“Is it okay if I get this heated up a bit more before I serve it?” Ulric wriggled his casserole dish.
Phoenix pointed. “Kitchen’s there.”
Ulric hurried off. Gage was tempted to follow him just to see if he’d be fine. But Ulric seemed to have things under control now—so Gage poured himself a drink at the bar, taking a seat awkwardly at an unoccupied couch.
“My name’s Gage. I’m a personal trainer at Meadowfall Fitness,” Gage began. “If you encounter any sports-related injuries, or if you’d like to develop an exercise routine, I might be able to help.”
Like hell Phoenix or King would come to him for help. They probably had their own doctors on speed dial. Gage felt silly for even saying it, but he didn’t know what else these guys would be interested in.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Nate gave him a thumbs-up.
Phoenix looked Gage in the eye, nodding at the kitchen. “Are you and the other kid a thing?”
Well, that was awkward.
“There’s a security camera at the gate,” Nate explained. “Phinny and I were trying to figure out who you were, until King told us.”
So... they’d seen Gage kissing Ulric, then. Ulric would be so embarrassed. Feeling bad for him, Gage said, “He’s a really good friend of mine. I moved in with him recently.”
“Ah.” Phoenix smiled. Then he seemed thoughtful, and Gage knew he was trying to guess which of them bottomed for the other. Like sex was already a given.
Truth be told... Gage had been getting curious, himself. He’d glimpsed a movie folder on Ulric’s TV, one that had been named Misc. The thumbnails in that folder had been flesh-colored.
He’d never asked to peek inside. Maybe he should.
Then he imagined Ulric jerking off, and his cock thickened. Definitely not the right time for this.
“Ulric’s actually the sweetest alpha,” Gage said. “He’s a data analyst for big pharma, and he’s not available for dates.”
Gage scowled at Phoenix, just in case Phoenix had ideas. He figured he should protect Ulric from someone famous.
But Phoenix only laughed. “How cute!”
He pulled out a cigarette box; Nate made a face. “Must you?”
“My house,” Phoenix said, lighting up. “Sit out in the lawn if it bothers you.”
Nate chuckled.
“I like that brand,” Gage said.
Both Phoenix and Nate looked at him in surprise; Phoenix offered him a stick. “Really? Gym rat like you?”
Gage declined. “Nah, I don’t smoke. But it reminds me of when my dad brought us to the Christmas markets—there would always be a few smokers around, and it was always this scent. Just gives me the warm fuzzy feelings.”
Phoenix laughed, blowing a puff of smoke into the air. “I think I like you.”
Ulric had been walking back with his casserole dish; he froze when Phoenix spoke, looking quickly between Gage and the singer. Did he think Gage had been flirting with Phoenix while he was gone?
Unwilling to let Ulric believe that, Gage stood, taking the casserole dish from him. Then he kissed Ulric on the cheek. “Only you,” Gage whispered.
Ulric flushed so red, Gage thought he might’ve turned around and fled.
“Wow,” King said. “Have you proposed?”
What? Gage leaned back; Ulric scrambled away, wide-eyed.
“Nothing’s going on,” Ulric said.
“We’re best friends,” Gage added.
King broke into a laugh. “You know, we might just have to invite you guys over the next time.”
“Seconded.” Nate raised his glass.
Phoenix just smiled like a sly cat.
“Anyway, the ribs,” Gage said. He sliced them up and dished them, and King all but inhaled his share. Nate did, too. Phoenix was finally convinced to try a piece.
The rack of ribs disappeared a lot faster than Gage expected—by the end of it, Ulric looked relieved, almost happy. Gage touched the small of his back. It seemed that Ulric liked these neighbors a lot better than his previous ones. That was good.
An hour later, when Ulric looked ready to leave, Gage linked their fingers together. “I think we should start heading back,” Gage said.
Ulric smiled, squeezing his hand.
“Aw,” Phoenix said.
“Shh.” Nate shook his head. “You know what they say—a watched pot doesn’t boil.”
Phoenix flipped him off. “Yes, Professor Nate,” he muttered in the most sarcastic tone. “I’ve never heard that in my entire life.”
Gage decided that he should get Ulric out of here, before Ulric fainted from blushing so much. He tugged Ulric to the door; King followed them.
For a second, Gage thought about asking King for a selfie—his siblings would be thrilled. But was that out of line? By inviting Gage and Ulric to the get-together, King had already done them a favor.
“King,” Ulric said suddenly. “If it isn’t too much to ask, could you sign on my shirt? Something really cheesy. I know someone who’d really like it.”
King laughed. “Sure.”
While Ulric fumbled around for a pen, King disappeared into the house, returning a moment later with a marker. “What sort of message would you like?”
Ulric shrugged. “Something weird? What about ‘With lots of crazy love’? Or anything, really. It’s up to you.”
Gage bit down his smile. Damn, Ulric. You beat me to it.
King scribbled on Ulric’s shoulder blade. Then he signed off and clapped Ulric on the back. “Done.”
“Thanks.” Ulric looked immensely grateful. “I can’t thank you enough for inviting us over. It was an honor.”
King met their gaze. “We’re brothers on this street. Happy to find more family.”
Gage was only living temporarily with Ulric, and Ulric was just renting the place they were in. But if this somehow became a permanent sort of brotherhood... that would be sweet. It’d feel like a home away from home.
Mostly, Gage wondered how long he’d be living with Ulric here on Meadow Street. How long he had before things inevitably fell apart, like all his friendships and relationships tended to go.
They bade King goodbye, heading back to Ulric’s place. On the way, Gage slipped his arm around Ulric, pulling him closer. Ulric was soft against him, warm. And Gage couldn’t help eyeing the autograph on Ulric’s shoulder. With loads of love, King had written.
“You have a damn big pair,”
