Page 68 of Convenient Rivals

“That got your attention, didn’t it? This is what we’re going to do. Your boyfriend here is going to transfer me all the money you owe by close of business tomorrow – you can use the same account details as before. If he doesn’t, I’ll break your face, Gregory. Then you’ll do whatever it takes to break Jason and Patrick up. I don’t care what you do, just make it happen, or pretty boy here will be sucking his protein shakes through a straw for several months. Are we clear?”

Gregory just nodded. He couldn’t look at Oscar. What would he think of him? If he hadn’t been with Oscar tonight, Grant wouldn’t have threatened him. The whole thing was a living nightmare. How the hell did he get mixed up in all this crap? Barty... that’s whose fault this was. His waste of space brother had left a trail of destruction in his path like he always did. Not only had he given Gregory this impossible choice, but he’d also no doubt damaged the reputation of Oscar’s company and lumbered him with a regulatory fine. And Barty had just walked away with no consequences.

Grant dismissed them both, and less than a minute later they were back out on the streets of Soho wondering what the fuck had just happened.

“Are you okay?” asked Oscar.

“That would be a no.”

Oscar smiled. “I couldn’t think of anything else to say.”

“What am I going to do?”

“Right now, we’re going to go back to your place. We’ll go straight upstairs so you don’t have to see your brothers. We’ll just pretend like we’re rushing upstairs to fuck if any of them are home. I’d suggest going back to mine, but I think you need the familiarity and comfort of your own space right now.”

How did Oscar know him so well? Being in his happy place with this amazing man was exactly what he needed.

The next morning, Oscar left early for work. They hadn’t talked about Grant’s request, and they didn’t have sex. Gregory had woken up as the little spoon and he’d liked it. He could count on one hand the number of men he’d slept next to in his life, and he hadn’t cuddled any of them. They’d usually just fallen asleep because of exhaustion from fucking. Last night, they didn’t have that excuse, and to sleep next to someone for no other reason than wanting to be near them was a level of intimacy that was new to Gregory. He wasn’t as scared as he thought he’d be, he just didn’t know what the etiquette was for this kind of thing. Was Oscar his boyfriend now? Were they exclusive? Not that he was interested in anyone else, but the thought of Oscar being with another guy caused Gregory to flare with jealousy. Not an emotion he experienced often.

Once he was showered and dressed for work, he descended his stairs expecting to see all of his brothers there, even Charlie. He wanted to leave without talking to anyone, so it was likely fate would intervene and everyone would be there, but as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was only Paolo who was in the kitchen.

“Morning,” he said brightly.

It was wonderful to see his friend so happy. He wanted that for all of them, including Jason. A wave of guilt washed over him as he was reminded of the decision which lay in front of him – break Jason’s heart, or Oscar’s face. Not exactly poetry, but that was the situation he was in.

“Are you okay?” asked Paolo, looking concerned.

“Yeah, just tired.”

“I bet,” he said with a smile.

“What do you mean?”

“I saw Oscar leave earlier.”

“Oh. No, he just slept here last night.”

Paolo’s face lit up like it was Christmas again.

“What I mean is...” His voice trailed off, unsure how to finish that sentence.

“I’m so happy for you,” said Paolo, pulling him into a hug.

What was with all the hugging lately? He hugged Paolo back, because he was one of his brothers.

“When do we get to meet him?”

“You’ve met him.”

“I mean properly, with all of us here.”

“That’s not... I don’t want to scare him off.” He laughed awkwardly.

“Gregory,” he said, swatting his arm. “We’d never do that. I know there’s history between you two, so Langdon may sit there with his arms folded, looking all growly at first. Jason will say something completely inappropriate, and Charlie will ask you when the wedding is, but we all just want you to be happy.”

Gregory wasn’t sure what to say. He was feeling overwhelmed.

“Are you okay?”

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