Page 44 of Convenient Rivals

Gregory glared at Jason.

“Oops, sorry. I get very chatty after orgasms.”

Everyone laughed. Even Gregory couldn’t help but smile.

“Gregory,” said Patrick. “You’re a self-made success. None of your parents’ money helped you build your business. That was all you, and something you should be really proud of. You’re a role model to young queer kids who get rejected by their families.”

All his brothers beamed at him. He looked at the floor, feeling embarrassed. Patrick was just placating him. Gregory wasn’t a role model for anyone, he was weird, and his brothers only put up with his oddities because they loved him. That was something he didn’t doubt. He had at first, wondering why they even liked him, but over the years he realised it was genuine. He felt the same way about them, which is why he’d bought the flat as soon as he had the means to do it. Gregory always wanted them to have security and a safety net should they ever need it. He hoped that wouldn’t be the case, but no matter what was going on in his life, he would always provide a home for them.

The chatter started up again, about mundane topics such as work or people’s goals for the new year, his brothers giving him space to collect his thoughts. They knew him well, and discussing emotions or what he was feeling wasn’t something he found as natural as others did. If someone he cared about had a problem, his default response was to throw money at it. Was that what Oscar was doing as well? Is that why he’d offered to help Gregory, or did he want to marry him to get the money? Gregory wouldn’t have minded that at all the more he thought about it. Their arrangement would feel more equal, as they were both getting something out of it. But thinking about what Patrick had said made him question Victoria Montgomery’s motives.

Gregory had to know what Oscar was aware of. He didn’t need their arrangement anymore as he’d resolved things himself, albeit for a price he’d regret later, but Oscar had offered to help him, and he had to understand why he’d done it. If it was to get his hands on his inheritance, then he would understand. It made good business sense – a favour for a favour. But if he thought he was knowingly throwing away millions of pounds, that was different.

He stood up and grabbed his jacket. Everyone looked at him.

“Where are you going?” asked Langdon.

“To check something.”

“Is it a work thing?”

“No.”

“Are you going to tell us what it is?”

“No.”

They all laughed.

“Is it an Oscar thing?”

He looked at the floor, not answering. He couldn’t lie to his friends, but he didn’t want to get into it now and try to explain what was spinning through his mind.

“I’ll explain tomorrow,” he said, and hurried off before they could say anything. He then stopped and rushed back. “Happy New Year!” He didn’t give them a chance to respond, but he heard a few whoops behind him. What did they think he was about to do? This was hardly a rom-com moment.

Gregory had needed to make a detour home to put on his tuxedo, because his casual trousers and button-up shirt wouldn’t have gotten him over the threshold here. It was a big event, so it could take him a while to find Oscar. He could have called or texted, but this was something he needed to speak to him about in person. Gregory would know by looking in his eyes what Oscar knew. He really hoped Oscar didn’t know about the conditions with the money. He wasn’t sure why, but it was important to Gregory.

He entered the hotel and made his way to the vast ballroom, which was hosting the event. People were hovering around outside, clustered into little groups, no doubt speaking about their investment portfolios or something equally banal. Not that he could talk. Gregory had his own stocks, and a financial adviser, but it wasn’t his entire personality.

As he walked into the ballroom, he bumped into someone who wasn’t looking where they were going – a big someone – and it took Gregory a few seconds to realise he was looking into a familiar set of deep brown eyes, which made his breath hitch. Oscar.

“Gregory, what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to see you.”

“That’s a coincidence. I was just coming to find you.”

“You were?”

Oscar nodded. Someone walking past knocked Gregory forward. They were both standing directly in the middle of the entrance to the ballroom, and there was a heavy flow of foot traffic going in and out.

“Shall we go somewhere quieter?” suggested Oscar.

Gregory nodded. Oscar took his hand, which Gregory didn’t question. He walked them away from the ballroom, and the crowds, and as the noise dimmed, Gregory felt like he could think again. Gregory was conscious of them still holding hands, which felt intimate. He should be uncomfortable, but wasn’t.

He wasn’t sure where Oscar was taking them. They approached the main entrance of the hotel, but then veered left, away from the door. Within a few seconds, they were in a quiet bar, although there was a man playing the piano and enough people to provide a gentle murmur of conversation. The room was like something out of the Victorian age – high ceilings, grand drapery, and stylishly old-fashioned wallpaper. A small bar was tucked away in the corner, and there were tables dotted around, all with wingback lounge chairs. Oscar took them to a quiet corner and gestured for Gregory to sit down.

“Whisky?” he asked.

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