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“Milly, one of Zeb’s roommates, dropping off his stuff.” He gestured to the box, which he’d put on the chair. “Did you know Zeb had moved?”

“What? Moved where?”

“She didn’t say, but let’s assume he’s moved in with Kaden. He hasn’t said anything to you about it?”

“He would have told me if he’d moved in with his boyfriend.”

“Try calling him.”

“What?”

“Call Zeb now.”

Hunter looked confused, but took his phone out and called. He frowned at his phone and tried again.

“It’s switched off.”

“Milly said it’s switched off in the evening and on weekends, and she can’t get hold of him.”

“I’ll talk to him,” said Hunter.

“No. I’ll deal with this. I know he’s your best friend, but something’s going on here. Let me talk to him in the morning.”

Hunter hesitated, but then nodded. Mason asked him to go back to the kitchen and said he’d be there shortly. He tried to call Zeb one more time, but without success.

“Zeb, please be okay.”

CHAPTER 4

ZEB

Zeb muffled his sobs as the water cascaded over his body. He hated knowing he’d upset Kaden. The man had been so good to him, and Zeb had disappointed him again. Why couldn’t he be a good boyfriend?

The last month had been amazing. When Kaden had asked him to move in, he hadn’t hesitated to say yes. Thankfully, he’d found someone to take over his part of the lease for his shared apartment. The landlord didn’t care, as long as he was getting paid. Kaden had two bedrooms, although one was set up as a home office. Zeb wasn’t allowed to go in there. It didn’t matter anyway, as whenever Kaden was in there, Zeb was at the restaurant. That was what the argument had been about. Well, it hadn’t been an argument, as Kaden never raised his voice. Zeb appreciated that. The other men he’d been with had always shouted at Zeb. It had reminded him of home, and he hated how it made him feel.

All Kaden wanted was for Zeb to think long-term about his future, and had offered to cover everything while he went to college. What had Zeb done? Accused Kaden of trying to control his life. He’d had it before with other men. It had started when he was still at home, then the johns when he was on the street, and since then he’d met man after man who just wanted to control him. But those men were violent, and Kaden had done nothing to hurt him. Zeb just didn’t understand why Kaden wanted him to quit his job at the restaurant. He couldn’t start college until the spring semester anyway, and he would never leave at the busiest time of year. Not after everything Mason had done for him. He couldn’t just drop him in the shit like that.

“I think it’s clear you want Mason to look after you, rather than me, Zeb,” Kaden had said.

“No, it’s not like that. Mason gave me an opportunity when nobody else would.”

“And why did he do that? It’s a Michelin-starred restaurant, and you had no experience. Are you sure his intentions were honorable?”

If only, thought Zeb, but that wasn’t something he’d be vocalizing.

“I might still be on the streets without Mason. I’m not going to quit when the holidays are just around the corner.”

“Do you want to be with Mason instead of me?” Kaden had asked.

It didn’t matter what he wanted, as Mason would never look at Zeb in that way. Kaden wanted him, so why was he pushing back against someone who’d been nothing but nice to him.

“I’ll give you some time to think about it,” Kaden had said before walking out.

That had been four hours ago, and Zeb didn’t know where Kaden was. His phone was switched off, as was Zeb’s. Kaden believed evenings and weekends were for them as a couple, and outside distractions must be switched off. Maybe if he turned his phone on quickly and tried to call Kaden . . . He might have it on as he was out somewhere. It was only in the apartment when phones had to be switched off. Was Kaden coming home tonight? Where else could he go? Kaden’s family lived in South Carolina, and he didn’t really speak about them. And Zeb had met none of Kaden’s friends. Did he even have any? He never spoke about anyone else.

Zeb grabbed his phone out of his bag and turned it on. There were missed calls from Milly, Hunter, and Mason. He knew what Milly would have called about. He’d not been around to get his last box of stuff. Kaden hadn’t let him leave the bedroom all weekend. The man could be demanding in bed, but Zeb knew how to make him happy. Hunter trying to call him wasn’t unusual, but Mason rarely contacted him out of hours. It wasn’t just once either. He’d tried to call Zeb five times. What was that about? Had something happened at the restaurant? There were no messages. Should he call back? It was ten o’clock. The kitchen would be closed now, and they’d be cleaning up. He didn’t want to disturb anyone. Perhaps he could call Hunter, but he’d be in close-down mode as well.

Zeb was looking at his phone, wondering what to do, when the door opened and Kaden walked in. Zeb rushed over to him. He wanted to hug him, but he hesitated as he wasn’t sure if Kaden was still upset. He smiled and opened his arms. Zeb hugged him and couldn’t help but tear up. Kaden had forgiven him, and he couldn’t be happier.