7. Stanton

7

STANTON

T he overpriced coffee I ordered wasn't worth the money, but Tyler chose the place. His boyfriend, Jaron, was working on a site nearby doing a renovation, and Tyler had to bring the other man his lunch he'd forgotten. Tyler was an almost ethereally beautiful man reaching only five-six, and his boyfriend was a massive man who looked like he'd had his nose broken a few times. They'd met when Tyler wanted to have some ugly renovations on his brownstone reverted to the original. His friend had been insufferable with his unrequited crush.

I'd been his sounding board for three months. The amount of wine I'd drank when he'd shown up at my house at two AM singing Jaron's praises and blubbering into his chocolate cake about how the man couldn't stand him. The secondhand stress should've given me a head full of gray hair.

"So, is there a reason you abandoned us? We not fitting into your party lifestyle anymore?" Tyler asked in a full-on pout that hadn't changed since college. "I understand Clark, but the rest of us. It's unacceptable."

The pout no longer worked on me. "There's nothing wrong with any of you, and that includes Clark. Just because he can't see past bulging muscles and sweaty jocks, no need to shame."

"I hear he's dating someone new. I'm not looking forward to pretending to like them for their limited interactions before Clark gets bored."

We exited to the afternoon sun, and I squinted at the brightness. My nocturnal schedule was not helpful to my light sensitivity. Of course, I'd forgotten my sunglasses when I left the house.

"Have you gotten judgmental?" I asked as I lowered to an uncomfortable chair on the patio of the trendy coffee place.

"Absolutely not. You know he uses that personal training business as a dating service. And he has terrible taste in men. We accept him because we don't really have a choice."

"Am I here to listen to you complain about our friends?" I asked.

"Cranky. Are you getting laid? You get like this when you're not."

"For your information, I've met the one. He's perfect." As soon as I mentioned my baby boy, he formed in my head. I felt the lop-sided smile tug at the corner of my mouth.

Tyler's mouth formed an O, but nothing came out, and then he got himself under control. "Where did you find this paragon?"

"During a company party at Mama's place. He was hiding outside. Beckett had just gotten the final divorce decree that day. I kissed him, and then he disappeared on me. I hunted him down."

"Of course you did."

"I don't like your tone." I rolled my eyes at him.

"Well, tell me all about him," he demanded as he crossed his legs and rested his forearms on the table, leaning in to give me all his attention.

"He's head counsel for the legal department. He's in his forties, silver hair, and the most gorgeous blue eyes. He's sweet but a little vulnerable. His ex didn't treat him right. I think I'm still working against that damage a little." Beckett was worth every second of my time and attention. Not only did his past work against me, but also my age. I wanted him to know he was it for me and that our age gap was unimportant.

"Has he met Daddy yet?"

"He very much loves my Daddy side, so no jokes."

"I'm not joking. I know that's something you were looking for. When do we get to meet him? This Saturday, we're getting together for drinks and dinner at our usual place."

"Are y'all going to behave?" I asked with an arch of my brow.

"If you're this attached and on the verge of love, we'll pick, but that's just us."

A get-together with my friends would prove I didn't want some secret relationship. And I wanted my friends to adore Beckett as much as I did. Some things were better shown with actions rather than words. Anyone could talk a good game, bullshit their way into a lover's bed, but acts were experienced with all your senses.

"I'll see if he's ready. I don't think his ex-husband was completely out and hid Beckett."

"Were they together long?" Tyler asked with a frown.

"Fifteen years."

"That's shitty behavior. Jaron was never out at work, but the first work party after we started dating, he took me and introduced me to everyone."

Part of me hadn't thought that relationship would last. Tyler had never been closeted. His parents hadn't raised him with gender stereotypes, and he was allowed free expression. A lot like my childhood and teen years. When he'd told me Jaron wasn't out, I'd worried Tyler would get hurt. Although, I'd been pleasantly surprised.

"That's why I'm being patient, but work isn't helping. He's being understanding. And I make an effort to show up at the office to bring him lunch and treats. Just to get a kiss and a few minutes of conversation. We talk every day."

"That's good. Jaron had been used by too many men before me. You know what happened when I playfully flirted with him."

"He thought you were making fun of him."

"Yeah, I hated he felt that way. He was so unfamiliar with being shown affection he'd flinch. Broke me every time. I expect you to bring him, if not Saturday, maybe he'd prefer a nice quiet dinner at our place."

"Maybe, but let me ask him if he wants to go to the pub. If not, we'll ease him into it with dinner."

"What's Mama Clora think?"

"She tried to talk me into going to a club to get laid."

I covered my grin as Tyler choked on his coffee. He'd always adored my mama. She'd made him feel less homesick after his parents had decided to take on a nomadic life in semi-retirement. Clora really became everyone's mama sooner or later. The one everyone called or went to for advice. No matter the father I'd unluckily had, I'd gotten the best person in the Mom Department.

"Of course she did. I've never seen a bigger enabler than your mother. Did she get over it?"

I snorted. "She can't tell me no. Mama just worried about me going after an older man and not being serious. I fell the minute I saw him. There was no question for me that I needed to find him."

"Stanton, I love your mother, but I've never known you to make a decision and not stick to it. Even now, I can see every time you think of him, you relax your shoulders and smile. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks. Have you asked Jaron the big question yet?"

My friend grimaced and let out a pitiful groan. "No. I keep waiting for the perfect time. Some sign. I love him more than anything. We've been living together for months. Every time I go to ask, it's like I freeze. And you know that isn't me."

Which I wouldn't disagree with. Tyler worked in public relations. He was a fixer; he could make anything disappear. He could make the biggest asshole look like an angel to the public. We'd worked together a few times on events some of his clients held.

"Sometimes there's never a perfect time. It just has to be right. You know Jaron doesn't want some spectacle. You could ask him while y'all are getting ready for work. Or during a regular dinner."

"I know that, but Jaron had never been shown he was important, and I want this moment to show him how he's my everything. Maybe I'm also feeling insecure about him saying yes. Our talks about getting married were always sorta blah about the subject."

"He spent thirty-three years in the closet. He probably never thought about anything other than hookups and anonymous club sex. It might not even be an option in his mind."

"I need him to understand that I want to keep him."

"If you need my help, all you have to do is ask. You know I throw one helluva party. I'll even give up my wedding planning ban for you."

"Aw, aren't you so sweet. The boyfriend situation is working for you."

"I didn't come here for your snark. I could've gone to see my baby." I slowly took a sip of my coffee, glaring at him over the rim.

"That glare doesn't work."

"I need new friends," I grumbled as I set my cup down.

"No one else would have you."

I laughed at his bratty expression and wondered how Jaron put up with him. He'd been my best friend since we'd met in the Freshman dorm. All I remember was he'd skipped up to me and gave me no choice about being friends. I wouldn't say he didn't drive me crazy on occasion. Yet, I could say that about my entire friend group.

"I'll talk to Beckett about hanging out with us, but I won't guarantee anything."

"That's fine, if not, we'll plan dinner at my place the next Saturday. You've got someone now. You should think about fewer nights of work."

I tipped my head back and groaned and then lifted it to take in his expression. "I'm working on it. I've got a few interviews with some people I've worked with in the past. The people I have are the best. I don't have to supervise. But when you really don't have anyone waiting at home, well, I fell into a bit of a trap. I'm working my way out of it."

"Good. You're great at what you do… always have been. But I also know how much you've thought about finding your person. You have that chance. Don't let work get in the way. It's not like you don't have the money."

"My trust fund is for my retirement. I'm not there yet."

"I'm not saying be a man of leisure."

"I couldn't even imagine." I really couldn't. When everyone assumed I'd live off my trust fund, I'd wanted to prove everyone wrong. My ambition became a trap, but I wanted out of it. Beckett was worth it.

"Walk me back to my car and then go see your baby boy for a few minutes. Make him feel special."

I nodded, finished off my coffee, and then stood. Time to work on changing my life so that Beckett can fit into it. I'd waited too long for him to let him slip away.