“What?” he asked.
“The food not sucking.” Hayden grinned and gently patted Teagan’s cheek. “Now, let’s finish these dishes before my fingers prune.” He kissed Teagan’s nose. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” Teagan replied with a goofy grin.
* * * *
By noon, they’d changed into fresh clothes. Teagan was in his favorite fitted tee, which showed off his slim build without trying too hard, while Hayden wore a button-down that hugged his broader shoulders.
The drive to Liam’s took longer than expected. Neither of them had paid attention to what the guy had written down and gaped at the map he’d drawn under the address.
He clearly lived up in the mountains, making Hayden navigate the switchbacks as Teagan told him which way to take at every fork in the road. Twice they’d had to backtrack, study the map, then hope they were going the right way.
Finally, they turned into the driveway indicated on the paper. Teagan had tried to use the GPS on his phone, but it had gone all wonky before they’d even hit the mountain road. It kept trying to guide them through the guardrails and over the cliff. Now he saw why Liam had drawn such a detailed map.
The driveway wound through thick trees before opening up to a large home nestled among towering pines that whispered with an afternoon breeze.
“Holy shit,” Hayden muttered. “Liam lives here?”
Teagan gaped at what could only be described as an architectural centerfold. The structure rose three stories high, its two wings extending like open arms, forming a perfect V of gleaming glass and polished timber that caught the afternoon light and threw it back in golden fragments.
Hayden pulled next to a few cars and trucks then killed the engine.
“Are you sure about this?” Through the open car window, Teagan could hear rock music blasting as his nostrils flared at the mouthwatering scent wafting from the grill.
“About eating whatever that fantastic smell is?” Hayden asked, squeezing Teagan’s hand. “Just stick by me, okay? If the vibe feels funky, we’ll leave.”
Taking a deep breath, Teagan got out, closing the car door before joining Hayden at his side. When they rounded the house, Teagan was stunned to see so many people. Over a dozen men were built like Liam, but there were some who seemed to be their height.
“You think they’ll kill us before or after dessert?” he whispered, resisting the urge to grab his boyfriend’s hand.
Hayden’s lips quirked. “If we’re lucky, they’ll let us finish dessert before the ritual sacrifice begins.”
As they approached, some of the men waved hellos, while others played cornhole or tossed a football or frisbee. Nobody crowded them. Only a handful of people bothered to look their way.
It was as if Liam had told everyone, “Pretend they don’t exist.”
Except for the smaller men who’d waved.
The rock music was much louder now, and steam curled up from a table filled with side dishes and desserts. From three different kinds of salad—potato, macaroni, and pasta—to deviled eggs, baked beans, corn on the cob, and so many others. Teagan had no idea where he would start.
The desserts looked professionally made.
Please let them kill me after I’ve had some of those huge chocolate chip cookies.
Liam spotted them immediately, breaking away from a group near the grill with a smile that made Teagan’s stomach flip with somersaults.
“Glad you two made it.” He handed them each a soda, condensation cool against Teagan’s palm. “Food’s almost ready. Make yourselves at home.”
Introductions blurred together—names like Vaughn and Jalen, faces friendly but overwhelming in their number. Teagan stuck close to Hayden, observing how easily his boyfriend chatted with strangers, drawing laughs with stories from their old town, carefully edited for obvious reasons.
Liam had slipped inside the house, both men leaving Teagan to stand there by himself like a wilting wallflower, minus the wall.
Chapter Four
Smoke from the grill carried hints of charcoal and seasoning, making Teagan’s mouth water despite his nerves. He took a sip of his soda, the crisp bubbles grounding him as he scanned the crowd.
No judgment in these eyes, no whispers behind hands. Just easy acceptance that felt foreign after so long on guard.
