“Hmm? I guess so.” He only had eyes for Charles, who filled up his brain.
Roper was talking quietly with each of the men while River looked on with interest. It was probably just as well that they couldn’t hear the conversation.
“Master River, Master Charles, can Ryder and I get you drinks?” Kacey rested steady hands on his shoulders.
“Yes, please. Ryder knows what I want.” Charles patted his knee.
“Yes, Sir.” He kissed Charles’s cheek, then smiled at Kacey. “Merry Christmas, friend. How are you?”
“I’m great. Merry Christmas.” Kacey bumped shoulders with him. “You look amazing. You have happy written all over your face.”
“I am. I’m having so much fun with him. He makes me stupidly happy.” And he was going to do his best to make Charles happy.
“Good deal.” Kacey looked over his shoulder. “So…your brother?”
“My twin. Roper. He’s a good man.” Roper was going to be fine.
“I heard about him. Master River says he’s stubborn and naughty. Sounds like the exact opposite of you.”
“Well, I’m pretty stubborn, but no one’s ever called me naughty, I’m sure.”
“I get it all.” Kacey chuckled. “Depends on the day.”
He glanced back at Roper, who hadn’t moved, but was listening intently. “Do you think he’ll find a place here? My brother?”
“If he wants a place here, he’s already got one. Will he find the right Dom tonight? No way of knowing, I guess, but he’s got people looking out for him. I didn’t even know—I mean, he’salready light years ahead of where I was when I landed at River’s place.”
“Yeah?” He didn’t want to talk about Roper and kinky stuff together, but he could listen to Kacey talk about River for hours.
“Oh, yeah. All I knew was I was mad and scared and I couldn’t ever go home again. I didn’t trust anybody.”
“Oh, honey. That sucks. I’m so sorry.” Awkward. Fuck. “But it did work out for the best.”
“You know it. Everything happens for a reason, right?” Kacey smiled and it was hard to believe he was ever in such a bad place.
“That’s the rumor. You’re led to where you belong.” And he belonged with his Mister Charlie, balls to bones.
Kacey waved down the bartender so they could order drinks. “Roper too. He’s here now. He’s going to okay.”
“He is.” He nodded to Kacey. “It’s good to be home.”
They got drinks for their men, though Ryder noted that River’s was just a Diet Coke with lime, and headed back to the table, where everyone was laughing.
Roper was smiling and seemed more relaxed. “Hey, Bubba, I was just telling a couple of stories from the road.”
“Oh, good Lord and butter.” His cheeks heated. “There’s sure a lot of those…”
“Tons.” Roper waggled his eyebrows.
“Your brother is very entertaining.” Craig was laughing along, leaning back in his chair and watching Roper. Oliver was quieter, smiling, and seemed to be watching Roper more than listening.
“He’s one hell of a storyteller, yessir. He’s a hoot.” And he’d better not be embarrassing Charles, dammit.
Kacey set River’s drink down and ended up in River’s lap. Charles took his drink and patted a seat next to him. As soon as he sat Charles settled an arm around his shoulders. “Thank you.”
“You’re more than welcome, Sir. You happy?”
“I am. But as much as this is fascinating, I’m not sure our presence is needed at this table.”