Troy was about to elbow his best friend just to get him to stop looking at his dad. Miller was his best friend since high school. He’d noticed the new kid instantly. Miller had worn the label gay like a target on his back. He’d fit in while Miller had stuck out, but that was only because no one wanted to take on Brent and his dad had threatened a bully a time or ten. At first, it was embarrassing, yet he quickly realized unlike the other gay kids, he didn’t have to worry about getting his ass beat daily. And by association, the warning had carried over the Miller.

The crush Miller had on Brent wasn’t recent. It started the moment Miller had come to his house the first time.

“He’s so fucking hot.”

He groaned at the obscene moan that followed that short, disturbing sentence.

“Miller,” he bellowed in Miller’s ear and glared at him.

“What?”

“Could you not watch my dad like he’s an ice cream cone you want to lick?”

It wasn’t that he didn’t worry about Miller or sympathize, any other time he’d be supportive, but it was his dad who was being undressed by the petite man beside him.

“But he’s so fucking hot,” Miller repeated.

He threw his arm across Miller’s shoulders. “And very much straight.”

Miller had a steady stream of men in and out of his life, but Miller and him were very much alike. He’d lusted after Win for a decade before he’d gotten his shit together. So he understood the unrequited longing in Miller’s voice.

“We also thought Win was straight.”

At the mention of his husband’s name, he couldn’t help the joy that filled him and the way his gaze searched for Win who was helping Brent fixed the back deck.

“Win is bi, and my dad isn’t, you know this.”

Miller was so cute, and he knew Miller hated to be called adorable, but the man really was, especially when he rested his pointed chin in the cup of his palms and sighed loudly.

“Don’t remind me,” Miller pouted.

He was about to do his thing and attempt to make his friend feel better, but Miller’s phone rang, and he listened to the one-sided conversation. Miller worked as a personal assistant to the Queen of Clifton society and loved every second of it.

Miller stood up from the table, and Troy grabbed his arm. “Text me, Win and me are meeting with the real estate agent tonight to look at a few more houses.”

“Got’cha.” Miller kissed his cheek quickly and strode across the yard.

He remained there to watch the interplay between Miller and Brent. His dad was the affectionate sort and never hesitated to offer a hug, but with Miller, he noticed Brent tended to be a bit more open. Brent sensed when someone needed extra attention, and he wondered if Brent knew what he was doing to Miller. Brent and Miller shared a quick kiss and Miller was taking off.

Other people might not notice but the drop of Miller’s shoulders was evident to him, and he pulled out his phone to text an apology to Miller.

Troy: I’m sorry I was an ass.

Miller: It’s okay. He’s off-limits.

“You okay, Brent?” Win asked his dad.

“Yeah,” Brent answered.

He knew that tone. It was the one his dad used when he didn’t want to talk, but didn’t want to lie outright. He got up from his seat at the table and walked across the yard.

“Dad, you’re lying.”

“Troy, I’m fine, really. I need to hire another guy or two. The boys are pulling overtime to keep up.”

“What about Clay?” Clay had moved to town a year ago with his best friend and his daughter, Chloe.

“Already done, he’s coming in on Monday. When do you two have to meet with the real estate agent?”

“In an hour. We have to get going, Win has to change, and we have to pick Bella up from her playdate.”

Troy wanted to argue more, but they had to get going. His life was going better than he’d ever thought and he just wanted everyone around him to be okay. His dad had changed a lot after his battle with cancer. And he worried about his dad, not just his physical health, but also his mental health. He wished his dad would talk to him.

Win led him away after the goodbyes and to the driveway where Win’s bike was parked. His husband pulled him to a stop.

“They’re going to be okay, baby.”

“I know, or at least I hope so. Miller is just different lately, and Dad seems to be pulling away. I’m selfish.”

“There is no way you could be selfish. Come on, let’s go get our girl and we’ll go see if we can find our house.”

He nodded and smiled to put Win at ease. His husband worried so much about him and whether he was happy or not. He glanced towards the house to find his dad framed by the picture window of the living room. He raised his hand and waved.

He climbed on the bike behind Win and put on the helmet Win handed him. Troy put all his worries out of his mind as they pulled out and sped down the street. The last few years were the best of his life, and he was grateful every day for that. He held Win’s waist tighter as he tipped his head back to feel the sun and breeze on his face. A worrier he may be, but the one thing he’d always have no matter what happened was he’d loved the man of his dreams.

Nothing was guaranteed. Yet life had given him more happiness than he’d ever expected, and he’d never take that or his family for granted. He tipped his head back forward and nuzzled his man’s broad back and reveled in being right where he wanted to be.