Page 107 of Ethan

Derek and Michael had a nice home. From the outside. We hadn't gone in yet. Daniel was letting me catch my breath before he knocked on the door. I shook out my hands to relieve the tension.

It's just drinks.

"You'll be fine," Daniel said. "They're going to love you."

I sighed. "Not looking forward to seeing Sarah again."

"I'm surprised she agreed to come to this."

"Probably going to shout at me again."

"You and me both, but she's going to have to suck it up." Daniel wrapped his arm around my shoulders and hugged me. "I love you and she needs to understand you aren't going anywhere."

"You and me against the world."

"Exactly."

"Okay." I swallowed. "I'm ready. You can knock."

A handsome man with Daniel's green eyes answered the door. Behind him, two young girls were trying to see past him. They bounded around his side and into Daniel's arms.

"Grandad!"

"Girls," Derek scolded, "let the poor man into the house before you attack him."

"It's all right, Derek," Daniel replied, laughing as he gathered them into a hug. He'd known the girls less than a year, but they'd taken to him. I liked the sound of them calling him grandad.

Derek stuck out his hand to me. "You must be Ethan."

I cleared my throat. "That would be me."

After we shook hands, Derek cleared the girls away from the door and ushered us inside. The front foyer was icy cool. The air conditioning a nice change from the heat outside.

A stunning blond man joined us. Derek stroked the man's arm. "This is Michael."

I shook his hand. "Pleasure."

The girls took off screaming before I had a chance to meet them. I hoped I'd have a few moments with them before it was time for them to go to bed. It was already past seven.

"We're sitting on the patio," Derek said. "Michael is taking drink orders tonight."

Michael smirked. "Lost the coin toss."

Derek laughed. "Oh, we were much more inventive than that."

I jumped in feet first. "We love a good game." I nudged Daniel. "Don't we, Daddy." I thought Daniel was going to choke on his tongue after he turned a glorious shade of crimson.

Michael pointed at me, grinning. "Liking him already."

Derek laughed "Dad told us you weren't shy."

"Shy is something I have never been accused of."

Daniel smacked my ass. "Behave."

"What would you like to drink?" Michael asked us, chuckling.

"A couple of IPAs if you have them," I replied.

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