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“I knew I liked Marcus best,” Declan teased, while I watched the four of them just be them.
“Love you too, man…and your boyfriend…the one you’ve basically moved in with. I like him a lot too,” Marcus joked, the same way Corbin and Parker had, earning a second round of laughter from everyone and the middle finger from Declan.
“He has a name,” Declan grumbled, which I had to admit was sweet.
“He knows we’re giving him shit. Good to see you again, Bastian.” Parker gave me a hug, and the other two guys said hello.
Music played in the background, and it sounded like older Blues music. Marcus and Declan were both more serious than Parker and Corbin, and somehow the music fit that.
“Have fun in Idaho?” Marcus asked, leading us into the living room, where we all took a seat.
“Wait. You can have fun in Idaho?” Corbin joked, and Parker punched him in the arm. “I’m kidding…kinda.”
“Okay, so it might not be the city,” I told him, “but there’s a lot of fun things you can do outdoors. Declan worked with my family on the farm, and one of our goats fell in love with him. She would literally follow him around every time we were outside. She didn’t care about anyone else. I was a smidge jealous. I thought she was going to steal my man.”
For a second I wondered if it would be awkward that I said that, but Declan turned to me and winked. “I’m not into goats.”
“Aww!” Parker and Corbin said at the same time, and Corbin added, “Jinx!”
We chatted for a while in the living room, and Declan kept his hand on my thigh, which was way more exciting than it should be.
They asked about my writing, and I told them I had an idea I was working on. When Marcus asked what it was about, Declan told him, “It’s top secret. I’m his boyfriend, and even I can’t get anything out of him about it.”
Corbin turned to him. “Okay, I know we already went over this, but can I just say how great it is to hear you call him that? It’s like our little loner baby is growing up, spreading his wings, ready to take on the world. Before we know it, we’ll be seeing Declan all over the internet and at red carpet movie events—which I’ll expect an invite to, FYI.”
I wasn’t sure if anyone else noticed, but Declan tensed slightly beside me. It was something we actively avoided talking about but should probably discuss soon. It wasn’t a lifestyle everyone was cut out for, and as shitty as it was, Declan would get more attention because we were queer and he was with me. That’s just the way it was.
“Have you guys talked about that?” Marcus asked, cutting to the chase.
“Marcus…” Parker warned.
“What? It’s just us. I’m not trying to be a dick, but being in the public eye and having a lot of attention isn’t Declan’s thing. Corbin? Yes. Dec? No.”
“Way to cut to the chase, buddy.” Corbin smacked Marcus’s shoulder.
The thing was, we all knew he was right. It would die down eventually, but there were and would always be downsides to being famous or being with someone who was famous. Not everyone could handle it. Not everyone wanted to deal with it.
“I’m not doubting they can work it out,” Marcus countered. “I’m just saying that ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away.”
“Um…do you know you?” Parker asked with a teasing smile.
“Yeah, but I’m not dating one of the biggest action-movie actors, who has people obsessed with his sexuality.”
Corbin looked our way. “He’s the daddy of the group and thinks he has to take care of everyone. Ignore him. It’ll be fine. Declan can handle it.”
I had to admit, it was different dating someone who had friends as close as they were. I figured Declan probably felt that way when he met my family. They were always in my business in a similar way The Vers guys were with each other.
“I know he can,” Marcus said, looking at Declan. Something unspoken and private passed between them, before Declan’s hand tightened on my thigh in a way that made me feel hopeful.
“They’re just trying to make me get all mushy because it doesn’t happen very often,” Declan said to me.
“Oh yeah? Like how?” I cocked a brow.
“They want me to say that being with you is worth it and that we’ll figure it out. And it is…worth it.”
I sat there on Marcus’s couch and came dangerously close to having a heart attack. My heart was racing, a smile stretched across my face. “Holy shit, I didn’t think it was possible to really swoon, but I just did.”
“That easily?” Declan asked.
“Or maybe you’re that good.”
“Anyone else getting turned on? My dick is literally getting hard over here,” Corbin joked, and the room erupted in laughter. He seemed to be so good at doing that.
