Chapter 19

"When can we eat? I'm a growing boy. I need my protein," Ford complained, rubbing his flat stomach as he lounged on the couch, his legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles while his feet rested on the coffee table.

Burke smacked his friend's legs, pushing Ford's feet to the floor. "Don't tell me you're in the middle of one of your stupid bets right now." He looked at me and rolled his eyes. "Only these idiots would make a bet about who could hold out on sex the longest."

Abe laughed and leaned against Ford's side, his legs tucked under him on the cushion. "You can bet your ass I'm winning this round. He's already folding. Aren't you, babe?" Abe ran his fingertip around the shell of Ford's ear.

The bigger man squirmed, pushing Abe's hand away as he scowled. "That's not the kind of protein I meant," he grumbled. "And the only thing I'm folding is you over?—"

Abe slapped his hand over Ford's smiling mouth, smothering his laugh and the rest of his sentence. Between filling in the blanks of that statement and the red flooding the tips of Abe's ears, I burst out laughing with the rest of them.

"Hey, I have an idea," Cole chimed in. "How 'bout we hold off on this incredibly informative yet highly uncomfortable conversation about the strange mating rituals of the dumb and dumber?"

Abe sucked in a dramatic breath, hand pressed against his heart. "Did you just call me dumb?"

"He called me dumb, too, Abraham." Ford nudged his boyfriend's side.

Abe patted Ford's cheek. "Honey, I'm trying to fight a battle I can win right now. Besides, he called me dumb. I believe you were dumber."

As they ragged on each other about who was gonna hold out the longest, I let my mind wander…yet again…to Evian. My thoughts were stuck on Evian-repeat…replaying every moment spent together over the past two weeks. And it wasn't just the way it felt to be inside him—fucking incredible—or how I craved him all the time—seriously insatiable—or how much I wanted him again right now—so damn much—but it was the tender moments, too. Every confession we'd made, picturing his gorgeous hazel eyes and how they held so much emotion, feeling his soft lips against mine. Everything I saw reminded me of him. I was pretty sure chocolate chip pecan cookies weren't supposed to make a guy hard, but when I imagined said cookie between Evian's enticing lips… Knock it off, Enzo.

No doubt, the way I watched out the window for Evian to pull up in front of Burke and Jared's house made it completely obvious that Evian and I were more than friends. I still hadn't said the words to the guys, but I'd spent more time with them when I wasn't with Evian. I soaked up more of the town, too. Walking to Teresa's bakery to get Evian more cookies, stopping in to say hi to Joel, sitting on a bench by the inlet and breathing in the briny ocean breeze. There was something about this town and this group of friends and how open they were that made me want to live the things I'd been afraid to even say out loud. To me, actions said a whole lot more.

After seeing the fear in Evian's eyes when he'd let it slip that he was falling for me, I was determined the past two weeks to show him this wasn't just a chance for me to gain experience. He was the experience, and if I had anything to say about it, I'd prove to him that it meant for a lifetime, not just for now. I didn't know exactly how we'd make it work. All I knew was, I was taking my life back, and Evian was a huge part of that.

As if I'd conjured him, the man pulled up in front of the house that very second. The laughter filling the room faded when I enthusiastically announced, "He's here." Ignoring the snickers of laughter from Burke and his friends, I shook out my hands nervously and headed for the front door.

Evian managed two knocks before I yanked it open, a smile spreading quickly across my face as I stared at him. My eyes took their usual route down the length of his body, but this time I wasn't embarrassed to let them wander. "You look great." Fuck, did he ever. I didn't think anyone could look sexier in a pair of slim-fit jeans, the way they hung low on his hips, lengthening his lean torso. Of course, the fact that I knew what he looked like underneath them was a huge fucking plus. I followed the burgundy cotton of his shirt up, a shiver running down my spine when I locked on his knowing eyes.

"Thanks," he said softly. "So do you."

A big hand landed on my shoulder and squeezed. "You gonna let the guy in or what?" Burke moved me to the side, swinging his arm in front of him to usher Evian into the house.

"Way to ruin the moment, big guy," Sage said casually on his way to the fridge.

Evian paused in the entryway, the nervous expression in his eyes silently questioning how he was supposed to act around me in front of other people. We'd fallen into a comfortable routine behind closed doors, but I still wasn't out to everyone. Sage's off-the-cuff comment hung in the air until Sage turned around and froze, eyes wide and a bottle of Aiden's Flip Flops and Hops beer touching his lips.

"Oops," he said sheepishly. "Did I say moment? What I meant was… Uh… Way to ruin the…momentum…of…" He whipped his head in the direction of the living room, throwing his hand in the air in surrender. "Ford, now would be a really good time to whine about your protein deficiency again!"

Laughter rang out from the other room and Evian's shoulders finally relaxed. I glanced at the couples scattered around the living room—Cole sitting between Aiden's legs on the floor, leaning back against his chest, Ford and Abe still teasing each other with kisses and looks to see who would cave first, Sage taking his seat next to Levi on the other end of the couch, puckering his lips for a kiss from his new husband, Noah standing behind his fiancé in the opposite corner of the room, his long arm draped across Hunter's chest, and Burke yanking Jared down on the loveseat next to him, pulling the man as close to him as he could possibly get—and it suddenly became so clear to me. I could be who I wanted to be, could take Evian's hand, lead him into the room, and find a place for us to sit. I didn't have to hide my growing feelings for him or feel out of place. Most importantly, I no longer felt like the eleventh wheel. Instead, I could finally know what it would feel like to be just another couple in a room of happy couples.

All I had to do was take it.

So, I did, by way of taking Evian's hand and linking my fingers through his. He sucked in a sharp breath and looked down at our entwined fingers. "This okay?" I hated the nervous tremble to my voice, but I took a step closer, needing to breathe him in.

He swallowed hard as he looked back up at me, but the small curve to the corner of his mouth and the look he gave me from under full, dark lashes gave me the courage to move in even closer. "Yeah, it's okay."

"What if I lean in and kiss you right now?" I whispered, my heart racing as I searched his eyes for any sign that I was making him uncomfortable.

"You want to level up right here in front of your friends?" He squeaked out the joke, but the small step he took closer to me said so much more.

"Well, I mean, I'm not suggesting we level up level up right here in my cousin's entryway, but maybe a small boost to hold us over?" I leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Until we're alone."

He shivered, licked his tempting lips, and nodded his head ever so slightly. Before I lost my nerve, I leaned in and finally pressed my lips to his. Lingering wasn't a good idea with how my cock wanted to make itself known, so I forced myself to keep it short. Didn't mean I didn't feel it all the way to my goddamn toes.

The guys were anything but subtle, whispering their approval and encouragement. I huffed in amusement against Evian's mouth, leaning my forehead against his. "Later?" I asked softly, craving to feel him underneath me again.

"If you play your cards right." He squeezed my fingers and laughed again. "They're staring at us."

The second I turned my head to look at the group in the other room, they all found sudden interest in their phones, wall decor, or each other. Laughing, I shoved my hand into my pocket, still gripping Evian's with my other one. Honestly, I wasn't sure when or if I was going to let him go, but it sure as hell wasn't going to be any time soon.

I led him into the living room and pulled him down to the floor with me, positioning myself back against the couch while encouraging him to sit between my legs and lean his back on my chest. Evian was stiff for a second before melting against me, lacing the fingers of our left hands together. Luckily, the rest of them didn't continue to gawk and make the situation awkward.

"Cave Dweller, how 'bout you get your cousin and Evian a drink?" Jared said with a Southern drawl. "Don't make me tell Mama Russo about your lack of hospitality." He smacked Burke's thigh a couple of times, mischief clear on his face.

"You wouldn't," Burke growled, frowning at his man. Jared raised one snarky brow, as if to say, Wouldn't I? "Dammit." My cousin pushed up from the couch and turned to me with a pointed finger. "Don't get used to this. Now that you're in the fold, you'll be expected to help yourself in our home." I snorted in response, only stiffening when Burke's eyes landed on Evian. "That goes for you, too." My cousin winked at Evian and smirked, softening the demand. "You want a beer?" he asked him. "I already know what that pain in the ass wants." He motioned to me again, making it near impossible to keep my emotions in check. I knew my cousin. Knew this was his way of telling both me and Evian that we weren't outsiders in this close-knit group of friends. It hit me then that I didn't feel like an outsider anymore, either.

"Um…" Evian responded, still sounding a little overwhelmed.

"He drinks wine," I supplied, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.

That seemed to snap Evian out of it. "Wine's great. Anything dry, if you have it."

Burke smiled. "I knew I liked you." Before turning for the kitchen, he eyed his man one more time. "Lack of hospitality, my ass, Fisherboy."

Everyone laughed and normal conversation started up again—well, if you considered their heated food debates normal.

"I'm telling you," Aiden argued, "ketchup and mustard are the way to go."

"What?" Sage yelled, rearing back, completely appalled with his cousin. "How did I not know this about you? It's a good thing Levi and I found out now before we let our children fall victim to their uncle's reckless condimentation!"

"Condimentation?" Aiden snorted. "There you go again, cuz, making up words."

"Pretty sure the kids are made up, too," Burke threw in there, smirking when Sage turned his scowl on him.

"Are you gonna tell me you agree that ketchup and mustard belong on a hot dog? Because I call bullshit."

"Oh, hell no. Mustard and sauerkraut all the way. Anyone who says otherwise…or uses sauerkraut from a can"—he shivered, his eyes landing on me, eyebrow raised in judgment—"clearly is outta their damn mind."

"Hey. Not everyone has the time to make every damn thing from scratch. Some of us have more important things to focus on." I leaned in and kissed Evian's neck, startling him into laughter. He took my arm and pulled it across his stomach, draping his arm over mine and linking our fingers.

Sage sighed dreamily. "Am I allowed to say you two are so stinkin' cute together? Oh look. I just did." He shrugged unapologetically.

Evian tilted his head to look at me, his smile making my breath hitch. He kissed my jaw then settled back against my chest. I'd never been so happy in my life. Had never felt so alive…free…whole.

Burke's phone chimed with a FaceTime call and he glanced down at the screen with a smile and answered, "Hey, Ma."

"Burcado, in the two days you haven't called me, I had time to bring my red dress to the cleaners. Don't worry, it's hanging on the back of my closet door. I want to make things as easy for you as possible. Seeing as you're so busy."

Burke scrubbed a hand over his face and laughed at his mom's perfected guilt trip about sending her to an early grave. "I'm sorry. We were slammed at the restaurant and time got away from me."

"Mhmm," she murmured. "Where's Jared? I want to make sure he'll know where to find my pearls."

Jared laughed and leaned closer to Burke, looking at the phone screen. "Hey, Mama Russo. We were just talking about you. Weren't we, Burcardo?"

Burke rolled his eyes. "Kiss up." Before he could get in even more trouble, he distracted her by saying, "You called at the right time, Ma. Everyone's here."

"Let me see my boys!" Her genuine excitement sent warmth to my chest, wrapping around my heart. An ache of longing weaved with a fierce love for this woman and the ease with which she showed not only Burke, but every person in this room that she loved them.

Burke scanned the room, focusing on each couple as they said their hellos. While facing the camera to the majority of the room, he looked back at me and mouthed, Your call.

It surprised me how easy the decision was. I wanted this life more than I wanted my next breath. Wanted it and this man every single day, and damned if I was going to deny myself any longer. I held Evian tighter and yelled, "Hi, Aunt Sophia!"

The beaming smile Burke gave me sent a rush of pride through me.

"Enzo? Is that you, my little ravioli?"

Burke shifted the phone and aimed it at me and Evian. My heart was pounding, but I refused to loosen my hold on Evian. "It's me," I responded. "And this"—I kissed Evian's temple—"is Evian."

The warmth in my aunt's eyes, combined with her enormous smile, was all the proof I needed that she was ecstatic for me.

"Evian! What a lovely name! It's so wonderful to meet you." My aunt pressed her hands to her chest, one over the other and—were those tears lining her eyes?

"It's nice to meet you, too." He squeezed my hand, figuring out what I'd just done—for the second time in under two hours. Once again, having him with me made it so much easier to speak my truth. And, the truth was, I was falling for him so fast, so completely, that the thought of going back to California made my stomach turn.

"Enzo, love, you've got that Coral Pointe glow. Hold on to that." My aunt beamed.

I got the hint loud and clear. I was never this happy in California and was pretty damn sure I never would be.

My arm tightened around Evian's waist. I didn't want to scare or overwhelm him with too much too soon, but I needed to do this. Not just for us, but for me. Finding Evian was a bonus I never saw coming—or thought I'd ever have—but finding myself was what gave me the strength to hold on to him and this life we could have here. Finding myself also meant that he couldn't be the only reason I stayed. Because in order to be the man he deserved, I also needed to be the man I deserved, with or without him.

Of course, the without him option wasn't one I was willing to focus on.

"You're right," I finally said. "You never know; maybe I'll become a bonafide Pointer, complete with permanent glow. Pretty sure they'll upgrade the temporary glow for the permanent one in my Welcome Kit."

Evian sucked in a breath and tilted his head back to stare wide-eyed at me. "What?" he whispered.

I shrugged. "Let's talk later." He wasn't happy with that response, but I'd already dropped a bombshell in front of everyone. Well, two bombshells. I wanted the conversation with Evian to be private.

"Oh, sweetie!" my aunt shouted, reminding me that she was still on the phone, and I was still in a roomful of people who were now gaping at me. "I'm so happy for you! You'll be missed here, but that just gives me double the reason to come visit. Your uncle Carmine can't argue with that one." She winked, just as her son did earlier, making me laugh.

Speaking of Burke, I looked up at my cousin, floored by the pride aimed directly at me. He cocked a dark brow. "I suppose you'll want a full-time job, huh?"

I barked out a laugh. "Like you could survive without me now. Someone needs to help Megan keep your grumpy ass in line." Megan Lanter, Burke's sous chef, was a vital part of Oceanside Bar and Grill. The woman was a badass in the kitchen while taming the beast, aka, my cousin, on a daily basis. She didn't take his shit, but she also one hundred percent had his back.

When my fingers started going numb, I realized how tightly Evian was gripping my hand. Doubt tried to weasel its way in and interpret his reaction negatively. It only took one look into his gorgeous hazel eyes to see the emotion glistening in them was of disbelief—maybe even a little hope—but definitely not disappointment.

A part of me wanted to stay and spend this time with Burke and the guys, but an even bigger part of me wanted to get Evian alone and figure all this out. "You ready to get out of here?" He nodded and stood up, pulling me with him. "Hey, Burke, we're gonna head out. Bye, Aunt Sophia." I waved at the phone screen, getting another huge smile from her.

"Bye, my little ravioli! Evian, I can't wait to meet you in person!"

He held up his hand, seemingly at a loss for what to say until he finally stuttered, "B-bye. Can't wait to meet you, too."

I laughed and ushered a still shocked Evian out of the house, gripping his hand tightly in mine. "Why don't we get some takeout from Murphy's and bring it back to your place?"

"Sounds good," he replied, stopping abruptly in the middle of the walkway. He pulled me to him, pushed up on his toes, and kissed me, quelling all my fears. "And then we're gonna talk." His voice was firm, his eyes unyielding as they stared into mine, daring me to argue.

"And then we'll talk," I agreed, pleased with the small and quick kiss he gave me before pulling me toward his car.