Chapter 1

 

“Shit!” Lachlan sighed as he kicked the door shut behind him.

Cormag ran his hand up his arm and took the two bags from his hands. Without commenting, he placed the bags on the nearest picnic table of the garden. They were going to take advantage of the sunshine and lack of wind on the boring old Monday morning, to enjoy a rare moment out in nature, while they had lunch. But not even the weirdly good weather or Cormag's understanding touch could calm him down.

“I swear, it's fucking contagious,” he complained, as he marched over and flopped onto the bench beside his husband.

Cormag silently wrapped his arms around him, holding him close for a minute. Lachlan knew why; he was giving him time to vent, to breathe and calm down before they discussed it in detail.

There was one thing his husband didn't know that he really needed to tell him, but he was too angry right now to say it without prejudice. If he flew off the handle about it, Cormag really would have to calm him down and they didn't have time for that.

Lachlan grabbed Cormag's jacket and held him close, burying his face into the opening of his windbreaker. It was nice out, but not good enough to go without a jacket. Having his distinctive scent so close and comforting was enough to calm his temper.

“Start from the beginning. When you're done, we'll go through it together,” Cormag said, rubbing his back gently, as he made the suggestion.

It made perfect sense and it was the smart, adult thing to do, so he took a deep breath and thought about where to begin. “Konnor,” he said, knowing that would be enough of a start, “Grayson called me just a half hour ago to tell me that he's arranging a get together in a cabin at Briarwood Lake. He's inviting us, Tam and Casen, Mack and Levi and Giovanni and Darren. Says it's important,” Lachlan explained, “Only, Konnor called just as I was walking into reception and he's furious, claims Grayson's doing this as some sort of Twelve Step recovery thing. Says he's being a selfish brat.”

“Understatement of the year, from what Casen experienced not so long ago,” Cormag agreed, while extracting their lunch from the bags.

He'd bought them hot fajitas, since they didn't often get lunch together. He knew it was a good choice when he saw his husband's approving smile. “Exactly. He should get it tattooed on his fucking forehead.”

“Love, you need to calm down.”

“I need to kick his backside until he's spitting toenails. It's the only way to make him see sense,” he disagreed, leaning his elbows on the table top, so he could rest his head on his palm.

“That's gross.” Cormag laughed as he wrinkled his nose in distaste.

Lachlan couldn't help but smile. “It's how I feel,” he reasoned, trying not to be too embarrassed by the stupid things coming out his mouth.

“I know. But gross,” he said, with a quick glance across to him. “Keep going,” he urged, unwrapping their fajitas and handing his over.

Lachlan took a bite, chewing carefully as he thought of where to start. He decided to begin with the most important thing; the one thing Cormag didn't already know. There was no better place to start than there. “Konnor told me that he's going through therapy to deal with his anger management and his feelings of inadequacy. Gio recommended the guy through Casen and it's really been helping him. But the guy did say that he should probably face his biggest fears – his history with Tam and I. So he thinks Grayson is putting this together to make that happen, without admitting it.”

His husband hummed, but didn't comment, so Lachlan went on. “It's going to be a disaster and you know it. Tam and Gio have some of their shit sorted out, but not enough to be locked in the same cabin for a week,” he reasoned, worrying at his bottom lip with concern. “And you know Tam and Konnor haven't worked things out; they just gave a nod at the wedding, as if that was good enough. Don't even get me started on Casen – he still holds a grudge against Grayson and Gio, even if he's tried to pretend everything is fine,” he elaborated, listing the numerous risks they faced.

Cormag graced his hand with a gentle graze. “All of that is true,” he agreed, with a 'but' deep in his tone.

“Go on. You know you can't help yourself.” Lachlan chuckled, then took a bite as he kept his gaze firmly focused on his beautiful, intelligent husband.

“Well, I think Grayson would say the risk is worth taking. That, if this will help Konnor's recovery, what does it matter if there are a few...revelations...along the way?” he argued quietly. “If Konnor can get closure, then shouldn't we do all we can to help him?”

He smiled despite himself, loving that optimistic view of life Cormag had. It was the one thing that kept him sane, despite all of his work commitments, the deadlines and the research issues that gave him writer’s block. No matter what, Cormag was always there to brighten his life. “I hate it when you're right.”

Cormag laughed and turned to offer a kiss.

Lachlan reached up to swipe away a smear of tomato sauce before meeting him halfway. Then he slipped his thumb into his mouth and sucked off the sauce before getting back to his own lunch.

His husband smiled and ducked in to kiss his lips, gently. “I love you, gorgeous.”

“I love you too.” Lachlan smiled into another kiss, grateful for the life he had.

It was so good spending every day with Cormag, to know that he was loved, being with the man he loved in return.

It was an incredible life that would never have been possible if he hadn't listened to his heart and let one moment of impulsive, irrational decision-making guide him in the right direction.