Page 105 of Wrapped in Red
Ezra turned around to look at him. “Me? I’m fine.” My boyfriend was anything but fine.
“You look upset. Can I hug you?” Leo asked.
Ezra nodded. “Cuddles are my preferred method of affection, boo. You should know that by now.” He moved to wrap himself in Leo’s open arms.
I smiled as a sense of relief filled the room. “Where were you two?” I asked.
“We were just walking around and lost track of time. We stopped for lunch. Then we went back to meet them, and they weren’t there. I texted Dad, but he didn’t answer. I got really nervous; you know? That maybe some crazy fan kidnapped him or something.” Andy was sandwiched in-between his fathers.
Killian snorted. “Mav would probably scare them away if that happened.”
“Stop it.” Matthias slapped at his chest. “This isn’t funny.”
Killian nodded. “Sorry, babe, you’re right.”
Watts looked at his phone. “Well, now that everything is settled, I guess we can head out.”
“For what it’s worth, if Ty had actually been here, I would have knocked that motherfucker out.” Noel grunted.
“Uh, what?” Ezra looked surprised.
Noel nodded. “I thought he took my brother, his boyfriend. I was scared. What he did to you, Ezra... Hurting you, releasing that video. No one hurts my friends or family and gets away with it. Prick.”
“I’m your friend?” Ezra whispered.
Noel nodded. “Well, yeah. Aren’t you?”
“You need to hug me now.” Ezra opened his arms.
Noel wrinkled his nose. “I’m good, really.”
“No.” Ezra wiggled his fingers. “You held my hand before, right? Let me rest my head on your shoulder. Cuddles are my love language, boo, bring it in. Bring it right now, or I will be forced to hug you against your will.”
I tried to hide my smile as Noel looked at me for help. Wyatt looked so confused.
“Noel, just do it. Ezra isn’t going to take no for an answer.”
“You don’t mind? I mean, I’m not stepping on your toes or anything?” He moved closer to Ezra.
I shook my head. “He’s just a super affectionate guy. I know he’s mine.”
“Oh-kay.” Noel stepped into Ezra’s open arms as my boyfriend squealed. “You’re literally squeezing the life out of me. How is that possible? You’re so tiny.”
Ezra giggled happily. “It’s my special powers. Small but mighty.” He moved back toward me, and I wrapped my arm around his waist. “Thank you for not hating me.”
“Why would I hate you?” Noel’s brows dipped as he stared at him. “You didn’t do anything wrong. No one did.”
Ezra dropped his chin. “I just...” He glanced up at me, toward Wyatt, and then over at Noel. “The video... everything.”
“We’re friends. I trust you,” Noel assured him.
Ezra rushed over to hug him again. All he ever wanted growing up was friends. Something he never had, and now he had so many, he wasn’t going to be able to stand it. Or maybe he would.
Watts coughed loudly. “We should head out then. Jax, can we use your place? It’s the biggest.”
Jackson nodded. “Yeah, of course.”
“Great, I’ll have my lawyer meet us there,” Watts agreed.
