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“I knew I shouldn’t have let you go.”
“I—”
“No,” Priest said, and then Julien felt his lips on his hair. “I shouldn’t have let you go.”
As they stood there in the kitchen, Julien shut his eyes and knew Priest to be right. Priest was always right. He shouldn’t have gone. He hadn’t been ready to sit in a hospital room on his own. Not today. Not this month. He’d wanted to do it for Robbie, and maybe to prove that he was okay. But as he stood there close to collapsing from a crippling bout of anxiety, Julien wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to prove he was okay again. But one thing he did know: he didn’t have to deal with it on his own. Not when he had Priest. Never when he had Priest.
ROBBIE CALLED HIS ma and filled her in on Nonna’s latest tests. All of which had been close to perfect, except for some elevated cholesterol.
The day had been long and exhausting, and he wasn’t quite sure how he was still on his feet at this stage, but it probably had a lot to do with the adrenaline and shock from everything that had happened.
He still couldn’t believe Nonna’s injury, which he knew was going to take months to heal and rehabilitate. He was so mad at himself for not being there, but at the same time knew what she’d said to be true. It could’ve happened when he was at work, for God’s sake, just like Vanessa had been. But he hadn’t been at work—he’d been out…enjoying himself—so shaking the guilt was not as easy as clicking one’s fingers.
After he filled his ma in, she told Robbie she would meet him for coffee because there was a lot to discuss. Robbie agreed, knowing it was likely about living arrangements and his nonna’s care, because what happened now?
Robbie went into the en suite and splashed his face with water, and when he looked up, he grimaced at the picture he made. He looked like hell, and Jesus, no wonder his nonna had laughed at his lip—it was swollen and split from last night. On the plus side, he didn’t have any hickies or anything on his neck. Knowing it wasn’t going to get better than this, Robbie opened the door, and what he saw when he stepped out drew him up short.
Priest was standing in the kitchen with his back to Robbie, leaning up against the island. He was minus his coat and jacket now, and in his arms was Julien, who was pale as a ghost. He had his arms wrapped around Priest’s waist and his eyes shut, and his cheek was resting on Priest’s chest.
It was such an intimate moment, one that Robbie wished he could take a snapshot of, but at the same time felt was probably meant to be private. But when he went to turn away, the floorboards creaked under his feet and Priest glanced over his shoulder. Robbie froze, wondering if he was about to get a glare or a scowl for invading this moment. But instead Priest offered a smile that was so soft and inviting it had Robbie’s feet moving him toward that picture of comfort and contentment.
When he was halfway across the living room, Robbie looked at the dining room table, now back in place after last night, and remembered the fierce passion that had taken place there, and when he turned back to the others, he found Julien’s eyes were now open and fixed on him.
Julien held a hand out to Robbie, inviting him closer, and when Robbie came around the island, Julien wrapped an arm around his waist, drawing him into their personal space. Priest leaned forward and took Robbie’s lips in one of the sweetest kisses he’d ever received.
Robbie put a hand on Priest’s arm as he arched up to get closer, and put his other hand to Julien’s back and trailed it up and down his spine, sensing that he needed the comfort.
There was something else going on here, something Robbie didn’t understand, but as they stood there, nothing had ever felt more right in his life than being part of this healing.
When Priest raised his head and Robbie let both men go, Julien straightened and first kissed Priest, and then turned to press a gentle kiss to Robbie’s lips, before he touched his fingers to Robbie’s cheek.
“Merci, princesse. That’s exactly what I needed.” Julien took in a deep breath, and as he let it out, he turned and went to the sink.
Robbie looked to Priest for some kind of explanation.
“Julien doesn’t do too well in hospitals.”
Julien turned on the faucet and then reached for a glass.
“What do you mean?” Robbie asked.
“I have anxiety attacks,” Julien said, and took a long gulp of water. “I’ve had them for years.”
