Page 38 of Broken Promises (Soho Knights #5)

PATRICK

Two months later

Why did this seem more terrifying than negotiating with a mobster?

“You’re not nervous, are you?” asked Jason, his voice teasing.

“Of course not. I’ve met them all before.”

“I know, but this is just you, with the five of us.”

He was nervous, and he didn’t understand why?

It was just a meal with Jason and his brothers.

Although it wasn’t just any meal; it was the infamous brunch.

His rite of passage, as Sebastian had unhelpfully called it.

It was something all the boyfriends and husbands had done in their relationships with this special group of friends. Now it was Patrick’s turn.

Since the wedding, Jason had practically moved in, but not officially. He stayed with Patrick at least five nights a week, and usually more.

“How are you feeling about tomorrow?” asked Patrick.

“I’ll be fine. Stop trying to delay. We’re going in.”

Jason was starting his new job the next day. The aftermath of his quitting was even more dramatic as they’d scrabbled to convince him to stay. That was one thing about Patrick’s boy: when he made his mind up about something, he didn’t back down.

Once they knew he wasn’t staying, they’d offered to pay him off, which he wouldn’t accept either.

It had been a lot of money, but having grown up with nothing, he didn’t put significant value on it.

His principles were worth more to him. Now they were shitting themselves, thinking he was going to make a tribunal claim.

He had no intention of doing that, but they didn’t need to know.

Patrick was so proud of him. His arsehole boss was still there, but Gabriel had quit and followed Jason to his new company.

Jason was going to be the Chief People Officer for another insurer.

It was UK based, and smaller in terms of employee numbers, so it wouldn’t be as overwhelming for him.

It was the perfect move, as he could step up yet still be close to the people, which is what he loved.

Patrick knew he was going to be brilliant at anything he did, not that he was biased or anything.

“Patrick!” the brothers all shouted when he walked in.

This caused the other patrons to stop and look at him. Jason had a shit-eating grin on his face, so he’d clearly planned this.

“You’ll pay for that later, boy,” he whispered in his ear.

“I look forward to it,” he said, still smiling.

“You won’t be smiling when I lock your cock in a cage and make you go to work tomorrow with blue balls.”

The smile disappeared from Jason’s face. Feeling victorious, he walked forward and shared hugs and handshakes with them all, depending on their preference. Charlie and Paolo were the huggers.

“Good morning, Patrick,” said KC, offering him a menu. “Big day for you, isn’t it?”

“It would appear.”

“And less than a year since Sebastian had his brunch here. I can’t believe all my boys have grown up.”

She got visibly choked up, but laughed when Jason bounced over, knocking a chair to the floor and almost toppling KC to the ground when he hugged her.

They all got comfortable, and Patrick had been pre-warned that he would be the centre of attention, which he didn’t mind. He loved all these guys. He’d do anything for Jason, and they came as a package deal. Even when they moved out of the flat, they would still be constantly in each other’s lives.

Patrick knew Jason wouldn’t officially move in until at least after Paolo had moved to the States.

Even then, he would always feel a connection to that flat because it was the first proper home he’d ever had.

He’d made his feelings clear to Jason. Patrick’s flat was theirs and Jason could come and go whenever he wanted. He could treat it like another home.

Patrick had approached the owner about buying it, and he’d agreed.

Things had just started, but by the end of the summer, he would own the flat.

The home he’d had with George provided a nice rental income and he had good tenants in there.

If they moved out, he would sell it, but until then, he was in no rush to let it go.

Jason always asked him questions about George, knowing what an important part of Patrick’s history he was, and he had joined him at the crematorium gardens twice.

The first time, he’d sat on the bench and sent Patrick away, so he and George could have a private chat.

Patrick didn’t know what Jason had said, but he knew George would have loved Jason, and vice versa.

“Patrick, when are you going to New York?” asked Charlie.

“Next month. Why are you asking?”

“No reason.”

“You know Jason can’t get time off to come with me.”

“We usually come at the same time though, don’t we, Daddy?”

Paolo and Charlie looked shocked. Langdon glared, and Gregory looked bored.

Patrick couldn’t help but chuckle. Jason liked to play up when there was an audience, hoping there would be a punishment later.

He might try, but he would never feel embarrassed by his boy using that honorific in public. Still, he could mess with him a bit.

“You come when you’re given permission, boy.”

Jason stopped laughing.

“But that won’t be tonight, brat .”

Jason opened his mouth in shock, which caused all the others to crack up laughing.

The brothers carried on bantering with each other, sharing stories from their week.

Patrick ordered the full English, which was always a winner for him, and contributed to the discussion.

He never felt like he wasn’t part of their group.

They were a special group of guys, but they never made you feel like an outsider.

He pulled out his phone and sent a message.

Patrick: All going well.

Max: Did you ask the question?

Eric: Please tell me you did!

Oscar: I bet he didn’t. Patrick is the sensible one of the group.

Patrick : I didn’t ask, but I made the brat gape like a fish when he tried to shock everyone!

Sebastian: Brilliant!

He’d been told to ask “what’s good” at KC’s and see what their reaction would be.

“What’s Soho Knights?” asked Jason.

“It’s just the group chat,” said Patrick, putting his phone away.

“What group chat?” asked Charlie. The others were all now listening.

“You’ve got your group chat. We’ve got ours.”

The five of them looked at him in horror. He was tempted to take a picture and put it into said group chat.

“Why is it called Soho Knights?” asked Jason .

“You all live in Soho and we were your knights in shining armour.”

“Aww,” said Charlie and Paolo in unison.

“Hold up,” said Langdon. “I think I’m the knight with me and Eric.”

“Isn’t he the one who saved you?” said Charlie. “And Oscar is definitely the knight with you two.”

Gregory looked incredulous. This started them all bickering, and Patrick couldn’t help but smile.

Patrick: They know about the group chat name. Sorry!

Sebastian: You’re flying coach to New York!

He chuckled as he put his phone away again. It kept vibrating as the chat blew up. Wait until this lot found out they were planning monthly dinners. He looked at Jason, who was smiling at him.

“What?” asked Patrick.

“I’m proud to call you my knight in shining armour.”

Patrick leaned forward and kissed the man who’d shown him he could love again. No matter what he’d just said, Patrick would always regard Jason as his Soho Knight.