“Yeah,” Derek murmured. “I don’t know yet how he found out, we haven’t had that talk. But yeah, he definitely knows.”
“And hestillwanted to stay here?” A grin spread across Lucas’ face.
“He didn’t have anywhere else to go,” Derek said, deflecting his insinuation. “His money is in his parents’ bank account and they’re holding it hostage. So, he couldn’t even get a hotel room.”
Lucas smirked. “And you didn’t offer to pay for a room? Right.”
“Yeah, okay, I did. So what?”
“So—he could have stayed at a hotel but opted for the porn house instead? Mm-hm.”
Garrett shook his head, smiled, and nudged Lucas. “Not everything is about sex—except to you.”
“I don’t think he wanted to be alone,” Derek said. “In case his dad found out where he was. I think he’s scared they’ll literally drag him off to conversion therapy. And I’m not so sure he’s wrong.”
“Fuck,” Lucas growled. “Let ’em come here and try to take him—and see how fast we plant ’em six feet under.”
. . .
“Derek’s room is right next to yours.” The boys led him into the guest room. “Gideon thought you might feel more comfortable if you were close to him.”
The room was large with a full-sized bed, a tall bureau, nightstands on either side of the bed, and an adjoining bathroom. “This is nice.”
The twins sat on the bed. “Do you think you’ll stay with us for a while?”
Patrick shrugged. “I… I don’t know yet.”
“Are things bad at home?” Mickey asked.
Patrick walked to the window and looked out on a spacious back lawn. His gaze drifted to the tree line. “It didn’t use to be so bad,” he whispered. “But now, it is.” He turned around and smiled small. “It’s really nice of Gideon, and all of you, to let me stay here. I-I really appreciate it.”
“We’re happy you’re here,” Marcus replied excitedly. “I know Derek is, too. He couldn’t stop talking about you since he met you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”Marcus laughed. “He so wanted to call you, like every second.”
Patrick smiled uncertainly. “Why didn’t he?”
“He was trying to give you space,” Mickey said. “So you could figure stuff out.”
“Oh.” Patrick lowered his eyes.
Mickey squinted. “Did you think he didn’t call because he didn’t like you?”
“I… I don’t know,” Patrick mumbled. “Maybe.”
“Ahh!” Marcus flopped back on the bed, laughing. “He’scrazyabout you.Hewas upset becauseyoudidn’t call him.” He sat forward again, face flushed, eyes bright. “He thought maybe you didn’t like him.”
Sighing, Patrick whispered, “I can’t blame him. I did run out on him.”
“Why?”
Patrick moved closer and sat on the corner of the bed. “I don’t know. I guess I was scared.”
“Of Derek?”
“Kind of. But not because I thought he was a bad person, but…” He shook his head.
