Page 144 of Their Wicked Ways

Zane and Hayden exchanged a look. Wordlessly, Hayden hurried into the kitchen to hopefully save River from the sweets.

“Where’s Evan?” I asked Nick.

“Right here.”

We all swung our gazes to the front door as Evan and Vlado stepped inside, looking as big and imposing as always.

Nick scurried over to Evan and tucked himself up against his boyfriend’s side. “All done being a big, bad boss on your day off?”

Vlado covered a laugh with a fake cough. “He’s got your number, Ev.”

“All done.” Evan held Nick tight.

“Is Emily still out of town?” I asked Vlado, referring to his wife, who was also Evan’s sister.

“Unfortunately.” He said ruefully.

“How about we head into the kitchen and grab some drinks, then head to the backyard and fire up the grill?” Ez suggested. “It’s getting a bit cramped in here.”

“Dibs on being grillmaster!” Nick untangled himself from Evan and darted into the kitchen.

“Darling, remember what happened the last time you tried to grill something,” Evan said, hurrying after him.

Vlado trailed behind them, snickering.

“Is it as bad as I think it is?” I asked Vlado.

“Worse.” He disappeared into the kitchen.

Ez and I exchanged a look as Wes came back into the hallway.

“Jesse’s going to be late.” He wiggled his phone at us. “But he’s bringing beer, so I told him it’s fine.”

“Are we late?” Gray asked from the still-open door, a pile of carefully balanced containers in his arms.

“Not at all. Need a hand?” I asked.

“We’re good,” he said as Caleb came into the house carrying a giant cooler. “Is Evan here? I’m going to need him to be on Nick duty so he doesn’t try and help me grill.”

“Already in the kitchen, and Nick’s already declared himself the grillmaster, FYI,” I said.

“Of course he has.” Gray smiled and shifted one of the precariously balanced containers. “Is it okay if we put some of these in the fridge?” he asked Wes.

“Yeah, wherever you can find room.”

The two of them disappeared into the kitchen with Zane and Noah, leaving the three of us in the hallway.

“Happy housewarming,” I said to my men.

“Happy housewarming.” Ez drew both me and Wes in for a hug. “How does it feel to finally be homeowners?”

“Amazing,” I said. “I’m proud of us.”

“Me too,” Wes said.

“Me three.” Ez gave us a little squeeze.

Blissfully, I leaned my head against Ez’s strong shoulder and listened to our friends laughing and joking around in the kitchen.

---