Painted On My Heart

“Yeah, he doesn’t know about that. When Kel and I started this, in the beginning, every time we parted company, I had to start right back at square one, because that douchebag-motherfucker keeps fucking with him. I had to do what I could to keep that asshat at a distance,” Arik explained.

“If the ex is like you say, he’ll spot the guy right away. I did,” Gage replied.

“That’s fine. As long as he stays away from Kellus, I don’t give a shit what else he does.” Gage nodded his agreement, staring down at his shoes.

“This means you can’t give me shit about Trent anymore.” Gage sounded relieved, causing Arik to chuckle.

“Sure, I can,” Arik shot back. What a ridiculous thought. He lived to give Gage shit about everything.

“Sure, he can, what?” Trent asked from several feet away. Arik hadn’t even seen him coming in all the darkness.

“Nothing, babe. Arik’s just being his normal dick self.”

Trent came into view, carrying a ladder. Kellus trailed behind, with the tool belt in one hand and his other tucked inside his jeans pocket. Regretfully, he wasn’t to the point he could fully read Kellus yet. Arik hoped he hadn’t heard any of their conversation. He’d only confessed as much as he had to keep Gage from thinking poorly of Kellus. Their relationship was too special, his protective urges too strong. Arik pushed off the car and headed toward Kellus, his gaze searching the other man’s face for signs he’d overheard.

“So I’ll see you Saturday? Do I need to invite Kellus or is he your plus one?” Gage asked, drawing his attention back.

“He’s my plus one,” Arik answered, then smiled at Kellus’s confusion.

“For what?” Kellus asked, looking past him toward Trent who was securing the ladder in the back of his truck while Kellus went to him and handed over the belt.

“The family gathering. Remember, we talked about that?” Arik explained.

“I didn’t realize that included me,” Kellus replied sheepishly, both hands now tucked in his jeans pockets as Arik moved in his direction.

“If I have to go, you definitely have to go. It’s only fair,” Arik teased.

“Our surrogate’s coming. You’ll get to meet her.” Trent always stayed very even and calm, so the excitement in his voice made Arik grin. They were happy about this new baby.

“How’s she doing?” Kellus asked.

“She hit the ten-week mark. So far, so good. It’s her first pregnancy, and she’s sick as a dog right now,” Trent explained, happily answering Kellus’s question with a complete update.

“That’s exciting. Congratulations.” Kellus reached out and shook Trent’s hand. “Not that being sick is exciting, but the having a baby part is.”

Trent grinned at Kellus as he took the offered hand. “I knew what you meant. Thanks.”

Arik cleared his throat. “Umm…I really hate to break up the bromance, but it’s late. We need to get going.”

“I can stay here. Everything’s back together and it’s already ten thirty. You don’t wanna have to drive me back here in seven or eight hours,” Kellus replied, stuffing his hands back inside his front pockets like that was the most reasonable thought in the world. Which it most definitely wasn’t.

“Sure, I do,” Arik said, giving an internal groan. Here they went again. Let the debate begin.

“We got the house all back in order,” Kellus announced as if that settled the pending argument.

“So?”

“Then let me follow you to your place,” Kellus responded.

“Are you going to follow me in this?” he asked, patting the new silver sports car.

“I told you to send it back. I don’t need it. I have the van,” Kellus challenged, hooking a thumb toward the street. Even if Kellus didn’t seem to understand, Gage and Trent were still there, listening to every word of their conversation. Both of their heads moving back and forth like they were watching a tennis match. For Arik, he’d thought of it more as a constant volley of give and take that he and Kellus always seemed to play.

“The ex keeps vandalizing the van,” Arik said, looking over at Gage and Trent still standing on the sidelines. Hopefully, by filling them in so they’d know the story, maybe they’d jump in on his side.

“Oh hell, Kellus. I’m so glad I got to see this exchange. You keep giving him hell, you hear?” Gage chuckled, reaching out a hand to give Kellus an encouraging pat on the back. Arik rolled his head back between his shoulders and groaned before he moved over to Kellus and awkwardly wrapped an arm around his waist. Clearly, Kellus wasn’t into PDA the way his body bowed up, but Arik was, and when he got Kellus facing him, he lifted his middle finger to Gage behind Kellus’s back. He was solidly back to not comping those rooms. It wouldn’t have hurt for his cousin to side with him at least once in their lives.