Page 25 of Matteo's Mettle
Just over three weeks later, barring a few little stumbles due to miscommunication in those first few days, my relationship with London seems to barrel along with ease. He spends every second night at my place, and we’ve gotten into a proper routine. I indulge in little time after dinner on those nights, and I’ve become used to sleeping with him spooned against my back. It’s crazy to think that I was miserable and lonely a month ago. It feels like a different time entirely.
A knock on my front door has me frowning. I’m not expecting London this evening, or any deliveries come to think of it. When I swing the timber aside, Ash and Josh push their way past me.
“Hello,” I greet sarcastically, turning to follow them down the short hallway after shutting the door in their wake, “how are you? Please, make yourselves at home.”
“This is a welfare check,” Ash declares, dropping down on my couch and arching an eyebrow at me. “You’ve been M.I.A since before your birthday, and you’ve only been dropping emojis in the group chat. No words,” he emphasizes and points at me sternly, “justemojis.”
Alright, I’ll admit it: that’s not really like me. It’s not like my responses are usually long and flowery, but I’ve been distracted.
Feeling a little miffed that it has taken my friends close to a month to notice my withdrawal, though, I fold my arms defensively. “I’ve been busy.”
I feel marginally guilty for being combative, but I do feel a bit like they could have made an effort with me, too. I know it’s a two-way street, but they knew I was struggling.
Then again, they both work full-time (and Josh, like his older brother was, is a cop, so his schedule can be unpredictable), and Ihadasked them to give me space.
Josh looks like he wants to argue, but Ash puts his hand on his soon-to-be brother-in-law’s arm and shakes his head. Then he turns to me, empathetic but firm. “You asked us to back off. We gave you a month.” His expression softens. “We were worried, Matt. And I miss our playdates. Don’t you miss your little time?”
More guilt begins to creep into my gut, and I fight back a blush. London’s told his friends and family about me. I even met his Mom via Facetime last week, which went surprisingly well considering she’s only a few years older than me. However, I’ve kept him a secret from my friends. Not intentionally, mind you. But I haven’t gone out of my way to casually drop his existence into the group chat, either. He hasn’t pushed me to introduce him, but now I wonder if he’s noticed that I’ve been keeping him all to myself. I make a note to talk to him about it. The last thing I want to do is hurt his feelings.
Swallowing, I look down at my socked feet and scuff my toe over a mark on the tiles. “Uh…I’ve kinda been getting my little time in at home.” I really can’t look at them. “With my new Daddy.” I’m significantly older than both these men, but right now I feel like an errant teenager caught fooling around with the boy next door.
There’s a moment of stunned silence before both Ash and Josh start firing a jumble of questions at me. When I look up to interrupt and attempt to answer them, the hurt on Ash’s face makes me feel even guiltier.
He’s half my age but he’s become my best friend and keeping this from him probably seems like a betrayal from his perspective.
“It’s really new,” I try to explain. “I mean, I only met him on my birthday-”
“I waswith youon your birthday,” Josh argues, sounding bewildered.
I shrug. “Until you left me on my own because you found someone to fuck.” The words come out harsher than I intended, but it doesn’t make them any less truthful.
Ash turns to Josh and smacks his bicep. Hard. “Really?”
“Ow!” Josh pouts and rubs at the site of impact. Then he has the grace to appear sheepish. “Look, that wasn’t my best moment, but Matty said it was fine.”
Ash hits him again, punctuating every word in his next sentence with a whack of his open palm. “It. Was. His. Birthday. You. Dick.”
“I know! I’m sorry!” Josh holds his hands up in surrender.
With an exaggerated sigh, Ash turns back to me. “Okay, so I can understand why you’d be avoiding us, considering Captain Oblivious here totally didn’t help matters, but this is the sort of news I want to celebrate with you.” His gaze turns imploring. “I was afraid I was losing my playmate. My best friend.”
Well, that hurts to think about. Ash didn’t exactly have an easy start in the lifestyle, and he’d be just as lonely without the guys as I would. “Shit,” I rub the spot between my eyes, wincing. “I’m sorry. I just got caught up in the honeymoon period, I guess.”
I’d wanted to stay in my happy little bubble with London. Wanted to indulge in something that was just for me. But I could have done that while letting the guys know that I’d met someone. Hell, I should have said something, and then they wouldn’t have been worried about me.
I watch as a slow, smug smile stretches Ash’s lips. He shakes his head, his curls flopping into his eyes. He brushes them back with the side of his hand. “Honeymoon period, huh?” He makes a ‘gimme’ motion. “C’mon. Spill. I want to know about this guy.”
I grab beers for the three of us and drop down in one of the armchairs kitty-corner to the couch after handing the guys their drinks. “His name is London,” I start, then jut my chin at Josh. “The hot young Daddy who was there with the girl in the Belle costume.”
Josh’s brown eyes widen and then he hoots and leans over the arm of the couch with his hand raised for a high-five. “Damn,” he whistles, “nice catch, my man.”
Laughing, I slap his palm, because, yeah, London’s definitely a catch. “I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop,” I confess, then I lick my lips. “He’s…well, he’s perfect for me.” Even with the age gap, but I don’t mention this to them. They’re not going to judge me for dating someone their age.
“You’ve got me at a disadvantage here,” Ash complains, “because I wasn’t there, and I have no idea who this guy is.” He scowls. “Stupid Charlie scheduling meetings on your birthday.”
“You should have let Ted bring you,” Josh rolls his eyes. “Or Chance. Or even Spence.”
Ash starts listing reasons this was impossible by counting fingers. “Ted had a date, Chance was out of town, and Spence had a late recording session.” He fidgets in his seat. “And you know I’m not used to being little in public without a caregiver. I’m just not comfortable with that.”
