Page 35 of A Quiet Man

Auden was almost not nervous at all when they finally got there. But inwardly, Tomas groaned. Cody was wearing an off-pink crop top and his shortest shorts. Was he trying to make this into a competition of who was hotter? It would be a tasteless thing to do, and he wouldn't have expected that of Cody.

Auden was getting nervous again. He cast Tomas a pleading look. "Don't let me say something stupid, okay?" Tomas squeezed his shoulder and nodded. If Auden started talking nervously, unable to stop, more and more awkward, he'd promised to butt in and divert the conversation.

They needn't have worried. Cody was at the full force of his sparkling personality, friendly to Auden, complimenting him immediately on his clothes and chatting with him as easily as if they'd known each other for ages. Auden's nerves quickly faded, and soon the three of them were leaning against the less-breezy side of the car, eating tacos and chatting. Despite the nip in the air, Tomas felt warm all through. It was going so well. Maybe all three of them could be friends — really friends, not work buddies or taco pals.

Cody and Auden apparently loved some of the same movies and TV shows, and it was something to watch their animated discussion. A lot of it went over Tomas's head — he couldn't say he'd ever had a strong opinion about 80s teen comedy movies or 90s trashy sci fi shows—but he was thrilled they had so much to talk about. When they started gushing over one of the stars on a show he'd never heard of — apparently, an early crush for both of them — there was no concealing that there were some kindred spirits here. Tomas was glad to stay in the background and listen, savoring his food. It was a beautiful day, cold but with clear skies, the sort of day that made you hope for spring.

As they drove back, Auden radiated relief and happiness. "I'm glad that went so well! I really like him. He must be fun to work with."

"Oh, no, he tones it down a lot more on the job. He's all suits and ties, although very chic suits, of course." Tomas smiled. "He's not nearly so much fun as when he feels relaxed and is eating. I'm glad you liked him."

"Oh, so it wasn'tmewho had to meethisapproval?" Auden gave him a wink. He was teasing...mostly.

Tomas laughed. It felt good to laugh. "It wasn't like that at all. I just wanted to be open about you to someone, and I hoped we could all be friends."

"That's so nice to hear." Auden sounded almost choked up. "But don't rush anything, okay? You don't have to do anything before you're ready, or if it will ruin any of your relationships — family, friends, or professional. Okay?"

"Okay," said Tomas. He reached over and put a hand on Auden's knee, feeling daring and sophisticated. Then he had to take it off again to navigate a turn.

After a moment, Auden said, "I suppose I should be weird about it or something. He wanted to date you, and he's certainly something else. But all I can feel is content. You picked me."

"Well," Tomas said prosaically, "you picked me, too." That, to him, still seemed like a wondrous and unlikely event.

#

The next evening, Tomaswas cooking, and a glorious meal it was meant to be, too. It might well have been if not for the knock at the door that turned out to be Justin, carrying a boxed pizza.

"Hey, guys. Got a minute?" His smile was slightly apologetic. He stepped inside without waiting for an answer, probably guessing that Tomas would have tried to say no if he'd had chance to find any words at all. Tomas looked at the pizza with distaste. Was this a veiled insult about his cooking skills? If so, it was rotten and unjust. Tomas was a better cook than Justin would ever be.

Justin handed the pizza box to a nervous-looking Auden and looked around. "Ah, you're already cooking? Oh, well, maybe you can keep this for later."

"Thanks," Tomas said in a frosty voice. "That would never have occurred to me. What are youdoinghere, Justin?"I most definitely did not invite you to drop in any time!And don't you have your own things to do, rather than bothering me?

Justin flashed his best "I'm a charming guy and not a total asshole" smile at them, and especially at Auden. "You must be Auden. How nice to meet you."

Tomas tried to edge subtly in front of Auden, but Justin was faster and extended a hand first. Auden shook it timidly, trying not to look wary.

Tomas gritted his teeth, inwardly bracing himself for some hurtful jab aimed at Auden, perhaps about his grip. Auden seemed pretty self-accepting about himself most of the time, but that didn't mean he was confident enough to withstand the battering of Justin's rudeness. In fact, Tomas was pretty sure Justin could leave him a miserable, self-conscious mess with just a few well-placed words and a raised eyebrow. Auden was in no way prepared for this guy, and Tomas didn't want him to have to be.

Instead, Justin said, "I wanted to extend an invitation in person. We're having a barbeque this Saturday. Just us and the boys. We wanted you both to be there. It'll be a good chance to get to know us all better. And the kids miss you, Tomas."

Tomas gave him a skeptical look that said, "And whose fault is that?" Justin ignored the look.

"Isn't it, uh, a little chilly to have a barbeque?" asked Auden. "Unless you mean an indoor barbeque...?"

"Nope, outdoors all the way!" Justin said cheerfully. He was so fake sometimes. At least he wasn't being hateful to Auden...so far. "You learn to think this is balmy barbeque weather when you live with wolves for long enough!"

Auden laughed, as he was meant to.

Tomas saw red. A minute ago, he'd been worried about Justin being hateful, but now...You fucker.How dare you charm my boyfriend?

"I hope you'll both be there," Justin said, making eye contact with Tomas that seemed to imply he'd be wimping out if he didn't show up. As if he'd be backing down from a challenge that Justin, at least, was man enough for. "It's going to be a great barbeque. Riley really hopes you'll be there."

Great. Going for more guilt. How original!

Rileyhadmentioned a barbeque, but Tomas had put him off. Now, the big guns were here. Justin usually got his own way. He was that sort of guy. And he was here to make sure he did.

Tomas could see Auden wanted to say yes, although he suspected Auden was also debating whether it would be worth going if he had to wear his ratty old coat. Maybe it would be warmer than they thought, though. At any rate, he looked like he wanted to accept the invitation but was holding back because it was Tomas's decision.