Page 4 of Matthias’s Protective Embrace (Cardinal Falls #3)

I’m late by the time I make my way into The Flaming Unicorn to meet my friends.

This queer bar has been our go-to spot since we all turned twenty-one.

While Cardinal Falls has several gay bars and clubs, this one feels like home.

It’s quiet enough to allow for conversation but busy enough to create a buzz in the air.

About five years ago, we made Thursday nights our regular get-togethers.

No matter what else is going on, we meet in our usual booth for a bit of fun.

And my life can use a little fun. If it wasn’t for this, I’d still be in my office preparing for tomorrow’s meetings, reviewing client accounts, and generally working, which is what I do every other night of the week.

As much as I love my job, spending that much time in the office is unhealthy. Or so I’ve heard.

At least on Thursdays, I’m here—no exceptions and no excuses.

Though I admit to frequently being the last to arrive.

I’m lucky enough to have a group of friends who’ve stuck together for over a decade.

A rarity that I’m incredibly thankful for.

These are the only people I talk to routinely who aren’t colleagues or family.

We all met at Cardinal Falls University and immediately hit it off.

“There he is. Right on time.” I glance at my watch and raise an eyebrow toward Nathan. I’m fifteen minutes late, which isn’t that bad, but it’s not on time . “Pay up.” Tyler and Aaron groan.

“You bet on when I’d get here?” Have I really become that predictable?

“Technically,” Aaron says, tapping on his phone screen to send Nathan his winnings, “we bet on how late you’d be.”

I glance over at Tyler as he turns his phone face down on the table. “Don’t look at me. You cost me ten bucks. I put my money on you being on time.” I knew I liked him best. I slide into the empty spot next to Nathan.

“I texted that I was running ten minutes late.” I might be tardy, but I’m not a complete ass.

“You did not.” Tyler grabs his phone again and starts scrolling through his messages. He doesn’t get very far before Nathan bursts into laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Aaron asks. All eyes turn to Nathan, who’s bent over, hand on his stomach, cackling.

“He—” Nathan gasps for air before getting himself under control. “Matthias didn’t use the group chat. Again. He only messaged me.”

“And you took advantage? I want my money back.” Tyler slinks down in the booth right before the whole table vibrates as his foot makes contact with Nathan’s shin and the old wooden booth.

“Ow. That hurt.” The two stare each other down for a second before laughing it off.

Nathan and Tyler roomed together for a long time, first because the university decided to pick them in the lottery, then because they got along so well.

Not that anyone would be able to tell at the moment.

In the last year, they’ve both fallen in love with amazing men who fit nicely into our little group.

Of course, Thursdays are strictly the four of us. No significant others.

“Sorry,” I say sheepishly. This happens far too often.

I tend not to notice who a text is addressed to before I start typing.

One of these days, it’s going to get me into serious trouble.

Nathan and I were texting about his retirement account toward the end of the day, putting it at the top of my message list. “I’ll buy a round of beers to make it up to you. ”

“I think Nathan should use his winnings to pay for it, but as long as I’m getting free beer…” Tyler shrugs and pushes his nearly empty glass forward.

My friends can be assholes, but they’re my assholes.

I don’t have an excuse for the texting thing except that I prefer real phone calls.

Not a popular opinion these days. Over a call, I can tell when someone’s hesitant or struggling with options.

I can hear the emotion that someone puts into a decision.

It’s also easier to talk them into investing their money, which, as a financial advisor, is often my goal.

I grab four beers from the bartender. I know all their orders by heart.

It’s the same thing every week. Made easier by the fact that this place doesn’t have a lot of options.

The Flaming Unicorn has a stable set of beers on tap, a single page of classic cocktails, and a whole two wine choices—red and white.

Not the wild place the name might imply.

Even in our twenties, we all preferred hanging out here over any of the trendy places.

Now that we’re all squarely in our mid-thirties, a casual place where we know we’ll be accepted is perfect.

Every pride flag I can think of is hanging on the wall somewhere, making it clear that everyone’s welcome, as long as they’re not a homophobe.

Beers in hand, I return to the table and hand out their winnings.

For what these guys put up with from me, they deserve more than a beer.

In addition to the lateness, I can be a bit…

controlling. At least that’s what other people tell me.

Especially former boyfriends. I try to keep it un der control, but sometimes my Daddy energy comes out, and I end up bossing them around.

“So, how long until we can check out your new yard?”

“You guys know it takes more than a few days to do a whole overhaul, right?” Okay, those expressions say this is news to them. “The whole project is going to take at least ten weeks.” And that’s if everything goes according to plan. Everything never goes according to plan.

“Ten weeks?” Tyler looks like I punched him in the gut. “For a little landscaping?”

“It’s not ‘ a little landscaping’ .” I did a small amount of work a few months back, adding a few trees along the fence line.

The place has been due for a big remodel since I bought it.

The indoor spaces took priority, and the poor yard was left alone other than the trees.

“It’s a new deck, a patio, a fire pit, and a little landscaping.

” My place is the center of many group activities, by my choice.

I like having everyone gathered where I can look after them.

Deep down, I knew it would create a lot of mess and mean weeks of being unusable, but after my friends started bringing their significant others, the yard felt small.

It’s stupid, but I started to worry that our group would outgrow it. And me.

Tyler’s face is still white. He and his boyfriend, Graham, started shopping for houses last week, but nearly everything in their price range requires some work. Nothing crazy, but some updating and minor renovations. They’re more than capable of making it happen, but I can tell he’s nervous.

“We can still use the space.” I’m not sure that’s true, given how it looked when I left this morning. It’ll be tight and a bit uncomfortable, but we can make it work.

“When is the next backyard hangout?” Aaron asks. No one else has the space to host the whole group, especially now that it includes Nathan’s and Tyler’s boyfriends. Plus, our friend Oliver, who comes along with Aaron more often than not.

“Give me two weeks. That’ll give them enough time to use up some of the material.” I hope . Maybe I should check with Sam before I make any promises.

Or with the cutie I found roaming around this morning.

His face keeps popping up in my head every time I think about the project.

He’s a little firecracker of energy, bratty in all the right ways.

When I first saw him, I thought he couldn’t possibly be part of the crew.

I’ve seen enough of those guys to know they’re usually a bit…

bigger. This guy could easily fit over my shoulder. Or lap.

Nope, not thinking about it.

“Would it be okay if Oliver came again?” Aaron asks.

I eye my friend carefully. Something’s been up with him lately, and I don’t know what.

Of all of us, Aaron’s an open book. He wears his heart on his sleeve, which means he often has a broken heart.

Right now, he has an air of brokenness about him.

Except, I don’t know why. Usually, he calls or drops by to chat when things bother him. Neither of which he’s done lately.

“Of course. You can invite anyone you want.” My general philosophy is the more the merrier. It’s one reason getting the yard done is a priority. It makes it easier to bring everyone I care about together.

“Thanks.”

I turn toward Nathan and Tyler. “You’ll bring Colt and Graham?”

“Of course,” they both say. It’s been weird watching them pair up.

Not in a bad way, but it’s always been the four of us.

Boyfriends, and girlfriends in Aaron’s case, have come and gone over the years, but none ever stuck around long enough to penetrate the circle.

Now, Nathan and Tyler both have other people who are important to them. Which makes them important to me, too.

“Good.” I make a mental note to check in with Aaron in a few days, maybe get the whole story out of him.

“Make sure you bring coats and stuff. It’ll be cold, but we can still grill and spend some time outside.” At least my grill still works during the construction phase, though finding a clear place to set it up might be a bit of a challenge.

“Yes, Dad.” Aaron rolls his eyes at me.

Yeah, yeah. The group likes to joke that I’m the dad of the group. Always checking in and making sure everyone’s eaten enough and brought their warm clothes. Do I like to make sure people are cared for? Of course. Does it sometimes turn me into a bossy asshole? Maybe.

None of them knows that I prefer to take a Daddy role in a relationship.

I don’t think they’d care, but it’s not the kind of thing we talk about.

Well, Aaron might’ve guessed a while back, but he keeps his mouth shut.

Maybe if I had a boy of my own, it might be worth mentioning, if only so they understood the dynamic.

It’s been a long time since I even came close to something like that.

Now, I mostly play at theme nights at one of the local clubs.

There’s plenty of people around, but my work is my number one priority, which isn’t fair to someone. Not in that kind of relationship.

“Okay, so back to planning. Matthias, we were making weekend plans before you got here. Tyler wants to go to some festival thingy. We thought maybe we could all go on Saturday,” Nathan explains.

“This Saturday?” Aaron asks.

“Yeah, why?” Nathan looks up from his phone.

“I’ve got plans. ”

“Doing what?” Nathan demands. “I thought you didn’t work this weekend.” Aaron’s schedule can be erratic, often working nights, weekends, and holidays, so it’s hard to keep track sometimes.

“Some stuff I need to get done.” Well, that sounds suspicious.

“And it can’t wait until Sunday?” Nathan asks. “It’ll be fun to see all the booths set up.”

“I’m free,” I pipe in, taking the pressure off Aaron. Besides, I could use some more social time. If I don’t go, I’ll end up sitting at my computer all day. I’ll still work, but at least I’ll get out of the house for a few hours.

I love my job and the people I work with, but I need to remember to take time off.

Toiling over spreadsheets for long hours, trying to prove myself at work, has been my focus for years.

It’s served me well, but I’m afraid one day, I’ll look up from the screen and realize life has passed me by.

In the last year, two of my friends ended up in committed relationships.

I’m happy for them, but it’s like the world changed and left me behind.

I’m not sure I like it. But I’m not sure I want to change anything either.