ducked in and closed the door behind him, then leaned against it drawing in a deep breath.
Holy balls, he was nervous. Why am I so nervous?
He finally drew in a deep breath, walked across to the sofa and dropped onto it, and dialed Eli’s number. It didn’t take long for the other man to answer.
"Hello?" His voice sounded apprehensive.
"Hey, it’s me. I mean Jack." He sighed and rubbed his brow. "I’m so sorry for disappearing. I know it looked bad, but can we talk. Would you like to come to the party?"
"With your family?" Eli asked, a bit of uncertainty in his voice.
"Yes. With my family." Jack nodded even though Eli couldn’t see him. "Bring your son," Jack prayed he hadn’t fucked this up, because just hearing Eli’s voice had his heart feeling like the vice around it was loosening. "Unless you think it’s too soon and we’re not there in our relationship that is."
"Relationship?" Eli whispered. Jack could hear the relief in his voice.
"We have things to talk through, but I liked where we were headed. So, yeah… our relationship. Unless you don’t want to…" His words trailed off and he bit his lower lip, waiting.
"I’d like that. We can be there in an hour."
"Great!" Jack said. "I’ll text you the address, and I’ll see you then."
"Bye, Jack," Eli said.
"See you soon." He disconnected the call and covered his eyes with his arm, breathing a sigh of relief.
A weight was slowly lifted off of him. Fuck, he pressed his fingers to his temples. He was falling for Eli, and it wouldn’t be okay until everything was good.
"Everything alright?" Colt’s voice had him slowly sitting up. He’d actually missed his brother entering the room.
"Everything is pretty damn good," he smiled. "Eli’s coming."
"Wonderful. Let’s join the party then."
Jack nodded and walked back into the living room with Colt. Things were looking up.
16
Eli
Eli looked down at the GPS, then at the house that was apparently his destination. The gate was opened, but there didn’t seem to be any cars in the driveway that said a party was going on. The house was huge. Then again, all the houses in the area were.
"Ready, bud?" Eli asked, looking in the backseat.
Damon nodded. He’d picked Damon up from home after speaking to Jack, but now was thinking maybe he should have met Jack first and talked before dragging his son along. But… he was going with his gut. He pulled into the driveway and made sure not to block the only car parked there, although as big as it was, they would still be able to get out.
He prayed once he shut the car off that Damon liked Jack. Not that he could hate him at only four years old.
Eli opened the car door and went around back to let Damon out of his car seat. He picked him up, shut the door, and carried him up to the front door. He let out a breath and looked at his son, saying "Ready or not," then knocked on the door.
After a long wait—or maybe it just seemed that way—the door opened. Jack was the one standing there to greet him, and he had a feeling the other man had been close to the door waiting for a knock.
Jack smiled at him. "Hello," he said.
"Hello," Eli repeated. Jack opened the door for them, and after they stepped into the house, the door was closed behind them.
Jack looked down at Damon tucked against his chest and said, "Hi."
"Hello." Damon waved at Jack.
"How are you?" Jack asked.
"Fine." Damon’s voice was quiet, and he was still stuck to Eli like a capuchin monkey.
"Damon, do you remember Jack?" Eli looked down at his son.
Damon shook his head, then nodded, so Eli couldn’t even be sure. He finally looked up at Jack and smiled even as he felt his cheeks heat.
"Hi." Really, Eli? You’ve already said that. Is that the best you can come up with?
"Hi." Jack returned. He held Eli’s gaze and said, "I’m so glad you could make it."
Eli ducked his head. "Thanks for inviting me."
Jack’s eyes softened, and that look washed away some of the anxiety that had taken up residence in his belly. He’d been terrified the whole drive here. But Eli loved that Jack invited him. When Jack had texted, he’d seen his name but not the actual message. Then he’d taken another couple of minutes to open it.
When the actual call came, he’d felt like he had bees not butterflies in his belly.
"Damon, there’s a