Page 33 of Social Sinners

Chapter Twelve

I hit the waves daily for the remainder of our trip, and by the time we boarded the plane to go home, I was sporting a sweet ass tan. Easton didn’t want to venture out into the general population while we were here, and I was more than down with that. So, we pretty much kept to ourselves, which I had zero complaints about. He chilled in the lounge chair that served as his second home and read, becoming the most relaxed I’ve seen him since we met. Each time I went out to surf, I never strayed far from Easton’s watchful eye. Which I’m sure had something to do with my crazy, competitive nature. But hey, you only live once, right?Now, to find a way to get him to let me take helicopter flying lessons…

We were lying in bed on our last night, contemplating running away and hiding in the jungle, starting over as Tarzan and Tarzan.

“Ugh, do we really have to go back?” Easton whined.

He was curled up in my arms. Brushing my lips across the top of his head, I responded, “Not if you don’t want to. Of course, we’ll eventually run out of money. But I’ll let you pimp me out. I’m willing to take one for the team.”

Easton shook his head and couldn’t help but laugh at my suave charm, “Jackass.”

“Why thank you, sir. I know that word is a term of endearment, coming from you.”

I loved that we were back to our playful banter. Taking this trip was the best thing for Easton and for us. We slid back into the Easton and Diamond I missed and hadn’t realized how long ago we’d lost them. More than anything, Easton had relaxed and hadn’t even had so much as a sliver of a setback.

We received a couple of texts from the guys checking in throughout our trip, along with an email from Brett saying the house was done. We’d hired a designer he recommended who assured us she couldmore thanmeet our decorative wishes, so to speak. The movers had boxed up and moved ours as well as Jay’s belongings from Mickey’s and Sal’s places. So, when we got off the plane, the driver took us straight home.Home,for the first time, the word meant more than just a place for me to temporarily crash. When we pulled up, a dozen cars belonging to our friends and family were parked along the driveway, including Brett’s. We could only imagine what we’d be walking into.Good thing our vacation went well…

“Surprise!” was yelled in unison as we stepped inside. Over the sliding glass wall that led to the back yard hung a‘Welcome Home’sign. Even if I wanted to be angry over our house being invaded, I couldn’t. They meant well. And I knew they were concerned about Easton and were excited about the token single-guy actually growing up and joining thecouple status.

“Son,” Sal said, embracing Easton, “you look well.”

“Thanks, Dad. I finally feel whole again,” Easton smiled, one that reached all the way to his eyes, and I knew he meant it this time. No more faking it.

“You don’t know how happy those words make me,” Sal said before turning and hugging me. “Thank you, Diamond. If I had any doubts about your feelings for my son, I can more than assure you they’re long gone.”

“Um, thanks, I think,” I hoped he’d meant that as a compliment, but I thought we’d already crossed this path and had put his doubts behind us.

“Want the grand tour?” Brett asked, beaming as I’m sure he was itching to show off his handy work.

“You know it,” I scooped up Easton, carrying him up the stairs and into our bedroom. Depositing him on the bed, I jumped on top of him. This act was met with whoops, cheers, and whistles.

“Diamond!” Easton scolded me as I knocked the wind out of him.

“What?” I half ass protested. “I wanted to carry your across the threshold.”

“And molest me in in front of our friends and family?” he blushed but was smiling.

“Is that offer on the table?” I winked, pulling him up with me, waggling my brows, “let’s check out the tub.”

“On that note, I’m out of here. Goodnight boys,” Sal announced.

“No, don’t go, we’re literally going to check out Brett’s mad skills. I promise to keep my hands to myself… for now.” Hey, it was our house, and if they expected me to act like a celibate monk in it, they had another thing coming.

We got up and headed into the master bathroom. Fucking hell, the shower was Diamond-sized, times four. It was massive. Jets were set in the walls at shoulder length, with rainfall showerheads above. The river rock floor finish was warm and inviting and to be honest, I couldn’t wait for everyone to get the hell out of here so my man and I could christen it. The bathtub was deep, sunk into the floor with the edge sitting about a foot above it, and could easily fit three bodies comfortably. It was like a mini hot tub. The remote that controlled the jet settings looked like something straight out of a space shuttle scene.

“That remote also controls the lighting, heated floors, heated towel racks, shower heads, and shower lights,” Brett said as I stared blankly at it in my hand.

“Fucking hell dude, I hope it comes with an owner’s manual,” I told him. Otherwise, I’d never figure the damn thing out.

“Ha-ha, it does. I put all the manuals and warranty paperwork in a drawer in the kitchen island for you,” he said.

The master bedroom suite was huge, decked out with a California king sized bed, dual walk-in closets with built-in dressers, and a balcony closed off to the outside world with blackout curtains. Debra, the decorator friend of Brett’s we hired really did a great job. Her infusion of modern industrial meets rustic flowed and combined both our likes perfectly.

“Is that?” Easton pointed to the art above the bed. I’d had the piece commissioned as soon as I’d finished his song. The words ‘Character Flaws’ and the chorus line had been laser cut into a plaque of acid washed metal. When I turned, he was wiping at his eyes.

I put my arm around his waist, pulling him to me. “Yeah babe, that’s your song.”

“Ugh, I’m gonna be sick,” Jay said, making gagging sounds behind us.

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