Those standing around, including Derek, remained silent, watching the twins with amusement and adoration. They were special to the men of the house—he saw it on every face present.
Derek cleared his throat, his smile stretching. “Why don’t we get Patrick settled in, then you boys can visit him and get to know him.”
Marcus grinned. “Can we show him to his room?”
Mickey quickly added with a sweet yet impish smile, “We’ll be good. We promise.”
“Okay,” Derek murmured, eyeing them with playful skepticism. “In a minute.” He directed Patrick to the three young men standing nearby, one of whom he recognized as Derek’s friend from Pride. Lucas. “Patrick, I’d like you to meet Lucas, Garrett, and Jack.”
The three men shook his hand.
“It’s so good to finally meet you,” Garrett said. “Please feel free to make yourself at home. If you need anything, just let us know.”
Lucas groaned. “You are painfully polite.”
Garrett made a face at him. “Better than just being apain.”He grinned.
Derek chuckled and looked at Patrick. “I would apologize for them, but…” He sighed. “… I’d just have to do it all over again the next time they opened their mouths.”
“What do you mean?” Lucas snorted. “You’re the worst of the bunch.”
Leaning toward Patrick, Derek shook his head and mouthed,“Not true,”instigating laughter from his friends and Gideon.
“Uh-huh.”Marcus giggled and poked Derek in the side.
Derek feigned pain, then hugged him and kissed him on the head. “Hush up, you’re supposed to be making me look good.”
“Oh.” Marcus scrunched his lips. “I didn’t know.”
Everyone laughed at that, Patrick included.
“Can we show him to his room now?” Mickey asked.
“Yeah.” Derek smiled. He told Patrick, “I’ll be right up.”
“Okay.”
“Come on!” Marcus grabbed his hand and headed for the stairs. Mickey laughed and caught up, snagging Patrick’s free hand. The two boys rushed him up the wide staircase to the second floor and down the hallway.
. . .
The twins weren’t capable of an absolute “no-touch” policy, but Patrick didn’t seem to mind them holding his hands as they whisked him away. Derek hadalmosttaken his hand outside, actually touched his fingers. Derek had been the one to pull back, not Patrick. Would he have let him hold his hand? Derek didn’t want to chance it just yet. Patrick hadjustarrived.
“Can you tell us what happened in town?” Gideon asked.
Garrett, Jack, and Lucas stepped closer.
“His dad and Brian were there at the restaurant when I showed up,” Derek spoke in hushed tones. “They were trying to force Patrick to go with them. He refused and left with me instead.”
“It’s good he isn’t giving in to them,” Gideon said.
Derek nodded. “He told me afterward that they’re trying to force him intoconversion therapy.”
“You fucking serious?” Lucas exclaimed.
“Dead serious. His fucking dad told him straight out that if he went with me and got drawn into mysinfullifestyle—he was going to hell.”
“So…” Garrett frowned. “… does Patrick know we’re all porn stars?”
