Page 65 of Convenient Rivals

Gregory narrowed his eyes at her, and she laughed, not in the least bit bothered about how awkward she’d made things between them. Oscar wanted to have that conversation, but he wanted it to be on Gregory’s timeframe. He wasn’t about to push for more and risk what they already had between them.

“Your table’s occupied, but I can pop you in the corner over there if that works? Just give me two minutes to get it cleaned.”

Gregory looked at the table and scanned the rest of the floor. There weren’t many tables empty. Oscar noticed Gregory’s eyes linger on a table by the window, which had a group of friends around it. He smiled and then turned back to KC, nodding his agreement.

“How long have you been coming here?” asked Oscar when they were seated at their table.

“Almost six years.”

“Wow. Food must be good.”

“It’s the best.”

“Well, thank you for bringing me here, then.”

“I come here every week with my brothers. It’s our place,” he said, with a slight blush appearing.

Oscar didn’t refer to it; he just smiled and let Gregory talk about their weekly brunches. You could tell from the way he talked about them, how much he loved his brothers. He wasn’t one to show outward signs of affection, but his face became more animated when he talked about someone who was important to him, and Oscar wondered whether Gregory’s face looked like that when he talked about him to others.

“Have you heard from your parents?” asked Oscar.

Gregory stiffened. Why the fuck had he asked that question? The mood had shifted instantly, but thankfully, KC came over at that point and asked for their order. Oscar hadn’t even looked at the menu, but went with the gammon, egg, and chips as recommended, and Gregory ordered the hunter’s chicken, which was apparently his “go to” outside of the breakfast menu.

Oscar took hold of Gregory’s hand, who looked uncertain at first, then smiled.

“I didn’t mean to kill the mood by bringing them up. Can we start the night again?”

“It’s not you. I just thought I’d have heard something. Not an apology, but something.”

Oscar kept his face neutral. Why would he want to hear from them again? Did he still believe he could have a relationship with his family? They were a bunch of homophobic users, and he needed to walk away from them. He had a family who loved him – his brothers. Oscar was envious of Gregory for it. He had Abby, who was his closest friend, and his parents loved him in their own way, but what those five men had with each other was special.

“I know I’m being stupid, but I don’t think I’m ready to write them off just yet.”

Oscar sighed.

“You don’t agree?”

“How honest do you want me to be?”

“I think you’ve just answered my question,” he said, moving his hand away.

Oscar wasn’t having that. He pulled Gregory’s hand back and gripped it, perhaps a bit too hard. Gregory quirked a brow and smiled at him. Okay, they were still good. He knew he had to be careful with his words here, but he also had to be honest.

“I think there’s always a sense of duty to family. Even more so with how we were brought up. I don’t think it’s a British thing, it’s universal. We tolerate more crap from family than we do from others, because we feel an obligation to forgive them. The whole ‘blood is thicker than water’ mantra. I think that’s bullshit.”

Gregory widened his eyes in surprise.

“I don’t think anyone is entitled to someone else’s love just because of blood. Love has to be earned and nurtured. When someone gives us their love, whether they’re a friend or a partner, we cherish it and don’t take it for granted – at least that’s what I do. The same extends to family. You don’t owe anyone your love, they earn it, like your brothers, like... like anyone who chooses to be in your life.”

He almost went too far then, but stopped himself. Now wasn’t the time to admit his feelings for Gregory. The only thing it would achieve would be to push him away, and he couldn’t bear that.

The seriousness of the moment was broken when the server brought their food. It looked delicious, like the home-cooked food Flo made for him. Oscar couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten food like this. There was a comfortable silence between them for a couple of minutes as they ate. It tasted even better than it looked.

“Are you still going to stay over?” asked Gregory. There was uncertainty in his tone.

“Or course. If the offer’s still open?”

“It was just, things got heavy so I wasn’t sure.”

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