Chapter 17

 

 

Ryan screwed off in the bathroom after O’Neil sent everyone home. He stalled, knowing Shannon would lock up. A minute alone was all Ryan needed.

The lock clicked open and in strolled O’Neil. “Stalling for me?”

He nodded.

“What’s going on? I was worried about going out with you and your friends, but you told Raven, right?”

He nodded again.

“I have a feeling telling Luke that you’re with me will be plenty. But even if not, I’m used to pretending like there’s nothing between me and the person I’m with when I’m out. You must be too. What’s the problem?”

“I’m a damned moron. I’ve kept this from one of my closest friends for years. Now I’m worried when it all comes out, he’s going to fucking hate me.”

“Why? Luke has a good head on his shoulders. Even if he learns you wanted him for years, it’s different now, and you never acted on it. What gives?”

Ryan opened and closed his hands a few times before shoving them in his pockets. “Fear. It’s fine. I’ll deal with it. Maybe I can figure out what to tell him.”

“I’ll leave that to you. He’s your friend.” The disappointment on Shannon’s face tore Ryan up.

“Shannon…”

He held up a hand, shaking his head as he stepped away with a sigh. “Don’t do anything that makes you uncomfortable. And if I have to, I’ll tell them I can’t go after all. No big deal.”

It was. “I’ll talk to him. I should have told him forever ago, but I didn’t know what to say and keep my friend.”

“Yeah, I get it. Look, I need to go.” He turned away.

“Wait, shit. Are you coming over?”

“I don’t know. I need to do some stuff.” Shannon walked out of the bathroom, and Ryan stood there, mouth agape.

He’d fucked up and he knew it. He pushed through the door and saw Shannon pacing the parking lot.

Ryan stepped outside and caught his shoulder. “Look, I’ll call him tonight. We are going. And if Alexa and Keenan aren’t there, I don’t care if you get close at Minae’s.” That wasn’t totally true, but he didn’t want to alienate the first man he truly felt something for and could actually have.

“I don’t want to start public displays of affection. I just don’t want to hide from your closest friends,” Shannon admitted. “It’s not public knowledge. No one else needs to know. But damn it, I don’t want to feel like I can’t be around you when you’re around him.”

“Yeah, I get it. Look, you’re right. I know it. I just need to open my damned mouth and say the words to him.”

“Fuck, you don’t have to, Ryan.” He paced away and came back shaking his head. “I don’t want to force anything. I just…damn it, it’s stupid. Forget it.” O’Neil locked the door.

As soon as he finished, Ryan spun Shannon around and pushed him against the wall. “Not stupid. Not in the least. That’s all me.”

O’Neil grabbed the back of his head and slammed his mouth over Ryan’s. He turned so Ryan was pinned against the wall and pushed his fingers into Ryan’s hair, holding him exactly where he wanted as he devoured his mouth.

Ryan couldn’t resist slipping his hand between them to cup Shannon’s hard length. He rocked his hips to grind into Ryan’s palm. Ryan had never been this careless. Never in public or where he could be seen. But it felt so damned good.

O’Neil pushed away from him and strode to his truck. “We good for Saturday?”

“We will be.” One call, that’s all it would take. A scary as hell call. “Are you coming over?”

Shannon turned back to him. “I need to run home and do a couple things, then I’ll come over.”

“Gives me time to call Luke.”

“Do what you need to for you. You won’t hear another word from me.”

“It’s long overdue. And this is the first time I feel it matters for him to know who I’m with.”

“Should I wait until you call?”

“No, just come over. I want to see you.”

“I’ll be there.”

 

* * * *

 

Driving away was the last thing Shannon wanted to do. But, there were things he needed to do. Like give Ryan the space to call or not. It wouldn’t kill Shannon if he didn’t share with his friend. He’d been there before. But this was more.

He blew out a breath and focused on the road. The background check wouldn’t be complete, but he should call his sister. Would his Dad want to talk again? He fucking hoped not.

But then, he had an idea. He wanted to tell Peter and Paul the news. Maybe he could have Shannon over for the night instead of always being at Ryan’s.

Would he be up for it?

Maybe the next night? Either way, it would give Ryan a reason to actually tell Luke what was up. He didn’t want to get in the way of the guy’s friendship, but he really didn’t think it was going to be an issue.

Sooner he got done with the phone call, the faster he could put the mess behind him.

In no time, he pulled into the parking lot and hurried up to his condo.

Peter stood at the door, his arms crossed over his chest. “You finally going to come clean?”

“Come inside.” Shannon went in, and Peter followed. “Ryan and I are seeing each other.”

Peter threw his hands up. “Good. Now, why didn’t you just tell me that?”

“Wanted to make sure it wasn’t a fluke. And that it would last more than a night or two.”

“Which means you really like him?” Peter asked.

Shannon nodded. “Yeah, I do. And I was thinking, if Paul was willing, we should all get together for dinner one night. Over here, but Paul can cook. I’ll pay him to cater.”

“Paul will do it for free. He’ll get to meet the gorgeous Ryan King.” He chuckled with an eye roll. “He’s been drooling over him for years.”

A laugh escaped. “I’m well aware, but he loves Andrew, and would never stray.”

“I don’t know, for a night with Ryan? He might consider it. But as long as you have him, he wouldn’t.”

“You realize no one can know he’s gay. Right?”

“No shit. We can keep the secret, no problem.”

“Thanks. Think Paul would be cool with that tomorrow? I know it’s a Friday, but this would mean a lot to me.”

“Can I bring Annette? I’ll swear her to secrecy.”

“Of course. And Paul can bring Andrew. As long as he understands it’s to remain a secret. In fact, I will call Paul after I kick you out. I need to call my sister too.” He blew out a breath. “And guess what?”

Peter half-laughed, his brow cocked. “What?”

“My father apologized, and it did nothing for me. Nothing at all.” Shannon shook his head.

Shrugging, Peter gripped Shannon’s shoulder. “Well, he’s a prick and you moved on, so no real surprise there.”

Shannon’s brow cocked. “Yeah. Feel better I finally shared?”

“Yes, and I knew it. The way he watched you at the club, I knew there had to be something.”

“Yeah, well no one else has figured it out with evidence to call him on it.”

“After Peyton, you sure you want to keep the secret forever?”

“If this works out, it’ll be fine. I’m used to it. And for the right reasons, it doesn’t bother me so much.” The truth. “We can share with our closest friends. It doesn’t have to be public knowledge for me to be happy.”

“Hope you’re right. I need to go.” He backed toward the door. “We can catch up on the projects after you call Paul and make the plan for tomorrow.”

“I’ll call then.”

He quickly convinced Paul to cater dinner the next night for Ryan King, and promised to swear Andrew to secrecy before calling Shelley.

She sniffled when she answered the phone. “He’s getting worse.”

“Yeah, cancer does that.” Maybe he wouldn’t have to see him one last time. Man, that made him an asshole, but he didn’t want to see the bastard. He’d had enough of the bullshit over the years to expect an apology to change Dad’s ways.

“Wish you could come sooner.”

He dropped into a chair. “I can’t. And you know it.”

“I’m all alone out here.”

“What about Joel and Ellen?”

Shelley started dating the guy who happened to be his college girlfriend’s little brother, and became good friends with Ellen.

Joel was all right, but Shannon fell out of love with Ellen, then left her for a man. And no one knew the whole truth. She’d been cheating on him while pressuring him for a ring.

She sniffled. “Yeah, I know. You have a big job. I took time off for Dad.”

“Yeah, but you’re still his little girl. And I’m the disappointment.”

“Not nearly as much as you think you are,” she countered.

Shannon sighed. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

“It’s true. He keeps up on your achievements.”

Why did she keep dragging the conversation to their father? “Shelley, I didn’t call about Dad. I’m checking on you.”

“Which means checking on Dad too. Since he’s my focus. You’re the only one I can talk to. Try not to be an ass.”

“Because I love you, I’m trying not to be. Tell me you’ve been spending time with your man.”

“Sure, when I’m home, which isn’t much. Or when he comes to bring me food because I’ve been here too much.”

“Then I won’t have to kick his ass.” He was only half teasing.

She laughed sadly. “I guess I should go. It was good to hear from you.”

“You too. Take care of yourself.”