Uniting the Souls (Souls of Chicago #6)(66)

“It sounds like you’re doing really well, Rylie. I’m so happy that the stress of being on the road hasn’t caused you to have any slip ups,” I told him. He’d asked if we could continue our sessions using Skype while he was on tour and I told him I thought it was a great idea. He’d been gone for over six months, but he’d never missed even one of our weekly sessions.

“It’s still stressful, and you and I both know I’ll always have times where I have to fight the cravings, but I feel great, I’m more focused than I’ve ever been and I have so many things to live for,” he said, smiling widely. I smiled back at him, so proud of how far he’d come since I’d first met him.

“I’m assuming Lachlan is one of those things,” I teased and laughed as Rylie’s grin widened even further.

“Yeah, he’s the best thing,” Rylie answered, his voice gentling at the mention of his husband. “But there’s more.” I arched an eyebrow at him and waited for him to elaborate. “Oh, would you look at that. We’re out of time!” he said with a devious grin.

“Asshole,” I grumbled.

“Is that your professional diagnosis, Doc?” Rylie asked, his shoulders shaking.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, it is and I’ll be sure to put it in my notes,” I informed him haughtily and he burst out into a fit of laughter.

“So, how are things going with your two lovers, you naughty boy?” he purred. I rolled my eyes, but ignored his teasing.

“Things are amazing with both of them. I couldn’t imagine finding any two people more perfect for me,” I told him.

“I’m so happy for you, you deserve it,” Rylie said, sounding more serious than usual. I could tell he had something important to say so I waited quietly. He cleared his throat. “If it weren’t for you and Lachlan, I’d probably have died a long time ago in some skeevy motel room. That was the path I was headed down, but because of the two of you, I was able to get back on track and in the end, got a life that’s better than I could’ve ever hoped for. You’re more than just my therapist, Hudson. You’re one of my very best friends and you deserve to be just as happy as I am.”

I swallowed around the knot in my throat that his words had caused. “I feel the same way about you and I’m so glad to have you as a friend.”

“Even when I’m forcing you to ride in tiny cars?” Rylie joked, lightening the heavy mood.

“Even then,” I chuckled.

“Okay, I better get going. I have a very sexy British man sleeping in the other room and I have plans on how I’d like to wake him.” He gave me a wolfish smile and then my screen went dark.

I shut the lid on my laptop and then stood up and stretched, I was still smiling as I walked out of my home office and down the hall to the kitchen. I’d been telling Rylie the truth when I said things were great with me, Matt, and Isaac.

Isaac began seeing a counselor shortly after he told us about his past. It was the same counselor that Matt was seeing and she seemed to be helping them both tremendously. Isaac’s nightmares started occurring more frequently which was to be expected after having to dredge everything up. But now, instead of making up excuses, he talked to us about what the nightmares were and let us comfort him. The whole thing had just brought us even closer to each other.

I washed my hands at the sink and then started pulling food out of the fridge. I had a lot to do and only a few hours to get it all done. I’d asked my guys to come over for dinner, but they had no idea that I had planned for this to be a special dinner. A swarm of butterflies took flight inside my stomach when I thought of everything I wanted to say to them. I just hoped they took it well.

A couple of hours later, the food was all prepared and had been put in the oven and I’d cleaned my place. I glanced at the clock on the stove and realized I’d better get a move on if I was going to have time for a shower before they got there.

I cleaned myself quickly and had just finished getting dressed when I heard the front door open. We’d exchanged keys with each other several months ago, making it easier for us all to come and go from each other’s homes.

“Oh, wow! Something smells delicious,” I heard Isaac say.

“Yum. What is that?” Matt said. They were in the kitchen and I crept up behind them, smiling as they peeked under the lids on the stovetop.

“No need to snoop, I’ll tell you.” I laughed when they both jumped and turned around to face me, matching guilty expressions on their faces. “It’s beef bourguignon with buttered noodles and string beans. I also made a triple chocolate cake for dessert.”

“That must’ve taken you all day,” Matt said.

“You’re worth it,” I responded, moving in to kiss each of them, long and slow.

My cock was aching by the time we stopped, but I made myself because we needed to talk first and I wanted to feed my men. I got dinner out of the oven while Isaac poured the drinks and Matt sliced the loaf of homemade bread I’d made. It felt so natural and domestic and I found myself smiling as I plated the food.

“Everything looks amazing, but is there a special occasion we forgot about?” Matt asked as we sat down at the table.

“Every day with the two of you is a special occasion,” I replied sweetly, earning me a grin from each of them.