Page 17

“From this moment on, Rylan is no longer your concern. Don’t look for him, and if you see him, don’t even speak to him. Because if I hear that you confronted him, I will come back for you.”

Cameron watched as his statement confused his brother, who was watching Rylan with strain obvious on his face. But when he moved his gaze over to Tristan, he watched several emotions play out. He settled on outrage.

“I could take you.”

He couldn’t hold in his laughter at the idiot’s words and felt more than heard his three best friends come up behind him and Rylan.

“You could try, if you want to. My friends won’t even intervene.”

Cameron’s voice covered Rylan’s whimper and for a moment, he’d forgotten his original plan to get Rylan and leave without words or threats. Reaching behind him, he found Rylan’s hand latched onto his shirt. He loosened his hold before he laced their fingers together and squeezed.

Cameron never took his eyes off the two men in front of him. So he noticed when he took Rylan’s hand, Tristan’s face became a dark cloud. The anger directed at him and Rylan could be because they were two men or maybe he somehow thought he had a claim on Rylan and hated to see Cameron with him. Whatever it was, he ignored it.

But Declan had a more thoughtful expression as he stared at their linked hands. He looked at Rylan for a moment, but Cameron drew his eyes when he tensed at the long perusal. Cameron wondered if his brother would do anything to hurt Rylan, confused by his reaction. But after a minute, Cameron turned both of them toward the exit and shielded Rylan with his body as they walked out.

As they made it out to the fading afternoon light, Cameron glanced down and noticed Rylan was pale. Although outwardly, he looked composed, Cameron frowned when he noticed the slight vibrations from Rylan and pulled him close.

“Are you okay?”

The confrontation, which they could have avoided if Cameron had been quicker, had been detrimental to Rylan. He cursed under his breath at the vacant stare Rylan gave him as Cameron turned Rylan to face him. He wondered what he could do to remove that haunted look from his eyes.

With slow movements, Cameron cupped Rylan’s face in his hands and leaned down. When Rylan met his eyes, Cameron brushed a kiss against his forehead, his cheeks, the corner of his lips, and ending at his eyelids when they closed.

“You’re safe, Rylan. Now you’re out of there, you don’t have to deal with any of them.”

“I know. I mean, using logic, I know. But I can’t help remembering the moment where I felt helpless as he held me down with his weight and I couldn’t get away.”

Cameron cursed under his breath and he tucked Rylan against his chest and waited until he continued.

“But when I’m with you, I’m happy and safe.”

And thoughts about the sleeping arrangements tonight flashed in Cameron’s mind. He wanted to ask Rylan to sleep with him again. He hoped to chase away his nightmares and if he woke in the middle of the night, Rylan would know Cameron was near. Instead, he moved them to his SUV with his arm wrapped around his waist.

“How about we head home and get you unpacked? Then, I will fire up the grill for a barbecue. Since the guys will invite themselves, why don’t you call Issa and Suzy on the way home and invite them over, too?”

Rylan nodded and burrowed closer to Cameron’s side.

“I would like everyone to get to know each other.”

“Barbecue and women. I’m in.” Tim piped up from behind them.

Aaron punched Tim in the arm. “No alienating Rylan’s friends by your outrageous flirting.”

“What about me?” Eric asked.

“That’ll be the day?” Cameron answered.

When Rylan glanced up at Cameron, confused, he explained.

“Eric’s in love with another chemistry major and although they are friends, he hasn’t told her how he feels.”

Rylan turned to glance at Eric. “Do you want to invite her over?”

Cameron beamed a smile at Rylan, who couldn’t see him because of his concern for Eric. His heart swelled, knowing Rylan felt comfortable living with Cameron, enough to think of their home as his.

“Maybe next time,” Eric said.

Without hesitation, Rylan pulled Eric into a tight hug before he spoke. “I can’t wait to meet her.”