Chapter 19

Alex was amazed that he and Ryan were already at this point in their relationship. He felt things for the man he couldn't describe. With Ryan, he felt like they belonged together.

It didn't take him long to do everything he needed to do at the clinic, and he was ready to leave by six. He texted Ryan, finding out he was still at the store.

Alex drove over and saw multiple cars in the lot. He headed inside and heard Ryan laughing with someone. Alex paused for a second then continued on. As he entered the back area he was surprised to see Ryan with three other guys.

"Hey," Ryan said, though his gaze darted from Alex back to the other guys, then away. The man looked nervous. Was this the first sign that Ryan didn't really understand the implications of being with him?

"Hello," Alex said.

"Who are you?" one of the men asked.

Ryan said nothing, so Alex moved to shake his hand and introduce himself. "I'm Alex."

The guy lifted his chin. "Ben. How do you know Ryan?"

The man sounded very possessive as if he had exclusive rights to Ryan. Alex didn't take offense, but he felt the need to watch his back.

"We're friends," Alex said.

The man snorted. "I hope you aren't turning into a fairy like your brother."

Alex's stomach turned. He wanted to get out of there, but he'd just stepped in and didn't have an excuse to leave. Ryan said nothing, which disappointed Alex. Why was he hanging out with these jerks? What in the world was Ryan thinking?

The jerks made some other joke, and Alex was done. He turned, ready to walk out. Ryan wasn't standing up for himself or Alex, and it was too much. He couldn't start a relationship with a guy who wouldn't stand up for them.

"Wait," Ryan called out.

Alex paused but didn't look back.

"What is this, some kind of lover's spat?" one of the guys asked.

"Shut up," Ryan said. "You know what, I'm tired of you all saying shit like that about Brett. My brother is the bravest man I've ever known. He's ten times better than any of you."

"What are you saying?" one of the guys asked.

"That you're all a bunch of jerks. None of you came over here to help with the store. You just want to see the carnage and find out what happened so you can gossip with your buddies. I'll tell you what happened, I'm dating Alex, and he was here last night when the window was smashed. He actually helped me."

Alex turned and met Ryan's gaze. If he'd made it out of the building, Ryan's words may have come too late, but he was so proud of Ryan standing up for himself.

"I should have called you all out earlier for saying what you did about Brett, but I'm doing that now. Shut up about gay people. They aren't doing anything to you. Stop being so jealous of them and get on with your own life. Maybe if you could keep a woman happy, you wouldn't be so fascinated with gay men. I'm with Alex and happy about that. You can go off and tell anyone you want at your gossip sessions. I don't care. People aren't as immature as you three are. Grow up. I'm not kicking you out of my life, but if you want to be friends, you're going to have to welcome Alex in as my partner and be nice to him."

"Wait, what?" one of the guys asked. "Partner, like you two are living together? When did that happen?"

"Does it matter, Kent? I'm with Alex, and he's with me. I know you all have animals, and Alex is the only veterinarian in town. You had best think about what you say, and maybe he'll be kind enough to accept your pets as patients. Honestly, I wouldn't blame him if he bans you from his place of business."

All three of the guys hung their heads. They weren't getting mad. Instead, they looked ashamed.

Kent looked up at Ryan first, then Alex. "I'm sorry. I guess I was just talking. I don't want to lose you as a friend, Ryan. I mean, you're the one who was nice to me when everyone else called me stupid."

"Kent, I'm not going to stop being your friend, but you need to do better."

Alex was surprised by Ryan's ability to forgive. No way would he forgive so easily, but then again, he was jaded. Not everyone deserved forgiveness, but if Ryan could turn these guys from being homophobic jerks into allies, he guessed it was good.

The three men stood and shook Alex's hand, apologizing before leaving. Alex watched them go, then turned back to face Ryan.

"Do you think they are good with us being together?"

Ryan shrugged as he moved closer. "I don't know. I should have told them to cut out that kind of talk a while back. There is no excuse. I guess because, at the time, it wasn't affecting me directly, I let it slide. I need to do better with stuff like that. I can see why my brother still stays away."

Alex put his hands on Ryan's shoulders and held his gaze. "Hey, you don't have to be perfect on this. Just keep pushing forward."

Ryan nodded. "I'm trying."

"Good. Now, how about we head home?"

"Sure. I have to be up here early in the morning."

Alex chuckled. "Ugh, early mornings. I don't know how we'll navigate being together and work, but we'll figure something out."

"We'll make it work."

Ryan took his hand as they walked out to their cars. How had he fallen for this guy so fast? Maybe it was crazy to think that he'd found something special after so few days together, but he felt this in his soul like he'd never felt anything before.

After dinner, they sat outside on the small deck at Ryan's tiny home, staring up at the stars. Satisfaction filled him. He felt like he'd come a long way in the little time they'd known each other. Whatever forces had brought them together, Alex was thankful for.

"Never thought I'd be here," Ryan admitted.

Alex glanced over. "I know you don't mean this physical place."

"No, here with a man, thinking about the future. I mean, it's crazy that we've known each other for such a short amount of time, but I care more about you and for you than I have for anyone else."

"I feel like my soul connected with you."

"That's a perfect way to describe what I feel. Like we were meant to be from the start, but it took years to find you."

Alex leaned over, brushing their lips together. Ryan surprised him by standing up, but then he held out his hand and pulled Alex up to stand with him. Desire sparked between them. They had time, and he knew he shouldn't rush everything, but there was no reason to hold back. They were in love, and nothing was going to keep them apart. Together, they would build something special out here where the stars sparkled like diamonds, and their love had space to grow.