“Of course. I’ve got a lovely collection of tools downstairs and a dummy to practice on. I put layers of newsprint on to judge my arm.”
“Oh.” He tried not to drool. Or be too jealous. “I’d love a place to work out. That’s amazing.”
“Just give me a call. We’ll have a go at the cane, see how you like it.” Carter headed for the kitchen with Troy, both of them working in unison to get the food out.
He loved the little back patio with the lights all around it, and it was fun to be entertaining, he hadn’t done hardly any of it because he really didn’t have anywhere to entertain until now. He led Geoff outside, making sure the boy had his Master’s beer. “God, look at all of this. Those two are good together.”
“They’ve been working for a long time. Carter’s going to miss him. They’ve spent more time together than Carter and I have.”
He nodded slowly. “I’m not sure Troy’s ready to leave the diner, he’s worried. Plus, I don’t think he disliked it. He was just burning out. I’m wondering if he’d not going to propose some kind of compromise. I guess we’ll see. It’s his decision, as much as I’d like it to be mine.”
He hoped that Troy was starting to see that he’d been in a twenty-year holding pattern. The diner was a dead end. His friend’s dead end, but still a go-nowhere job.
They all settled at the table, Troy serving him, then Carter, then Geoff.
He watched Troy, more curious than concerned, but he still filed that away for later. No one had asked the boy to serve everyone, he hadn’t even expected to be served himself. But he was still learning Troy’s needs, and many of his boy’s habits too, and this was something he didn’t quite understand yet.
Troy smiled at him, and the expression was so satisfied, peaceful. “It smells good. It feels like forever since I cooked for you.”
“It’s been a little while, but everything is shaking out now. We’ll get back to normal. Better than normal even, right?” He smiled back so his boy would know he was pleased. “Make yourself a plate and sit.”
“Yes, Sir.” Troy settled with his plate, and they all spent quite a few minutes doing nothing but eating. The tacos were delicious, spicy and rich, and the guacamole made Saul a happy man.
“So are we all going to talk, Carter?” Geoff asked. “I hate waiting.”
Carter rolled his eyes dramatically. “Brat.”
“Yep!”
“Why don’t you start, Geoff?” Saul picked up his beer. “I think I have an idea what Carter needs, and I’m starting to understand what Troy needs. But you I am less sure about.”
“Me?” Geoff was totally shocked, almost comically so. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Troy blinked over, lips twitching. “Are you sure?”
He glanced meaningfully at Carter. “I think this is where this conversation needs to start. Am I wrong?”
“No. It may be uncomfortable, but Saul is right. We’re family.” Carter took Geoff’s hand. “This is a safe place, yes?”
“It’s safe, Geoff. We want to listen. I want to. Your friendship, your support is important to Troy. Essential, even. I absolutely recognize that. And we are family now. You’ve been a good friend to me too.” He was determined to hear Geoff, not just listen. There was something he didn’t understand, and nothing was going to be really right until they talked this out.
“I’ll always be Troy’s friend. Always.” Geoff seemed a little panicky around the edges. “And yours, Saul.”
“Of course you will.” He held Geoff’s eyes for a long minute trying to decide what he should say, and how to say it. “What do you need from us, Geoff? From me? Just ask.”
“I just want—” Geoff reached for his Master’s hand, and Carter immediately took it. “I was Troy’s stand-in for a long time. I don’t want to lose our connection, you know?”
Saul took Troy’s hand and pulled it into his lap, knowing this was important for Troy to hear too. “Twenty years is too long to be considered a stand-in. I mean, I know I’m the baby in the room here, but I don’t see it that way at all. You and Carter together saw to Troy’s needs in different ways, and I know he’s grateful for that. I was touchy about the ink at first, I own that. But your connection with Troy doesn’t at its core interfere with mine. What can I do to help?”
“You weren’t a stand-in. You’re my best friend. I never thought you were… Geoff, honey, do you feel like I was using you?” Troy’s eyes were wide as saucers.
Saul squeezed Troy’s hand, glancing between the boys. Damn. He had no idea how to help with that, he was just going to have to let them hash that out. He looked at Carter again, who was calmly holding Geoff’s hand but keeping quiet and decided it might be time for him to do the same.
“Shit. We were using each other. That’s why we’re friends. You let me have total control. You trusted me with your skin. It was a fucking gift.”
“Boy, no cursing.” Carter sounded like he’d said that a million and a half times.
“Goddamn it!”
“That’s another one.”
“That’s not why you’re friends. You were friends first.” He hid his grin. “Looks like your boy is a bit of a switch, Carter. He’s jonesing for control.”
“Tell me something I didn’t know.” Carter didn’t even try not to smile. “I don’t suppose you’ll lend your boy to mine once a month?”
Well that explained a lot, didn’t it? Geoff’s restlessness, Troy’s desire to serve everyone, and now he could remember a handful of other moments over the last few weeks that made more sense. “I think we can work that out, as long as Troy agrees, and I’m consulted on any permanent marks.”
Which meant everything, right? Geoff was all about ink. They were all going to be permanent.
“You’re Troy’s Dom. I wouldn’t ever overstep.” Geoff stopped, stared at Carter. “You knew?”
Carter laughed. “It’s my job to know, boy. Did you really think I stopped coming to your sessions because Troy was cursing? I saw what was happening. You didn’t need another Dom in the room.”
Saul leaned back in his chair and sipped his beer. “Huh. Now I get it.” That’s why the ink made him uneasy, why he’d wanted to keep Troy away.
Troy sat, so quiet, preternaturally still. Then he stood and began clearing dishes.
He watched Troy move. There was no hiding the discomfort in his boy’s shoulders and he guessed that whatever was on Troy’s mind wasn’t for company. “Excuse me.” Saul glanced at Geoff and Carter, and then gathered up dishes before following Troy into the kitchen. Once they were there, he stepped between his boy and the door, not letting Troy leave the room. “Talk, boy.”
Troy stared at him for a long second. “I haven’t… I haven’t ever been unfaithful to you.”
“Un—what?” He reached for Troy. “I know. Why would you say that?”
“I just… I love Geoff and Carter, but you’re special.”