Angel's Redemption (10 page)

"I don't know, Jack…"

He wasn't sure about meeting Jack's friends so soon. What if they didn't like him?

"I would like for you to meet them. They're nice people, Eli. I think you'll like them."

Elijah took a deep breath and looked out the window. The promise of a fun, relaxing evening alone with Jack faded away with the mid-afternoon sun. He was nervous about meeting new people and making new friends.

Jack put his warm hand in Elijah's cold one and gave it a light squeeze. "It's no problem, Eli. I'll call Josh when we get home and tell him we can't make it."

The feeling of guilt obliterated Elijah's nervousness. He felt selfish from wanting to keep Jack all to himself. Even though he didn't want to go, he didn't want to keep Jack from his friends either.

"You could go without me," he murmured.

"I don't want to. I want to spend the evening with you. It'll be no big deal if we don't go."

"I don't want to keep you from spending time with your friends, Jack."

Jack was silent as he pulled into Charlestown's Time Square parking lot. He released Elijah's hand, put the car in park, and turned off the ignition. Elijah looked down at his hands that rested in his lap. He closed his eyes when Jack slowly reached over and lightly grabbed his chin, turning his face up to his.

"Elijah."

He opened his eyes and looked at Jack's concerned expression.

"Listen to me. Being with you is more important than being with them. As I said before, it's no big deal if we don't go, okay? Although, I know if you gave them a chance, you would like them."

"What if they don't like me? What if they find out about me and tell you I'm not good enough for you? I don't want to lose you and your friendship, Jack." Elijah couldn't keep his deepest fear from resonating in his shaky voice.

"Eli—"

"Forget it. I know I'm being silly."

"No, you're not. Your feelings are never silly, Eli." Jack's voice sounded firm, but then his green eyes softened and he gave a quiet sigh before continuing. "Look, Eli, you've become very important to me. I value you and what we have together more than what they think of me. Yes, they're my friends, but you've become my best friend—my Eli—and if they can't accept you, or they judge you because of your past, then they aren't the friends I think they are. If for one moment, they make you feel inferior in any way, we'll leave with no questions asked."

Elijah read the honesty behind Jack's words and the truth blazing in his green eyes, and he sighed. He grabbed Jack's hand and brought it to his lips, placing a small kiss on his knuckles.

Elijah needed to trust and meet people again. Most of all, he needed to show Jack how much he trusted him and his judgment. Elijah would do whatever it took to keep this man's high opinion of him. Even if Elijah felt sometimes he didn't deserve it.

"Okay, Jack. I'm just being a little paranoid about meeting your friends." Elijah intertwined their fingers, taking in the strength of Jack's self-assuredness.

"Are you sure, Eli?"

Elijah nodded. "Absolutely."

Jack reached over with his free hand and cupped the side of Elijah's face. "Thank you for trusting me." A dazzling smile formed on his handsome features, making Elijah's heart beat faster. Pride washed over him for pleasing this wonderful man. Elijah would do just about anything to keep that beautiful smile on Jack's face, even if that meant spending several hours out of his comfort zone.

When Jack let go of his hand and started up the car, Elijah immediately missed his touch. As they pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road, their hands found each other's while they quietly drove toward Jack's place in the afternoon sun.

Chapter Nine

Elijah stood in front of Jack's friends' front door and tried to calm his frazzled nerves. His heart beat frantically and he wiped his cold, clammy hand on the side of his shirt. But for Jack, he tried to muster up a smile.

"You okay, Eli?"

Elijah nodded and took a deep breath.

You can do this. They're just Jack's friends. It's no big deal.

Jack knocked on the door and grabbed his hand. Elijah leaned closer to Jack and lifted his chin. He would do this for both Jack and himself. Elijah wanted Jack to be proud of him and to show him that he really wasn't an overly anxious freak. Even when Elijah secretly knew he was.

"The moment you're ready to leave, we will, all right?" Jack's voice was warm, soothing.

"I know. Thanks, Jack."

The sound of quick steps approached the door, and it was suddenly swung open, showing a tall, blond, good-looking man.

"Jack! We're so glad you and your friend could make it."

Jack gave Elijah's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Thanks for the invite, Nick. I'd like to introduce you to my very
dear
friend, Elijah."

Nick offered his hand. "Nice to meet you, Elijah. Josh and I have been meaning to come over and welcome you to the neighborhood, but since we got back from vacation, we've been swamped with work and getting Danny off to summer camp."

Even though the man obviously had a very busy life, Elijah wondered how Nick still looked so relaxed and content. He reluctantly let go of Jack's hand, offered it to Nick and smiled. "Nice to meet you too." He was proud that his voice sounded strong and didn't tremble from the nervousness he felt.

They shook hands, and Elijah once again found Jack's fingers.

Remember they're just everyday people like you. This is no big deal.

"Come on in. Josh is mastering the grill, and Shiloh and Allen are having cocktails on the back porch." Nick stepped back so they could walk inside. Nick closed the door and motioned for them to follow him. "What's your poison? We have beer, and Shiloh's made his famous strawberry daiquiris."

"I'll take a Coke if you have it," Jack answered.

Elijah was relieved that Jack wasn't going to drink. Not that he expected him to give up drinking forever, but it would be nice not be the only non-drinker there. He gave Jack a happy smile and chuckled when Jack winked at him.

If Nick thought this was unusual, he didn't show it. "How about you, Elijah? We also have Dr. Pepper, Hawaiian Punch, sweet tea, or bottled water if you prefer."

"I'll take some Hawaiian Punch, thanks."

"Ahh… Shiloh's going to love you. It's his favorite drink. That's why we keep it stocked when we know he's going to come over."

They followed him through the homey living room and out the back door. "I'll fix your drinks and bring them out to you shortly."

"Is there anything we can do to help you?" Jack asked.

Nick grinned and shook his head. "Nah, we've got it under control. Go on out and see everyone. They're excited that you came and brought your new friend."

Elijah couldn't stop the grin that tilted his lips. Maybe making friends with them wouldn't be so bad after all. Some of his nervousness fled, and he relaxed a little as he and Jack walked hand-in-hand out of the house. On the nice-sized back porch, two men sat on some brightly colored, comfortable-looking lawn chairs and were surrounded by a large, sturdy table heaped with plates and covered dishes.

The prettiest man Elijah had ever seen looked up, and a huge smile formed on his face. His almost black hair was pulled back in a small ponytail and some strands fell across his jaw. He wore an aqua pullover and khaki cargo shorts. He squealed, jumped up, and ran over to them. He had on leather thong sandals that accentuated his rainbow toenails.

He was colorful and flamboyantly sweet, and Elijah immediately liked him.

"Jackson! Oh honey, I'm sooo thrilled you and your friend decided to come!" The man's sunny smile and pleased tone relaxed Elijah even more.

"We're glad to be here, Shiloh. This gorgeous man beside me is Elijah," Jack said with laughter in his voice. Apparently Shiloh charmed everyone he was around.

On the opposite side of Jack, Shiloh gave Jack a one-armed hug, and then his striking golden gaze met his. "Elijah, we are thrilled to finally meet you! Jackson has sung your praises for weeks now, and we finally get to meet the face behind the name," Shiloh enthused. He stepped away from Jack and offered a slim, delicate hand. "The sexy man sitting over there is my beautiful husband, Allen. Isn't he a dish?"

Jack has talked about me?

Normally, Elijah would be worried about what was said about him. But somehow, hearing that Jack had talked about him to his friends made him feel important—needed.

Elijah glanced over to the dark-haired man sitting at the table, feeling tickled way down in his stomach. "Nice to meet you, Shiloh." He let go of Jack's hand and shook Shiloh's. He leaned toward the lovely man and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. "You're right; your husband is quite dishy…not as much as Jack is, but a dish nonetheless."

Shiloh's golden eyes widened, and a pleased look formed on his face. "Jackson, you must keep him. I see he has exceptional taste in men."

Elijah's heart lightened when he saw the proud gleam blazing through Jack's sparkling green eyes.

"Come on and let's sit a spell." Shiloh linked his arm through Elijah's and led him to the table and chairs. He soon found himself sitting with Jack on one side and Shiloh on the other.

Elijah immediately reached for Jack's hand and they entwined their fingers. Jack scooted his chair closer to him, and the feeling of love and friendship washed over him. He leaned toward Jack and listened and responded to Shiloh's excited chatter. Elijah laughed at the teasing banter Shiloh and Allen had between them, and he started to quickly enjoy himself.

"Here are your drinks." Nick handed them out. Elijah thanked him and took a quick sip of the ice cold, fruity drink.

"No cocktails tonight, guys?" Shiloh asked, taking a big sip from his frozen strawberry daiquiri.

"Not tonight."

"I don't drink."

They answered at the same time. Both Shiloh and Allen looked at them and then at each other.

"I'm a recovering alcoholic." The words fell quietly from Elijah's mouth of their own accord. He leaned toward Jack, relishing his support and strength.

Allen nodded. "How long have you been in recovery?"

"Two years."

Shiloh patted Elijah's hand that rested on the table. "That's amazing, Elijah. You must be very proud of yourself."

He nodded.

"Does it bother you that we're drinking? If it does, we can easily stop." Shiloh offered with a sweet smile on his pretty face.

Elijah was humbled by Shiloh's kind words, but honestly people drinking around him didn't bother him as much as it used to. He would never ask someone not to drink just because he couldn't—wouldn't—anymore.

"No, please. It's not a problem. I'll just relax with my Hawaiian Punch and enjoy it."

"If you're sure?"

"Very."

Nick sat down on the other side of Jack and set his drink in front of him. "The barbeque king should be here any minute," he stated in a teasing voice.

"You don't grill on the porch?" Elijah asked.

Nick shook his head. "No, he grills away from the house. That way it's not such a fire hazard."

Elijah nodded. He never thought of it like that. It was a smart move on their part.

"Allen's parents do that too, but they do it probably because Dad can burn a good piece of meat better than anyone I know." Shiloh snickered.

Allen nodded and laughed. "That's for sure. The first time I took Shiloh to meet them, he burned the meat so bad we had to have pizza instead."

They all laughed, easily picturing the results of the blackened food.

"Supper is on the table," a voice behind them sang in an off-key fashion.

Elijah turned around and watched a cute man in his early thirties carry a big platter of barbequed chicken and steaks to the table.

The man looked at him, and an easy grin fell across his face. "Hi, you must be Elijah. I'm Josh." He reached over to shake his hand.

"Nice to meet you. Thanks for letting me come." Elijah shook his hand and returned his smile.

"Are you kidding me? No thanks needed. We've been looking forward to meeting you."

Elijah's face flushed with the pleasure of being welcomed within the tight group of friends.

Josh sat down next to Nick, and soon they were all filling their plates with delicious-looking food. Elijah ate and listened to Josh and Nick talk about the daycare center they owned. He was impressed when they told the group that they were thinking about expanding it into a community center.

"I'm glad you're finally going to do it." Shiloh said, wiping the side of his mouth with a paper napkin.

"It's definitely overdue. We need to have a fun and safe place where all the members of the community can meet," Nick said. He took a healthy swig of his iced tea before continuing. "We're hoping to get some counselors on board and hopefully schedule some therapeutic meetings like AA and groups specializing in other important issues."

"That's awesome." Jack agreed. "I know the recovering from a loss of a spouse group I used to attend did me a world of good."

Initially, Elijah was shocked to hear Jack's words but knowing Jack as he did, he wasn't surprised that his friend was strong enough to ask for help with the loss of his partner when he needed it. Elijah's respect for Jack rose even further, knowing he was willing to put himself out there like he did.

Elijah knew from experience that going to group therapy could be taxing but usually worth it in the end. Hell, attending therapy still had its difficult days, but Elijah didn't know what he would do without it.

"We also want to open up a Gay-Straight Alliance here. We think it's especially important for other people in our community to have a safe haven to go to. Also, with both gay and straight kids being bullied, we think it would be beneficial to our community to have a committee to fight for the safety of those children," Josh said.

"Is Daniel still being picked on by that kid?" Jack asked, and then he took a bite of his baked beans.

Josh shook his head. "Not since last year. Daniel says the kid avoids him like he'll catch gay and barely makes eye contact with him."