Nico’s first date in Malta happened by accident. His school played American-style football and they were practicing. One of the other players had taken a hard hit. They were in the locker room and Nico was putting ice on his shoulder. Although he spoke perfect Italian, his teammates wanted to learn English, so that’s what they spoke all the time.

“Thank you.”

“Very good, Giovanni.” Nico smiled.

“You like men, no?”

“Yes, I’m gay.”

“We can be gay together?”

Nico busted out laughing. “Sure.”

“You are very beauty.”

“Beautiful.” Nico blushed. “And thank you.”

Practice ended and the players hit the showers and got ready to leave. Stefan was waiting for Nico. When he saw Giovanni coming, he smiled. The guy was so funny learning English.

“Stefano,” Giovanni greeted him.

“That’s my grandfather’s name.” Stefan smiled at the young man.

“It is Stefano in Italian, no?”

“Sure.”

“I have date with your brother.”

“Are you sure?” Stefan asked hesitantly.

“He said we could be gay together.”

“Oh, shit.” Stefan ran a hand through his hair.

“I am wrong?”

Nico came out just then and Stefan gave him a funny look. He walked over and both guys stared at him.

“Okay, what did I miss?”

“Giovanni is ready for your date, Nico.” Stefan smiled.

“We have a date?” Nico puzzled.

“I am wrong. I am sorry. I misunderstood.” Giovanni turned to leave.

“Wait, wait.” Nico stopped him, he looked so sad. “We can go out.”

“You are sure?”

“I am sure.”

“Well, all righty then,” Stefan said. “I’ll see you back at the house.”

Giovanni took him out to dinner and they talked about everything — his family, Nico’s family and life in general. Nico made it easier on him and spoke in Italian.

“I am sorry you were beaten.” He paused. “I can see it in your eyes; you are in love.” Giovanni took his hand.

Nico was shocked. “You can tell?”

“He must be very special.”

“He’s much younger than me.” Nico sighed.

“Numbers do not matter when love is involved.”

Giovanni walked him home after dinner. They were at the front gate and Giovanni took his hand.

“I would like to kiss you goodnight.”

“I haven’t —” Nico knew he was blushing, but he had never kissed anyone.

“I know nothing will come of this but I would like to.”

“Okay,” Nico agreed uncertainly.

Giovanni cupped his face and leaned in. Their lips met and he parted his lips and searched his mouth slowly. Giovanni pulled back with a small smile.

“You are very good. Goodnight, Nico.”

“Night.” Nico watched him walk down the street. It was a nice kiss but he wasn’t Tanner.

Tanner was having his own issues. He had been asked to the dance about twelve times already. In the end, he had begged Arielle to go with him. She had agreed on the grounds he buy her pizza after it ended.

Damon asked Lily and her flat-out rejection had stung. In the end, he had gone with Britt after all. Lily watched them dance together and her stomach churned.

Katarina dropped down next to her.

“It’s your own fault. He asked.”

“I can’t, Kat.” Lily said, miserably.

“Dance with me?” Joshua put his hand out to Katarina.

“Sure.”

Landon had finally gotten the balls to ask Katiana to dance. She was in his arms with her head on his chest. The feelings he had were overwhelming.

“Can I cut in?”

Katiana looked up and saw her boyfriend. “I thought you weren’t coming?”

“I’m here now.”

Landon watched her leave and then went and sat down. Ryan joined him.

“Dude.” Ryan put his hand on Landon’s shoulder.

“I can’t do this anymore.” Landon shook his head.

 

By the time the event was over, Landon was spending the night at Joshua’s. They were in the living room watching movies when Joshua sighed and said, “I get it, Landon. If you want to go away, I’ll understand.”

Landon hugged him. “Thank you.” The tears finally came and Joshua held him tight.

“It’s okay, we’ll talk every day okay?”

“Best friends,” Landon sniffled.

“Forever.”

Evan went home with Ryan and the house was dark. They walked in the front door and both immediately tripped. The lights came on and Dylan was staring at them.

“You’re late.”

“Dad, really?” Ryan pointed at the couch in front of the front door.

Alex busted out laughing. “Oh my God, that was so much fun!”

“I see you’re taking lessons from my dad.” Evan cocked an eyebrow.

Chris and Dimitri came out of the kitchen laughing and Evan turned to his dad, hands on hips.

“Really?”

“Come on, Van.” Ryan huffed and took his hand.

Chris pouted. “Aw, come on! That was a classic!”

Dimitri smiled and took Chris in his arms. “Are you ready to go home?”

“Will we be laying pipe?” Chris chuckled.

“I have no idea what that means, but I will be making love to you.”

“Okay, bye now!” Dylan laughed.

Evan lay in the bed and watched Ryan strip off his shirt. As hard as he tried he couldn’t look away. Ryan was already well defined and Evan knew he wasn’t. He wasn’t flabby by any means but standing next to Ryan made him look like a ten-year-old. He sighed and closed his eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Ryan got in bed and propped himself up on his elbow.

“I’m so…” Evan sighed. “How come I don’t have as much muscle as you?”

“Um, I work out more?” Ryan suggested. He ran his hand down Evan’s chest. “You’re not undefined, Van.”

Evan closed his eyes and hoped to God he wouldn’t get an erection. “But you’re so much bigger.”

“I take after my dad.” Van’s eyes were closed, and Ryan realized he was still running his hand up and down his chest. He pulled his hand away and closed his eyes, trying to control his growing erection. His feelings for Evan were getting stronger by the day and every time he saw him he wanted to kiss him and hold him. “I can help you if you want.”

“Really? So I can look like you?”

“Sure.” He pulled Evan into him and held him close. “ ʼNight, Van.”

Evan nestled into him, loving the feel of his smooth skin. “ ʼNight, Ryan.”

Chad drove Phoebe home and walked her up to the front door. She looked at him and all she could see was Stefan’s face.

“Goodnight, Chad.”

“Can I kiss you?” Chad asked, engaging his first step in getting Phoebe Greystone.

Phoebe nodded and Chad took her face in his hands. He kissed her softly and his tongue slid across her bottom lip, catching her by surprise; when her mouth opened, he took it. There was a loud cough and then Paul was standing on the steps looking at his daughter with a boy who wasn’t Stefan.

“Goodnight.” Paul narrowed his eyes at Chad.

“Goodnight, Phoebe, Mr. Greystone.”

“Uh huh.”

Phoebe frowned at her father. “Daddy.”

“I don’t like him,” Paul told her.

“What’s new?” Phoebe walked in the house and saw her other father waiting for her. “You too?”

“I don’t like him either, Phoebe. At least Stefan was willing to wait for you and never pushed you.”

“Stefan, Stefan, Stefan! That’s all I ever hear!” Phoebe ran to her room and slammed the door.

“Well, that was fun.” Paul remarked to his husband.

Parker sat at the hotel bar eyeing two women. They were there for one reason only, to pick up a man. They had already hit on him and he had let them down easily; the wedding ring on his finger obviously wasn’t enough to deter them, but the gay part was. He was the lucky one who had been sent to New York for a meeting of firms — the Reynolds of New York and the Reynolds of the Southwest getting together to discuss clients. Jake, of course, had found something else that was more important than sitting around for a full day discussing legal mumbo jumbo.

“Townsend?”

Parker turned and saw a guy who looked familiar. He almost spit out his beer. Dennis Morrow was the one guy he had actually asked out in high school only to be turned down flat and told he wasn’t attracted to him in “that way.” The rejection had led to a series of events which culminated in Jake kissing him in the parking lot of the firm. Their relationship had taken off from there.

“It’s Greco now.” Parker flashed his wedding band.

“You married that crazy Jake guy?” Dennis sat down.

Parker chuckled. Jake had almost torn Dennis a new one the night they were at Greystone’s and Dennis hit on him. It was the night he had truly seen how much Jake cared. “I did, and we have a daughter.” Parker opened his wallet and showed him a picture of Katarina.

“She’s beautiful.” Dennis eyed the picture. “She looks just like you.”

Parker smiled. “She may look like me but she acts like Jake.”

“That sucks.” Dennis laughed as he cozied up closer. Parker had aged well, very well. “So, you guys happy?”

Parker moved away. “Deliriously. What are you doing here?”

“Medical conference.”

“Yes, we are deliriously happy — and Dennis is a pharmaceutical rep.” Jake’s voice came from behind Parker.

Parker smiled without even turning around. “Hello, husband.”

Dennis froze and looked in the mirror in front of him. In the reflection, he saw Jake standing behind him with his arms crossed. “Well, nice catching up, Parker.”

Parker chuckled as Dennis fled the bar. He stood up and threw some money on the bar before turning to see Jake with his arms still crossed. “Well, nice to see you.”

Jake frowned. “Kinda cozy at the bar with Dennis, weren’t you?”

Parker just smiled and headed to the elevator. “That’s what happens when you leave me alone. Men and women hit on me.” Parker got in the elevator and Jake jumped in right as the doors were closing. “I suppose you heard the conversation, though.”

Jake hit the stop button and threw Parker into the elevator wall before taking his mouth. They were pulling and pushing at each other and Jake got Parker’s shirt unbuttoned so he could play with his chest. “God, I missed you!”

Parker restarted the elevator and ripped Jake’s shirt open; his hands drifted to his ass and he kneaded both cheeks. “I missed you too. Now, shut up and kiss me,” Parker growled.

The doors opened on his floor and he yanked Jake into the hallway. They kissed furiously all the way down the hall, not caring as they passed people who stared. Parker fumbled for the room key as Jake attacked his neck, sliding his hand down to Parker’s full-blown erection. As soon as the door was open the clothes came flying off. Jake picked him up under his thighs and threw him on the bed before jumping on him.

Parker let out a loud moan as his husband licked down his stomach; he pulled his hair hard as Jake took him in his mouth. His tongue was teasing him and Parker moaned when he felt small bites on his inner thigh. He pulled Jake up and gasped loudly as Jake entered him completely. They gazed into each other’s eyes before Jake finally started moving as he kissed Parker.

The kisses were slow and seductive and Parker loved the way Jake’s hands felt — searching him, teasing him. Jake was all over him, his hand stroking him as his mouth teased him to his limit.

“Damn, Priss, you’re tight,” Jake moaned.

“Shut up, Jackass,” Parker growled, crushing their mouths together.

Jake sped up his movements. They had been apart for a day and it felt as though it had been a year. To find his husband sitting at the bar with Dennis, even after all the years they had been married — Jake still had those feelings of inadequacy, that one day Parker would wake up and look at him and realize what a mistake he had made.

“I love you, Parker Prissy Pants.”

“I will always love you, Jackass, until the day I breathe no more.”

Jake hit him harder and harder until Parker let out a loud cry and let loose. Parker’s fingers dug into his back, and Jake was pretty sure he was bleeding. They stayed together, kissing slowly as Jake stroked his husband’s face and looked into his beautiful green eyes. He would never forget the day he had first kissed Parker.

He had been at the office when Parker came in looking like hell. No matter how much Jake razzed him, Parker wouldn’t take the bait as he usually did. In the end, he had found out that Parker had asked Dennis out — only to be told he didn’t like him in that way. Of course Jake had said something stupid, sending Parker running out of the office. That’s when he had really seen him.

He had followed Parker out and kissed him and it had done a lot more to him than he had anticipated. He couldn’t stop thinking about Parker after that but couldn’t make himself admit it. He finally came clean on New Year’s Eve. Parker had almost taken him out with a bat when he came into the office unexpectedly; they had worked quietly for a half an hour before Jake had finally made a smartass remark that had led to the best sex he had ever had on a desk and then a kiss so explosive it had rocked him to the core.

“You have that goofy look on your face.”

“I was just thinking about New Year’s Eve, when we had sex.”

“Okay, you are going to have to be more specific. We have sex every New Year’s.”

“You tried to take me out with a bat,” Jake reminded him.

“Oh, that one. God, I had no idea what I was doing. I’d only had sex once before that, and the first time was not memorable.”

“Well, you could have fooled me.” Jake caressed his cheek. “I wanted you so much, Parker. I still do. I always will. Even now, with you gone for one day, I couldn’t be away from you.” Jake rolled his eyes. “God, I am a stalker!”

“Let me show you how I roll.”

“Damn, Priss!”

“Jackass.”

Damon and Tanner were in the locker room the following week gearing up for football practice with the rest of the group. Landon and Joshua were tossing the ball around. Landon was going to leave over the summer and Joshua was going to New York with him to hang out. Colin threw the ball at Chad’s head and it hit him perfectly.

“What the hell, Greystone?”

“I know what you’re doing, Chad.”

“What am I doing?”

“Trying to get my sister into bed.”

By now all the guys had come over and gathered behind Colin. Chad arched an eyebrow. He could hold his own but the Reynolds and Youngbloods — along with the Greystones — were way too much.

“You guys going to try to kick my ass or something?”

Landon laughed. “We don’t have to do anything. Phoebe grew up with certain people. You try something she doesn’t like and you will be walking funny for a very long time.”

“Whatever.” Chad turned around.

“But on that note, if you try to force yourself on her it won’t be just us getting a piece of you. There will a very long line,” Joshua pointed out.

Ryan and Evan had finally joined them and Evan was looking up and down at Chad with his head tilted.

“You look fat.”

“Fuck you, Voronova.”

“Not in this lifetime.” Evan chuckled.

Chad stomped over to Evan, and Ryan stepped in front of him. “I dare you.”

Evan wasn’t small, but Ryan was bigger — a lot bigger. Big enough for Chad to back down. One thing he had learned and fast was never to fuck with Evan Voronova. Ryan Cannon was lethal when it came to that kid.

“I can’t believe I have to put up with you guys on the football team,” Chad complained.

“You want to go back to losing?” Damon asked.

Chad walked out.

“Let’s go.” Tanner clapped his hands and put on his helmet.

 

Practice consisted of a scrimmage against Sabino’s team, another stupid move by their coach. The teams’ rivalry had been going on for decades and Damon laughed when the coach looked shocked when they took out half the Sabino team. Evan had the ball, running toward the goal, when someone hit him hard, throwing him at least ten feet. Damon and Tanner watched Ryan take off downfield.

“Youngblood!”

“Yeah, coach?”

“You going to stop him?”

“How do you suppose I do that?” Damon asked.

The coach sighed and watched as Ryan took out the offending player with one hit. He stood over him, smiling.

“Next time, I’ll make it hurt.” Ryan left and helped Evan up, checked him over, then turned back to threaten the player. “I find one drop of blood and you’re going to feel some real pain, dickhead.”

Evan smiled up at Ryan and took his hand. “Ryan, you can’t always watch out for me. I’m okay.”

“As long as I can, I will. Get used to it.”

“Cannon!”

Ryan rolled his eyes. “Shit.”

Tanner smiled and asked his brother, “Believe me now?”

Damon sighed. “Fine, I owe you five bucks.”

Landon watched a Sabino player named Brody approach them. “You really never learn, do you?”

“Fuck off, Reynolds.”

“That’s Mr. Reynolds to you, jackass.”

“I suggest you keep walking, Brody, before I really get angry,” Ryan suggested. “Don’t think I don’t know who’s calling the shots on your team. Next time you touch Evan, I touch back.”

“Damn, Ryan.” Damon chuckled.

“I need a shower.” Evan sighed.

“You do smell,” Tanner pointed out.

Joshua laughed. “Come on guys.”

Jay was leaning against the back wall of the courtroom as his husband cross-examined a witness. He had snuck in hoping to catch court wrapping up; he figured he had a while to go. He had missed Valentine’s Day and their anniversary…again. Greg understood that Jay had no real control over his mission assignments, but Jay was starting to feel like he was missing much more in their marriage then the occasional holiday. Not that they weren’t blissfully happy because they were. Greg had never complained about him being gone. But Jay needed to remind his husband how much he loved him. He waved at the judge and smiled. This one owed him a favor. He coughed quietly and she looked up.

Judge Patricks was fair and balanced, but when it came to a crazy ex-husband who was a cop she had asked for a stronger hand than the law. Jay Reynolds had been that hand. And the ex? He hadn’t bothered her again. Jay was wearing a tuxedo, and holding a dozen red roses as she glanced up.

“Court will take a brief recess for thirty —” Jay motioned to go higher. “One hour?” Jay nodded and she smiled. “Impressive.”

Jay chuckled and waited for the courtroom to clear out, very aware that most of the jurors were looking at him — men and women. Greg looked confused as the judge winked at him and Josh leaned toward him.

“What’s that all about?” Josh whispered.

“No clue.”

“So, Reynolds, you have the judge doing your husband favors now?”

Greg turned toward the defense attorney. “What?” The man made himself scarce as Jay Reynolds approached them.

Jay walked up to Greg at that point and said, “Happy Valenversary.”

“Valenversary, huh?”

“Well that’s my cue to make myself scarce. See you in an hour, and try to look presentable.” Josh smiled at his little brother, if he could still call him that. Jay was huge. “Have fun, bro.”

Jay took Greg’s hand and led him to a conference room. There were candles lit and champagne chilling; Greg laughed at the oysters and turned to his husband.

“It’s going to be hard to stand up in court with a raging hard-on, babe.”

Jay undid Greg’s tie. “I love you in this suit.”

“You are going to love me out of it too, I take it,” Greg said as Jay continued to remove his clothing.

Jay caressed his cheek; he leaned in and kissed him. “I just want you to know how much I love you.”

“I know how much you love me, Munchkin.”

Jay took his husband’s clothes off and put him on the conference room table, most of the dishes ended up on the floor as he took his husband’s mouth. Greg’s hand reached for his waist and took his pants off; the shirt was next. He smiled when Greg ripped it open and ran his hands up his abs.

Greg moaned as Jay entered him.

“I love you,” Jay whispered, nibbling his bottom lip.

Greg hung onto the sides of the table as his husband made love to him. The damn thing was rocking back and forth and he didn’t know how long it would hold out. This was his Munchkin, kissing him slowly, making love to him gently. In all their years of marriage, Greg had never looked at anyone else. His husband was drop-dead gorgeous and very attentive. His job might take him away a lot but he always made up for it — case in point, they were making love on a conference room table while his client’s trial was put on hold.

The slow thrusting and gentle stroking was pushing him over the edge. He opened his eyes when Jay’s breaths became more ragged. Greg wrapped his legs around him and Jay grabbed the edge of the table, pushing in harder.

“Jay!” Greg’s orgasm loomed and he was trying to stay quiet, but Jay thrust in again and he lost it. His husband swallowed the loud cry with a kiss.

Jay let loose and hung onto the table as his orgasm washed over him in waves. He had missed making love to his husband; it had been more than two weeks and they had never gone that long.

“I love you, Greg.”

“Jesus, babe.” Greg smiled. “How the hell am I supposed to concentrate for the rest of the day?”

Jay fed him an oyster. “Well we have…” Jay checked his watch. “Shit, really?”

Greg glanced at the wall clock. “That took forty-five minutes? That felt a lot faster.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Let’s use the rest of our time wisely.”

“Damn.”

With the end of the school year right around the corner, all the kids were hanging out at the grandparents’ house. Evan was watching Ryan wrestle in the water with Damon and his dick liked the view. It wasn’t the first time he’d had these feelings for Ryan. He had already asked his dads if he could go to boarding school in England and his fathers had finally relented. He’d be there with Jensen.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving us.” Lily pouted.

“We can web chat,” Evan said.

“It’s not the same, Van.”

Evan pulled her into his side. “You know I love you, Lily.”

“You have feelings for Ryan.” Lily leaned against him.

“He’s my best friend.” Evan hugged her hard.

“Hey, Van, we need a fourth!” Ryan called out.

“Coming!” Evan caressed Lily’s face. “Give Damon a chance. He cares about you.”

Lily sat on the deck and watched the guys rough housing in the pond. Someone dropped down next to her and she glanced over to see her grandfather smiling at her.

“What?” Lily asked.

“You look so much like your dad. What’s wrong?”

“It feels like everyone is leaving.” Lily gave her grandfather a sad smile.

“I know.” Stefan pulled her into his lap. “But you’ll always have me.”

Lily giggled and hugged him tight. “I love you, Grandpa.”

“I love you too.”

School let out, and they were all at the airport seeing the boys off. Jay and Greg hugged Landon as Jay tried not to cry.

“Dad, you’ll see me in a couple of weeks.”

“I know.” Jay held him tight.

Jason and Josh were having his own issues as they were saying goodbye to their son for the summer.

“You’ll call every day?” Jason asked.

“Yes, Dad, I promise.” Joshua’s parents hugged him tight and he smiled. “I love you.”

 

Landon looked around. Katiana hadn’t even come. Joshua took his hand. Since she was always with her boyfriend he had barely spoken with her the whole school year. Although he had caught her staring at him more than once, she had stayed with the asshole. Landon was tired of waiting.

“Come on.”

 

Katiana and Katarina were racing to the airport in Phoebe’s car; they had gotten out of gymnastics practice and were now speeding to catch the plane.

“Hurry up, Phoebs!”

“I can’t go any faster! I’ll get a ticket!”

“Who cares? You’re a Greystone and we know every cop in this town!” Katiana shouted.

“Fine!” Phoebe floored it.

They made it to the airstrip in time to see the plane taxiing down the runway. Katiana ran out to the edge and watched it take off; her heart ached. She hadn’t been able to say goodbye. The tears came and Katarina and Phoebe hugged her. They had missed saying goodbye to all their friends.

“Little late,” Ryan observed.

“I thought you left too?” Phoebe hugged him tight.

“Nope, end of summer.” Ryan turned to Katiana. “He was hurt.”

“We tried!” Katiana burst into tears again and Ryan hugged her.

“Call him as soon as you can.” Ryan wiped her tears.

“Joshua.” Katarina watched the plane get further and further away.

“He was hurt too.” Ryan shook his head at them. “Wow, you girls sure do know how to break a man’s heart.”

“That’s not fair! I wanted to be here more than anything,” Katiana snapped.

“Well, not so much you two.” Ryan pointed at the Kats. “But Phoebe? You are the queen.”

“Let’s go.” Phoebe shot Ryan a look.

Katarina took her brother’s hand. “At least I get to keep you a while longer.”

Ryan smiled, flipping her hair. “You might want to take that back by the end of the summer.”

It took everything Phoebe and Lily had to bring Katiana and Katarina out of their depressions.

Katarina had cried on the phone to Joshua swearing up and down that they had tried like hell to get to the airport on time, and as always Joshua had forgiven her. Katiana had finally gotten a chance to talk to Landon and he had told her he understood but deep down she knew he was still hurt. Colin was on pins and needles waiting for Nikolai’s plane to land and his Uncle Tyler looked like he had to pee.

“Uncle Tyler?”

“Yes?”

“You’re excited to see Uncle Vince, huh?”

Damon poked at his husband. “They are, like, besties!”

“Oh, stop it.” Tyler smiled at Damon and kissed him.

“There’s the plane!” Colin shouted.

They watched it land and then Nikolai came racing down the stairs, running straight into Colin’s arms and knocking him down.

“I missed you!” Nikolai held him tight.

Andrei and Damon let out loud, girlish screams and ran to each other.

“Oh my God, I missed you!” Damon squealed.

Vince and Tyler cocked an eyebrow at them and Vince asked Tyler, “Do you think they are making fun of us?”

“Yep. It’s so good to see you!” Tyler hugged him tight.

“You beat my score at the range yet?” Vince winked.

“Yes, I did! But we have work to do if we’re going to beat Justin.”

Nikolai let out a loud laugh. “Yeah, good luck with that. No one has ever beaten Uncle Justin.”

Stefan and Jordan pulled up and hopped out. “Hey, we have another plane landing in five minutes. Jordan Jr. is coming.”

“He is!” Viktoriya cheered.

“You guys were actually early,” Jordan told Vince and Andrei.

“We have an extra special jet.” Andrei winked.

“Come here you two!”

Vince and Andrei hugged Jordan and Stefan hard. The next plane was about to land and Viktoriya was bouncing.

“It’s him!”

The jet landed and they could already see the next one coming in. Viktoriya watched Jordan get off and ran to him.

“I missed you!” Viktoriya hugged him tight.

Jordan held her close and smiled. He had missed her so much. “I missed you too!”

“So, who’s next?” Isabelle had greeted her fathers and watched the next plane bank before landing.

Jordan was checking his phone. “It’s Conner.”

“This really does get confusing.” Little Jordan piped up. “Jordan and Jordan, Stefan and Stefan. Why don’t we go by our middle names? I’ll go by Jared and Stefan can go by Michael or Luke?”

“When we get older and can’t remember your name we’ll try that.” Isabelle chuckled.

The plane landed and all of them ran to meet it. By now, everyone had shown up to meet the kids coming home. Paul grabbed his son and kissed him.

“It’s so good to see you!” Paul held him.

“I missed you too, Dad.” Conner kissed his cheek.

“Next plane is coming in!” Heath called out.

Phoebe knew this time it was going to be Stefan coming off that plane. She had barely spoken to him at Christmas, now her heart raced knowing she would see him within minutes. Tanner couldn’t stop bouncing; he was finally going to see Nico again and he couldn’t wait. The plane landed and pulled up to the gate. Lorenzo and Reece were waiting for their daughter, and the two of them were about to explode.

Juliet looked out the window and smiled. “They’re all here. Tanner is here, Nico, and so is Phoebe, Stefan.”

Stefan looked out the window. “Well, well, Conner’s home.” Stefan winked at her.

Stefan had barely hit the last step with Nico and they were in their fathers’ arms. Heath and Caleb had a death grip on their sons and Lily was crying.

“Oh, come on Lily.” Stefan hugged her tight. “We’re home!”

Nico looked over and saw Tanner; he had gotten taller and — if it were possible — even more good looking. His blond hair was waving in the slight breeze and his eyes…they were incredible.

“Hi,” Tanner said a little shyly.

Nico picked him up and held him close. “I missed you.”

Tanner wrapped his arms around Nico’s neck and closed his eyes. “I missed you too.”

Stefan turned to Phoebe and smiled. “Hi.”

“Hi.”

 

Lorenzo hadn’t let go of Juliet since she got off the plane, now she was trying to get loose. “Daddy!”

“Um, hon, can I get in there?” Reece tried to push his husband back.

“Oh! I am sorry, my love.” Lorenzo grabbed Reece and hugged them both.

“I see he hasn’t changed, Daddy.” Juliet laughed.

More planes came in bringing more kids home. Jensen and Hunter ran to each other hugging tight; Roman looked at Brett and they shared a smile.

Justin grabbed his son and hugged him close; Brandon smiled and took his hand.

“It’s so good to have you home, Jensen!”

“I missed you, Dad.” Jensen picked him up and Brandon laughed.

“Wow, you’re like your father aren’t you?” Brandon looked up at his son after he put him down.

“You’re so cute, Dad.” Jensen smiled down at him.

“I can still spank you.”

“All right guys, back to the house for burgers!” Jordan clapped his hands together.

“And cake.” Tanner winked.

“Yes, Tanner.” Stefan smiled at his grandson. “And cake.”

 

They were all sitting around on the deck laughing as most of the kids splashed in the pond. Tanner watched Nico with Stefan. He was very well aware his feelings had become something more than hero worship or puppy love; he had gotten his first erection thinking about Nico. That had been a very long discussion with his father. Tanner knew he was gay, he and Colin had talked about it one night, and both of them had the same feelings. One night when they were on the phone until two in the morning, he had told Nico he was gay. Nico had laughed and told him he was in good company.

Nico’s strong biceps were flexing and Tanner was certain he was drooling. He had decided to wait to go swimming until it got cooler; he was sitting on the deck with Colin and all the adults when Nico’s cell phone started vibrating. Tanner picked it up and opened it. There was a picture of a guy on it, and Tanner swiped ‘talk’.

“Hello?”

“Nico?”

“No, he’s swimming right now. Who is this?”

“This is Giovanni, Nico’s boyfriend.”

Tanner’s gut dropped and he nearly threw up. “I’ll tell him you called.”

Colin noticed Tanner’s face, he took his hand and asked, “What is it?”

“That was Nico’s boyfriend,” Tanner choked out. “I think I want to go home.”

Colin hugged him and Tanner left to find his father. Nikolai came up on the deck and collapsed in Colin’s arms. Colin held him close and kissed his forehead. Nikolai looked into Colin’s beautiful brown eyes and almost sighed. He felt Colin’s arms around him and buried his face in his neck.

“You okay?”

“Jet lagged,” Nikolai muttered.

Colin stroked his face; the urge to kiss Nikolai was nearly irresistible. “Let’s get you inside for a little bit.”

Phoebe had taken a walk around the pond and saw Stefan on the other side, skipping rocks. She wasn’t sure if she should talk to him or not; in the end she went over to him and sat down.

“How are you?”

“I’m surviving.”

“We can still be friends,” Phoebe said. The truth was she felt stupid. A malicious kiss from a sleazy girl had destroyed her relationship and now she didn’t know how to fix it with her pride standing in the way.

“I guess that’s all we’ll ever be.” Stefan stood up. He knew he was going to cry and he wasn’t going to do it in front of her. “See you later.”

Phoebe watched him walk away with his head down and sighed. “I still love you,” she whispered.

Tyler was dealing with a very emotional twin and told Damon he could stay if he wanted. In the end, his brother wanted to go home with him. Tanner smiled. Damon always had his back. Nico came back to the deck looking for Tanner and saw Colin coming back out of the house.

“Where’s Tanner?”

“He took off when your boyfriend called.” Colin cocked an eyebrow.

“My what?” Nico checked his phone. “Oh, no.”

“He’s not your boyfriend?”

“No he’s my friend and a boy. A boy who doesn’t speak English well.” Nico ran a hand through his hair. “Shit.”

“Well, Tanner took the call. You can imagine how that went over.”

“What do you mean?”

Colin sighed. “You are so clueless. Tanner is leaving by the way.”

“What? When?”

“Now.” Colin watched Nico take off and sighed. “Men.”

Nico ran out to the driveway but Tanner had already left, he kicked the dirt and let out a stream of curse words.

“My, my.”

Nico whirled to find his father standing there. “Sorry, Dad.”

“Well, you’re old enough to cuss like a trucker.” Caleb hugged him. “What’s wrong?”

“Where should I start?”

“Start with how you’re in love with Tanner, and we’ll go from there.” Caleb watched his son’s jaw drop. “Come on.”

 

Stefan ran right into his grandfather as he entered the house. The minute their eyes met Stefan lost it. He hugged his grandpa and cried. Stefan took them to the bedroom and Jordan followed them. He stretched out on the bed with Stefan in his arms, sobbing. Jordan moved in on his other side, and they both held him as he cried.

Lily had seen it all. She was sitting with Paul on the couch. “He’s hurting, Uncle Paul. Doesn’t he deserve a second chance?”

Paul thought back to all the mistakes he and Mark had made and told her, “I promise I’ll try to help.”

That night Paul waited outside the shower for Phoebe. When she finally came out in her pajamas she asked, “What?”

“You still love Stefan.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Phoebe slipped past Paul and into her room but he followed her.

“Don’t do this, Phoebe. Stefan is different than any boy you will ever know. He said he was sorry and he meant it; he hasn’t dated since that night.”

“It’s too late now.”

“You’re just like me Phoebe — and let me warn you now, you keep doing this and you will not only be alone but miserable.” Paul hugged her. “Think about it.”

Phoebe closed her door and threw herself onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. She did love Stefan; that would never change. She grabbed her cell phone and called Stefan’s number only to hang up on the second ring. She sighed and almost jumped off the bed when it rang in her hand. Shit, she hadn’t blocked her number.

“Hello?”

“Phoebe?” Stefan rolled onto his side. “You called me.”

“Must have butt dialed you.”

Stefan chuckled. “You sleep with your phone on your ass?”

Phoebe giggled. “No.” She closed her eyes. “I missed you.”

Stefan felt his heart racing. “I missed you too. Do you think maybe we could go to lunch or something this weekend? Maybe talk?”

Phoebe glanced at the picture of Stefan sitting on her nightstand. “We could do that.”

Stefan let out a sigh of relief. “Okay, goodnight, Phoebe.”

“ ʼNight, Stefan.” Phoebe hung up and then whispered, “I love you.”

Stefan ended the call but couldn’t put down his phone; his background picture was of Phoebe. “I love you.”

Tanner rolled over and buried his face in his pillow. Nico had a boyfriend. He couldn’t compete. He was much younger, with no experience. Nico didn’t think about him in that way anyway. He heard a soft tap on his window and sat up in bed. He went over and pulled the curtain back a bit, peeking out. Nico’s face came into view and Tanner let out a yell.

“Shhh!” Nico whispered. “It’s me.”

“What are you doing? You scared me to death!” Tanner hissed.

Tanner heard his father running down the hall and turned around; Tyler came in the room and looked around.

“What is it?”

Tanner cracked a smile; his dad had his sniper rifle in front of him.

“A spider. You going to shoot it?” Tanner giggled.

“Jesus, Tanner! You scared the shit out of us!” Damon appeared in the doorway.

“Sorry.”

“We’re going back to bed now. Goodnight.” Tyler kissed his forehead.

As soon as they left, Tanner opened his window and Nico crawled in. They stood looking at each other and then Nico picked him up and held him tight.

“I don’t have a boyfriend, Tanner.”

“You don’t?”

“No. Giovanni is a friend, that’s all.”

“So nothing happened between you two?” Tanner looked into Nico’s eyes.

Now came the hard part — to tell the truth or to lie.

“I kissed him once.” Nico immediately knew he should have lied. The look on Tanner’s face sliced his heart in two.

“Well, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised; you are older.”

“I don’t care about him the way I —” Nico shut his mouth. “I should go.”

“What? Why?”

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight, Tanner.”

Tanner watched Nico jog down the driveway to his car and sighed. He had feelings for him, he always had. And they were never going to go anywhere. Nico still thought of him as a kid.

 

Tyler and Damon were lying in bed trying not to laugh.

“That was one huge spider.”

“He looked a lot like Nico.” Damon snickered.

“Kids. When will they learn we have been there and done that?” Tyler sighed.

“If you can refrain from making a lot of noise, we could get it on.” Damon waggled his eyebrows.

“Oh, honey, it’s you who can’t shut up.” Tyler took his mouth.

In all the years they had been married Damon has never gotten bored with his husband. Tyler had a way of changing things up so often Damon didn’t know if he was coming or going. Right now he was going to be coming, and fast. Tyler kept his rhythm slow, hitting Damon’s spot every damn time. He kissed him thoroughly while moving inside him; his hand gripped his ass as he slammed in deep.

Damon let out a moan and Tyler bit his lip softly, running his tongue across his bottom lip. He could always tell when Damon was getting ready to lose it, his breathing became faster and his moans became deeper. He stroked Damon until he came with a loud moan and Tyler deepened the kiss; he convulsed with his own orgasm and Damon pull him in further.

Tyler smiled, biting Damon’s lip. “See? You’re the loud one.”

Damon smiled and flipped them over. “I’m going to make you scream,” Damon growled.

“Hot damn!”