Page 33 of One is Never Enough

“For this very reason,” I laugh. “You guys can’t take no for an answer.”

“Maybe that’s what he needs,” Vince replies, looking back at Leland. “Someone he can’t say no to.”

I turn and see Leland with a puzzled look, staring back at Vince. I’m ninety-nine percent sure that I’m right about Leland. He doesn’t give me secure straight guy vibes. He gives me ‘someone who’s fighting who he really is’ vibes. Oli told me about Leland thinking about jumping off the bluffs, and something tells me that’s not the first time he’s thought about it. My mom told me once that you should always check on your happiest friends because they might be the ones struggling the most. Leland covers a lot with humor. I can recognize it because I used to do the same thing when I was struggling with my sexuality and how to come out to my mom. If anything happened to Leland, it would kill Oliver.

I turn back to Vince and Zac. “You can’t push him too hard.”

“He’ll come to us,” Zac says confidently. He and Vince get up from the booth and go to the bar where Leland is. Zac says something, and Leland laughs.

Jace and Aiden slide in front of me while Oliver sits beside me. Jace gives me a hard look. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything!”

Leland laughs again, and Oliver turns to look that way before looking at me. “What did you do?” he repeats, making Aiden snort a laugh.

“Okay. I might have asked him some questions about his sexuality and maybe gave Zac and Vince permission to pursue him.”

“I told you to drop it,” Jace says in a low tone, showing me he’s pissed off. “Zac and Vince are too much for him.”

“I don’t know,” Oliver says. “Leland can hold his own.”

“I thought we’d already concluded that Leland’s straight, anyway?” Aiden asks.

“Does that look like a straight man to you?” I point out, watching Vince lean in close to Leland’s ear. He doesn’t back away, and I can see his breath catch from here.

“It’s still none of your damn business,” Jace argues. “If and when he’s ready, he’ll come to Oliver. You need to stay out of it.”

“What do you think, Baby?”

Oli shrugs while taking a sip of his drink. “I see what you’re saying, but the more you pressure Leland into admitting anything, the more he’ll fight it.”

“Translation? Stay the fuck out of it,” Aiden says, grabbing Oli’s hand across the table. “He’ll make up his own mind.”

I kiss Oli’s cheek. “Then he can have what you have.”

“What? Three overbearing men? One of which can’t mind his own business?” Oli says innocently, and Jace’s booming laugh echoes around the restaurant.

I bury my face in his neck and bite gently. “You’re going to pay for that later.”

“Looking forward to it,” Oliver answers.

I can’t remember the last time I was this happy.

It’s a feeling I can get used to.

Chapter 13

Oliver

I’m just finishing up work when I get a text from Jace telling me to meet him at home.

Things have been beyond amazing since we all connected again, but I can’t help that sense of foreboding. Things my father said are long ingrained in my brain, and it’s something that I’m working really hard to ignore. After I pack up my stuff, I slide into the car that Jace sends me in every day with a smile. I might act like I hate it, but I love that he cares enough for me that he wants me safe.

When we pull in front of the house, Jace is already walking down the stairs to open my door before the driver can. I slide my hand into his and he helps me from the car, pulling me into his chest. I wrap my arms around his waist and inhale his scent.

“How was your day, Angel?”

“Good.” I lean back, and he kisses me without me asking, already reading what I want. “How was yours?”

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