Page 3 of Embers Glow After the Fire

He slips into a billowy roll-sleeve chiffon top, painted with bold abstract watercolor blotches in yellow, coral, blue, and green. Leaving the collar spread open, framing a rose quartz pendant hung around his neck. French tucks the top into coral canvas shorts. He rakes fingers through wet curls, grabs a glance in an oval framed mirror hung next to the door, and hauls his luggage downstairs toward chatter in the kitchen.

“Morning boys.” He rolls the case and drops a satchel against the wall, leaning in to side-hug Robbie.

“Ooo—look at you, all scruff and casual.” Robbie snarls. Tracing Matthew’s prickly jawline, down the lapel of his gaped top, he pokes the center of his furry chest with an index finger.

“We’re on vacation.” He waves a hand over his shoulder, mimicking a hair flip. “I have to be pretty all the time. I’m letting myself go for this week.” He chuckles, moving in to hug Dennis, who pauses loading the entire contents of their fridge into two travel coolers.

“You’re still pretty,” Dennis grumbles, savoring the embrace. “How was your flight?”

“It’s crazy how a five-hour trip, so quickly turns into ten hours.” Matthew kisses his hairy cheek. “But it’s worth every minute to be here with you.” He spins on a heel and leans against the kitchen island.

“It’s about time you came up here.” Robbie folds both arms across his chest. “We’ve been inviting you since we bought the cabin.”

“I know, I know.” Matthew winces. “It took ages to get the Salon back on track after the chaos.” He shrugs. “I’ve finally found an incredible manager I trust with my life. This will be the big test, to see how he handles things.” His hair salon had fallen victim to a fire several years back and he used the insurance coverage to rebuild and expand to triple its original size.

The slap of sandals under footsteps enters the room. “Good morning gentlemen.” Buttery blond Phoenix prances toward the island, laying his bronzed abs on the counter, elbows propped and adjusting pink framed mirror aviators on his cheeks.

“Morning gorgeous,” Robbie flirts.

“Hey, Phoenix.” Matthew greets. Soaking up the delicious sight of the twenty-four-year-old’s smooth midriff peeking out from a cropped white gym tank and tight denim cut-off shorts.

“When did you get in Matty?” He drapes toned arms around Matthew’s shoulders.

“Far too late. I may need to nap when we get to the cabin.”

“Is Perry up?” Dennis presses on the puzzle-packed cooler, grunting its latches shut.

“He’ll be right down,” Phoenix says, stepping away from Matthew to nuzzle up against Dennis’ beefy bicep.

“Hey, doll.” Dennis props his bearded chin atop the twink’s glossy blond ringlets.

“There he is,” Robbie notes the towering white-haired Black man joining the party. “Morning handsome.” He trots around the coolers Dennis is shuffling about, and stands on tiptoe to plant a kiss on that fresh-shaven jaw. “Mmm—you smell delicious.”

Perry grunts, patting Robbie’s elbow. The edge of his frown lifts slightly and his rigid brow softens.

“Sleep okay?” Dennis inquires.

“I did.” He sits on the edge of a barstool. “Is there coffee?”

“We’ll stop up the street. There’s a fantastic little truck that parks in the same spot every day.” Robbie checks his reflection in the microwave door.

“Someone’s here.” Phoenix bends to peer out the window, arching his back and displaying sculpted glutes that capture everyone’s attention.

Robbie leans on the sill, “That’s Brendon,” he comments and pats Phoenix’s shoulder.

Brendon clambers out of the old Subaru and raises the hatchback, pulling an aluminum suitcase from the trunk.

"Mmm," Phoenix hums. “Single?” The edge of his brow wags over hungry eyes.

“Yes.” Dennis chimes, “and sweet as pie.” He stacks one cooler on top of the other. “He’s our new Jamie.”

Phoenix twirls upright. “Where is Jamie?” His attention drifts at the mention of an old crush from this same trip two summers ago.

“He and Nathan are already at the cabin.” Robbie wraps an arm around the golden twink’s shoulders. “Nathan is his boyfriend,” he breaks the bad news.

“Let’s get the Yukon loaded,” Dennis rallies.

“Are we all here?” Perry scans the room.

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