Page 5 of Broken Promises (Soho Knights #5)

PATRICK

Present day

It was March, and spring was doing its best to say hello, but the blossoms weren’t chancing it in case there was another cold snap.

Patrick walked slowly, having made this journey many times over the last few months.

The silence was peaceful, and even though there were others around, there was an unspoken consensus of etiquette.

Patrick had needed to make assumptions about George’s last wishes.

At thirty, it wasn’t something they’d ever spoken about.

The only thing he knew was that George hadn’t wanted to be buried, not even his ashes, so he wasn’t here.

The crematorium gardens were beautiful, though, and he needed somewhere to come and talk to the love of his life.

He’d paid for a bench to be put here, looking out over an expanse of fields.

The crematorium was on a hill, so there were sweeping views as far as the eye could see.

Sometimes he brought flowers with him, but today he just wanted to talk.

George had been the perfect boy for him.

He’d driven Patrick to distraction half the time, and he couldn’t help but chuckle when he thought of the stunts he’d pulled.

Half the time, he knew it was just to get a reaction.

They’d had ten glorious years together before fate intervened and dealt a fatal blow.

A brain aneurysm at his age was rare, and he’d died alone.

Patrick had been at work, and George was always trying to become the next entrepreneur so he’d always had a project on the go.

Patrick hadn’t cared, as long as his boy was happy.

Coming home and finding him dead on the kitchen floor was the worst moment of his life.

“I’ve missed you this week,” he said, sitting on the bench.

“Well, I miss you every week, but this one has been difficult... putting the house on the market. I know you understand why I can’t stay there.

Every time I walk into the kitchen, my heart breaks again.

All I see is you lying there. I’m thinking of moving back into the city, but I’m going to rent for a bit.

See how it goes. Be nice to not have to get on the train every day. ”

They’d moved to the suburbs because it was what George had wanted, and Patrick would have given him anything he’d asked for.

Seeing his smiling face was what he’d lived for.

He’d loved making his boy happy. Patrick had always preferred the city, but he was in his forties now, so wasn’t sure if it would still feel the same. At least he’d be close to friends.

“I’m meeting Sebastian for lunch today. I told you he opened an office in London, so he’s going to be over a lot more while he gets things set up.”

Patrick smiled at the thought of his best friend.

They’d known each other for over thirty years, having met at school.

Sebastian had moved to New York when he was still a kid, with his twin sister, Bex.

They’d stayed in touch, and now his friend was one of the most successful property tycoons in the world.

He couldn’t be prouder of him, and grateful.

Because of Sebastian’s solid investment advice over the years, Patrick wasn’t hurting for money.

He didn’t even need to work now, but he couldn’t imagine doing nothing. He’d go out of his mind with boredom .

He arrived at the restaurant early. Patrick had always been like that; it was something his mother had drummed into him. Being late was one of the rudest things you could do, so planning to be early ensured you were always on time, even if something happened.

Patrick saw Sebastian walk in. He was a handsome guy.

The sort of hot daddy you would see on the front of romance novels.

Patrick snorted at the idea of Sebastian being a daddy – definitely not his thing, but he would love to see his friend settled.

He’d been hurt in the past, and now he was a perpetual bachelor.

“You’re looking annoyingly hot as always,” said Patrick, standing up and holding his arms out for a hug.

“Bring it in, Papa Bear.”

They hugged. Patrick snorted at the bear comment. It was an accurate description. He wasn’t sure if he even had a body part that wasn’t covered in hair. A strange look passed over his friend’s face, like he’d just lost his pet dog or something.

“What’s wrong? You look like someone just died.”

“Now, if I’d made that joke . . .”

“Widower’s prerogative. Sit and tell me what’s got you looking all glum.”

They took their seats, and the server came over to take their drinks order.

Patrick could see his friend’s furrowed brow, like he was stressing about whether to say what was on his mind.

Patrick wanted to give him reassurance. People had tiptoed around him for the past six months, but Sebastian didn’t need to do that with Patrick.

They’d always been open and honest with each other.

“How’s the house sale coming along?” asked Sebastian.

“You’re deflecting, but I’ll allow it. Now look at the menu. I want the server gone before we circle back.”

“Ugh, do you have to say things like circle back? ”

“Just trying to make you feel at home, Yank.”

The server arrived with their drinks and took their food order, and Sebastian looked like he’d had to bite his tongue, which was probably killing him. He wondered what could be stressing his friend out so much. Sebastian Steele was the epitome of chill. The guy was completely unflappable.

“I think I just lost my soulmate,” Sebastian blurted out.

“What’s his name?” he asked, smiling.

“Charlie, and he’s twenty-seven.”

“Hot!”

“Really?”

“What do you expect me to say? I was with the same man for ten years. I have to live vicariously through my friends, and you’re the only one who’s still single.”

“Thanks for that. It doesn’t matter anyway. I won’t see him again.”

“Why not?”

“He left before I woke up.”

“Brewer’s droop?”

“Excuse me? I fucked him three times.”

The server appeared at that exact moment, and it took all of Patrick’s restraint not to crack up laughing.

Sebastian was blushing, which was rare. He could probably count on one hand the number of times he’d seen his friend blush in almost four decades.

The server finally left, and Patrick could let out the laugh he’d been holding.

“It’s not funny.”

“Oh, it is. I’ve known you thirty-seven years and never seen you this flustered. You really like this guy, don’t you?”

“Yeah. I know it’s stupid after one night, but I’ve never had that instant connection with anyone.”

“Even ‘he who must not be named?’”

Sebastian smiled. It was an agreement they had, to not talk about Sebastian’s abusive ex. Patrick believed he still didn’t know the full story .

“Honestly, I don’t think I ever felt this way about him.”

“Fuck. Have you told Bex?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, she’d be out buying a hat. What am I supposed to do?”

Patrick couldn’t help but smile. This is what he wanted for his friend. In all of these years, he had never seen him gushing like this over anyone. It was cute, if that was what you could say about a guy who was six feet five and built like a brick shithouse.

“I know better than anyone that you can’t ignore it. Tell me about him. You can leave out the ‘three times’ part, though. I can fill in the gaps myself when I’m alone later.”

“You’re an arsehole!”

Patrick encouraged Sebastian to tell him all about his night with the guy who had clearly come down in a lightning bolt from the gods. He was certain he was witnessing love at first sight here – he’d felt it himself when he’d first met George. They’d been married within six months of meeting.

They enjoyed their lunch, and he let Sebastian keep gushing over Charlie.

It was lovely to see. He’d experienced that feeling, and thought everyone should have one great love in their life.

Patrick had experienced his, and it had ended far too soon, but he wouldn’t trade anything for those ten years with George.

If there was a possibility Sebastian could have that as well, he needed to give his friend a nudge in the right direction.

“What time is your flight tomorrow?” asked Patrick.

“Midday, why?”

“Let’s go out tonight, to the bar where you met Charlie.”

“Why? You hate going into Soho.”

“This is too important to leave to chance. Tip the odds in your favour. He might be there again tonight.”

“What if he tells me to fuck off?”

“At least you’ll know. Come on, I’m offering to go to Soho with you. Take the opportunity to experience this momentous event.”

“Fine, let’s do it.”

Patrick remembered why he didn’t do nights out in Soho anymore.

He felt old, although he got a lot of lingering looks from twinks, but they were just looking for a night with an older man who knew what he was doing.

None of them gave off a boy vibe – not that he was looking for another one.

George had been it for him. He could never imagine himself with someone else.

Sebastian was getting frustrated, doing laps of the club trying to spot Charlie.

Patrick could see his friend deflate the more time went by.

After seeing his friend become more dejected, he agreed they should call it a night, but they headed to the VIP lounge to have one last drink before they went their separate ways.

Patrick had booked a hotel for the evening, though not the ridiculously expensive one Sebastian used.

He was comfortable, but didn’t have a bottomless pit of money like his friend did.

“If it’s meant to be, you’ll see him again.” Patrick wanted to say something reassuring.

“I need to just put it down to a great night and leave it at that.”

“I don’t think that’s gonna happen.”

“Why?”

“I’ve literally never seen you this hung up on a guy, and you’re also very resourceful. If you want to find him again, you could do it.”