Page 18 of Protecting his Heart

Dominic shifted forward. “Oh, hell. I hadn’t even realised you were supposed to be at work. What happened?”

Evan went through the story again, and still Owen’s anger rose. The outcome could’ve been so much different. He swallowed down a growl that wanted to escape. No one hurt what was his. No one. Only two positives had come from the event: the girl being okay, and that it helped them to clear the air. It might’ve taken them months before that happened otherwise.

“And I’m assuming Owen went all caveman?” Dominic said, receiving a backhanded slap on the chest from Randall.

Evan laughed. “A little. But it led us to have the talk we should’ve had all those years ago, and we seem to be on the same page now.” He glanced at Owen, who nodded, and his hand released Owen’s neck, sliding down his back.

“So, you’re now seeing each other?” Dominic asked.

“Yes. Evan is my boyfriend,” he said with a grin.

****

Chapter 6

Evan

Evan’s chest expanded with Owen’s words. It was something he hadn’t ever believed they could get to, and though they had a lot of work ahead of them, it was great to hear it.

“This should be a celebration, then,” Randall said. “I’m glad you brought drinks.” He rose, shuffling out of the room.

Dominic stared at them, his mouth curving upwards. “I knew something was going on, but I hadn’t realised it already had.” He chuckled. “I can’t believe you both kept that from me.”

Evan winced. “I didn’t intentionally keep it from you. I just couldn’t talk about it in the beginning, and then as time passed, it seemed too little too late.”

“Same here,” Owen said.

“Will you tell me what happened?”

Evan glanced at Owen and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. It’s forgiven.”

“In that case, where are those drinks?” Dominic said, clapping his hands.

When Randall came back and handed out beers to everyone but Evan, who got a glass of iced water because of his pain medication, he put on some background music, and Owen and Evan dished all the news out to him about Dominic’s and their bad behaviours as kids. They would never run out of stories, Evan didn’t think, so the hours passed, and before he knew it, Randall disappeared to finish dinner.

As they settled around the table with plates of steaming roast dinner, Evan recognised what he wanted from his life. He wanted a home like this, where he could come through the door and have people ready to greet him, or vice versa. Where he could stand side by side with someone to cook their dinner. Where he could sit on the sofa and chat about anything and everything. It was perfect. He glanced at Owen. Hopefully, it would be what they eventually had.

Owen’s hand rested on his thigh beneath the table. “Are you okay?” he murmured.

Evan smiled at him, though his arm was aching viciously. “I am.”

“We’ll go home after this. You’re tired.” Owen raised his eyebrows pointedly.

Evan huffed a laugh. “I am. I need more paracetamol, too.”

“Oh, shit. I forgot.” Owen glanced at Dominic. “Do you have some paracetamol?”

Dominic rose and rounded the island separating the kitchen and dining room, riffling through a drawer. “Here you go.” He handed the packet to Evan. “I should’ve thought to ask.”

Evan shook his head. “I should’ve thought to bring some with me. I usually do.” He took out two and rinsed them down with some water. “It should kick in soon.”

“Do you want anything else to eat?” Randall said. “There’s plenty left.”

He held up his hand. “I’m good, thanks.”

“Owen?” Randall asked.

“Nah, I better behave, or I’ll need to work it off. It’s hard enough keeping this up.” He patted his stomach, and everyone laughed. “Are you working tomorrow?” he asked Dominic.

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