Page 66 of Just A Little Fling

NICO

The properly named Cuddle Crew and Anders said they were bringing all the food and utensils for tonight’s get-together, but I felt weird not having anything. On the way home from work, I stopped for some chips and salsa. It seemed like the least I could do. My circle of acquaintances from the club had all faded away. They only texted when they needed a drinking partner or needed to get off, but now they weren’t even doing that. I hadn’t missed them.

Once home, I raced through my house getting it presentable for company. It would work out well since I needed to do it anyway for when my parents came over later this week. The sink was empty, the counters were clear, and nothing was on the floor. Good enough.

I heard a knock at the door, and Rory burst through it before I could cross the small room to open the door. He looked adorable in a raccoon onesie with a paci clipped to the front. His hands were full of stacked pizza boxes.

“The rest of the boys are here too.” True to his word, they trooped in directly behind him with their promised contributions, but Jakob also brought boxed wine. I looked dubiously at it, but I tried to hide it.

“Before you all say anything about the boxed part, this stuff is delicious.”

I tried to hide my smile that this announcement came from a man wearing a flowered onesie with an opening on the ass. It was such an incongruous look that I truly didn’t know if I had it in me to hide it.

Jakob swung around, looked me directly in the eye, and asked, “Are you laughing at the wine or my outfit?”

Shit. I wasn’t sure how to answer that.

“My guy, you’re wearing a lavender onesie with a flap for your butt andcarrying around boxed wine. What do you think someone’s reaction is gonna be?” Rory said with a laugh.

“The both of you are ridiculous. Please don’t scare Nico because I like him very much,” Owen said from the far chair in the living room. He wore slacks and a sweater.

It was honestly a little bit overwhelming how they came in and made themselves at home. Rory had dropped onto the floor after grabbing a throw pillow to sit on and Anders lounged on the couch.

“Rory, shouldn’t you ask before you throw people’s cushions on the floor?” Anders asked gently. Rory looked a little horrified and looked down.

“Oh my god, I didn’t even realize I grabbed it. I’m used to doing it at home. Nico, I’m so sorry.” Once again, Rory was apologizing for something that was absolutely not a big deal.

“No, it’s fine. I sit on it all the time. Don’t even worry about it.”

The last thing I wanted to do was run them off. I kinda sorta loved how they all jumped in and just assumed they were part of fixing whatever my problem was. They hadn’t even asked what the issue was or to meet at a bar or club or someplace like that. They came to the house because I asked for help and swooped in to fix things. Warm fuzzies threatened to overtake me.

“What are we doing first? Eat, fix problems, or watchHousewives?” Anders asked the room. The boys turned and looked at me expectantly.

“How about we talk while we eat, and then we can enjoyHousewives?” Decision made, chatter exploded around the room. The boys handed out napkins and plates. Plastic cups were produced from somewhere, and Jakob attached the spout to his box of wine.

“Gentlemen, don’t let the box fool you. Full body, good aroma…” Jakob began to say but was interrupted by Rory.

“Can you really tell?” Rory asked before taking a swig of his drink and then adding, “I can’t tell the difference between any of them. They all taste the same to me.”

“What?” Jakob stumbled back to the couch with astonishment. “I don’t even know what to say to that.” His pretend shock didn’t last beyond a few seconds before he collapsed with laughter. “Yeah, I can’t either. I just really like the taste of it, and Papa doesn’t fuss at me at how much it costs.”

“Winner, winner, chicken dinner!” Rory crowed.

We got everything set for dinner and settled around the coffee table in the living room of my little house. It struck me that this was the first time people I hoped would be my friends came to my house. For all the nights I’d spent partying at the club, no one had ever invited me over either. Our quick hookups in the restroom weren’t exactly the stuff of friendships.

“All right, gentlemen, we have come together to fix Nico’s problem,” Owen said primly after dabbing the corners of his mouth. He was such an elegant, reserved man that he’d always intimidated me. But he was also incredibly kind and self-deprecating, so he wouldn’t believe me even if I told him. “Nico, what is going on?”

All of their faces turned to me with undisguised curiosity. Everything about them exuded that they only wanted to help me figure out this mess I’d made. I decided to take the plunge and hope for the best.

“Rory, do you remember your engagement party Owen invited Levi to?”

Rory’s face instantly transformed to dreamy, with stars and flowers dancing around his head. “As a matter of fact, yes, I do remember one of the best nights of my life. Daddy made everything perfect.”

“Are you kidding me right now? You were about ready to murder him. And don’t tell me I’m wrong because I was there and listened to you losing your mind, and rightly so, because he would not get his shit together.” Anders added with a laugh.

“Details,” Rory answered with an airy wave of his hand. He promptly shoved the paci attached to his outfit into his mouth.

“Anyway”—Anders indicated to Rory and me with a pointed look—“what happened at the engagement party?”

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