dinner with friends.”
“We’re like Pinky and The Brain. If he plans it, I’ll help him carry it out.”
Beau’s laugh this time is loud, gaining the attention of the men around us.
“What’s so funny?” Eli asks, sipping slowly at his wine before he sits on the still-empty sofa beside Trevor.
“Jackson’s hilarious,” Beau replies seriously.
“I compared Harper and I to Pinky and The Brain,” I admit with a grin.
Everyone chuckles except for Harper. He only studies me for a moment before turning his gaze towards Honey and Whiskey.The dogs are playing in the short grass, a toy tossed in the air between them every now and then.
Colby takes a seat beside Eli, dropping a proprietary hand to his boyfriend's thigh. “What’re everyone’s Thanksgiving plans?”
“We’ll be with Mama and Andy,” Beau announces, eyes on Trevor.
Trevor tilts his beer towards Beau with a smile. “What he said.”
Colby shares a secret smile with Eli. “I think we’re going to take a trip to the beach house.”
“What about you two?” Eli asks as he turns back towards the rest of the group.
“I’m taking Harper home.”
Harper flushes a bright, vivid red and slinks down in the sofa cushions as if hoping he can disappear.
“Oh, that’s great!” Eli says excitedly, gaze flicking from me to Harper. “Jackson’s mom is the best. She makes this sinful macaroni and cheese that I still think about to this day.”
“You’ve met them?” Harper asks quietly.
“Yes, one time I spent Christmas with them. My mother was traveling, and Jackson invited me along. You’ll have a great time, Harper. They’re even sweeter than Jackson.”
“How is that possible,” Harper mumbles in disbelief under his breath.
Trevor leans over to whisper something in Harper’s ear. Curiously, Harper flushes an even deeper shade of crimson. The night goes on around us, enjoying dinner outside under the stars. Harper sits beside me, but I give him the space he requested. Although it’s almost impossibly hard to keep my hands off of him. Eli gives everyone a hearty helping of pecan pie. Harper devours the pie at the speed of light despite only eating half of his dinner. The man’s sweet tooth is insane.
We all end up in Colby’s living room, sitting around the piano. Colby plays a few classical songs to a large round of applause from the group of us. The man blushes at the praise and waves everyone off.
“Any requests?” Colby asks with a grin.
“Hannah Montana,” Trevor says with an answering teasing grin.
Eli laughs so hard mid-sip of wine that half of it ends up dribbling down his chin. Colby loses it then and leans forward to wipe the wine away.
“Jesus, Eli, keep it in your mouth,” I tease.
Eli rolls his eyes deeply. “Hilarious. Anyway, yes, do you know any Hannah, Colby?”
Colby stares at Eli in obvious contempt. “No, sorry, I don’t know any Hannah Montana.”
