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“I have to warn you,” Teal spoke conspiratorially to Jax. “The boys are incredibly eager to meet you, so they may come on strong at first.”

For the first time since he’d arrived, Jax’s smile was unreserved. “Don’t worry. Niall already told me. I’ve heard so much about Garin, Kino, and Zayne. I’m excited to meet them too.”

Teal was charmed by the obvious effort Jax made, using the boys’ names and seeming genuinely excited to meet them. He took a chance and put a palm on Jax’s wrist. “Jax, I’m so glad you’re here.”

Niall smiled down at Teal’s hand.

“Me too,” Jax replied sincerely. “Now, should I arm myself with a water gun before going out there, or do we think the troops will stand down for some proper introductions?”

Niall laughed, opening the slider. “Gents, I’m coming out, so put your weapons away. I have someone to introduce you to.”

***

An hour later, the four men sat around the patio table watching the kids build a fort out of giant foam blocks. Despite the mountain of food Ronan had grilled to perfection, Jax’s casserole was the hit of the day. Niall promised to get the recipe and make it for dinner soon.

Teal had bought the makings for an ice cream sundae bar, but everyone decided to wait for dessert, to let their appetites come back.

Teal thought the afternoon with Jax was a success.

Niall’s boyfriend had been inquisitive with the boys, asking questions about their school and hobbies.

After some initial wariness, he’d grown friendlier with Teal and Ronan, cracking jokes and talking about his job doing interior design for office buildings.

It was easy to see why Niall had fallen for him.

If he and Ronan had to lose Niall, he was grateful it was to someone as lovely as the other beta.

Teal had actually been surprised at how quickly Jax warmed up. Jax knew his boyfriend had been lovers with the husbands, but that fact didn’t seem to rattle him.

Several times, Teal caught Jax watching Niall speaking with Ronan, but his expression hadn’t been one of jealousy or anger. More contemplative .

Teal didn’t know what was going through Jax’s mind. He only knew that Jax didn’t seem threatened by the close relationship Niall had with the couple.

As the afternoon wore on, and Jax’s comfort level became even more clear, everyone’s inhibitions lowered.

Niall was the fun and flirty man he’d been in the past, even sharing the occasional soft touch with Teal or Ronan. Since they didn’t appear to bother Jax, an unspoken understanding arose between the men to simply let those moments happen.

Teal felt like he could act naturally. The men grew more comfortable, conversation flowed, and the foundation of respect and trust that existed between Niall, Ronan, and Teal became a building block for a similar connection between the four of them.

There was no reason to hide the chemistry, because there was trust. Within three hours of Jax coming through his front door, Teal was sure the man understood that the husbands would never do anything to undermine Jax and Niall’s relationship.

Teal was about to get the sundae supplies from the kitchen when he saw the curtains flick behind the slider to the other unit. Sorcha.

Ronan, Jax, and Niall were discussing the project keeping Jax out of town during the week. The boys played in the sprinklers, punctuating the air with the occasional joyful shriek.

“I think Sorcha is watching us,” Teal whispered to Ronan, loudly enough for the other two men to hear.

“The omega next door?” Jax asked.

“Uh-huh,” Teal replied, noting that Sorcha was important enough for Niall to have discussed him with his boyfriend. “Are you guys okay if I ask him to join us for dessert? I’m pretty sure his uncles are away, so he’s on his own.”

“Of course,” Niall said enthusiastically. “I’d love to spend more time with Sorcha and for him to meet Jax.”

Ronan stood. “Let’s not embarrass him by pointing out we noticed him spying on us. Babe, how about you get the dessert as planned and I’ll go around to the front door and knock. Ask him properly.”

“Great idea.”

Five minutes later, Ronan walked into the backyard with a reluctant Sorcha next to him.

“Thought I’d ask Sorcha to come over since he’s flying solo this weekend,” Ronan announced jovially. “I had to convince him, though. I told him it would be good for the boys to see him. They’ve asked about him a lot since the day we took him to the hospital.”

“I feel terrible they were worried.” Sorcha shifted his weight from foot to foot. “I hope it’s okay I’m here. I don’t want to be a bother.”

“It’s absolutely okay,” Teal said. He went over and gave Sorcha a hug, noting with satisfaction that the other omega relaxed into the embrace. All the while, Ronan kept one hand on Sorcha’s lower back.

Zayne rushed over. “Sor-ca! Sor-ca!” He threw his arms around their neighbor’s legs. Sorcha blinked at the four-year-old’s effusiveness, but Teal could have predicted the warm welcome. Ever since the day of Sorcha’s fall, Zayne had been curious about the omega next door, asking often about him.

“Are you gonna have ice cweam with us, Sor-ca?”

“I think so. Is that okay?”

“Yes. We get to have sweets cuz it’s a special day.”

“It is?” Sorcha put a gentle hand on Zayne’s curls. Teal also palmed his son’s head, smiling as the three of them felt the current of the omega bond.

Zayne basked in the glow he sensed but could not yet understand. “Special cuz we’re getting to meet Niley’s boyfwiend.”

Jax chuckled from the table, elbowing Niall. “I love that he calls you ‘Niley.’”

“As long as we’re clear that he’s the only one who calls me that. Ever.”

“Sure.”

Jax stood and offered his hand to Sorcha. “Nice to meet you. Niall has told me so much about you.”

“He…he has?”

“Not like an entire book’s worth of information or anything, but he mentioned you make furniture. I design office spaces for a living, which is why I remembered.”

“Oh.”

Teal frowned, saddened by Sorcha’s consternation that he was well-regarded not only by the McGinns, but also Niall. The expression on Ronan’s face was also unmistakable. He was disgusted by what Sorcha’s uncles had done to the young man’s self-esteem.

Teal hoped relaxing with them in the backyard would help Sorcha feel accepted.

Zayne went back to playing with his brothers and Sorcha sat next to Niall at the table.

The beta threw a careless arm around Sorcha’s chair and pulled him closer.

“I told Jax about those magnificent bar stools I caught you rehabbing last year. Once we move into our new place, maybe we can commission you for some one-of-a-kind pieces.” Jax nodded enthusiastically.

Sorcha’s face lit up before resolving into a grimace. “I’m flattered you’d even consider it. Unfortunately, my uncles keep me busy. I don’t get much opportunity to work on my own stuff.”

“Ah,” Niall said, clearly having drawn the same conclusions about Dale and Abe that Ronan and Teal had.

The mention of his uncles seemed to renew Sorcha’s insecurities. “You’re absolutely sure I’m not intruding?” He directed his question to Ronan.

The big alpha eyed him with a penetrating gaze. “You’re never intruding, Sorcha. You are always welcome in our home.”

Niall and Jax shuddered visibly at Ronan’s gruff alpha voice.

His powerful, gravelly rumble descended over the patio like a cloud.

The betas watched, mesmerized, as Ronan’s stare bored into Sorcha, firm but warm, until the young omega settled into his chair, sighing deeply.

Ronan gave a definitive nod and turned his head back to watch Garin and Kino play leapfrog.

Teal’s arousal ignited at the way his husband gentled the other omega. He knew why Ronan’s display had affected Niall and Jax. The alpha rarely made his alphaness known.

But now Teal felt it acutely—in the twitching of his cock and the trembling of his chest, in the peppery sage of Ronan’s scent that assailed his nostrils. He inhaled the delicious aroma.

Except there was another scent as well, elusive, tinging the air. Teal strained to get a whiff. The faintest hint of blueberries and jasmine. Teal could barely pull the sweet notes from the air.

Sorcha .

It was heady, taking in the aroma of another omega. It had never happened to him before. An omega detecting another’s scent was incredibly rare.

The scent called to him like a beacon. Teal wanted to touch. And he could feel the desire radiating off his husband. Sorcha inspired the same powerful reaction in both of them.

Across the table, Niall gave Teal a knowing glance.