Despite Lucas’ insinuations, Gideon didn’t worry about him “making moves” on Patrick. He was a cocky, horny little shit ninety-nine percent of the time—but he was neither careless nor heartless. And Derek was one of his best friends—and what mattered to his friends, mattered to him.
When Gideon turned back to the twins—he found them at the window, noses practically pressed to the glass as they peered outside. He glanced at Garrett and Lucas, laughed, and shook his head.
Marcus squeaked. “He’ssooo cute.”
“Remember, boys…” Gideon walked to the front door. “Restraint.”When they started to scurry to the door with him, Gideon held up his hand, halting them. “You wait here.”
“Aww.”
Garrett laughed, walking forward. “Come on, now, you can wait a few more minutes.”
The twins jittered in place and Lucas snickered. “I’m not sure they can.”
“Well, theyhaveto,” Gideon said with amusement and opened the door, stepped outside, and closed the door behind him.
. . .
Patrick tensed when the door opened, and an older man emerged from the house.Gideon. He hadn’t seen his face on the website or the pamphlet but guessed it to be him.
“You must be Patrick.” The man approached and extended his hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Gideon.”
Patrick shook his hand, his reply unsteady. “I-it’s nice to meet you, too.”
“We’ve prepared a guest room for you.” His smile was warm, genuine. “I sayguest, but you are welcome to stay as long as you wish.”
Did he really mean that—as longas he wished? What if heneverwanted to leave?
“Thank you,” Patrick whispered. “I… I appreciate your hospitality.”
“When I was a stranger, you took me in.” Gideon quoted the scripture with a twinkle in his eye.
Patrick smiled; he liked this man.
“Shall we?” Gideon gestured toward the house.
Derek straightened. “Ready to go inside?”
Drawing a deep, shaky breath, Patrick nodded. He wasn’t sure if he was ready for what lay ahead—in this house and in hislife—but he knew he had to goforward.There was nothing for him in the world he left behind. Not anymore. Maybe there never had been.
He thought he glimpsed Derek reflexively reach for his hand… even sensed the brush of his fingers… before he withdrew at the last second as if remembering that Patrick was a “no-touch” zone.
A quiver of disappointment pierced Patrick’s heart, startling him just a little bit… though not too much; his dreams of Derek had revealed to him his desire for the other boy’s touch. It was the conviction of hisspiritthat restrained him.
He quietly wondered if that conviction would always be present.
Just asquietly…he hoped it would not.
