Steam (Homecoming Hearts #4)(40)

Before he could get weepy, he shook himself and headed back inside. Trent would have had plenty of time to get himself together by now. Sure enough, Ashby returned to an empty room.

He showered quickly and picked out a simple, conservative outfit of jeans and a T-shirt. He wasn’t sure how these other guys would receive him, so best to play it safe. He did put a little basic makeup on, however, just to even out his complexion.

At five past seven he stood outside the door that was allegedly Elion’s and bit his lower lip. He had no reason to be nervous. He was very good at socializing, after all. These weren’t even the very famous members of Trent’s friendship group. But they were still part of Trent’s inner circle and Ashby was keen to have them like him.

He smoothed down his T-shirt and took a steadying breath. Then he raised his hand and after a beat, knocked twice.

“Come in!” a chorus of voices rang out.

Ashby swallowed his nerves, mustered up a smile and opened the door that had evidently been left off the latch.

He was greeted by three guys, two of whom he recognized and one he’d never seen before. Muscular Gabe with his dark brown hair was currently hugging a laptop to his chest by the double bed. An even bigger blond guy Ashby didn’t know was standing next to him, holding his hands out at a pouting Elion Rodriguez, who looked like he was trying to grab the laptop.

Elion was even more gorgeous than he was on TV, Ashby realized with a jolt, with light brown skin and big brown eyes. The hot pink tips of his dark hair looked to have been freshly dyed. His frame was slender but still defined with muscle in a way Ashby never seemed to manage. As pretty as he was, it was hard to take him seriously while he was stamping his foot and waving his hands in front of him.

“Gabe!” he whined, making the word last several seconds just like a child having a temper tantrum. “I need it back! I need to double-check the table plans and the music for the pre-drinks reception and make sure I transferred the money for the florist. Gabe! Levi, tell him!”

The big guy, Levi, chuckled and pulled Elion into a hug. “It’s all done and you know it.” He let Elion go and squeezed his shoulder. “You and Joey are enough to put anyone off weddings, jeeze. Let’s have some fun already.”

Gabe put the laptop under the pillows on the double bed occupying half the room and held up his finger in warning. “No more work, guys,” he said. “It’s time to party. On which note, I’d like you to meet someone.” He walked over to Ashby, smiling and extending out his arm. “This here’s Ashby Wilcott, Trent’s friend.”

That got Elion’s attention, judging from the slack look that suddenly occupied his face. “But…” he said, “Ashby’s a girl. I’ve got…I thought…”

He made to go get his laptop, but Levi caught his hip and steered him away to the dresser. “Nuh uh,” he said, handing him a Champagne flute. “Fun, now, remember?”

Ashby nibbled on his lip as Gabe ushered him into the room. It was much like his and Trent’s, with cream walls, wooden floors with a large floral rug under the bed and a large bronze-gilded mirror on the wall. Ashby and Trent’s had an impressive writing desk that was missing from this room, though. Ashby had been admiring it before he came over. It looked like the kind of place you’d sit and write legal documents. Or love letters.

It was a tiny bit crowded with the four of them standing between the bed and the couch, but Ashby soon also had a cold glass of bubbly pressed into his hand which soothed his nerves somewhat.

“Cheers,” Levi said, holding up his drink and eyeballing Elion, who sighed and offered him a weak smile.

“All right,” he grumbled. His shoulders relaxed a little and he clinked glasses with everyone. “Cheers. Thank you for looking after me.”

“Aren’t your bridesmaids coming too?” Gabe asked, glancing at the door. “Sorry, groomsbitches.”

Elion grinned and nodded. “Devon drove Jodi out to get more booze without Jodi and Blake’s mom finding out.” He shook his head. “In-laws, man.” But he smiled and sank down on the couch, taking a gulp of his drink. As much as he rolled his eyes discussing Blake’s mom, Ashby got the impression he was so hyper about the wedding he was willing to forgive his future mother-in-law’s ways. “So it’s just us husbands and fiancés and boyfriends for now – oh my!” he said bouncing up and down. “So, when does the stripper get here?”

“No stripper,” Gabe said firmly from Elion’s side. “This is a mini-bachelor party. You still need to make it down the aisle tomorrow.”

“Partner,” Levi corrected belatedly.

The blond guy was sitting on the edge of the bed next to Ashby. He glanced Ashby’s way. Levi was quite scary when his face was in repose. Ashby got a vague military vibe from the way he held himself. But then he smiled and his blue eyes dazzled.

“Not that there’s anything wrong with being boyfriends,” he said, addressing Ashby. “Raiden and I just aren’t keen on the term ourselves.”

Ashby blinked and realized all three of them were looking at him. “Oh, no,” he said quickly, spluttering on his Champagne. Then he laughed before his panic could make him sweat. “Trent and I are just friends. We only met this week,” he added with a nervous giggle.

Levi leaned back against the pillows as Elion crossed his feet underneath himself.